[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58526-58528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29283]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (01-150)]


National Environmental Policy Act; NASA Ames Development Plan

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the NASA Ames Development Plan and notice of 
meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) policy and procedures (14 
CFR part 1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA has prepared, and is requesting 
comment on, a DEIS for the proposed NASA Ames Development Plan (NADP). 
In the NADP, NASA is proposing to develop a world-class, shared-use 
education, research and development campus at Ames Research Center 
(ARC) Santa Clara County, California. The proposed shared use campus, 
which would include the proposed NASA Research Park (NRP), will be 
focused on astrobiology, life sciences, space sciences, nanotechnology, 
biotechnology, information technology and aeronautics. As part of the 
NADP, NASA officials plan to create partnerships with Federal, State 
and local government agencies, universities, private industry and non-
profit organizations in support of NASA's mission to conduct research 
and develop new technologies. The purpose of the DEIS is to assess the 
environmental consequences associated with development alternatives 
under the proposed NADP and the no-action alternative. Implementation 
of the preferred alternative is expected to result in significant 
environmental impacts in the following areas: traffic, air quality, and 
housing supply.
    The DEIS also includes, in its appendixes, the General Conformity 
Determination for Carbon Monoxide prepared pursuant to the Clean Air 
Act,

[[Page 58527]]

the Biological Assessment prepared pursuant to the Endangered Species 
Act, and the Historic Resources Protection Plan and Programmatic 
Agreement prepared in compliance with the National Historic 
Preservation Act. NASA is also requesting comments on these documents.

DATES: The agency must receive written or electronic mail comments on 
the DEIS and the other documents listed on or before January 14, 2002 
or 50 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register of the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice of availability of the 
NADP DEIS, whichever is later. Public meetings to receive comments on 
the DEIS will be held in the vicinity of NASA Ames Research Center 
during December 2001. The specific times and locations will be 
published in the San Jose Mercury News (http://www.mercurycenter.com) 
and La Oferta Review (http://www.laoferta.com).

ADDRESSES: The DEIS can be reviewed at the following locations:
    1. Mountain View Public Library, Reference Section, 585 Franklin 
Street, Mountain View, CA (650-903-6887).
    2. Sunnyvale Public Library, Reference Section, 665 West Olive 
Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA (650-730-7300).
    3. NASA Headquarters, Library, Room lJ20, 300 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20546 (202-358-0167).
    4. Access electronically at http://researchpark.arc.nasa.gov.
    Limited copies of the DEIS are available, on a first request basis, 
by contacting Ms. Sandy Olliges, NASA, Ames Research Center, M.S. 218-
1/Building 218, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000; telephone 650-604-3355; 
electronic mail ([email protected]).
    Submit all comments in writing to Ms. Sandy Olliges, NASA Ames 
Research Center, Environmental Services Office, Mail Stop 218-1, 
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 or electronically to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandy Olliges, NASA, Ames Research 
Center, M.S. 218-1/ Building 218, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000; 
telephone 650-604-3355; electronic mail ([email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1991, the Federal Base Closure and 
Realignment Commission decided to close Moffett Field Naval Air 
Station. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Defense transferred 
stewardship of the property to NASA. NASA took over administration of 
752 hectares (1,857 acres) of Moffett Field in 1994. The immediate 
issues were how to use the newly acquired land in a manner consistent 
with NASA's mission, and how to pay for the maintenance and operations 
of such a large site. These matters were originally addressed in the 
Moffett Field Comprehensive Use Plan (CUP) and its associated 
Environmental Assessment (EA), which resulted in a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) in 1994. After transfer of the property, 
local community leaders formed a Community Action Committee (CAC) and 
recommended uses for the newly acquired land. The uses proposed in the 
NADP are consistent with the CAC recommendations.
    In addition to the activities described in the CUP, NASA now 
proposes to develop the NRP and other areas by building on the full 
range of existing high-technology and aviation resources at Moffett 
Field and creating partnerships with Federal, State, and local 
governmental agencies, universities, private industry and non-profit 
organizations in support of NASA's mission to develop new technologies. 
With the help of these collaborative organizations and consistent with 
its mission, NASA proposes to develop a world-class, shared-use 
educational and research and development (R&D) campus focused on the 
advancement of human knowledge about nanotechnology, information 
technology, biotechnology, astrobiology, life sciences, space sciences 
and aeronautics. By integrating public and private R&D efforts at the 
NRP, NASA would create a hub for technology transfer, stay abreast of 
cutting-edge technology advances, and facilitate the commercial 
applications of NASA's basic scientific research.
    Alternatives for the development at ARC in the DEIS include:
    Alternative 1: The No Action Alternative. Under the No Action 
Alternative, NASA would not propose new development for ARC at this 
time. However, NASA would implement several projects at ARC that are 
already approved pursuant to the NASA ARC Comprehensive Use Plan 
Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI), and the California Air National Guard Master Plan EA and 
FONSI.
    Alternative 2: In Alternative 2, NASA proposes to develop 
approximately 360,000 square meters (3.9 million square feet) of new 
space overall in the following development areas: NRP (located to the 
south of the present Ames Campus), Bay View (located to the north of 
the Ames Campus), and the Eastside/Airfield areas (located along the 
east side of the Bay View, Ames Campus, and NRP areas). Within the NRP 
area, there would be approximately 190,000 square meters (2 million 
square feet) of new educational, office, research and development, 
museum, conference center, housing and retail development. 
Approximately 52,000 square meters (560,000 square feet) of existing 
non-historic structures would be demolished, and approximately 46,000 
square meters (500,000 square feet) of existing space would be 
renovated. In this alternative, NASA proposes approximately 121,000 
square meters (1.3 million square feet) of new educational and housing 
development in the Bay View area, and approximately 51,000 square 
meters (550,000 square feet) of new low density research and 
development and light industrial space. Hangars 2 and 3 in the 
Eastside/Airfield area would be renovated. Total build out under this 
alternative would be approximately 845,000 square meters (9.1 million 
square feet).
    Alternative 3: Based on the ideas of Traditional Neighborhood 
Design, NASA, in Alternative 3, would create a new mixed-use 
development within the NRP. In this alternative, NASA proposes: (1) The 
addition of approximately 280,000 square meters, (3 million square 
feet) of new educational, office, research and development, museum, 
conference center, housing and retail development, (2) the demolition 
of approximately 52,000 square meters (560,000 square feet) of non-
historic structures, and 3) the renovation of approximately 46,000 
square meters (500,000 square feet) of existing space. NASA does not 
propose any new construction in the Bay View or Eastside/Airfield 
areas, although Hangars 2 and 3 in the Eastside/Airfield area would be 
renovated for low-intensity research and development or light 
industrial uses. The total build out under Alternative 3 would be 
approximately 760,000 square meters (8.2 million square feet).
    Alternative 4: In Alternative 4, NASA would concentrate more of the 
new development in the Bay View area than it would in the other 
alternatives, while creating less dense development in the NRP area. In 
Alternative 4, NASA proposes: (1) The addition of approximately 145,000 
square meters (1.6 million square feet) of new educational office, 
research and development, museum, conference center, housing and retail 
space in the NRP area, (2) the demolition of approximately 52,000 
square meters (560,000 square feet) of non-historic structures and (3) 
the renovation of

