[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64383-64384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31858]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 64384]]

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