Record of Decision for the Development of the Westside of Marine Corps Base Quantico, Including the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Action, 37418-37421 [E8-14854]
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37418
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 1, 2008 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[OMB Control No. 9000–0141]
Federal Acquisition Regulation;
Submission for OMB Review; Buy
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General Services Administration (GSA),
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ACTION: Notice of request for comments
regarding an extension to an existing
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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Secretariat will be submitting to the
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(OMB) a request to review and approve
an extension of a currently approved
information requirement concerning
Buy American Act—Construction
(Grimberg Decision). A request for
public comments was published in the
Federal Register at 73 FR 14780, March
19, 2008. No comments were received.
Public comments are particularly
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and whether it will have practical
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public burden of this collection of
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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A. Purpose
The clauses at FAR 52.225–9, Buy
American Act—Construction Materials,
and FAR 52.225–11, Buy American
Act—Construction Materials under
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contractors requesting to use foreign
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9000–0141, Buy American Act—
Construction (Grimberg Decision) in all
correspondence.
Dated: May 20, 2008.
Al Matera,
Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.
[FR Doc. E8–14870 Filed 6–30–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820–EP–S
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Record of Decision for the
Development of the Westside of Marine
Corps Base Quantico, Including the
2005 Base Realignment and Closure
Action
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice of Record of Decision.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. Section
4332(2)(c), the regulations of the
Council on Environmental Quality’s
(CEQ) for Implementing the Procedural
Provisions of (40 CFR parts 1500–1508),
the Department of the Navy NEPA
regulation (32 CFR part 775), and the
Marine Corps Environmental
Compliance and Protection Manual,
which is Marine Corps Order P5090.2A
(MCO P5090.2A), the Department of the
Navy announces its decision to develop
the area west of Interstate 95 (Westside)
at Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCB
Quantico), Virginia. This action will
include implementation of the 2005
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Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
action at MCB Quantico. The
development of Westside and
implementation of BRAC 2005 at MCB
Quantico will be accomplished as set
out in the Preferred Alternative and
described in the Final Environmental
Impact Statement (Final EIS) of April
2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Jeff Gardner, NREA Branch (B046), 3250
Catlin Avenue, Marine Corps Base,
Quantico, VA 22134–0855, telephone:
703–432–6770, and e-mail:
jeff.gardner@usmc.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2005,
the Secretary of Defense and the Defense
Base Closure and Realignment
Commission recommended that certain
realignment actions occur at MCB
Quantico. The President and Congress
approved these recommendations,
which became law on November 9,
2005. These recommendations must
now be implemented as provided for in
the Defense Base Closure and
Realignment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101–
510), as amended, no later than
September 15, 2011. The actions
directed at MCB Quantico are the
collocation of Military Department
Investigation Agencies Headquarters
with the Counterintelligence Field
Activity, and the Defense Security
Service at MCB Quantico. These
realignment actions will add
approximately 3,000 personnel to work
at MCB Quantico by 2011.
Projected personnel growth in Marine
Corps units currently on Mainside,
requirements to consolidate personnel
located elsewhere, replacement of
inadequate facilities on Mainside, and
an expectation that other federal and
Marine Corps initiatives will continue
to identify MCB Quantico as a site for
relocation, combined with limited
redevelopment potential on Mainside,
comprise the additional need to develop
Westside.
Proposed Action. The Marine Corps
proposes development of the Westside
of MCB Quantico including the 2005
BRAC action at MCB Quantico. The
development would entail construction
of new facilities in two undeveloped
areas west of I–95. These areas, the
Russell Road Area and the MCB–1 Area,
would accommodate the collocation of
Military Department Investigation
Agencies with the Department of
Defense Counterintelligence and
Security Agency at MCB Quantico as
directed by the 2005 BRAC law. They
would also provide space for adequate
facilities to support Marine Corps units
currently at MCB Quantico, as well as
potentially other federal and Marine
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Corps initiatives that may identify MCB
Quantico as a site for relocation. The
components of the Proposed Action
include construction and operation of
new facilities with the necessary
infrastructure, road improvements, and
security measures to support new
facilities.
Alternatives Considered: The Final
EIS assesses two action Alternatives, A
and B, that respectively provide
development to support only the BRAC
Action involving 3,000 personnel, or
development to support both the BRAC
Action and an additional 2,000
personnel that would relocate to the
Westside. Both Alternatives A and B
include the two development location
options for the BRAC component that
were identified in the 2006 Quantico
Land Use Plan, I–95 West: (BRAC
Option 1 (Russell Road) and BRAC
Option 2 (MCB–1)). The following four
options to implement the Proposed
Action are evaluated by the Final EIS.
Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell
Road) is the Marine Corps Preferred
Alternative.
Alternative A, BRAC Action.
Alternative A would add only the
development required to accommodate
those personnel (approximately 3,000)
associated with the BRAC 2005 action.
About 70 acres would be required for
the facilities. About 735,000 square feet
of space and provision of parking and
necessary supporting infrastructure
would be constructed. Road widening
and intersection improvements would
be required throughout the Russell
Road/MCB–1 corridor, from the
intersection of Russell Road with U.S.
Route 1 to the Southern Russell Road
Site and/or to the MCB–1 Area.
Alternative A BRAC Option 1 (Russell
Road) would site the entire BRAC
development in the Southern Russell
Road Site, south of Telegraph Road and
just east of the intersection of Russell
Road with Telegraph Road. Alternative
A BRAC Option 2 (MCB–1) would site
the entire BRAC development in the
Northern MCB–1 Site along Hotpatch
Road.
Alternative B, 5,000 Personnel
Including BRAC. Alternative B would
add 5,000 personnel to work in the
Westside, including 3,000 BRAC and
2,000 non-BRAC personnel. The nonBRAC personnel include approximately
1,000 personnel currently working
elsewhere at MCB Quantico. Total space
needed for BRAC and non-BRAC
components is estimated to be
approximately 148 acres and 1,300,000
square feet of interior space. Road
widening and intersection
improvements would be required
throughout the Russell Road/MCB–1
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corridor, from the intersection of Russell
Road with U.S. Route 1 to the Southern
Russell Road Site and/or to the MCB–1
Area.
Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell
Road) (The Preferred Alternative) would
site the entire BRAC development in the
Southern Russell Road Site; the
remainder of the development for the
additional 2,000 personnel would be
sited in the MCB–1 Area, including
approximately 300 personnel
potentially at the Weapons Training
Battalion Site. Alternative B BRAC
Option 2 (MCB–1) would site the entire
BRAC development in the MCB–1 Site
along Hotpatch Road. The remaining
development for 2,000 personnel could
be completely sited in other parcels of
the MCB–1 Area, or completely sited in
the Southern Russell Road Site, or split
between the two areas in some
combination. Development for 300
personnel would be considered for the
Weapons Training Battalion Site.
No Action Alternative. The No Action
Alternative would maintain the status
quo. The No Action Alternative would
not permit the implementation of the
BRAC-directed action and would not be
consistent with current law.
Environmentally Preferred
Alternative. The No Action Alternative
maintains the status quo and therefore
does not impact the existing
environment. It is the environmentally
preferred alternative. However, it does
not meet the purpose and need of the
action, and does not comply with BRAC
law. Therefore, a further environmental
comparison of the two action
alternatives, which meet purpose and
need, is provided.
Alternative A would disturb a smaller
quantity of environmental resources and
consequently would be environmentally
preferred to Alternative B. In terms of
satisfying the BRAC requirement, either
BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road) or BRAC
Option 2 (MCB–1) is equally
environmentally preferred depending
upon the environmental resource of
concern. Option 1 under either
alternative potentially disturbs a greater
quantity of wetlands, which can be
mitigated, however. Option 2 entails
more roadway construction under
Alternative A and results in more traffic
congestion on Base under both
Alternatives A and B by placing a higher
density of personnel in one general area
than Option 1. Option 2 also places
more personnel within the radii of
potentially disturbing sound contours
from training exercises. Other impacts
are similar for Options 1 and 2.
Environmental Impacts:
Environmental impacts associated with
the Preferred Alternative, Alternative B
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37419
BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road), are
discussed below.
Water Resources. The widening of
Russell Road will cross Chopawamsic
Creek, but would avoid all other
wetlands or Waters of the U.S. The
Marine Corps would obtain any
required permits under the Virginia/
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Joint
Permit Application process.
Implementation of stormwater and
erosion and sedimentation best
management measures would reduce
impacts to water quality.
Biological Resources. The Preferred
Alternative would directly impact an
estimated 148 acres of primarily
forested habitat. The Preferred
Alternative would occupy
approximately two percent of the total
6,895 forested acres in which the
Russell Road and MCB–1 Areas are
located and would be near roads that
already act as a barrier to wildlife.
