[Federal Register: December 3, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 231)]
[Notices]
[Page 67959-67960]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03de07-92]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
National Capital Region; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
to analyze the impacts associated with the exchange of lands owned by
Georgetown University and the National Park Service and the impacts
associated with the construction of a proposed boathouse for Georgetown
University.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces its intention to
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and to conduct scoping
to analyze the impacts associated with a land exchange between
Georgetown University (University) and the NPS and the impacts
associated with the construction of a proposed boathouse for the
University on a site within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National
Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP). In 1995 the NPS conducted an
Environmental Assessment (EA) on a proposed land exchange of the site
owned by the University within the boundaries of the C&O Canal NHP). In
1995 the NPS conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) on a proposed
land exchange of the site owned by the University within the boundaries
of the C&O Canal NHP and a site located within the non-motorized
boathouse zone established by the Georgetown Waterfront Park Plan. This
EA resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The three
primary land use goals evaluated were:
(1) Precluding development of a boathouse on the University's
largely undisturbed inholding in the park with existing significant
natural and cultural resources;
(2) Extinguishing nearly a mile of private access over the Capital
Crescent Trail; and
(3) Placing the boathouse on property within the boathouse zone in
furtherance of the recreational mandate of C&O Canal NHP Act and
Georgetown Waterfront Park Plan.
In 1997, the NPS signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the
District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office that contained a
provision that the proposed University Boathouse would not have a
footprint greater than 15,000 square feet. Since the University
subsequently proposed an 18,600 square foot boathouse, an amendment to
the MOA was required. As part of that process, the NPS conducted public
meetings in June and July 2004 to determine whether to revise the MOA.
As a result of those meetings and additional written comments, the NPS
determined that an EA should be undertaken for the construction of the
proposed boathouse. NPS released an EA on the proposed boathouse for
public comment from April 25 thorough June 15, 2006, and held a public
open house on the EA. Approximately 2,500 comments were received.
Based on comments received on the 2006 EA, and 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), NPS has determined a EIS
[[Page 67960]]
that will evaluate both the proposed land exchange and the construction
impacts of the proposed boathouse is the proper NEPA compliance
document. For this reason, NPS announces its intent to prepare an EIS
to analyze potential environmental impacts from the proposed action,
the range of reasonable alternatives, and mitigation options.
This EIS will consider alternative actions. Those alternatives may
include:
(1) Construction of a boathouse with a footprint of 18,682 square
feet on the NPS-owned site within the C&O Canal NHP, which is described
as Alternative C in the 2006 EA;
(2) Construction of a boathouse with a footprint of 15,000 square
feet on the NPS-owned site within the C&O Canal NHP;
(3) Construction of a University Boathouse east of 34th Street on
an NPS-owned site within the Georgetown Waterfront Park;
(4) Construction of a University Boathouse upon the site owned by
the University; and
(5) A No Action alternative, which would not require this land
exchange and would involve the continued use of the Thompson's Boat
Center to house the University's rowing program.
Topics for analysis may include the constructability of the
boathouse and/or by-right development on the University-owned site;
natural, cultural and intangible resource values of the University-
owned site; hydrology within the project area; possible impacts on
wildlife; possible wetlands; balancing uses on the Capital Crescent
Trail; and the cumulative impacts of the project in combination with
the Washington Canoe Club, Potomac Boat Club, Jacks Boats, Dempsey's
boathouse site, potential George Washington University boathouse and
Thompson's Boat Center.
The EIS will be prepared in compliance with NEPA and applicable
regulations, including NPS Director's Order 12 and Interior
Departmental Manual at 516 DM.
DATES: The NPS will conduct an additional scoping meeting for this EIS
on December 11, 2007, 6:30-9 p.m. at St. John's Church, 3240 O Street,
NW., Washington, DC., which will be widely announced in newspapers of
general circulation as well as through the extensive mailing list
developed during the EA process. NPS invites interested agencies,
organization, and members of the public to submit comments or
suggestions to assist in identifying significant environmental issues
and in determining the appropriate scope of the EIS. Written comments
on the scope of the EIS are invited.
The public scoping period will continue for at least 45 days from
the date of publication of this notice. NPS will hold at least one
public meeting during the public scoping period, which will be widely
announced in newspapers of general circulation as well as through the
extensive mailing list developed during the EA process.
ADDRESSES: Comments and suggestions on the scope of the EIS should be
addressed to: Kevin Brandt, Superintendent, C&O Canal NHP, 1850 Dual
Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742; or by electronic mail
at NCR_Georgetownboathouse@nps.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Brandt, Superintendent, C&O
Canal NHP, 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1986 plan for the Georgetown Waterfront
Park, which was established in 1984 by the National Capital Planning
Commission as part of the Park System of the Nation's Capital, includes
a non-motorized boathouse zone, as detailed below, in the proximity of
Key Bridge where boathouses had been located historically. The
University Boathouse was proposed for location within this boathouse
zone which encompasses portions of the C&O Canal NHP as well as the
Georgetown Waterfront Park.
To accommodate the growth of the historic sport of rowing on the
Potomac River, the Georgetown Waterfront Plan, which was approved in
1986, established a non-motorized boathouse zone along the shoreline in
Georgetown from 34th Street to approximately 1,250 feet above Key
Bridge, at roughly the historic location of boathouses dating back to
the 19th century. A total of five boathouses would be located in the
boathouse zone, including the University (future, private), Washington
Canoe Club (existing, private), Potomac Boat Club (existing, private),
NPS boathouse for singles, doubles, canoes and kayaks (future, public),
and George Washington University (future, private). Additionally,
Thompson's Boat Center (NPS concessioner) would continue to provide
space for scholastic and privately-owned shells.
In 1989 the University acquired a one-acre boathouse site with a
one-mile long perpetual access easement over the Capital Crescent
Trail. Because its collegiate rowing program is housed at Thompson's
Boat Center which is inadequate for its purposes, the University
evaluated building a University boathouse on the site and using its
easement to access the site. The NPS, concerned about the proposal of
the University to build a boathouse outside the boathouse zone upon the
sensitive site owned by the University, has been engaged in
negotiations with the University since 1989.
Dated: November 8, 2007.
Joseph M. Lawler,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 07-5901 Filed 11-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-JK-M