[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59391-59392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23341]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket No. CDC-2018-0057]


Record of Decision; Acquisition of Site for Development of a 
Replacement Underground Safety Research Program Facility for the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH) in Mace, West Virginia

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within 
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in cooperation with 
the General Services Administration (GSA), announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the acquisition of a Site in Mace, 
West Virginia, and the development of this Site into a replacement for 
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
Underground Safety Research Program facility (Proposed Action). The 
acquisition and development will replace the former Lake Lynn 
Experimental Mine in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and will support 
research programs focused on miner health and safety issues. The site 
to be acquired and developed includes 461.35 acres located off U.S. 
Route 219 in Randolph and Pocahontas Counties near Mace, West Virginia 
(Site).

ADDRESSES: The ROD is available for viewing on the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal: http://www.regulations.gov (reference Docket No. CDC-2018-
0057).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Tarr, Office of Safety, Security, 
and Asset Management (OSSAM), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, H20-4, Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4027, 
phone: (770) 488-8170, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: CDC is dedicated to protecting health and promoting 
quality of life through the prevention and control of disease, injury, 
and disability. NIOSH was established by the Occupational Safety and 
Health Act of 1970. NIOSH plans, directs, and coordinates a national 
program to develop and establish recommended occupational safety and 
health standards, conduct research and training, provide technical 
assistance, and perform related activities to ensure safe and healthful 
working conditions for every working person in the United States.
    In 1997, when the mine safety and health function was transferred 
from the Bureau of Mines (BOM) to NIOSH, NIOSH took over the lease for 
a facility referred to as the Lake Lynn Experimental Mine (LLEM). The 
BOM had leased the LLEM facility since 1982. The LLEM is located 60 
miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The LLEM and its aboveground 
fire testing facility were primarily used for studies and research on 
mine explosions, mine seals, mine rescue, ventilation, diesel exhaust, 
new health and safety technologies, ground control, and fire 
suppression. After December 2012, the property was no longer available 
for long-term leasing. CDC attempted to purchase the underlying 
property on which LLEM is located, but NIOSH vacated the LLEM after 
market-based

[[Page 59392]]

purchase offers were rejected by the property owners.
    In 2013, CDC completed a Project Development Study to outline a 
design solution to replace the LLEM. The study presented the facility 
and site requirements and design concepts for the replacement 
facilities. In 2016, to identify potentially available locations that 
could accommodate the space requirements defined in the 2013 study, GSA 
issued (on behalf of CDC) two separate Requests for Expressions of 
Interest (REOI) for a site, developed or undeveloped, that could be 
used for the new underground safety research facility. The first REOI, 
advertised in June 2016, contained a limited delineated area within a 
200-mile radius of the LLEM. The REOI set forth criteria that would be 
used to evaluate the suitability of the submitted sites. One expression 
of interest that had the potential to meet the minimum criteria was 
received. After further evaluation, however, the site was found to be 
non-viable.
    The second REOI was issued in October 2016 and expanded the 
delineated area to the entire contiguous United States. Three 
expressions of interest were received for sites in Kentucky, Missouri, 
and West Virginia. The Kentucky site did not meet the minimum criteria, 
and the Missouri site expression of interest did not contain all 
necessary information to evaluate. The offeror of the Missouri site did 
not respond to subsequent GSA inquiries.
    The potential Site in West Virginia met the minimum criteria and 
was determined to be a viable site. The Site is located near Mace, West 
Virginia, and straddles the Randolph and Pocahontas County lines.
    Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as implemented 
by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations (40 CFR parts 
1500-1508), Federal agencies are required to evaluate the environmental 
effects of their proposed actions and a range of reasonable 
alternatives to the proposed action before making a decision. In 
compliance with NEPA, CDC published a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the acquisition of the Site and construction of a 
new underground safety research facility on February 14, 2019 and a 
Final EIS on July 16, 2021. The Draft EIS was available for public 
review and comment for 51 days. All comments received were considered 
when preparing the Final EIS. The Draft and Final EIS analyzed two 
alternatives: The Proposed Action Alternative (acquisition of the Site 
and construction of a new underground safety research facility) and the 
No Action Alternative. The Final EIS identified the Proposed Action 
Alternative as CDC's Preferred Alternative.
    After carefully considering the Final EIS and all comments 
received, CDC has made the decision to implement the Proposed Action 
Alternative. CDC's rationale for this decision is detailed in the ROD. 
The ROD incorporates all the mitigation and minimization measures 
described in the Final EIS.

    Dated: October 21, 2021.
Angela K. Oliver,
Executive Secretary, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2021-23341 Filed 10-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P