National Environmental Policy Act; Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park, 53448-53452 [2024-13756]

Agencies

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53448-53452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13756]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[NASA Document No: NASA-24-039; NASA Docket No: NASA-24-0002]


National Environmental Policy Act; Berkeley Space Center at NASA 
Research Park

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of meetings; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations 
for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) procedures for 
implementing NEPA, NASA, in cooperation with the University of 
California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed development of the Berkeley 
Space Center at NASA Research Park. The EIS will be a joint EIS/
environmental impact report (EIR) that fulfills the requirements of 
both NEPA and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This 
notice opens a 30-day public scoping period during which the public and 
other interested parties are encouraged to submit comments as provided 
for under ADDRESSES to inform the scope of environmental issues which 
should be considered in the EIS/EIR, including alternatives to the 
proposed action. The public scoping period is for a period of 30 days 
from publication of this notice.

DATES: Comments are due by July 26, 2024.
    UC Berkeley and NASA will hold two joint online public scoping 
meetings to inform interested parties about the project, and to provide 
agencies and the public with an opportunity to provide oral and written 
comments on the scope and content of the joint EIR/EIS. The first 
scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 and the second 
scoping meeting will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024. Information 
regarding public scoping meetings and the location of project materials 
is found under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Advance registration to attend or provide a comment at the 
virtual public meetings described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION is 
not required. Public meeting attendees may submit comments during the 
public meeting, or by other means described below throughout the 30-day 
comment

[[Page 53449]]

period. You may submit written comments and materials by one of the 
following methods:
     U.S. mail: NASA Ames Research Center, Attn: Berkeley Space 
Center at NASA Research Park, M/S 204-15, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: Written comments and 
recommendations for this information collection should be sent within 
30 days of publication of this notice to ensure consideration in the 
Draft EIS/EIR. You may send comments, identified by NASA Docket Number 
NASA-24-0002 to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    We encourage you to submit comments electronically through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If submitting 
your comments electronically, it is not necessary to also submit a hard 
copy. All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov. Before including your address, phone number, email 
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be 
advised that your entire comment--including any personal identifying 
information you provide--may be publicly available at any time. While 
you may request, in your comment, to withhold from public review your 
personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that your request 
will be granted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andr[eacute]s Estrada, NEPA Program 
Manager, Natural Resources Manager. NASA Ames Research Center, M/S 204-
15, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001, email [email protected], or 
phone 650-224-8532. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action

    The joint EIS/EIR will evaluate the environmental impacts of the 
proposed action related to the proposed construction and occupancy of 
the Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park, which would redevelop 
the project site with academic and research facilities, including 
office, laboratories, and research and development (collectively, 
``research and office uses''); conference and amenity facilities, 
including a gym, lobbies, and other amenities (collectively, ``active 
uses''); student/faculty housing; short-term lodging; transportation 
networks; and public open spaces as well as landscaped spaces, to 
create a state-of-the-art research and education hub that shapes the 
future of technology and innovation and to advance UC Regents' 
educational, scientific research, charitable, and other exempt purposes 
(within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal 
Revenue Code). The Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park would be 
located at the NASA owned and operated Ames Research Center (NASA ARC) 
in Santa Clara County, California.
    The purpose of the proposed project is to:
     Facilitate the development and long-term operation of a 
collaborative research environment at NASA ARC as contemplated in the 
NASA Ames Development Plan (NADP).
     Create a research development that combines UC Berkeley's 
mission to accelerate scientific discovery, create innovative 
technologies, and advance knowledge for the benefit of humanity with 
NASA's mission to enable exploration, innovative technologies and 
interdisciplinary scientific discovery through the integration of 
public and private research and development efforts.
     Strengthen and expand the NASA ARC's global profile, 
attracting and retaining new research talent as well as generating 
innovative ideas for use throughout the world and the cosmos.
     Promote collaborative research and development activities 
among NASA ARC, UC Berkeley, private industry, and non-profit 
organizations.
     Provide convenient short-term housing and lodging options 
to primarily support faculty, students, and guests at the NASA ARC.
     Enable more efficient use of land at NASA ARC by 
demolishing older underutilized buildings and constructing new 
facilities involved in the creation of the new research space.
    The need for the proposed project is as follows:
     To maintain NASA's position at the forefront of 
technological innovation and as catalyst for space and aeronautical 
research and technology transfer.
     To strengthen our nation's ability to address the research 
problems of tomorrow by combining NASA's unique ability to focus on 
high-risk long-term research; industry's ability to react quickly with 
applied technology; and the University of California's expertise in 
educating and providing a vibrant workforce for the future.

