Department of the Navy September 6, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to Section (102)(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500-1508), Department of the Navy (DoN) NEPA regulations (32 CFR Part 775), and United States Marine Corps (USMC) NEPA directives (Marine Corps Order P5090.2A, changes 1 and 2), the DoN intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for several proposed construction, repair, and renovation projects in support of the Marine Barracks Washington (MBW), District of Columbia (DC). Dates and Addresses: The DoN, USMC, is initiating a 30-day public scoping process to identify community interests and local concerns to be addressed in the EIS, which starts with the publication of this Notice of Intent and ends on October 7, 2013. A public scoping meeting, using an informal open house format, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on September 24, 2013 at Tyler Elementary School, 1001 G St SE., Washington, DC 20390. The public is invited to attend this meeting to view project- related displays, speak with USMC representatives, and submit verbal or written comments. All comments regarding the scope of issues that the USMC should consider during EIS preparation must be received prior to October 7, 2013 to be fully considered. Additional information concerning the meeting and the proposed alternatives is available on the EIS Web site at www.mbweis.com and will be announced in local and regional newspapers. Please submit requests for special assistance, sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired, or other auxiliary aids needed at the scoping meeting to the MBW Public Affairs Officer, Captain Jack Norton, at 202-433-6682 by September 13, 2013. Concurrent with the NEPA process, the USMC is initiating National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Consultation to determine the potential effects of the proposed action on historic properties. During the scoping meeting, one designated area of the room will focus on the Section 106 process and solicit public input on the identification of historic properties and potential effects of the proposed action on historic properties. Submitting Comments: Federal, state, and local agencies and members of the public are encouraged to provide oral and written comments regarding the scope of the EIS, reasonable alternatives, and specific issues or topics of interest. There are three ways comments can be submitted: (1) In person at the public scoping open house meeting, (2) using the project's public Web site comment form at www.mbweis.com, or (3) providing written comments through U.S. mail. All comments on the scope of the EIS or any specific concerns regarding potential impacts to the environment should be submitted or postmarked no later than October 1, 2013. Comments submitted by mail should be sent to: Mr. William Sadlon, MBW CIMP EIS Project Manager, 1314 Harwood St. SE., Bldg. 212, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5018. The USMC will consider all comments received during the scoping period. A mailing list has been assembled to facilitate preparation of the EIS. This list includes DC and federal agencies with jurisdiction or other interests in the alternatives. In addition, the mailing list includes adjacent property owners and other interested parties, such as historic preservation groups. Those on this list will receive notices and documents related to EIS preparation. Anyone wishing to be added to the mailing list may request to be added at the project Web site www.mbweis.com or by contacting the EIS project manager at the address provided below.