[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 30537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14439]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


National Capital Region; Environmental Assessment of Proposed 
Land Exchange, George Washington Memorial Parkway, City of Alexandria 
and Arlington County, VA

ACTION: Notice of the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) 
for proposed exchange of land interests between the National Park 
Service, and Commonwealth Atlantic Properties, Inc., Commonwealth 
Atlantic Land Company, and Commonwealth Atlantic Land V Inc.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Council of Environmental Quality regulations 
and National Park Service policy, the National Park Service has 
completed an EA which evaluated the potential impacts of the proposed 
exchange of land interests associated with two distinct properties 
located in the City of Alexandria and in Arlington County, Virginia. 
The EA examines the environmental and visual impacts of the land 
exchange on the resources and scenic quality of the George Washington 
Memorial Parkway. The National Park Service is soliciting comments on 
this EA. These comments will be considered in evaluating it and in 
making decisions pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.

DATES: There will be a 30-day public review period for comment on this 
document. Comments on the EA should be received no later than June 30, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Comment on the EA should be submitted to Mr. John G. 
Parsons, Associate Regional Director, Lands, Resources, and Planning, 
National Park Service, National Capital Region, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, 
Washington, DC 20242. A limited number of copies of the EA are 
available on request. A public reading copy of the EA will be available 
at the National Capital Region Headquarters Building, 1100 Ohio Drive, 
SW, First Floor Lobby, Washington, DC 20242, and at the National Park 
Service Planning web page at nps.gov/gwmp/landexchange.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John G. Parsons, Associate 
Regional Director, Lands, Resources, and Planning, National Park 
Service, National Capital Region, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, Washington, DC 
20242, Telephone: (202) 619-7025.

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 the City of 
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 for access, including ingress and egress from the 
northbound and southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial 
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 George Washington Memorial Parkway 
and other valuable consideration.
    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 George Washington Memorial Parkway and in return 
is willing to partially relinquish the United States' interests in 
restricting the use of the Indenture Land.
    The National Park Service published a notice in the Federal 
Register on December 9, 1998 (63 FR 67916), inviting public comment on 
proposed land exchange. A public meeting was held on December 10, 1998, 
and as a result received six comments on the proposed exchange.

    Dated: June 1, 1999.
Terry R. Carlstrom,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 99-14439 Filed 6-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M