[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 44092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21806]


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NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION


Proposed Construction and Operation of a Convention Center in 
Washington, D.C.; Public Meeting and Intent to Prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement

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), Section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 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 Convention 
Center in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the public meeting is to 
determine the significant issues related to the construction and 
operation of the convention center. 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 of this 
time. A comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is 
considered to be the appropriate environmental document for this 
project and it is expected that completion of an EIS will discharge all 
obligations under Federal environmental laws. The comments and 
responses received on the scope of the alternatives and potential 
impacts, as a result of this NOI, will be considered for the 
environmental document.
    The proposed convention center would include approximately 2 
million gross square feet and would be located in central Washington, 
D.C. The proposed convention center is scheduled to be completed in 
December 1999.
    The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 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 convention center at the Mount 
Vernon Square site (bounded by K, 7th, 9th, and N Streets, NW.); (2) 
construction and operation of a new convention center at the Northeast 
No. 1 site (generally, between First Street, NE. and the railroad 
track); and (3) a No Action Alternative, which would result in a 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; cultural (historic and archeological) and 
visual resource protection; and site operations and maintenance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 Convention Center. The 
public meeting will be held:

    Wednesday, September 25, 1996 at 7:00 P.M. at 900 9th Street, NW, 
the D.C. Convention Center/Rooms 30 and 31.
    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 EIS. 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 review at the offices 
of the National Capital Planning Commission at 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
N.W., and at Martin Luther King, Jr. Public Library (9th & G Streets, 
N.W.), or 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 EIS 
should address.

DATES: All written statements regarding environmental review of the 
proposed arena must be postmarked no later than September 27, 1996 to 
the address below:
    National Capital Planning Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20576, Attention: Mr. Maurice Foushee, 
Community Planner

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: National Capital Planning 
Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 
20576, Phone: (202) 482-7200.
Sandra H. Shapiro,
General Counsel, National Capital Planning Commission.
[FR Doc. 96-21806 Filed 8-26-96; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 7502-02-M