[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37418-37421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14854]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Record of Decision for the Development of the Westside of Marine 
Corps Base Quantico, Including the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure 
Action

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Record of Decision.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. Section 4332(2)(c), the 
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) for 
Implementing the Procedural Provisions of (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the 
Department of the Navy NEPA regulation (32 CFR part 775), and the 
Marine Corps Environmental Compliance and Protection Manual, which is 
Marine Corps Order P5090.2A (MCO P5090.2A), the Department of the Navy 
announces its decision to develop the area west of Interstate 95 
(Westside) at Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCB Quantico), Virginia. This 
action will include implementation of the 2005 Base Realignment and 
Closure (BRAC) action at MCB Quantico. The development of Westside and 
implementation of BRAC 2005 at MCB Quantico will be accomplished as set 
out in the Preferred Alternative and described in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) of April 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeff Gardner, NREA Branch (B046), 
3250 Catlin Avenue, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA 22134-0855, 
telephone: 703-432-6770, and e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2005, the Secretary of Defense and the 
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended that 
certain realignment actions occur at MCB Quantico. The President and 
Congress approved these recommendations, which became law on November 
9, 2005. These recommendations must now be implemented as provided for 
in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-
510), as amended, no later than September 15, 2011. The actions 
directed at MCB Quantico are the collocation of Military Department 
Investigation Agencies Headquarters with the Counterintelligence Field 
Activity, and the Defense Security Service at MCB Quantico. These 
realignment actions will add approximately 3,000 personnel to work at 
MCB Quantico by 2011.
    Projected personnel growth in Marine Corps units currently on 
Mainside, requirements to consolidate personnel located elsewhere, 
replacement of inadequate facilities on Mainside, and an expectation 
that other federal and Marine Corps initiatives will continue to 
identify MCB Quantico as a site for relocation, combined with limited 
redevelopment potential on Mainside, comprise the additional need to 
develop Westside.
    Proposed Action. The Marine Corps proposes development of the 
Westside of MCB Quantico including the 2005 BRAC action at MCB 
Quantico. The development would entail construction of new facilities 
in two undeveloped areas west of I-95. These areas, the Russell Road 
Area and the MCB-1 Area, would accommodate the collocation of Military 
Department Investigation Agencies with the Department of Defense 
Counterintelligence and Security Agency at MCB Quantico as directed by 
the 2005 BRAC law. They would also provide space for adequate 
facilities to support Marine Corps units currently at MCB Quantico, as 
well as potentially other federal and Marine

[[Page 37419]]

