NPS SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROJECT TO REPLACE THE FAILING SHORESIDE FLOATING DOCK & ANCHORING SYSTEM

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a Categorical Exclusion (CE) for a project to replace the shoreside floating dock and anchoring system at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center. Years of wave action, marine exposure and geological processes have deteriorated the existing shoreside floating dock resulting in the deterioration of the dock and other unsafe conditions. The dock is necessary to provide visitor transport to and from the USS Arizona Memorial and protect the cultural resources of the park due to the proximity of the shoreline and the relatively low elevation of the park.

The Shoreside Dock Replacement Project involves completely removing the existing concrete floating dock, two aluminum access gangways, and four reinforced concrete guide piles. The piles are approximately 16.5-inch diameter by 70 feet long and may be able to be reused by the contractor for another project after removing them. Subsequently, the project will involve installing a new dock, two access gangways, and strut mooring system. Site preparation also includes installing six new reinforced concrete anchor piles and blocks on the landside as anchor points to accept a new dock strut mooring system. The landside anchor blocks may incorporate ground improvements such as soil anchors or micro-piling to help hold the block in place under load. The mooring system will be designed to allow the dock to stay in position with water level changes.

The new dock will be shifted 5 feet to the west to avoid the sediment build-up near shore. The new gangways will still use the existing abutment pad locations. After the west side of the dock being complete, the east side of the dock will be removed and replaced. In addition, the aging concrete abutments will be repaired before being placed back in-service due deterioration, cracking and exposed rebar.

The west side of the dock currently out of commission, will be removed and replaced first, while the east side of the dock remains in service for visitors. Dock demolition and installation will be phased to minimize down time of the dock by keeping half of the dock operational during replacement. The overall project schedule is anticipated to be 8 to 10 months.

The National Park Service encourages public participation through the planning process. The National Park Service is currently in the civic engagement phase of the proposed project and invites the public to submit written suggestions, comments, and concerns regarding the proposed design for the dock.

The NPS is seeking your input to help inform the planning process for the Shoreside Floating Dock & Anchoring Replacement project. To submit comments during the open comment period of September 12 through October 4, 2020, visit the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment project page at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/valr.

Written comments may also be mailed to the address provided below by October 4, 2020.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is located at 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96818. The park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/valr.

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