[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 194 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58756-58757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20149]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Availability

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: Draft Environmental Assessment for Construction of Northern 
Arizona University's Merriam-Powell Research Station at The Arboretum 
at Flagstaff, Flagstaff, Arizona.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be postmarked by November 
7, 2005, to be assured of consideration.
    For Additional Information Or Comments: A copy of the Draft EA is 
available for review at the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public 
Library, 300 West Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, Arizona. The Draft EA is also 
available at http://www.nsf.gov/bio/pubs/reports/ea_mprs.doc. The NSF 
will accept written comments on the Draft EA during an official public 
review period that will end on November 7, 2005. Please direct any 
requests for the Draft EA to Amy V. Whipple, Merriam-Powell Center for 
Environmental Research, PO Box 5640, Northern Arizona University, 
Flagstaff, AZ 86011 or [email protected]. Please address any written 
comments on the Draft EA to Gerald B. Selzer, Director of the Field 
Stations and Marine Laboratories Program, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 
VA 22230 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Northern Arizona University proposes to 
construct and operate the Merriam-Powell Research Station (MPRS) in 
collaboration with and on property leased from The Arboretum at 
Flagstaff. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation 
(NSF), which is the Federal lead agency for this Environmental 
Assessment (EA). The proposed research station will provide facilities 
for visiting researchers, students, instructors, and agency personnel. 
It will leverage productive collaborations involving NAU researchers 
and the numerous field research opportunities in Northern Arizona, 
including the adjacent NAU Centennial Forest. The two alternatives

[[Page 58757]]

sites considered for the MPRS were on undeveloped land on the NAU 
Centennial Forest and adjacent to existing development at The Arboretum 
at Flagstaff. It is expected that construction will be completed in May 
of 2006.
    A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared that 
analyzes the potential environmental effects of this proposed action. 
From the information contained in the Draft EA, the NSF is prepared to 
find that no significant environmental effects will result from 
construction of the Merriam-Powell Research Station on the preferred 
site at the Arboretum at Flatgstaff.

    Dated: October 3, 2005.
Gerlad B. Selzer,
Program Director for Field Stations and Marine Laboratories, Division 
of Biological Infrastructure, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Blvd., Room 615, Arlington, VA 22230.
[FR Doc. 05-20149 Filed 10-6-05; 8:45am]
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