[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58495-58500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29128]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION


Record of Decision: Programmatic Development Plan and Phase 1 
Implementation for the Suitland Federal Center (SFC) in Suitland, MD

AGENCIES: General Services Administration, National Capital Planning 
Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) has published an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Suitland Federal Center 
(SFC) Programmatic Development Plan and Phase 1 Implementations. The 
purpose of this Record of Decision (ROD) is to clearly communicate 
GSA's consideration of all reasonable alternatives, to communicate 
GSA's rationale for selecting the chosen alternative, and to identify 
any mitigation measures to be implemented as a part of the selected 
alternative.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jag Bhargava, Project Executive, 
General Services Administration Portfolio Development Division, WPT, 
7th and D Streets, SW., Room 2002, Washington, DC.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The General Services Administration has 
published an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the following 
project: Suitland Federal Center (SFC) Programmatic Development Plan 
and Phase 1 Implementation. GSA announces its decision, in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), 
the regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 
parts 1500-1508) (CEQ), and the National Historic Preservation Act of 
1966, as amended (NHPA). The purpose of this Record of Decision (ROD) 
is to clearly communicate GSA's consideration of all reasonable 
alternatives, to communicate GSA's rationale for selecting the chosen 
alternative, and to identify any mitigation measures to be implemented 
as a part of the selected alternative. The selected alternative is 
Alternative A, the mid-density development plan for the SFC.

Record of Decision for the Programmatic Development Plan and Phase 
1 Implementation for the Suitland Federal Center (SFC) Suitland, 
Maryland

    The SFC is a 226-acre federal employment center in Suitland, 
Maryland. GSA's current tenants are the Bureau of Census, the National 
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National 
Archives. Independent of GSA, the National Maritime Intelligence Center 
(NMIC) is also located at the SFC.
    GSA has prepared a programmatic development plan for the SFC campus 
to provide a comprehensive examination of its long-range development 
potential. The implementation of the programmatic development plan is 
the subject of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS 
addressed short-term construction/renovation-related impacts and long-
term effects from the proposed implementation of the programmatic 
development plan alternatives, as well as the cumulative impacts that 
would result from this and other projects that have been completed 
recently, are currently under development, or are proposed within the 
study area. The Final EIS (September 2001) includes the Draft EIS, 
public and federal, state and local agency comments on the Draft EIS, 
responses to the Draft EIS comments, modifications to the Proposed 
Action Alternatives, and mitigation measures to be implemented as part 
of the selected alternative.

Purpose and Need

    The purpose of the SFC programmatic development plan is to assess 
future development opportunities for the underutilized SFC campus. Of 
particular importance is better meeting the future needs of two current 
tenants, NOAA and the Census Bureau. Such an analysis is essential due 
to current conditions at the campus.
    Many existing buildings at the SFC are aged and deteriorated. 
Problems include leaking roofs, outdated building systems, and 
dilapidated interior finishes. These conditions have created potential 
health and safety issues, including exposure to asbestos-containing 
materials, contamination of the drinking water, problems with indoor 
air quality, and the presence of lead-based paint. The GSA has taken 
appropriate measures to control these hazards; however, these measures 
have resulted in considerable restraints on tenant use of the buildings 
and thus increased operational costs and inefficiencies. In addition, 
the campus has existing stormwater drainage problems.
    There are currently NOAA and Census Bureau employees that cannot be 
housed at the SFC campus due to space limitations. They are thus 
located in leased space around the County. The consolidation of these 
employees will improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
    In addition, the recent opening (January 2001) of the new Suitland 
Metro Rail Station at the southwest corner of the campus provides an 
opportunity to better accommodate the commuting needs of SFC employees. 
Overall, the development of a comprehensive plan for the long-range 
development of the SFC will allow GSA to make better use of the 
facility as a whole, while ensuring that valuable open space and 
natural and cultural resources on the campus are maintained.

