[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 93 (Monday, May 15, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 25930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11898]



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NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION


Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission.

ACTION: Proposed construction and operation of a sports and 
entertainment arena in Washington, DC.

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SUMMARY: In a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register on 
January 13, 1995 (60 FR 3273), the National Capital Planning Commission 
advised that in conjunction with the District of Columbia Government it 
was conducting an Environmental Assessment for the proposed 
construction and operation of a new sports and entertainment area in 
Washington, DC. The Notice stated that if it became apparent, either 
through the scoping process or during the analysis and documentation of 
environmental impacts, that an Environmental Impact Statement was the 
appropriate environmental document, a Supplemental Notice would be 
issued.
    A Draft Environmental Assessment was published on March 31, 1995, 
with a comment period closing on May 1, 1995. The National Capital 
Planning Commission (Commission) and the District of Columbia 
Government now announce their intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the proposed D.C. Arena pursuant to Section 
106(2)(c) of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as 
implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 
Parts 1500-1508), and in accordance with the Environmental Policies and 
Procedures implemented by the Commission.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As indicated in the January 13, 1995 Notice, 
all comments and responses on the scope of alternatives and potential 
impacts received in response to that notice as well as those received 
during the scoping process, the public meeting held February 13, 1995, 
and in response to the Draft EA will be considered in the EIS. The 
public is encouraged to provide additional comments once the Draft EIS 
is released. The Commission anticipates that release date to be in mid-
June 1995.
    The EIS will analyze the environmental impacts and mitigation 
options associated with the construction and operation of a sports and 
entertainment arena that would seat approximately 20,600 persons and 
would be located in downtown Washington, DC. In addition, the EIS will 
consider alternative actions. At present, those alternatives may 
include (1) Construction of a new arena at the Gallery Place site which 
includes the following: Square 455 which is bounded by G Street NW., 
6th Street NW., F Street NW. and 7th Street NW.; the 600 block of G 
Street NW.; and approximately the southern fifth of Square 454 which is 
bounded by H Street NW., 6th Street NW., G Street NW., and 7th Street 
NW. (2) Construction of a new arena over the air rights behind Union 
Station; (3) A No Action Alternative, which would result in no new 
construction in Washington, DC. Topics for environmental analysis will 
include short-term construction-related impacts; long-term effects on 
historic resources, visual resources, public transportation, traffic 
and parking, socio-economic conditions, land use, and physical-
biological resources within the project area, and the cumulative 
impacts associated with this and other reasonably foreseeable projects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: National Capital Planning 
Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 301, Washington, DC. 
20576. Attention: Ms. Sandra H. Shapiro, General Counsel, Phone: (202) 
724-0174.
Sandra H. Shapiro,
General Counsel, National Capital Planning Commission.
[FR Doc. 95-11898 Filed 5-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7502-02-M