The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Honolulu District, in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Port Administration will begin accepting public comments next Monday, May 22, on a Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment for shoreline protection at Ofu Airport in Manu’a.
The tentative plan will address coastline erosion at the west bank of the Ofu Airport, located in the Manuʻa Islands.
Coastal erosion impacting the runway safety area has accelerated in recent years, because of tropical storms and king tides. Without emergency shoreline protection, the damage could potentially impact air access to Ofu and Olosega Islands.
The Ofu Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Section 14 study is administered under the Flood Control Act of 1946, which authorizes USACE to study, design, and construct emergency streambank and shoreline works, used to protect public facilities.
Concurrent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of this project, USACE is conducting a review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and invites the public to comment on identification and impact to any historic properties.
A 30-day public comment period runs from May 22 through June 21, 2023. Written comments may be submitted as follows:
E-Mail: CEPOH-Planning@usace.army.mil
Postal Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District ATTN: CEPOH-PPC (Ofu) 230 Otake St. Fort Shafter, Hawaii 96858-5440
The public is invited to attend a meeting either in-person or virtually, Wed. May 31, 3 PM SST (or 4 PM HST) to discuss findings, ask questions and provide comments on the Draft IFR/EA.
In-person meeting locations:
* Ofu Airport ARFF Building, Ofu Island
* Pago Pago International Airport, Conference Room, Tafuna, Tutuila
Virtual via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/znn-hpch-aim
* Dial (U.S.): +1-617-675-4444
* PIN: 715 816 963 1593#
* More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/znn-hpch-aim?pin=7158169631593
Visit Study Website: The Draft IFR/EA can be accessed at the study website located at: https://www.poh.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Civil-Works-Projects/Ofu-Section-14/
