Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Disposal and Reuse of the Charles River Park Parcel, Army Materials Technology Laboratory (AMTL), Watertown, MA

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Disposal and Reuse of the

Charles River Park Parcel, Army Materials Technology Laboratory (AMTL),

Watertown, MA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces today the availability of

the EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) for the disposal and

reuse of the Charles River Park parcel, AMTL, Watertown, Massachusetts.

The 1988 Commission on Base Realignment and Closure established by the

Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act

of 1988, Public Law 100-526, recommended the closure of AMTL. The

proposed action is the disposal of property made available by the

closure of AMTL.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the EA or inquiries into the FNSI may be obtained

by writing to Susan Holtham, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England

District (ATTN: Environmental Resource Section), 696 Virginia Road,

Concord, Massachusetts 01742-2571.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Susan Holtham at (978) 318-8536 or by telefax at (978) 318-8560.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EA evaluates the effects of disposal and

subsequent reuse of the Charles River Park parcel which comprises

approximately 11 acres. The Army will negotiate the transfer of 11

acres to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Metropolitan District

Commission (MDC) or another owner. In 1920, the Army granted a

permanent right-of-way for the parcel to the Commonwealth of

Massachusetts, MDC. Through the grant, MDC assumed responsibility for

care, management and police jurisdiction over the property, however,

ownership remained with the Army.

Three alternative methods of disposal were analyzed: Encumbered

disposal, unencumbered disposal and retention of the property in

caretaker status (i.e., no action alternative). The Army's preferred

alternative for disposal of the Charles River Park parcel is encumbered

disposal which involves conveying the property with conditions imposed

on special easements, remedial activities, historic properties, and

wetlands.

The EA, which is incorporated into the FNSI, examines potential

effects of the proposed action and alternatives on resource areas and

areas of environmental concern: Land use, climate, air quality,

geology, water resources, infrastructure, hazardous and toxic

substances, biological resources, cultural resources, economic

development, social and economic development, and quality of life.

The EA concludes that the disposal and subsequent reuse of the

property will not have a significant impact on the human environment.

Issuance of a FNSI would be appropriate. An Environmental Impact

Statement is not required prior to implementation of the proposed

actions.

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The EA also will be available for public review at the Watertown

Free Library, 123 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02172-4401;

call (617) 972-6430 for hours of operation.

Dated: October 19, 1998.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and

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

[FR Doc. 98-28439 Filed 10-22-98; 8:45 am]

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