[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 55 (Thursday, March 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 13470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5255]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Manoa Watershed, Honolulu County, Hawaii

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 
CFR Part 1500) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an 
Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared for the Manoa 
Watershed, Honolulu County, Hawaii.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence T. Yamamoto, Director, 
Pacific Islands Area, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 300 Ala 
Moana Boulevard, Room 4-118, P.O. Box 50004, Honolulu, HI 96850-0050, 
Telephone: (808) 541-2600, ext. 105.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A preliminary assessment of this federally 
funded action indicates that the project may cause significant impacts 
on the environment. As a result, Lawrence T. Yamamoto, Director, has 
determined that the preparation and review of an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) is needed for this project.
    This project will be implemented under the Watershed Protection and 
Flood Prevention Act (Pub. L. 83-566, as amended), for the purpose of 
flood mitigation in Manoa Valley. The NRCS will work with the affected 
community and sponsoring local organizations to develop an acceptable 
plan to address the flood problem. Sponsoring local organizations 
include the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and the City 
and County of Honolulu.
    The project aims to mitigate flooding of the magnitude experienced 
on October 30, 2004, when an intense rainstorm cell hit the upper 
watershed area of Manoa Valley. Runoff from the storm damaged 
streambanks and bridges throughout the valley. Bridges obstructed by 
debris diverted floodwater from the stream channel onto roads, damaging 
homes and other neighborhood improvements, as well as the University of 
Hawaii. The total damage from the flood event neared $100 million.
    A full range of possible programs and actions will be considered in 
order to meet the project goal of flood mitigation. Currently under 
consideration are detention basins on public lands, flood walls, debris 
basins and other debris management actions, flood-proofing structures 
within the flood plain, diversion of flood waters, flood warning 
systems, widening of the channel, acquisition of properties within the 
floodplain, maintenance easements, and a drainage district. As 
hydrologic and hydraulic analyses are performed and stakeholder 
consultations are conducted, additional concepts may be developed.
    A draft Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared and 
circulated for review by agencies and the public. The Natural Resources 
Conservation Service invites participation and consultation of agencies 
and individuals that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or 
interest in the preparation of the draft EIS. All written and verbal 
comments received in response to this Notice of Intent will be 
considered when determining the scope of the EIS. The sponsoring local 
organizations will be issuing an Environmental Impact Statement 
Preparation Notice pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 343, and 
a public participation process in the affected community has already 
been initiated. NEPA and HRS 343 requirements will be coordinated in 
the preparation of the EIS document.
    A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at the 
Noelani Elementary School cafeteria from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., to 
determine the scope of analysis of the proposed action. Further 
information on the proposed action or the public scoping meeting may be 
obtained from Lawrence T. Yamamoto, Director, at the above address or 
telephone number.

(This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.904--Watershed Protection and Flood 
Prevention--and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and 
local officials.)

    Dated: March 14, 2007.
Lawrence T. Yamamoto,
Director, Pacific Islands Area.
[FR Doc. E7-5255 Filed 3-21-07; 8:45 am]
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