Corps initiatives that may identify MCB Quantico as a site for 
relocation. The components of the Proposed Action include construction 
and operation of new facilities with the necessary infrastructure, road 
improvements, and security measures to support new facilities.
    Alternatives Considered: The Final EIS assesses two action 
Alternatives, A and B, that respectively provide development to support 
only the BRAC Action involving 3,000 personnel, or development to 
support both the BRAC Action and an additional 2,000 personnel that 
would relocate to the Westside. Both Alternatives A and B include the 
two development location options for the BRAC component that were 
identified in the 2006 Quantico Land Use Plan, I-95 West: (BRAC Option 
1 (Russell Road) and BRAC Option 2 (MCB-1)). The following four options 
to implement the Proposed Action are evaluated by the Final EIS. 
Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road) is the Marine Corps 
Preferred Alternative.
    Alternative A, BRAC Action. Alternative A would add only the 
development required to accommodate those personnel (approximately 
3,000) associated with the BRAC 2005 action. About 70 acres would be 
required for the facilities. About 735,000 square feet of space and 
provision of parking and necessary supporting infrastructure would be 
constructed. Road widening and intersection improvements would be 
required throughout the Russell Road/MCB-1 corridor, from the 
intersection of Russell Road with U.S. Route 1 to the Southern Russell 
Road Site and/or to the MCB-1 Area. Alternative A BRAC Option 1 
(Russell Road) would site the entire BRAC development in the Southern 
Russell Road Site, south of Telegraph Road and just east of the 
intersection of Russell Road with Telegraph Road. Alternative A BRAC 
Option 2 (MCB-1) would site the entire BRAC development in the Northern 
MCB-1 Site along Hotpatch Road.
    Alternative B, 5,000 Personnel Including BRAC. Alternative B would 
add 5,000 personnel to work in the Westside, including 3,000 BRAC and 
2,000 non-BRAC personnel. The non-BRAC personnel include approximately 
1,000 personnel currently working elsewhere at MCB Quantico. Total 
space needed for BRAC and non-BRAC components is estimated to be 
approximately 148 acres and 1,300,000 square feet of interior space. 
Road widening and intersection improvements would be required 
throughout the Russell Road/MCB-1 corridor, from the intersection of 
Russell Road with U.S. Route 1 to the Southern Russell Road Site and/or 
to the MCB-1 Area.
    Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road) (The Preferred 
Alternative) would site the entire BRAC development in the Southern 
Russell Road Site; the remainder of the development for the additional 
2,000 personnel would be sited in the MCB-1 Area, including 
approximately 300 personnel potentially at the Weapons Training 
Battalion Site. Alternative B BRAC Option 2 (MCB-1) would site the 
entire BRAC development in the MCB-1 Site along Hotpatch Road. The 
remaining development for 2,000 personnel could be completely sited in 
other parcels of the MCB-1 Area, or completely sited in the Southern 
Russell Road Site, or split between the two areas in some combination. 
Development for 300 personnel would be considered for the Weapons 
Training Battalion Site.
    No Action Alternative. The No Action Alternative would maintain the 
status quo. The No Action Alternative would not permit the 
implementation of the BRAC-directed action and would not be consistent 
with current law.
    Environmentally Preferred Alternative. The No Action Alternative 
maintains the status quo and therefore does not impact the existing 
environment. It is the environmentally preferred alternative. However, 
it does not meet the purpose and need of the action, and does not 
comply with BRAC law. Therefore, a further environmental comparison of 
the two action alternatives, which meet purpose and need, is provided.
    Alternative A would disturb a smaller quantity of environmental 
resources and consequently would be environmentally preferred to 
Alternative B. In terms of satisfying the BRAC requirement, either BRAC 
Option 1 (Russell Road) or BRAC Option 2 (MCB-1) is equally 
environmentally preferred depending upon the environmental resource of 
concern. Option 1 under either alternative potentially disturbs a 
greater quantity of wetlands, which can be mitigated, however. Option 2 
entails more roadway construction under Alternative A and results in 
more traffic congestion on Base under both Alternatives A and B by 
placing a higher density of personnel in one general area than Option 
1. Option 2 also places more personnel within the radii of potentially 
disturbing sound contours from training exercises. Other impacts are 
similar for Options 1 and 2.
    Environmental Impacts: Environmental impacts associated with the 
Preferred Alternative, Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road), are 
discussed below.
    Water Resources. The widening of Russell Road will cross 
Chopawamsic Creek, but would avoid all other wetlands or Waters of the 
U.S. The Marine Corps would obtain any required permits under the 
Virginia/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Joint Permit Application process. 
Implementation of stormwater and erosion and sedimentation best 
management measures would reduce impacts to water quality.
    Biological Resources. The Preferred Alternative would directly 
impact an estimated 148 acres of primarily forested habitat. The 
Preferred Alternative would occupy approximately two percent of the 
total 6,895 forested acres in which the Russell Road and MCB-1 Areas 
are located and would be near roads that already act as a barrier to 
wildlife. Therefore impacts to forest habitat would be minimal. Impacts 
to migratory birds would also be minimal. Proposed site development 
would avoid areas containing the federally-threatened small whorled 
pogonia or its designated protection zone. No other threatened or 
endangered species are expected in the proposed development areas. 
Consistent with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommendations, 
widening of Russell Road would occur on the opposite side of most 
recently identified small whorled pogonia colonies. Through informal 
consultation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agreed the road widening is 
not likely to adversely affect the small whorled pogonia and/or its 
associated habitat as long as the widening of Russell Road occurred as 
recommended.
    Build out of the construction site has the potential, through the 
importation of aggregate and other construction materials, as well as 
landscaping and natural re-vegetation processes to introduce invasive 
or non-native species. Mitigation measures will be employed to prevent 
any such introduction of invasive or non-native species and all 
landscape plantings will be in accordance with the approved plant list 
described in the Base Exterior Architecture Plan.
    Air Quality: MCBQ is located in an air quality control region that 
is in moderate nonattainment for ozone and in nonattainment for 
particulate matter with diameter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers 
(PM2.5). It is also in an ozone transport region. Federal 
actions located in nonattainment and maintenance areas are required to 
demonstrate compliance with the general conformity guidelines. The 
Final EIS has a completed General

