[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 179 (Friday, September 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56817-56821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22701]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Hearings for the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for Medical Facilities Development and University Expansion,
Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Maryland
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations
for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of
Federal Regulations parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy (DoN)
has prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential
environmental effects of Medical Facilities Development (MFD) and
University Expansion at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda, MD.
The purpose of the MFD proposed action is to implement the
Congressional mandate from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) to achieve the new statutory world-class
standards for military medicine at the Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center
[[Page 56818]]
(WRNMMC) by providing enduring medical facilities commensurate in
quality, capability and condition as those provided by the 2005 Base
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) investment. The 2005 BRAC program was
designed to accommodate transfer of Walter Reed Army Medical Center
(WRAMC) to WRNMMC but not address mission capability or improvements of
the existing infrastructure. The MFD is needed because current space is
insufficient to meet world-class standards.
The purpose of the University Expansion of the Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences (USU) is to provide adequate
education and research space to meet Military Health System (MHS)
commitments to deliver training and post-graduate level education to
the military medical community and enable USU to serve as the core
academic health research center at WRNMMC. The University Expansion is
needed because current operations are dispersed between the main USU
buildings and nineteen facilities comprising off-site leased locations
in Montgomery County and other buildings on NSA Bethesda. Operations
are fragmented and insufficient to meet education and research space
requirements as well as Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
accreditation requirements.
NSA Bethesda is the action proponent and Joint Task Force National
Capital Region Medical, WRNMMC, and USU are tenants of NSA Bethesda.
There are no cooperating agencies for the EIS.
The EIS considers the 2012 NSA Bethesda Master Plan relative to the
implementation of the MFD and University Expansion. The EIS evaluates
the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the proposed actions in
the context of the programmed projects already in progress and the
programmatic effects of the potential future development opportunities
identified in the 2012 NSA Bethesda Master Plan.
The DoN will conduct two public hearings to receive oral and
written comments on the Draft EIS. Federal, state, and local agencies,
elected officials, and other interested individuals and organizations
are invited to be present or represented at the public hearings. This
notice announces the dates and locations of the public hearings for
this Draft EIS.
Dates and Addresses: Public hearings will be held on the following
dates and locations:
1. October 4, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bethesda Marriott,
5151 Pooks Hills Road, Bethesda, MD 20814; and
2. October 11, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bethesda Marriott,
5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Both meetings will start with an open house session followed by a
presentation by the DoN and a public hearing session, which will be
transcribed by a court reporter. The open house session will allow
individuals the opportunity to review summaries of the information
presented in the Draft EIS. DoN representatives will be available
during the open house sessions to clarify information related to the
Draft EIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: NSA Bethesda Public Affairs Office,
Attn: Joseph Macri, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889, Email:
[email protected], Phone: 301-295-1803, or Web site:
http://www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil/PatientVisitors/SitePages/EIS.aspx.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the EIS
was published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2011 (76 FR 51957).
The DoN held two public scoping meetings on September 7, 2011 and
September 12, 2011 at the Pooks Hills Marriott, Bethesda, MD.
The proposed actions would enhance and support but not add to the
missions of the installation, medical center, or the USU.
The MFD proposed action includes:
1. Demolition of five hospital buildings (Buildings 2, 4, 6, 7, and
8) and construction of a single 5-story replacement facility in the
same footprint (Medical Center Addition and Alterations--MCAA);
2. Construction of a 500-space underground parking garage for
visitors, patients, and very important persons (VIPs);
3. Utility capacity upgrades;
4. Temporary medical facilities to maintain uninterrupted patient
care during construction;
5. Internal renovations of five hospital buildings (Buildings 1, 3,
5, 9, and 10);
6. Internal and external renovation of a workshop/warehouse to
office space (Building 13); and
7. Accessibility and appearance improvement projects.
The internal and external renovation of a workshop/warehouse to
office space was added to the MFD proposed action after the NOI and
public scoping period.
The University Expansion proposed action includes:
1. Construction of a 341,151 square-foot (SF) education and
research facility (Building F);
2. Construction of a 400-space staff parking garage; and
3. Internal renovations to existing USU buildings.
The purpose of the MFD proposed action is to implement the
Congressional mandate from the FY 2010 NDAA to achieve the new
statutory world-class standards for military medicine at the WRNMMC by
providing enduring medical facilities commensurate in quality,
capability and condition as those provided by the 2005 BRAC investment.
