81 FR 72124 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Initiate Section 106 Consultation for Proposed Changes to Green Bank Observatory Operations, Green Bank, West Virginia and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Comment Period

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 202 (October 19, 2016)

Page Range		72124-72125
FR Document		2016-25213

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential environmental effects of proposed changes to operations at Green Bank Observatory, in Green Bank, West Virginia (Proposed Action). (See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for more details.) By this notice, NSF announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues to be analyzed in the EIS. At this juncture, NSF welcomes public comments on the preliminary proposed alternatives and resource areas identified for analysis. NSF also intends to initiate consultation under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to evaluate potential effects, if any, on historic properties as a result of the Proposed Action.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 202 (Wednesday, October 19, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72124-72125]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25213]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Initiate Section 106 Consultation for Proposed Changes to Green Bank 
Observatory Operations, Green Bank, West Virginia and Notice of Public 
Scoping Meetings and Comment Period

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
and Initiate Section 106 Consultation for proposed changes to Green 
Bank Observatory operations, Green Bank, West Virginia and notice of 
public scoping meetings and comment period.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, the National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential 
environmental effects of proposed changes to operations at Green Bank 
Observatory, in Green Bank, West Virginia (Proposed Action). (See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for more details.) By this notice, NSF 
announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public 
comments and identify issues to be analyzed in the EIS. At this 
juncture, NSF welcomes public comments on the preliminary proposed 
alternatives and resource areas identified for analysis. NSF also 
intends to initiate consultation under section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act to evaluate potential effects, if any, on 
historic properties as a result of the Proposed Action.

DATES: This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS and 
the initiation of public involvement under section 106 per 36 CFR 
800.2(d). Comments on the scope of the preliminary proposed 
alternatives and resource areas to be studied may be submitted verbally 
during the scoping meetings scheduled for November 9, 2016 (see details 
in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION) or in writing until November 19, 2016. To 
be eligible for inclusion in the Draft EIS, all comments must be 
received prior to the close of the scoping period. NSF will provide 
additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of 
the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by either of the following 
methods:
     Email to: [email protected], with subject line 
``Green Bank Observatory.''

[[Page 72125]]

     Mail to: Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: Green Bank Observatory, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1045, Arlington, 
VA 22230.

EIS INFORMATION: Information will be posted, throughout the EIS 
process, at www.nsf.gov/AST.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the 
EIS process or Section 106 consultation, contact: Elizabeth Pentecost, 
National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, 4201 
Wilson Blvd., Suite 1045, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone: (703) 292-
4907; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Green Bank Observatory (GBO) is located in 
Pocahontas County, West Virginia adjacent to the Monongahela National 
Forest. NSF owns the GBO land, which consists of numerous parcels 
acquired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s, when GBO was 
formed as the first (and then, only) site of the National Radio 
Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). The Allegheny Trail passes through 
portions of the NRAO property along the Little Mountain ridgeline. GBO 
is the anchor and administrative site of the 13,000-square-mile 
National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ). GBO is located on approximately 2,200 
acres in the NRQZ, where all radio transmissions are limited. Having 
telescopes within the NRQZ allows for detection of faint scientific 
signals that would otherwise be drowned-out by man-made signals. The 
GBO facilities include the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the 
largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world; the 43-meter 
Telescope; the Green Bank Solar Radio Burst Spectrometer; the 20-meter 
Geodetic Telescope; the 40-foot Telescope; the Interferometer Range; 
and previously operational telescopes.
    The NSF Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 
Division of Astronomical Sciences, through a series of academic 
community-based reviews, has identified the need to divest several 
facilities from its portfolio. This would allow NSF to retain the 
balance of capabilities needed to deliver the best performance on 
emerging and key science technology of the present decade and beyond. 
In 2012, NSF's Division of Astronomical Sciences' (AST's) portfolio 
review committee recommended divestment of the Green Bank Telescope 
(GBT) from the AST portfolio, stating the following: ``The GBT is the 
world's most sensitive single-dish radio telescope at wavelengths 
shorter than 10 cm; however, its capabilities are not as critical to 
New World New Horizons [astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey] 
science goals as the higher-ranked facilities.'' In response to these 
recommendations, in 2016, NSF completed a feasibility study to inform 
and define options for the Observatory's future disposition that would 
involve significantly decreasing or eliminating NSF funding of Green 
Bank Observatory. Alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS will be 
refined through public input, with preliminary proposed alternatives 
that include the following:
 Continued NSF investment for science-focused operations (No-
Action Alternative)
 Collaboration with interested parties for science- and 
education-focused operations with reduced NSF-funded scope
 Collaboration with interested parties for operation as a 
technology and education park
 Mothballing of facilities (suspension of operations in a 
manner such that operations could resume efficiently at some future 
date)
 Deconstruction and site restoration

