[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3273-3274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-960]



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NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 
GOVERNMENT


Environmental Statements; Availability, etc.: Washington, D.C., 
Sport and Entertainment Arena Construction and Operation

AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission and District of Columbia 
Government.

ACTION: Proposed construction and operation of a sports and 
entertainment arena in Washington, D.C.; public meeting and intent to 
prepare an environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and in accordance with 
the Environmental Policies and Procedures implemented by the National 
Capital Planning Commission (Commission), the Commission, and the 
District of Columbia Government announce their intent to conduct one 
(1) public meeting to discuss a new sports and entertainment arena in 
Washington, D.C. The purpose of the public meeting is to determine the 
significant issues related to the construction and operation of the 
arena. The meeting will serve as part of the formal environmental 
review/scoping process for the preparation of the environmental 
document that is required for this project.
    This Notice of Intent (NOI) initiates the formal environmental 
review/scoping process for this project and the public is encouraged to 
submit written comments on the alternatives and on the impacts at this 
time. A comprehensive Environmental Assessment (EA) is considered to be 
the appropriate environmental document for this project and its is 
expected that completion of an EA will discharge all obligations under 
Federal environmental laws. If it becomes apparent, however, through 
the environmental review process that an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) is necessary, one will be prepared and a Supplemental Notice 
informing the public of this change will be issued. In addition, the 
comments and responses received on the scope of the alternative and 
potential impacts, as a result of this NOI, will be considered for the 
environmental document, whether it is ultimately an EA or an EIS, 
although, as mentioned an EA is considered to be the appropriate 
environmental document. Therefore, this is an announcement for the 
environmental review/scoping meeting for this project.
    The proposed sports and entertainment arena would seat a maximum of 
approximately 23,000 persons and would be located in downtown 
Washington, D.C. The site includes the following: Square 455 which is 
bounded by G Street NW, 6th Street NW, F Street NW and 7th Street NW; 
the right-of-way for the 600 block of G Street NW and, approximately, 
the southern fifth of Square 454 which is bounded by H Street NW, 6th 
Street NW, G Street NW and 7th Street NW. The proposed sports and 
entertainment arena is scheduled to be completed in time for the 1997 
basketball and hockey seasons.
    The Environmental Assessment (EA) will identify and analyze impacts 
and mitigation options of the alternative actions under consideration. 
At present, those alternatives may include: (1) Construction and 
operation of a new sports and entertainment arena at the Gallery Place 
site; (2) construction and operation of a new sports and entertainment 
arena at the Union Station air rights site; and (3) a No Action 
Alternative, which would result in no new construction. Topics for 
environmental analysis include short-term construction-related impacts; 
long-term changes in traffic, parking, socio-economic impacts, land use 
and physical/biologic conditions within the project area; historic and 
visual resource protection; and site operations and maintenance.
    The environmental review/scoping process will include all written 
comments and one (1) public meeting for the purpose of determining 
significant issues related to the alternatives and to the potential 
impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of the 
sports and entertainment arena. The public meeting will be held at:

Monday, February 13, 1995 at the D.C. Convention Center, Rooms 30 and 
31, at 900 9th Street N.W. at 7:00 PM

    This public meeting will be advertised in local and regional 
newspapers. Adequate signs will be posted to direct meeting 
participants. A short formal presentation will precede the request for 
public comments. National Capital Planning Commission and District of 
Columbia representatives will be available at this meeting to receive 
comments from the public regarding issues of concern. 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 EA. In the 
interest of available time, each speaker will be asked to limit oral 
comments to five (5) minutes. A document summarizing the written and 
oral comments received will be prepared.
    An Informational Packet will be available for inspection at the 
offices of the National Capital Planning Commission at 801 Pennsylvania 
Avenue N.W., D.C. Public Libraries, the [[Page 3274]] lobby of One 
Judiciary Square at 441 4th Street, N.W., and the District Building at 
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., and upon request. Agencies and the 
general public are invited and are encouraged to provide written 
comments on the scoping issues in addition to, or in lieu of, oral 
comments at the public meeting. To be most helpful environmental 
review/scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or 
topics which the community believes the EA should address.

Dates: All written statements regarding environmental review of the 
proposed arena must be postmarked no later than February 17, 1995 to 
the National Capital Planning Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20576, Attention: Mr. Maurice Fousbee, 
Community Planner, Phone: (202) 724-0174.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: National Capital Planning 
Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 
20576. Attention: Ms. Sandra H. Shapiro, General Counsel, Phone: (202) 
724-0174.
Mr. Reginald Griffith,
Executive Director, National Capital Planning Commission.
[FR Doc. 95-960 Filed 1-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7502-02-M