[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30312-30313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14390]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the 
National Park Seminary Historic District (NPSHD) Located at the Walter 
Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC)

AGENCY: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Department of the Army.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Army intends to prepare an EIS to assist it in deciding 
upon a plan of action for the NPSHD. The NPSHD, Forest Glen Annex, is 
located within the Forest glen area of Montgomery County, Maryland, 
approximately 1.5 miles north of the District of Columbia. The Annex is 
bounded by the Capital Beltway (I-495) to the north, Rock Creek Park to 
the west, Brookville Road to the south, and the main line of the CSX 
Rail System to the east.
    The NPSHD consists of a 26-acre parcel containing 24 buildings, 
which has been listed as a historic district on the National Register 
of Historic Places since 1972 and the Montgomery County Master Plan for 
historic preservation since 1991. The NPSHD is located on the north end 
of Forest Glen Annex and is bounded by the Capital Beltway (I-495) to 
the north, Smith Drive on the east, and Linden Lane to the south and 
west. The NPSHD is comprised of a collection of late 19th and early 
20th century architecturally eclectic buildings and structures 
associated with a land development company and later with a private 
finishing school. The Army, after acquisition in 1942, utilized the 
property and its improvements as a

[[Page 30313]]

convalescent center through the late 1970's.
    Since that time, Walter Reed Army Medical Center has utilized the 
NPSHD for administrative and logistical purposes such as offices and 
storage. In 1991, WRAMC determined that the NPSHD was excess to its 
needs. A recent review by Walter Reed Army Medical Center has revealed 
that retention of the real property comprising Forest Glen Annex, in 
its entirety, is necessary to meet mission requirements.
    Consistent with its obligations under the National Environmental 
Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; the regulations published by the 
Council on Environmental Quality, 40 CFR Part 1500-1508; and Army 
Regulation 200-2, the U.S. Army intends to prepare an EIS to assist it 
in deciding on a plan for the reuse and/or disposal of the NPSHD. The 
purpose of the statement is to ensure that the U.S. Army makes an 
informed decision, based on full and informed public participation. The 
EIS will identify all relevant direct, indirect and cumulative 
environmental impacts associated with the alternatives considered.
    Alternatives: The range of alternatives will address a series of 
options for reuse and/or disposal of the land and the buildings, 
structures and facilities within the NPSHD. Alternatives to be 
considered include the following:
    a. No Action. The property would remain in caretaker status with 
the Department of the Army. Minimal maintenance and repairs would be 
accomplished.
    b. Complete demolition of buildings. The Army would document the 
historical significance of the structures through detailed photographs 
and drawings as required under a Memorandum of Agreement negotiated 
between the Army, the Maryland Historical Trust, and the Advisory 
Council on Historic Preservation. Upon completion of the required 
documentation, the buildings would be torn down and the land retained 
by Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
    c. Partial demolition of buildings and reuse of remaining 
rehabilitated structures. The buildings that would be torn down would 
be documented as described above. Remaining buildings would be 
rehabilitated and reutilized as described in the EIS.
    d. Complete rehabilitation of all structures. All structures 
located within the historic district will be rehabilitated for future 
use.
    e. Excess, disposal, and sale at fair market value to a private 
entity.
    Scoping: This notice shall initiate a period of public scoping that 
is intended to invite the participation of all interested members of 
the public as well as other public agencies. Comments received during 
the scoping period will be used to assist the Army in identifying 
significant issues of public concern regarding potential impacts on the 
quality of the human environment. The scoping period will be followed 
by development of a reasonable range of reuse alternatives to be 
incorporated in a draft EIS. The draft EIS will be published and made 
available for public review and comment prior to its finalization. 
After review of the draft EIS, the U.S. Army will address public 
comments in a final EIS that will be released for additional review 
prior to publication of a Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD will 
identity the action chosen for implementation. Interested members of 
the public may be precluded from challenging the adequacy of the final 
EIS if they fail to participate in the process in a meaningful manner.
    The Army will arrange a public scoping meeting within 30 days of 
the publication of this Notice of Intent at a place and time to be 
announced in the legal sections of the ``Washington Post,'' 
``Washington Times,'' and ``Montgomery Journal'' newspapers. Interested 
members of the public are invited to provide written comments to Mr. 
Ben Smith at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, ATTN: MCAT-PA (Ben 
Smith), 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20307-5001 no later 
than 15 days following the public scoping meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Please contact Mr. Ben Smith, Public Affairs Officer, Walter Reed Army 
Medical Center, at (202) 782-7177.
Richard E. Newsome,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 97-14390 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M