Environmental Assessment for Disposal and Reuse of the Defense Mapping Agency, Herndon, VA

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Environmental Assessment for Disposal and Reuse of the Defense

Mapping Agency, Herndon, VA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Public Law 100-526, the Defense

Authorizations and Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act of

1988, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended

the closure of the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA), Herndon, Virginia

property. This recommendation became law on January 5, 1989.

The environmental assessment evaluates the environmental impacts

associated with the disposal and reuse of the property after the

closure of DMA, Herndon. Implementation of the Global Positioning

System eliminated the need for this facility and property. Personnel

originally assigned to DMA, Herndon, were reassigned to the DMA

Hydrographic-Topographic Center in Brookmont, Maryland. This move is in

the local commuting area.

The proposed action is the disposal of excess property made

available by the closure of the Herndon facility. The environmental

assessment evaluated two potential alternatives. Alternative 1 is the

disposal of the 11.96-acre facility and transfer to the Fairfax County

Park Authority (FCPA) for use as public park and recreation land. FCPA

submitted an application to the National Park Service (NPS), Department

of the Interior, to acquire the property under a public benefit

discount conveyance pursuant to Section 203(d)(2) of the Federal

Property Administrative Services Act of 1949 (63 Statute 387) as

amended, for use as public park and recreation land. The application

was approved by the NPS on July 6, 1990. The property will be

maintained by the local government. The FCPA indicated the site is

located in the Upper Potomac Planning District, which has a critical

shortage of athletic fields. The property will provide an adult

softball field, a soccer/football field, and/or a small playground, and

parking area. The existing buildings could potentially be used for

concessions, restrooms, or other supporting facilities.

Alternative 2 is the no-action alternative. Implementation of the

no-action means the proposed transfer of the 11.96 acres would not be

implemented and the property would remain under caretaker status.

Implementation of the no-action alternative would result in the

facility remaining closed to the public and maintained by the Army. The

Army would patrol the area periodically, maintain security,

infrastructure and utilities and structures to prevent deterioration.

Land management activities would continue to the extent necessary

to prevent nuisance conditions. The proposed disposal and reuse of the

11.96 acre property does not constitute a major federal action

significantly affecting the human environment.

DATES: Written public comments and suggestions will be accepted on or

before November 13, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No

Significant Impact can be obtained by writing to the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, ATTN: Ms. Maria E. de la Torre (CENAB-PL-EM), P.O. Box 1715,

Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, within 30 days of the date of

publication of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Maria E. de la Torre (CENAB-PL-EM), P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore,

Maryland 21203-1715.

Dated: October 5, 1995.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety &

Occupational Health) OASA, (I, L&E).

[FR Doc. 95-25320 Filed 10-12-95; 8:45 am]

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