Final Record of Decision

Federal RegisterJul 11, 1997

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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Final Record of Decision

AGENCY: General Services Administration, in cooperation with Food and

Drug Administration, Assistance from Leo A Daly Greenhorne and O'Mara,

Inc.

DIRECT INQUIRIES TO: Mr. Jag Bhargava, Development Director, General

Services Administration, National Capital Region, 7th and D Streets,

S.W., Washington, DC 20407, (202) 708-6570.

Abstract

June, 1997

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This Record of Decision formally documents the intent of the

General Services Administration and the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration to construct new consolidated, state-of-the-art

facilities for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at the former

Naval Surface Warfare Center at White Oak in Montgomery County,

Maryland. This Record of Decision summarizes the impacts of the

proposed development and proposed mitigation measures which are

detailed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Specific

mitigation plans will be developed during the design stage and will

consist of those strategies identified in the Final EIS.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy

Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations (40

CFR Part 1500 and 1508), and the General Services Administration (GSA)

Handbook, PBS Preparation of Environmental Assessments and

Environmental Impact Statements (PBS P 1095.4B), GSA, in its role as

manager of federal government real estate and

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space planning, announces its Record of Decision regarding locating the

proposed consolidation of the Headquarters component of the U.S. Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) at the former Naval Surface Warfare

Center at White Oak in Montgomery County, Maryland. GSA will develop

the White Oak site with approximately 2,111,421 gross square feet of

offices, laboratories and support facilities for approximately 5,947

employees and 500 visitors per day.

I. The Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action

Purpose of the Proposed Action

The purpose of the proposed action is to provide new, consolidated,

state-of-the-art facilities for the headquarters component of FDA on

one location in Montgomery County, Maryland. The White Oak site would

be used to consolidate the Office of the Commissioner, the Center for

Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Devices and Radiological

Health, and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the

Center for Devices and Radiological Health, and the Center for

Biologics Evaluation and Research. (The Center for Veterinary Medicine

and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition would be in

separate locations in Prince George's County, Maryland, and have been

addressed in separate environmental documents.)

Background of the Proposed Action

In 1990, Congress passed the FDA Revitalization Act, which

authorized the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the

Administrator of the GSA to plan, design, and construct a consolidated

facility for FDA. In the Fiscal Year 1992 Appropriation of funding for

the FDA consolidation, Congress directed that the new facilities

supporting FDA be constructed on two sites. The directive of the

Appropriation split the consolidation between two counties in Maryland.

In May of 1995, the U.S. Congress rescinded the funding for the FDA

consolidation in Montgomery County. In order to reinstate the funding,

GSA and FDA developed a revised program to (1) reduce the size and

cost, (2) reduce the construction budget, (3) utilize a smaller site,

and (4) find a less remote, more developed location, for the proposed

action.

Need for the Proposed Action

The Headquarters components of FDA are current housed in more than

40 federally-owned or leased buildings at 18 locations throughout the

Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. The dispersed locations of the FDA

have created both administrative and operational inefficiencies,

including duplication of services. The fragmentation of and distance

between FDA's metropolitan facilities, coupled with inadequate parking

at several facilities, make travel between the various components

inefficient. Also, many of the buildings occupied by FDA are old, in

poor condition, and overcrowded.

The proposed action is needed to provide a consolidated facility

for FDA. The consolidation would improve administrative and operational

efficiency and would facilitate communication and interaction among

staff. The proposed action would provide state-of-the-art laboratories

and buildings for FDA. The facilities would provide flexibility for FDA

to quickly and economically respond to changing priorities and programs

and advances in science and technology through modular planning and

systems flexibility. The new facilities would improve safety and reduce

potential hazards through careful design of the laboratories, animal

rooms, offices, and support spaces, including adequate processing and

storage areas for wastes.

The new facilities would improve energy efficiency through heat

recovery strategies, central power plant efficiencies, site placement

and landscaping, and an efficient building envelop, form, and

operation.

