[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5403]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy

 

Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the 
Proposed Realignment of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, White Oak 
Detachment, Silver Spring, MD

    Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council on Environmental 
Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the 
Navy announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) to evaluate the environmental effects of the realignment of the 
Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), White Oak Detachment, Silver 
Spring, Maryland. This action is being conducted in accordance with the 
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-510) and 
the specific 1993 base closure and realignment decisions which became 
effective in September 1993.
    The proposed action involves the relocation of personnel and 
activities from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEASYSCOM) Headquarters, 
Arlington, Virginia, to NSWC White Oak.
    In order to meet the facility and operational requirements of 
NAVSEASYSCOM, the realignment will require 900,000 to 1,300,000 square 
feet of facilities at NSWC White Oak. These facility and operational 
requirements will be met through the utilization of existing space 
(renovation of buildings) and/or new construction of facilities, such 
as administrative buildings, parking areas, and other support 
facilities. Approximately 4,000 employees will be relocated to NSWC 
White Oak.
    Alternatives addressed in the EIS will focus on means of meeting 
realignment requirements at NSWC White Oak, including alternative 
construction site locations. The EIS will discuss environmental impacts 
resulting from the construction and operation of facilities as well as 
expected associated impacts to the local communities resulting from the 
relocation of military/civilian personnel. Major environmental issues 
that will be addressed in the EIS will include, but not be limited to, 
impacts on cultural resources, terrestrial and aquatic habitats, storm 
water runoff, noise, and air quality. Other impacts to be considered 
will include impacts to community services, such as school capacity, 
infrastructure, and traffic. Cumulative impacts associated with the 
realignment of personnel and activities to the region around NSWC White 
Oak will be considered.
    The Navy will initiate a scoping process for the purpose of 
determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the 
significant issues related to this action. The Navy will hold a public 
scoping meeting on March 31, 1994, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the 
auditorium in the main building complex at Naval Surface Warefare 
Center, White Oak, Silver Spring, Maryland. This meeting will be 
advertised in local and regional newspapers.
    A brief presentation will precede requests for public comment and 
identification of additional scoping items. Navy representatives will 
be available at this meeting to receive comments from the public 
regarding issues of concern. It is important that federal, state, and 
local agencies and interested individuals take this opportunity to 
identify environmental concerns that should be addressed during 
preparation of the EIS. In the interest of available time, each speaker 
will be asked to limit his/her oral comments to five minutes.
    Agencies and the public are also invited and encouraged to provide 
written comments in addition to, or in lieu of, oral comments at the 
public meeting. To be most helpful, scoping comments should clearly 
describe specific issues or topics which the commentor believes the EIS 
should address. Written statements and or questions regarding the 
scoping process should be mailed to: Commanding Officer, Engineering 
Field Activity Chesapeake, Naval Facility Engineering Command, Building 
212, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC 20374-5018, (Attn: Mike Bryan 
Code 20N), telephone (202) 433-3387. All comments must be received no 
later than April 16, 1994.

    Dated: March 4, 1994.
Michael P. Rummel,
LCDR, JAGC, USN, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-5403 Filed 3-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-AE-M