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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60707-60710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19055]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GX23AE38EMBOE00]

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Action for the Development of an Updated Facility for the 
National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare anenvironmental impact 
statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announces its intent to 
prepare an EIS for the development of an updated facility for the 
National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) (Proposed Action) located in 
Madison, Wisconsin. The EIS will be prepared consistent with the 
regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
of 1969, as amended in 2023; Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations implementing NEPA, as amended May 20, 2022; and USGS 
regulations implementing NEPA. This NOI announces the start of the EIS 
scoping process and seeks public comment on the Proposed Action. 
Information about the existing facility and Proposed Action can be 
found on the project website at: https://nwhceis.com/.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the environmental review and 
analysis for the Proposed Action must be received within 45 days from 
date of this NOI publication in the Federal Register to be considered 
for inclusion within the draft EIS. The USGS will have in-person and 
virtual public scoping meetings in Madison, Wisconsin, throughout the 
development of the Proposed Action. For this formal 45-day scoping 
comment period, one (1) In-person Public Meeting and one (1) Virtual 
Meeting are scheduled. The In-Person Meeting is scheduled for September 
21, 2023, at 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST and will be held at Vel Phillips 
Memorial High School, 201 S Gammon Road, Madison, WI 53717. Virtual 
meeting dates and times can be found on the project website at https://nwhceis.com/. How to participate in these public scoping meetings and 
provide scoping commentsis provided under the ADDRESSES, FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT and Scoping Process of this NOI. This information 
is also available on the project website at https://nwhceis.com/ and 
will be published in local newspapers in advance of the meetings. The 
in-person and virtual meetings are open to the public and free to 
attend.

ADDRESSES: Written comments can be submitted in any of the following 
ways: Delivered by mail or delivery service, enclosed in an envelope 
labeled ``NATIONAL WILDLIFE HEALTH CENTER EIS'' and addressed to Jordan 
D. Sizemore, USGS, National Wildlife Heath Center, 606 Schroeder Road 
Madison, WI 53711; or by email to: Jordan D. Sizemore, by email at 
[email protected] or by using the comment form provided on the project 
website at https://nwhceis.com/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jordan D. Sizemore, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Environmental Management Branch, USGS, NWHC 606

[[Page 60708]]

Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711, telephone (360) 929-0783, or email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The NWHC was established in 1975 in Madison, Wisconsin, as the 
first biomedical laboratory dedicated to assessing the impact of 
disease on wildlife and identifying the role of various pathogens in 
contributing to wildlife losses. It remains the only national center 
devoted to wildlife disease detection, control, and prevention in the 
United States. The emergence of wildlife diseases has become a high-
priority concern in the United States and the world. In addition to 
their harmful effects on natural wildlife populations and ecosystems, 
there is the potential for the spread of zoonotic diseases to humans 
and for causing economic losses associated with livestock morbidity and 
mortality. The NWHC is responsible for providing research and for 
investigating and responding to known and emerging wildlife diseases 
and wildlife mortality outbreaks throughout the United States. The NWHC 
has been providing vital disease- and pathogen-detection services, 
active disease surveillance, and applied research to help understand, 
detect, respond to, and manage wildlife diseases on the landscape for 
more than 40 years. Some of these diseases include Chronic Wasting 
Disease, West Nile Virus, Newcastle disease, salmonellosis, and avian 
influenza.
    The NWHC is located on a 24-acre tract of federal property which, 
along with a vacant building, was originally acquired by the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1978 to consolidate USFWS expertise 
into a single program and provide a permanent facility for the NWHC. 
The Main Building on the property was originally constructed in the 
1960's and renovated in 1982. A second building, the Tight Isolation 
Building (TIB), was constructed in 1985 and modified in 1989. Other 
small structures are also on the property including a maintenance 
garage and a modular building added in the 2000's and used as employee 
offices. Portions of the property not occupied by buildings, access and 
service driveways, and parking areas were restored to native prairie in 
1988. An interpretive nature trail was developed through the prairie 
and adjacent wooded area on the property and is actively visited by the 
public.
    In 1996, the NWHC was transferred from the USFWS to the USGS where 
it is one of many entities providing independent science supporting 
sound management of the nation's natural resources. The USGS, created 
by Congress in 1879, is an agency of the federal government where 
scientists study the nation's landscape, its natural resources, and the 
natural hazards that threaten it. The USGS is also a research 
organization whose work spans biology, geography, geology, and 
hydrology.
    The Main Building contains a necropsy laboratory and associated 
disease diagnostic laboratories; general support laboratories for 
biological media and reagent preparation, glassware preparation and 
other special-use areas; a physical plant including an incinerator for 
inactivation of biohazardous waste; and administrative support areas 
with conference rooms, staff offices, data processing and records 
areas. A photovoltaic system used to generate electricity, along with 
other conservation measures, are employed to reduce energy consumption 
and control operational costs.
    The TIB is located approximately 150 feet northeast of the Main 
Building, and while the buildings are physically separated, there is 
not a complete separation of functions, with researchers working in 
both buildings. The TIB contains specialized research laboratories and 
support areas, staff offices for investigators, and Bio Safety Level 3 
(BSL-3) bio-containment animal research areas. The animal isolation 
wing is self-contained and includes equipment and special-use areas to 
clean cages and glassware, to incinerate bio-hazardous waste, and to 
conduct necropsies. Entry into the area requires use of specialized 
clothing and footwear, changes of clothing and footwear for each room 
entered, and depending on the pathogens present within the facility, a 
mandatory shower upon exit from the room or facility level.
    The NWHC provides information, technical assistance, and research 
on national and international wildlife health issues. It also monitors 
and assesses the impact of disease on wildlife populations; defines 
ecological relationships leading to the occurrence of disease; 
transfers technology for disease prevention and control; and provides 
guidance, training, and assistance for reducing wildlife losses. As a 
Level 3 Security Facility under the U.S. Department of Justice 
Standards for Federal Facilities, the NWHC is required to operate under 
criteria established by the National Institutes of Health and the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for BSL-3) containment.
    The NWHC functions as an integrated program involving disease 
diagnosis, field response to disease outbreaks, research, animal 
welfare, and training of others in disease identification and control. 
Collaboration is conducted with, and technical assistance is provided 
to a wide variety of agencies and organizations within the federal, 
state, and private sectors. This has resulted in an extensive network 
of interaction with the NWHC being the focal point for information, 
technical assistance, and research on wildlife health issues.

Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action

    The purpose of the Proposed Action is to update the aging NHWC 
facility, incorporating technological advances in biosafety engineering 
and equipment as well as adding additional space for enhanced animal 
care and research. The NHWC needs a modern facility with sufficient 
space and modern technologies to support their mission-essential 
research. Starting in 2008, the USGS conducted multiple studies of the 
current facility to identify where efficiencies could benefit Center 
operations. These studies are available on the project website at 
https://nwhceis.com/. While safe operation requirements continue to be 
maintained, the study findings identified over-crowded laboratories and 
administrative areas; inefficient infrastructure (e.g., heating, 
ventilation, and air conditioning systems) that do not meet current 
standards for energy efficiency; and extensive wear and tear due to the 
age of the buildings and associated equipment.
    Consistent with follow-on studies conducted in 2011 and 2016 
(provided on the project website at https://nwhceis.com/), proactive 
efforts had been made to repair systems and facilities. However, as is 
typical with repairs of older equipment and infrastructure, these 
efforts provide only short-term relief so were focused only on those 
necessary for maintaining safe operations. Additionally, major repairs 
have involved replacing systems like-for-like, as other limitations of 
the aging buildings prevent full updating of major infrastructure.
    Previous studies indicated that continuing to update the facility 
to meet the mission and function of the NWHC is limited and costly. 
This has resulted in the need for a more cost-effective solution to 
maintain administrative, operational, health, and safety standards and 
requirements as well as provide the spaces needed to conduct research 
into wildlife disease detection, additional space for enhanced animal-
care conditions, and other programs that

[[Page 60709]]

support the mission of the NWHC. In addition, there is the need to 
incorporate modern laboratory equipment, mechanical systems, the latest 
technologies and the latest operating and management approaches, all of 
which will further enhance the NWHC's capability to reduce exposure to 
pathogens and the risks faced by staff and public. In order to meet 
future sustainability goals and become a more energy-efficient 
facility, the USGS will apply advanced approaches, materials, and 
equipment that are sustainable and resilient against the hazards 
associated with climate change and optimize the cost of operation by 
applying innovative designs, quality construction, highly efficient air 
handling, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and facility 
maintenance programs to achieve and maintain peak performance 
standards.

