[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10484-10485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5254]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4491-N-10]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Salishan Revitalization Project, City of Tacoma, WA

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and 
Development, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: HUD gives notice to the public, agencies, and Indian tribes 
that the City of Tacoma, WA acting under its authority as the 
Responsible Entity for compliance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with 24 CFR 58.4, and jointly the City 
of Tacoma and Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) acting under their 
authority as lead agencies in accordance with the State Environmental 
Policy Act (SEPA) (Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 43.21) intends to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the redevelopment 
of the Salishan housing project. This notice is given in accordance 
with the Council on Environmental Quality regulations [40 CFR parts 
1500-1508].
    Lead Agencies: The EIS will be prepared as a joint NEPA and 
Washington State SEPA document intended to satisfy the requirements of 
both federal and state environmental statutes. In accordance with 
specific statutory authority and HUD's regulations under 24 CFR part 58 
(Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD 
Environmental Responsibilities), HUD has authorized the City of Tacoma 
to assume authority as the NEPA Responsible Entity. The City of Tacoma 
is also the SEPA lead agency and has agreed to share lead agency status 
with THA with the City as nominal lead as allowed under Washington 
Administrative Code 197-11-944. Federal agencies with jurisdiction by 
law, special expertise, or other special interest should report their 
interests and indicate their willingness to participate in the EIS 
process as a ``Cooperating Agency.''

ADDRESSES: Notice of intent to prepare an EIS is hereby given and all 
interested federal, state, and local agencies, Indian tribes, groups, 
and the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS. Comments 
relating to the scope of the EIS are requested and will be accepted by 
the contact person listed below for a period of 30 days following 
issuance of this notice. Parties interested in receiving future notices 
to comment on the published Draft EIS should also notify the contact 
person within the 30-day time period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karie Hayashi, Land Use Administration 
Planner, City of Tacoma, 747 Market Street, Tacoma, Washington, 98404; 
Phone (253) 591-5387, Fax: (253) 591-5433; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    The Salishan Public Housing Development (Salishan) was originally 
constructed in 1942 as war time temporary housing on 147.7 acres on the 
east side of Tacoma. Located in what is known as the East Side 
neighborhood, Salishan is bordered on the west by Portland Avenue and 
on the east by Swan Creek. In 2000, THA submitted a successful HOPE VI 
grant application for the redevelopment of Salishan. The amount of the 
HOPE VI grant awarded in connection with the Salishan revitalization 
project was $35 million. Under the proposed Revitalization Plan, all of 
the units will be demolished and Salishan will be redeveloped into a 
community of approximately 1,200 units. The project will require 
temporary and permanent relocation of all existing residents. The new 
unit mix will incorporate low-income, affordable, and market rate 
housing with single- and multi-family dwellings, and senior and special 
needs housing. The redevelopment project will also include a mixture of 
commercial uses and improvements to community facilities such as 
expanding the existing health clinic, day care, family investment 
center, and gymnasium. There are currently 837 housing units, in which 
approximately 810 families reside.
    Alternatives to be considered in the EIS include a no action 
alternative and a range of development alternatives from 1,100 units to 
1,400 units. An additional option that will be considered as part of 
the two development alternatives will be a potential land swap with 
Metro Parks. Metro Parks is proposing to develop a portion of their 
property and the land they get from THA for active and passive 
recreation uses. THA will develop the land from Metro Parks for housing 
or other community facilities.

B. Need for the EIS

    This proposal may constitute an action with potentially significant 
impact on the human environment and significant adverse impacts on the 
environment. Therefore the lead agencies have elected to prepare an EIS 
pursuant to 24 CFR 58.37 and RCW 43.21.030(2)(c). Respondents may 
comment on EIS alternatives, probable significant adverse impacts, 
mitigation measures, and licenses or other approvals that may be 
required. Responses to this notice will be used to: (1) Determine 
significant environmental issues, (2) assist in developing the range of 
alternatives to be considered, and (3) identify interested parties who 
would like to participate in the EIS process.

C. Scoping

    A public scoping meeting is scheduled to occur on March 19, 2003 
from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (childcare and language translation services will 
be available at the meeting). The EIS scoping meeting will provide an 
opportunity for the public to learn more about the project and provide 
input on the scope of the EIS. The public scoping meeting will be held 
at the following location: Tacoma Housing Authority, Salishan Meeting 
Rooms, 1724 E. 44th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98404.

[[Page 10485]]

D. EIS Issues

    The lead agencies have identified the following areas for potential 
discussion in the EIS: geology and soils, air quality, water resources, 
vegetation and wetlands, fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered 
species, hazardous materials, noise, land use, housing, displacement, 
and relocation, social and economic (including environmental justice), 
historic resources, cultural and archaeological resources, recreation, 
visual resources and aesthetics, transportation, public services, and 
utilities.
    Questions may be directed to the individual named in this notice 
under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Dated: February 28, 2003.
Roy A. Bernardi,
Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development.
[FR Doc. 03-5254 Filed 3-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-29-P