[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10247-10250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4945]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Record of Decision for the 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Future Master Plan 
Development for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Chamblee, GA; 
Record of Decision, Master Plan Expansion for Chamblee Campus Centers 
for Disease Control, Chamblee, GA

    Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations 
(40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and GSA Order PBS P 1095.4E.F,2, PBS 1095.4C, 
ADM 1020.1, GSA has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The Proposed Action is the 
implementation of a Master Plan at the Chamblee Campus. The purpose of 
the EIS is to provide public notice of the Proposed Action and 
Alternatives, reasonable time for public comment, and to develop and 
implement mitigation measures based on the impacts identified.

A. Proposed Action

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an agency 
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with a 
critical mission to safeguard the health of the American public through 
detection, investigation, control, and prevention of communicable 
diseases. The Proposed Action is the implementation by the CDC of a 
Master Plan to expand and upgrade facilities at the Chamblee Campus. 
The Chamblee Campus currently consists primarily of buildings 
constructed between 1940 and 1993, many of which no longer satisfy the 
essential technical needs of CDC programs. Chamblee is one of two 
primary CDC campuses in the Atlanta Metro Area; the other is the main 
Roybal Campus and CDC Headquarters at Clifton Road. The Proposed Action 
would also consolidate leased facilities onto the Chamblee Campus and 
would accommodate the projected CDC growth at the Chamblee Campus to 
the year 2010 and beyond.
    The Chamblee Campus is home to the National Center for 
Environmental Health (NCEH) and the Division of Parasitic Diseases 
(DPD). The Current laboratories at Chamblee Campus operate at a maximum 
bio-safety level (BSL) of 2 on a bio-safety scale of 1 (lowest) to 4 
(highest). Practices, equipment, and facilities at BSL 2 are applicable 
to clinical, diagnostic, teaching and other facilities in which work is 
done with moderate-risk agents. The CDC anticipates an increase in 
personnel at the Chamblee Campus from a current staff of approximately 
700 employees to approximately 4,000 in ten years. To accommodate this 
growth, the Master Plan provides for demolition of 17 outdated 
buildings, the construction of four new buildings, as well as the 
renovation of several other buildings on the existing 48.5-acre 
property. The Master Plan incorporates CDC's current inventory of 
245,500 net usable square feet (NUSF) of office and laboratory space. 
This includes two buildings (103 and 109) that are 
currently under construction to replace space from buildings recently 
demolished. The Master Plan would meet a cumulative need for 706,200 
NUSF of space. Additional parking would be required to increase 
capacity from the current total of 591 spaces to 3,390 spaces at 
completion of full build-out. Design and construction of specific 
buildings, associated parking, and support facilities would be based on 
year-by-year Federal appropriations to fund individual projects. The 
General Services Administration (GSA) has prepared the EIS for the CDC 
and is serving as the lead agency for the NEPA process. However, the 
CDC will be responsible for implementing all aspects of the Proposed 
Action including, planning, designing, contracting, construction 
management, physical security, and operations and maintenance for new 
facilities.

B. Purpose and Need

    The purpose of the Proposed Action is to enable the CDC to perform 
its public health and safety missions effectively and to better utilize 
Federal property and assets. The need for the

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Proposed Action is dictated in part by national security due to the 
importance of the CDC missions. The Proposed Action is needed to: 
Facilitate the performance of CDC's National missions. Alleviate 
overcrowded and substandard space and conditions at the Chamblee 
Campus, Consolidate CDC Chamblee programs that are currently performed 
at leased facilities. Accommodate projected growth in CDC programs 
associated with expanding missions. Provide campus environment that 
meets building codes and security requirements. Improve internal 
pedestrian and traffic flow.

C. Alternatives Considered

No-Action Alternative

    The No-Action Alternative would maintain the status quo at the 
Chamblee Campus, perpetuating the use of overcrowded substandard 
buildings and continued reliance on off-campus leased space to support 
programs. Under this alternative, construction, renovation, traffic 
improvements, and other components of the Proposed Action, would not be 
implemented. The impacts of the No-Action Alternative on the natural 
and human environment were evaluated based on extrapolations of current 
traffic, building density, and other conditions for the same 10-year 
planning period as used to evaluate the Proposed Action.

