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September 29, 2023

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

From: Michael Blackmon

NEPA Coordinator

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Subject: Categorical Exclusion

Project: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences Design and Renovation

Location: 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054

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

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

environmental consequences. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has 

selected the project: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences Design and Renovation for a 

federal funding grant. Consequently, NEPA and the associated implementing regulations apply 

to this project.

 

This memorandum summarizes NIST’s environmental review of this project and the 

determination that this project is categorically excluded from further environmental review under 

NEPA.
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Description of the Action

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) is a science-based, operation that 

delivers two distinct forensic services for Harris County, TX as well as other neighboring 

counties - Medical Examiner Services and Crime Laboratory Services. These services are jointly 

dedicated to supporting the criminal justice system.

The existing 9-story HCIFS building, located at 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston,

TX 77054, is approximately 208,000 GSF, which includes a laboratory tower and one story

morgue. The proposed federal funding will be applied to planning and design,

construction, materials testing and other project-related expenses for renovating and equipping 

the HCIFS Building. This includes the build-out of three existing shell floors currently 

unoccupied in the main HCIFS building.

The project will provide for renovation and technological updates of the Medical Examiner 

morgue area and autopsy suites, relocation and expansion of the Forensic Genetics (DNA) 

Laboratory, expansion of Evidence Intake and storage as well as Information Technology, 

addition of centralized breakroom and staff wellness / exercise area, replacement of morgue and 

toxicology storage coolers, and replacement of the building HVAC system. 

Impacts of the Action and any Extraordinary Circumstances

NIST has determined that no significant environmental impacts are expected from the renovation 

of the HCIFS Building.

The project has been reviewed for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act and 

has been determined to have no adverse impacts.

The project is located within the 500-year flood plain; however, the current renovations are not 

related to the flood resilience of the facility.

Energy saving measures (i.e., more efficient HVAC, LED lighting, improved insulation) will be 

taken to reduce the overall energy consumption of the facility and reduce the greenhouse gas 

emissions resulting from the building operations. The NIST Grant requires, where feasible, that 

sustainable energy efficient design principles be implemented for the purpose of reducing 

pollution and energy costs.
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Categorical Exclusion

The activities associated with this project fall under the following Department of Commerce 

Categorical Exclusions: 

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, and 

A-7 Acquisition, installation, operation, and removal of communications systems, 

data processing equipment, and similar electronic equipment.

Since this grant will only fund the interior renovation of the existing HCIFS Building with no 

change in the functional use of the building and the purchase of equipment, the project meets the 

conditions specified in categorical exclusions A-1 and A-7

The proposed project, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences Design and Renovation is 

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

changes to the above project will require additional NEPA review.

_________________________________ ______________________

Michael Blackmon Date

NIST NEPA Coordinator

_________________________________ ______________________

R.C. Vaughn Date

NIST Chief Facilities Management Officer