[Federal Register: August 18, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 159)]
[Notices]
[Page 51231-51232]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18au04-33]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Armed Forces Retirement Home.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq. and the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR]
Parts 1500-1508), the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) plans to
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the
potential impacts from the proposed Master Development Plan for its
campus located at 3700 North Capital Street, NW., in Washington, DC.
AFRH also intends to initiate consultation under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470f, for the proposed
Master Development Plan.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Wallwork, AFRH, at (202) 730-
3038. Please call this number if special assistance is needed to attend
and participate in the scoping meeting.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice of intent is as follows:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the
Proposed Master Development Plan for the Armed Forces Retirement Home
in Washington, DC
The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) intends to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential impacts
from the proposed Master Development Plan for its campus located at
3700 North Capital Street, NW., in Washington, DC.
[[Page 51232]]
Background
Established in 1851, the AFRH in Washington, DC continues its
mission as a retirement community for military veterans. The 276-acre
site is currently developed with 93 structures including the U.S.
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Landmark District.
In 2002, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2002 (Pub. L. 107-107, 24 U.S.C. 410, et seq.) gave the AFRH, with
approval of the Secretary of Defense, authority to dispose of any
property by sale, lease, or otherwise that is excess to the needs of
the AFRH. Proceeds from such a disposal are to replenish the AFRH's
Trust Fund. To implement this authority, AFRH is currently preparing a
Master Development Plan for its 276-acre campus in Washington, DC that
will guide the long-term use and development of the site.
Alternatives Under Consideration
AFRH will analyze the proposed action and no action alternatives
for the proposed Master Development Plan. AFRH will analyze a range of
alternatives for future development on the AFRH campus. These
alternatives will include development of portions of the site for
office, commercial, institutional, and residential uses. As part of the
EIS, AFRH will study the impacts of each alternative on the human
environment.
Scoping Process
In accordance with NEPA, a scoping process will be conducted to aid
in determining the alternatives to be considered and the scope of
issues to be addressed, as well as for identifying the significant
issues related to the proposed Master Development Plan. Scoping will be
accomplished through a public scoping meeting, direct mail
correspondence to potentially interested individuals, agencies, and
organizations, and meetings with agencies having an interest in the
AFRH. It is important that Federal, regional, and local agencies, and
interested individuals and groups take this opportunity to identify
environmental concerns that should be addressed during the preparation
of the Draft EIS.
The AFRH is also using the NEPA scoping to facilitate consultation
with the public under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act (36 CFR Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties). AFRH welcomes
comments from the public to ensure that it takes into account the
effects of its action on historic properties.
Public Scoping Meeting
The public scoping meeting will be held on September 9, 2004, from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Sherman Building
South located at 3700 N. Capital Street, NW., in Washington, DC. Photo
identification will be required to enter the site, and security will
direct visitors to available parking. The meeting will be an informal
open house, where visitors may come, receive information, and give
comments. AFRH will publish notices in the Washington Post and local
newspapers announcing this meeting. AFRH will prepare a scoping report,
available to the public, which will summarize the comments received and
facilitate their incorporation into the EIS and Section 106 processes.
Written Comments
Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written comments
on the scoping issues in addition to or in lieu of giving their
comments at the public scoping meeting. Written comments regarding the
environmental analysis for the proposed Master Development Plan must be
postmarked no later than September 17, 2004, and sent to the following
address: Armed Forces Retirement Home, Attention: Craig Wallwork, 3700
North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20011,
craig.wallwork@afrh.gov.
Dated: August 13, 2004.
Timothy Cox,
Chief Operating Officer, Armed Forces Retirement Home.
[FR Doc. 04-18896 Filed 8-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8250-01-P