Project Location

    The project site is on Federal land within the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Ames Research Center (NASA ARC) in Santa Clara 
County, California (refer to the attached Project Location map). The 
NASA ARC is located on approximately 2,000 acres between U.S. 101 and 
the southwestern edge of San Francisco Bay. The city of Mountain View 
borders the NASA ARC to the south and west; the city of Sunnyvale 
borders the NASA ARC to the south and east. The NASA ARC is 
approximately 33 miles south of the city of San Francisco and 8 miles 
north of the city of San Jos[eacute]. As part of the NADP, which is 
NASA's vision for development of the NASA ARC, development was 
considered in four areas commonly referred to as the NASA Research Park 
(NRP), Eastside/Airfield, Bay View, and Ames Campus. The project site 
is within the NRP.
    The approximately 36-acre triangular project site is currently 
developed with approximately 16 one- or two-story buildings that total 
approximately 112,000 square feet, along with surface parking lots, 
roadways, and utility infrastructure. The existing buildings are mostly 
vacant and many were formerly used as ancillary buildings that 
supported Navy operations (e.g., office buildings, food service, gas 
station).
    The project site is bounded by Wescoat Road to the north and Cody 
Road to the east. The southern boundary of the project site is between 
Edquiba Road and Girard Road. Northwest of the project site, across 
Wescoat Road, is Shenandoah Plaza, a linear open space surrounded by 
buildings. Approximately 0.3 mile northeast of the project site, across 
from the intersection of Wescoat Road and Cody Road, is Hangar One, one 
of the largest freestanding structures in the world. Hangar One and 
many of the buildings, landscapes, and objects north of the project 
site are part of the Shenandoah Plaza Historic District. East of the 
project site, across Cody Road, is Moffett Federal Airfield. South of 
the project site is a planned residential development that would 
include approximately 2,000 residential units; the planned residential 
development would be located within the NRP, but is not part of the 
proposed project.
    With respect to hazardous materials, ongoing remediation activities 
in the vicinity of the project site continue to be implemented under 
the jurisdictions of the United States Environmental

[[Page 53450]]

Protection Agency and California Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Background

    The project site is within the NRP, which was incorporated into the 
NASA ARC in 1994 following the closure of the former Naval Air Station 
Moffett Field. In 2002, a programmatic EIS (PEIS) was prepared pursuant 
to NEPA and was completed with a Record of Decision that provided 
environmental review for the implementation of the NADP. Since 2002, 
NASA (or other authorized parties) has redeveloped portions of the NASA 
ARC with entitled uses under the terms of several ground leases. The 
project site is one of the parcels considered for redevelopment in the 
2002 PEIS. In 2019, NASA invited UC Berkeley, on behalf of the 
University of California system and its constituent campuses, to 
explore the feasibility of developing the project site for public and 
private sector research, professional education, and housing. In May 
2021, the Regents authorized UC Berkeley to enter into a joint venture 
with SKSP NRP, LLC to create Moffett Partners, LLC for the proposed 
project.