Programmatic Development Plan

    The Programmatic Development Plan (Plan) for the SFC was completed 
in the Spring of 2001. The Plan addressed deficiencies and identified 
opportunities at the campus over the next ten years. The Plan was 
developed by GSA in close cooperation with the federal agencies located 
at SFC, other regional planning agencies, and the surrounding 
community. The general purpose of the plan is as follows:
     Review, maintain, and improve the condition of existing 
facilities and functions of each federal agency located within the SFC 
campus;
     Identify potential future development opportunities for 
existing parcels within the SFC campus for current and potential 
federal government uses, or other non-federal uses;
     Maximize the value of the SFC campus for federal and other 
uses through actions that contribute to the redevelopment of the 
Suitland community;
     Review potential development opportunities provided by new 
transit access from the Suitland Metro Rail Station;
     Improve pedestrian and vehicular circulation within the 
campus and adjoining community;
     Assess campus parking requirements and provide a mixture 
of surface parking and structured parking facilities;
     Provide environmental and public space amenities that 
complement the established landscape setting of the SFC campus; and

[[Page 58496]]

     Promote the improvement of adjoining neighborhood 
commercial services that could support the needs of current and future 
federal agency employees and that could enhance the Suitland community.
    The planning process ultimately resulted in the articulation of two 
viable development options for the campus, a Mid-Density Development 
option and a High-Density Development option. These two Action 
Alternatives, together with the No Action Alternative, are the subjects 
of the Final EIS.

Environmental Review Process

    GSA issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS on the Suitland 
Federal Center Programmatic Development Plan in the Fall of 2000 
(Federal Register, October 3, 2000). A public scoping meeting on the 
project was held on October 25, 2000. Several scoping meetings with 
regulatory agencies were also held in September and October of 2000. 
Following the scoping process and subsequent environmental analysis, a 
Draft EIS on the project was prepared to assess the environmental 
consequences and identify mitigation measures. The Draft EIS was 
circulated on July 13, 2001 to applicable review agencies, 
organizations and interested citizens, and placed in local libraries. 
Official notice of the availability of the Draft EIS was published in 
the Federal Register on July 20, 2001, commencing a 45-day review 
period. A Draft EIS public review meeting was held on August 15, 2001 
to receive comments on the document. A transcript of comments received 
on the Draft EIS during the August 15th public meeting was prepared by 
a transcriber. Comment letters were also received during the Draft EIS 
comment period. These oral and written comments, and responses to them, 
were included in Section C of the Final EIS. GSA adequately addressed 
all of the substantive comments received on the Draft EIS. The Final 
EIS was circulated to interested parties on September 21, 2001 and its 
availability was announced in the Federal Register on September 28, 
2001. No comments were received on the Final EIS within the subsequent 
30-day No Action period.
    The design of the NOAA facility prior to the preparation of the 
Draft EIS was sufficient so that the Final EIS satisfies the NEPA 
requirements for the NOAA development at the SFC. The development plans 
for subsequent phases (the Census Bureau and unspecified future 
development) were more programmatic, providing total employment 
figures, square footage, number of parking spaces, and circulation, but 
not specifically siting the buildings. Instead, building and parking 
envelopes were defined in a number of areas on the campus. The Census 
Bureau (Phase 2) development and future (Phase 3) development will each 
require subsequent environmental review as more detailed plans become 
available. It is anticipated that each phase will include the 
preparation of an Environmental Assessment that is tiered from the SFC 
EIS.

Description of Alternatives

    Two alternative programmatic development plans (Action 
Alternatives), as well as a No Action Alternative, were considered for 
the long-term development of the SFC. The action alternatives, named 
Alternatives A and B, represent mid-density and high-density levels of 
development for the SFC campus.
    For each of the Build Alternatives, the EIS analyzes three distinct 
development phases (the NOAA facility, the Census Bureau facilities, 
and future development) occurring over the ten-year planning horizon. 
The first two phases are based on the projected requirements of NOAA 
and the Census Bureau. The final phase of each alternative is intended 
to (A) accommodate reasonable future development of approximately 
1,272,000 square feet and (B) test the development capacity of the site 
with approximately 2,272,000 square feet.

