693JF72340021

Award Purpose:
This planning project will study potential navigational improvements in the Saipan Harbor for two potential future projects: 1) Extend Charlie 1 Dock and 2) Dredge the entrance channel turning basin, North and South Seaplane Ramps, and Echo Dock areas. This will allow larger vessels, including cruise ships and updated liquid bulk vessels, to dock at the port.

Activities to be Performed:
The recipient will conduct planning for two Port of Saipan projects with two separate Architectural and Engineering (A&E) design consultants. This statement of work is comprised of the following components: extending Charlie 1 Dock, dredging the entrance channel turning basin, North and South Seaplane Ramps, and Echo Dock areas.

For both components, the recipients' A&E consultants will conduct the following services:
1. Feasibility study of alternatives: The feasibility study, which could also be referred to as an alternatives analysis, will assess different dredging options, including preferred depths and widths, and different pier extension options. The 2021 Saipan Harbor Master Plan (SHMP) is a springboard for this work, with a few alternatives already suggested and some preliminary work regarding the current flow and sand deposition conducted.
2. In-water biological survey of the port: For both the dredging and pier extension locations, the underwater and above-water biological surveys of the dredging areas and Charlie 1 Pier, and associated feasibility studies, must consider the potential for endangered or threatened species to be affected by the project and to be beneficially affected through habitat improvement. Additionally, potential impacts to essential fish habitat designated for Western Pacific fisheries under the Magnuson Stevens Act must be assessed. Particularly important will be the assessment of the seagrass beds near the proposed dredging areas of the seaplane ramps. This may inform recommendations for potential compensatory mitigations, particularly for dredging.

Public Scoping:
Conduct public scoping to fulfill NEPA requirements for each future construction project by engaging with various stakeholders to discuss their concerns, ideas, and perspectives. Will engage with local and federal government agencies as required, especially if opportunities to partner arise during the feasibility stage.

Permitting:
Including drafting of a biological assessment for endangered and threatened species on land and in the water. The feasibility studies for the Port of Saipan will inform the permitting process. The appropriate USACE permits must be acquired for the dredging and Charlie 1 Dock extension. The permits must include NEPA, Endangered Species Act, and other analyses (e.g., National Historic Preservation Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and local CNMI statutes and regulations). Additionally, biological assessments must be written during permitting to fulfill ESA and MSA requirements to assess impacts on endangered and threatened species, their critical habitat, and essential fish habitat. The recipient has discussed the potential permitting requirements with the USACE and will be actively engaged with USACE throughout the permitting process.

Design:
The dredging and Charlie 1 Pier extension must be designed by an engineering company. Some preliminary designs for dredging and pier extension are included in the 2021 SHMP but are not based on a selected alternative; rather, they are a recommendation within the SHMP. The preliminary design, including numeric modeling, will inform the feasibility study alternatives analysis. Final design will be performed on the recommended alternative once the feasibility study is completed.

Equity Analysis:
An equity analysis will be conducted. The equity analysis will look at racial and income equity and the inherent barriers to opportunity due to race and income.

Cost Benefit Analysis:
Cost benefit analyses for the improvements will be conducted.

Deliverables:
Expected outcomes: None (planning grant).
Intended beneficiary: Commonwealth Ports Authority.
Subrecipient activities: None.

Commonwealth Ports Authority

20.933 - National Infrastructure Investments

Maritime Administration (MARAD) [DOT]

Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 96950-1055 United States

Single Zip Code

None