[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 117 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36329-36330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14712]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7922]


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Notice of Scoping Meeting

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, the Department of State (DOS) announces 
its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and 
initiate the scoping process for the proposed agency action as 
specified below. The EIS will evaluate the impacts on the affected 
environment, including, but not limited to, socioeconomics, traffic and 
transportation, land use, historic and cultural resources, noise, air 
quality, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts.

DATES: A public Scoping Meeting will be held on July 19, 2012, from 
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.to inform stakeholders about the project and to 
receive public comments, questions and concerns regarding the scope of 
the EIS. The Scoping Meeting will be held at the Tifereth Israel 
Congregation, Cherner Auditorium, 770 16th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20012. The public comment period will run until August 10, 2012.

ADDRESSES: All comments and questions on the Scoping Meeting and EIS 
can be directed by email to [email protected], by telephone (202) 471-
5032, or by mail to: Geoffrey Hunt, Department of State, A/OPR/RPM, HST 
Room 1264, Washington DC 20520-1264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The mission of the Department of State (DOS), as the 
Federal executive agency responsible for international relations of the 
United States, is to shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, 
and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress 
for the benefit of the American people and people around the world. DOS 
has a number of domestic and international responsibilities associated 
with the establishment and operation of foreign missions in the United 
States. In this regard, DOS is responsible for assisting foreign 
missions with identifying properties on which they may locate and 
operate chanceries (commonly referred to as embassies) in the United 
States.
    As one of the smallest capital cities in the world, the 
availability of adequate space for the construction and operation of 
modern chanceries by foreign missions has been a longstanding challenge 
in the District of Columbia. In response, pursuant to the International 
Chancery Act of 1968, Congress authorized DOS to undertake the 
development of the International Chancery Center (ICC), located near 
the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Van Ness Street NW. The ICC 
has successfully allowed foreign missions to locate their chanceries in 
a purpose-built community, which was designed to both address the 
modern needs of such operations, as well as to mitigate to the extent 
possible negative impacts such facilities may have, or be perceived to 
have, with respect to neighboring properties and citizens. The ICC has 
proven to be a highly successful model for balancing the Federal 
government's need to accommodate foreign missions with the concerns of 
local citizens about the location and operation of foreign chanceries 
in the District of Columbia. Because all lots within the ICC are fully 
assigned, DOS is considering establishing a second location for a 
similar development.
    Proposed Action: The proposed action is to prepare a Master Plan 
for the long-term development of a Foreign Missions Center on 
approximately 43.5 acres of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center 
(WRAMC) site, located at 16th Street NW., between Aspen Street and 
Alaska Avenue in Washington, DC. The proposed action includes long-term 
leases of Federal land to foreign governments for the purpose of 
constructing and operating new chancery facilities. The term 
``chancery'' in this context means the principal offices of a foreign 
mission (as defined in the Foreign Missions Act) used for diplomatic or 
related purposes, and any annexes to these offices or support 
facilities, and includes the site and any buildings on the site. After 
several years of considering the suitability of other locations 
throughout the District, the DOS has concluded that the former WRAMC 
site presents a viable option for undertaking a development of similar 
size and scale to the existing ICC. The proposed action would be 
developed in phases and is expected to accommodate several foreign 
missions

[[Page 36330]]

and may have a small U.S. government building.
    Cooperating Agencies: The Department of the Army will be requested 
to participate as a cooperating Federal agency for the EIS.
    Public Participation: There will be a public scoping meeting on 
July 19, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Department of State and 
its consultants will present the proposed scope of the EIS analysis and 
will receive public comments at the scoping meeting. Written comments 
can be sent until August 10, 2012: by mail, postmarked no later than 
August 10, 2012, to the address listed above or by email to 
[email protected].

    Dated: May 11, 2012.
Adam H. Bodner,
Director, Office of Real Property Management, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2012-14712 Filed 6-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-24-P