[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17899-17900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9529]


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NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION


Proposed Construction of a Mixed-Use Waterfront Destination 
Resort in Prince George's County, Maryland; Public Meeting and Intent 
To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission.

ACTION: Proposed construction of a mixed-use waterfront destination 
resort in Prince George's County, Maryland; public meeting and intent 
to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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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 announces its 
intent to conduct one (1) public meeting to discuss the preparation of 
an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed construction of a 
mixed-use, waterfront entertainment and retail destination resort in 
Prince George's County, Maryland known as National Harbor. The purpose 
of the public meeting is to determine the significant environmental 
issues related to the construction and operation of the National Harbor 
development. 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 
scoping process for this project and the public is encouraged to submit 
written comments on the alternatives and on the impacts at this time. 
The Commission considers a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) to be the appropriate environmental document for this project and 
expects that completion of an EIS will conform with 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 National Harbor resort development is proposed to be built on 
two parcels totaling 533.9 acres in Prince George's County just south 
of the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495) between the Woodrow Wilson Bridge 
and the Beltway interchange at Indian Head Highway (Maryland Route 
210). Approximately 241 acres of the site consists of land under Smoot 
Bay in the Potomac River. The development would include hotels, 
restaurants, retail and entertainment facilities, office space, and a 
visitor's center, as well as associated vehicular transportation and 
parking facilities, pedestrian walkways, and other infrastructure 
improvements.
    The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will identify and analyze 
impacts and mitigation options of the alternative actions under 
consideration. Alternatives to be considered include (1) construction 
and operation of the proposed National Harbor development plan, and (2) 
development of the site under the existing approved plans for the 
project (known as PortAmerica), including extensive office space and 
residential development. Topics for environmental analysis include 
short-term construction-related impacts; long-term changes in traffic, 
parking, socio-economic impacts, land use and physical/biological 
conditions within the project area; cultural (historic and 
archeological) and visual resource protection; and site operation 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 National Harbor. The public meeting will be held:

Monday, May 12, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. at Oxon Hill High School, 6701 
Leyte Drive, Oxon Hill, Maryland

    This public meeting will be advertised in local and regional

[[Page 17900]]

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 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 the Prince George's County Branch Library at 6200 Oxon 
Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Md.; 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 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 National Harbor must be postmarked no later than May 26, 1998 
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. 98-9529 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7502-02-P