[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 218 (Friday, November 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56088-56089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24557]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


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

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH) is issuing this notice to advise 
the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for 
the Surgery, Radiology and Lab Medicine Building with associated 
Utility Vault and Patient Parking Garage project located on the 
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda Campus, Bethesda, Maryland.

DATES: The Scoping Meeting is planned for November 28, 2018, from 6 
p.m.-9 p.m., with the formal presentation to begin at 7 p.m. Scoping 
comments must be postmarked no later than December 29, 2018, to ensure 
they are considered.

ADDRESSES: The Scoping Meeting will be held at 6001 Executive 
Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments and questions on the 
Scoping Meeting and the Environmental Impact Statement should be 
directed to Valerie Nottingham, Deputy Director, Division of 
Environmental Protection, Office of Research Facilities, NIH, B13/2S11, 
9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, telephone 301-496-7775; 
fax 301-480-0204; or email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Nottingham, Deputy Director, 
Division of Environmental Protection, Office of Research Facilities, 
NIH, B13/2S11, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, telephone 
301-496-7775; fax 301-480-0204; or email: [email protected]. For the 
purpose of National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures, the delegation of authority 
to administer, interpret and oversee the applicable environmental laws, 
Executive Orders and regulations for the NIH including the authority to 
oversee and manage the NIH NEPA program for assessing environmental 
impacts and publish final decisions has been given to the Director, 
Office of Research Facilities Development and Operation, Mr. Daniel G. 
Wheeland.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NIH's mission is to seek fundamental 
knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the 
application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and 
reduce illness and disability. In order to fulfill and uphold this 
mission the infrastructure of the NIH Bethesda Campus must be able to 
support the NIH's biomedical research programs.
    The proposed Surgery, Radiology and Lab Medicine Building with 
associated Utility Vault and Patient Parking Garage project is to house 
General Radiology and Imaging Services (RADIS), the Department of 
Perioperative Medicine (DPM), the Department of Laboratory Medicine 
(DLM) and the relocated functions for the National Cancer Institute 
(NCI) in a state-of-the-art, safe, functionally efficient, flexible and 
cost-effective facility. During the study period, NIH expanded the 
building program to also include space for the National Heart, Lung & 
Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Cardiovascular Intervention Program (Cath 
Lab) and for the Interventional Radiology (IR) Program.
    The proposed project consists of nine (9) levels above grade 
(including interstitial floors and a roof penthouse) and two (2) levels 
below grade. The proposed 505,200 building gross square feet (BGSF) of 
new construction will be linked to the west lab wing of the existing 
CRC (Building 10), which will include an additional 82,960 BGSF of 
interior renovation. The proposed new building addition foot print of 
53,270 BGSF will be positioned between the CRC and Convent Drive.
    The proposed project scope also includes the relocation of a 
portion of the existing campus utility tunnel, reconstruction of the 
displaced children's playground and connection to the new Pedestrian 
Tunnel that will be constructed with the proposed Patient Parking 
Garage across Convent Drive. Additionally, the project will include the 
installation of supporting infrastructure, such as emergency generators 
and medical gas storage, in the new Utility Vault and Utility Yard that 
will be constructed across Convent Drive as part of a separate, 
enabling project.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 1500-1508 and Health and Human Services 
(HHS) environmental procedures, NIH will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed project. The EIS will evaluate 
the impacts of the alternatives should development occur as proposed. 
Among the items the EIS will examine are the implications of the 
project on community infrastructure, including, but not limited to, 
utilities, storm water management, traffic and transportation, and 
other public services.
    To ensure that the public is afforded the greatest opportunity to 
participate in

[[Page 56089]]

the planning and environmental review process, NIH is inviting oral and 
written comments on the proposed project and related environmental 
issues.
    The NIH will be sponsoring a public Scoping Meeting to provide 
individuals an opportunity to share their ideas, including recommended 
alternatives and environmental issues the EIS should consider. All 
interested parties are encouraged to attend. NIH has established a 30-
day public comment period for the scoping process.

    Dated: October 29, 2018.
Lawrence A. Tabak,
Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2018-24557 Filed 11-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4140-01-P