Public Buildings Service; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Public Buildings Service; Notice of Intent To Prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) hereby gives notice

it intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the

requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969,

and the President's Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40

CFR Parts 1500-1508), as implemented by GSA's Order PBS P 1095.4B to

construct a new Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle, King County,

Washington.

The EIS will evaluate the proposed project, any other reasonable

alternatives, and the no-action alternative identified through the

scoping process. Scoping will be accomplished through direct mail

correspondence to interested persons, parties, and organizations and

through a Public Scoping Meeting. GSA will publish a Public Notice of

this meeting and all subsequent public meetings in Seattle newspapers

approximately one to two weeks prior to each event.

ADDRESSES: As part of the public scoping process, GSA solicits your

written comments on the scope of alternatives and potential impacts at

the following address: Ms Donna M. Meyer, Regional Environmental

Program Officer (10 PCB), General Services Administration, 400 15th

Street SW, Auburn, WA, 98001, or FAX: Ms Donna M. Meyer at 206-931-

7308. Written comments should be received no later than February 21,

1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nona Diediker at Herrera Environmental Consultants, 2200 Sixth Avenue,

Suite 601, Seattle, Washington 98121, (206) 441-9080, or Donna M.

Meyer, GSA, (206) 931-7675.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The GSA, assisted by Herrera Environmental

Consultants, is anticipating the preparation of an Environmental Impact

Statement on a proposal to acquire a site and design and construct a

new Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle. GSA will serve as the lead

agency and scoping will be conducted consistent with NEPA regulations

and guidelines.

GSA invites interested individuals, organizations, and federal,

state, and local agencies to participate in defining the reasonable

alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS, and in identifying any

significant social, economic, or environmental issues related to the

alternatives. During scoping, comments should focus on identifying

specific impacts to be evaluated and suggesting alternatives that

minimize adverse significant impacts while achieving similar

objectives. Comments may also identify issues which are not significant

or which have been covered by prior environmental review. Scoping

should be limited to commenting on alternatives and the merit of the

proposal rather than indicating preferences. There will be an

opportunity to comment on preferences upon completion of the Draft

Environmental Impact Statement.

Mailing List: If you wish to be placed on the project mailing list

to receive future or further information as the EIS process develops,

contact Herrera at the address noted above.

Project Purpose, Historical Background, and Project: A new Federal

Courthouse is needed in downtown Seattle to consolidate existing

judicial functions and to accommodate the projected space needs of the

Federal Courts and court-related agencies. There have been previous

environmental reviews completed for this project. A

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new review is necessary because of a change in the delineated area. The

existing U.S. Courthouse at 1010 5th Street is listed on the National

Register of Historic Places along with its lawn area.

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOC) has requested

GSA provide a building based on the Long Range Facility Plan for the

Western District of Washington. The new Courthouse would provide for 15

courtrooms for use by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S.

District Court, and U.S. Magistrate judges. The existing Courthouse

would continue to be utilized.

At occupancy, the new facility is expected to house approximately

700 federal employees. Development would involve construction of one

building comprising approximately 620,000 square feet of gross floor

area and parking for 200 vehicles.

Alternatives: The EIS will examine the short and long term impacts

on the natural and built environment of developing and operating a new

courthouse in downtown Seattle. Potential impact assessment will

include but not be limited to changes in the social environment,

changes in land use, aesthetics, changes in traffic and parking

patterns, economic impacts, and conformance to City planning and zoning

requirements.

The EIS will also examine measures to mitigate significant

unavoidable adverse impacts resulting from the proposed action.

Concurrent with NEPA implementation, GSA will also implement its

consultation responsibilities under Section 106 of the National

Historic Preservation Act to identify potential impacts to existing

historic or cultural resources.

The EIS would consider a no action alternative and action

alternatives. The no-action alternative (no-build) alternative would

continue the use of the existing U.S. Courthouse supplemented by the

continued use of leased space throughout the downtown Seattle area. The

preferred action alternative is construction of a new courthouse

building. Currently, three separate site alternatives are being

proposed for study. GSA will consider the acquisition of one or two

block sites sufficient to meet future expansion needs of the court and

within an area delineated as follows:

Bounded on the north by Blanchard Street, on the east by Terry

Avenue, on the south by James Street, and by First Avenue on the west.

Due to the unique requirements for courtrooms, chambers, and

security considerations, GSA has found it is impractical to consider

the use of an existing building through either purchase or lease in

which to meet these needs.

Procedures: The Draft EIS will be prepared at the completion of and

based upon a scoping report. The Draft EIS will then be made available

for public and agency review and comment with a public hearing being

held during this comment period. A final EIS would be prepared

following conclusion of the comment period to address issues raised on

the Draft EIS.

Dated: January 23, 1997.

L. Jay Pearson,

Regional Administrator (10A).

[FR Doc. 97-2237 Filed 1-28-97; 8:45 am]

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