[[Page 58528]]

approximately 46,000 square meters (500,000 square feet) of existing 
space. In the Bay View area, NASA proposes approximately 251,000 square 
meters (2.7 million square feet) of new office, research and 
development, laboratory, educational, and student/faculty housing 
development. In the Eastside/Airfield area, NASA proposes (1) The 
creation of approximately 62,000 square meters (670,000 square feet) of 
new light industrial, research and development, office and educational 
facility development, and (2) renovation of the historic hangars. The 
total build out under Alternative 4 would be approximately 940,000 
square meters (10.1 million square feet).
    Alternative 5: The Preferred Alternative. Under Alternative 5, NASA 
would allow some new construction in each of the four development 
areas, but would concentrate most of this construction in the NRP area. 
In this alternative, NASA proposes: (1) The addition of approximately 
192,000 square meters (2 million square feet) of new educational, 
office, research and development, museum, conference center, housing 
and retail space in the NRP Area, (2) the demolition of approximately 
52,000 square meters (560,000 square feet) of non-historic structures, 
and (3) the renovation of approximately 56,000 square meters (600,000 
square feet) of existing space. In the Bay View area, NASA proposes the 
addition of approximately 93,000 square meters (1 million square feet) 
of new development, primarily for housing. In the Eastside/Airfield 
area, NASA proposes the construction of approximately 1,115 square 
meters (12,000 square feet) of new space in a new control tower. 
Finally, in the Ames Campus area, NASA proposes to demolish 
approximately 37,000 square meters (400,000 square feet) of existing 
buildings to make way for 46,000 square meters (500,000 square feet) of 
high density office and research and development space. Total build out 
under Alternative 5 would be approximately 780,000 square meters (8.4 
million square feet).
    NASA has selected Alternative Five as the Preferred Alternative. 
The Preferred Alternative has been identified as the option that best 
meets NASA's purpose and need.
    The DEIS also includes the General Conformity Determination for 
Carbon Monoxide as an appendix since implementing alternatives 2 
through 5 would generate more than 100 tons per year of carbon 
monoxide, a pollutant regulated in the San Francisco Bay Area under the 
California State Implementation Plan. Ozone and its precursors 
(reactive organic gases and nitrogen oxides) are also regulated, but 
none of the alternatives would generate more than de minimus amounts of 
these pollutants. Although more than 100 tons per year of carbon 
monoxide would be generated by the preferred alternative, no violation 
of National Ambient Air Quality Standards is expected.
    Pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, NASA has 
initiated consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service, and has prepared a Biological Assessment to describe the 
effects of the proposed action on the federally listed species at the 
site. No adverse effect is expected from implementation of any of the 
alternatives. The Biological Assessment is an appendix to the DEIS.
    Since proposed removal of non-historic structures, construction of 
new buildings, and rehabilitation of historic structures in 
Alternatives 1 through 5 have the potential to disturb the integrity of 
the Shenandoah Plaza Historic District and contributing elements in the 
NRP if not designed carefully to ensure the compatibility of the 
changes with historic architecture, NASA, pursuant to the National 
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), has prepared a Historic Resources 
Protection Plan (HRPP) for the Shenandoah Plaza Historic District. NASA 
has also prepared a Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Advisory 
Council on Historic Preservation and the California State Historic 
Preservation Officer to adopt and implement the HRPP. No adverse effect 
is expected from implementation of Alternative 5, the preferred 
alternative. The HRPP and PA are an appendix of the DEIS.

Jeffrey E. Sutton,
Associate Administrator for Management Systems.
[FR Doc. 01-29283 Filed 11-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-01-P