[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 3481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01162]


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NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Smithsonian Institution's South Mall Campus Master Plan

AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1970, as amended and implemented by the Council on Environmental, and 
in accordance with the Environmental Policies and Procedures adopted by 
the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the NCPC announces its 
intent along with the Smithsonian Institution (SI), and in cooperation 
with the National Park Service (NPS), to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will provide a full and fair discussion 
of the potential environmental impacts resulting from implementation of 
SI's South Mall Campus Master Plan. NCPC will act as lead federal 
agency for NEPA compliance and SI is the project owner, sponsoring the 
preparation of the EIS. Although SI is not a ``federal agency'' within 
the meaning of NEPA and CEQ Regulations, SI works with federal agencies 
on NEPA compliance when, as here, an SI project requires federal agency 
approval.
    The South Mall Campus Master Plan (Master Plan) will evaluate 
opportunities to: Better align Smithsonian facilities on the South Mall 
Campus with SI's mission; increase public access to the museums and 
gardens; replace and upgrade aging building systems; upgrade security 
systems campus wide; rehabilitate and restore historic buildings; 
provide seismic retrofitting; consolidate and upgrade loading 
functions; enhance public space; and increase the visitor services 
provided in the area. The Master Plan will revitalize the South Mall 
Campus by interconnecting programs and services both above- and below-
grade; and, by improving physical access for all through enhanced 
circulation, way finding, and program visibility. These improvements 
will provide visitors and staff with facilities, amenities, and 
educational experiences expected of a world class institution.

DATES: The Scoping Period shall run February 22, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Electronic Comments may be submitted at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Matthew Flis, Senior Urban Designer, 
National Capital Planning Commission, Urban Design and Plan Review, 401 
9th StreetNW., Washington, DC 20004, Phone 202-482-7236; or Michelle 
Spofford, Senior Planning Manager, Smithsonian Institution, Office of 
Planning Design and Construction, Facilities Master Planning, 600 
Maryland Avenue SW., Suite 501, PO Box 37012, MRC 511, Washington, DC 
20013-7012, Phone: 202-633-6558.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NCPC and SI previously conducted scoping For 
an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Master Plan from December 16, 
2014 through January 30, 2015. As part of this process, NCPC and SI 
held a public scoping meeting on December 16, 2014 and received written 
comments from local and federal agencies, interested organizations, and 
the public. Based on the information obtained and additional 
coordination with local and federal agencies, NCPC and SI have 
determined that preparation of an EIS is warranted.
    Topics for environmental analysis identified through the scoping 
process include: Historic resources; visual resources; transportation; 
public utilities; land use; social and economic issues; visitor use; 
and physical and biological resources, such as air quality, water 
quality, and climate change.
    All private parties, Federal and local agencies, and interested 
organizations having an interest in the project are invited to comment. 
All previously submitted comments from the EA scoping period are 
documented in the administrative record and will be used to inform the 
Draft EIS; only new issues and concerns need to be submitted at this 
time. During this scoping period, no public scoping meeting will be 
held.
    All new and relevant environmental information, or additional 
comments on any issues that may be associated with the proposed 
project, should be sent to the address or email address below. Before 
including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be 
made publically available at any time. While you can ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Information related to the project and public involvement 
opportunities for the draft EIS will be provided at the project's Web 
site: http://www.southmallcampus.si.edu/.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.

    Dated: January 13, 2016.
Anne R. Schuyler,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2016-01162 Filed 1-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7520-01-P