[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 223 (Friday, November 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69576-69577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29532]


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NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION


District of Columbia Plans for the Reuse and Restoration of 
Kingman and Heritage Islands; Public Meeting and Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission and the District of 
Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation.

ACTION: Notice of intent regarding proposed development by the District 
of Columbia for the reuse and restoration of Kingman and Heritage 
Islands. Legislation granting title of the Islands to the District of 
Columbia requires that any redevelopment of the Islands comply fully 
with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
of 1969. This notice indicates the intent to prepare an Environmental 
Assessment and scoping for the action pursuant to NEPA and the National 
Historic Preservation Act, section 106.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and in accordance with 
the Environmental Policies and Procedures implemented by the National 
Capital Planning Commission (Commission), the Commission announces its 
intent, in conjunction with the District of Columbia Department of 
Parks and Recreation, as Joint Lead Agencies, to conduct one (1) public 
meeting to discuss the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for the proposed development, reuse, and restoration of Kingman and 
Heritage Islands located within and adjacent to the Anacostia River in 
the District of Columbia. The purpose of the public meeting is to 
determine the significant environmental issues related to the 
construction and operation of all proposed development planned by the 
District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation and share 
preliminary information on potential impacts, solicit community input, 
and determine potential development plans. The meeting will serve as 
part of the environmental scoping process for the preparation of the 
EA.
    This Notice of Intent (NOI) initiates the formal environmental 
review process for this project that may proceed to the development of 
an Environment Impact Statement if it is determined that significant 
environmental impacts would occur from the planned action. The public 
is encouraged to submit written comments concerning alternatives for 
the planned development and on any potential impacts at this time. The 
Commission and the District of Columbia considers an EA to be the 
appropriate initial analysis to review the potential environmental 
effects of the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation 
plans. Public scoping and comments will be considered in the 
development of this initial NEPA review. An Environmental Impact 
Statement may result from the development of the EA and this NOI and 
scoping will be considered part of the Environmental Impact Statement 
scoping should that analysis be necessary. The comments and responses 
received on the scope of the alternatives and potential impacts will be 
considered for both environmental documents, but additional public 
comment will be required in the Environmental Impact Statement if that 
document is developed.
    Kingman and Heritage Islands are located within the Anacostia 
River. Kingman is the larger of the two islands and is bisected by the 
Benning Road Bridge. The portion of Kingman Island north of the Benning 
Bridge is developed as part of the Langston Golf Course. The southern 
portion of the island is undeveloped and contains minimal vegetation. 
Several stands of mature trees exist along the water's edge and the 
remainder of the site is covered with fill, ground cover, and 
groundcover vegetation. Heritage Island is located immediately west of 
the portion of Kingman Island that lies between the Benning Road and 
East Capitol Street Bridges. This island is also undeveloped and is 
similar to Kingman. The islands were created in 1916 by the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers as part of a reclamation project for improving the 
flow in the Anacostia River. The larger island contains approximately 
40 acres and is just over a mile in length. The smaller island, 
Heritage Island, is approximately 6 acres.
    The community and District of Columbia Office of Planning have 
identified three alternative scenarios for development. These include:

Option A--Landscape Enhancements and Passive Uses

    Option A emphasizes minimal development and generally passive uses 
on both Kingman and Heritage Islands. The Islands would be used for 
walking or jogging around the Islands and explorations from the water 
via human-powered watercraft that can access the island from a boat 
tie-up point. Other low-intensity uses could also be considered 
including a modest monument or artistic installations, a boardwalk 
through the wetland in Kingman Lake, a children's playground or 
community maintained garden. No permanent structures are envisioned and 
no development would occur on Heritage Island.
    The Islands would predominantly be accessed via the footbridges 
from the RFK Stadium parking lot. Security would be maintained by 
prohibiting use of the Islands after dusk, thus requiring fencing and 
some security lighting at the points of entry.

