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

dispose of excess federal property known as Governors Island in New

York, New York.

The EIS will evaluate the proposed project, the no-action

alternative, and any other reasonable alternatives identified through

the scoping process. Scoping will be accomplished through direct mail

correspondence with interested persons, parties, and organizations and

through Public Scoping Meetings to be held in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

GSA will publish a Public Notice of these meetings and all subsequent

meetings in local newspapers approximately seven to ten days prior to

each event.

WRITTEN COMMENTS/FURTHER INFORMATION: As part of the Public Scoping

process, GSA solicits your written comments on the scope of

alternatives and potential impacts at the following address: Peter A.

Sneed, Senior Program Analyst, Portfolio Management Division, General

Services Administration, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 1609, New York, NY

10278. Written comments should be received no later

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than January 2, 1998. Requests for further information may also be

forwarded to this address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The GSA is anticipating the preparation of

an Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal to dispose of excess

federal property in New York, New York. 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 (DEIS).

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

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

Peter A. Sneed at the address noted above.

Project Purpose, Historical Background, and Project: On October 16,

1995, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) announced it would close

Governors Island by the end of summer 1997. The decision to close

Governors Island was made in response to the Presidential mandate to

meet the goals of the National Performance Review and the Government

Performance and Results Act. The present organization of Governors

Island will transition to a 60-person Caretaker Detachment that will

provide security, fire protection and facility maintenance. Disposal of

the Island is the responsibility of the General Services

Administration. On August 5, 1997, President Clinton signed into law,

legislation for the sale of Governors Island. This special legislation

incorporated as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 directs the

Administrator of General Services Administration to sell Governors

Island at fair market value. The State and City of New York have right

of first offer to purchase all or part of the Island at fair market

value.

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

on the natural and built environment. Potential impact assessment will

include but not be limited to changes in land use and zoning, changes

to air and water quality, changes to traffic patterns, and impacts to

historic and cultural resources.

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 Natural Historic

Preservation Act to identify potential impacts to existing historic or

cultural resources.

The EIS would consider a no-action alternative and an action

alternative which would identify several reuse options. The no-action

alternative (no-sale) would keep Governors Island in Federal ownership.

The preferred action alternative is the sale of Governors Island.

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: November 28, 1997.

Robert Martin,

Acting Regional Administrator (2A).

[FR Doc. 97-31858 Filed 12-4-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820-23-M