Modernization of Coast Guard Base Seattle; Preparation of Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, 24637-24641 [2021-09523]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 87 (Friday, May 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24637-24641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09523]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0183]


Modernization of Coast Guard Base Seattle; Preparation of 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement; notice of virtual scoping; and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The United States Coast Guard, as the lead agency, announces 
its intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 
(PEIS). The PEIS will evaluate the potential environmental consequences 
of the Coast Guard's Proposed Action to expand and modernize Coast 
Guard Base Seattle in Seattle, Washington. Notice is hereby given that 
the public scoping process has begun for the preparation of a PEIS for 
the Proposed Action. The purpose of the scoping process is to solicit 
public comments regarding the range of issues, information, and 
analyses relevant to the Proposed Action, including potential 
environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives to address in the 
PEIS. This PEIS is being prepared in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the regulations implemented 
by the Council on Environmental Quality. The Coast Guard has determined 
that a PEIS is the most appropriate type of NEPA document for this 
action because the Proposed Action is anticipated to occur over several 
years, and many of the site-specific project details are not known. 
This notice also notifies the public that the Coast Guard intends to 
host a web-based, web-based project site to provide additional 
information to the public and to solicit comments on potential issues, 
concerns, and reasonable alternatives that should be considered in the 
PEIS.

[[Page 24638]]

Following the scoping period, a Draft PEIS will be prepared and 
ultimately circulated for public comment.

DATES: Public Scoping comments and related material must be post-marked 
or received by the Coast Guard on or before June 21, 2021. A 
representative will respond to substantive and relevant questions 
submitted via https://virtual.woodplc.com/VirtualSpace/102907, or 
emailed to [email protected], during normal business hours 
(Pacific Standard Time) between May 7, 2021-June 14, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0183 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Scoping Process'' portion of the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further instructions on 
submitting comments. A virtual scoping tool will be available at 
https://virtual.woodplc.com/VirtualSpace/102907. If electronic comments 
cannot be submitted, written comments can be sent to: U.S. Coast Guard, 
Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center, Environmental Management 
Division, Attn: Mr. Dean Amundson, 1301 Clay Street, Suite 700N, 
Oakland, CA 94612-5203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document 
call or email Dean Amundson, Coast Guard; telephone 510-637-5541, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Notice of Intent briefly summarizes the 
proposed project, including the purpose and need and possible 
alternatives. As required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA) and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) implementing 
regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508, specifically Sec.  1502.3), a Federal 
agency must prepare an EIS if it is proposing a major Federal action to 
analyze the environmental consequences of implementing each of the 
alternatives, if carried forward for full review following public 
scoping, by assessing the effects of each alternative on the human 
environment.

Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action

    Base Seattle supports, and will continue to support, the Coast 
Guard's execution of its statutory missions, pursuant to 14 U.S.C. 102. 
The Coast Guard's Base Seattle is located on Puget Sound in Seattle, 
Washington. The Base serves as the homeport for several Coast Guard 
cutters and provides a full range of support functions for vessels and 
Coast Guard missions in the Pacific Northwest and Polar areas of 
operation.
    The purpose of the Proposed Action is to provide adequate 
facilities and infrastructure at Base Seattle to support current and 
future execution of the Coast Guard's statutory missions. Base Seattle 
is the largest Coast Guard facility in the Pacific Northwest and is an 
essential facility to support Coast Guard missions in the Pacific 
Northwest and Polar regions now and for the foreseeable future. To 
continue to support Coast Guard mission execution throughout these 
regions, expansion and extensive modernization of Base Seattle is 
required.
    The need for the Proposed Action is to address substantial existing 
deficiencies in facilities and infrastructure at Base Seattle that 
hinder the efficient execution of Coast Guard missions, as well as 
provide facility enhancements necessary to support current and future 
major cutters homeported at Base Seattle. Three new Polar Security 
Cutters are planned to be homeported at Base Seattle. In addition, one 
existing icebreaker--CGC HEALY--is expected to remain at Base Seattle, 
and up to four other major cutters may be homeported at Base Seattle in 
the future, replacing two existing high endurance cutters. Advances in 
major cutter technology require infrastructure enhancements and 
renovations to accommodate the increased size and shore-side support 
requirements associated with these advanced operating assets. The Coast 
Guard has identified deficiencies that include, but are not limited to, 
a lack of adequate land area, incompatible land uses, shortage of 
berthing capacity, out of date and inadequate facilities and 
infrastructure, and traffic congestion and parking shortfalls, as well 
as the need for improved resiliency in the event of natural disasters, 
and improved physical security capabilities.
    Modernization and renovation efforts would ensure operational and 
mission support requirements are properly provided for and would 
enhance the resiliency and long-term sustainability of Base Seattle 
facilities and infrastructure. Planning with future mission flexibility 
in mind also minimizes the need for costly future infrastructure 
modifications and resulting environmental impacts.

Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives

    Coast Guard has identified a Proposed Action and preliminary 
Alternatives for potential consideration in the PEIS. A No-Action and 
three preliminary, reasonable Action Alternatives are presented for 
consideration for public review and comment. The Proposed Action would 
expand Base Seattle and modernize existing facilities and 
infrastructure over approximately the next 10 years.

Actions Common to All Alternatives

    All three Action Alternatives include several common actions, 
including the following:
     Demolishing existing, deficient buildings 1, 2, 2 Annex, 
10, and 12, and consolidating the functions of these buildings into a 
new 3-story, approximately 36,000 square foot Mission Support Building, 
and a new 5-story, approximately 75,000-square-foot Base Administration 
Building.
     Rehabilitating or rebuilding Building 7 and a small area 
of Terminal 46 to meet current needs, as well as building codes and 
seismic standards, and other potential seismic stabilization throughout 
the Base.
     Upgrading the main gate of the Base and the security 
fencing and functions, including expanding fencing to incorporate any 
newly acquired property.
     Modernizing communications, electrical, natural gas, 
sanitary sewer, potable water, and storm sewer utilities, and 
realigning these utilities to correspond with the development pattern 
under each of the alternatives.
     Realigning parking, roadways, walkways, and landscaping to 
correspond with the development pattern under each of the alternatives.
    The three Action Alternatives differ in the amount of land proposed 
for acquisition.

Alternative 1--Modernization With Land Acquisition at Terminal 46

    Under Alternative 1, the Coast Guard would acquire approximately 
54.1 acres from the Port of Seattle, consisting of a currently leased, 
approximately 1.1 acre parcel within the existing Base footprint and up 
to 53 acres of Terminal 46. This alternative would include acquisition 
of two existing berths at Terminal 46.

Alternative 2--Modernization With Land Acquisition at Terminals 30 and 
46

    Under Alternative 2, the Coast Guard would acquire approximately 
21.5 acres from the Port of Seattle, consisting of two currently leased 
properties within the existing Base footprint, totaling approximately 
2.2 acres, approximately 0.3 acre Burlington-North Santa Fe (BNSF) 
property, approximately 5.5 acres of Terminal 46, and approximately 
13.5 acres of Terminal 30. This alternative would allow for

[[Page 24639]]

development of one new berth on current Coast Guard property and one 
new berth on acquired property at Terminal 30.

Alternative 3--Modernization With Reduced Land Acquisition at Terminal 
46

    Under Alternative 3, the Coast Guard would acquire approximately 
24.25 acres from the Port of Seattle, including two currently leased 
properties within the existing Base footprint, totaling approximately 
2.2 acres, approximately 0.3 acre BNSF property, and approximately 
21.75 acres of Terminal 46. This alternative would allow for 
development of one new berth on current Coast Guard property and 
include acquisition of one existing berth at Terminal 46.

No-Action Alternative

    The Coast Guard will also analyze a No-Action Alternative. For the 
purposes of this PEIS, the No-Action Alternative is defined as not 
implementing Base expansion and facility and infrastructure 
modernization requirements. This would result in a loss of operational 
capabilities.

Scope of Analysis for the PEIS

    The Coast Guard is proposing to undertake a removal action at Base 
Seattle pursuant to Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
and Liability Act actions (CERCLA) (42 United States Code 9601) in 
conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to address 
known contamination. The Coast Guard will not make a decision on any 
CERCLA actions since they fall outside of the scope of a NEPA analysis, 
consistent with 40 CFR 1501.1(a)(6). The impacts of any current and 
potential future CERCLA projects will be considered within the baseline 
of the affected environment under the PEIS.