Chamblee Campus Master Plan Implementation Alternative

    Under the Master Plan Implementation Alternative, which is the 
Government's preferred alternative, CDC would construct eight new 
buildings, including parking decks and a central utility plant, on the 
Chamblee Campus and demolish 17 existing obsolete buildings over a 10-
year planning period. These activities would be restricted to the 
existing disturbed areas of the campus comprising 26 acres, except for 
approximately two acres of upland vegetated area in the southwestern 
portion of the property and a strip of upland fringe on the eastern 
side of the developed area. The balance of approximately 20 acres, 
including 11.4 acres of floodplains and 4.6 acres of jurisdictional 
wetlands, is currently vegetated and would remain undisturbed during 
implementation of the Master Plan. Any future activity that would 
disturb this 20-acre area would require additional NEPA compliance as 
outlined the EIS.

Evaluation Approach and Future Tiering

    The Chamblee Campus Master Plan is intended as a steering document 
rather than a detailed blueprint. The phasing of actions proposed in 
the plan must remain flexible due to uncertainties regarding the 
availability and timing of Federal funds. Therefore, the approach taken 
in this EIS for the evaluation of the Master Plan Implementation 
Alternative assumes that the exact locations and configurations of 
facilities, and activities supported, will be determined after the 
completion of this EIS. In the event that specific future actions are 
beyond the information outlined in the Master Plan and the assumptions 
followed for this EIS, subsequent NEPA documentation will be required 
consistent with the tiering process outlined in the CEQ regulations (40 
CFR 1502.20). Such documentation may consist of Categorical Exclusions 
(at a minimum), site-specific Environmental Assessments (more likely), 
or an addendum/amendment to this EIS if appropriate. Chapter II 
provides specific examples of future actions that would be subject to 
tiering review.

D. Environmental Consequences to Affected Environment

    The environmental consequences of implementing this Proposed Action 
and mitigation measures identified are summarized below.

Aesthetics

    Due to the age and condition of various buildings and structures on 
site, continuing deterioration of these facilities will occur with the 
No-Action Alternative and there will be no adverse aesthetic impacts. 
The Master Plan Alternative would improve the aesthetic quality of the 
campus by eliminating overcrowded and deteriorating facilities, 
improving pedestrian and vehicle circulation, and upgrading landscaped 
areas. Short-termed adverse impacts during construction would be 
restricted to previously disturbed areas of the campus.

Geophysical Resources

    The No-Action Alternative would not affect geologic features or 
soil conditions on the campus. Demolition and construction activities 
for the Master Plan Alternative would not significantly affect geologic 
features or soils on the property. Construction would be limited 
generally to the previously disturbed areas of the campus, which are 
underlain by Urban Land soils that have been altered during prior 
development. Construction for the Master Plan Alternative will include 
us of best management practices (BMPs) that generally comply with the 
Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance of the City of 
Chamblee (Municipal Code, Part II, Chapter 34, Article IV) and the 
DeKalb County Code (Chapter 14, Article II, Section 14-38), to reduce 
soil erosion and sedimentation impacts.

Surface Water Resources

    The No-Action Alternative would not alter surface waters, drainage, 
floodplains, or wetlands on the campus, because there would be no 
change in existing structures and uses on site. With appropriate uses 
of BMPs during construction, compliance with the General Storm Water 
Permit requirements, and implementation of the SWMP, the Master Plan 
Alternative would be in compliance with state and local regulations and 
would provide a net benefit over existing water resource conditions.

Biological Resources

    There are no critical species or habitats on the Chamblee Campus 
for any Federally or state-protected rare, threatened or endangered 
species listed under the Endangered Species Act (1973). The No-Action 
Alternative would not affect flora and fauna on the campus. The Master 
Plan Alternative would not have adverse impacts on wildlife or plant 
species. No Federally or state-protected rate, threatened, or 
endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act (1973) will 
be impacted.

Cultural Resources

    Based on consultation with the Georgia State Historic Preservation 
Officer (SHPO) as documented in Chapter VIII, no archeological 
resources have been identified on the campus, and none of the 
structures designated for future demolition are eligible for the 
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Therefore, the Proposed 
Action would have no impact on cultural resources.

Demographics and Socioeconomic

    Under the No-Action Alternative, future operations at the Chamblee 
Campus would have no effect on population, housing, economic activity, 
or employment in the city and county. The Master Plan Alternative would 
not adversely affect population growth in DeKalb county either directly 
or indirectly. The exposure of local businesses on Buford Highway and 
the International Village to increasing numbers of employees at the 
nearby

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Chamblee Campus may have a favorable impact on local services and 
retail commerce. The potential increase in trade opportunities for 
local businesses may have a small impact on the demand for local 
housing. The increase in jobs at the campus would provide a net 
favorable effect on employment for the City of Chamblee but have no 
impact on countywide employment, because relocations by significant 
numbers of existing CDC employees would not be expected. Nearby leased 
space to be vacated by CDC in conjunction with the Master Plan would be 
absorbed by the regional commercial real estate market without 
measurable effect over the 10-year planning period.