The consolidation of the FDA Headquarters at new state-of-the-art

facilities would provide a quality workplace environment that would

promote creativity and productivity and facilities communication among

staff. A quality workplace environment would also improve FDA's

opportunities to recruit and retain high quality employees.

II. Alternatives Considered

Description of the Proposed Action

The FDA Consolidation within Montgomery County would consist of

constructing approximately 2,111,421 gross square feet (gsf) [190,028

square meters (m2)] of offices, laboratories, and support

facilities for approximately 5,947 employees and 500 visitors per day.

The Office of the Commissioner would have its own office building

and each of the centers of FDA Headquarters would have its own research

laboratory facilities, in separate structures, to support its

regulatory mission. Shared support facilities proposed for the FDA

consolidation are listed bellow:

Agency Crisis Center.

Auditorium.

Broadcast Studio.

Child-Care Center.

Computer Center.

Credit Union.

Custodial Services.

Employee Assistance.

Food Services.

Health Center.

Library and Resource Center.

Mailing Center.

Maintenance Shop.

Security/Guard Station.

Shipping and Receiving.

Training Center.

Visitor Center.

Warehouse.

Waste Storage.

The laboratory portion of the facility would house research

laboratories, laboratory support, and offices for the scientists. In

order to provide efficient design, the laboratories would likely be

medium-rise structures.

Naval Surface Warfare Center at White Oak

The Naval Surface Warfare Center at White Oak in Silver Spring,

Maryland is the Selected Alternative for the proposed FDA

consolidation. The site has been used by the Navy for research,

development, testing, and evaluation since 1946. The Defense Base

Closure and Realignment Act of 1995 mandated that the Navy close the

White Oak base. The site encompasses 670 acres (268 hectares). The most

concentrated area of development would be on the western portion of the

site. The site layout would maximize the conservation of existing

wetlands, stream valleys, forested areas, and steep slopes. The

proposed facilities would include a compact layout, utilizing medium-

rise buildings clustered on approximately 130 acres (52 hectares). A

40-acre remote parking lot is proposed, as well as a new access road to

Cherry Hill Road.

Reuse of Existing White Oak Facilities

GSA prepared a detailed evaluation of the existing buildings and

systems for their potential renovation/reuse in the new development

scheme, or alternatively, their demolition. It is known that existing

buildings contain hazardous materials, in the form of asbestos and lead

paint, which would have to be removed or encapsulated before the

buildings could be demolished or renovated. Findings indicated that it

would not be cost effective to rehabilitate and reuse the majority of

the existing buildings. Two buildings will be reused, Building 1 (the

Main Administration Building and Building 100.

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No-Action Alternative

Under the No-Action alternative, the FDA, through GSA, would

continue to use its existing facilities of more than 40 government-

owned and leased buildings at 18 locations in the Washington D.C.

Metropolitan area. Additional facilities would be leased as the need

arises.

The No-Action alternative would not allow for the improved

efficiency resulting from consolidated of the administrative,

management, and technical support functions of the Headquarters

component of FDA. Higher administrative costs, due to duplication of

services in multiple facilities, would continue. The existing

facilities would not allow FDA to support the changing technology

required to meet its regulatory mission. Expansion and renovation of

existing FDA facilities or the leasing of additional facilities would

be necessary to alleviate overcrowding. Under the No-Action

alternative, the White Oak site studied in this EIS would not be used

for the proposed FDA consolidation.

Alternative Sites Considered and Dismissed

Private Sector Site for Construction of New Facilities

The site selection process began with an announcement of March 21,

1994, of GSA's intention to acquire a site for the proposed FDA

facilities in Montgomery County, Maryland. Early in the planning for

the FDA consolidation, GSA, in consultation with FDA, established

criteria for a site on which to construct the new facilities. These

criteria were established to meet FDA requirements for office and

laboratory space as well as for shared use support areas (see Section

2.2.3).

