[Federal Register: December 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 237)]
[Notices]
[Page 68947]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10de03-108]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Environmental Assessment for the Yellow Barn/Chautauqua Tower
Rehabilitation
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Yellow
Barn/Chautauqua Tower Rehabilitation, Montgomery County, Maryland.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations and
National Park Service (NPS) policy, the NPS announces the availability
of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the rehabilitation/
reconstruction of the Yellow Barn and Chautauqua Tower at Glen Echo
Park, a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Glen Echo Park
is the site of a former amusement park that operated from the late
1890's to 1968. The park is currently operated under a Cooperative
Agreement between Montgomery County and the NPS. The buildings provide
the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture with administrative
space, classrooms, and artists studios. the Chautauqua Tower was
constructed in 1891 and the Yellow Barn in 1914 and both buildings are
listed on the National Register of Historic Places as contributing
elements of the Glen Echo Park Historic District. The Electrical/
Mechanical/Plumbing systems of both buildings have reached the end of
their design life. Both buildings suffer from numerous structural
defects which adversely affect the availability of education and
program space. Significant portions of both buildings cannot currently
be used due to structural instability or lack of appropriate egress.
The EA examines several alternatives for the rehabilitation/
reconstruction of the buildings. The subject project is designed to
provide safe, accessible classroom and studio space to park users,
while maintaining the character of the Glen Echo Park Historic
District. The NPS is soliciting comments on this EA. These comments
will be considered in evaluating it and making decisions pursuant to
the National Environmental Policy Act.
DATES: The EA will remain available for public comment until January 9,
2003. Written comments should be received no later than this date.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this EA should be submitted in writing to: Ms.
Audrey F. Calhoun, Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway,
Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101. The EA will be available for
public inspection Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. at the
GWMP Headquarters, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia; and at the
following libraries: Little Falls Library, 5501 Massachusetts Avenue,
Bethesda, Maryland, Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac,
Maryland, and Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda,
Maryland.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
analyzed and selected a Management Plan for Glen Echo Park in February
2001. This Management Plan aims to balance natural/cultural resource
protection and visitor use. Pursuant to the EIS, the stabilization and
rehabilitation of Glen Echo Park structures will proceed in accordance
with the recommendations in the Cost Estimating Criteria for
Stabilization & Rehabilitation of Historic Glen Echo Park (Vitetta
Group, 1998) and the subsequent Glen Echo Park Stabilization and
Rehabilitation Plan (NPS, Montgomery County, State of Maryland, 1999).
Rehabilitation projects have already been completed on the Spanish
Ballroom and the North Arcade, two additional contributing elements to
the Glen Echo Historic District as part of the Glen Echo Park
Rehabilitation Project, pursuant to cooperative agreement between the
State of Maryland, Montgomery County, and the NPS. Work on this project
began in 1999 and is scheduled to finish in 2005.
All interested individuals, agencies, and organizations are urged
to provide comments on the EA. The NPS, in making a final decision
regarding this matter, will consider all comments received by the
closing date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Park Ranger Jeffrey Pinkard (703) 289-
2516.
Audrey F. Calhoun,
Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway.
[FR Doc. 03-30558 Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]