Alternative A: Mid-Density Development

Alternative A (Mid-Density): Phase 1 (NOAA)
    In Phase 1 of Alternative A, a new 208,000 gsf building would be 
constructed for NOAA on the site of the current ball fields in the 
northwest portion of the campus. The building would consist of two 
primary components, a single level office space element set into the 
landscape with a sod roof, and an approximately 55-foot tall high-tech 
tower with satellite operations on the roof.
    This phase would result in a net increase of 53 employees and the 
relocation of 500 parking spaces to the Suitland Federal Center. The 
majority of parking would be located below the main NOAA building. 
Access to the new NOAA facility would be provided through the existing 
roadways and entrances. An antenna farm would be located on the western 
side of the development parcel.
Alternative A (Mid-Density): Phase 2 (Census Bureau)
    Through a combination of new construction, renovation, and 
demolition, Phase 2 of Alternative A would result in a net increase of 
approximately 464,000 gsf of space above Phase 1 levels at the Suitland 
Federal Center campus. It would also add 1,267 employees and 363 
parking spaces in structured and at-grade lots. Under Phase 2, the 
additional space would likely occur through a combination of 
construction, renovation, and demolition. The Census Bureau would be 
accommodated in two buildings located in the eastern portion of the SFC 
campus within the building envelope around FOB-3.
    As a result of the construction and renovation, FOB-4 and SFB-2 
would be demolished. FOB-3 could either be renovated or demolished. The 
Suitland House, Mechanical Plant, National Records Center, NMIC, and 
the new NOAA Building would remain unchanged. Phase 2 would include 
reorganization of the campus circulation network to align with the 
existing public street network, provide signalization, and improve peak 
hour access and egress conditions. The environmentally sensitive 
forested slopes, drainage channels, and wetlands on the southern areas 
of the project site would be preserved and remain undeveloped in Phase 
2 of Alternative A.
Alternative A (Mid-Density): Phase 3 (Future Development)
    Phase 3 of Alternative A would add approximately another 600,000 
gsf, 444 parking spaces, and 2,000 employees above Phase 2 levels. This 
building program would be accommodated in three additional office 
buildings, each probably three to four stories high. The new buildings 
and associated parking structures would be constructed to provide a 
density transition for the area between the Census Bureau building 
envelope and the new NOAA building. Thus, the building densities would 
step down as they move west along Suitland Road away from the 
intersection of Suitland and Silver Hill Roads.

Alternative B: High-Density Development

Alternative B (High Density): Phase 1 (NOAA)
    Phase 1 of Alternative B is identical to Phase 1 of Alternative A.
Alternative B (High Density): Phase 2 (Census Bureau)
    Phase 2 of Alternative B would result in a net increase of 
1,164,000 gsf of space above Phase 1 levels through a combination of 
new construction, renovation, and demolition. It would

[[Page 58497]]

also add up to 4,367 employees and 1,053 parking spaces in structured 
and at-grade lots. Under Phase 2 of Alternative B, a new Census Bureau 
building (or buildings) would be constructed in the eastern portion of 
the campus, near existing FOB-3. The capacity of the buildings would 
consist of 1,500,000 gsf.
    It is assumed that FOB-3 would remain in its current condition and 
could be available for use by a future tenant, either as office space 
or to serve a storage function. FOB-4 and SFB-2 would be demolished. 
The existing annex and vault areas would be replaced by approximately 
10,000 gsf for new daycare and recreation facilities. The Suitland 
House, Mechanical Plant, National Records Center, NMIC, and the new 
NOAA building would remain unchanged. The campus circulation network 
would be reorganized to align with the existing public street network, 
provide signalization, and improve peak hour access and egress 
conditions. The environmentally sensitive forested slopes, drainage 
channels, and wetlands on the southern areas portion of the site would 
be preserved.
Alternative B (High Density): Phase 3 (Future Development)
    Phase 3 of Alternative B would add approximately 900,000 gsf, 666 
parking spaces, and 3,000 employees above Phase 2 levels. It is assumed 
that, as a result of Phase 3, four new office buildings would be 
constructed, each probably three to five stories high. These buildings 
could serve either federal or private sector functions.
    Three of the future buildings and associated parking would be 
constructed in the area between the Census Bureau building envelope and 
the new NOAA building. Another new three-story office building and a 
three-story parking structure would be constructed in the area around 
the Metro Rail station.

No Action Alternative

    Under the No Action Alternative, all existing development and 
tenants would remain; however, there would be no new development at the 
SFC, nor would there be any reconfiguration of the existing facilities. 
Thus, the projected relocation of NOAA employees at the SFC, and the 
growth and consolidation of Census employees at the SFC, would not 
occur. Any new employees would have to be located in leased space 
elsewhere in the county.