Therefore impacts to forest habitat
would be minimal. Impacts to migratory
birds would also be minimal. Proposed
site development would avoid areas
containing the federally-threatened
small whorled pogonia or its designated
protection zone. No other threatened or
endangered species are expected in the
proposed development areas. Consistent
with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
recommendations, widening of Russell
Road would occur on the opposite side
of most recently identified small
whorled pogonia colonies. Through
informal consultation, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife agreed the road widening is not
likely to adversely affect the small
whorled pogonia and/or its associated
habitat as long as the widening of
Russell Road occurred as recommended.
Build out of the construction site has
the potential, through the importation of
aggregate and other construction
materials, as well as landscaping and
natural re-vegetation processes to
introduce invasive or non-native
species. Mitigation measures will be
employed to prevent any such
introduction of invasive or non-native
species and all landscape plantings will
be in accordance with the approved
plant list described in the Base Exterior
Architecture Plan.
Air Quality: MCBQ is located in an air
quality control region that is in
moderate nonattainment for ozone and
in nonattainment for particulate matter
with diameter less than or equal to 2.5
micrometers (PM2.5). It is also in an
ozone transport region. Federal actions
located in nonattainment and
maintenance areas are required to
demonstrate compliance with the
general conformity guidelines. The
Final EIS has a completed General
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Conformity Rule applicability analysis
for the ozone precursor pollutants
nitrogen oxides and volatile organic
compounds, for PM2.5, and for the PM2.5
precursor pollutant sulfur dioxide to
analyze impacts to air quality. It
determined that annual project
emissions are well below de minimis
values and are not regionally significant;
therefore, a further conformity
determination is not required and
impacts from these pollutants are not
significant. A Record of NonApplicability was included in the Final
EIS.
Noise: The proposed development
areas could be impacted by noise from
nearby training ranges that will increase
in the future with the introduction of
new aircraft and increased ordnance.
Reports from noise studies indicate that
in the future much of the MCB–1 Area
and approximately 10 acres in the
western portion of the Southern Russell
Road Site are projected to be within a
zone of moderate noise impact. Noise
attenuation measures would be
employed to meet noise standards, most
of which are already designed into the
construction to meet security
requirements. Temporary noise
associated with construction and any
increase in noise levels from traffic
would not be expected to cause impacts
off Base.
Transportation. Traffic studies
conducted in conjunction with the EIS
show that most secondary intersections
within the project area currently operate
at acceptable levels; major access points
that serve the Base typically perform at
unacceptable levels during peak
commuter periods.
Anticipated growth within the region
and the corresponding increase in
vehicular traffic are predicted to further
degrade the operation of most
intersections within the area. This
degradation is expected to occur with or
without implementation of the proposed
development of the area west of I–95,
unless improvements to those
intersections are made. The EIS analysis
projects levels of service considered
unacceptable at intersections that
provide access from U.S. Route 1 and I–
95, as well as within the Westside at
proposed development sites, unless
roadway improvement measures are
implemented, including those proposed
as mitigation in this document. In
general, impacts within the Westside are
less if the development is spread
between the Southern Russell Road Site
and MCB–1 Area, as occurs for the
Preferred Alternative.
Socioeconomics. Implementation of
the Preferred Alternative could increase
local residents employed at MCB
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Quantico by approximately 2,800 over
time, and also would add associated
additional family members to the
region. The additional population
would be expected to add students to
the region’s schools and could
contribute to any need for additional
services in the region. The projected
additional residents represent a small
percent of projected regional growth and
impacts to the region are not expected
to be significant. Implementation of the
Preferred Alternative is not expected to
have disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority, low-income or
younger segments of the local
population.
Land Use: Proposed alternatives are
consistent with MCBQ land use plans;
however, some land currently used for
training and recreational hunting would
become unavailable and routes to
training areas currently passing through
the development sites could require
realignments. Traffic on MCB–1 Road
passes through the explosive safety arcs
for the adjacent ammunition supply
point and would necessitate an
adjustment of ammunition storage. A
project is planned to accomplish this by
2011.
Mitigation: The Marine Corps has
identified potential mitigation measures
for any impacts to wetlands, surface
water, invasive species, and federallythreatened species, control of fugitive
emissions to air, potential noise
exposure, and for traffic generated by
the alternatives that could cause
unacceptable levels of service at nearby
intersections or exceed safety limits
associated with the Ammunition Supply
Point. Implementation of mitigation will
be monitored by the Marine Corps
construction management teams
involved with each project.
Wetland Impacts Mitigation. The
Virginia/USACE Joint Permit
Application process would be followed
and best management practices for
erosion and sediment control will be
implemented during and following
construction. Use of wetlands bank
credits may be used by MCB Quantico
to mitigate the potential wetland losses.
