Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the O'Brien Road Access Modernization, Fort Meade, Maryland, 37869-37870 [2023-12350]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 111 / Friday, June 9, 2023 / Notices Affected Public: Business or other forprofit; not-for-profit institutions; individuals. Total Estimated Number of Annual Number of Respondents: 100. Estimated Time per Respondent: 1 hour and 40 minutes. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 166 hours and 40 minutes. Abstract: The Application for Political Risk Insurance will be the principal document used by DFC to determine the investors’ and the project’s eligibility for political risk insurance coverage. Dated: June 5, 2023. Deborah Papadopoulos, Records Management Specialist, Office of Administration. [FR Doc. 2023–12346 Filed 6–8–23; 8:45 am] Mr. Jeffrey Williams at 301–688–2970, or email jdwill2@nsa.gov. Office of the Secretary Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the O’Brien Road Access Modernization, Fort Meade, Maryland Department of Defense (DoD). Notice of availability; notice of public meeting; request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: The DoD announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the environmental planning process for the O’Brien Road Access Modernization (ORAM) at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland (hereafter referred to as Fort Meade). The DoD proposes to implement the ORAM project, which would entail renovation and upgrade of inspection facilities, upgrade of access facilities, and corresponding roadway improvements for Mapes, O’Brien, Perimeter, and Venona Roads on Fort Meade. The purpose of the proposed project is to construct facilities and infrastructure to allow for increased capacity for required security processing of traffic and deliveries entering Fort Meade and the National Security Agency (NSA) campus. The need for the proposed project is to address inefficiencies with current infrastructure and capacity issues. DATES: There will be a virtual public meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 19, 2023 via the Webex platform. Access and registration details are available on the project website at https://www.nab. usace.army.mil/oram. The public meeting may end earlier or later than the stated time depending on the number of persons wishing to speak. All materials that are submitted in response lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 16:49 Jun 08, 2023 Jkt 259001 This notice announces a 45-day comment period and provides information on how to participate in the public review process. The public comment period for the Draft EIS will officially end July 24, 2023. Background: NSA is a tenant DoD agency on Fort Meade, occupying approximately 840 acres of the 5,100acre installation. Renovation and upgrade of inspection and access facilities for NSA is required to meet increased mission and security capacity. The existing Vehicle Control Inspection Facility (VCIF) and Vehicle Control Point 5 (VCP5) represent two significant entry points for access to the NSA campus. Both facilities require replacement due to process inefficiencies and insufficient capacity to meet current and future demand. Original sizing of the VCIF provided for inspection facilities only for NSA deliveries and traffic. Post 9/11, a decision was made that NSA would inspect both Fort Meade and NSA deliveries. Additionally, major construction activities on Fort Meade have generated increases in traffic access and inspection throughout the installation. These conditions have resulted in extensive delays at the VCIF and traffic back-ups onto Maryland State Route 32. The design of VCP5 on O’Brien Road is also outdated and provides insufficient access capacity between the NSA campus and Fort Meade. Relocation of the Fort Meade Access Control Facility (ACF) on Mapes Road is included to facilitate the design and construction of the overall access gate infrastructure and roadway system, as well as minimize environmental impacts. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE VerDate Sep<11>2014 Copies of the Draft EIS are available for your review on the project website at https://www.nab. usace.army.mil/oram and at the Medal of Honor Memorial Library, 4418 Llewellyn Avenue, Fort Meade, MD 20755; Glen Burnie Regional Library, 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie, MD 21060; Odenton Regional Library, 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 21113; and Severn Community Library, 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn, MD 21144. You may also call (301) 688–2970 or send an email to ORAM@hdrinc.com to request a copy of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: BILLING CODE 3210–02–P SUMMARY: to the Draft EIS should be received by July 24, 2023 to provide sufficient time to be considered in preparation of the Final EIS. PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37869 Proposed Action and Alternatives: The proposed action would consist of: construction of a new VCP5 along O’Brien Road; construction of a new VCIF with adjacent visitor control center; construction of a new Mail Screening Facility adjacent to the VCIF; reconfiguration of the Mapes Road ACF; roadway improvements to provide enhanced routing and separation of traffic between NSA and Fort Meade entering from MDs 32 and 198; and associated infrastructure, including sidewalks, inspection canopies, dog kennels, surface parking areas, stormwater management facilities, and utilities. Alternatives identified include two build alternatives that involve distinct configurations of project elements within the same general area on the NSA campus and Fort Meade. The No Action Alternative (not undertaking the proposed improvements) is also analyzed in detail. Summary of Environmental Impacts: The level of environmental impacts potentially resulting from the Proposed Action and alternatives would be largely similar, regardless of which alternative would be selected. Generally, construction and demolition would result in some ground disturbance, temporary increases in noise, and increased traffic congestion and lane closures, which would be expected regardless of the alternative selected. Implementation of the ORAM would be expected to result in longterm, negligible to major, adverse impacts on noise, geological resources, water resources, biological resources, infrastructure, and socioeconomics. Long-term, negligible to moderate, beneficial impacts on land use and visual resources, air quality, and sustainability. Major adverse impacts on wetlands would occur under either alternative, for which mitigation measures would be developed in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland Department of the Environment. Major beneficial impacts on transportation would occur as result of the improvements. Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures: The Proposed Action has the potential to result in adverse environmental impacts. The Proposed Action includes best management practices, mitigation measures, and design concepts to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to the extent practicable. Unavoidable impacts would be minimized or compensated for to the extent practicable. In accordance with Council on Environmental Quality regulations, mitigation measures are E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1 37870 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 111 / Friday, June 9, 2023 / Notices considered for adverse environmental impacts. Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review on the project website, at local repositories, and by request (see ADDRESSES). The DoD invites public and agency input on the Draft EIS. Please submit comments and materials during the 45-day public review period to allow sufficient time for consideration in development of the Final EIS (see DATES). The DoD will consider all comments received and then prepare the Final EIS. As with the Draft EIS, DoD will announce the availability of the Final EIS. Dated: June 2, 2023. Aaron T. Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2023–12350 Filed 6–8–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Scoping Comment Period Extension for the Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System on Guam Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Notice of intent; extension of comment period. AGENCY: The MDA is extending the scoping comment period for the notice of intent entitled ‘‘Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System on Guam,’’ published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2023. The MDA is extending the scoping period to August 11, 2023, in response to Typhoon Mawar-related damage and recovery efforts on Guam. In addition, the MDA will reschedule the in-person open house scoping meetings on Guam to the summer of 2023. DATES: The scoping comment period for the notice of intent published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2023 (88 FR 29104) is extended. Comments must be postmarked or received on or before August 11, 2023, to ensure consideration in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent via email to info@EIAMDEIS.com; via the website comment submission form on www.EIAMDEIS.com; or by United States (U.S.) Postal Service to: ManTech lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:49 Jun 08, 2023 Jkt 259001 International Corporation, Attention: EIAMD EIS Project Support, PMB 403, 1270 N Marine Corps Drive, Suite 101, Tamuning, Guam 96913–4331. Written comments will also be accepted at the public scoping meetings. All comments, including names and addresses, will be included in the administrative record, but personal information will be kept confidential unless release is required by law. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark Wright, MDA Public Affairs, at 571–231–8212 or by email to mda.info@ mda.mil. Additional information on the Proposed Action can be found at the MDA website: https://www.mda.mil/ system/eiamd.html. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 5, 2023, the MDA published notice of intent entitled ‘‘Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System on Guam’’ (88 FR 29104). The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts from the proposed deployment and operation of missile defense radars, sensors, missile interceptors, missile launchers, and command and control systems; construction and operation of associated support facilities and infrastructure; and management of associated airspace on Guam (hereafter called ‘‘Proposed Action’’). The MDA invited comments on the scope of the EIS including identification of potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action, and the Proposed Action’s potential to affect historic properties pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The original scoping comment period was scheduled to close on June 27, 2023, with three inperson open house scoping meetings planned on Guam in June 2023. With this notice, the MDA is extending the scoping comment period to August 11, 2023, in response to Typhoon Mawar-related damage and recovery efforts on Guam. In addition, the MDA will reschedule the in-person open house scoping meetings on Guam to the summer of 2023. Notification for the meeting locations, dates, and times will be published and announced in local news media to encourage public participation. Access to meeting information can also be found on the MDA website at https:// www.mda.mil/system/eiamd.html. Dated: June 2, 2023. Aaron T. Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2023–12203 Filed 6–8–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Improving Homeport Facilities for Three NIMITZ-Class Aircraft Carriers in Support of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and To Announce Public Scoping Meetings Department of the Navy (DoN), Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality, the Department of the Navy (DoN) announces its intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to update its analysis in the 1999 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Developing Home Port Facilities for Three Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carriers in Support of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and its 2008 Final SEIS. The new SEIS will address current mission objectives, routine pier-side maintenance activities and proposed electrical shoreside power infrastructure, which may result in three CVNs being simultaneously in port at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) for more intermittent, nonconsecutive days per year than analyzed in prior NEPA documents. The DON is initiating a 45-day public scoping process to receive comments on the scope of the SEIS, including identification of potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action, identification of environmental concerns, issues the public would like to see addressed in the SEIS, and the project’s potential to affect historic properties pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966. DATES: The 45-day public scoping period begins June 9, 2023 and ends July 24, 2023. Comments must be postmarked or submitted electronically via the website no later than 11:59 p.m. PDT on July 24, 2023, for consideration in the Draft SEIS. The DoN will hold three public scoping meetings in the local area during the evenings of June 27–29, 2023. The scoping meetings will consist of informal, open house sessions with informational poster stations staffed by DoN representatives. The information presented at the public meetings will also be available on the project website. The DoN will also publish the public scoping meeting announcements in local newspapers and in press releases. Meeting SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 111 (Friday, June 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37869-37870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12350]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the O'Brien Road Access 
Modernization, Fort Meade, Maryland

