[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 68947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30558]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Assessment for the Yellow Barn/Chautauqua Tower 
Rehabilitation

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Yellow 
Barn/Chautauqua Tower Rehabilitation, Montgomery County, Maryland.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations and 
National Park Service (NPS) policy, the NPS announces the availability 
of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the rehabilitation/
reconstruction of the Yellow Barn and Chautauqua Tower at Glen Echo 
Park, a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Glen Echo Park 
is the site of a former amusement park that operated from the late 
1890's to 1968. The park is currently operated under a Cooperative 
Agreement between Montgomery County and the NPS. The buildings provide 
the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture with administrative 
space, classrooms, and artists studios. the Chautauqua Tower was 
constructed in 1891 and the Yellow Barn in 1914 and both buildings are 
listed on the National Register of Historic Places as contributing 
elements of the Glen Echo Park Historic District. The Electrical/
Mechanical/Plumbing systems of both buildings have reached the end of 
their design life. Both buildings suffer from numerous structural 
defects which adversely affect the availability of education and 
program space. Significant portions of both buildings cannot currently 
be used due to structural instability or lack of appropriate egress. 
The EA examines several alternatives for the rehabilitation/
reconstruction of the buildings. The subject project is designed to 
provide safe, accessible classroom and studio space to park users, 
while maintaining the character of the Glen Echo Park Historic 
District. The NPS is soliciting comments on this EA. These comments 
will be considered in evaluating it and making decisions pursuant to 
the National Environmental Policy Act.

DATES: The EA will remain available for public comment until January 9, 
2003. Written comments should be received no later than this date.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this EA should be submitted in writing to: Ms. 
Audrey F. Calhoun, Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway, 
Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101. The EA will be available for 
public inspection Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. at the 
GWMP Headquarters, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia; and at the 
following libraries: Little Falls Library, 5501 Massachusetts Avenue, 
Bethesda, Maryland, Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 
Maryland, and Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 
Maryland.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
analyzed and selected a Management Plan for Glen Echo Park in February 
2001. This Management Plan aims to balance natural/cultural resource 
protection and visitor use. Pursuant to the EIS, the stabilization and 
rehabilitation of Glen Echo Park structures will proceed in accordance 
with the recommendations in the Cost Estimating Criteria for 
Stabilization & Rehabilitation of Historic Glen Echo Park (Vitetta 
Group, 1998) and the subsequent Glen Echo Park Stabilization and 
Rehabilitation Plan (NPS, Montgomery County, State of Maryland, 1999). 
Rehabilitation projects have already been completed on the Spanish 
Ballroom and the North Arcade, two additional contributing elements to 
the Glen Echo Historic District as part of the Glen Echo Park 
Rehabilitation Project, pursuant to cooperative agreement between the 
State of Maryland, Montgomery County, and the NPS. Work on this project 
began in 1999 and is scheduled to finish in 2005.
    All interested individuals, agencies, and organizations are urged 
to provide comments on the EA. The NPS, in making a final decision 
regarding this matter, will consider all comments received by the 
closing date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Park Ranger Jeffrey Pinkard (703) 289-
2516.

Audrey F. Calhoun,
Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway.
[FR Doc. 03-30558 Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DC-M