The MFD is needed because current space is insufficient to meet world-
class standards such as, single occupancy patient rooms, a state-of-
the-art simulation center, and a health innovation center.
The purpose of, and need for, the MFD were identified subsequent to
the programming for BRAC 2005. The BRAC 2005 construction was
specifically designed to accommodate the transfer of WRAMC to WRNMMC
and restricted BRAC funding to projects related to accommodating BRAC
relocation. Therefore, parts of the medical center did not undergo
renovation or improvement during BRAC construction because that program
was never intended to address the mission capability or functionality
of the existing infrastructure.
The MFD would allow space for single-patient rooms and in-fill
development for consolidating units to better serve the patient
population. The development would also provide space for world-class
features such as a state-of-the-art simulation center and a health
innovation center. The proposed parking garage would serve visitors,
patients, and VIPs using the medical facilities and meet the overall
parking needs across NSA Bethesda. The proposed utility improvements
would provide the additional capacity and repairs required. Utility
capacity at NSA Bethesda is essentially at equilibrium, with only a
small margin of excess capacity. The WRNMMC Master Plan concluded that
any development of future facilities would require additional
electrical capacity and that a large percentage of the utility services
at NSA Bethesda are either nearing capacity or is in need of
significant repair. The accessibility and appearance improvement
projects provide accessible and aesthetically pleasing pedestrian
pathways focused on wounded warriors, their special needs, and the
staff helping them to adjust to their new challenges. These projects
are needed because currently there are deficiencies in existing
pathways or a lack of pathways that make areas of the installation
inaccessible to wounded
[[Page 56819]]
warriors and other disabled patients. The internal and external
renovations to the warehouse/workshop (Building 13) would convert the
current facility to administrative space. The renovations would provide
a consolidated location for security services currently in fragmented
and temporary spaces at NSA Bethesda.
The purpose of the University Expansion is to provide adequate
education and research space to meet MHS commitments to deliver
training and post-graduate level education to the military medical
community and enable USU to serve as the core academic health research
center at WRNMMC. The University Expansion would address the most
recent LCME accreditation requirements to provide additional space for
student-centered learning, small-group teaching, and technological
innovation. The University Expansion is needed because current
operations are dispersed between the main USU buildings and nineteen
facilities comprising off-site leased locations in Montgomery County,
MD and other buildings on NSA Bethesda. Operations are fragmented and
insufficient to meet education and research space requirements as well
as the LCME accreditation requirements.
The MFD proposed action resulted from an iterative planning process
from the Comprehensive Master Plan for the National Capital Region
Medical (CMP), which identified and evaluated alternatives based on the
departmental needs anticipated at the WRNMMC after the completion of
the BRAC-mandated relocations in September 2011. Selection criteria
were based on mandates from the Defense Health Board Study and the 2010
NDAA and were used to identify alternatives that were ``reasonable''
(i.e., practical and feasible). Selection criteria included:
1. Patient care--provide adequate quantity of single patient rooms;
allow on-site separation of inpatient and ambulatory services; provide
an improved surgical suite, including operating rooms, support areas,
and perioperative flow and configuration; provide adequate space for
centers of excellence and clinics; incorporate evidence-based design;
include expansion of technology; and allow for operational efficiency;
2. Teaching hospital--provide adequate space and infrastructure for
Simulation Center design and configuration, classroom and meeting
spaces/learning environment, medical center auditorium, and DoN medical
manpower personnel training and education;
3. Physical plant--provide adequate infrastructure/utilities,
sustainability features, infrastructure/facilities parking capacity,
and enhanced public support and amenities required;
4. Cost factors--based on an eight-year construction period and a
30-year economic life for the facilities, provide the most economical
value over the life of the asset, taking into consideration operational
and energy costs in addition to the initial capital investment for
construction/renovation; and
5. Construction impacts--minimize temporary relocation/facilities
and disruption to operations.
The CMP development process identified the proposed action as the
best approach to meet the Congressional mandate for world class
facilities commensurate in quality, capability, and condition with the
BRAC investment. Reasonable alternatives were carried forward in the
Draft EIS analysis.