[[Page 37420]]

Conformity Rule applicability analysis for the ozone precursor 
pollutants nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, for 
PM2.5, and for the PM2.5 precursor pollutant 
sulfur dioxide to analyze impacts to air quality. It determined that 
annual project emissions are well below de minimis values and are not 
regionally significant; therefore, a further conformity determination 
is not required and impacts from these pollutants are not significant. 
A Record of Non-Applicability was included in the Final EIS.
    Noise: The proposed development areas could be impacted by noise 
from nearby training ranges that will increase in the future with the 
introduction of new aircraft and increased ordnance. Reports from noise 
studies indicate that in the future much of the MCB-1 Area and 
approximately 10 acres in the western portion of the Southern Russell 
Road Site are projected to be within a zone of moderate noise impact. 
Noise attenuation measures would be employed to meet noise standards, 
most of which are already designed into the construction to meet 
security requirements. Temporary noise associated with construction and 
any increase in noise levels from traffic would not be expected to 
cause impacts off Base.
    Transportation. Traffic studies conducted in conjunction with the 
EIS show that most secondary intersections within the project area 
currently operate at acceptable levels; major access points that serve 
the Base typically perform at unacceptable levels during peak commuter 
periods.
    Anticipated growth within the region and the corresponding increase 
in vehicular traffic are predicted to further degrade the operation of 
most intersections within the area. This degradation is expected to 
occur with or without implementation of the proposed development of the 
area west of I-95, unless improvements to those intersections are made. 
The EIS analysis projects levels of service considered unacceptable at 
intersections that provide access from U.S. Route 1 and I-95, as well 
as within the Westside at proposed development sites, unless roadway 
improvement measures are implemented, including those proposed as 
mitigation in this document. In general, impacts within the Westside 
are less if the development is spread between the Southern Russell Road 
Site and MCB-1 Area, as occurs for the Preferred Alternative.
    Socioeconomics. Implementation of the Preferred Alternative could 
increase local residents employed at MCB Quantico by approximately 
2,800 over time, and also would add associated additional family 
members to the region. The additional population would be expected to 
add students to the region's schools and could contribute to any need 
for additional services in the region. The projected additional 
residents represent a small percent of projected regional growth and 
impacts to the region are not expected to be significant. 
Implementation of the Preferred Alternative is not expected to have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority, low-income or younger segments of the local 
population.
    Land Use: Proposed alternatives are consistent with MCBQ land use 
plans; however, some land currently used for training and recreational 
hunting would become unavailable and routes to training areas currently 
passing through the development sites could require realignments. 
Traffic on MCB-1 Road passes through the explosive safety arcs for the 
adjacent ammunition supply point and would necessitate an adjustment of 
ammunition storage. A project is planned to accomplish this by 2011.
    Mitigation: The Marine Corps has identified potential mitigation 
measures for any impacts to wetlands, surface water, invasive species, 
and federally-threatened species, control of fugitive emissions to air, 
potential noise exposure, and for traffic generated by the alternatives 
that could cause unacceptable levels of service at nearby intersections 
or exceed safety limits associated with the Ammunition Supply Point. 
Implementation of mitigation will be monitored by the Marine Corps 
construction management teams involved with each project.
    Wetland Impacts Mitigation. The Virginia/USACE Joint Permit 
Application process would be followed and best management practices for 
erosion and sediment control will be implemented during and following 
construction. Use of wetlands bank credits may be used by MCB Quantico 
to mitigate the potential wetland losses.
    Surface Water Measures. Stormwater management plans and best 
management practices would be employed to control runoff. In addition, 
a stormwater construction permit issued by the Virginia Department of 
Conservation and Recreation is required for all land disturbing 
projects greater than or equal to one acre of disturbance.
    Invasive Species Measures. In accordance with Executive Order 13112 
(Invasive Species), and as discussed in detail in the FEIS, during 
development of the sites, recommended measures to reduce the spread of 
invasive species would be implemented as practicable.
    Threatened Species Measures. In accordance with U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service recommendation, road widening would only occur on the 
west side of Russell Road.
    Fugitive Dust Control Measures. Fugitive dust from construction 
would be kept to a minimum by using control methods in accordance with 
the Regulations for the Control and Abatement of Air Pollution (9 VAC 
5-50-60 et seq).
    Noise Impacts Measures. For facilities sited in a zone of moderate 
noise impacts, Noise Level Reduction (NLR) measures will be included in 
the design of administrative facilities to reduce noise and impulse 
vibrations.
    Ammunition Safety and Overpressure Zone Measures. The ammunition 
supply point operations building will be moved to avoid a hazard to 
passing vehicles. Development designs will consider the overpressure 
zone when a specific location for buildings has been determined and the 
distance can be measured to identify design requirements.
    Potential Traffic Improvement Measures. The following roadway 
improvements will be funded and implemented by the Marine Corps to 
mitigate impacts caused by the Preferred Alternative: (1) Russell Road 
will be widened to 4 lanes from the Russell Road/Telegraph Road 
intersection east to approximately 300 feet past the northbound 
entrance ramp to I-95 (I-95 overpass support structures will not be 
altered); (2) a connector road will be constructed between Telegraph 
Road and Russell Road with traffic signals installed at each end; (3) 
the existing Chopawamsic Creek bridge will be rehabilitated; (4) an 
additional 2-lane bridge will be constructed over Chopawamsic Creek 
adjacent to the existing bridge; (5) the I-95 southbound exit ramp will 
have an additional lane added (westbound) and a traffic signal 
installed; (6) the I-95 northbound exit ramp will have an additional 
lane added (westbound) and a traffic signal installed; (7) a traffic 
signal will be installed on Russell Road adjacent to the northbound 
entrance ramp to I-95 from Russell Road; (8) Ponderosa Gate will be 
improved; and (9) the U.S. Route 1 ramps to and from Russell Road are 
under study in conjunction with gate improvements to Mainside to 
improve level of service.
    Additional roadway improvements to the west of Ponderosa Gate will 
be identified when development there and resultant traffic volumes 
warrant. The

