82 FR 51878 - Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meeting for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Green Bank Observatory, Green Bank, West Virginia
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 215 (November 8, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 215 (November 8, 2017)
| Page Range | 51878-51879 | |
| FR Document | 2017-24322 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 8, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 51878-51879] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-24322] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meeting for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Green Bank Observatory, Green Bank, West Virginia AGENCY: National Science Foundation. ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has made available for public review and comment the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Green Bank Observatory. This DEIS has been prepared for the National Science Foundation (NSF) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts resulting from proposed operational changes due to funding constraints for the Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. The DEIS was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is being conducted concurrent with the NEPA process. DATES: NSF will accept comments on the DEIS for 60 days following publication of this Notice of Availability; an additional 15 days are being provided beyond the standard 45-day review period to allow for the holidays). Comments may be submitted verbally during the public meeting scheduled for November 30, 2017 (see details in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION) or in writing until January 8th, 2018. Substantive comments will be addressed in a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by either of the following methods:Email to: [email protected], with subject line ``Green Bank Observatory''. Mail to: Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: Green Bank Observatory, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W9152, Alexandria, VA 22314. 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, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W9152, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: (703) 292-4907; email: [email protected]. DEIS Information: The DEIS, as well as information about the public meeting, is posted at www.nsf.gov/AST. A copy of the DEIS will be available for review at the following libraries: Green Bank Public Library, 5683 Potomac Highlands Trail, Green Bank, WV 24944, Durbin Community Library, 4361 Staunton Parkersburg Turnpike, Durbin, WV 26264. 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 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 (AST), 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, [[Page 51879]] 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. NSF issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS on October 19, 2016, held scoping meetings on November 9, 2016, and held a 30-day public comment period that closed on November 25, 2016. Alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS, which may be refined through public input, include the following: Collaboration with interested parties for continued science- and education-focused operations with reduced NSF funding (Agency-preferred Alternative). 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). Demolition and site restoration. No-Action Alternative: Continued NSF investment for science-focused operations. No final decisions will be made regarding the proposed changes to operations at Green Bank Observatory prior to issuance of an FEIS, and, subsequently, a Record of Decision for the Proposed Action. Public Meeting: A public meeting to address the DEIS and to solicit public input under Section 106 of the NHPA will take place in Green Bank with notification of the time and location published in the local newspapers, as follows: Public meeting: November 30, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Green Bank Science Center 155 Observatory Road Green Bank, WV 24915 Telephone: (304) 456-2011 The meeting will be transcribed by a court reporter. Dated: November 3, 2017. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 2017-24322 Filed 11-7-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
![51878 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Notices
Pollution Prevention and Control Act To submit holidays). Comments may be submitted
Send them to:
(‘‘Colorado Act’’), Colorado’s federally comments: verbally during the public meeting
approved State Implementation Plan scheduled for November 30, 2017 (see
(‘‘Colorado SIP’’), and Colorado Air By mail ........... Assistant Attorney General, details in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION)
Quality Control Commission Regulation U.S. DOJ—ENRD, P.O. or in writing until January 8th, 2018.
Box 7611, Washington,
Number 7 (‘‘Regulation No. 7’’) at tank Substantive comments will be
D.C. 20044–7611.
batteries (referred to in the consent addressed in a Final Environmental
decree as ‘‘Tank Systems’’) owned and During the public comment period, Impact Statement (FEIS).
operated by PDC Energy, Inc. (‘‘PDC’’) in the consent decree may be examined ADDRESSES: You may submit written
a portion of the Denver-Julesburg Basin and downloaded at this Justice comments by either of the following
in Colorado (known as the ‘‘8-hour Department Web site: https:// methods:
Ozone Control Area’’) designated as www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. • Email to: envcomp-AST-
non-attainment with the National We will provide a paper copy of the greenbank@nsf.gov, with subject line
Ambient Air Quality Standards for consent decree upon written request ‘‘Green Bank Observatory’’.
ground-level ozone. The violations and payment of reproduction costs. • Mail to: Elizabeth Pentecost, RE:
relate to alleged failures to adequately Green Bank Observatory, National
Please mail your request and payment
design, operate, and maintain vapor Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower
to: Consent Decree Library, U.S. DOJ—
control systems at the Tank Systems, Avenue, Suite W9152, Alexandria, VA
ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC
resulting in emissions of volatile organic 22314.
20044–7611.
compounds (‘‘VOC’’) and other Please enclose a check or money order FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
pollutants to the atmosphere. for $25.25 (25 cents per page further information regarding the EIS
The proposed consent decree covers reproduction cost) payable to the United process or Section 106 consultation,
PDC’s Tank Systems in the 8-hour States Treasury. contact: Elizabeth Pentecost, National
Ozone Control Area equipped with Science Foundation, Division of
vapor control systems pursuant to Jeffrey Sands, Astronomical Sciences, 2415
Regulation No. 7 to achieve required Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W9152,
system-wide emission reductions (more Enforcement Section, Environment and Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: (703)
than 600 Tank Systems). The proposed Natural Resources Division.