Proposed Action and Alternative

    The following two build alternatives (Build Alternative 1 and Build 
Alternative 2) and the No Action Alternative will be evaluated in the 
Draft EIS/EIR.
     Build Alternative 1: Build Alternative 1 would create 
approximately 2.3 million square feet of research uses, a conference 
center, active uses, student/faculty housing, and short-term lodging 
for visitors and conference attendees. Build Alternative 1 would 
include approximately 1.99 million square feet (87 percent) research 
and office uses; 22,000 square feet (1 percent) conference center uses; 
89,000 square feet (4 percent) active uses; 126,0000 square feet (5 
percent) student/faculty housing; and 73,000 square feet (3 percent) 
short-term lodging uses. Build Alternative 1 is considered the proposed 
project under CEQA and the Proposed Action under NEPA.
     Build Alternative 2: Build Alternative 2 would create 
approximately 1.4 million square feet of research uses, a conference 
center, active uses, student/faculty housing, and short-term lodging 
for visitors and conference attendees. Compared to Build Alternative 1, 
Build Alternative 2 would provide the same types of uses and the same 
square footage for most uses, with the exception that Build Alternative 
2 would provide less space for research and office uses. Build 
Alternative 2 would include approximately 1.09 million square feet (78 
percent) research and office uses; 22,000 square feet (2 percent) 
conference center uses; 89,000 square feet (6 percent) active uses; 
126,0000 square feet (9 percent) student/faculty housing; and 73,000 
square feet (5 percent) short-term lodging uses. Build Alternative 2 is 
considered one of the alternatives to the proposed project under CEQA; 
it is also one of the alternatives under NEPA. Build Alternative 2 will 
be evaluated at the same level of detail as Build Alternative 1 in the 
joint EIR/EIS.
     No Action Alternative: For the purposes of NEPA, under the 
No Action Alternative, the project would not be approved by NASA, and 
would not be constructed and operated at the project site.
    As discussed below, Build Alternative 1 and Build Alternative 2 
would have the same general site layout; the same maximum building 
heights; the same conference center, active uses, student/faculty 
housing, short-term lodging, and open space; the same amount of 
student/faculty housing; the same amount of short-term lodging; the 
same utility infrastructure and roadways; and the same ratio of parking 
spaces.
     Site Layout: Both build alternatives would include 
buildings that would be oriented around a large open space in the 
center of the project site, the Central Green. This area would include 
retail and amenity uses. The proposed research uses would be located 
along the perimeter of the project site. The proposed student/faculty 
housing, short-term lodging uses, and conference center would be 
located in the southwestern corner of the project site. The proposed 
parking garages would be located in the southwestern and southeastern 
corners of the project site. Vehicular access would be provided along 
Wescoat Road, the realigned Cody Road, and the realigned Girard Road 
(refer to the discussion of Utility Infrastructure and Roadways for 
more details on roadway realignments).
     Maximum Building Heights: Under both build alternatives, 
maximum structure heights would be 80 feet, with an exceedance allowed 
of up to 25 feet for mechanical screens and equipment.
     Conference Center, Active Uses, Student/Faculty Housing, 
Short-term Lodging Uses, and Open Space: Both build alternatives would 
include an approximately 20,000-square-foot conference center, 
approximately 92,000 square feet of active uses, and approximately 
199,000 square feet of student/faculty housing and short-term lodging. 
In addition, both build alternatives would include approximately 10.9 
acres of open space, including pathways, active uses (e.g., occupied 
areas that pedestrians could access via sidewalks or pathways), and 
passive uses (e.g., open lawns, patios). Landscaping would include a 
mix of native, climate-adaptive, and drought-resistant plant materials.
     Student/Faculty Housing: Both build alternatives would 
include approximately 141 student/faculty housing units, which would 
house approximately 352 residents. The proposed student/faculty housing 
would be used by students or faculty on a short-term basis (i.e., 
academic calendar year, semester, summer).
     Short-term Lodging: Both build alternatives would include 
approximately 99 short-term lodging units, which would accommodate 
approximately 197 guests. The proposed short-term lodging would be used 
as temporary lodging for staff, researchers, academics, tenants, and 
their families visiting the project site for conferences, meetings, 
research projects, and other short-term events affiliated with or at 
NASA ARC.
     Utility Infrastructure and Roadways: Both build 
alternatives would include building-level air source heat pumps for all 
heating, package air conditioning units for cooling at buildings 
without office or lab space, and water-cooled chillers for cooling at 
buildings with office and/or lab spaces. In addition, both build 
alternatives would have the same infrastructure for utilities (i.e., 
wet and dry utilities) installed offsite and the same utility 
connection points to those utilities. Existing NASA critical 
infrastructure would remain within the project site. Both build 
alternatives would realign Girard Road north to form the southern 
boundary of the project site and construct a new connector road between 
the realigned Girard Road and Wescoat Road along the southwestern 
corner of the project site. Both build alternatives would also realign 
Cody Road east to align with centerline of Hanger One, incorporating 
the design intent from the NADP, which was evaluated in the 2002 PEIS.
     Ratio of Parking Spaces: Parking would be located off the 
realigned Girard Road within parking structures and/or podium parking 
at designated areas. While Build Alternative 1 would have more parking 
spaces than Build Alternative 2 because it would include more space for 
research and office uses, both build alternatives would have the same 
parking ratios for each land use, establishing a blended parking ratio 
of

[[Page 53451]]