Nine sites were evaluated to determine compliance with the

advertised criteria. These evaluations were based upon not only data

received from the offerors, but also upon additional data obtained

independently by the Site Selection Team from public agency mapping

sources, aerial photo interpretations, physical site investigations,

and environmental analyses. The Site Selection Team determined that

five of the sites did not meet advertised requirements and one of the

sites was withdrawn by the offeror. The sites studied in detail

included the King Farm site, the Germantown site, and the Clarksburg

Triangle site. These privately-owned sites were dismissed from

consideration with the offer of the White Oak, federally-owned

property.

Purchase or Lease Additional Facilities

Because the majority of existing FDA facilities cannot accommodate

expansion, GSA and FDA also investigated either the leasing or

purchasing of additional facilities. Public notices were published,

however, none of the offers received could provide sufficient space to

meet FDA's needs.

III. Environmental Impact Statement

An EIS was prepared to address the direct, indirect, and cumulative

impacts of the Proposed Action, consolidation of FDA at White Oak, and

No-Action alternatives. A Draft EIS was issued in March 1996 and the

Final EIS was issued in April 1997. Impacts from the No-Action

alternative were assessed based on the FDA remaining in currently-used

facilities. The environmental issues addressed in the EIS were

identified through early public involvement (scoping); through

consultations with local, state, and federal agencies; and by the

project team, which includes GSA, FDA, and contractor personnel who

have had experience with projects of similar scope. For discussion and

analysis, the issues are grouped into four categories: natural and

physical environment; socioeconomic environment; cultural environment;

and infrastructure and waste management. The EIS identified the

Proposed Action alternative as the preferred alternative.

IV. Affected Environment

The White Oak site encompasses 670 acres (268 hectares), of which

approximately 621 acres (248 hectares) lie within Montgomery County and

approximately 49 acres (20 hectares) lie within Prince George's County

Maryland. Primary access to the site is from New Hampshire Avenue,

approximately 1.15 miles (1.84 kilometers) north of the Capital

Beltway, Interstate 495, and 0.75 miles (1.22 kilometers) south of U.S.

Highway 29, Colesville Road.

The White Oak site is roughly 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) east-west

by 3,300 feet (1,006 meters) north-south. The property was acquired by

the Navy in 1944 and utilized until recently for research, development,

testing and evaluation of weapons systems. The developed areas of the

site are separated by eight wooded stream courses, the largest of which

is Paint Branch, bisecting the site from north to south. Existing

development is grouped on the western, central and eastern thirds of

the site, with the main concentration being on the western third. There

are 212 existing structures on site.

V. Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action and Mitigation

Measures

The proposed FDA facilities would be constructed on a compact site

layout, utilizing medium-rise buildings clustered on approximately 130

acres (52 hectares) of the western portion of the site. In addition to

the 130-acre development area, 40 acres (16 hectares) are proposed for

use as remote parking. The majority of the White Oak site, including

all buildings, ground and infrastructure, outside the 170 acres (68

hectares) developed for FDA's consolidation, would remain as it exist

when the Navy leaves. Future development of currently unoccupied area

would be subject to separate environmental reviews. The proposed limits

of disturbance for development of the centers, road, and support

facilities were used to assess impact for the Proposed Action.

A summary of the impacts to the natural and physical environment,

the social environment, the cultural environment, and infrastructure

and waste management along with proposed mitigation measures is

provided below.

Geology, Soils, and Topography

The construction of the FDA facility would interact with the

existing geologic environment as the result of grading activities

associated with construction which would alter the topography and soils

of the site. Construction in areas with steep slopes will be avoided to

the extent possible. Detailed subsurface engineering studies will be

undertaken prior to design and construction to ensure that sound

building practices are followed. Soil suitability will be determined

and appropriate building foundation specifications will be developed. A

detailed erosion and sedimentation plan will be developed prior to

construction, following the state's ``Erosion and Sediment Control

Guidelines for State and Federal Projects'' (Maryland Department of

Environment (MDE), 1990), to ensure that appropriate soil erosion and

sediment control measures are taken during construction of buildings,

roadways, or utility lines to minimize soil loss due to erosion.