292–4907; email: epenteco@nsf.gov.
decree requires PDC to perform [FR Doc. 2017–24250 Filed 11–7–17; 8:45 am] DEIS Information: The DEIS, as well
injunctive relief, including conducting BILLING CODE 4410–15–P as information about the public meeting,
engineering evaluations of the vapor is posted at www.nsf.gov/AST. A copy
control systems at each of the Tank of the DEIS will be available for review
Systems and completing any necessary NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION at the following libraries: Green Bank
corrective actions to ensure that the Public Library, 5683 Potomac Highlands
vapor control systems are adequately Notice of Availability and Notice of Trail, Green Bank, WV 24944, Durbin
designed and sized. PDC must also Public Meeting for the Draft Community Library, 4361 Staunton
complete two environmental mitigation Environmental Impact Statement Parkersburg Turnpike, Durbin, WV
projects at a cost of $1.7 million and pay (DEIS) for the Green Bank 26264.
a $2.5 million civil penalty, $1 million Observatory, Green Bank, West
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Green
of which is anticipated to be used to Virginia
Bank Observatory (GBO) is located in
perform one or more State-Only AGENCY: National Science Foundation. Pocahontas County, West Virginia,
Supplemental Environmental Projects. adjacent to the Monongahela National
ACTION: Notice of availability and notice
Entering into and fully complying with Forest. NSF owns the GBO land, which
of public meeting.
the proposed consent decree will release consists of numerous parcels acquired
PDC from past civil liability at the Tank SUMMARY: The National Science by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in
Systems and associated vapor control Foundation (NSF) has made available the 1950s, when GBO was formed as the
systems for violations of the Colorado for public review and comment the first (and then, only) site of the National
SIP and Regulation No. 7 relating to Draft Environmental Impact Statement Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).
VOC emissions from condensate storage (DEIS) for Green Bank Observatory. This The GBO facilities include the Robert C.
tanks. DEIS has been prepared for the National Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the largest
The publication of this notice opens Science Foundation (NSF) to evaluate fully steerable radio telescope in the
a period for public comment on the the potential environmental impacts world; the 43-meter Telescope; the
consent decree. Comments should be resulting from proposed operational Green Bank Solar Radio Burst
addressed to the Assistant Attorney changes due to funding constraints for Spectrometer; the 20-meter Geodetic
General, Environment and Natural the Green Bank Observatory in Green Telescope; the 40-foot Telescope; the
Resources Division, and should refer to Bank, West Virginia. The DEIS was Interferometer Range; and previously
United States, et al. v. PDC Energy, Inc., prepared in compliance with the operational telescopes.
D.J. Ref. No. 90–5–2–1–11467. All National Environmental Policy Act of The NSF Directorate for Mathematical
comments must be submitted no later 1969. Consultation under Section 106 of and Physical Sciences, Division of
than thirty (30) days after the the National Historic Preservation Act Astronomical Sciences (AST), through a
publication date of this notice. (NHPA) is being conducted concurrent series of academic community-based
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Comments may be submitted either by with the NEPA process. reviews, has identified the need to
email or by mail: DATES: NSF will accept comments on divest several facilities from its
the DEIS for 60 days following portfolio. This would allow NSF to
To submit
comments: Send them to: publication of this Notice of retain the balance of capabilities needed
Availability; an additional 15 days are to deliver the best performance on
By email ......... pubcomment-ees.enrd@ being provided beyond the standard 45- emerging and key science technology of
usdoj.gov. day review period to allow for the the present decade and beyond. In 2012,
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Notices 51879
AST’s portfolio review committee Dated: November 3, 2017. document referenced (if it is available in
recommended divestment of the Green Suzanne H. Plimpton, ADAMS) is provided the first time that
Bank Telescope (GBT) from the AST Reports Clearance Officer, National Science it is mentioned. The RG 1.12 is available
portfolio, stating the following: ‘‘The Foundation. in ADAMS under Accession No.
GBT is the world’s most sensitive [FR Doc. 2017–24322 Filed 11–7–17; 8:45 am] ML17094A831.
single-dish radio telescope at BILLING CODE 7555–01–P • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and
wavelengths shorter than 10 cm; purchase copies of public documents at
however, its capabilities are not as the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One
critical to New World New Horizons NUCLEAR REGULATORY White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
[astronomy and astrophysics decadal COMMISSION Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
survey] science goals as the higher- Regulatory guides are not
ranked facilities.’’ In response to these [NRC–2016–0201]
copyrighted, and NRC approval is not
recommendations, in 2016, NSF required to reproduce them.
