SPECIAL PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR: FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Honolulu District
File Number: POH-2004-01141
Public Notice Date: June 13, 2014
Comment Period Expiration Date: July 28, 2014
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District (Corps) Regulatory Office, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has completed a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning (HSWAC) Project. The features of the proposed HSWAC project requiring Department of the Army (DA) authorization under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act are the construction of seawater intake and return water pipelines and backfilling of an offshore receiving pit in navigable waters of the U.S. off the south shore of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i at Kaka‘ako.
Comments on the FEIS will be accepted through the 45 day review period, beginning June 13, 2014, and ending July 28, 2014. This comment period is intended to provide those interested in or affected by this proposal an opportunity to make their concerns known prior to a decision being made by the Corps. Questions or comments concerning the FEIS should be directed to:
Ryan H. Winn
Regulatory Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District
Building 230, Fort Shafter, HI 96858-5440
(808) 835-4309
ryan.h.winn@usace.army.mil
We encourage your input and participation in this environmental process. An electronic version of the FEIS is available as an attachment to this Special Public Notice, which may be accessed at http://www.poh.usace.army.mil/Media/PublicNotices and opening POH-2004-01141-SPN. A CD copy of the document may be obtained by contacting Mr. Winn in writing at the mailing or e-mail address provided above. In addition, a bound copy of the FEIS may be viewed at the Hawaii State Library (Hawaii & Pacific Section), 478 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Interested parties are invited to provide their comments on the FEIS in writing to the mailing or email address provided above. All comments will become a part of the official record and will be considered in the final decision. Comments must be received by the contact above on or before July 28, 2014.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC, intends to provide seawater air conditioning services to downtown Honolulu, Hawai‘i. In order to obtain, utilize, and return deep, cold seawater, the applicant proposes to construct a 63-inch diameter seawater intake pipe extending offshore approximately four miles, to a water depth of 1,755 feet, and a 54-inch diameter seawater return pipe extending offshore approximately one mile, to a water depth of 423 feet. The pipelines would be micro tunneled from an upland jacking pit to a receiving pit approximately 1,600 feet offshore, to a water depth of approximately 30 feet. The offshore receiving pit would be excavated and backfilled at the pipeline "breakout" location. The offshore portions of the intake and return pipelines would be supported in tandem on pre-cast concrete supports. The seaward end of the return pipeline would terminate in a diffuser section extending from depths of 326 to 423 feet. DA permit authorization is required for the proposed work, structures, and discharge of fill material in navigable waters of the U.S., pursuant to both Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 USC 403) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1344).