The Draft EIS considers the No Action Alternative and the MFD with
four alternative parking facility sites on NSA Bethesda:
1. No Action Alternative--evaluates the impact at NSA Bethesda in
the event that the proposed action does not occur. Neither demolition/
construction nor renovation would occur, and staffing at NSA Bethesda
would not change. The No Action Alternative would not provide WRNMMC
with facilities to accommodate the DoD healthcare mission, including
the attributes of the new statutory, world-class standards for military
medicine as mandated by 2010 NDAA. The No Action Alternative is
considered in accordance with Section 1502.14(d) of the NEPA
regulation.
2. MFD--demolition of five hospital buildings, construction of a
single 5-story replacement facility, a parking garage, utility capacity
upgrades, temporary medical facilities, internal renovations of five
hospital buildings, internal and external renovations of a workshop/
warehouse to office space (Building 13), and accessibility and
appearance improvement projects.
a. Underground parking garage (Preferred)--construction of an
approximately 225,000 SF, 500-space underground parking garage west of
Building 1 on the installation;
b. Warehouse Area parking garage--construction of an approximately
29,200 SF footprint, up to 6-story above ground parking garage in the
existing industrial and warehouse area located in the northeast corner
of the installation;
c. Taylor Road Facilities parking garage--construction of an
approximately 28,450 SF footprint, up to 5-story above ground parking
garage located in the northeast area of the installation; and
d. H-Lot parking garage--construction of an approximately 39,100 SF
footprint, up to 6-story above ground parking garage in the south area
of the installation.
The 2008 National Naval Medical Center Master Plan identified an
area south of the University campus for facility expansion. Since the
2008 Master Plan, a second location west of the USU campus was
identified as a potential site for the expansion. These sites were
selected based on the following selection criteria:
1. Address LCME accreditation requirements;
2. Unify 19 departments, activities, and centers currently
dispersed in NSA Bethesda buildings or in leased space in and around
Rockville, MD;
3. Resolve space constraints following BRAC integration; and
4. Position the USU for sustained relevancy as a competitive and
lead academic institution for medical education and biomedical science
research, and so enable the WRNMMC endeavors to achieve status as a
World Class Academic Health Center.
The Draft EIS considers the No Action Alternative and two
alternative sites for the University Expansion. Both alternative sites
involve construction of an approximately 341,151 SF education and
research facility (Building F) and an approximately 144,000 SF, 400-
space parking structure that will serve USU and the overall parking
needs across NSA Bethesda:
1. Alternative 1 site--would be located south of the USU campus on
a forested lot east of Grier Road. Building F and the above ground
parking garage would be located in two separate buildings.
2. Alternative 2 site (preferred)--would be located west of the
current USU campus on a developed parking lot and adjacent to the Armed
Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI). Building F and the
above ground parking garage would be located in one structure with the
garage under Building F.
3. No Action Alternative--evaluates the impact at NSA Bethesda in
the event that the proposed action does not occur. The No Action
Alternative would not allow construction of an education and research
facility, parking garage, and renovations to USU buildings. USU would
continue to operate sub-optimally in 19 dispersed departments, centers,
and activities in inadequate and temporary spaces at NSA Bethesda or in
off-campus leased locations in Montgomery County, Maryland. LCME
[[Page 56820]]
accreditation of USU would be in jeopardy, and the institution would
not be able to provide adequate education and research space to meet
its MHS commitments. The No Action Alternative is considered in
accordance with Section 1502.14(d) of the NEPA regulation.
The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects
associated with the MFD and University Expansion. The proposed actions
and alternatives were evaluated within several environmental resource
areas: Geology, topography, and soils; surface water and groundwater;
floodplains; wetlands; vegetation; wildlife; aquatic and wetland
habitat; threatened and endangered species; air quality; noise;
utilities and infrastructure; transportation and traffic; cultural
resources; land use and aesthetics; socioeconomics and environmental
justice; and human health and safety. Methods to avoid, reduce or
minimize impacts to affected resources are addressed. The analysis
includes an evaluation of the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts.
The Draft EIS finds that overall there would be minor impacts to
geology, topography, and soils. The Draft EIS finds that the proposed
MFD and parking garage alternatives would result in a minimal increase
in impervious surface area and minimal impacts to biological resources
because new facilities would be constructed on existing developed or
landscaped areas. The increase in storm water runoff resulting from the
increase in impervious surface would be controlled with storm water
management and erosion and sediment control measures.
