[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 5073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2373]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Air Force Memorial 
Preliminary Design and Park Improvements, Arlington, VA

ACTION: Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the proposed 
Air Force Memorial preliminary design and park improvements, Arlington, 
Virginia.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations and 
National Park Service policy, the National Park Service announces the 
availability of an Environmental Assessment for the proposed Air Force 
Memorial (Memorial) preliminary design and park improvements, in 
Arlington, Virginia. The Environmental Assessment examines the 
Memorial's preliminary design and the associated improvements to 25 
acres of parkland in an area which contains the Iwo Jima Memorial and 
the Netherlands Carillon, known as Arlington Ridge Park within the 
George Washington Memorial Parkway. The National Park Service is 
soliciting comments on this Environmental Assessment. These comments 
will be considered in evaluating it and in making decisions pursuant to 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

DATES: The Environmental Assessment will remain available for public 
comment through March 22, 1999. Written comments should be received no 
later than March 22, 1999. Additionally, the National Park Service will 
hold a public meeting to discuss the Environmental Assessment on 
February 17, 1999, at which the public will be provided an opportunity 
to speak. The meeting will be held in the Arlington County Central 
Library auditorium, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia, from 
7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Following presentations by Federal, State, and 
local agencies, individuals and representatives of community and civic 
organizations will be able to present their comments in the order in 
which their requests to speak are received. Commenters may either sign 
up at the meeting or register in advance by calling Ms. Nancy Young at 
(202) 619-7097. Individuals will be allowed 3 minutes to present their 
comments; representatives of community and civic groups will be allowed 
5 minutes. Presentation refers solely to oral comments; video and other 
multimedia materials will not be permitted. At the time commenters are 
recognized to speak, they are requested to provide three copies of 
their comments in writing, if possible.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Environmental Assessment should be submitted 
to: Mr. John G. Parsons, Associate for Lands, Resources, and Planning, 
National Capital Region, National Park Service, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, 
Room 220, Washington, DC, 20242. A limited number of copies of the 
Environmental Assessment are available on request. Public reading 
copies of the Environmental Assessment will be available at the 
following locations: National Capital Region, National Park Service, 
1100 Ohio Drive, SW, First Floor Lobby, Washington, DC 20242; and the 
Air Force Memorial Foundation, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, Virginia 
22209-1198.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 2, 1993, the Air Force Memorial 
Foundation was authorized by Federal law to establish a memorial on 
Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor the 
men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force and its predecessor 
organizations. It is being established pursuant to the Commemorative 
Works Act, 40 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.
    This Environmental Assessment examines the Memorial's preliminary 
design and the associated improvements to 25 acres of parkland. It 
contains alternatives including a Preferred Alternative and a No Action 
Alternative. Possible mitigation measures are also described. This 
Environmental Assessment considers visitor use, vehicular and 
pedestrian circulation, and existing periodic uses of the park. 
Potential impacts assessed include those to the park's cultural 
resources: Iwo Jima Memorial and the Netherlands Carillon and related 
activities conducted at these locations. National Park Service 
requirements for this site during memorial construction and operation 
are also considered.
    A public meeting was held December 17, 1997, and public comment was 
requested on draft design scenarios for this memorial (62 FR 63382) to 
assist the National Park Service in identifying issues to be analyzed 
in this Environmental Assessment. Additional subjects considered in 
this Environmental Assessment were generated by the National Capital 
Memorial Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National 
Capital Planning Commission in their deliberations on this memorial and 
during the site selection process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Ms. Nancy Young, (202) 619-
7097.

    Dated: January 27, 1999.
Joseph M. Lawler,
Acting Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 99-2373 Filed 2-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P