[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6792]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 23, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

 

Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Proposed Disposal and Reuse of Naval Hospital Philadelphia, PA

     Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of Navy announces 
its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to 
evaluate the potential environmental effects of the disposal and reuse 
of the Naval Hospital (NAVHOSP) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
    In accordance with recommendations of the Department of Defense 
Secretary's 1988 Commission on Base Realignment and Closure, the Navy 
has disestablished NAVHOSP Philadelphia. The proposed action to be 
analyzed in the EIS involves the disposal of land, buildings, and 
infrastructure of NAVHOSP Philadelphia for subsequent reuse. NAVHOSP 
Philadelphia consists of approximately 49 acres and a total of 56 
buildings, and structures, including 47 permanent, eight semi-
permanent, and one temporary facility. NAVHOSP Philadelphia is located 
in the southern portion of the City of Philadelphia, north of the 
Philadelphia Naval Base, in the County of Philadelphia.
    The reuse of NAVHOSP Philadelphia has been studied by the Mayor of 
Philadelphia's Commission on Defense Conversion. The redevelopment/
reuse plan developed by the Commission will be the basis for the EIS. 
The reuse plan proposes a 15 acre area for market rate housing, a five 
acre nursing home/assisted living facility, and a 30 acre addition to 
Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The Park area would include 13 acres of 
passive recreation, four acres of active recreation, and 13 acres for 
parking. The ``no action'' alternative, Navy retention of NAVHOSP 
Philadelphia land and infrastructure in caretaker status, will be 
addressed in the EIS. However, because of the process mandated by the 
Base Closure and Realignment Act, selection of the ``no action'' 
alternative would be considered outside the jurisdiction of the Navy.
    The EIS to be prepared by the Navy will address the following known 
areas of concern: effects of new development at the Hospital on the 
natural and socioeconomic environments, effects of future growth on 
area schools, recreations facilities and transportation systems, and 
the effects of reuse on any historic properties on-site. Preliminary 
studies indicate the most of NAVHOSP Philadelphia is eligible for 
listing on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic 
district, with many of the buildings and structures contributing to the 
district's significance. Major environmental issues that will be 
addressed in the EIS included, but are not limited to, air quality, 
water quality, wetlands, endangered species, transportation, and 
socioeconomic impacts.
    The Navy will initiate a scoping process for the purposes of 
determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the 
significant issues related to the proposed reuse alternatives. A pubic 
scoping meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, 1994, beginning at 
7:30 p.m., at the Holy Spirit Church, in the Church Hall, 1835 
Hartranft Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This meeting will be 
announced in the local papers.
    A brief presentation will precede request for public comment. Navy 
representatives will be available at this meeting to receive comments 
from the public regarding issues of concern to the public. It is 
important that federal, state, and local agencies and interested 
individuals take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns 
that should be addressed during the preparation of the EIS. In the 
interest of available time, each speaker will be asked to limit their 
oral comments to five minutes.
    Agencies and the public are also invited and encouraged to provide 
written comment 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 no later than April 29, 1994, to: 
Commanding Officer, Northern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering 
Command, 10 Industrial Highway, Lester, Pennsylvania 19113 (Attn: Mr. 
Robert Ostermueller, Code 202), telephone (610) 595-0759.

    Dated: March 18, 1994.
Patrick W. Kelley,
CAPT, JAGC, USN, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-6792 Filed 3-22-94; 8:45 am]
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