[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 64718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31265]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Public Buildings Service, Region 10; Notice of Intent To Prepare
an Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Statement
ACTION: The US General Services Administration (GSA) hereby gives
notice that it intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and the
President's Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts
1500-1508), for the construction of a new Federal Courthouse in Eugene,
Lane County, Oregon.
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Procedures: The EA will be prepared at the completion of, and based
upon, a scoping report. The EA will evaluate the proposed project,
including all reasonable alternatives identified through the scoping
process and a no-action alternative. Scoping will be accomplished
through direct mailing correspondence to interested persons, agencies,
and organizations and through two Public Scoping Meetings. The public
scoping meetings will be held on December 14th and 15th, 1998 at the
Hilton Hotel, 66 East 6th Ave., Eugene, OR, in the Joplin/Seeger
Conference Room at 6:00 pm following an open house beginning at 5:30
pm. GSA will publish a public notice of these meetings in Eugene
newspapers approximately two weeks prior to the events.
After the EA is prepared, it will be made available for public
review. If significant impacts are not identified in the EA, GSA will
issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
If, upon completion of the EA, significant impacts to the
environment are identified, GSA will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement. Public meetings will be held after the release of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement and GSA will respond to all relevant
comments received during the 45-day public comment period in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement. After a minimum 30-day period following
publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement GSA will issue
a Record of Decision that will identify the site selected.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GSA, assisted by Herrera Environmental
Consultants, is anticipating the preparation of an Environmental
Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement to acquire a site, design,
and construct a new US Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon. GSA will serve as
the lead agency and scoping will be conducted consistent with NEPA
regulations and guidelines. GSA invites interested individuals,
organizations, and federal, state, and local agencies to participate in
defining and identifying any significant impacts and issues to be
studied in the EA, including social, economic, or environmental
concerns. Scoping should be limited to identifying significant issues
to be analyzed in the environmental document and commenting on
alternatives and the merit of the proposal.
Project Purpose, Historical Background, and Description
The District Judges, Magistrates, and US Marshals are currently
located in the existing US Courthouse. Bankruptcy and other Court
related Agencies are located in leased space in downtown Eugene. The
existing Courthouse does not currently meet the requirements of the US
Court's Design guide. The existing Courthouse/Federal Building complex
cannot be adapted to accommodate the required space needs of both the
Court and Agency tenants.
Congress has authorized GSA to acquire a site for construction of a
new US Courthouse in Eugene. The approximate gross overall square feet
planned for the project is 265-290 for all US District Court and
Bankruptcy Court activities in Eugene, Oregon.
Alternatives: The EA/EIS will examine the short- and long-term
impacts on the natural and physical environment. The impact assessment
will include but not be limited to impacts such as social environment,
changes in land use, aesthetics, changes in traffic and parking
patterns, economic impacts, and consideration of City planning and
zoning requirements.
The EA/EIS will examine measures to mitigate significant adverse
impacts resulting from the proposed action. Concurrent with NEPA
implementation, GSA will also implement its consultation
responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historical
Preservation Act to identify potential impacts to existing historic or
cultural resources.
The EA/EIS will consider a no-action alternative and action
alternatives. The no-action alternative would continue the occupancy in
the existing Courthouse and continue to lease Court space in Eugene.
The action alternatives will consist of different sites and
configurations for construction of a new building in the delineated
area in downtown Eugene. The delineated area includes a portion of the
centralized business area. The delineated area includes property that
is adjacent to the boundaries of the delineated area. The delineated
area is as follows:
Bounded on the north by 5th Avenue, on the east by High Street, on
the south by Broadway, and by Olive Street on the west.
ADDRESSES: In addition to the public scoping process, please send your
written comments on the scope of alternatives and potential impacts to
the following address: Michael D. Levine, Regional Environmental
Program Manager, 10PCB, General Services Administration, 400 15th
Street SW, Auburn, WA, 98001, or fax: Michael D. Levine at 253-931-
7308, or e-mail at [email protected] Written comments should be
received no later than January 7, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nona Diediker at Herrera Environmental Consultants, 2200 Sixth Ave,
Suite 601, Seattle, Washington, 98121 or call 206-441-9080; or Michael
D. Levine, GSA (253) 931-7263.
Mailing List: If you wished to be placed on the project mailing
list to receive further information as the EA process develops, contact
Nona Diediker at the address noted above.
Dated: November 13, 1998.
L. Jay Pearson,
Regional Administrator (10A).
[FR Doc. 98-31265 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]
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