Environmental Consequences

    The following are summaries of the environmental consequences for 
each of the phases of the two alternatives. Where no impacts are 
mentioned for a given resource area, there were not significant 
environmental impacts resulting from the implementation of the phases 
of each of the alternatives.

Alternative A: Mid-Density Development

Alternative A (Mid-Density): Phase 1 (NOAA)
    Construction of the new NOAA facility would help consolidate and 
enhance existing landscape zones, and add circulation features within 
the campus while retaining the existing physical character of the SFC 
as an office and research campus. There would potentially be minor 
adverse impacts to traffic conditions and air quality; however, these 
impacts could largely be mitigated by limited road improvements.
Alternative A (Mid-Density): Phase 2 (Census Bureau)
    Under Phase 2 of Alternative A, the SFC would continue to retain 
its character as a lower-density office and research campus with 
service uses, while also preserving the environmentally sensitive 
portion of the campus. The increase in Census employees at the SFC 
could positively affect businesses in the larger Suitland community, 
increasing retail sales and thus potentially creating new employment 
opportunities for local residents. It could also contribute to a sense 
of revitalization in the Suitland area, when considered with other 
efforts by state and local agencies. The demolition of FOB-4, and 
potentially FOB-3, would adversely impact historic properties on the 
campus; however, consultation is currently underway with the Maryland 
Historical Trust to mitigate these impacts. There would also be adverse 
impacts to traffic conditions and air quality as a result of Phase 2 of 
Alternative A; however, these impacts could largely be mitigated by 
roadway and signal improvements.
Alternative A (Mid-Density): Phase 3 (Future Development)
    Under Phase 3 of Alternative A, the amount of development at the 
SFC would increase to a moderate-density campus of office, retail, and 
service space with a mixture of structured and at-grade parking. The 
increase in employees could positively impact businesses in the 
Suitland area by further increasing retail sales above Phase 2 levels 
and thus potentially creating new employment opportunities for local 
residents. It could also contribute to a sense of revitalization in the 
Suitland area, when considered with other efforts by state and local 
agencies. There would be adverse impacts to traffic conditions and air 
quality as a result of Phase 3 of Alternative A; however, these impacts 
could largely be mitigated by roadway and signal improvements. Peak 
hour noise levels would slightly exceed the standards established by 
the Federal Highway Administration and the state of Maryland.

Alternative B: High-Density Development

Alternative B (High Density): Phase 1 (NOAA)
    Phase 1 of Alternative B is identical to Phase 1 of Alternative A. 
Please refer to the discussion of the impacts under Phase 1 of 
Alternative A above.
Alternative B (High Density): Phase 2 (Census Bureau)
    Under Phase 2 of Alternative B, the lower-density suburban 
character of the SFC would begin to change to a higher-density campus 
of office, retail, and service space with a mixture of structured and 
at-grade parking. The environmentally sensitive portions of the campus 
would remain unchanged. The increase in employees could positively 
impact businesses in the Suitland area, further increasing retail sales 
and thus potentially creating new employment opportunities for local 
residents. It could also contribute to revitalization in the Suitland 
area, when considered with other efforts by state and local agencies. 
There would be adverse impacts to traffic conditions and air quality as 
a result of Phase 2 of Alternative B. These impacts could be mitigated 
by substantial roadway and signal improvements. Peak hour noise levels 
would exceed the standards established by the Federal Highway 
Administration and the state of Maryland.
Alternative B (High Density): Phase 3 (Future Development)
    Under Phase 3 of Alternative B, the character of the SFC would 
further evolve into a higher-density campus of larger buildings 
containing office, retail, and service space with a mixture of 
structured and at-grade parking. The increase in employees could have 
significant positive impacts on businesses in the Suitland area, 
further increasing retail sales and thus potentially creating new 
employment opportunities for local residents. It

[[Page 58498]]

could also contribute to revitalization in the Suitland area, when 
considered with other efforts by State and local agencies. There would 
be substantial adverse impacts to traffic conditions and air quality as 
a result of Phase 3 of Alternative B. These impacts could be mitigated 
by extensive roadway and signal improvements. Peak hour noise levels 
would exceed the standards established by the Federal Highway 
Administration and the state of Maryland.

