[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51231-51232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18896]


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ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Armed Forces Retirement Home.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq. and the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 
Parts 1500-1508), the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) plans to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the 
potential impacts from the proposed Master Development Plan for its 
campus located at 3700 North Capital Street, NW., in Washington, DC. 
AFRH also intends to initiate consultation under Section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470f, for the proposed 
Master Development Plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Wallwork, AFRH, at (202) 730-
3038. Please call this number if special assistance is needed to attend 
and participate in the scoping meeting.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice of intent is as follows:

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Proposed Master Development Plan for the Armed Forces Retirement Home 
in Washington, DC

    The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential impacts 
from the proposed Master Development Plan for its campus located at 
3700 North Capital Street, NW., in Washington, DC.

[[Page 51232]]

Background

    Established in 1851, the AFRH in Washington, DC continues its 
mission as a retirement community for military veterans. The 276-acre 
site is currently developed with 93 structures including the U.S. 
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Landmark District.
    In 2002, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2002 (Pub. L. 107-107, 24 U.S.C. 410, et seq.) gave the AFRH, with 
approval of the Secretary of Defense, authority to dispose of any 
property by sale, lease, or otherwise that is excess to the needs of 
the AFRH. Proceeds from such a disposal are to replenish the AFRH's 
Trust Fund. To implement this authority, AFRH is currently preparing a 
Master Development Plan for its 276-acre campus in Washington, DC that 
will guide the long-term use and development of the site.

Alternatives Under Consideration

    AFRH will analyze the proposed action and no action alternatives 
for the proposed Master Development Plan. AFRH will analyze a range of 
alternatives for future development on the AFRH campus. These 
alternatives will include development of portions of the site for 
office, commercial, institutional, and residential uses. As part of the 
EIS, AFRH will study the impacts of each alternative on the human 
environment.

Scoping Process

    In accordance with NEPA, a scoping process will be conducted to aid 
in determining the alternatives to be considered and the scope of 
issues to be addressed, as well as for identifying the significant 
issues related to the proposed Master Development Plan. Scoping will be 
accomplished through a public scoping meeting, direct mail 
correspondence to potentially interested individuals, agencies, and 
organizations, and meetings with agencies having an interest in the 
AFRH. It is important that Federal, regional, and local agencies, and 
interested individuals and groups take this opportunity to identify 
environmental concerns that should be addressed during the preparation 
of the Draft EIS.
    The AFRH is also using the NEPA scoping to facilitate consultation 
with the public under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act (36 CFR Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties). AFRH welcomes 
comments from the public to ensure that it takes into account the 
effects of its action on historic properties.

Public Scoping Meeting

    The public scoping meeting will be held on September 9, 2004, from 
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Sherman Building 
South located at 3700 N. Capital Street, NW., in Washington, DC. Photo 
identification will be required to enter the site, and security will 
direct visitors to available parking. The meeting will be an informal 
open house, where visitors may come, receive information, and give 
comments. AFRH will publish notices in the Washington Post and local 
newspapers announcing this meeting. AFRH will prepare a scoping report, 
available to the public, which will summarize the comments received and 
facilitate their incorporation into the EIS and Section 106 processes.

Written Comments

    Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written comments 
on the scoping issues in addition to or in lieu of giving their 
comments at the public scoping meeting. Written comments regarding the 
environmental analysis for the proposed Master Development Plan must be 
postmarked no later than September 17, 2004, and sent to the following 
address: Armed Forces Retirement Home, Attention: Craig Wallwork, 3700 
North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20011, 
[email protected].

    Dated: August 13, 2004.
Timothy Cox,
Chief Operating Officer, Armed Forces Retirement Home.
[FR Doc. 04-18896 Filed 8-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8250-01-P