[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4292-4293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2237]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Public Buildings Service; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) hereby gives notice
it intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 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), as implemented by GSA's Order PBS P 1095.4B to
construct a new Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle, King County,
Washington.
The EIS will evaluate the proposed project, any other reasonable
alternatives, and the no-action alternative identified through the
scoping process. Scoping will be accomplished through direct mail
correspondence to interested persons, parties, and organizations and
through a Public Scoping Meeting. GSA will publish a Public Notice of
this meeting and all subsequent public meetings in Seattle newspapers
approximately one to two weeks prior to each event.
ADDRESSES: As part of the public scoping process, GSA solicits your
written comments on the scope of alternatives and potential impacts at
the following address: Ms Donna M. Meyer, Regional Environmental
Program Officer (10 PCB), General Services Administration, 400 15th
Street SW, Auburn, WA, 98001, or FAX: Ms Donna M. Meyer at 206-931-
7308. Written comments should be received no later than February 21,
1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nona Diediker at Herrera Environmental Consultants, 2200 Sixth Avenue,
Suite 601, Seattle, Washington 98121, (206) 441-9080, or Donna M.
Meyer, GSA, (206) 931-7675.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The GSA, assisted by Herrera Environmental
Consultants, is anticipating the preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement on a proposal to acquire a site and design and construct a
new Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle. 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 the reasonable
alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS, and in identifying any
significant social, economic, or environmental issues related to the
alternatives. During scoping, comments should focus on identifying
specific impacts to be evaluated and suggesting alternatives that
minimize adverse significant impacts while achieving similar
objectives. Comments may also identify issues which are not significant
or which have been covered by prior environmental review. Scoping
should be limited to commenting on alternatives and the merit of the
proposal rather than indicating preferences. There will be an
opportunity to comment on preferences upon completion of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement.
Mailing List: If you wish to be placed on the project mailing list
to receive future or further information as the EIS process develops,
contact Herrera at the address noted above.
Project Purpose, Historical Background, and Project: A new Federal
Courthouse is needed in downtown Seattle to consolidate existing
judicial functions and to accommodate the projected space needs of the
Federal Courts and court-related agencies. There have been previous
environmental reviews completed for this project. A
[[Page 4293]]
new review is necessary because of a change in the delineated area. The
existing U.S. Courthouse at 1010 5th Street is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places along with its lawn area.
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOC) has requested
GSA provide a building based on the Long Range Facility Plan for the
Western District of Washington. The new Courthouse would provide for 15
courtrooms for use by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S.
District Court, and U.S. Magistrate judges. The existing Courthouse
would continue to be utilized.
At occupancy, the new facility is expected to house approximately
700 federal employees. Development would involve construction of one
building comprising approximately 620,000 square feet of gross floor
area and parking for 200 vehicles.
Alternatives: The EIS will examine the short and long term impacts
on the natural and built environment of developing and operating a new
courthouse in downtown Seattle. Potential impact assessment will
include but not be limited to changes in the social environment,
changes in land use, aesthetics, changes in traffic and parking
patterns, economic impacts, and conformance to City planning and zoning
requirements.
The EIS will also examine measures to mitigate significant
unavoidable adverse impacts resulting from the proposed action.
Concurrent with NEPA implementation, GSA will also implement its
consultation responsibilities under Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act to identify potential impacts to existing
historic or cultural resources.
The EIS would consider a no action alternative and action
alternatives. The no-action alternative (no-build) alternative would
continue the use of the existing U.S. Courthouse supplemented by the
continued use of leased space throughout the downtown Seattle area. The
preferred action alternative is construction of a new courthouse
building. Currently, three separate site alternatives are being
proposed for study. GSA will consider the acquisition of one or two
block sites sufficient to meet future expansion needs of the court and
within an area delineated as follows:
Bounded on the north by Blanchard Street, on the east by Terry
Avenue, on the south by James Street, and by First Avenue on the west.
Due to the unique requirements for courtrooms, chambers, and
security considerations, GSA has found it is impractical to consider
the use of an existing building through either purchase or lease in
which to meet these needs.
Procedures: The Draft EIS will be prepared at the completion of and
based upon a scoping report. The Draft EIS will then be made available
for public and agency review and comment with a public hearing being
held during this comment period. A final EIS would be prepared
following conclusion of the comment period to address issues raised on
the Draft EIS.
Dated: January 23, 1997.
L. Jay Pearson,
Regional Administrator (10A).
[FR Doc. 97-2237 Filed 1-28-97; 8:45 am]
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