[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10979-10980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2015]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 
U.S.C. 4321-4347, the NIH is issuing this notice to advise the public 
that an environmental impact statement will be

[[Page 10980]]

prepared for the Rocky Mountain Laboratories Campus Master Plan, 
Hamilton, Ravalli County, Montana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Nottingham, Chief, 
Environmental Quality Branch, Division of Environmental Protection, 
Office of Research Facilities, NIH, B13/2W64, 9000 Rockville Pike, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20892, telephone 301-496-7775; fax 301-480-8056; or 
e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) is located 
on 33 acres in the City of Hamilton, a small community in southwestern 
Montana. The laboratory is a component of the National Institute of 
Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is one of the 27 
Institutes or Centers that comprise the NIH, one of the world's largest 
biomedical research facilities and the Federal government's focal point 
for medical and behavioral research. RML conducts and supports research 
of infectious diseases and the human immune system, with an emphasis on 
vector-borne transmission of infectious diseases and prion diseases. 
RML's mission also includes biomedical research into diseases caused by 
the intentional release of biological agents into civilian populations, 
as well as advancing basic knowledge about biological agents. Total 
building space on the campus amounts to approximately 207,000 gsf. 
Approximately 260 people work at the RML site.
    A Master Plan is an integrated series of documents that present in 
graphic, narrative, and tabular form the current composition of NIH 
campuses and the plan for their orderly and comprehensive development 
over a 20-year period. The plan provides guidance in coordinating the 
physical development of NIH campuses, including building locations, 
utility capacities, road alignments, parking facilities, and the 
treatment of open spaces. General design guidelines are also used to 
provide detailed guidance for the placement and design of physical 
improvements.
    The proposed action is to develop a long-range physical master plan 
for RML. The plan will cover a 20-year planning period and address the 
future development of the RML site, including placement of future 
construction; vehicular and pedestrian circulation on- and off-campus; 
parking within the property boundaries; open space in and around the 
campus; required setbacks; historic properties; natural and scenic 
resources; noise; and lighting. The plan will examine potential growth 
in RML personnel, possible land acquisitions, and consequent 
construction of space over the planning period. Future construction on 
the site could include such facilities as new animal holding, research 
laboratories, and support facilities.
    In accordance with 40 CFR parts 1500-1508 and DHHS environmental 
procedures, NIH will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the proposed master plan. The EIS will evaluate the impacts of the 
master plan should development occur as proposed. Among the items the 
EIS will examine are the implications of the master plan on community 
infrastructure, including, but not limited to, utilities, storm water 
management, traffic and transportation, and other public services. To 
ensure that the public is afforded the greatest opportunity to 
participate in the planning and environmental review process, NIH in 
inviting oral and written comments on the master plan and related 
environmental issues.
    The NIH will be sponsoring a public Scoping Meeting to provide 
individuals an opportunity to share their ideas on the master planning 
effort, including recommended alternatives and environmental issues the 
EIS should consider. The meeting is planned for 7 p.m. on March 23, 
2006 at the Hamilton High School commons in Hamilton, Montana. All 
interested parties are encouraged to attend. NIH has established a 45-
day public comment period for the scoping process. Scoping comments 
must be postmarked no later than April 18, 2006 to ensure they are 
considered. All comments and questions on the EIS should be directed to 
Valerie Nottingham at the address listed above, telephone 301-496-7775; 
fax 301-480-8056; or e-mail [email protected].

    Dated: February 24, 2006.
Juanita Holler-Mildenberg,
FAIA, Acting Director, Office of Research Facilities Development and 
Operations, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 06-2015 Filed 3-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M