Surface Water Measures. Stormwater
management plans and best
management practices would be
employed to control runoff. In addition,
a stormwater construction permit issued
by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation is required
for all land disturbing projects greater
than or equal to one acre of disturbance.
Invasive Species Measures. In
accordance with Executive Order 13112
(Invasive Species), and as discussed in
detail in the FEIS, during development
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of the sites, recommended measures to
reduce the spread of invasive species
would be implemented as practicable.
Threatened Species Measures. In
accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service recommendation, road widening
would only occur on the west side of
Russell Road.
Fugitive Dust Control Measures.
Fugitive dust from construction would
be kept to a minimum by using control
methods in accordance with the
Regulations for the Control and
Abatement of Air Pollution (9 VAC 5–
50–60 et seq).
Noise Impacts Measures. For facilities
sited in a zone of moderate noise
impacts, Noise Level Reduction (NLR)
measures will be included in the design
of administrative facilities to reduce
noise and impulse vibrations.
Ammunition Safety and Overpressure
Zone Measures. The ammunition supply
point operations building will be moved
to avoid a hazard to passing vehicles.
Development designs will consider the
overpressure zone when a specific
location for buildings has been
determined and the distance can be
measured to identify design
requirements.
Potential Traffic Improvement
Measures. The following roadway
improvements will be funded and
implemented by the Marine Corps to
mitigate impacts caused by the Preferred
Alternative: (1) Russell Road will be
widened to 4 lanes from the Russell
Road/Telegraph Road intersection east
to approximately 300 feet past the
northbound entrance ramp to I–95 (I–95
overpass support structures will not be
altered); (2) a connector road will be
constructed between Telegraph Road
and Russell Road with traffic signals
installed at each end; (3) the existing
Chopawamsic Creek bridge will be
rehabilitated; (4) an additional 2-lane
bridge will be constructed over
Chopawamsic Creek adjacent to the
existing bridge; (5) the I–95 southbound
exit ramp will have an additional lane
added (westbound) and a traffic signal
installed; (6) the I–95 northbound exit
ramp will have an additional lane added
(westbound) and a traffic signal
installed; (7) a traffic signal will be
installed on Russell Road adjacent to the
northbound entrance ramp to I–95 from
Russell Road; (8) Ponderosa Gate will be
improved; and (9) the U.S. Route 1
ramps to and from Russell Road are
under study in conjunction with gate
improvements to Mainside to improve
level of service.
Additional roadway improvements to
the west of Ponderosa Gate will be
identified when development there and
resultant traffic volumes warrant. The
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EIS identified off-Base improvements at
the U.S. Route 1/VA 637 and VA 610/
Onville road intersections that would be
under the purview of the
Commonwealth of Virginia; the Marine
Corps will cooperate with the
Commonwealth as appropriate if these
improvements are implemented. The
Defense Access Roads (DAR) Program is
the only authority the Marine Corps has
to address these recommended
improvements and the Marine Corps
will submit requests for consideration
under this program if they meet DAR
criteria. In the next update of the Base
Transportation Management Plan the
Marine Corps will identify strategies to
reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips
during peak hours. This plan will also
encourage carpooling and staggered
work hours where these do not impair
accomplishment of the defense mission.
The Base will cooperate with regional
mass transit initiatives. State and/or
local governments have jurisdiction
over off-Base roads and intersections
and would determine whether
improvements identified off-Base in the
EIS should be implemented.
Response To Comments Received
Regarding the Final EIS: Comments on
the Final EIS were received from the
Commonwealth of Virginia. They noted
the Virginia Department of
Transportation (VDOT) concerns with
the statement in the Final EIS that state
and/or local governments are the action
proponents for off-Base road
improvements and the inference that
these had been approved and funded by
State or local governments. VDOT also
requested commitments to carpooling,
staggered work hours, regional mass
transit initiatives, and a transportation
demand management plan focused on
reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips
during peak hours. The Marine Corps
has addressed these comments in the
preceding section.
Conclusions: After careful
consideration of the purpose and need
for the proposed action, the analysis
contained in the EIS and the comments
received on the EIS from federal, state,
and local agencies, non-governmental
organizations, and individual members
of the public, I have decided to proceed
with the Preferred Alternative,
Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell
Road) for development of Westside and
implementation of BRAC 2005 at MCB
Quantico, Virginia.
Consistent with this decision and the
Proposed Action and analyses described
in the Final EIS, at the sites identified
in the Preferred Alternative, the Marine
Corps will implement the Preferred
Alternative and address all mitigation
measures.
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Dated: June 24, 2008.
