Designation and Determination Pursuant to the Foreign Missions Act; Development and Management of Approximately 32 Acres in the District of Columbia, on a Portion of the Former Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 44415 [2015-18333]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 143 (Monday, July 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 44415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18333]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 9204; No. FMA-2015-01]


Designation and Determination Pursuant to the Foreign Missions 
Act; Development and Management of Approximately 32 Acres in the 
District of Columbia, on a Portion of the Former Walter Reed Army 
Medical Center

    In order to facilitate the Department of State's acquisition abroad 
of real property on which to construct safe, secure, and modern 
facilities for American diplomatic and consular operations, and in 
light of the difficulties that a growing number of foreign missions in 
the United States have encountered with respect to identifying 
properties and locations in the District of Columbia suitable for the 
construction and operation of modern chancery facilities, the 
Department of State intends to establish a second location in the 
Nation's Capital that is dedicated to foreign mission operations.
    Thus, pursuant to the Department of State's authority under 22 
U.S.C. 4308(e)(1), which authorizes the head of any Federal agency to 
transfer property to the Department of State to further the purposes of 
the Foreign Missions Act (22 U.S.C. 4301-4316) (``FMA''), the 
Department of State has concluded an agreement with the Department of 
the Army concerning the transfer to the Department of State of 
approximately 32 acres of excess Federal property at the location of 
the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center (hereinafter referred to as 
the ``Foreign Missions Center'' or ``FMC''). The official metes and 
bounds of this property are in the process of being formally 
established.
    In accordance with the authority vested in me under the FMA and 
under Delegation of Authority No. 147, dated September 13, 1982, and 
after due consideration of the need to exercise reciprocity to obtain 
certain benefits for the United States, I hereby designate the 
acquisition and use of property (including construction or renovation 
of facilities on the property) by foreign missions at the FMC, as well 
as access to and use of roads, sidewalks and other common areas, and 
other public services at the FMC, to be a benefit as defined in 22 
U.S.C. 4302(a)(1). I hereby determine, under 22 U.S.C. 4304, that the 
Department of State's regulation of the acquisition and use of property 
in the FMC, as well as access to and use of roads, sidewalks and other 
common areas, and other public services at the FMC is reasonably 
necessary in order to: (1) Facilitate relations between the United 
States and a sending State; (2) protect the interests of the United 
States; and (3) adjust for costs and procedures of obtaining benefits 
for missions of the United States abroad. This action will enable the 
Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) of the Department of State to 
facilitate the secure and efficient operation of foreign missions in 
the United States.
    Accordingly, the process through which foreign missions will be 
authorized to acquire, use, and dispose of property and to construct or 
renovate facilities will be subject to all terms and conditions 
established in this regard by the Director of the Office of Foreign 
Missions (OFM). At a minimum, such terms and conditions on which OFM 
will approve a request from a foreign mission for the acquisition of a 
lot at the FMC shall include due consideration of the related real 
property accommodations extended to missions of the United States in 
the country or territory represented by that foreign mission.
    Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 4306(b)(2)(B), because the FMC is in an area 
other than one referenced in Sec.  4306(b)(1), the location, 
replacement, or expansion of chanceries at the FMC is permitted, 
subject only to disapproval by the District of Columbia Board of Zoning 
Adjustment in accordance with the procedures and criteria set forth in 
22 U.S.C. 4306.
    To implement this determination, the Department of State intends to 
use the working capital fund, consistent with 22 U.S.C. 4308(h) and any 
terms, conditions, and procedures so established by the Chief Financial 
Officer, or designee, for all transactions associated with the 
Department of State's development and management of the FMC.
    In particular, the funding needed to develop and manage the FMC 
shall be primarily obtained from the revenues generated as a result of 
the following actions:
    1. The Department of State's execution of long-term land leases 
with foreign missions;
    2. the Department of State's sale of existing buildings to foreign 
missions;
    3. the transfer of funds in connection with an in-kind exchange of 
properties, as authorized under 22 U.S.C. 4304(f); and
    4. the provision of services or benefits to or on behalf of foreign 
missions or other Federal agencies that are in furtherance of the 
Department of State's responsibilities and functions under the FMA.
    Additionally, to the maximum extent and for the longest practical 
duration possible, the funding needed to cover the Department's 
obligations to manage and maintain the FMC's common areas, or those 
areas that are not assigned for the exclusive use of a foreign mission, 
shall also be generated as a result of the actions outlined above. In 
this regard, any proposed overall revenue generation and anticipated 
expenditure plan will cover all costs associated with the development 
of the FMC and as well projected costs associated with the maintenance 
of the non-public roads, sidewalks, and other common areas not assigned 
for the exclusive use of a foreign mission for a duration of at least a 
period of 25 years.
    For purposes of this document, the terms ``chancery'' and ``foreign 
mission'' are defined respectively at 22 U.S.C. 4302(a)(2) and (3).

    Dated: July 14, 2015.
Patrick F. Kennedy,
Under Secretary for Management.
[FR Doc. 2015-18333 Filed 7-24-15; 8:45 am]
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