    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including identifying viable alternatives. At present, NSF has 
identified the following preliminary resource areas to analyze 
potential impacts: Air quality, biological resources, cultural 
resources, geological resources, solid waste generation, health and 
safety, socioeconomics, traffic, and groundwater resources. NSF will 
consult under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and 
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act in coordination with this EIS 
process, as appropriate. Federal, state, and local agencies, along with 
other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by NSF's decision 
on this Proposed Action are invited to participate in the scoping 
process and, if eligible, may request to participate as a cooperating 
agency.
    Scoping Meetings: NSF will host two public scoping meetings.
     Afternoon meeting: November 9, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 
p.m., Green Bank Science Center, 155 Observatory Road, Green Bank, WV 
24915, Telephone: (304) 456-2011.
     Evening meeting: November 9, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 
p.m., Green Bank Science Center, 155 Observatory Road, Green Bank, WV 
24915, Telephone: (304) 456-2011.
    Oral comments provided at the scoping meetings will be transcribed 
by a court reporter. Please contact NSF at least one week in advance of 
the meeting if you would like to request special accommodations (i.e., 
sign language interpretation, etc.).

    Dated: October 13, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-25213 Filed 10-18-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 202 / Wednesday, October 19, 2016 / Notices 72125

• Mail to: Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: [astronomy and astrophysics decadal least one week in advance of the
Green Bank Observatory, National survey] science goals as the higher- meeting if you would like to request
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., ranked facilities.’’ In response to these special accommodations (i.e., sign
Suite 1045, Arlington, VA 22230. recommendations, in 2016, NSF language interpretation, etc.).
EIS INFORMATION: Information will be completed a feasibility study to inform Dated: October 13, 2016.
posted, throughout the EIS process, at and define options for the Observatory’s Suzanne H. Plimpton,
www.nsf.gov/AST. future disposition that would involve
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For significantly decreasing or eliminating Foundation.
further information regarding the EIS NSF funding of Green Bank
[FR Doc. 2016–25213 Filed 10–18–16; 8:45 am]
process or Section 106 consultation, Observatory. Alternatives to be
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
contact: Elizabeth Pentecost, National evaluated in the EIS will be refined
Science Foundation, Division of through public input, with preliminary
Astronomical Sciences, 4201 Wilson proposed alternatives that include the
following: POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
Blvd., Suite 1045, Arlington, VA 22230;
telephone: (703) 292–4907; email: • Continued NSF investment for [Docket No. R2017–1; Order No. 3565]
epenteco@nsf.gov. science-focused operations (No-
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Green Action Alternative) Market Dominant Price Adjustment
Bank Observatory (GBO) is located in • Collaboration with interested parties
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
Pocahontas County, West Virginia for science- and education-focused
operations with reduced NSF-funded ACTION: Notice.
adjacent to the Monongahela National
Forest. NSF owns the GBO land, which scope SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a
consists of numerous parcels acquired • Collaboration with interested parties recently-filed Postal Service notice of
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in for operation as a technology and inflation-based rate adjustments
the 1950s, when GBO was formed as the education park affecting market dominant domestic and
first (and then, only) site of the National • Mothballing of facilities (suspension international products and services,
Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). of operations in a manner such that along with numerous proposed
The Allegheny Trail passes through operations could resume efficiently at classification changes. The adjustments
portions of the NRAO property along some future date) and other changes are scheduled to take
the Little Mountain ridgeline. GBO is • Deconstruction and site restoration effect January 22, 2017. This notice
the anchor and administrative site of the The purpose of the public scoping informs the public of the filing, invites
13,000-square-mile National Radio process is to determine relevant issues public comment, and takes other
Quiet Zone (NRQZ). GBO is located on that will influence the scope of the administrative steps.
approximately 2,200 acres in the NRQZ, environmental analysis, including DATES: Comments are due: November 1,
