[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 221 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 64860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28665]



[[Page 64860]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket Number: 031110276-3276-01]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Construction of an Office/Laboratory/Classroom Facility for the 
Canaan Valley Institute

AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the construction of an Office/Laboratory/Classroom Facility 
for the Canaan Valley Institute (CVI); request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NOAA is the lead agency funding and overseeing the proposed 
action and preparation of this EIS by CVI for construction of an 
office/laboratory/classroom facility near the town of Davis, West 
Virginia. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, this notice also initiates the public scoping process for the 
preparation of the EIS to examine potential issues and identify key 
resource impacts.

DATES: Written comments on the intent to prepare an EIS will be 
accepted for thirty days following publication of this notice. At least 
one public scoping meeting will be scheduled in early 2004. An 
announcement, notifying the public of the meeting dates, times, and 
locations, will be made once the meeting is scheduled. Both agency 
personnel and the public will be invited to attend this meeting. The 
dual purpose of this meeting will be to identify the scope of issues 
that will be addressed in the EIS and to solicit public input relating 
to the scope of studies for the construction of the facility and its 
access road.

ADDRESSES: To submit comments, request further information, request a 
detailed map of the proposed sites and roadway access alternatives, 
and/or have your name added to the EIS mailing list, contact Jim 
Rawson, Canaan Valley Institute, PO Box 673, Davis, WV 26260; Telephone 
(304) 463-4739; Fax (304) 463-4759 or Bruce Hicks, NOAA Air Resources 
Laboratory, Route: R/ARL, SSMC3 Rm. 3152, 1315 East West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282; Telephone (301) 713-0684 x136; Fax (301) 
713-0119.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Canaan Valley Institute (CVI) will construct 
a new facility on their property to be utilized as their headquarters. 
This facility is proposed to include office, laboratory, classroom, and 
conference room space, as well as some outdoor interpretive areas. This 
project would be funded through a NOAA grant. The new headquarters 
would include a view of the Canaan Valley, which is important for both 
visitor experience and interpretation potential, e.g., an informational 
viewing area for the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge. In addition, a two-
lane road is proposed to be constructed to access this facility from 
either State Route 93 or State Route 32. The entire CVI property is 
approximately 3,200 acres and primarily deciduous forest. The proposed 
project would disturb approximately four acres for construction of the 
headquarters facility and an additional 5-10 acres for an access road.
    Several key environmental features exist within or adjacent to the 
CVI property. The federally endangered Appalachian Northern Flying 
Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) has known habitat in the 
southwestern corner of the project area. The Canaan Valley National 
Wildlife Refuge borders the eastern edge of the project area. This 
refuge contains the largest freshwater wetland in central and southern 
Appalachia and is known habitat for the Appalachian Northern Flying 
Squirrel and the federally threatened Cheat Mountain salamander 
(Plethodon nettingi). The Monongahela National Forest is located south-
southwest of the CVI property and provides habitat for nine federally 
listed threatened or endangered species. Two of the five streams within 
or near the CVI property (Blackwater River and Beaver Creek) are 
classified as High Quality by the West Virginia Department of 
Environmental Protection. CVI, partnering with West Virginia University 
and other entities, is undertaking a long-term study of an area of 
drainage near the center of the CVI property. This study, along with 
other activities, may be integrated into the Long Term Ecological 
Research program. Another drainage, Wymer Run, the municipal water 
supply for the nearby town of Davis, is located in the center of the 
property.
    At least three alternative site locations and five access 
alternatives will be developed and are expected to be analyzed to 
evaluate the environmental impacts, costs, and ability to meet project 
needs of each. The public involvement plan for this project will give 
citizens, public officials, community stakeholders, and other 
organizations and groups a medium to obtain information regarding the 
project as well as provide input and get involved with the project. 
This plan will include general public meetings, public officials 
workshops, and neighborhood and special purpose meetings. The public 
involvement requirements for Environmental Justice as required by Title 
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order (EO) 12868 will 
be addressed. In addition, the public may also be informed about the 
project through news releases, project newsletters, or the CVI Web 
site, www.canaanvi.org. Input obtained by this process will be used 
throughout the entire process of project development of defining 
alternatives, options, and mitigation.
    Background Information: CVI is made up of a diverse team of 
scientists, landscape ecologists, economists and business 
professionals, watershed resource specialists, geographic information 
systems analysts, software developers, community and program 
developers, grant writers, and a highly skilled support staff. Their 
mission is to aid stakeholders in their efforts to implement locally 
determined solutions to problems that threaten the sustainability of 
their watersheds and communities.

    Dated: November 10, 2003.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, OAR.
[FR Doc. 03-28665 Filed 11-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KC-P