BJ Penn,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations
and Environment).
[FR Doc. E8–14854 Filed 6–30–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES
SAFETY BOARD
No FEAR Act
Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY: The Defense Nuclear
Facilities Safety Board (Board) is
providing notice to its employees,
former employees, and applicants for
federal employment about the rights and
remedies available to them under the
Federal antidiscrimination,
whistleblower protection, and
retaliation laws. This notice fulfills the
Board’s initial notification obligation
under the Notification and Federal
Employees Antidiscrimination and
Retaliation Act (No FEAR Act), as
implemented by Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) regulations at 5
CFR part 724.
DATES:
This notice is effective July 1,
2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard A. Azzaro, General Counsel,
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board,
625 Indiana Avenue, NW., Suite 700,
Washington, DC 20004. Telephone:
(202) 694–7062. FAX: (202) 208–6518.
On May
15, 2002, Congress enacted the
‘‘Notification and Federal Employee
Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act
of 2002,’’ which is now known as the
No FEAR Act. See Pub. L. 107–174,
codified at 5 U.S.C. 2301 note. As stated
in the full title of the Act, the Act is
intended to ‘‘require that federal
agencies be accountable for violations of
antidiscrimination and whistleblower
protection laws.’’ In support of this
purpose, Congress found that:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Agencies cannot be run effectively if those
agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.
Pub. L. 107–174, section 101(1).
The Act also requires the Board to
provide this notice to federal
employees, former federal employees
and applicants for federal employment
to inform them of the rights and
protections available under Federal
antidiscrimination and whistleblower
protection laws.
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37421
Antidiscrimination Laws
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against an employee or applicant with
respect to the terms, conditions or
privileges of employment on the basis of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
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these bases is prohibited by one or more
of the following statutes: 5 U.S.C.
2302(b)(1), 29 U.S.C. 206(d), 29 U.S.C.
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If you believe that you have been the
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days of the effective date of the action,
before you can file a formal complaint
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e.g., 29 CFR 1614. If you believe that
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37418-37421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14854]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Record of Decision for the Development of the Westside of Marine
Corps Base Quantico, Including the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure
Action
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Record of Decision.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. Section 4332(2)(c), the
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) for
Implementing the Procedural Provisions of (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the
Department of the Navy NEPA regulation (32 CFR part 775), and the
Marine Corps Environmental Compliance and Protection Manual, which is
Marine Corps Order P5090.2A (MCO P5090.2A), the Department of the Navy
announces its decision to develop the area west of Interstate 95
(Westside) at Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCB Quantico), Virginia. This
action will include implementation of the 2005 Base Realignment and
Closure (BRAC) action at MCB Quantico. The development of Westside and
implementation of BRAC 2005 at MCB Quantico will be accomplished as set
out in the Preferred Alternative and described in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) of April 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeff Gardner, NREA Branch (B046),
3250 Catlin Avenue, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA 22134-0855,
telephone: 703-432-6770, and e-mail: jeff.gardner@usmc.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2005, the Secretary of Defense and the
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended that
certain realignment actions occur at MCB Quantico. The President and
Congress approved these recommendations, which became law on November
9, 2005. These recommendations must now be implemented as provided for
in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-
510), as amended, no later than September 15, 2011. The actions
directed at MCB Quantico are the collocation of Military Department
Investigation Agencies Headquarters with the Counterintelligence Field
Activity, and the Defense Security Service at MCB Quantico. These
realignment actions will add approximately 3,000 personnel to work at
MCB Quantico by 2011.
Projected personnel growth in Marine Corps units currently on
Mainside, requirements to consolidate personnel located elsewhere,
replacement of inadequate facilities on Mainside, and an expectation
that other federal and Marine Corps initiatives will continue to
identify MCB Quantico as a site for relocation, combined with limited
redevelopment potential on Mainside, comprise the additional need to
develop Westside.
Proposed Action. The Marine Corps proposes development of the
Westside of MCB Quantico including the 2005 BRAC action at MCB
Quantico. The development would entail construction of new facilities
in two undeveloped areas west of I-95. These areas, the Russell Road
Area and the MCB-1 Area, would accommodate the collocation of Military
Department Investigation Agencies with the Department of Defense
Counterintelligence and Security Agency at MCB Quantico as directed by
the 2005 BRAC law. They would also provide space for adequate
facilities to support Marine Corps units currently at MCB Quantico, as
well as potentially other federal and Marine
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Corps initiatives that may identify MCB Quantico as a site for
relocation. The components of the Proposed Action include construction
and operation of new facilities with the necessary infrastructure, road
improvements, and security measures to support new facilities.
