[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67916-67917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32615]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Proposed Land Exchange City of Alexandria and Arlington County, 
Virginia and Notice of Scheduled Environmental Review Process Workshop

AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the National Park Service (NPS) is 
proposing to conduct an exchange of land interests with Commonwealth 
Atlantic Properties Inc., Commonwealth Atlantic Land Company, and 
Commonwealth Atlantic Land V Inc., hereinafter referred to collectively 
as Commonwealth. The proposed exchange of land interests concerns two 
distinct properties located in Alexandria, Virginia, and Arlington 
County, Virginia, respectively. The National Park Service has scheduled 
a public workshop as part of its environmental review process to 
identify and analyze the potential environmental impacts of the 
proposed exchange.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Associate Superintendent, Stewardship and Partnerships, National 
Capital Region, National Park Service, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., 
Washington, DC 20242.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By virtue of an Indenture land agreement 
dated February 12, 1938, the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac 
Railroad Company (RF&P), predecessor in title to Commonwealth, conveyed 
to the United States certain land use restrictions over 29.1 acres of 
land in Arlington County, Virginia, currently owned by Commonwealth and 
hereinafter referenced as the ``Indenture Land.''
    Commonwealth also owns 38.55 acres of land in Alexandria, Virginia, 
hereinafter referenced as ``Potomac Greens.'' By virtue of a Deed of 
Easement dated August 13, 1984, and in accordance with the terms of a 
previous Exchange Agreement between the United States and RF&P, the 
United States conveyed to RF&P a perpetual easement on and across a 
portion of lands of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (Parkway) 
for access, including ingress and egress from the northbound and 
southbound lanes of the Parkway to and from Potomac Greens in return 
for RF&P's obligation to construct at no cost to the United States a 
center-piered bridge and all associated ramps and connections necessary 
for ingress and egress to and from Potomac Greens to the Parkway and 
other valuable consideration.

[[Page 67917]]

    Commonwealth is desirous of the United States relinquishing its 
restrictions on the Indenture Land in order to allow Commonwealth to 
implement a proposed plan for the mixed use development of the property 
in exchange for certain restrictions to be conveyed by Commonwealth to 
the United States relative to building heights and setbacks. 
Commonwealth has also proposed implementing a plan for the residential 
development of Potomac Greens, including minimal support retail.
    The National Park Service is desirous of acquiring Commonwealth's 
access rights to the Parkway and in return is willing to partially 
relinquish the United States' interests in restricting the use of the 
Indenture Land. In accordance with National Park Service land exchange 
authority, the National Park Service will conduct an independent 
appraisal to determine if the interests in land to be exchanged are 
approximately equal in value.
    Pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations and 
National Park Service policy, the National Park Service announces the 
presentation of the proposed exchange of land interests associated with 
two distinct properties located in Alexandria and Arlington County, 
Virginia, respectively, for public review. Public comment on the 
proposed land exchange is requested to assist the National Park Service 
in identifying and analyzing potential environmental impacts.
    A public open house to review and comment on the proposed land 
exchange will be held on December 10, 1998, in the cafeteria of the 
Cora Kelly Magnet School located at 3600 Commonwealth Avenue, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22313, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 
p.m. Officials of the National Park Service and representatives of 
Commonwealth will be in attendance to describe the terms of the 
proposed exchange, answer questions and receive comments.
    Detailed information concerning this proposed exchange is available 
from the Office of Stewardship and Partnerships, National Capital 
Region, National Park Service, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 
20242.
    For a period of 45 calendar days from the date of this notice, 
interested parties may submit comments to the above address. Adverse 
comments will be evaluated and this action may be modified or vacated 
accordingly. In the absence of any action to modify or vacate, this 
realty action will become the final determination of the National Park 
Service.
    For further information please contact Mr. John Parsons, Associate 
Superintendent, Stewardship and Partnerships, National Capital Region 
at (202) 619-7025. Written comments may be addressed to Mr. Parsons at 
the above address.

    Dated: November 30, 1998.
Terry R. Carlstrom,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 98-32615 Filed 12-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M