[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 57957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23987]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XL85


Notice of Availability of a Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement for Replacement of NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science 
Center in La Jolla, CA

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement (SEIS); Request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NOAA announces the public release of the Draft SEIS in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the 
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, and NOAA Administrative 
Order 216-6 Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the 
National Environmental Policy Act. Since completion of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) in 
April of 2009, substantial changes to the proposed action are being 
considered by NOAA within portions of the project area containing the 
2.5-acre property currently occupied by Southwest Fisheries Science 
Center (SWFSC) and managed by NOAA under long-term lease from the 
University of California Office of the President (UCOP). These newly 
proposed actions were not previously analyzed in the Final EIS/EIR and 
involve additional demolition activities, substantial excavation and 
grading, installation of a geohazard soil stabilization system, 
structural upgrade to remaining structures, and other site alterations. 
These proposed actions were deemed necessary by NOAA based on 
additional geotechnical information and design recommendations received 
since approval of the Final EIS/EIR. The SEIS evaluates each 
environmental topic addressed in the Final EIS/EIR, and focuses on the 
newly proposed action and its potential effects to the human 
environment. The No-Action Alternative was analyzed and assumes the 
newly proposed actions would not be implemented.

DATES: Written comments and input will be accepted on or before October 
31, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Robb Gries, Project 
Engineer, NOAA, Project Planning & Management--Western Region, 7600 
Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115; e-mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mr. Robb Gries, NOAA Project 
Engineer, at the address provided above. A copy of the Draft SEIS can 
be viewed or downloaded at http://www.seco.noaa.gov/HTML_Blue/OCAO_NEPA.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action evaluated in the April 
2009 Final EIS/EIR consisted of the demolition of Buildings B and C and 
the construction of a new SWFSC building on a property across La Jolla 
Shores Drive from the existing NOAA facilities. Currently, construction 
of the SWFSC building at the preferred site is underway. Demolition of 
Buildings B and C at the existing NOAA property would not occur until 
construction of the new SWFSC building has been completed.
    A Notice of Intent to prepare SEIS was published in the Federal 
Register on June 30, 2011. Consistent with 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)(i), this 
SEIS focuses on the environmental effects of the proposed changes and 
feasible alternatives including the no-action alternative, and analyzes 
the potential effects to affected resources such as: geological 
conditions, hydraulic processes, construction noise, traffic/pedestrian 
circulation, air emissions, and protected wildlife. Separately, the 
University of California--San Diego (UCSD) and UCOP intend to determine 
what additional CEQA documentation is necessary, such as an Addendum to 
the Final EIS/EIR, based on the findings of the SEIS and other factors.
    NOAA has submitted the Draft SEIS to the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency for review and comment, in conformance with NEPA 
implementing regulations. Copies of this document have been made 
available to persons who participated in the Final EIS/EIR scoping 
process, to other individuals expressing interest, and to local 
libraries in order to be accessible to the general public. NOAA is 
accepting comments on the Draft SEIS during a 45-day official comment 
period beginning September 19, 2011, and ending on October 31, 2011.

    Dated: August 26, 2011.
William F. Broglie,
Chief Administrative Officer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-23987 Filed 9-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P