Alternatives Considered: The Final EIS assesses two action
Alternatives, A and B, that respectively provide development to support
only the BRAC Action involving 3,000 personnel, or development to
support both the BRAC Action and an additional 2,000 personnel that
would relocate to the Westside. Both Alternatives A and B include the
two development location options for the BRAC component that were
identified in the 2006 Quantico Land Use Plan, I-95 West: (BRAC Option
1 (Russell Road) and BRAC Option 2 (MCB-1)). The following four options
to implement the Proposed Action are evaluated by the Final EIS.
Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road) is the Marine Corps
Preferred Alternative.
Alternative A, BRAC Action. Alternative A would add only the
development required to accommodate those personnel (approximately
3,000) associated with the BRAC 2005 action. About 70 acres would be
required for the facilities. About 735,000 square feet of space and
provision of parking and necessary supporting infrastructure would be
constructed. Road widening and intersection improvements would be
required throughout the Russell Road/MCB-1 corridor, from the
intersection of Russell Road with U.S. Route 1 to the Southern Russell
Road Site and/or to the MCB-1 Area. Alternative A BRAC Option 1
(Russell Road) would site the entire BRAC development in the Southern
Russell Road Site, south of Telegraph Road and just east of the
intersection of Russell Road with Telegraph Road. Alternative A BRAC
Option 2 (MCB-1) would site the entire BRAC development in the Northern
MCB-1 Site along Hotpatch Road.
Alternative B, 5,000 Personnel Including BRAC. Alternative B would
add 5,000 personnel to work in the Westside, including 3,000 BRAC and
2,000 non-BRAC personnel. The non-BRAC personnel include approximately
1,000 personnel currently working elsewhere at MCB Quantico. Total
space needed for BRAC and non-BRAC components is estimated to be
approximately 148 acres and 1,300,000 square feet of interior space.
Road widening and intersection improvements would be required
throughout the Russell Road/MCB-1 corridor, from the intersection of
Russell Road with U.S. Route 1 to the Southern Russell Road Site and/or
to the MCB-1 Area.
Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road) (The Preferred
Alternative) would site the entire BRAC development in the Southern
Russell Road Site; the remainder of the development for the additional
2,000 personnel would be sited in the MCB-1 Area, including
approximately 300 personnel potentially at the Weapons Training
Battalion Site. Alternative B BRAC Option 2 (MCB-1) would site the
entire BRAC development in the MCB-1 Site along Hotpatch Road. The
remaining development for 2,000 personnel could be completely sited in
other parcels of the MCB-1 Area, or completely sited in the Southern
Russell Road Site, or split between the two areas in some combination.
Development for 300 personnel would be considered for the Weapons
Training Battalion Site.
No Action Alternative. The No Action Alternative would maintain the
status quo. The No Action Alternative would not permit the
implementation of the BRAC-directed action and would not be consistent
with current law.
Environmentally Preferred Alternative. The No Action Alternative
maintains the status quo and therefore does not impact the existing
environment. It is the environmentally preferred alternative. However,
it does not meet the purpose and need of the action, and does not
comply with BRAC law. Therefore, a further environmental comparison of
the two action alternatives, which meet purpose and need, is provided.
Alternative A would disturb a smaller quantity of environmental
resources and consequently would be environmentally preferred to
Alternative B. In terms of satisfying the BRAC requirement, either BRAC
Option 1 (Russell Road) or BRAC Option 2 (MCB-1) is equally
environmentally preferred depending upon the environmental resource of
concern. Option 1 under either alternative potentially disturbs a
greater quantity of wetlands, which can be mitigated, however. Option 2
entails more roadway construction under Alternative A and results in
more traffic congestion on Base under both Alternatives A and B by
placing a higher density of personnel in one general area than Option
1. Option 2 also places more personnel within the radii of potentially
disturbing sound contours from training exercises. Other impacts are
similar for Options 1 and 2.
Environmental Impacts: Environmental impacts associated with the
Preferred Alternative, Alternative B BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road), are
discussed below.
Water Resources. The widening of Russell Road will cross
Chopawamsic Creek, but would avoid all other wetlands or Waters of the
U.S. The Marine Corps would obtain any required permits under the
Virginia/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Joint Permit Application process.
Implementation of stormwater and erosion and sedimentation best
management measures would reduce impacts to water quality.