[[Page 37421]]

EIS identified off-Base improvements at the U.S. Route 1/VA 637 and VA 
610/Onville road intersections that would be under the purview of the 
Commonwealth of Virginia; the Marine Corps will cooperate with the 
Commonwealth as appropriate if these improvements are implemented. The 
Defense Access Roads (DAR) Program is the only authority the Marine 
Corps has to address these recommended improvements and the Marine 
Corps will submit requests for consideration under this program if they 
meet DAR criteria. In the next update of the Base Transportation 
Management Plan the Marine Corps will identify strategies to reduce 
single-occupancy vehicle trips during peak hours. This plan will also 
encourage carpooling and staggered work hours where these do not impair 
accomplishment of the defense mission. The Base will cooperate with 
regional mass transit initiatives. State and/or local governments have 
jurisdiction over off-Base roads and intersections and would determine 
whether improvements identified off-Base in the EIS should be 
implemented.
    Response To Comments Received Regarding the Final EIS: Comments on 
the Final EIS were received from the Commonwealth of Virginia. They 
noted the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) concerns with 
the statement in the Final EIS that state and/or local governments are 
the action proponents for off-Base road improvements and the inference 
that these had been approved and funded by State or local governments. 
VDOT also requested commitments to carpooling, staggered work hours, 
regional mass transit initiatives, and a transportation demand 
management plan focused on reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips 
during peak hours. The Marine Corps has addressed these comments in the 
preceding section.
    Conclusions: After careful consideration of the purpose and need 
for the proposed action, the analysis contained in the EIS and the 
comments received on the EIS from federal, state, and local agencies, 
non-governmental organizations, and individual members of the public, I 
have decided to proceed with the Preferred Alternative, Alternative B 
BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road) for development of Westside and 
implementation of BRAC 2005 at MCB Quantico, Virginia.
    Consistent with this decision and the Proposed Action and analyses 
described in the Final EIS, at the sites identified in the Preferred 
Alternative, the Marine Corps will implement the Preferred Alternative 
and address all mitigation measures.

    Dated: June 24, 2008.
BJ Penn,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment).
[FR Doc. E8-14854 Filed 6-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P