where all radio transmissions are identifying viable alternatives. At 2016.
limited. Having telescopes within the present, NSF has identified the ADDRESSES: Submit comments
NRQZ allows for detection of faint following preliminary resource areas to electronically via the Commission’s
scientific signals that would otherwise analyze potential impacts: Air quality, Filing Online system at http://
be drowned-out by man-made signals. biological resources, cultural resources, www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit
The GBO facilities include the Robert C. geological resources, solid waste comments electronically should contact
Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the largest generation, health and safety, the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
fully steerable radio telescope in the socioeconomics, traffic, and INFORMATION CONTACT section by
world; the 43-meter Telescope; the groundwater resources. NSF will telephone for advice on filing
Green Bank Solar Radio Burst consult under section 106 of the alternatives.
Spectrometer; the 20-meter Geodetic National Historic Preservation Act and
Telescope; the 40-foot Telescope; the section 7 of the Endangered Species Act FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Interferometer Range; and previously in coordination with this EIS process, as David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
operational telescopes. appropriate. Federal, state, and local 202–789–6820.
The NSF Directorate for Mathematical agencies, along with other stakeholders SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
and Physical Sciences, Division of that may be interested or affected by Table of Contents
Astronomical Sciences, through a series NSF’s decision on this Proposed Action
of academic community-based reviews, are invited to participate in the scoping I. Introduction and Overview
has identified the need to divest several process and, if eligible, may request to II. Initial Administrative Actions
facilities from its portfolio. This would participate as a cooperating agency. III. Ordering Paragraphs
allow NSF to retain the balance of Scoping Meetings: NSF will host two I. Introduction and Overview
capabilities needed to deliver the best public scoping meetings.
On October 12, 2016, the Postal
performance on emerging and key • Afternoon meeting: November 9,
Service filed a notice of inflation-based
science technology of the present 2016, at 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Green
rate adjustments affecting market
decade and beyond. In 2012, NSF’s Bank Science Center, 155 Observatory
dominant domestic and international
Division of Astronomical Sciences’ Road, Green Bank, WV 24915,
products and services, along with
(AST’s) portfolio review committee Telephone: (304) 456–2011.
numerous proposed classification
recommended divestment of the Green • Evening meeting: November 9,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

changes.1 The intended effective date is
Bank Telescope (GBT) from the AST 2016, at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Green
January 22, 2017. Notice at 1.
portfolio, stating the following: ‘‘The Bank Science Center, 155 Observatory
Contents of filing. The Postal Service’s
GBT is the world’s most sensitive Road, Green Bank, WV 24915,
filing consists of the Notice which the
single-dish radio telescope at Telephone: (304) 456–2011.
wavelengths shorter than 10 cm; Oral comments provided at the 1 United States Postal Service Notice of Market
however, its capabilities are not as scoping meetings will be transcribed by Dominant Price Adjustment, October 12, 2016
critical to New World New Horizons a court reporter. Please contact NSF at (Notice).

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Document Created: 2016-10-19 02:11:44
Document Modified: 2016-10-19 02:11:44

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Initiate Section 106 Consultation for proposed changes to Green Bank Observatory operations, Green Bank, West Virginia and notice of public scoping meetings and comment period.
Dates		This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS and the initiation of public involvement under section 106 per 36 CFR 800.2(d). Comments on the scope of the preliminary proposed alternatives and resource areas to be studied may be submitted verbally during the scoping meetings scheduled for November 9, 2016 (see details in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION) or in writing until November 19, 2016. To be eligible for inclusion in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period. NSF will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS.
Contact		For further information regarding the EIS process or Section 106 consultation, contact: Elizabeth Pentecost, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1045, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone: (703) 292- 4907; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 72124