Phase II Lakeside Campus Renovation Page 1 of 4

January 5, 2024

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

From: Mark Liau 

NEPA Coordinator

Subject: Categorical Exclusion

Project Title: Phase II Lakeside Campus Renovation

Location: Champlain College

163 S. Willard Street

Burlington, VT 05401 

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and associated implementing regulations (40 

CFR Parts 1500-1508) require that all major actions by federal agencies be reviewed with respect 

to the environmental consequences on the human environment. The National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected the project: Phase II Lakeside Campus 

Renovation at Champlain College for a federal funding grant. Consequently, NEPA and the 

associated implementing regulations apply to this project.

 

This memorandum summarizes the determination that the Phase II Lakeside Campus Renovation 

at Champlain College has been found to be categorically excluded from further environmental 

review under NEPA.

Description of the Action

The Phase II Lakeside Renovation project includes interior renovations of the Miller Center 

Building located on the Lakeside Campus of Champlain College. The Miller Center is located 

approximately 1.5 miles from the Hill Campus and is situated in the South End Innovation 

District. Renovating the Leahy Center will improve industry partnerships and opportunities for 

experiential learning, internships, and applied research for Champlain College students.
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The Leahy Center for Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity (one of Champlain College’s Centers 

of Experience) is located in the Miller Center. The Leahy Center opened in 2010 as a worldclass laboratory with state-of-the-art technology. The Leahy Center provides digital forensics 

and cybersecurity services to a wide variety of organizations, from government to local 

businesses. The Leahy Center engages more than 100 students per term in various internships, 

including both academic and paid positions, including small team projects for first-year students 

to research and security services funded by federal grants, contracts, and local agreements with 

external clients and law enforcement agencies. 

Approximately 9,000 sq ft. of the second floor of the Miller Center Building will be renovated. 

Tasks will include:

 Moving the Leahy Center for from Floor 3 to Floor 2

 Expanding the Leahy Center from 1,650 sq. ft. to approximately 4,600 sq. ft. to include:

o A Digital Forensics Lab

o A Cyber Range

o An Internet of Things (IoT) Lab, and

o Expanded Digital Training and Computer Labs

 Installing a new public facing lobby on Floor 2

 Renovating and preserving approximately 4,400 sq.ft. of space for a potential embedded 

industry partner

There are no exterior renovations included in this project phase.

This project will be accomplished in accordance with all applicable state and federal 

environmental and safety regulations. All applicable regulatory permitting will be obtained.

Specific Considerations of this Action and any Extraordinary Circumstances

- Air Emissions, Stormwater, Wastewater, Critical Habitats

Since all renovation are to the interior of the building, no significant impacts to air, water 

resources or critical habitats are expected.

- Building Staffing/Utilities

Staffing at the Miller Center Building is not expected to increase significantly. Water 

consumption and electricity use are not expected to change significantly over current 

building use.
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- Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The interior building renovations planned for this project are not expected to improve the 

energy efficiency and or reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the building. 

- Flooding Potential and Resilience

Since all renovation are to the interior of the building, there will be no impact to the flooding 

potential or flood resilience of this building. The Miller Center Building is not located within 

the 500-year floodplain.

- Hazardous Materials

Any hazardous materials (i.e., asbestos, lead based paint, polychlorinated biphenyls) that may 

be disturbed in the building renovations will be handled and disposed in accordance with 

State and Federal regulations. 

- Historic/Cultural Significance

This project is within view of the Innovation Center of Vermont, which is on the National 

Historic Register. Since the project does not include any exterior renovation, no impact is 

anticipated.

- Environmental Justice

This renovation project is not anticipated to have any disproportional adverse human health 

or environmental impacts to overburdened and underserved communities, including minority, 

Tribal, or low-income populations.

Effects of the Action

No significant adverse impacts on the environment are expected from this action. 

Categorical Exclusion

The activities associated with this project fall within the criteria of the following Department of 

Commerce Categorical Exclusion: 

A–1 Minor renovations and additions to buildings, roads, airfields, grounds, equipment, 

and other facilities that do not result in a change in the functional use of the real property 

(e.g. realigning interior spaces of an existing building, adding a small storage shed to an

existing building, retrofitting for energy conservation, or installing a small antenna on an 

already existing antenna tower that does not cause the total height to exceed 200 feet and 

where the FCC would not require an environmental assessment or environmental impact 

statement for the installation). This CE does not apply in instances where the project must 
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be submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for review and 

NCPC determines that it does not have an applicable Categorical Exclusion.

This project is considered a minor renovation of a building that does not change functional use of 

the real property. The project does not require review by the NCPC

The proposed activity: Phase II Lakeside Campus Renovation at Champlain College is 

categorically excluded from the need for further environmental review under NEPA. Any 

changes to the above project will require additional NEPA review.

_________________________________ ______________________

Mark Liau Date

NIST NEPA Coordinator

_________________________________ ______________________

R.C. Vaughn Date

NIST Chief Facilities Management Officer