Option B--Moderate Usage of the Islands for Educational Purposes

    Option B allows more interactive uses on the island while 
preserving and enhancing the majority of the island as a natural area. 
This option includes a full-scale environmental education center that 
could range in size from a one-room exhibit space to a two-story 
structure that includes a classroom and laboratory. This building could 
also accommodate a police sub-station to enhance security on the 
islands. A mix of trails will include both paved and unpaved routes 
around Kingman Island and a boardwalk through the Kingman Lake 
wetlands. A boat-tie up point will be created to allow access to the 
islands from the water. Bird observation towers will be constructed so 
as to blend in with the natural landscape. A playground will be 
provided for children and a camping area for overnight excursions will 
be established

[[Page 69577]]

and maintained. This option may also include a monument or sculpture.
    A variation on Option B would also incorporate a 3-hole youth golf 
facility in the extreme northern portion of the island. The 
environmental impacts of this option will be assessed both with and 
without the golf development.
    Access to the islands would be permitted both from the footbridges 
and, because of the need for service deliveries, from the Benning Road 
access drive. Security would be maintained by closing the gates to the 
Island at dusk and providing an Urban Ranger to help patrol the 
islands. Security must be provided when campers are on the islands.

Option C--Active Use for Recreational Purposes

    Option C focuses on the reuse of the Islands as a 9-hole, par 3 
youth golf facility. This use would develop the upper portion of 
Kingman Island as a putting green and golf holes. The facility will be 
accessible from Langston Golf Course via an underpass under Benning 
Road on the east side of the Island. The development would also include 
a riverwalk along the edge of the golf course and extending down the 
length of the islands. A boat-tie up and bird observation towers will 
also be provided in this development plan. In addition, monuments and 
public art, camping facilities, and a playground could also be 
incorporated.
    Security will be maintained by regular use and activity on the 
islands. In addition, the golf course will be well lit with the 
possibility of extending lighting along the major trails. It is 
anticipated that some form of private security might also be employed 
in conjunction with regular police patrols.
    The EA will identify and analyze environmental impacts and 
mitigation options of the alternative plans including the No Action 
alternative. Topics for environmental analysis include short-term 
construction-related impacts; long-term changes in traffic, parking, 
socio-economic impacts, land use and physical/biological conditions 
within the project area; cultural (historic and archeological) in 
accordance with the Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act, and visual resource protection, site operation, and maintenance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental scoping process will 
include all written comments and one (1) public meeting for the purpose 
of determining significant issues related to the alternatives and to 
the potential impacts associated with the proposed development of 
Kingman and Heritage Islands. The public meeting will be held: Tuesday, 
December 12, 2000, 6 PM-9 PM at the St. Benedict the Moor Church, 320 
21st Street, NE (21st & C Streets), Washington, D.C. 20002.
    This public meeting will be advertised locally by the District of 
Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation and notice will appear in 
the District of Columbia Register. National Capital Planning 
Commission, District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation, 
and District of Columbia Office of Planning representatives will be 
available at this meeting to receive comments from the public regarding 
issues of concern. It is important that federal, regional and local 
agencies, and interested individuals and groups take this opportunity 
to identify environmental concerns that should be addressed during the 
preparation of the EA.
    An Informational Packet will be available for review at the offices 
of the National Capital Planning Commission at 401 Ninth Street, NW, 
5th Floor, Suite 500, North Lobby, and at the District of Columbia 
Office of Planning. Contact Karina Ricks, D.C. Office of Planning, 801 
N. Capitol Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002, Phone: (202) 442-7600, 
fax: (202) 442-7637, email: [email protected]. Agencies and the 
general public are invited and are encouraged to provide written 
comments on the scoping issues in addition to, or in lieu of, oral 
comments at the public meeting. To be most helpful, environmental 
scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics that 
the community believes the EA should address.

DATES: All written statements regarding environmental review of the 
Proposed Kingman and Heritage Island development must be postmarked no 
later than January 12, 2001, to the following address: National Capital 
Planning Commission, 401 Ninth Street, NW, 5th Floor, Suite 500, North 
Lobby, Washington, D.C. 20576, Attention: Mr. Eugene Keller, 
Environmental Review Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: National Capital Planning 
Commission, Mr. Eugene Keller, Environmental Review Officer, 401 Ninth 
Street, NW, 5th Floor, Suite 500, North Lobby, Washington, D.C. 20576, 
Phone: (202) 482-7270 or Karina Ricks, DC Office of Planning, 801 N. 
Capitol Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002, Phone: (202) 442-7600.

    Dated: November 8, 2000.
Ash Jain,
General Counsel and Congressional Liaison, National Capital Planning 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 00-29532 Filed 11-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7520-01-U