[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48861-48862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23794]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Record of Decision for Construction and Operation of a Marine 
Corps Heritage Center at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of record of decision.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy, pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of 
the National Environmental Policy Act and the regulations (40 CFR parts 
1500-1508), announces its decision to construct and operate the Marine 
Corps Heritage Center on the Locust Shade Park site.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
addressing this decision may be obtained from Engineering Field 
Activity Chesapeake, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1314 Harwood 
Street, SE, Building 212, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hank Reik, telephone (202) 685-
3064.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Marine Corps History and Museum Division 
is responsible for the collection, preservation and presentation of 
information and material used in the study and development of military 
doctrine, tactics, weapons and equipment for the Marine Corps. Most of 
the Division's collections are located within various facilities at 
Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico (including the Marine Corps Air Ground 
Museum) while their administrative offices are located in the 
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC. The Division has acquired 
existing spaces over the years to house its collections, which has 
resulted in collections being stored in 11 different sites. To enhance 
protection of its historical collections, improve access to historical 
information, and foster public education and appreciation through 
exhibits, displays, outdoor ceremonies and demonstrations, the Marine 
Corps intends to promote the development of a Marine Corps Heritage 
Center at MCB Quantico.
    The Heritage Center would consist of various buildings, outside 
exhibits, a parade field, demonstration areas and associated 
infrastructure on a 135-acre site. Less than half of the site would be 
developed, the rest would remain in its natural state. Buildings would 
be used for administrative offices, curatorial spaces, exhibits, public 
presentation facilities, record storage and restoration workshops. 
Development of the complex would be funded primarily through private 
donations. Construction is expected to occur in phases beginning in 
2003.
    The Marine Corps prepared an EIS to evaluate the anticipated 
effects of developing a Marine Corps Heritage Center and selecting a 
site for the facility. A Final EIS was distributed to the public on 
June 15, 2001. In response, five comment letters were received. All 
were supportive of the

[[Page 48862]]

project at the preferred site. The Virginia Department of Environmental 
Quality requested a separate Consistency Determination be forwarded per 
regulations governing compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act. 
A consistency determination was forwarded in response to the request. 
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality concurred 
telephonically in this determination.
    Alternatives evaluated in the EIS included three on-base sites, one 
off-base site, and no action. Siting criteria for the project included 
proximity to MCB Quantico to facilitate the relationship with on-base 
education programs and support functions, ready access to Interstate 
95, and suitable size (about 100 acres) and setting appropriate for 
development of the complex. The preferred alternative, Locust Shade 
Park, is off-base. Prince William County will convey the property to 
the Department of the Navy for constructing and operating the Marine 
Corps Heritage Center.
    The preferred alternative, Locust Shade Park, is also the 
environmentally preferred alternative. An erosion and sediment control 
plan and storm water management plan would be developed and implemented 
for the facility to control movement of soils and minimize potential 
effects to wetlands and water quality. The project will also comply, to 
the maximum extent practicable, with requirements identified in the 
Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program. A small wetland that 
exists near the northwest corner of the site will be avoided in siting 
project related components. No federally protected species occur on the 
site. The site does not contain cultural resources listed or eligible 
for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. A small 
cemetery is located in the northeast corner of the site. This cemetery 
will be avoided during construction activities. Construction and 
operation of the complex will result in an increase of air emissions; 
however, these emissions are below de minimus levels as identified in 
the Conformity regulations of the Clean Air Act. Traffic associated 
with the operation of the Heritage Center would be predominantly 
attributed to visitors and typically occur outside peak commuter 
periods. Although significant increases in traffic are projected to 
occur regardless of whether the Heritage Center is constructed, the 
addition of related vehicles from operation of the Heritage Center will 
not significantly add to these increases. All practicable means to 
avoid or minimize environmental harm from implementing construction and 
operation of the Heritage Center have been considered.
    After considering the requirements of the Marine Corps, the 
potential environmental impacts of this action, social and economic 
concerns, and all comments received during the EIS process, I have 
determined that the Locust Shade Park site best meets the requirements 
of the proposed action and select that site as the location for the 
Marine Corps Heritage Center.

    Dated: September 18, 2001.
Duncan Holaday,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Facilities).
[FR Doc. 01-23794 Filed 9-21-01; 8:45 am]
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