The Draft EIS finds that for the MFD, the underground parking
garage alternative (preferred) would require excavation of the lawn in
front of Building 1; no adverse effects on Building 1 are anticipated
if the ingress/egress is designed in accordance with the Secretary of
Interior standards. The underground parking garage alternative would
interact with groundwater and would require dewatering system. The
Draft EIS finds that there would be no significant impacts to
floodplains. The Draft EIS finds that approximately 0.11 acres of the
Stoney Creek Trail Improvements would occur along Stoney Creek in the
vicinity of the areas that are considered to be potential wetlands. The
final design layout and construction of the trail improvements in these
areas would seek to avoid the potential wetland areas to the maximum
extent possible.
The Draft EIS finds that emissions of air pollutants from the
proposed MFD during construction and operations would not exceed de
minimis levels or ambient standards established by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for protection of the airshed
and thus air quality impacts would not be significant. The Draft EIS
finds that there would be no significant increase in greenhouse gases.
The Draft EIS finds that short-term increases in noise levels would
occur during construction that are typical of construction activities;
for some components of the proposed action, depending on distance
between sensitive receptors on NSA Bethesda and construction areas,
noise mitigation measures could be required.
The Draft EIS finds that impacts on aquatic and wetland habitats
would primarily be temporary during construction and those impacts
would be minimized. Per DoN's communication with the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS), except for occasional transient
individuals, no federally proposed or listed endangered or threatened
species are known to exist within the project areas for the proposed
actions. Therefore, the DoN would not be required to consult with USFWS
to satisfy Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Per DoN's
communication with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the
agency has determined that there are no state or Federal records for
rare, threatened, or endangered species within the boundaries of the
project sites; therefore, the agency does not have specific comments or
requirements pertaining to protection measures at this time.
The Draft EIS finds that the proposed MFD and parking garage
alternatives would generate new staff trips (50 new staff) and shift
patient or staff trips within the installation roadway network.
However, no significant impacts on external traffic would occur as a
result of the MFD or any of the parking garage alternatives.
Formal consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act
with appropriate agencies such as the Maryland Historical Trust by the
DoN is ongoing to ensure avoidance, minimization, and/or mitigation of
any potential adverse effects on historic properties at NSA Bethesda
including Building 1, Central Tower Block, or Buildings 3 and 5.
The Draft EIS finds that the proposed updates to the utilities
would provide the required support to the MFD. The DoN is coordinating
with the utilities service providers to ensure that the proposed
changes would not affect service delivery to the larger community.
The Draft EIS finds that the proposed MFD is compatible with
existing land use plans and land use planning underway within NSA
Bethesda. Aesthetic impacts from construction activities would be
temporary and cease upon their completion. Beneficial economic impacts
to the surrounding economy are anticipated, resulting from the
investment in construction and renovations of facilities but would not
have a significant impact on the local economy. There would be no
disproportionately high or adverse impacts on minority, low-income
populations, or children. Adherence to applicable regulations and
guidance will avoid impacts to human health and safety.
The Draft EIS finds that overall there would be minor impacts to
geology from either of the University Expansion alternatives. The Draft
EIS finds that proposed University Expansion Alternative 1 would
require clearing of forested area, extensive cut and fill and grading,
and result in approximately 2.8 acres of new impervious surface. The
loss of forested area would result in direct loss of wildlife habitat.
University Expansion Alternative 2 is the preferred site and would be
located in an existing parking lot and landscaped area and would
require less new impervious surface (1.6 acres). The increase in runoff
resulting from the increase in impervious surface from either of the
University Expansion alternatives would be controlled with storm water
management and erosion and sediment control measures. Under University
Expansion Alternative 1, an approved sediment and erosion control plan
and stormwater Best Management Practices would reduce runoff and
potential pollutants carried to University Pond, preventing any
potential impacts on the wetland on the northeast side of the pond. Per
DoN's communication with the USFWS except for occasional transient
individuals, no federally proposed or listed endangered or threatened
species are known to exist within the either of the University
Expansion alternatives. Therefore, the DoN would not be required to
consult with USFWS to satisfy Section 7 of ESA.
Under University Expansion Alternative 1, the conversion of
forested area to impervious surfaces would permanently impact the
previously undisturbed infiltration area. However, NSA Bethesda would
ensure that precipitation and runoff from impervious surfaces would be
conveyed through stormwater control structures to the natural drainage
system.