Biological Resources. The Preferred Alternative would directly
impact an estimated 148 acres of primarily forested habitat. The
Preferred Alternative would occupy approximately two percent of the
total 6,895 forested acres in which the Russell Road and MCB-1 Areas
are located and would be near roads that already act as a barrier to
wildlife. Therefore impacts to forest habitat would be minimal. Impacts
to migratory birds would also be minimal. Proposed site development
would avoid areas containing the federally-threatened small whorled
pogonia or its designated protection zone. No other threatened or
endangered species are expected in the proposed development areas.
Consistent with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommendations,
widening of Russell Road would occur on the opposite side of most
recently identified small whorled pogonia colonies. Through informal
consultation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agreed the road widening is
not likely to adversely affect the small whorled pogonia and/or its
associated habitat as long as the widening of Russell Road occurred as
recommended.
Build out of the construction site has the potential, through the
importation of aggregate and other construction materials, as well as
landscaping and natural re-vegetation processes to introduce invasive
or non-native species. Mitigation measures will be employed to prevent
any such introduction of invasive or non-native species and all
landscape plantings will be in accordance with the approved plant list
described in the Base Exterior Architecture Plan.
Air Quality: MCBQ is located in an air quality control region that
is in moderate nonattainment for ozone and in nonattainment for
particulate matter with diameter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers
(PM2.5). It is also in an ozone transport region. Federal
actions located in nonattainment and maintenance areas are required to
demonstrate compliance with the general conformity guidelines. The
Final EIS has a completed General
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Conformity Rule applicability analysis for the ozone precursor
pollutants nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, for
PM2.5, and for the PM2.5 precursor pollutant
sulfur dioxide to analyze impacts to air quality. It determined that
annual project emissions are well below de minimis values and are not
regionally significant; therefore, a further conformity determination
is not required and impacts from these pollutants are not significant.
A Record of Non-Applicability was included in the Final EIS.
Noise: The proposed development areas could be impacted by noise
from nearby training ranges that will increase in the future with the
introduction of new aircraft and increased ordnance. Reports from noise
studies indicate that in the future much of the MCB-1 Area and
approximately 10 acres in the western portion of the Southern Russell
Road Site are projected to be within a zone of moderate noise impact.
Noise attenuation measures would be employed to meet noise standards,
most of which are already designed into the construction to meet
security requirements. Temporary noise associated with construction and
any increase in noise levels from traffic would not be expected to
cause impacts off Base.
Transportation. Traffic studies conducted in conjunction with the
EIS show that most secondary intersections within the project area
currently operate at acceptable levels; major access points that serve
the Base typically perform at unacceptable levels during peak commuter
periods.
Anticipated growth within the region and the corresponding increase
in vehicular traffic are predicted to further degrade the operation of
most intersections within the area. This degradation is expected to
occur with or without implementation of the proposed development of the
area west of I-95, unless improvements to those intersections are made.
The EIS analysis projects levels of service considered unacceptable at
intersections that provide access from U.S. Route 1 and I-95, as well
as within the Westside at proposed development sites, unless roadway
improvement measures are implemented, including those proposed as
mitigation in this document. In general, impacts within the Westside
are less if the development is spread between the Southern Russell Road
Site and MCB-1 Area, as occurs for the Preferred Alternative.
Socioeconomics. Implementation of the Preferred Alternative could
increase local residents employed at MCB Quantico by approximately
2,800 over time, and also would add associated additional family
members to the region. The additional population would be expected to
add students to the region's schools and could contribute to any need
for additional services in the region. The projected additional
residents represent a small percent of projected regional growth and
impacts to the region are not expected to be significant.
Implementation of the Preferred Alternative is not expected to have
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority, low-income or younger segments of the local
population.
Land Use: Proposed alternatives are consistent with MCBQ land use
plans; however, some land currently used for training and recreational
hunting would become unavailable and routes to training areas currently
passing through the development sites could require realignments.
Traffic on MCB-1 Road passes through the explosive safety arcs for the
adjacent ammunition supply point and would necessitate an adjustment of
ammunition storage. A project is planned to accomplish this by 2011.
Mitigation: The Marine Corps has identified potential mitigation
measures for any impacts to wetlands, surface water, invasive species,
and federally-threatened species, control of fugitive emissions to air,
potential noise exposure, and for traffic generated by the alternatives
that could cause unacceptable levels of service at nearby intersections
or exceed safety limits associated with the Ammunition Supply Point.
Implementation of mitigation will be monitored by the Marine Corps
construction management teams involved with each project.
Wetland Impacts Mitigation. The Virginia/USACE Joint Permit
Application process would be followed and best management practices for
erosion and sediment control will be implemented during and following
construction. Use of wetlands bank credits may be used by MCB Quantico
to mitigate the potential wetland losses.