Water Resources

Of the ten stream systems on the White Oak site (Paint Branch,

Westfarm Branch, and eight unnamed tributaries), five streams could be

directly affected by the proposed action. Paint Branch and its

tributaries on the White Oak site

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are classified by Maryland Department of the Environment as Use II

waters and carry the state's most stringent water quality standards.

Stormwater management for the proposed development will be designed to

meet MDE requirements. Three stormwater management detention (dry)

basins and an underground stormwater management facility will provide

quantitative control for the main FDA site. Four stormwater management

(dry) basins will provide quantitative control for the remote parking

area, and another detention (dry) basin will provide quantitative

control for the new entrance road connecting existing Dahlgren Road to

Cherry Hill Road.

Qualitative stormwater management will be provided by bioretention

areas and, if feasible, infiltration trenches throughout the site.

Bioretention areas are proposed for many of the islands in the parking

lots to treat the runoff from the parking lots. Infiltration trenches

will provide qualitative control for the buildings and roads.

Several non-structural best management practices (BMPs) will be

incorporated into the design of the project to further mitigate

potential water quality concerns. Open section roads (i.e., no curb and

gutter) with grass swales and vegetated islands will be used on the

site to filter pollutants and reduce thermal impacts. Stream buffers

will be maintained to protect stream water quality in accordance with

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)

guidelines.

Mitigation measures will be incorporated into the construction to

minimize the risk of contaminants entering groundwater. Proper

precautions will be taken to prevent transport of contaminants during

construction and excavation activities. The amount of mowed lawns will

be minimized and integrated pest management techniques will be used

during landscaping and turf maintenance practices to reduce the

potential for altering groundwater quality.

Wetlands

Based on the proposed limits of disturbance, there will be no

direct impacts to vegetated wetlands. Incidental impacts (X) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The

stationary sources at NSWC, including the proposed new boilers, will

not impact the attainment of a 15 percent reduction in VOCs, as

outlined in the Maryland State Implementation Plan. Upon comparison of

the emissions from the automobile exhaust, it was determined that the

carbon monoxide, NOx, and particulate matter emissions were

well below the de minimis levels. Therefore, emissions generated from

the proposed action are exempt from further analysis as defined in the

General Conformity Rule under the Clean Air Act.

The White Oak site is located in an ozone serious nonattainment

area, however, the area is in attainment for carbon monoxide. The

requirements will include review of criteria pollutants, if any, to be

generated from the proposed sources. The permits will be reviewed and

approved by the Maryland Air and Radiation Administration. The proposed

boilers will require permits from the MDE. During the permitting

process for the proposed boilers, the impacts on the ambient air

quality will be determined. The air quality model in this case will

also determine the minimum stack heights required to effectively

disperse the emissions from the proposed boilers.

Federal mandates to reduce emissions include controls for refueling

operations, inspection, and maintenance of vehicle emission systems.

States and local governments have regulated specific operations and

participated in the reformulated gasoline program. Car pooling,

employee commute options, mass transit improvements, high occupancy

vehicle (HOV) lanes are some of the Transportation Control Measures

(TCMs), FDA, since it is a government agency, will be required to

implement these measures to reduce emissions.

Noise

Direct, short-term noise impacts would result from construction

activities during development of the FDA facility. There would be no

direct impacts to area noise levels due to operations of the proposed

facility. Noise levels should be similar or slightly lower than those

currently at the side due to cessation of current Navy tests involving

explosives. Indirect roadway traffic noise will have virtually no

impact on noise levels at the identified sensitive receptors.

Noise from construction equipment can be reduced by the

construction of temporary noise barriers by avoiding times of day or

days of the week when noise exposures will be more objectionable (for

example, weekend mornings). The lowest amplitude back-up alarms

sufficient for ``audibility'' to meet safety requirements will be used.

Equipment will be operated with manufacturer noise control features in

working order.

Facilities on the FDA site that would generate noise will be

located as far from noise-sensitive receptors as possible. Site

topography and layout will be used to provide shielding by hillsides or

other structures. For indoor noise sources, buildings will be specified

to provide suitable sound attenuation and the equipment operating

spaces will be treated to minimize interior sound buildup. Internal

combustion engine exhausts and fans drawing from or discharging to the

atmosphere will be fitted with silencers. Where possible, installed

equipment will be specified to minimize noise generation (for example,

fan selection for low noise). Noisy facility operations will be

scheduled for times that are least noise-sensitive.

