[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]
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