[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 189 (Thursday, September 30, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 52779-52780] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-25429] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement for Transfer of the Department of Energy Grand Junction Office to Non-DOE Ownership AGENCY: Grand Junction Office, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of floodplain and wetlands involvement for transfer of the Grand Junction Office to Non-DOE ownership. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to transfer the 56.4 acres and approximately 35 structures that comprise the DOE Grand Junction Office (GJO) to non-DOE ownership. A portion of the facility is located in the 100-year floodplain of the Gunnison River and there are several jurisdictional wetlands located within the property boundary. The facility is located in Mesa County, Colorado. In accordance with 10 CFR part 1022, DOE will prepare a floodplains and wetlands assessment and will perform this proposed action in a manner that will avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain and wetlands. The assessment will be conducted in conjunction with an Environmental Assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential environmental affects of the transfer of the property. DATES: Written comments are due to the address below no later than October 15, 1999. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mary Ann Rondinella, U.S. Department of Energy--Grand Junction Office, 2597 B \3/4\ Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81503; or transmitted electronically by E-mail via Internet to: [email protected]; or by facsimile to (970)248- 6023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS PROPOSED ACTION CONTACT: Donna Bergman- Tabbert, Manager, U.S Department of Energy-Grand Junction Office 2597 B \3/4\ Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81503, Telephone 1-970-248-6001 or 1-800-399-5618, Email via Internet to [email protected], Facsimile to 1-970-248-6023. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GENERAL DOE FLOOPLAIN/WETLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, CONTACT: Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20585, (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under E.O. 11988--Floodplain Management, E.O. 11990--Protection of Wetlands, and 10 CFR part 1022--Compliance with Floodplain/Wetlands Environmental Review Requirements, notice is given that the DOE intends to transfer the 56.4 acres that comprise the GJO to non-DOE ownership. The facility includes offices, warehouses, computer and telecommunications centers, classrooms, a cafeteria, an occupational health facility, hazardous and radioactive waste storage facilities, and an analytical laboratory. DOE's primary missions at Grand Junction are environmental restoration, environmental science, technology development, long-term stewardship of inactive waste sites, and management of leases on government lands for uranium exploration and mining. The missions of the office have grown smaller over the past several years. As a result, DOE has determined that it no longer needs to own the GJO facility to perform its assigned missions. Upon completion of cleanup of residual radioactive [[Page 52780]] materials at the GJO site in 2000, DOE plans to transfer the facility to non-DOE ownership. In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain and wetlands environmental review requirements (10 CFR part 1022), DOE will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment for this proposed DOE action. The assessment will be included in the EA being prepared for the proposed transfer of the property in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. A floodplain statement of findings will be included in any finding of no significant impact that is issued following the completion of the EA or may be issued separately. Issued in Albuquerque, NM on September 21, 1999. Constance L. Soden, Director, Environmental, Safety, and Health Division, Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office. [FR Doc. 99-25429 Filed 9-29-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P