Environmental Statements; Availability, etc.: Washington, D.C., Sport and Entertainment Arena Construction and Operation

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

GOVERNMENT

Environmental Statements; Availability, etc.: Washington, D.C.,

Sport and Entertainment Arena Construction and Operation

AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission and District of Columbia

Government.

ACTION: Proposed construction and operation of a sports and

entertainment arena in Washington, D.C.; public meeting and intent to

prepare an environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on

Environmental Quality (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and in accordance with

the Environmental Policies and Procedures implemented by the National

Capital Planning Commission (Commission), the Commission, and the

District of Columbia Government announce their intent to conduct one

(1) public meeting to discuss a new sports and entertainment arena in

Washington, D.C. The purpose of the public meeting is to determine the

significant issues related to the construction and operation of the

arena. The meeting will serve as part of the formal environmental

review/scoping process for the preparation of the environmental

document that is required for this project.

This Notice of Intent (NOI) initiates the formal environmental

review/scoping process for this project and the public is encouraged to

submit written comments on the alternatives and on the impacts at this

time. A comprehensive Environmental Assessment (EA) is considered to be

the appropriate environmental document for this project and its is

expected that completion of an EA will discharge all obligations under

Federal environmental laws. If it becomes apparent, however, through

the environmental review process that an Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS) is necessary, one will be prepared and a Supplemental Notice

informing the public of this change will be issued. In addition, the

comments and responses received on the scope of the alternative and

potential impacts, as a result of this NOI, will be considered for the

environmental document, whether it is ultimately an EA or an EIS,

although, as mentioned an EA is considered to be the appropriate

environmental document. Therefore, this is an announcement for the

environmental review/scoping meeting for this project.

The proposed sports and entertainment arena would seat a maximum of

approximately 23,000 persons and would be located in downtown

Washington, D.C. The site includes the following: Square 455 which is

bounded by G Street NW, 6th Street NW, F Street NW and 7th Street NW;

the right-of-way for the 600 block of G Street NW and, approximately,

the southern fifth of Square 454 which is bounded by H Street NW, 6th

Street NW, G Street NW and 7th Street NW. The proposed sports and

entertainment arena is scheduled to be completed in time for the 1997

basketball and hockey seasons.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) will identify and analyze impacts

and mitigation options of the alternative actions under consideration.

At present, those alternatives may include: (1) Construction and

operation of a new sports and entertainment arena at the Gallery Place

site; (2) construction and operation of a new sports and entertainment

arena at the Union Station air rights site; and (3) a No Action

Alternative, which would result in no new construction. Topics for

environmental analysis include short-term construction-related impacts;

long-term changes in traffic, parking, socio-economic impacts, land use

and physical/biologic conditions within the project area; historic and

visual resource protection; and site operations and maintenance.

The environmental review/scoping process will include all written

comments and one (1) public meeting for the purpose of determining

significant issues related to the alternatives and to the potential

impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of the

sports and entertainment arena. The public meeting will be held at:

Monday, February 13, 1995 at the D.C. Convention Center, Rooms 30 and

31, at 900 9th Street N.W. at 7:00 PM

This public meeting will be advertised in local and regional

newspapers. Adequate signs will be posted to direct meeting

participants. A short formal presentation will precede the request for

public comments. National Capital Planning Commission and District of

Columbia representatives will be available at this meeting to receive

comments from the public regarding issues of concern. It is important

that Federal, regional and local agencies, and interested individuals

and groups take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns

that should be addressed during the preparation of the Draft EA. In the

interest of available time, each speaker will be asked to limit oral

comments to five (5) minutes. A document summarizing the written and

oral comments received will be prepared.

An Informational Packet will be available for inspection at the

offices of the National Capital Planning Commission at 801 Pennsylvania

Avenue N.W., D.C. Public Libraries, the [[Page 3274]] lobby of One

Judiciary Square at 441 4th Street, N.W., and the District Building at

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., and upon request. Agencies and the

general public are invited and are encouraged to provide written

comments on the scoping issues in addition to, or in lieu of, oral

comments at the public meeting. To be most helpful environmental

review/scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or

topics which the community believes the EA should address.

Dates: All written statements regarding environmental review of the

proposed arena must be postmarked no later than February 17, 1995 to

the National Capital Planning Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.,

Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20576, Attention: Mr. Maurice Fousbee,

Community Planner, Phone: (202) 724-0174.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: National Capital Planning

Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 301, Washington, D.C.

20576. Attention: Ms. Sandra H. Shapiro, General Counsel, Phone: (202)

724-0174.

Mr. Reginald Griffith,

Executive Director, National Capital Planning Commission.

[FR Doc. 95-960 Filed 1-12-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7502-02-M