[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17899-17900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9529]
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NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Proposed Construction of a Mixed-Use Waterfront Destination
Resort in Prince George's County, Maryland; Public Meeting and Intent
To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission.
ACTION: Proposed construction of a mixed-use waterfront destination
resort in Prince George's County, Maryland; public meeting and intent
to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: 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), and in accordance with
the Environmental Policies and Procedures implemented by the National
Capital Planning Commission (Commission), the Commission announces its
intent to conduct one (1) public meeting to discuss the preparation of
an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed construction of a
mixed-use, waterfront entertainment and retail destination resort in
Prince George's County, Maryland known as National Harbor. The purpose
of the public meeting is to determine the significant environmental
issues related to the construction and operation of the National Harbor
development. The meeting will serve as part of the formal environmental
review/scoping process for the preparation of the environmental
document that is required for this project.
This Notice of Intent (NOI) initiates the formal environmental
scoping process for this project and the public is encouraged to submit
written comments on the alternatives and on the impacts at this time.
The Commission considers a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) to be the appropriate environmental document for this project and
expects that completion of an EIS will conform with federal
environmental laws. The comments and responses received on the scope of
the alternatives and potential impacts, as a result of this NOI, will
be considered for the environmental document.
The National Harbor resort development is proposed to be built on
two parcels totaling 533.9 acres in Prince George's County just south
of the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495) between the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
and the Beltway interchange at Indian Head Highway (Maryland Route
210). Approximately 241 acres of the site consists of land under Smoot
Bay in the Potomac River. The development would include hotels,
restaurants, retail and entertainment facilities, office space, and a
visitor's center, as well as associated vehicular transportation and
parking facilities, pedestrian walkways, and other infrastructure
improvements.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will identify and analyze
impacts and mitigation options of the alternative actions under
consideration. Alternatives to be considered include (1) construction
and operation of the proposed National Harbor development plan, and (2)
development of the site under the existing approved plans for the
project (known as PortAmerica), including extensive office space and
residential development. Topics for environmental analysis include
short-term construction-related impacts; long-term changes in traffic,
parking, socio-economic impacts, land use and physical/biological
conditions within the project area; cultural (historic and
archeological) and visual resource protection; and site operation and
maintenance.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review/scoping process
will include all written comments and one (1) public meeting for the
purpose of determining significant issues related to the alternatives
and to the potential impacts associated with the proposed construction
and operation of National Harbor. The public meeting will be held:
Monday, May 12, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. at Oxon Hill High School, 6701
Leyte Drive, Oxon Hill, Maryland
This public meeting will be advertised in local and regional
[[Page 17900]]
newspapers. Adequate signs will be posted to direct meeting
participants. A short formal presentation will precede the request for
public comments. National Capital Planning Commission representatives
will be available at this meeting to receive comments from the public
regarding issues of concern. It is important that federal, regional and
local agencies, and interested individuals and groups take this
opportunity to identify environmental concerns that should be addressed
during the preparation of the Draft EIS. In the interest of available
time, each speaker will be asked to limit oral comments to five (5)
minutes. A document summarizing the written and oral comments received
will be prepared.
An Informational Packet will be available for review at the offices
of the National Capital Planning Commission at 801 Pennsylvania Avenue,
N.W., and at the Prince George's County Branch Library at 6200 Oxon
Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Md.; or upon request. Agencies and the general
public are invited and are encouraged to provide written comments on
the scoping issues in addition to, or in lieu of, oral comments at the
public meeting. To be most helpful, environmental scoping comments
should clearly describe specific issues or topics which the community
believes the EIS should address.
DATES: All written statements regarding environmental review of the
proposed National Harbor must be postmarked no later than May 26, 1998
to the address below: National Capital Planning Commission, 801
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20576, Attention:
Mr. Maurice Foushee, Community Planner.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: National Capital Planning
Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 301, Washington, D.C.
20576, Phone: (202) 482-7200.
Sandra H. Shapiro,
General Counsel, National Capital Planning Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-9529 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7502-02-P