Environmental Justice (EJ)

    Under the No-Action Alternative, existing operations would continue 
at Chamblee Campus and at offsite, leased facilities without 
environmental Justice consequences. However, because there would be no 
change in the number of employees on site, there would be no potential 
for local economic stimulus from CDC actions. The Master Plan 
Alternative would not adversely and disproportionately affect minority 
and low-income groups who live near the Chamblee Campus. As indicated 
in Chapter 4, the distributions of minorities and low-income groups in 
the immediate vicinity of the campus are not substantially greater than 
in the broader local community. Also, the campus would perform 
essentially the same programs it currently performs without any change 
in bio-safety level (currently BSL 2) for laboratories onsite. All 
Master Plan activities would occur on existing Federal property; hence, 
the Federal government would not purchase any additional land for the 
Proposed Action, and there would be no impact on the tax base. The 
improvements would add over 3,000 more employees to the Chamblee 
Campus, which would add to the local employment base. Through potential 
increased patronage by greater numbers of employees on the campus, the 
Master Plan Alternative may also benefit nearby businesses, such as 
restaurants, shops, and service establishments that employ higher 
proportions of minorities and the economically disadvantaged. In this 
way, the Master Plan Alternative--would potentially support the 
economic development plans of the City of Chamblee and DeKalb County 
for the nearby DeKalb International Corridor.

Community Services

    After the events of September 11, 2001, CDC assessed security at 
the Chamblee Campus to insure the appropriate level of protection for 
facilities, staff, and the surrounding community. CDC has also improved 
the coordination of emergency response activities with the DeKalb 
Homeland Security Office and the Governors Office for Homeland 
Security. Under the No-Action Alternative, future operations at the 
Chamblee Campus would not affect responsibilities of the Chamblee 
Police Department, the DeKalb Fire Services Bureau, regional medical 
facilities, the DeKalb County Public School System, or park authorities 
in the city and county. However, the No-Action Alternative also would 
not resolve potential existing deficiencies in water distribution on 
campus to provide adequate fire response, as indicated by CDC's 
engineering consultant. The increase in facilities and staff operations 
at the Chamblee Campus envisioned in the Master Plan Alternative will 
emphasize the needs for security and emergency coordination by CDC. The 
size of the campus and extent of developed area will remain unchanged 
within the existing perimeter. Therefore, the Master Plan alternative 
would not have adverse impacts on the operations and responsibilities 
of the Chamblee Police Department, DeKalb Fire Services Bureau, and 
regional medical facilities. Also, because the Proposed Action would 
not influence population growth in DeKalb County, the Master Plan 
Altnerative would not affect service providers, the school system, or 
recreational resources adversely.

Land Use and Planning

    The No-Action Alternative would not affect local land use. Because 
the Master Plan Alternative would affect future development only of the 
existing property and would not require additional property 
acquisition, it would have no impact on local zoning or land use plans. 
GSA and CDC have consulted with planning authorities of both the City 
of Chamblee and DeKalb County regarding this Proposed Action, and the 
current land use on the Chamblee Campus is consistent with the 
classification for the site in the DeKalb County Comprehensive Plan. 
The proposed development under the Master Plan Alternative would also 
be compatible with adjacent land uses, zoning districts, and future 
plans of the City of Chamblee and DeKalb County.

Transportation

    Prior traffic studies as summarized in Chapter IV and discussed in 
Appendix A have indicated that the levels of service at intersections 
in the vicinity of Chamblee Campus would remain unchanged over the 10-
year planning period without the Proposed Action except at the 
intersection of Buford Highway and Chamblee-Tucker Road. The level of 
service at that intersection was projected to deteriorate by one 
category. The No-Action Alternative would not affect other means of 
transportation in the area; however, it also would not address existing 
pedestrian safety issues on Buford Highway adjacent to the campus. For 
the Master Plan Alternative, the traffic evaluations of this EIS in 
association with the prior traffic studies in the vicinity of the 
campus have indicated a potential for significant adverse impacts on 
levels of service at nearby intersections. Therefore, an updated 
traffic study should be performed after the two replacement buildings 
currently under construction (103 and 109) are 
completed and occupied. The Master Plan Alternative would improve 
pedestrian safety on campus by separating vehicle and pedestrian 
routes. Also, to help mitigate problems associated with existing 
pedestrian traffic adjacent to the campus, consideration of a sidewalk 
along the entire CDC frontage on Buford Highway has been requested by 
the county. Additionally, the Master Plan alternative would increase 
the use of Marta by CDC Chamblee Campus employees due to the proximity 
of the Campus to the Chamblee Marta Station. This would reduce the 
total number of vehicle trips and be a positive impact that would 
result from the Master Plan alternative.