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of public meeting; request for 
comments.

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

SUMMARY: The DoD announces the availability of the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the environmental planning process 
for the O'Brien Road Access Modernization (ORAM) at Fort George G. 
Meade, Maryland (hereafter referred to as Fort Meade). The DoD proposes 
to implement the ORAM project, which would entail renovation and 
upgrade of inspection facilities, upgrade of access facilities, and 
corresponding roadway improvements for Mapes, O'Brien, Perimeter, and 
Venona Roads on Fort Meade. The purpose of the proposed project is to 
construct facilities and infrastructure to allow for increased capacity 
for required security processing of traffic and deliveries entering 
Fort Meade and the National Security Agency (NSA) campus. The need for 
the proposed project is to address inefficiencies with current 
infrastructure and capacity issues.

DATES: There will be a virtual public meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 
July 19, 2023 via the Webex platform. Access and registration details 
are available on the project website at https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/oram. The public meeting may end earlier or later than the stated time 
depending on the number of persons wishing to speak. All materials that 
are submitted in response to the Draft EIS should be received by July 
24, 2023 to provide sufficient time to be considered in preparation of 
the Final EIS.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft EIS are available for your review on the 
project website at https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/oram and at the Medal 
of Honor Memorial Library, 4418 Llewellyn Avenue, Fort Meade, MD 20755; 
Glen Burnie Regional Library, 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie, MD 21060; 
Odenton Regional Library, 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 21113; and 
Severn Community Library, 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn, MD 21144. You 
may also call (301) 688-2970 or send an email to [email protected] to 
request a copy of the Draft EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffrey Williams at 301-688-2970, 
or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces a 45-day comment 
period and provides information on how to participate in the public 
review process. The public comment period for the Draft EIS will 
officially end July 24, 2023.
    Background: NSA is a tenant DoD agency on Fort Meade, occupying 
approximately 840 acres of the 5,100-acre installation. Renovation and 
upgrade of inspection and access facilities for NSA is required to meet 
increased mission and security capacity. The existing Vehicle Control 
Inspection Facility (VCIF) and Vehicle Control Point 5 (VCP5) represent 
two significant entry points for access to the NSA campus. Both 
facilities require replacement due to process inefficiencies and 
insufficient capacity to meet current and future demand. Original 
sizing of the VCIF provided for inspection facilities only for NSA 
deliveries and traffic. Post 9/11, a decision was made that NSA would 
inspect both Fort Meade and NSA deliveries. Additionally, major 
construction activities on Fort Meade have generated increases in 
traffic access and inspection throughout the installation. These 
conditions have resulted in extensive delays at the VCIF and traffic 
back-ups onto Maryland State Route 32. The design of VCP5 on O'Brien 
Road is also outdated and provides insufficient access capacity between 
the NSA campus and Fort Meade. Relocation of the Fort Meade Access 
Control Facility (ACF) on Mapes Road is included to facilitate the 
design and construction of the overall access gate infrastructure and 
roadway system, as well as minimize environmental impacts.
    Proposed Action and Alternatives: The proposed action would consist 
of: construction of a new VCP5 along O'Brien Road; construction of a 
new VCIF with adjacent visitor control center; construction of a new 
Mail Screening Facility adjacent to the VCIF; reconfiguration of the 
Mapes Road ACF; roadway improvements to provide enhanced routing and 
separation of traffic between NSA and Fort Meade entering from MDs 32 
and 198; and associated infrastructure, including sidewalks, inspection 
canopies, dog kennels, surface parking areas, stormwater management 
facilities, and utilities.
    Alternatives identified include two build alternatives that involve 
distinct configurations of project elements within the same general 
area on the NSA campus and Fort Meade. The No Action Alternative (not 
undertaking the proposed improvements) is also analyzed in detail.
    Summary of Environmental Impacts: The level of environmental 
impacts potentially resulting from the Proposed Action and alternatives 
would be largely similar, regardless of which alternative would be 
selected.
    Generally, construction and demolition would result in some ground 
disturbance, temporary increases in noise, and increased traffic 
congestion and lane closures, which would be expected regardless of the 
alternative selected. Implementation of the ORAM would be expected to 
result in long-term, negligible to major, adverse impacts on noise, 
geological resources, water resources, biological resources, 
infrastructure, and socioeconomics. Long-term, negligible to moderate, 
beneficial impacts on land use and visual resources, air quality, and 
sustainability. Major adverse impacts on wetlands would occur under 
either alternative, for which mitigation measures would be developed in 
coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland 
Department of the Environment. Major beneficial impacts on 
transportation would occur as result of the improvements.
    Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures: The Proposed 
Action has the potential to result in adverse environmental impacts. 
The Proposed Action includes best management practices, mitigation 
measures, and design concepts to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to 
the extent practicable. Unavoidable impacts would be minimized or 
compensated for to the extent practicable. In accordance with Council 
on Environmental Quality regulations, mitigation measures are

[[Page 37870]]

considered for adverse environmental impacts.
    Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review on the 
project website, at local repositories, and by request (see ADDRESSES). 
The DoD invites public and agency input on the Draft EIS. Please submit 
comments and materials during the 45-day public review period to allow 
sufficient time for consideration in development of the Final EIS (see 
DATES).
    The DoD will consider all comments received and then prepare the 
Final EIS. As with the Draft EIS, DoD will announce the availability of 
the Final EIS.

    Dated: June 2, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023-12350 Filed 6-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P

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