Environmental Review and Decision - Emergency Access Route

This document is the environmental review and decision. The environmental review for the emergency access route (22' width) was completed and a decision based on the environmental review was issued in accordance with alternative National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) arrangements developed by and in consultation with the Department of Interior and the President's Council on Environmental Quality.

The emergency access route will be used over an extended period of time following the original Chain of Craters Kalapana Road alignment and width (combined road and shoulder was 22' wide) with crushed aggregate surfacing for a total of 5.5 miles within the park. The environmental review considered alternatives to the emergency access route and potential adverse impacts, public involvement, and mitigation and monitoring commitments. As part of the alternative arrangements, the National Park Service (NPS) will continue to engage the public by soliciting comments on the project, participating in public informational meetings, responding to comments received, and publishing periodic reports on the results of monitoring commitments. In addition, the NPS will continue to consult with affected agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Hawai'i State Historic Preservation Division, as necessary. The NPS will also prepare a NEPA review to consider the future of the emergency access route after the emergency ends.

Comments will be accepted while construction of the road is in progress (current estimated completion date of March 13, 2015), and are intended to affect NPS consideration of adjustments to the proposed action and enhancement of proposed mitigation measures. The comment period will be extended if necessary. Responses to substantive comments will be subsequently posted on PEPC. Results of park monitoring of resources and road use will be posted on PEPC and the park's website, shared at community meetings, or publicized via other means of communication periodically throughout the duration of the emergency.

Document Content:

Environmental Review for Alt Arrangements_HAVO Chain of Craters Road_11.3.14.pdf   (1012.3 KB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.