Nuclear Power Plant Instrumentation
completed a feasibility study to inform
for Earthquakes FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
and define options for the Observatory’s
future disposition that would involve Sarah Tabatabai, Office of Nuclear
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
significantly decreasing or eliminating Regulatory Research, telephone: 301–
Commission.
NSF funding of Green Bank 415–2982, email: Sarah.Tabatabai@
ACTION: Regulatory guide, issuance.
Observatory. NSF issued a Notice of nrc.gov; Vladimir Graizer, Office of New
Intent to prepare an EIS on October 19, SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Reactors, telephone 301–415–0675,
2016, held scoping meetings on Commission (NRC) is issuing Revision 3 email: Vladimir.Graizer@nrc.gov, and
November 9, 2016, and held a 30-day of Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.12, ‘‘Nuclear Edward O’Donnell, Office of Nuclear
public comment period that closed on Power Plant Instrumentation for Regulatory Research, telephone: 301–
November 25, 2016. Earthquakes.’’ This revision to the guide 415–3317, email: Edward.ODonnell@
addresses new reactor plant nrc.gov. All are staff members of the
Alternatives to be evaluated in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
EIS, which may be refined through configurations and the state of practice
of seismic instrumentation since Washington, DC 20555–0001.
public input, include the following:
Revision 2 of RG 1.12 in 1997. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
• Collaboration with interested revision describes the seismic
parties for continued science- and I. Discussion
instrumentation criteria, including
education-focused operations with instrumentation type, locations, The NRC is issuing a revision to an
reduced NSF funding (Agency-preferred characteristics, and maintenance, that existing guide in the NRC’s ‘‘Regulatory
Alternative). the NRC staff considers acceptable for Guide’’ series. This series was
• Collaboration with interested nuclear power plants. developed to describe and make
parties for operation as a technology and DATES: Revision 3 to RG 1.12 is available available to the public information
education park. on November 8, 2017. regarding methods that are acceptable to
• Mothballing of facilities ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID the NRC staff for implementing specific
(suspension of operations in a manner NRC–2016–0201 when contacting the parts of the agency’s regulations,
such that operations could resume NRC about the availability of techniques that the NRC staff uses in
efficiently at some future date). information regarding this document. evaluating specific issues or postulated
• Demolition and site restoration. You may obtain publicly-available events, and data that the NRC staff
information related to this document needs in its review of applications for
• No-Action Alternative: Continued permits and licenses.
NSF investment for science-focused using any of the following methods:
operations. • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to Revision 3 of RG 1.12 was issued with
http://www.regulations.gov and search a temporary identification of draft
No final decisions will be made for Docket ID NRC–2016–0201. Address Regulatory Guide, DG–1332. The NRC
regarding the proposed changes to questions about NRC dockets to Carol revised the guide to incorporate
operations at Green Bank Observatory Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; advances in seismic instrumentation
prior to issuance of an FEIS, and, email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For and operating experience since the
subsequently, a Record of Decision for technical questions, contact the issuance of Revision 2 of RG 1.12 in
the Proposed Action. individuals listed in the FOR FURTHER 1997. The revision describes the seismic
Public Meeting: A public meeting to INFORMATION CONTACT section of this instrumentation criteria, including
address the DEIS and to solicit public document. instrumentation type, locations,
input under Section 106 of the NHPA • NRC’s Agencywide Documents characteristics, and maintenance, that
will take place in Green Bank with Access and Management System the NRC staff considers acceptable for
notification of the time and location (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- nuclear power plants.
published in the local newspapers, as available documents online in the
II. Additional Information
follows: ADAMS Public Documents collection at
• Public meeting: November 30, 2017, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ The NRC published a notice of the
at 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. adams.html. To begin the search, select availability of DG–1332 in the Federal
‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then Register on September 21, 2016 (81 FR
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Green Bank Science Center select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS 64954), for a 60-day public comment
155 Observatory Road Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, period. The public comment period
Green Bank, WV 24915 please contact the NRC’s Public closed on November 21, 2016. Public
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at comments on DG–1332 and the staff
Telephone: (304) 456–2011
1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by responses to the public comments are
The meeting will be transcribed by a email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The available under ADAMS under
court reporter. ADAMS accession number for each Accession No. ML17095A314.
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Document Created: 2017-11-08 01:20:22
Document Modified: 2017-11-08 01:20:22
| 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 availability and notice of public meeting. | |
| Dates | NSF will accept comments on the DEIS for 60 days following publication of this Notice of Availability; an additional 15 days are being provided beyond the standard 45-day review period to allow for the holidays). Comments may be submitted verbally during the public meeting scheduled for November 30, 2017 (see details in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION) or in writing until January 8th, 2018. Substantive | |
| Contact | For further information regarding the EIS process or Section 106 consultation, contact: Elizabeth Pentecost, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W9152, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: (703) 292-4907; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 51878 |
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