[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 64718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31265]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Public Buildings Service, Region 10; Notice of Intent To Prepare 
an Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Statement

ACTION: The US General Services Administration (GSA) hereby gives 
notice that it intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the requirements of 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and the 
President's Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 
1500-1508), for the construction of a new Federal Courthouse in Eugene, 
Lane County, Oregon.

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    Procedures: The EA will be prepared at the completion of, and based 
upon, a scoping report. The EA will evaluate the proposed project, 
including all reasonable alternatives identified through the scoping 
process and a no-action alternative. Scoping will be accomplished 
through direct mailing correspondence to interested persons, agencies, 
and organizations and through two Public Scoping Meetings. The public 
scoping meetings will be held on December 14th and 15th, 1998 at the 
Hilton Hotel, 66 East 6th Ave., Eugene, OR, in the Joplin/Seeger 
Conference Room at 6:00 pm following an open house beginning at 5:30 
pm. GSA will publish a public notice of these meetings in Eugene 
newspapers approximately two weeks prior to the events.
    After the EA is prepared, it will be made available for public 
review. If significant impacts are not identified in the EA, GSA will 
issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
    If, upon completion of the EA, significant impacts to the 
environment are identified, GSA will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement. Public meetings will be held after the release of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement and GSA will respond to all relevant 
comments received during the 45-day public comment period in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement. After a minimum 30-day period following 
publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement GSA will issue 
a Record of Decision that will identify the site selected.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GSA, assisted by Herrera Environmental 
Consultants, is anticipating the preparation of an Environmental 
Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement to acquire a site, design, 
and construct a new US Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon. GSA will serve as 
the lead agency and scoping will be conducted consistent with NEPA 
regulations and guidelines. GSA invites interested individuals, 
organizations, and federal, state, and local agencies to participate in 
defining and identifying any significant impacts and issues to be 
studied in the EA, including social, economic, or environmental 
concerns. Scoping should be limited to identifying significant issues 
to be analyzed in the environmental document and commenting on 
alternatives and the merit of the proposal.

Project Purpose, Historical Background, and Description

    The District Judges, Magistrates, and US Marshals are currently 
located in the existing US Courthouse. Bankruptcy and other Court 
related Agencies are located in leased space in downtown Eugene. The 
existing Courthouse does not currently meet the requirements of the US 
Court's Design guide. The existing Courthouse/Federal Building complex 
cannot be adapted to accommodate the required space needs of both the 
Court and Agency tenants.
    Congress has authorized GSA to acquire a site for construction of a 
new US Courthouse in Eugene. The approximate gross overall square feet 
planned for the project is 265-290 for all US District Court and 
Bankruptcy Court activities in Eugene, Oregon.
    Alternatives: The EA/EIS will examine the short- and long-term 
impacts on the natural and physical environment. The impact assessment 
will include but not be limited to impacts such as social environment, 
changes in land use, aesthetics, changes in traffic and parking 
patterns, economic impacts, and consideration of City planning and 
zoning requirements.
    The EA/EIS will examine measures to mitigate significant adverse 
impacts resulting from the proposed action. Concurrent with NEPA 
implementation, GSA will also implement its consultation 
responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historical 
Preservation Act to identify potential impacts to existing historic or 
cultural resources.
    The EA/EIS will consider a no-action alternative and action 
alternatives. The no-action alternative would continue the occupancy in 
the existing Courthouse and continue to lease Court space in Eugene. 
The action alternatives will consist of different sites and 
configurations for construction of a new building in the delineated 
area in downtown Eugene. The delineated area includes a portion of the 
centralized business area. The delineated area includes property that 
is adjacent to the boundaries of the delineated area. The delineated 
area is as follows:

Bounded on the north by 5th Avenue, on the east by High Street, on 
the south by Broadway, and by Olive Street on the west.

ADDRESSES: In addition to the public scoping process, please send your 
written comments on the scope of alternatives and potential impacts to 
the following address: Michael D. Levine, Regional Environmental 
Program Manager, 10PCB, General Services Administration, 400 15th 
Street SW, Auburn, WA, 98001, or fax: Michael D. Levine at 253-931-
7308, or e-mail at [email protected]. Written comments should be 
received no later than January 7, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nona Diediker at Herrera Environmental Consultants, 2200 Sixth Ave, 
Suite 601, Seattle, Washington, 98121 or call 206-441-9080; or Michael 
D. Levine, GSA (253) 931-7263.
    Mailing List: If you wished to be placed on the project mailing 
list to receive further information as the EA process develops, contact 
Nona Diediker at the address noted above.

    Dated: November 13, 1998.
L. Jay Pearson,
Regional Administrator (10A).
[FR Doc. 98-31265 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]
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