Environmental statements; notice of intent: Springfield, MA; Federal courthouse,

[Federal Register: October 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 207)]

[Notices]

[Page 57890]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr27oc99-91]

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS; MA

The General Services Administration (GSA) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the following project:

New Federal Courthouse, Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts

The GSA will serve as lead agency and project sponsor in the preparation and filing of an EIS. The proposed action would involve the construction and operation of a new courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts. Space and security constraints in the existing Federal Court facilities located in the Federal Building at 1550 Main Street, Springfield have caused the Court to seek relocation to a new building that would supply the required space, security, and facilities to accommodate the Court's current and projected caseload. This action is intended to provide approximately 140,000 occupiable square feet (13,000 square meters) of space for the various operations of the Federal Court and related agencies.

The EIS will evaluate a No-Action alternative and a Build alternative involving a preferred site on State Street between Elliot Street and Spring Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. It will also evaluate impacts on the affected environment, including, but not limited to, socioeconomics, hazardous materials, traffic/ transportation, land use, urban design/neighborbood character, historic/cultural resources, noise, air quality, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts.

Public Scoping Meeting

To ensure that all issues relating to the proposed project are identified and all potentially significant issues are addressed and satisfied in the EIS, public comments and suggestions are being solicited. To facilitate the receipt of comments, two public Scoping Meetings will be held in Springfield on Monday, November 15, 1999. The first will be held from 3 PM to 5 PM on the fifth floor of the Federal Building, 1550 Main Street, and the second will be from 6 PM to 8 PM on the second floor of the City Hall, 36 Court Street. Public comment concerning the scope of the EIS will be taken at these meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin J, Richards, Asset Manager, U.S. General Service Administration, Portfolio Management Division (1 PT), 10 Causeway Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02222-1077, Tel: (617) 565- 5845, Fax: (617) 565-8650, E-mail: Kevin.Richards@gsa.gov.

Written comments may be mailed to the informational contact person no later than December 3, 1999.

Issued in Boston, Massachusetts on October 20, 1999. George Klueber, Portfolio Manager, General Service Administration, Region 1.

[FR Doc. 99-28093Filed10-26-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820-01-M