[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 231 (Monday, December 3, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67959-67960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5901]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


National Capital Region; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
to analyze the impacts associated with the exchange of lands owned by 
Georgetown University and the National Park Service and the impacts 
associated with the construction of a proposed boathouse for Georgetown 
University.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces its intention to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and to conduct scoping 
to analyze the impacts associated with a land exchange between 
Georgetown University (University) and the NPS and the impacts 
associated with the construction of a proposed boathouse for the 
University on a site within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National 
Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP). In 1995 the NPS conducted an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) on a proposed land exchange of the site 
owned by the University within the boundaries of the C&O Canal NHP). In 
1995 the NPS conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) on a proposed 
land exchange of the site owned by the University within the boundaries 
of the C&O Canal NHP and a site located within the non-motorized 
boathouse zone established by the Georgetown Waterfront Park Plan. This 
EA resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The three 
primary land use goals evaluated were:
    (1) Precluding development of a boathouse on the University's 
largely undisturbed inholding in the park with existing significant 
natural and cultural resources;
    (2) Extinguishing nearly a mile of private access over the Capital 
Crescent Trail; and
    (3) Placing the boathouse on property within the boathouse zone in 
furtherance of the recreational mandate of C&O Canal NHP Act and 
Georgetown Waterfront Park Plan.
    In 1997, the NPS signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the 
District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office that contained a 
provision that the proposed University Boathouse would not have a 
footprint greater than 15,000 square feet. Since the University 
subsequently proposed an 18,600 square foot boathouse, an amendment to 
the MOA was required. As part of that process, the NPS conducted public 
meetings in June and July 2004 to determine whether to revise the MOA. 
As a result of those meetings and additional written comments, the NPS 
determined that an EA should be undertaken for the construction of the 
proposed boathouse. NPS released an EA on the proposed boathouse for 
public comment from April 25 thorough June 15, 2006, and held a public 
open house on the EA. Approximately 2,500 comments were received.
    Based on comments received on the 2006 EA, and pursuant to section 
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as 
implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR Parts 1500-
1508), NPS has determined a EIS

[[Page 67960]]

that will evaluate both the proposed land exchange and the construction 
impacts of the proposed boathouse is the proper NEPA compliance 
document. For this reason, NPS announces its intent to prepare an EIS 
to analyze potential environmental impacts from the proposed action, 
the range of reasonable alternatives, and mitigation options.
    This EIS will consider alternative actions. Those alternatives may 
include:
    (1) Construction of a boathouse with a footprint of 18,682 square 
feet on the NPS-owned site within the C&O Canal NHP, which is described 
as Alternative C in the 2006 EA;
    (2) Construction of a boathouse with a footprint of 15,000 square 
feet on the NPS-owned site within the C&O Canal NHP;
    (3) Construction of a University Boathouse east of 34th Street on 
an NPS-owned site within the Georgetown Waterfront Park;
    (4) Construction of a University Boathouse upon the site owned by 
the University; and
    (5) A No Action alternative, which would not require this land 
exchange and would involve the continued use of the Thompson's Boat 
Center to house the University's rowing program.
    Topics for analysis may include the constructability of the 
boathouse and/or by-right development on the University-owned site; 
natural, cultural and intangible resource values of the University-
owned site; hydrology within the project area; possible impacts on 
wildlife; possible wetlands; balancing uses on the Capital Crescent 
Trail; and the cumulative impacts of the project in combination with 
the Washington Canoe Club, Potomac Boat Club, Jacks Boats, Dempsey's 
boathouse site, potential George Washington University boathouse and 
Thompson's Boat Center.
    The EIS will be prepared in compliance with NEPA and applicable 
regulations, including NPS Director's Order 12 and Interior 
Departmental Manual at 516 DM.

DATES: The NPS will conduct an additional scoping meeting for this EIS 
on December 11, 2007, 6:30-9 p.m. at St. John's Church, 3240 O Street, 
NW., Washington, DC., which will be widely announced in newspapers of 
general circulation as well as through the extensive mailing list 
developed during the EA process. NPS invites interested agencies, 
organization, and members of the public to submit comments or 
suggestions to assist in identifying significant environmental issues 
and in determining the appropriate scope of the EIS. Written comments 
on the scope of the EIS are invited.
    The public scoping period will continue for at least 45 days from 
the date of publication of this notice. NPS will hold at least one 
public meeting during the public scoping period, which will be widely 
announced in newspapers of general circulation as well as through the 
extensive mailing list developed during the EA process.

ADDRESSES: Comments and suggestions on the scope of the EIS should be 
addressed to: Kevin Brandt, Superintendent, C&O Canal NHP, 1850 Dual 
Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742; or by electronic mail 
at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Brandt, Superintendent, C&O 
Canal NHP, 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1986 plan for the Georgetown Waterfront 
Park, which was established in 1984 by the National Capital Planning 
Commission as part of the Park System of the Nation's Capital, includes 
a non-motorized boathouse zone, as detailed below, in the proximity of 
Key Bridge where boathouses had been located historically. The 
University Boathouse was proposed for location within this boathouse 
zone which encompasses portions of the C&O Canal NHP as well as the 
Georgetown Waterfront Park.
    To accommodate the growth of the historic sport of rowing on the 
Potomac River, the Georgetown Waterfront Plan, which was approved in 
1986, established a non-motorized boathouse zone along the shoreline in 
Georgetown from 34th Street to approximately 1,250 feet above Key 
Bridge, at roughly the historic location of boathouses dating back to 
the 19th century. A total of five boathouses would be located in the 
boathouse zone, including the University (future, private), Washington 
Canoe Club (existing, private), Potomac Boat Club (existing, private), 
NPS boathouse for singles, doubles, canoes and kayaks (future, public), 
and George Washington University (future, private). Additionally, 
Thompson's Boat Center (NPS concessioner) would continue to provide 
space for scholastic and privately-owned shells.
    In 1989 the University acquired a one-acre boathouse site with a 
one-mile long perpetual access easement over the Capital Crescent 
Trail. Because its collegiate rowing program is housed at Thompson's 
Boat Center which is inadequate for its purposes, the University 
evaluated building a University boathouse on the site and using its 
easement to access the site. The NPS, concerned about the proposal of 
the University to build a boathouse outside the boathouse zone upon the 
sensitive site owned by the University, has been engaged in 
negotiations with the University since 1989.

    Dated: November 8, 2007.
Joseph M. Lawler,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 07-5901 Filed 11-30-07; 8:45 am]
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