[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 16972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8576]



[[Page 16972]]

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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for 
Construction of GSA Federal Laboratories, Prince George's County, 
Maryland

Reply to the Attention of: Dawud Abdur-Rahman, National Capital 
Region, General Services Administration, 7th and D Sts., SW., 
Washington, DC 20407

    All comments must be received by April 13, 1999.
    The General Services Administration will publish a Final 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) 
on Friday, March 12, 1999 for Construction of Federal Laboratories in 
Beltsville, Maryland. The Final EA will be available for public review 
and comment at the Beltsville Library, 4319 Sellman Road, Beltsville, 
Maryland 20705.
    The General Services Administration (GSA), acting as development 
manager for Federal facilities, proposes to construct and operate 
Federal Laboratories in Prince George's County, Maryland. The proposed 
action would consist of the construction a 150,000 gross square foot 
(gsf) (13,935 gross square meters) National Laboratory and a 50,000 gsf 
(4,645 gross square meters) Fire Investigation, Research, and Education 
(F.I.R.E.) Center. The facilities would employ approximately 152 
people.
    The new facilities would improve administrative and operational 
efficiency and would facilitate communication and interaction among 
staff. The proposed action would provide state-of-the-art laboratories 
and research facilities. The new facilities will alleviate overcrowding 
and provide safe, secure, and modern laboratories. The F.I.R.E. Center 
will be one of very few such facilities in the world and will enhance 
Federal fire scene investigations. The Center will serve as a training 
center for advanced fire investigation and a repository for technical 
data related to fire investigation and research.

Finding

    Pursuant to the provision of GSA Order ACM 1095.1D, the HB PBS P 
1095.4B and the regulations issued by the Council of Environmental 
Quality, November 29, 1978, (40 CFR Parts 1500 to 1508), this is to 
advise you of our finding, based on the Final Environmental Assessment 
(EA), that the action described above is considered a major Federal 
action not significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment.

Basis for Finding

    The impacts of construction and operation of the proposed 
facilities on the environment were considered in an EA pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The Final 
EA, which is available for review at the location listed above, is 
incorporated by reference into this Finding of No Significant Impact. 
Construction and operation of the proposed project would not have a 
significant adverse effect on the human environment.
    Two alternate sites, the Ammendale Site and the Konterra Site, 
along with the No Action Alternative, were studied in detail in the EA. 
The EA describes the existing natural, physical social and cultural 
environment associated with each alternative. The EA also describes 
potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with 
construction of the proposed facilities on each alternate site. Impacts 
of the No Action Alternative have also been analyzed.
    Regardless of which of the two alternate sites is selected, 
moderate impacts will occur to the following resources: soils, forested 
areas, land use, aesthetics, utilities, and transportation facilities. 
If the Ammendale Site is selected, moderate impacts would also occur to 
Interior Forest Dwelling Species habitat. To mitigate potential 
impacts, GSA will implement the measures that are discussed in the 
Environmental Assessment.
    This Finding of No Significant Impact will become final April 13, 
1999 provided that no information leading to a contrary finding is 
received or comes to light during the 30-day public review period.
Nelson Alcalde,
Regional Administrator, National Capital Region, General Services 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-8576 Filed 4-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-61-M