[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 57957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23987]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XL85
Notice of Availability of a Draft Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement for Replacement of NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science
Center in La Jolla, CA
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement (SEIS); Request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NOAA announces the public release of the Draft SEIS in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, and NOAA Administrative
Order 216-6 Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the
National Environmental Policy Act. Since completion of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) in
April of 2009, substantial changes to the proposed action are being
considered by NOAA within portions of the project area containing the
2.5-acre property currently occupied by Southwest Fisheries Science
Center (SWFSC) and managed by NOAA under long-term lease from the
University of California Office of the President (UCOP). These newly
proposed actions were not previously analyzed in the Final EIS/EIR and
involve additional demolition activities, substantial excavation and
grading, installation of a geohazard soil stabilization system,
structural upgrade to remaining structures, and other site alterations.
These proposed actions were deemed necessary by NOAA based on
additional geotechnical information and design recommendations received
since approval of the Final EIS/EIR. The SEIS evaluates each
environmental topic addressed in the Final EIS/EIR, and focuses on the
newly proposed action and its potential effects to the human
environment. The No-Action Alternative was analyzed and assumes the
newly proposed actions would not be implemented.
DATES: Written comments and input will be accepted on or before October
31, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Robb Gries, Project
Engineer, NOAA, Project Planning & Management--Western Region, 7600
Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115; e-mail
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mr. Robb Gries, NOAA Project
Engineer, at the address provided above. A copy of the Draft SEIS can
be viewed or downloaded at http://www.seco.noaa.gov/HTML_Blue/OCAO_NEPA.html.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action evaluated in the April
2009 Final EIS/EIR consisted of the demolition of Buildings B and C and
the construction of a new SWFSC building on a property across La Jolla
Shores Drive from the existing NOAA facilities. Currently, construction
of the SWFSC building at the preferred site is underway. Demolition of
Buildings B and C at the existing NOAA property would not occur until
construction of the new SWFSC building has been completed.
A Notice of Intent to prepare SEIS was published in the Federal
Register on June 30, 2011. Consistent with 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)(i), this
SEIS focuses on the environmental effects of the proposed changes and
feasible alternatives including the no-action alternative, and analyzes
the potential effects to affected resources such as: geological
conditions, hydraulic processes, construction noise, traffic/pedestrian
circulation, air emissions, and protected wildlife. Separately, the
University of California--San Diego (UCSD) and UCOP intend to determine
what additional CEQA documentation is necessary, such as an Addendum to
the Final EIS/EIR, based on the findings of the SEIS and other factors.
NOAA has submitted the Draft SEIS to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for review and comment, in conformance with NEPA
implementing regulations. Copies of this document have been made
available to persons who participated in the Final EIS/EIR scoping
process, to other individuals expressing interest, and to local
libraries in order to be accessible to the general public. NOAA is
accepting comments on the Draft SEIS during a 45-day official comment
period beginning September 19, 2011, and ending on October 31, 2011.
Dated: August 26, 2011.
William F. Broglie,
Chief Administrative Officer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-23987 Filed 9-16-11; 8:45 am]
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