[Federal Register: March 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 42)]
[Notices]
[Page 10979-10980]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03mr06-59]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42
U.S.C. 4321-4347, the NIH is issuing this notice to advise the public
that an environmental impact statement will be
[[Page 10980]]
prepared for the Rocky Mountain Laboratories Campus Master Plan,
Hamilton, Ravalli County, Montana.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Nottingham, Chief,
Environmental Quality Branch, Division of Environmental Protection,
Office of Research Facilities, NIH, B13/2W64, 9000 Rockville Pike,
Bethesda, Maryland 20892, telephone 301-496-7775; fax 301-480-8056; or
e-mail nihnepa@mail.nih.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) is located
on 33 acres in the City of Hamilton, a small community in southwestern
Montana. The laboratory is a component of the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is one of the 27
Institutes or Centers that comprise the NIH, one of the world's largest
biomedical research facilities and the Federal government's focal point
for medical and behavioral research. RML conducts and supports research
of infectious diseases and the human immune system, with an emphasis on
vector-borne transmission of infectious diseases and prion diseases.
RML's mission also includes biomedical research into diseases caused by
the intentional release of biological agents into civilian populations,
as well as advancing basic knowledge about biological agents. Total
building space on the campus amounts to approximately 207,000 gsf.
Approximately 260 people work at the RML site.
A Master Plan is an integrated series of documents that present in
graphic, narrative, and tabular form the current composition of NIH
campuses and the plan for their orderly and comprehensive development
over a 20-year period. The plan provides guidance in coordinating the
physical development of NIH campuses, including building locations,
utility capacities, road alignments, parking facilities, and the
treatment of open spaces. General design guidelines are also used to
provide detailed guidance for the placement and design of physical
improvements.
The proposed action is to develop a long-range physical master plan
for RML. The plan will cover a 20-year planning period and address the
future development of the RML site, including placement of future
construction; vehicular and pedestrian circulation on- and off-campus;
parking within the property boundaries; open space in and around the
campus; required setbacks; historic properties; natural and scenic
resources; noise; and lighting. The plan will examine potential growth
in RML personnel, possible land acquisitions, and consequent
construction of space over the planning period. Future construction on
the site could include such facilities as new animal holding, research
laboratories, and support facilities.
In accordance with 40 CFR parts 1500-1508 and DHHS environmental
procedures, NIH will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the proposed master plan. The EIS will evaluate the impacts of the
master plan should development occur as proposed. Among the items the
EIS will examine are the implications of the master plan on community
infrastructure, including, but not limited to, utilities, storm water
management, traffic and transportation, and other public services. To
ensure that the public is afforded the greatest opportunity to
participate in the planning and environmental review process, NIH in
inviting oral and written comments on the master plan and related
environmental issues.
The NIH will be sponsoring a public Scoping Meeting to provide
individuals an opportunity to share their ideas on the master planning
effort, including recommended alternatives and environmental issues the
EIS should consider. The meeting is planned for 7 p.m. on March 23,
2006 at the Hamilton High School commons in Hamilton, Montana. All
interested parties are encouraged to attend. NIH has established a 45-
day public comment period for the scoping process. Scoping comments
must be postmarked no later than April 18, 2006 to ensure they are
considered. All comments and questions on the EIS should be directed to
Valerie Nottingham at the address listed above, telephone 301-496-7775;
fax 301-480-8056; or e-mail nihnepa@mail.nih.gov.
Dated: February 24, 2006.
Juanita Holler-Mildenberg,
FAIA, Acting Director, Office of Research Facilities Development and
Operations, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 06-2015 Filed 3-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M