Land Use

The existing zoning for the White Oak site is for residential

development; however, the proposed land use is compatible with the

existing land use and impact will be minimal.

Population

Because no residential uses are contemplated as part of the

proposed FDA consolidation and since the proposed action would result

primarily in a consolidation of existing offices and laboratories,

implementation of the proposed action on this site should not result in

a significant change in county-wide population characteristics or

projections.

Housing

Additional housing demand may be generated in the White Oak area

due to the relocation of FDA facilities.

Economy, Employment, and Income

The proposed action at White Oak will have positive short-term

impacts on

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the regional economy. The consolidation of the FDA facilities will not

significantly affect the economy of the National Capital Region because

neither employment nor procurement is expected to change. However, the

White Oak Master Plan area of Montgomery County will benefit from

payroll spending by FDA employees at local businesses and income of FDA

employees choosing to relocate their place of residence.

Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-Income Populations

The proposed action will not disproportionately impact minority or

low-income populations in the White Oak area. Construction of the

proposed project will not hinder the continued economic growth or alter

the character of the area.

Taxes and Revenue

Taxes and government revenues are not expected to be significantly

affected by the proposed action.

Community Facilities and Services

Construction of the FDA facility at White Oak would not result in

any direct impacts to existing community facilities and services.

Aesthetics and Visual Resources

The project facilities would permanently affect the existing

appearance of the landscape within the project site. Special care will

be given to the architectural character of the new buildings so that

they are compatible with the surrounding area. Landscaping measures

will help mitigate the visual impacts of the proposed facilities from

surrounding properties.

Public Health and Safety

Details of the safety, prevention and mitigation procedures that

will be employed to protect public health at the FDA facility will be

provided by the FDA in a Safety Analysis Report when definitive plans

for the site are in place. Extensive prevention and mitigation

procedures are practiced by the FDA to prevent occupational hazards and

migration of contaminants off site via transport by workers or any

other pathway.

These regulations will contain hazardous or infectious substances

in a controlled environment, and will prevent exposure of the general

public to any agents that may adversely affect human health.

Historic Properties

The Maryland Historic Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form

concluded that the Haval Ordnance Laboratory (NOL) historic district is

significant under National Register Criterion A, B, and C, and

possesses exceptional significance under National Register Criteria

Consideration G, at the national level for its pivotal role as a first-

generation Cold-War-period defense weapons research facility.

If the Maryland State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) concurs

with this finding, then the proposed action will have an Adverse Effect

on the Naval Ordnance Laboratory historic district as defined in 36 CFR

800.9 Approximately 70 Contributing historic district resources and 46

Non-contributing resources will be demolished within the 100 Area, and

approximately 4 Contributing resources will be taken within the 200

Area. In the event of a finding of Adverse Effect, GSA will follow the

requirements found in 36 CFR 800.5e (When the effect is adverse). In

compliance with these requirements, GSA will: notify the Advisory

Council on Historic Preservation (Council); consult with the SHPO and

involve interested persons as participating consulting parties;

document the finding of Adverse Effect according to 36 CFR 800.8;

inform the public of the finding of Adverse Effect; and execute a

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the SHPO specifying how the effects

will be taken into account. The MOA is expected to provide an agreement

on ways in which GSA will minimize or mitigate these adverse impacts.

Archeological Resources

The Phase I archaeological investigation revealed no prehistoric or

historic archaeological remains within the areas of potential effects

for the proposed construction activities. Concurrence from the State

Historic Preservation Office (Maryland Historical Trust) is pending.

Utilities

Adequate water supply can be provided to the White Oak site from

existing service connections. Improvements to the existing sewer system

will be required, and the Paint Branch Trunk sewer will likely require

relief in the next 5 to 10 years. GSA and FDA will prepare a water

conservation plan and policy, install water saving fixtures, and design

landscape plans for minimum water usage.

