Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Reconfiguration of VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS), 79119-79120 [2016-27207]

Download as PDF asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2016 / Notices opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning revised regulations concerning section 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity contracts. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before January 9, 2017 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Tuawana Pinkston, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the regulations should be directed to Kerry Dennis at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the internet at Kerry.Dennis@irs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Revised Regulations Concerning Section 403(b) Tax-Sheltered Annuity Contracts. OMB Number: 1545–2068. Regulation Project Number: TD 9340. Abstract: The collection of information in the regulations is in final regulations under section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and under related provisions of sections 402(b), 402(g), 402A, and 414(c). The regulations provide updated guidance on section 403(b) contracts of public schools and tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3). Such information exchange is necessary to ensure compliance with tax law requirements relating to loans and hardship distributions from section 403(b) plans and sponsors of section 403(b) contracts, administrators, participants, and beneficiaries. Current Actions: There are no changes being made to this regulation. Type of Review: Extension of a previously approved collection. Affected Public: Individuals or households, state, local or tribal governments, and not-for-profit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,000. Estimated Number of Responses: 90,000. Estimated Time per Respondent: 4.1 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 45,000. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:46 Nov 09, 2016 Jkt 241001 Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103. Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. Approved: October 27, 2016. Tuawana Pinkston, IRS Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2016–27102 Filed 11–9–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830–01–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Reconfiguration of VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ACTION: Notice of Availability. VA announces the availability of the Final EIS for the Reconfiguration of the VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS). Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500–1508), VA’s NEPA regulations titled ‘‘Environmental Effects of the Department of Veterans Affairs Actions’’ (38 CFR part 26), and VA’s ‘‘NEPA Interim Guidance for Projects’’ (VA 2010), VA has considered comments received on the Draft EIS, which was SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00153 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 79119 issued in October 2015 and identifies VA’s preferred alternative in the Final EIS. The Final EIS uses the substitution approach for integrating compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) into the EIS process. DATES: VA will publish a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days after publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: The 2016 Final EIS is available for viewing on the Web site www.blackhills.va.gov/ vablackhillsfuture/. Copies of the Final EIS are also available in the following locations: Hot Springs; Rapid City Downtown; Sturgis; Chadron; Alliance; Lied Scottsbluff; and Pierre (Rawlins Municipal) public libraries, as well as in Pine Ridge at the Oglala Lakota College Pine Ridge Center library on the high school campus. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Staff Assistant to the Director, VA Black Hills Health Care System, 113 Comanche Road, Fort Meade, SD 57741, or by email to vablackhillsfuture@va.gov. Information related to the EIS process is also available for viewing on the VA BHHCS Web site www.blackhills.va.gov/ vablackhillsfuture/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA BHHCS provides health care to approximately 19,000 Veterans over 100,000 square miles in western South Dakota (SD), northwestern Nebraska (NE), and eastern Wyoming (WY). VA BHHCS consists of two medical centers at Fort Meade and Hot Springs, 11 community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), and six Compensated Work Therapy locations. VA BHHCS has identified a need to reconfigure the health care services to ensure it continues to provide high quality, safe, and accessible health care services across its service area. The existing locations and facilities constrain the quality of care, range of services, and access to care that VA offers in the catchment area. The Hot Springs campus includes buildings constructed in 1907 as part of the Battle Mountain Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The Battle Mountain Sanitarium was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2011. Pursuant to NEPA, VA has identified and analyzed potential environmental impacts for a range of alternatives to the Proposed Action. These include seven alternatives, including the No Action Alternative, as well as a supplement to five of the alternatives for re-use of part or all of the existing Hot Springs campus. The alternatives propose E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1 asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 79120 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2016 / Notices different locations and combinations of facilities serving as a community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC), a multispecialty outpatient clinic (MSOC), and a residential rehabilitation treatment program (RRTP) facility; expanding, renovating, or