approximately 1.43 parking spots per 1,000 square feet.
    As discussed below, the primary differences between Build 
Alternative 1 and Build Alternative 2 would be the square footage of 
the research uses, the number of employees, the number of students, and 
the number of parking spaces.
     Research and Office Uses: Build Alternative 1 would 
include approximately 1.99 million square feet for research and office 
uses, whereas Build Alternative 2 would include approximately 1.09 
million square feet for research and office uses.
     Employees: Build Alternative 1 would result in 
approximately 5,789 employees, whereas Build Alternative 2 would result 
in approximately 3,260 employees. Build Alternative 1 would result in 
more employees because it would include more space for research and 
office uses.
     Students: Build Alternative 1 would accommodate up to 
approximately 177 students at a time, whereas Build Alternative 2 would 
accommodate up to approximately 96 students at a time. Build 
Alternative 1 would accommodate more students because it would include 
more space for research and office uses.
     Parking Spaces: Build Alternative 1 would include 
approximately 3,290 parking spaces, whereas Build Alternative 2 would 
include approximately 2,009 parking spaces.
    The future sub-tenant users for the proposed research space are not 
yet known and because the project would be constructed over a period of 
years, the exact configuration of certain project elements has not yet 
been determined. Thus, the joint EIR/EIS will evaluate the potential 
environmental impacts of the project based on conservative, worst case 
assumptions regarding certain aspects of the project design within 
specific areas of the project site (referred to as subareas). 
Specifically, it is anticipated that variations to the following 
project design elements could occur within seven subareas in the 
project site: the number and configuration of buildings, the design of 
the buildings, the allocation of permitted uses among or within the 
buildings, and the specific locations of mechanical equipment. On the 
other hand, it is anticipated that the following project elements would 
be known at the time the joint EIR/EIS is prepared: types of permitted 
uses, maximum square footage by use and in total, maximum building 
heights, parking ratios by use, locations of access roads, types and 
general locations of mechanical equipment, and other project 
parameters. This approach to the analysis will ensure that the joint 
EIR/EIS will evaluate the proposed project's maximum potential impact 
based on potential future building design and configuration to 
accommodate specific future sub-tenants of the proposed research and 
office space.
    Prior to construction of the proposed project, all of the existing 
buildings and utilities infrastructure within the project site would be 
demolished except for the existing NASA critical infrastructure that 
would remain.

Summary of Expected Impacts

    Based on the initial evaluation of the build alternatives, the 
following impacts would be expected: temporary increases in dust and 
other air pollutants during construction; temporary increases in noise 
and vibration during construction; temporary increases in construction 
traffic on roadways; temporary changes to existing public access; 
short-term disturbance to and changes in habitat conditions for listed 
and sensitive species; air quality and greenhouse gas emissions during 
operation; increases in traffic due to employees, residents, and 
visitors during operation; increases in building density and height, 
which could affect visual resources and historic resources in the 
vicinity of the site; and remediation of soil and groundwater issues 
known to be present related to historical uses at and near the project 
site. The proposed action would be required to follow existing soil and 
groundwater remediation protocols. Details regarding the required 
remediation would be coordinated with the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency and Responsible Parties in charge of ongoing remediation 
efforts.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    The permits and other authorizations anticipated to be required for 
the proposed project include but are not limited to the list below:
     Bay Area Air Quality Management District permit for 
stationary sources,
     San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board 
Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification,
     Consultation pursuant to section 7 of the Federal 
Endangered Species Act with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 
National Marine Fisheries Service,
     Consultation with tribes and the State Historic 
Preservation Officer pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act and CEQA,
     Encroachment permit or similar permit for any roadway in 
the city of Mountain View, city of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara Valley 
Transportation Authority, and California Department of Transportation 
(Caltrans) rights-of-way, and
     Completion of a Bona fide Prospective Lessee agreement 
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    The EIS/EIR process is expected to take approximately 1.5 years and 
end with a record of decision signed by NASA. Subsequent Federal 
actions would include review and approval of project plans through the 
NASA Ames Design Review Process, NASA construction permitting, and 
securing of permits, approvals, and/or authorizations from external 
Federal or State agencies as required by applicable laws.

Environmental Impact Statement Public Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the 30-day scoping process, which 
guides the development of the Draft EIS. The scoping process is 
designed to elicit comments from the public, public agencies, Tribal 
governments, and other interested parties on the scope of the Draft 
EIS. UC Berkeley and NASA will hold two joint online public scoping 
meetings to inform interested parties about the project and its 
location as well as to provide agencies and the public with an 
opportunity to provide oral and written comments on the scope and 
content of the joint EIR/EIS. The scoping meetings will be held 
exclusively through Zoom videoconference. Members of the public will be 
able to provide written comments during the meetings in the chat or 
verbally during an open mic session. The information for the two 
scoping meetings is as follows:

 Scoping Meeting No. 1, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Time: 6:00 to 
7:30 p.m., Meeting Link: https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/public-meetings
 Scoping Meeting No. 2, Monday, July 15, 2024, Time: 6:00 to 
7:30 p.m., Meeting Link: https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/public-meetings

Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and 
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action

    NASA requests comments concerning the scope of the analysis and 
identification of relevant information and studies. All interested 
parties are invited to provide input related to the identification of 
potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the 
Proposed Action Alternatives in

[[Page 53452]]

writing. All written comments should be submitted via any of the 
methods provided under ADDRESSES.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    NASA is the lead agency for the EIS. The Regents of the University 
of California will serve as the lead State agency for the EIR. 
Cooperating agencies have not been identified at this time; however, 
NASA continues to coordinate with external agencies and may identify 
one or multiple cooperating agencies during the scoping period.

Joel Carney,
Associate Administrator of the Office of Strategic Infrastructure, 
Mission Support Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-13756 Filed 6-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-13-P