Adequate electrical power and natural gas be supplied to the White

Oak site from existing lines. Energy conservation measures will be

incorporated into building design. Updated on-site communication

systems will be required.

Transportation and Parking

Access to the White Oak site is provided via MD 650 and Cherry Hill

Road. The improvements proposed for the main entrance to the site from

MD 650 include:

A single left-turn lane for southbound MD 650 into the

site.

A right-turn lane for northbound MD 650 into the site.

A right-turn lane from the site to northbound MD 650.

Three left-turn lanes, including a shared through lane,

from the site to southbound MD 650.

A new full entrance is proposed from Cherry Hill Road adjacent to

the northeast corner of the property. This entrance will be at a new

location close to the Montgomery/Prince George's county line and will

include:

A left-and right-turn lane exiting the site to Cherry Hill

Road.

A right-turn lane for eastbound Cherry Hill Road into the

site.

A left-turn lane for westbound Cherry Hill Road into the

site.

Intersection capacity analyses were performed for the AM and PM

peak hours at study intersections within the White Oak study area for

the projected build-out year of 2005. The results of he analyses

indicated that the majority of intersections would not operate at

acceptable levels of service with or without the proposed FDA facility.

A Transportation Management Plan (TMP) was developed to aid in the

mitigation of traffic impacts from FDA to the extent possible.

Transportation management strategies proposed include: provision of

employee transportation coordinator; ride-matching service;

preferential parking for carpools and vanpools; guaranteed ride home

program; flexitime program; flecxiplace program; and bus service to/

from Metrorail. In addition to these strategies, the following is a

list of roadway improvements that would be necessary to mitigate

traffic impacts if the FDA facility is located at the White Oak site.

MD 650 at Michelson Road. These improvements include the

addition of a right-turn lane along northbound MD 650 into the site.

The total length of the lane, including taper, would be 350 feed (107

meters). the intersection improvements for MD 650 at Michelson Road

mitigate the traffic impacts at the intersection in the PM but not the

AM peak hour.

MD 650 and Schindler Drive/Mahan Drive (Main Gate.) These

improvements include the addition of a

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northbound channelized right-turn lane into the site; and extending the

southbound left-turn lane on MD 650. The total length of the northbound

right-turn lane, including taper, is 350 feet (107 meters) and the

southbound left-turn lane is 400 feet (120 meters). These improvements

also include the addition of two additional westbound lanes out of the

site. The improvements to the intersection do not mitigate the traffic

impact at the intersection in the PM peak hour.

MD 650 at Powder Mill Road. These improvements include the

widening of southbound MD 650 to accommodate the turning movements of

three left-turn lanes from the east leg of Powder Mill Road. Widening

will occur north and south of the intersection to transition the

southbound lanes from a lane width of 12 feet to a width of 14 feet.

The east leg of Powder Mill road will be restriped to provide double

left-turn lanes, a thru/left-turn lane, and a right-turn lane and the

traffic signal will be modified.

MD 650 at Lockwood Drive. These improvements involve

reconfiguring the intersection to provide an additional left-turn lane

on Lockwood Drive's east and west approach to MD 650.

Cherry Hill Road at Broadbirch Dr./Calverton Blvd. These

improvements include the addition of a right-turn lane on northbound

Cherry Hill Road. The total length of the northbound right-turn lane,

including taper, is 350 feet (107 meters).

Cherry Hill Road to Powder Mill Road. These improvements

include the provision of separate north-and southbound left-turn lanes.

The total length for both the north- and southbound lanes is 150 feet

(46 meters).

U.S. 29 at Lockwood Drive. These improvements involve

widening the driveway from the Manor Care property to provide an

additional left-turn lane.

The widening of Cherry Hill Road to four lanes from the Montgomery

County line to Autoville Drive in College Park is included in the

Prince George's County FY 1996-2001 Capital Improvement Program.

