80 FR 17715 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Master Development Plan for the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC

ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 63 (April 2, 2015)

Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), AFRH plans to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed AFRH Master Development Plan in Washington, DC. The SEIS will provide new analysis based on changes to the original master development plan, and changes in governing regulations.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17715-17716]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07621]


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ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Master Development Plan for the Armed Forces 
Retirement Home in Washington, DC

AGENCY: Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH).

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), AFRH plans to prepare a Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed AFRH Master 
Development

[[Page 17716]]

Plan in Washington, DC. The SEIS will provide new analysis based on 
changes to the original master development plan, and changes in 
governing regulations.

DATES: Effective: April 3, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Seffens, Corporate Facilities 
Director, AFRH, at (202) 541-7549, or Tim Sheckler, Project Manager, 
GSA, at (202) 401-5806. The U.S. General Services Administrator (GSA) 
is preparing the SEIS on behalf of AFRH.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 
4321-4347; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 40, chapter V, parts 1500-1508); and 
AFRH's Environmental Policy, 38 CFR part 200, AFRH plans to prepare a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed 
Master Plan Development at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in 
Washington, DC.
    AFRH intends to prepare an SEIS to analyze the potential impacts 
resulting from the proposed changes to the original master development 
plan. Factors known to have changed since the previous study include 
construction of a new building, the Scott Building, on the AFRH campus; 
a $15 million restoration and expansion of the Lincoln's Cottage 
historic site; closure of the Heating Plant and inclusion of the Plant 
in the development area; the anticipated development of the McMillan 
Reservoir parcel immediately south of AFRH; and other area development.

Background

    Established in 1851, the AFRH in Washington, DC continues its 
mission as a retirement community for military veterans. The 276-acre 
site is currently developed with 93 structures including the U.S. 
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Landmark District.
    In 2002, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2002 (Pub. L. 107-107, 24 U.S.C. 411, et seq.) gave the AFRH, with 
approval of the Secretary of Defense, authority to dispose of any 
property by sale, lease, or otherwise that is excess to the needs of 
the AFRH. In 2010, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2010 (Pub. L. 111-84, 24 U.S.C. 411) modified this authority to 
allow the Secretary of Defense (acting on behalf of AFRH) to lease non-
excess property upon such terms as the Secretary considers will promote 
the purpose and financial stability of the Retirement Home or be in the 
public interest. Proceeds from such a lease are deposited to AFRH's 
Trust Fund. To implement these authorities, AFRH prepared a Master 
Development Plan and issued a Record of Decision in 2008 for its 276-
acre campus in Washington, DC to guide the long-term use and 
development of the site. AFRH was unable to reach agreement with the 
initially selected developer. AFRH now anticipates releasing a new 
solicitation and selecting a new development partner.

Alternatives Under Consideration

    AFRH will analyze the proposed action and no action alternatives 
for the proposed Master Development Plan. The proposed action 
alternative(s) will include development of a portion of the site for 
office, commercial, institutional, and residential uses. As part of the 
EIS, AFRH will study the impacts of each alternative on the human 
environment.

Scoping Process

    In accordance with 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4), there will be no scoping 
conducted for this SEIS.

Steven G. McManus,
Chief Operating Officer, Armed Forces Retirement Home.
[FR Doc. 2015-07621 Filed 4-1-15; 8:45 am]
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