vacating existing facilities; and taking no action. The new preferred Alternative, referred to as A– 2 in the Final EIS, is a hybrid of Alternatives A and C evaluated in the Draft EIS. It was identified by consulting parties during the public comment period on the Draft EIS and includes renovating Building 12 on the existing Hot Springs campus to operate as a CBOC a new MSOC (replacing the existing leased CBOC), and a 100-bed RRTP in Rapid City. VA is substituting the implementation and review procedures of Section 102 of NEPA for consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA. This process meets the integration intent of the NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1500.2(c) and 1502.25(a)) and the substitution intent of the NHPA regulations (36 CFR 800.8(c)). This process follows the joint CEQ–ACHP guidance for integrating NEPA and Section 106 compliance (CEQ–ACHP 2013). The EIS includes identification and evaluation of impacts to historic properties. Formal consultation and identification and resolution of effects to historic properties are documented throughout the Final EIS. In the Final EIS, VA has analyzed the environmental impacts of the Proposed Action/Preferred Alternative, a reasonable range of alternatives, and a No Action Alternative. The Final EIS considers comments on the Draft EIS, including those submitted during the public comment period that officially began on November 6, 2015, and ended on June 20, 2016, following three comment period extensions. The extensions were provided in response to requests from the public and other stakeholders, including consulting parties participating in the NEPA/NHPA substitution and consultation process. As indicated above, VA’s purpose and need is to improve the availability of high quality, safe and accessible health care services for Veterans residing in the VA BHHCS service area. While developing the Final EIS, VA considered the alternatives analyzed in VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:46 Nov 09, 2016 Jkt 241001 the Draft EIS, the comparisons of impacts for each resource area, and input received on the Draft EIS, including the identification of a new hybrid alternative A–2. Based on the information presented in the Final EIS, VA has identified Alternative A–2— operation of a CBOC in a renovated Building 12 on the existing Hot Springs campus and a new MSOC and RRTP in Rapid City—as its preferred alternative in the Final EIS. Signing Authority The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina S. Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on November 4, 2016, for publication. Dated: November 4, 2016. Jeffrey Martin, Office Program Manager, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs. [FR Doc. 2016–27207 Filed 11–9–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Notice of Meeting The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on December 6–8, 2016, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Conference Room 230, Washington, DC. On December 6th and 7th, the sessions will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. On December 8th, the session will reconvene at 8:00 a.m. and adjourn at 1:00 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. The purposes of the Committee are to: Advise the Secretary on the administration of VA benefits and services to minority Veterans; assess the needs of minority Veterans; and evaluate whether VA compensation, PO 00000 Frm 00154 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 medical and rehabilitation services, outreach, and other programs are meeting those needs. The Committee makes recommendations to the Secretary regarding such activities. On December 6, the Committee will receive briefings and updates from the Center for Minority Veterans, National Cemetery Administration, National Center for Veterans Analysis, Office of Tribal Government Relations, MyVA Initiatives, and Veterans Benefits Administration. On December 7, the Committee will receive briefings and updates on the Office of Health Equity, Center for Women Veterans, Veterans Health Administration, Board of Veterans Appeals, Community Veterans Engagement Boards, Office of Rural Health, and Women’s Health Services. On December 8, the Committee will receive a briefing and update on Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Ex-Officios Update and hold an exit briefing with VBA, VHA and NCA. The Committee will receive public comments from 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. After the Leadership Exit Briefing, the Committee will continue to work on their report. A sign-in sheet for those who want to give comments will be available at the meeting. Individuals who speak are invited to submit a 1–2 page summaries of their comments at the time of the meeting for inclusion in the official meeting record. Members of the public may also submit written statements for the Committee’s review to Ms. Juanita Mullen, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Minority Veterans (00M), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, or email at Juanita.Mullen@ va.gov. Because the meeting will be in a Government building, anyone attending must be prepared to show a valid photo ID for checking in. Please allow 15 minutes before the meeting begins for this process. Any member of the public wishing to attend or seeking additional information should contact Ms. Mullen or Ms. Denise Wright at (202) 461–6191 or by fax at (202) 273– 7092. Dated: November 7, 2016. Jelessa M. Burney, Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2016–27198 Filed 11–9–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 218 (Thursday, November 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79119-79120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27207]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the Reconfiguration of VA Black Hills Health Care System 
(BHHCS)