Summary of Expected Impacts

    Acoustic and physical stressors associated with the Proposed Action 
may potentially impact the physical and biological environment in and 
around Base Seattle. The primary potential physical stressor is from 
the construction and operation of facilities and infrastructure. 
Stressors associated with the Proposed Action may potentially impact 
air quality, ambient sound, biological resources (including critical 
habitat), coastal resources, cultural resources (including Tribal 
fishing rights), traffic and circulation, and socioeconomic resources.
    The PEIS will evaluate the likelihood that a resource would be 
exposed to or encounter a stressor and identify the potential impact 
associated with that exposure or encounter. The likelihood of an 
exposure or encounter is based on the stressor, location, and timing 
relative to the spatial and temporal distribution of each biological 
resource or critical habitat. Most work associated with the proposed 
action would occur on shore and could potentially affect terrestrial 
resources; there is the potential for some in-water activities that 
could affect aquatic resources.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    The Proposed Action is programmatic in nature and specific projects 
are anticipated to occur over the next decade. Many of the site-
specific project details are not known. As such, permits and 
authorizations will be identified in the PEIS. Certain approvals may be 
completed as part of the PEIS, but many of the specific permits and 
authorizations would not necessarily be issued for site-specific 
projects until they are programmed, funded, and design details are 
developed. Implementation of all alternatives will ultimately require 
compliance with the following laws and regulations through issuance of 
permits and/or authorizations:
    The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA; 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.) was 
enacted to protect the coastal environment from demands associated with 
residential, recreational, and commercial uses. The Coast Guard would 
determine the impact of the Proposed Action and provide a Coastal 
Consistency Determination or Negative Determination to the Washington 
Department of Ecology for the proposed modernization activities at Base 
Seattle.
    The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
provides for the conservation of endangered and threatened species and 
the ecosystems on which they depend. The Coast Guard anticipates 
engaging with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA, which have 
jurisdiction over ESA-listed species and critical habitat (50 CFR 
402.14(a)). Project specific consultation under Section 7 may not 
necessarily occur until a later date when site specific project details 
are known.
    The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
regulates ``take'' of marine mammals in U.S. waters. The term ``take'' 
as defined in Section 3 (16 U.S.C. 1362) of the MMPA, means ``to 
harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or 
kill any marine mammal.'' ``Harassment'' was further defined in the 
1994 amendments to the MMPA as any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild (i.e., Level A Harassment); or (ii) has 
the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the 
wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering (i.e., Level B Harassment). The Coast Guard anticipates 
engaging with the National Marine Fisheries Service although actual 
authorization for potential Level B Harassment from construction 
activities may not necessarily occur until a later date when site 
specific project details are known.
    The Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251, et seq.), Section 404 
regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the 
United States and the Rivers and Harbors Act (33 U.S.C. 403), Section 
10 regulates the obstruction or alteration of navigable waters of the 
United States. The Coast Guard anticipates that a very limited amount 
of work conducted as part of the Proposed Action may require a permit 
from the Corps of Engineers under either the Clean Water Act or Rivers 
and Harbors Act. Actual authorization for permits will be obtained, if 
necessary, once site specific project details are known.
    The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA; 16 U.S.C. 470, et 
seq.), Section 106, requires that each federal agency identify and 
assess the effects its actions may have on historic resources, 
including potential effects on historic structures, archaeological 
resources, and tribal resources. The Coast Guard would determine if any 
historic resources are present in the project area, evaluate the 
potential for the proposed action to adversely affect these resources, 
and consult with the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer and 
any interested or affected Tribes to resolve any adverse effects by 
developing and evaluating alternatives or measures that could avoid, 
minimize, or mitigate impacts.
    The Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.) regulates emissions 
from both stationary (industrial) sources and mobile sources. The Coast 
Guard would evaluate the potential for increased emissions during 
construction and operation of modernized facilities to determine if the 
emissions would be in conformity with the State Implementation Plan for 
attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
    In addition, Coast Guard will complete Consultation with all 
affected Federally Recognized Tribes on a

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government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 
13175.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    Following the scoping period announced in this Notice of Intent, 
and after consideration of all comments received during scoping, Coast 
Guard will prepare a Draft PEIS for the expansion and modernization of 
Base Seattle. Once the Draft PEIS is completed, it will be made 
available for a 45-day public review and comment period. Coast Guard 
will announce the availability of the Draft PEIS in the Federal 
Register and local media outlets. Coast Guard expects the Draft PEIS 
will be available for public review and comment in 2021. In meeting CEQ 
regulations requiring EISs to be completed within 2 years the Coast 
Guard anticipates the Final PEIS would be available in 2022. 
Availability of the Final PEIS would be published in the Federal 
Register. If approved, land acquisition would be expected to occur soon 
after completion of this PEIS, with the first rehabilitation projects, 
construction projects, or both, expected to begin as early as 2022. 
Because construction details and designs are not available at this 
time, new information may become available after the completion of the 
PEIS. Should new information become available after the completion of 
the Draft or Final PEIS, supplemental NEPA documentation may be 
prepared in support of new information or changes in the Proposed 
Action considered under the PEIS.

