Environmental statements; notice of intent: use waterfront destination resort; meeting,

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Federal Register: April 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 69)NoticesPage 17899-17900From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr10ap98-121

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION

Proposed Construction of a Mixed-Use Waterfront Destination Resort in Prince George's County, Maryland; Public Meeting and Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission.

ACTION: Proposed construction of a mixed-use waterfront destination resort in Prince George's County, Maryland; public meeting and intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and in accordance with the Environmental Policies and Procedures implemented by the National Capital Planning Commission (Commission), the Commission announces its intent to conduct one (1) public meeting to discuss the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed construction of a mixed-use, waterfront entertainment and retail destination resort in Prince George's County, Maryland known as National Harbor. The purpose of the public meeting is to determine the significant environmental issues related to the construction and operation of the National Harbor development. The meeting will serve as part of the formal environmental review/scoping process for the preparation of the environmental document that is required for this project.

This Notice of Intent (NOI) initiates the formal environmental scoping process for this project and the public is encouraged to submit written comments on the alternatives and on the impacts at this time. The Commission considers a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be the appropriate environmental document for this project and expects that completion of an EIS will conform with federal environmental laws. The comments and responses received on the scope of the alternatives and potential impacts, as a result of this NOI, will be considered for the environmental document.

The National Harbor resort development is proposed to be built on two parcels totaling 533.9 acres in Prince George's County just south of the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495) between the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the Beltway interchange at Indian Head Highway (Maryland Route 210). Approximately 241 acres of the site consists of land under Smoot Bay in the Potomac River. The development would include hotels, restaurants, retail and entertainment facilities, office space, and a visitor's center, as well as associated vehicular transportation and parking facilities, pedestrian walkways, and other infrastructure improvements.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will identify and analyze impacts and mitigation options of the alternative actions under consideration. Alternatives to be considered include (1) construction and operation of the proposed National Harbor development plan, and (2) development of the site under the existing approved plans for the project (known as PortAmerica), including extensive office space and residential development. Topics for environmental analysis include short-term construction-related impacts; long-term changes in traffic, parking, socio-economic impacts, land use and physical/biological conditions within the project area; cultural (historic and archeological) and visual resource protection; and site operation and maintenance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review/scoping process will include all written comments and one (1) public meeting for the purpose of determining significant issues related to the alternatives and to the potential impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of National Harbor. The public meeting will be held:

Monday, May 12, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. at Oxon Hill High School, 6701 Leyte Drive, Oxon Hill, Maryland

This public meeting will be advertised in local and regional

[Page 17900]newspapers. Adequate signs will be posted to direct meeting participants. A short formal presentation will precede the request for public comments. National Capital Planning Commission representatives will be available at this meeting to receive comments from the public regarding issues of concern. It is important that federal, regional and local agencies, and interested individuals and groups take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that should be addressed during the preparation of the Draft EIS. In the interest of available time, each speaker will be asked to limit oral comments to five (5) minutes. A document summarizing the written and oral comments received will be prepared.

An Informational Packet will be available for review at the offices of the National Capital Planning Commission at 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., and at the Prince George's County Branch Library at 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Md.; or upon request. Agencies and the general public are invited and are encouraged to provide written comments on the scoping issues in addition to, or in lieu of, oral comments at the public meeting. To be most helpful, environmental scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics which the community believes the EIS should address.

DATES: All written statements regarding environmental review of the proposed National Harbor must be postmarked no later than May 26, 1998 to the address below: National Capital Planning Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20576, Attention: Mr. Maurice Foushee, Community Planner.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: National Capital Planning Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20576, Phone: (202) 482-7200. Sandra H. Shapiro, General Counsel, National Capital Planning Commission.

FR Doc. 98-9529Filed4-9-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 7502-02-P

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