However, this project is not presently funded. The Subregion 1 Master

Plan identifies Powder Mill Road as an arterial highway which will be

ultimately built as a four to six-lane divided roadway between the

Montgomery County line and U.S. 1 in Beltsville. Construction of these

improvements to Cherry Hill Road and Powder Mill Road will improve

access to the FDA site and more than mitigate existing and projected

levels of service at the intersection of Cherry Hill Road and Powder

Mill Road. In addition, access to the FDA site from I-95 will be

greatly enhanced.

The following intersections are not mitigated:

U.S. 29 at Cherry Hill Road/Randolph Road.

MD 650 at Lockwood Drive.

MD 650 at Elton Road.

FDA traffic will have a relatively small impact on those

intersections at which mitigation was not recommended. Mitigation was

not recommended at these intersections due to physical constraints such

as existing structures and inadequate rights of way. In addition, these

intersections were projected to fail under future conditions without

the presence of FDA traffic.

To improve traffic flow in the area surrounding the site,

implementation of regional solutions proposed in the Montgomery and

Prince George's Counties Master Plans will be necessary. These

improvements could include construction of grade separated interchanges

on U.S. 29, widening Cherry Hill Road and Powder Mill Road, and

construction of a Transitway on U.S. 29. Additional regional solutions

would include enhanced bus and feeder service to Metrorail and MARC

train stations at Silver Spring and Greenbelt.

Waste Management

Waste types to be generated by FDA include: general waste

(including recyclable waste), medical waste, hazardous waste, low-level

radioactive waste, and mixed waste. All wastes will be properly

handled, stored, and removed from the site in accordance with

appropriate state and federal regulations.

VI. Areas of Controversy

The following areas of controversy concerning the proposed action

have been identified from public and agency comments: the effects of

the FDA facility on area traffic: the availability of adequate public

transportation; existing contamination on the White Oak site; effects

of the new facility on water quality; and historic preservation. The

actions taken to resolve these areas of controversy are presented

below.

Traffic

A traffic analysis was completed comparing the projected future

traffic conditions for area intersections without FDA to those

conditions projected for the proposed action. The results of the

traffic analysis indicated that the majority of intersections would not

operate at acceptable levels of service under either future scenario.

To mitigate the impacts to area traffic from the FDA facility, off-site

road improvements have been proposed as well as the implementation of

transportation demand management strategies to reduce the number of

vehicles accessing the White Oak site as detailed in Section V of this

report.

Public Transportation

The Silver Spring, Forest Glen, and Wheaton stations along the

Metrorail Red Line are located approximately three miles from the White

Oak site, and the Greenbelt and College Park stations of the Metrorail

Green Line are located approximately four miles from the White Oak

site. The MARC train also services stations in Silver Spring,

Greenbelt, and College Park. There are several Metrobus on Ride On bus

routes that service the White Oak area; however, the current services

schedules are infrequent and some existing bus stops are not

conveniently located.

A component of the Transportation Management Plan is to provide bus

service between the FDA facility and the Silver Spring Metro station.

GSA will discuss bus service options with Montgomery County.

Existing Contaminated Areas

The Navy is responsible for on-going remediation of all of the

identified contaminated sites. Remediation activities will continue to

be coordinated by the BRAC clean-up team which is comprised of the Navy

(NSWC Detachment White Oak), the MDE, and the U.S. EPA Region III.

These activities are communicated to the Restoration Advisory Board

which is made up of local government and community members.

Water Quality Impacts

Paint Branch and its tributaries on the White Oak site are

classified by Maryland Department of the Environment as Use III waters

and carry the state's most stringent water quality standards.

Mitigation measures will include stream valley buffers, the utilization

of best management practices for maximum pollutant removal efficiency,

and state-of-the-art stormwater management techniques. Several

stormwater management facilities are located within the stream valley

buffers; however, they are within areas already disturbed.

Historic Preservation

If the Maryland State Historic Preservation Officer concurs with

the designation of the Naval Ordinance Laboratory as a historic

district, then the proposed action will have an Adverse Effect. In the

event of a finding of Adverse Effect, GSA will follow the

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