Public Scoping Process

    The Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the PEIS. The Coast Guard is seeking comments on the 
potential environmental impacts that may result from the Proposed 
Action or preliminary Alternatives. The Coast Guard is also seeking 
input on relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind 
concerning impacts potentially affecting the quality of the human 
environment as a result of the Proposed Action. NEPA requires federal 
agencies to consider environmental impacts that may result from a 
Proposed Action, to inform the public of potential impacts and 
alternatives, and to facilitate public involvement in the assessment 
process. The PEIS would include, among other topics, discussions of the 
purpose and need for the Proposed Action, a description of 
alternatives, a description of the affected environment, and an 
evaluation of the environmental impact of the Proposed Action and 
alternatives.
    The Coast Guard intends to follow the CEQ regulations implementing 
NEPA (40 CFR 1500 et. seq.) by scoping through public comments. 
Scoping, which is integral to the process for implementing NEPA, 
provides a process to ensure that (1) issues are identified early and 
properly studied; (2) issues of little significance do not consume 
substantial time and effort; (3) the Draft PEIS is thorough and 
balanced; and (4) delays caused by an inadequate PEIS are avoided.
    Public scoping is a process for determining the scope of issues to 
be addressed in this PEIS and for identifying the issues related to the 
Proposed Action that may have a significant effect on the environment. 
The scoping process begins with publication of this notice. The Coast 
Guard seeks to do the following during the scoping process:
     Invite the participation of Federal, State, and local 
agencies, any affected Indian tribe, and other interested persons;
     Consult with affected Federally Recognized Tribes on a 
government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 
and other policies. Native American concerns, including potential 
impacts on Treaty rights, Indian trust assets, and cultural resources, 
will be given appropriate consideration;
     Determine the scope and the issues to be analyzed in depth 
in the PEIS;
     Indicate any related environmental assessments or 
environmental impact statements that are not part of the PEIS;
     Identify other relevant environmental review and 
consultation requirements, such as Coastal Zone Management Act 
consistency evaluations, and threatened and endangered species and 
habitat impacts; and
     Indicate the relationship between timing of the 
environmental review and other aspects of the application process.
    With this Notice of Intent, Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
agencies with jurisdiction or special expertise with respect to 
environmental issues in the project area are asked to formally 
cooperate with the Coast Guard in the preparation of the PEIS.
    Once the scoping process is complete, Coast Guard will prepare a 
Draft PEIS and will publish a Federal Register notice announcing its 
public availability. The public will be provided with an opportunity to 
review and comment on the Draft PEIS. After Coast Guard considers those 
comments, the Final PEIS will be prepared and its availability 
similarly announced to solicit public review and comment. Comments 
received during the Draft PEIS review period will be available in the 
public docket and made available in the Final PEIS.
    Pursuant to the CEQ regulations, Coast Guard invites public 
participation in the NEPA process. This notice requests public 
participation in the scoping process, establishes a public comment 
period, and provides information on how to participate.
    The 45-day public scoping period begins May 7, 2021 and ends June 
21, 2021. Comments and related material submitted to the online docket 
via https://www.regulations.gov/ must be received by the Coast Guard on 
or before June 21, 2021, and mailed submission, must be postmarked on 
or before that same date.
    We encourage you to submit specific, timely, substantive, and 
relevant comments through the Federal portal at https://www.regulations.gov, on the site provided when searching the above 
docket number or searching for ``Base Seattle PEIS.'' If comments 
cannot be submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, contact the Base 
Seattle Environmental Planning Program Manager at 510-637-5541 for 
additional help.
    In submissions, please include the docket number for this Notice of 
Intent and provide reasoning for comments. To be considered timely, 
comments must be received on or before June 21, 2021 to be considered 
in the Draft PEIS. Comments mailed to the contact above must be 
postmarked by June 21, 2021. We will consider all substantive and 
relevant comments received during the comment period.
    We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal information you have 
provided. For more about privacy and submissions in response to this 
document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, 
March 11, 2020).
    We review all comments received, but we will only post comments 
that address the topic of the notice. We may choose not to post off-
topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that we receive. Documents 
mentioned in this Notice of Intent as being available in the docket, 
and posted public comments, will be in the online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's 
instructions.

Virtual Public Involvement

    Consistent with CEQ's recently issued scoping regulation, 40 CFR 
1501.9, the Coast Guard will host a web-based

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project site to provide additional information to the public on the 
Proposed Action and alternatives. Website visitors will be able to 
access relevant information via presentations, site maps, and project 
summaries, as well as submit questions and view responses to Frequently 
Asked Questions. Substantive and relevant questions will be answered 
during normal business hours (Pacific Standard Time) from May 7, 2021 
through June 14, 2021. The web-based project site will be available at 
https://virtual.woodplc.com/VirtualSpace/102907. Formal Submission of 
Public comments must be submitted to the docket, or by mail, as 
previously described under the Public Scoping section.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this Proposed Action.

    Dated: April 30, 2021.
Carola J. List,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Engineering 
and Logistics.
[FR Doc. 2021-09523 Filed 5-6-21; 8:45 am]
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