No Action Alternative

    Under the No Action Alternative, there would be no new impacts. The 
conditions of the buildings on the site would worsen with time. Erosion 
of the site from stormwater, particularly in the vicinity of FOB-3, 
would also worsen over time without a reconfiguration of the campus to 
address drainage issues. Finally, without the influx of new employees 
and the redevelopment of the site, the SFC would be less likely to 
contribute to the redevelopment of the larger Suitland area.

Preferred Alternative

Environmentally Preferred Alternative

    Regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) 
implementing NEPA require a federal agency to identify the alternative 
or alternatives that are considered to be environmentally preferable. 
In this case, the No Action Alternative appears to involve the fewest 
impacts to environmental and historical resources. However, this 
alternative would not satisfy the underlying purpose and need for the 
proposed action as it would not meet the future needs of NOAA, the 
Census Bureau, and the federal government. Moreover, it would require 
the two tenant agencies to continue to occupy aged and deteriorating 
buildings. The consolidation of NOAA and Census Bureau employees that 
are currently located off-site would not occur and thus they would not 
be better able to meet their mission requirements and serve the public. 
Finally, it would not allow for the long-range redevelopment of the 
SFC, which is essential for the revitalization of the greater Suitland 
area. Therefore, implementation of one of the two action alternatives 
is necessary to satisfy the purpose and need for the proposed action.

Preferred Action Alternative

    GSA selected Alternative A (Mid-Density Development) as the 
preferred action alternative because it more closely meets the needs of 
GSA and the tenant agencies with less overall environmental impacts. 
Phase 1 development is identical between the two action alternatives. 
Thus, the nature and intensity of the environmental impacts are also 
identical for Phase 1. However, the development program and density for 
Phases 2 and 3 are greater under Alternative B (High-Density) than 
under Alternative A (Mid-Density). As a result, the environmental 
impacts associated with the number of buildings, employees, vehicles, 
and other programmatic elements that would be generated under 
Alternative A would be less extensive than the impacts generated under 
Alternative B. Overall, because the density under Alternative B would 
exceed the development capacity of certain resources, Alternative A 
more closely meets the needs of the GSA and the tenant agencies through 
a mid-density phasing plan.

Decision

    Giving consideration to all factors discovered during the NEPA 
process, and since Alternative A more closely meets the needs of GSA 
and the tenant agencies, GSA has decided to advance the redevelopment 
of the SFC campus under Alternative A, the mid-density alternative.

Mitigation Measures

    The implementation of each phase of Alternative A would result in a 
variety of short- and long-term impacts. GSA received a number of 
comments and mitigation suggestions from members of the public and from 
local, state, and federal agencies. Potential mitigation measures were 
identified in the Final EIS to address environmental impacts resulting 
from the construction or operation of the new facility. All practicable 
means of avoiding or minimizing environmental harm from the selected 
alternative were adopted, through the program of mitigation, monitoring 
and enforcement outlined below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Impacted areas                          Phase                         Mitigation measure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Use................................  Phase 1....................   Building design will accommodate
                                                                        employee and public circulation to Metro
                                                                        Rail Station.
                                          Phase 2....................   Building design will accommodate
                                                                        employee and public circulation to Metro
                                                                        Rail Station.
                                                                        GSA will consider public use for
                                                                        southeast corner of the site and high-
                                                                        density use for Metro Rail parcel.
                                          Phase 3....................   Building design will accommodate
                                                                        employee and public circulation to Metro
                                                                        Rail Station.
Planning Policy.........................  Phase 1....................  None.
                                          Phase 2....................   Comply with Section 106 of the
                                                                        National Historic Preservation Act.
                                          Phase 3....................  None.
Community Facilities....................  Phase 1....................   Identify alternate local
                                                                        recreational facilities to replace
                                                                        ballfields.
                                          Phase 2....................  None.
                                          Phase 3....................  None.
Public Safety Services..................  Phase 1....................   NOAA building will be sprinkled.
                                          Phase 2....................   Increase the number of on-site
                                                                        safety personnel to meet new demands.
                                                                        New buildings will be sprinkled.
                                          Phase 3....................   Increase the number of on-site
                                                                        safety personnel to meet new demands.
                                                                        New buildings will be sprinkled.
Demographics............................  Phase 1....................   Coordinate construction routes
                                                                        and activities with surrounding
                                                                        community.
                                          Phase 2....................   Coordinate construction routes
                                                                        and activities with surrounding
                                                                        community.
                                                                        Integrate and coordinate project
                                                                        with ongoing plans for Suitland/Silver
                                                                        Hill area.
                                          Phase 3....................   Coordinate construction routes
                                                                        and activities with surrounding
                                                                        community.