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: VA announces the availability of the Final EIS for the 
Reconfiguration of the VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS). 
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental 
Quality's (CEQ's) regulations for implementing the procedural 
provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500-
1508), VA's NEPA regulations titled ``Environmental Effects of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Actions'' (38 CFR part 26), and VA's 
``NEPA Interim Guidance for Projects'' (VA 2010), VA has considered 
comments received on the Draft EIS, which was issued in October 2015 
and identifies VA's preferred alternative in the Final EIS. The Final 
EIS uses the substitution approach for integrating compliance with 
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) into the 
EIS process.

DATES: VA will publish a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days 
after publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Notice 
of Availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: The 2016 Final EIS is available for viewing on the Web site 
www.blackhills.va.gov/vablackhillsfuture/. Copies of the Final EIS are 
also available in the following locations: Hot Springs; Rapid City 
Downtown; Sturgis; Chadron; Alliance; Lied Scottsbluff; and Pierre 
(Rawlins Municipal) public libraries, as well as in Pine Ridge at the 
Oglala Lakota College Pine Ridge Center library on the high school 
campus.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Staff Assistant to the Director, VA 
Black Hills Health Care System, 113 Comanche Road, Fort Meade, SD 
57741, or by email to vablackhillsfuture@va.gov.
    Information related to the EIS process is also available for 
viewing on the VA BHHCS Web site www.blackhills.va.gov/vablackhillsfuture/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA BHHCS provides health care to 
approximately 19,000 Veterans over 100,000 square miles in western 
South Dakota (SD), northwestern Nebraska (NE), and eastern Wyoming 
(WY). VA BHHCS consists of two medical centers at Fort Meade and Hot 
Springs, 11 community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), and six 
Compensated Work Therapy locations. VA BHHCS has identified a need to 
reconfigure the health care services to ensure it continues to provide 
high quality, safe, and accessible health care services across its 
service area. The existing locations and facilities constrain the 
quality of care, range of services, and access to care that VA offers 
in the catchment area. The Hot Springs campus includes buildings 
constructed in 1907 as part of the Battle Mountain Branch of the 
National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The Battle Mountain 
Sanitarium was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2011.
    Pursuant to NEPA, VA has identified and analyzed potential 
environmental impacts for a range of alternatives to the Proposed 
Action. These include seven alternatives, including the No Action 
Alternative, as well as a supplement to five of the alternatives for 
re-use of part or all of the existing Hot Springs campus. The 
alternatives propose

[[Page 79120]]

different locations and combinations of facilities serving as a 
community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC), a multi-specialty outpatient 
clinic (MSOC), and a residential rehabilitation treatment program 
(RRTP) facility; expanding, renovating, or vacating existing 
facilities; and taking no action. The new preferred Alternative, 
referred to as A-2 in the Final EIS, is a hybrid of Alternatives A and 
C evaluated in the Draft EIS. It was identified by consulting parties 
during the public comment period on the Draft EIS and includes 
renovating Building 12 on the existing Hot Springs campus to operate as 
a CBOC a new MSOC (replacing the existing leased CBOC), and a 100-bed 
RRTP in Rapid City.
    VA is substituting the implementation and review procedures of 
Section 102 of NEPA for consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA. 
This process meets the integration intent of the NEPA regulations (40 
CFR 1500.2(c) and 1502.25(a)) and the substitution intent of the NHPA 
regulations (36 CFR 800.8(c)). This process follows the joint CEQ-ACHP 
guidance for integrating NEPA and Section 106 compliance (CEQ-ACHP 
2013). The EIS includes identification and evaluation of impacts to 
historic properties. Formal consultation and identification and 
resolution of effects to historic properties are documented throughout 
the Final EIS.
    In the Final EIS, VA has analyzed the environmental impacts of the 
Proposed Action/Preferred Alternative, a reasonable range of 
alternatives, and a No Action Alternative.
    The Final EIS considers comments on the Draft EIS, including those 
submitted during the public comment period that officially began on 
November 6, 2015, and ended on June 20, 2016, following three comment 
period extensions. The extensions were provided in response to requests 
from the public and other stakeholders, including consulting parties 
participating in the NEPA/NHPA substitution and consultation process.
    As indicated above, VA's purpose and need is to improve the 
availability of high quality, safe and accessible health care services 
for Veterans residing in the VA BHHCS service area.
    While developing the Final EIS, VA considered the alternatives 
analyzed in the Draft EIS, the comparisons of impacts for each resource 
area, and input received on the Draft EIS, including the identification 
of a new hybrid alternative A-2. Based on the information presented in 
the Final EIS, VA has identified Alternative A-2--operation of a CBOC 
in a renovated Building 12 on the existing Hot Springs campus and a new 
MSOC and RRTP in Rapid City--as its preferred alternative in the Final 
EIS.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina S. 
Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
approved this document on November 4, 2016, for publication.

    Dated: November 4, 2016.
Jeffrey Martin,
Office Program Manager, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, 
Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-27207 Filed 11-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

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