Proposed Action and Preliminary Alternatives

    The USGS proposes developing a NWHC that can meet the agency's 
current and future needs, streamline delivery of research, improve 
worker- and public safety with modern biohazard and pathogen 
containment and biological-waste disposal, and control operating costs. 
The EIS will use information from previous studies, identify 
alternatives that avoid and (or) minimize impacts to the environment, 
and evaluate alternatives that are technically and economically 
feasible. Alternatives currently identified for the Proposed Action 
include, but will not be limited to, a decision not to proceed with the 
Proposed Action (i.e., the No Action Alternative) and build new 
facilities for the NWHC. The alternative to build new facilities for 
the NWHC. (i.e., New NWHC Alternative) is currently preferred by the 
USGS.
    The New NWHC Alternative proposes constructing new facilities on 
the grounds of the NWHC in Madison, Wisconsin, and demolishing the 
existing facilities over an approximately three-year period. A new NWHC 
would contain administrative offices; BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories; 
vivarium with Animal Biosafety Level-2 (ABSL-2, ABSL-3) and Biosafety 
Level 3 Agriculture (BSL3-AG) capabilities; and necessary support 
spaces, including improved internal service driveways and parking to 
accommodate visitors, students, government vehicles, and staff; modern 
systems for biological waste disposal; a utility yard containing 
emergency generators; energy-efficient lighting along internal walkways 
and parking areas; and modern containment (i.e., facilities and 
equipment to safely manage biohazardous materials in a laboratory) 
within NWHC laboratories to protect staff from exposures to biological 
agents and hazardous chemicals, the escape of harmful pathogens, 
contamination of assay systems, reagents, and other materials, and 
cross-contamination between investigations.

Summary of Potential Impacts

    The Draft EIS will identify, describe, and analyze the potential 
effects of the Proposed Action on the environment that are reasonably 
foreseeable and have a relationship to the Proposed Action. This 
includes effects that occur at the same time and place as the Proposed 
Action and effects caused by the Proposed Action that occur at a later 
in time or in a different place. Resources potentially impacted 
(whether beneficial or adverse) include, but are not limited to, land 
use; traffic; utility services, community services; topography, 
geology, and soils; air quality; noise; cultural resources; water 
resources, biological resources, and threatened and endangered species; 
demographics, employment, and local economics; environmental justice; 
and visual resources (i.e., natural landforms, vegetation). The EIS 
will also analyze measures that would avoid, minimize, or mitigate 
identified adverse impacts of proposed alternatives.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    The Proposed Action has the potential to significantly affect the 
quality of the human environment. The USGS shall comply with NEPA by 
preparing an EIS to ensure that the potential environmental 
consequences of such an action are adequately taken into account prior 
to making a decision. This includes ensuring that the potential 
environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action are 
minimized, documented, that required permits are obtained, and all 
applicable environmental statutes are followed including but not 
limited to: Clean Air Act of 1974 and state required air permits; Clean 
Water Act and Amendment and 401 authorizations and 404 permits; 
stormwater and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits; 
Hazardous Waste permits; consultations under section 7 of Endangered 
Species Act of 1973; the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 
(NHPA); Farmland Protection Policy Act, among other laws, regulations 
and Executive Orders. USGS will also conduct government-to-government 
Tribal consultations consistent with Executive order 13175, 
Presidential priorities, and Departmental policies, including 516 
Departmental Manual (DM) 5.
    The USGS will use the NEPA process to support compliance with 
consistent applicable procedural requirements under Section 106 of NHPA 
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.3(b)(3), including public 
involvement requirements of Section 106. Historical and culture 
resources information gathered during the public participation and 
Section 106 consultation processes will be used to identify the 
potential impacts to cultural resources within the Proposed Action's 
area of potential effect.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    Agency coordination and public participation, including scheduled 
public meetings and workshops throughout the decision-making process, 
will be a key part of identifying potential impacts for this project. 
Upon completion of a Draft EIS, the USGS will publish a Notice of 
Availability (NOA) initiating a formal public comment period lasting no 
less than 45 days, during which time one more public meeting will be 
held. The notice will include information about the date, time, and 
location of the public meeting, the means to examine the Draft EIS, and 
opportunities and methods for the public to provide comments on the 
Proposed Action and Draft EIS. The USGS currently expects to issue the 
NOA in Winter 2023. After the public comment period ends, the USGS will 
review and address the comments as part of preparing the Final EIS. The 
USGS currently expects to make the Final EIS available to the public in 
Summer 2024. A Record of Decision (ROD) will be completed no sooner 
than 30 days after the Final EIS is released, in accordance with 40 CFR 
1506.11.

