[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 30537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14439]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
National Capital Region; Environmental Assessment of Proposed
Land Exchange, George Washington Memorial Parkway, City of Alexandria
and Arlington County, VA
ACTION: Notice of the availability of an environmental assessment (EA)
for proposed exchange of land interests between the National Park
Service, and Commonwealth Atlantic Properties, Inc., Commonwealth
Atlantic Land Company, and Commonwealth Atlantic Land V Inc.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Council of Environmental Quality regulations
and National Park Service policy, the National Park Service has
completed an EA which evaluated the potential impacts of the proposed
exchange of land interests associated with two distinct properties
located in the City of Alexandria and in Arlington County, Virginia.
The EA examines the environmental and visual impacts of the land
exchange on the resources and scenic quality of the George Washington
Memorial Parkway. The National Park Service is soliciting comments on
this EA. These comments will be considered in evaluating it and in
making decisions pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
DATES: There will be a 30-day public review period for comment on this
document. Comments on the EA should be received no later than June 30,
1999.
ADDRESSES: Comment on the EA should be submitted to Mr. John G.
Parsons, Associate Regional Director, Lands, Resources, and Planning,
National Park Service, National Capital Region, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW,
Washington, DC 20242. A limited number of copies of the EA are
available on request. A public reading copy of the EA will be available
at the National Capital Region Headquarters Building, 1100 Ohio Drive,
SW, First Floor Lobby, Washington, DC 20242, and at the National Park
Service Planning web page at nps.gov/gwmp/landexchange.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John G. Parsons, Associate
Regional Director, Lands, Resources, and Planning, National Park
Service, National Capital Region, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, Washington, DC
20242, Telephone: (202) 619-7025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By virtue of an Indenture land agreement
dated February 12, 1938, the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad Company (RF&P), predecessor in title to Commonwealth, conveyed
to the United States certain land use restrictions over 29.1 acres of
land in Arlington County, Virginia, currently owned by Commonwealth and
hereinafter referenced as ``the Indenture Land.''
Commonwealth also owns 38.55 acres of land in the City of
Alexandria, Virginia, hereinafter referenced as ``Potomac Greens.'' By
virtue of a Deed of Easement dated August 13, 1984, and in accordance
with the terms of a previous exchange agreement between the United
States and RF&P, the United States conveyed to RF&P a perpetual
easement on and across a portion of lands of the George Washington
Memorial Parkway for access, including ingress and egress from the
northbound and southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial
Parkway to and from Potomac Greens in return for RF&P's obligation to
construct at no cost to the United States a center-piered bridge and
all associated ramps and connections necessary for ingress and egress
to and from Potomac Greens to the George Washington Memorial Parkway
and other valuable consideration.
Commonwealth is desirous of the United States relinquishing its
restrictions on the Indenture Land in order to allow Commonwealth to
implement a proposed plan for the mixed use development of the property
in exchange for certain restrictions to be conveyed by Commonwealth to
the United States relative to building heights and setbacks.
Commonwealth has also proposed implementing a plan for the residential
development of Potomac Greens, including minimal support retail.
The National Park Service is desirous of acquiring Commonwealth's
access rights to the George Washington Memorial Parkway and in return
is willing to partially relinquish the United States' interests in
restricting the use of the Indenture Land.
The National Park Service published a notice in the Federal
Register on December 9, 1998 (63 FR 67916), inviting public comment on
proposed land exchange. A public meeting was held on December 10, 1998,
and as a result received six comments on the proposed exchange.
Dated: June 1, 1999.
Terry R. Carlstrom,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 99-14439 Filed 6-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M
