[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 15210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7404]



[[Page 15210]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
an Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health (NIH), DHHS.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
for an integrated research facility at Fort Detrick, Frederick, 
Maryland.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National 
Institutes of Health (NIH), announces its intent to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate a proposed new 
Integrated Research Facility for the NIH, at Fort Detrick in Frederick, 
Maryland. This EIS is being prepared and considered in accordance with 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 
regulations of the President's Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 
parts 1500-1508), NEPA Compliance Procedures of the DHHS General 
Administration Manual, Part 30 (Environmental Protection), 25 February 
2000, and Army Regulation 200-2, Environmental Analysis of Army Actions 
(32 CFR 651), 29 March 2002.

Cooperating Agencies: The U.S. Army, as owner of the site of the 
proposed Integrated Research Facility, is a cooperating agency in this 
EIS.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Institute of Allergies and 
Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the NIH, conducts and 
supports research of infectious diseases and the human immune system, 
with an emphasis on emerging and re-emerging diseases such as HIV/AIDS 
and other sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, asthma, 
and allergies. Its resources and expertise have been applied to 
studying organisms that might be used as agents of bioterrorism and the 
response of the human immune system to those organisms. This knowledge 
will be used to develop new and improved diagnostic tests, vaccines, 
and therapies to protect civilians.
    Since fall 2001, NIAID has greatly accelerated its biodefense 
research program. Achievement of the research goals requires the 
construction and certification of biological containment laboratories, 
with facilities and procedures for handling potentially lethal agents. 
Equally important is the need to minimize potential threats from 
infectious agents to laboratory and clinical personnel working within 
these facilities and to adjacent communities. The Federal Government 
has approved $105 million to fund a facility for biodefense and 
emerging infectious diseases research on Fort Detrick in Frederick, 
Maryland, as a crucial element of this NIH construction initiative.
    The proposed action is construction and operation by NIH of a new 
building comprised of laboratories designed and constructed to 
Biosafety Levels -2, -3, and -4 standards, that will enable NIAID 
researchers to study disease-causing microbes that may be used as 
agents of terrorism. The proposed new facility will have imaging 
capabilities and will include administrative support offices. It will 
occupy an approximately 6-acre plot near offices, laboratory 
facilities, and supporting services of the U.S. Army Medical Research 
Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), in accordance with a 
Congressional mandate. NIAID and USAMRIID have worked together for many 
years on developing new vaccines and diagnostic procedures in 
biodefense, as well as on HIV/AIDS research. Scientists of both 
agencies have had extensive experience with research in BSL-3 and -4 
laboratories.
    Significant issues to be analyzed in the EIS will include safety of 
laboratory operations; public health and safety; handling, collection, 
treatment, and disposal of biomedical research waste related to the 
proposal; and analysis of other risks, as well as concerns for 
pollution prevention and impacts of the proposed action on air quality, 
biological resources, cultural resources, water resources, land use, 
and socioeconomic resources. Several alternatives will be considered, 
including siting the new facility at another location on the grounds of 
Fort Detrick and a No-Action alternative, under which the new facility 
would not be built. Additional alternatives may be identified in the 
Public Scoping process.
    Public Participation: The DHHS and the U.S. Army invite full public 
participation to promote open communication and better decision-making. 
All interested persons and organizations, including minority, low-
income, disadvantaged, and Native American groups, are urged to 
participate in this NEPA environmental analysis process. Assistance 
will be provided upon request to anyone having difficulty with learning 
how to participate.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action and the scope of this EIS are addressed, oral and written 
comments are invited from all interested parties, including appropriate 
Federal, State, and local agencies, and private organizations and 
citizens. Pursuant to this, a Public Scoping meeting will be held on 
Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at 7 p.m. at the Whittier Elementary School, 
2400 Whittier Drive, Frederick, Maryland.
    Comments on the scope of the EIS for the proposed project should be 
received no later than April 28, 2003. Comments and questions should be 
directed to the address listed below. Public comments are welcomed 
anytime throughout the NEPA process and should be directed to the 
address listed below. Additional formal opportunities for public 
participation after the Public Scoping are tentatively scheduled as 
follows:
    Review and Comment on the Draft EIS (including a public meeting): 
August 2003.
    Review of the Final EIS: December 2003.
    Notices of availability for the Draft EIS, Final EIS, and Record of 
Decision will be provided through direct mail, the Federal Register, 
and other media. Notifications also will be sent to Federal, State, and 
local agencies and persons and organizations that submit comments or 
questions. Precise schedules and locations for public meetings will be 
announced in the local news media. Interested individuals and 
organizations may request to be included on the mailing list for public 
distribution of meeting announcements and associated documents.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Wilson, Office of Facilities 
Planning, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Drive, Room 3B44, 
MSC 2162, Bethesda, MD 20892-2162; by telephone (301) 496-5037; fax 
(301) 402-0017; or e-mail [email protected].

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347 (National Environmental Policy 
Act).


    Dated: March 24, 2003.
Stephen A. Ficca,
Associate Director for Research Services, National Institutes of 
Health.
[FR Doc. 03-7404 Filed 3-25-03; 9:42 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P