[[Page 56821]]
The Draft EIS finds that emissions of air pollutants from the
proposed University Expansion alternatives during construction and
operations would not exceed de minimis levels or ambient standards
established by the USEPA for protection of the airshed and thus air
quality impacts would not be significant. The Draft EIS finds that
there would be no significant increase in greenhouse gases.
The Draft EIS finds that under University Expansion Alternative 2,
short-term increases in noise levels would occur during construction
and noise mitigation measures could be required.
The Draft EIS finds that there is sufficient capacity for
telecommunication to support either of the University Expansion
alternatives. There is sufficient power to support the expansion via an
independent electrical feeder; however the DoN will coordinate with the
utility service provider to confirm the capacity once the exact
requirements are known. For the increase in demand for potable water
and natural gas, the initial utility coordination is based on the
building footprint and the DoN will confirm the capacity once the
design work is completed and exact requirements are known. The DoN is
also coordinating with the utilities service providers to ensure that
the proposed changes would not affect service delivery to the larger
community. University Alternative 1 would require steam/chilled water
lines to travel a longer distance to connect to existing systems
compared to Alternative 2.
The Draft EIS finds that either of the proposed University
Expansion alternatives would generate new staff trips from the
consolidated staff (220) and would also either shift patient or staff
trips within the installation roadway network. However, because the
staff is current USU personnel that already travel within the area, no
significant impacts on external traffic would occur as a result of
either of the University Expansion alternatives.
The Draft EIS finds that there would be no impacts to historic
properties University Expansion Alternative 1. University Expansion
Alternative 2 would not have any adverse effects on the integrity of
the National Register of Historic Places eligible AFRRI.
The Draft EIS finds that the proposed University Expansion is
compatible with existing land use plans and land use planning underway
within NSA Bethesda. The Draft EIS finds that University Expansion
Alternative 1 would impact forested areas and would alter the visual
characteristics of the area; the DoN would ensure that the design of
the building would minimize the removal of trees to the extent
possible. University Expansion Alternative 2 would offer the potential
for fostering a continuous campus feel between AFRRI and USU; visual
character of the area would not change noticeably.
The Draft EIS finds that either of University Expansion
alternatives would have beneficial economic impacts to the surrounding
economy, resulting from the investment in construction and renovation
of facilities but would not have a significant impact on the local
economy. There would be no disproportionately high or adverse impacts
on minority, low-income populations, or children. Adherence to
applicable regulations and guidance will avoid impacts to human health
and safety.
The decision to be made by the DoN is to determine which of the MFD
and University Expansion alternatives to implement based upon
operational needs and the reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts
identified in the EIS.
The Draft EIS was distributed or made available to Federal, state,
and local agencies, elected officials, and other interested individuals
and organizations. The public comment period will end on October 29,
2012. The Draft EIS is also available for public review at the
following local libraries and public facilities:
1. Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814;
2. Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD
20815;
3. Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817;
4. Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Avenue, Kensington, MD
20895;
5. Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850; and
6. Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor
Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814.
The Draft EIS is also available for public viewing at the following
Web site: http://www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil/PatientVisitors/SitePages/EIS.aspx. The executive summary or a single compact disc of the Draft
EIS will be made available upon written request by contacting: NSA
Bethesda Public Affairs Office, Attn: Joseph Macri, 8901 Wisconsin
Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889.
Federal, state, and local agencies, elected officials, and
interested individuals and organizations are invited to be present or
represented at the public hearings. Written comments can also be
submitted during the open house sessions preceding the public hearings.
Oral statements will be heard and transcribed by a court reporter;
however, to ensure the accuracy of the record it is encouraged that all
statements also be submitted in writing. All statements, both oral and
written, will become part of the public record on the Draft EIS and
will be responded to in the Final EIS. Equal weight will be given to
both oral and written statements. In the interest of available time,
and to ensure all who wish to give an oral statement have the
opportunity to do so, each speaker's comments will be initially limited
to three (3) minutes. If a long statement is to be presented, it should
be summarized at the public hearing with the full text submitted either
in writing at the hearing, or via mail, email, or online to: NSA
Bethesda Public Affairs Office, Attn: Joseph Macri, 8901 Wisconsin
Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889, Email: [email protected],
Web site: http://www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil/PatientVisitors/SitePages/EIS
during the comment period. All written comments must be postmarked or
received by October 29, 2012 to ensure they become part of the official
record. All comments will be addressed in the Final EIS.
Dated: September 7, 2012.
C.K. Chiappetta,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-22701 Filed 9-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P