[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 45469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15892]



[[Page 45469]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PRESIDIO TRUST


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Conduct Scoping; Public Museum at the Presidio

AGENCY: The Presidio Trust.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (Pub. L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.), the Presidio Trust (Trust) is notifying interested parties 
that it will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a 
proposed museum at the Presidio (proposed action) and engage in a 
scoping process to seek public input. The EIS will address the 
significant environmental impacts of constructing a new public museum 
and related structures totaling approximately 100,000 square feet 
within the Main Post district of the Presidio of San Francisco 
(Presidio), California. The public scoping process will determine the 
range of actions, alternatives and impacts to be considered in the EIS.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Trust has received for its review an 
offer to lease the area south of the Main Parade Ground on the Main 
Post bounded by Moraga Avenue to the south, Arguello Boulevard to the 
east, Montgomery Street to the west, and Sheridan Avenue to the north 
(Project Site) for the purpose of constructing a new 100,000 square-
foot museum. The Trust is considering the proposal because it believes 
that the presence of a major cultural institution such as the one 
proposed could serve as a catalyst for attracting other compatible uses 
to the Main Post. The proposed action would entail the demolition of 
the existing 12,800 square-foot Bowling Center (Building 93), the 3,030 
square-foot Red Cross Building (Building 97), a 450-square foot garage 
(Building 98) and a tennis court. The museum building would be planned 
and completed consistent with the general design and technical 
recommendations for new construction at the Project Site that are 
within the Trust's Main Post Planning & Design Guidelines. In order for 
the proposed action to be considered successful, it should:
    1. Provide a cultural experience of distinction at the Main Post 
that engages the public and that enhances the Presidio as a national 
park.
    2. In keeping with the Presidio's character as a national park, 
ensure broad public accessibility to the premises and the program of a 
cultural institution.
    3. Site and design new construction to enhance historically 
significant open spaces within the Main Post and to preserve the 
integrity of the National Historic Landmark District (NHLD).
    4. Incorporate ``green'' design and sustainable principles and 
practices that lower energy consumption, conserve natural resources and 
reduce pollution.
    5. Promote alternative forms of transportation to minimize the need 
for vehicle use by visitors as well as employees.
    6. Be economically feasible and enhance the viability of the 
Presidio as a self-sustaining national park.
    The Trust has determined that the proposed action may have 
significant effects on the human environment within the meaning of the 
NEPA. Because the Project Site was not identified as a ``preferred 
location for a large museum'' in the Presidio Trust Management Plan, 
the Trust's formally adopted policy statement for land use planning for 
Area B of the Presidio, the Trust intends to prepare an EIS to address 
potential environmental impacts from the proposed action and the range 
of reasonable alternatives.
    In seeking tenants, the Trust is required to provide for 
``reasonable competition.'' The Trust will promote competition for the 
project site by widely publicizing a request for proposals (RFP). 
Proposals received in response to the RFP may yield alternatives for 
analysis in the EIS, including a ``preferred alternative'' that may 
differ from the proposed action. Other alternatives to be considered 
may include the museum's location at one or more sites at Crissy Field 
(Area B) or within existing buildings on the Main Post. Potential 
impacts to be evaluated in the EIS include those on parking and 
traffic, visual resources, and those to the NHLD. Compliance with 
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act will be a 
component of the EIS utilizing the public input, alternatives 
development, and assessment processes to address historic preservation 
requirements.
    The Trust will announce the release of the EIS (expected to occur 
in early 2008) for review and comment through the publication of a 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register, through postings on its 
Web site at http://www.presidio.gov and its regular electronic 
newsletter (Presidio E-news), as well as direct mailing to the project 
mailing list and other appropriate means.

DATES: Written comments or suggestions to assist in identifying 
significant environmental issues and in determining the appropriate 
scope of the EIS should be submitted on or before October 15, 2007. A 
public meeting will be held on September 24, 2007 beginning at 6:30 
p.m., at the Presidio Officers' Club (50 Moraga Avenue) to accept oral 
comments on the scope of the EIS.

ADDRESSES: Electronic comments concerning this notice can be sent to 
[email protected]. Written comments may be faxed to 
Presidio Museum at 415.561.5308. Written comments may also be submitted 
to Presidio Museum, Attn: NEPA Compliance Manager, The Presidio Trust, 
34 Graham Street, P.O. Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129-0052. Please 
be aware that all written comments and information submitted will be 
made available to the public, including, without limitation, any postal 
address, e-mail address, phone number or other information contained in 
each submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Pelka, 415.561.5300.

    Dated: August 8, 2007.
Karen A. Cook,
General Counsel.
 [FR Doc. E7-15892 Filed 8-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-4R-P