[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4292-4293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2237]


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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

[[Page 4293]]

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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