[[Page 58499]]

 
                                                                        Integrate and coordinate project
                                                                        with ongoing plans for Suitland/Silver
                                                                        Hill area.
Environmental Justice...................  Phase 1....................   Coordinate construction routes
                                                                        and activities with surrounding
                                                                        community.
                                          Phase 2....................   Coordinate construction routes
                                                                        and activities with surrounding
                                                                        community.
                                          Phase 3....................   Coordinate construction routes
                                                                        and activities with surrounding
                                                                        community.
Arch./Historic Resources................  Phase 1....................  None.
                                          Phase 2....................   Comply with Section 106 of the
                                                                        National Historic Preservation Act.
                                          Phase 3....................   Comply with Section 106 of the
                                                                        National Historic Preservation Act.
Transportation Systems..................  Phase 1....................   Undertake necessary roadway and
                                                                        signal improvements to ensure that
                                                                        intersections surrounding the SFC
                                                                        operate at acceptable Level of Service
                                                                        (LOS).
                                                                        Commit to net increase in
                                                                        parking.
                                          Phase 2....................   Undertake necessary roadway and
                                                                        signal improvements to ensure that
                                                                        intersections surrounding the SFC
                                                                        operate at acceptable LOS.
                                          Phase 3....................   Undertake necessary roadway and
                                                                        signal improvements to ensure that
                                                                        intersections surrounding the SFC
                                                                        operate at acceptable LOS.
                                                                        Prepare a TMP.
Air Quality.............................  Phase 1....................   Conduct detailed analysis of 8-
                                                                        hour CO concentrations at Suitland/
                                                                        Silver Hill Road.
                                          Phase 2....................   Make necessary roadway
                                                                        improvements to ensure that 8-hour CO
                                                                        concentrations at affected intersections
                                                                        do not exceed established thresholds.
                                          Phase 3....................   Make necessary roadway
                                                                        improvements to ensure that 8-hour CO
                                                                        concentrations at affected intersections
                                                                        do not exceed established thresholds.
Noise Levels............................  Phase 1....................   Select truck routes that
                                                                        minimize potential for noise impact
                                                                        during construction.
                                          Phase 2....................   Select truck routes that
                                                                        minimize potential for noise impact
                                                                        during construction.
                                                                        Prepare a TMP.
                                           Phase 3...................   Select truck routes that
                                                                        minimize potential for noise impact
                                                                        during construction.
                                                                        Prepare a TMP.
Water Resources.........................  Phase 1....................   Locate structured parking
                                                                        beneath building.
                                                                        Design stormwater facilities to
                                                                        minimize potential contamination of
                                                                        water resources, maintain existing
                                                                        drainage patterns and control erosion
                                                                        and sediment.
                                          Phase 2....................   Control size of building
                                                                        footprints, roads and surface parking
                                                                        lots.
                                                                        Design stormwater facilities to
                                                                        minimize potential contamination of
                                                                        water resources, maintain existing
                                                                        drainage patterns and control erosion
                                                                        and sediment.
                                          Phase 3....................   Control size of building
                                                                        footprints, roads and surface parking
                                                                        lots.
                                                                        Design stormwater facilities to
                                                                        minimize potential contamination of
                                                                        water resources, maintain existing
                                                                        drainage patterns and control erosion
                                                                        and sediment.
Geology/Topography/Soils................  Phase 1....................   Complete geotechnical studies
                                                                        prior to construction.
                                                                        Minimize erosion and exposed
                                                                        impervious surfaces.
                                          Phase 2....................   Complete geotechnical studies
                                                                        prior to construction.
                                                                        Minimize erosion and exposed
                                                                        impervious surfaces.
                                          Phase 3....................   Complete geotechnical studies
                                                                        prior to construction.
                                                                        Minimize erosion and exposed
                                                                        impervious surfaces.
Vegetation/Wildlife Habitat.............  Phase 1....................   Design will minimize impervious
                                                                        surface and promote erosion and sediment
                                                                        control.
                                                                        Complete geotechnical studies
                                                                        prior to construction.
                                                                        Provide afforestation and
                                                                        landscaping in disturbed areas.
                                                                        Maintenance or creation of
                                                                        vegetative buffers around wildlife
                                                                        habitat.
                                          Phase 2....................   Design will minimize impervious
                                                                        surface and promote erosion and sediment
                                                                        control.
                                                                        Complete geotechnical studies
                                                                        prior to construction.
                                                                        Afforestation and landscaping in
                                                                        disturbed areas.
                                                                        Maintenance or creation of
                                                                        vegetative buffers around wildlife
                                                                        habitat.
                                          Phase 3....................   Design will minimize impervious
                                                                        surface and promote erosion and sediment
                                                                        control.
                                                                        Complete geotechnical studies
                                                                        prior to construction.
                                                                        Afforestation and landscaping in
                                                                        disturbed areas.
                                                                        Maintenance or creation of
                                                                        vegetative buffers around wildlife
                                                                        habitat.
Hazardous Materials.....................  Phase 1....................  None.
                                          Phase 2....................   Properly handle asbestos or lead-
                                                                        bearing waste and UST systems.
                                                                        Add secondary containment to
                                                                        chemical storage area and initiate Spill
                                                                        Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures
                                                                        Plan.