Surface Water Measures. Stormwater management plans and best
management practices would be employed to control runoff. In addition,
a stormwater construction permit issued by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation is required for all land disturbing
projects greater than or equal to one acre of disturbance.
Invasive Species Measures. In accordance with Executive Order 13112
(Invasive Species), and as discussed in detail in the FEIS, during
development of the sites, recommended measures to reduce the spread of
invasive species would be implemented as practicable.
Threatened Species Measures. In accordance with U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service recommendation, road widening would only occur on the
west side of Russell Road.
Fugitive Dust Control Measures. Fugitive dust from construction
would be kept to a minimum by using control methods in accordance with
the Regulations for the Control and Abatement of Air Pollution (9 VAC
5-50-60 et seq).
Noise Impacts Measures. For facilities sited in a zone of moderate
noise impacts, Noise Level Reduction (NLR) measures will be included in
the design of administrative facilities to reduce noise and impulse
vibrations.
Ammunition Safety and Overpressure Zone Measures. The ammunition
supply point operations building will be moved to avoid a hazard to
passing vehicles. Development designs will consider the overpressure
zone when a specific location for buildings has been determined and the
distance can be measured to identify design requirements.
Potential Traffic Improvement Measures. The following roadway
improvements will be funded and implemented by the Marine Corps to
mitigate impacts caused by the Preferred Alternative: (1) Russell Road
will be widened to 4 lanes from the Russell Road/Telegraph Road
intersection east to approximately 300 feet past the northbound
entrance ramp to I-95 (I-95 overpass support structures will not be
altered); (2) a connector road will be constructed between Telegraph
Road and Russell Road with traffic signals installed at each end; (3)
the existing Chopawamsic Creek bridge will be rehabilitated; (4) an
additional 2-lane bridge will be constructed over Chopawamsic Creek
adjacent to the existing bridge; (5) the I-95 southbound exit ramp will
have an additional lane added (westbound) and a traffic signal
installed; (6) the I-95 northbound exit ramp will have an additional
lane added (westbound) and a traffic signal installed; (7) a traffic
signal will be installed on Russell Road adjacent to the northbound
entrance ramp to I-95 from Russell Road; (8) Ponderosa Gate will be
improved; and (9) the U.S. Route 1 ramps to and from Russell Road are
under study in conjunction with gate improvements to Mainside to
improve level of service.
Additional roadway improvements to the west of Ponderosa Gate will
be identified when development there and resultant traffic volumes
warrant. The
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EIS identified off-Base improvements at the U.S. Route 1/VA 637 and VA
610/Onville road intersections that would be under the purview of the
Commonwealth of Virginia; the Marine Corps will cooperate with the
Commonwealth as appropriate if these improvements are implemented. The
Defense Access Roads (DAR) Program is the only authority the Marine
Corps has to address these recommended improvements and the Marine
Corps will submit requests for consideration under this program if they
meet DAR criteria. In the next update of the Base Transportation
Management Plan the Marine Corps will identify strategies to reduce
single-occupancy vehicle trips during peak hours. This plan will also
encourage carpooling and staggered work hours where these do not impair
accomplishment of the defense mission. The Base will cooperate with
regional mass transit initiatives. State and/or local governments have
jurisdiction over off-Base roads and intersections and would determine
whether improvements identified off-Base in the EIS should be
implemented.
Response To Comments Received Regarding the Final EIS: Comments on
the Final EIS were received from the Commonwealth of Virginia. They
noted the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) concerns with
the statement in the Final EIS that state and/or local governments are
the action proponents for off-Base road improvements and the inference
that these had been approved and funded by State or local governments.
VDOT also requested commitments to carpooling, staggered work hours,
regional mass transit initiatives, and a transportation demand
management plan focused on reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips
during peak hours. The Marine Corps has addressed these comments in the
preceding section.
Conclusions: After careful consideration of the purpose and need
for the proposed action, the analysis contained in the EIS and the
comments received on the EIS from federal, state, and local agencies,
non-governmental organizations, and individual members of the public, I
have decided to proceed with the Preferred Alternative, Alternative B
BRAC Option 1 (Russell Road) for development of Westside and
implementation of BRAC 2005 at MCB Quantico, Virginia.
Consistent with this decision and the Proposed Action and analyses
described in the Final EIS, at the sites identified in the Preferred
Alternative, the Marine Corps will implement the Preferred Alternative
and address all mitigation measures.
Dated: June 24, 2008.
BJ Penn,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment).
[FR Doc. E8-14854 Filed 6-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