Scoping Process

    This NOI commences the public scoping process to identify issues 
and potential alternatives for consideration in the Draft EIS. The USGS 
will hold two in-person and one virtual public scoping meeting in 
Madison, Wisconsin. The In-Person Meeting is scheduled for September 
21, 2023, at 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST and will be held at Vel Phillips 
Memorial High School, 201 S Gammon Road, Madison, WI 53717. Virtual 
meeting dates and times can be found on the project website listed 
below. Information regarding the scoping process and how to participate 
in the public scoping meetings and provide scoping comments is also 
available on the project website at https://nwhceis.com/. Opportunities 
for

[[Page 60710]]

members of the public to be involved in the NEPA process are also 
described on the project website. Throughout the scoping process, 
Federal agencies, Tribal, State, and local governments, and the general 
public have the opportunity to help the USGS identify significant 
resources and issues, impact-producing factors, reasonable 
alternatives, and potential mitigation measures to be analyzed in the 
EIS, as well as to provide additional related information.

Public Comments

    Federal agencies, Tribal, State, and local governments, and other 
interested parties are requested to comment on the scope of the EIS, 
significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives that 
should be considered. For information on how to submit comments, see 
the ADDRESSES section above. The USGS does not consider anonymous 
comments. Please include your name, address, and email as part of your 
comment. The USGS makes all comments, including the names, addresses, 
and other personally identifiable information (PII) included in the 
comment, available for public review online. Individuals can request 
that the USGS withhold their PII from the public record; however, the 
USGS cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
    Additionally, under section 304 of the NHPA, the USGS is required, 
after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to withhold the 
location, character, or ownership of historic resources if it 
determines that disclosure may, among other things, cause a significant 
invasion of privacy, risk harm to the historic resources, or impede the 
use of a traditional religious site by practitioners. Tribal entities 
and other parties providing information on historic resources should 
designate information that they wish to be held as confidential and 
provide the reasons why the USGS should do so. All submissions from 
organizations or agencies and from individuals identifying themselves 
as representatives or officials of organizations or agencies will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.

Request for Identification and Public Comment on Potential 
Alternatives, Information, and Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action

    The USGS requests data, comments, concerns, information, analysis, 
alternatives, or suggestions relevant to the Proposed Action from the 
public; affected Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments, 
agencies, and offices; the scientific community; industry; or any other 
interested party. Specifically, the USGS requests information on the 
following topics:
    Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on physical 
resources and conditions including biological resources, air quality, 
hydrology, wetlands, and other waters of the United States.
    1. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on 
socioeconomic and cultural resources, including demographics, 
employment, economics, environmental justice, land use, utility 
services, traffic, and aesthetic and visual resources.
    2. Other possible reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action 
that the USGS should consider, including additional alternatives.
    3. As part of its compliance with NHPA section 106 and its 
implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800), the USGS seeks comment and 
input from the public regarding the identification of historic 
properties within the Proposed Action's area of potential effects 
defined in a cultural resources study available on the project website 
at https://nwhceis.com/, the potential effects on those historic 
properties from the Proposed Action, and any information that supports 
identification of historic properties under the NHPA. The USGS also 
solicits proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse 
effects on historic properties. The USGS's effects analysis for 
historic properties will be available for public- and consulting-party 
comment in the Draft EIS.
    4. Information on other current or planned activities in, or in the 
vicinity of, the Proposed Action, their possible impacts on the 
Proposed Action, and the Proposed Action's possible impacts on those 
activities.
    5. Other information relevant to the Proposed Action and its 
potential impacts on the environment.
    To promote informed decision-making, comments should be as specific 
as possible and should provide as much detail as necessary to 
meaningfully and fully inform the USGS of the commenter's position. 
Comments should explain why the issues raised are important to the 
consideration of potential environmental impacts and possible 
alternatives to the Proposed Action as well as to economic, employment, 
and other impacts affecting the quality of the human environment.
    The Draft EIS will include a summary of information submitted 
during the scoping process for consideration by the USGS with the 
alternatives and environmental analyses of the proposed action.

Charise White,
Acting Center Director, National Wildlife Health Center, U.S. 
Geological Survey.
[FR Doc. 2023-19055 Filed 9-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4388-11-P
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