[[Page 58500]]

 
                                          Phase 3....................   Add secondary containment to
                                                                        chemical storage area and initiate Spill
                                                                        Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures
                                                                        (SPCC) Plan.
Stormwater Management Systems...........  Phase 1....................   Utilize Best Management
                                                                        Practices (BMP).
                                                                        Consider bioretention and
                                                                        extended wet ponds.
                                          Phase 2....................   Utilize BMP.
                                                                        Consider bioretention and
                                                                        extended wet ponds.
                                          Phase 3....................   Utilize BMP.
                                                                        Consider bioretention and
                                                                        extended wet ponds.
Water Supply............................  Phase 1....................   Reduce water consumption to the
                                                                        extent possible.
                                          Phase 2....................   Reduce water consumption to the
                                                                        extent possible.
                                                                        Perform flow test to determine
                                                                        necessity of booster pumps.
                                          Phase 3....................   Reduce water consumption to the
                                                                        extent possible.
                                                                        Perform flow test to determine
                                                                        necessity of booster pumps.
Energy Systems..........................  Phase 1....................   Employ energy savings
                                                                        performance contracts.
                                                                        Employ energy-wise management
                                                                        practices.
                                          Phase 2....................   Employ energy savings
                                                                        performance contracts.
                                                                        Employ energy-wise management
                                                                        practices.
                                          Phase 3....................   Employ energy savings
                                                                        performance contracts.
                                                                        Employ energy-wise management
                                                                        practices.
Solid Waste Disposal....................  Phase 1....................   Promote cost effective waste
                                                                        reduction and recycling activities.
                                                                        Additional dumpsters to
                                                                        accommodate construction.
                                                                        More frequent waste collection
                                                                        during construction.
                                          Phase 2....................   Promote cost effective waste
                                                                        reduction and recycling activities.
                                                                        Additional dumpsters to
                                                                        accommodate construction.
                                                                        More frequent waste collection
                                                                        during construction.
                                                                        Properly handle asbestos or lead-
                                                                        bearing waste.
                                          Phase 3....................   Promote cost effective waste
                                                                        reduction and recycling activities.
                                                                        Additional dumpsters to
                                                                        accommodate construction.
                                                                        More frequent waste collection
                                                                        during construction.
Radiofrequency Communication............  Phase 1....................   Designate restricted access to
                                                                        all areas where field strengths exceed
                                                                        acceptable levels.
                                                                        Provide rooftop shielding on
                                                                        NOAA building.
                                          Phase 2....................   Conduct a detailed
                                                                        radiofrequency study and develop
                                                                        appropriate communications plan.
                                          Phase 3....................   Conduct a detailed
                                                                        radiofrequency study and develop
                                                                        appropriate communications plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: October 31, 2001.
Annie W. Everett,
Acting Regional Administrator, General Services Administration, 
National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 01-29128 Filed 11-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-34-P