Environmental statements; availability, etc.: GSA Federal laboratories, Prince George's County, MD,

[Federal Register: April 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 66)]

[Notices]

[Page 16972]

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

[DOCID:fr07ap99-78]

[[Page 16972]]

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Construction of GSA Federal Laboratories, Prince George's County, Maryland

Reply to the Attention of: Dawud Abdur-Rahman, National Capital Region, General Services Administration, 7th and D Sts., SW., Washington, DC 20407

All comments must be received by April 13, 1999.

The General Services Administration will publish a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on Friday, March 12, 1999 for Construction of Federal Laboratories in Beltsville, Maryland. The Final EA will be available for public review and comment at the Beltsville Library, 4319 Sellman Road, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.

The General Services Administration (GSA), acting as development manager for Federal facilities, proposes to construct and operate Federal Laboratories in Prince George's County, Maryland. The proposed action would consist of the construction a 150,000 gross square foot (gsf) (13,935 gross square meters) National Laboratory and a 50,000 gsf (4,645 gross square meters) Fire Investigation, Research, and Education (F.I.R.E.) Center. The facilities would employ approximately 152 people.

The new facilities would improve administrative and operational efficiency and would facilitate communication and interaction among staff. The proposed action would provide state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities. The new facilities will alleviate overcrowding and provide safe, secure, and modern laboratories. The F.I.R.E. Center will be one of very few such facilities in the world and will enhance Federal fire scene investigations. The Center will serve as a training center for advanced fire investigation and a repository for technical data related to fire investigation and research.

Finding

Pursuant to the provision of GSA Order ACM 1095.1D, the HB PBS P 1095.4B and the regulations issued by the Council of Environmental Quality, November 29, 1978, (40 CFR Parts 1500 to 1508), this is to advise you of our finding, based on the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), that the action described above is considered a major Federal action not significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

Basis for Finding

The impacts of construction and operation of the proposed facilities on the environment were considered in an EA pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The Final EA, which is available for review at the location listed above, is incorporated by reference into this Finding of No Significant Impact. Construction and operation of the proposed project would not have a significant adverse effect on the human environment.

Two alternate sites, the Ammendale Site and the Konterra Site, along with the No Action Alternative, were studied in detail in the EA. The EA describes the existing natural, physical social and cultural environment associated with each alternative. The EA also describes potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with construction of the proposed facilities on each alternate site. Impacts of the No Action Alternative have also been analyzed.

Regardless of which of the two alternate sites is selected, moderate impacts will occur to the following resources: soils, forested areas, land use, aesthetics, utilities, and transportation facilities. If the Ammendale Site is selected, moderate impacts would also occur to Interior Forest Dwelling Species habitat. To mitigate potential impacts, GSA will implement the measures that are discussed in the Environmental Assessment.

This Finding of No Significant Impact will become final April 13, 1999 provided that no information leading to a contrary finding is received or comes to light during the 30-day public review period. Nelson Alcalde, Regional Administrator, National Capital Region, General Services Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-8576Filed4-6-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820-61-M