[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17715-17716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07621]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Proposed Master Development Plan for the Armed Forces
Retirement Home in Washington, DC
AGENCY: Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH).
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), AFRH plans to prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed AFRH Master
Development
[[Page 17716]]
Plan in Washington, DC. The SEIS will provide new analysis based on
changes to the original master development plan, and changes in
governing regulations.
DATES: Effective: April 3, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Seffens, Corporate Facilities
Director, AFRH, at (202) 541-7549, or Tim Sheckler, Project Manager,
GSA, at (202) 401-5806. The U.S. General Services Administrator (GSA)
is preparing the SEIS on behalf of AFRH.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 United States Code (U.S.C.)
4321-4347; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 40, chapter V, parts 1500-1508); and
AFRH's Environmental Policy, 38 CFR part 200, AFRH plans to prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed
Master Plan Development at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in
Washington, DC.
AFRH intends to prepare an SEIS to analyze the potential impacts
resulting from the proposed changes to the original master development
plan. Factors known to have changed since the previous study include
construction of a new building, the Scott Building, on the AFRH campus;
a $15 million restoration and expansion of the Lincoln's Cottage
historic site; closure of the Heating Plant and inclusion of the Plant
in the development area; the anticipated development of the McMillan
Reservoir parcel immediately south of AFRH; and other area development.
Background
Established in 1851, the AFRH in Washington, DC continues its
mission as a retirement community for military veterans. The 276-acre
site is currently developed with 93 structures including the U.S.
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Landmark District.
In 2002, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2002 (Pub. L. 107-107, 24 U.S.C. 411, et seq.) gave the AFRH, with
approval of the Secretary of Defense, authority to dispose of any
property by sale, lease, or otherwise that is excess to the needs of
the AFRH. In 2010, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2010 (Pub. L. 111-84, 24 U.S.C. 411) modified this authority to
allow the Secretary of Defense (acting on behalf of AFRH) to lease non-
excess property upon such terms as the Secretary considers will promote
the purpose and financial stability of the Retirement Home or be in the
public interest. Proceeds from such a lease are deposited to AFRH's
Trust Fund. To implement these authorities, AFRH prepared a Master
Development Plan and issued a Record of Decision in 2008 for its 276-
acre campus in Washington, DC to guide the long-term use and
development of the site. AFRH was unable to reach agreement with the
initially selected developer. AFRH now anticipates releasing a new
solicitation and selecting a new development partner.
Alternatives Under Consideration
AFRH will analyze the proposed action and no action alternatives
for the proposed Master Development Plan. The proposed action
alternative(s) will include development of a portion of the site for
office, commercial, institutional, and residential uses. As part of the
EIS, AFRH will study the impacts of each alternative on the human
environment.
Scoping Process
In accordance with 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4), there will be no scoping
conducted for this SEIS.
Steven G. McManus,
Chief Operating Officer, Armed Forces Retirement Home.
[FR Doc. 2015-07621 Filed 4-1-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE CODE 3030-ZA-P