Utilities and Services

    The Chamblee Campus is located within established grids of typical 
urban infrastructure, and all required utilities are available. 
Existing suppliers are meeting all current demands for utilities. Under 
the No-Action Alternative, future operations at the Chamblee Campus 
would not affect current utilities consumption rates or infrastructure 
capacities.
    However, based on a review of the water distribution system map for 
the Chamblee Campus, the CDC's engineering consultant recommended the 
testing of fire hydrants, because the campus may not have adequate 
service for fire protection. The No-Action Alternative would not 
address this issue. For the Master Plan Alternative, CDC's design 
consultant would develop the projected demands on all utilities as part 
of the project development design phase. Because of the long lead time 
(10-year planning period), it is expected that all local utilities 
suppliers would be capable of adjusting system capacities to satisfy 
the demands of the facilities

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included in the alternative upon completion. Because all suppliers are 
expected to have adequate capacity to serve the future demands 
resulting from the Master Plan Alternative, there would not be any 
significant adverse impacts on utilities. By correcting potential 
deficiencies in the water distribution system and other utilities on 
campus, the Master Plan Alternative would have a net beneficial impact 
on these services.

Air Quality

    Air emissions at the Chamblee Campus are currently covered under a 
Title V permit. For the No-Action Alternative, there would be no 
changes in emissions that would affect the existing permit. For the 
Master Plan Alternative, construction equipment would generate 
emissions of CO, NO2, various hydrocarbons, PM-10, and small 
amounts of SO2; however, the impact of these additional 
emissions would be highly localized and limited to periods of 
construction. Short-term impacts would be minimal, and no long-term 
impacts would occur as a result of construction activities. After 
completion of Master Plan elements, site-generated traffic would 
increase and result in additional congestion on area streets. The 
associated pollutant emissions would have minor adverse impacts on air 
quality. However, the increases in air pollutant emissions would be 
minimal on a regional basis and would not be expected to cause any 
violations of NAAQS. In addition, as each development activity within 
the Master Plan Alternative is funded; the Title V permit is reviewed 
and updated.

Noise

    For the Master Plan Alternative, noise levels in the nearby 
residential areas from construction activity on campus would fall 
within background sound levels and be masked by the intervening traffic 
noise. Potential short-term noise impacts will be reduced by 
maintaining construction equipment in good working condition with 
standard muffling apparatus installed, by limiting demolition and 
construction activities to daytime hours, and by complying with the 
noise restrictions of the Chamblee Code of Ordinances. Increased 
traffic noise after full Master Plan build-out would not have a 
significant impact on surrounding communities.

Rationale for Decision:

    1. As part of environmental review completed for CDC, GSA conducted 
Public Scoping Meetings and consultations with the local community to 
identify potential impacts and concerns that would result form 
proceeding with the proposed CDC Master Plan Alternative.
    2. The community, through two Public Meetings and correspondence 
and consultation, identified no issues.
    3. GSA consulted with other government agencies including local, 
State, and Federal Agencies, to solicit their input on the proposed 
Master Plan Alternative. All issues identified and responses provided 
are presented in the Draft and Final EIS documents.
    4. GSA consulted with the State Historic Preservation Officer and 
received reconfirmation the proposed action would have no effect on 
historic properties.
    5. Potential impacts that were identified during the NEPA process 
will be mitigated with additional NEPA documentation if necessary as 
individual projects are funded. CDC will institute the mitigation 
measures identified in the EIS and will consult with the appropriate 
groups and agencies at the appropriate time to insure that the 
identified mitigation measures are implemented.
    6. Should potentially significant impacts be later identified in 
the future development of the Master Plan, CDC will conduct additional 
NEPA documentation before proceeding with the implementation of the 
Master Plan. In this event, CDC will supplement this EIS with 
additional documentation identifying the mitigation measures as 
required by the National Environmental Policy Act.
    Therefore, having given consideration to all of the factors 
discovered during the 16-month environmental review process, the NEPA 
process is completed with the execution of this document for the CDC 
Proposed Action is the implementation of the Master Plan Alternative at 
the CDC Campus in Chamblee, Georgia, and is outlined in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement Dated July 6, 2002, and this Record of 
Decision.

    Dated: February 20, 2003.
Philip B. Youngberg,
Environmental Manager, Southeast Sunbelt Region, General Services 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-4945 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-23-M