Environmental Assessment for Department of

Commerce Boulder Laboratories Campus Master Plan

Environmental Assessment for Department of

Commerce Boulder Laboratories Campus Master Plan

Providing E ective

Public Comments

Get Involved

• Your comments are important

• Public comments help to defi ne the scope of the Master 

Plan and EA

• Public comments can improve the accuracy of the EA

Helpful Comments

• Raise issues of concern early in the scoping process

• Are clear, concise, and relevant to the analysis

• Are solution oriented and provide specifi c examples

• Identify environmental resources of particular concern

• Suggest sources of relevant information to be considered

• Suggest additional alternatives to be considered

Please be sure your comments are postmarked or 

received by February 12, 2016

Provide comments to:

Dept. of Commerce Boulder Laboratories 

Master Plan Comments

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

325 Broadway, MS-194.00

Boulder, CO 80305-3328

Or by email to: 

BldrLabsMPcommentsPublic@nist.gov

Existing Conditions

• The Department of Commerce (DOC) requires that its agencies have a physical 

master plan for their sites. The current Boulder Laboratories Campus Master Plan 

was developed in 1992. 

• Campus and research programs have changed and now require the following: 

– Flexible, effi cient, and collaborative space to promote advancing research

– Accommodations for the advanced research and measurement science that 

demand highly controllable research environments 

• Defi ciencies in existing facilities and campus organization include the following: 

– Lack of organizing concept that gives the campus cohesion or identity

– Aging and obsolete research buildings

– Congestion and confusion in visitor screening

Confusing 

Intersection

Congested 

Screening Area

Ineffi cient, 

Temporary

Buildings

Obsolete Research

Buildings

Scoping and other materials associated with the Master Plan and Environmental 

Assessment will be posted to the following website as they are available for public 

review: www.nist.gov/director/ofpm/boulder-master-plan.cfm

How to Effectively Provide Comments During the Scoping Process
Environmental Assessment for Department of

Commerce Boulder Laboratories Campus Master Plan

Environmental Assessment for Department of

Commerce Boulder Laboratories Campus Master Plan

Master Plan Vision Master Plan Concepts

Goals

• Comprehensive and coordinated 

framework for future development

• Appropriate buildings and 

infrastructure for advanced 

research

• A plan that respects the local 

community and previous 

agreements

• Facilities that encourage 

collaboration, welcome outside 

colleagues

• Attractive campus that addresses sustainable design goals

• A plan for gradual change

Prescribed Actions

 The Master Plan will prescribe the 

following types of general actions 

throughout the campus:

• Construction of new facilities

• Demolition of existing facilities

• Renovation of existing facilities

• Reconfi guration of roads, parking 

areas, and pedestrian pathways

• Landscaping improvements

National Environmental Policy Act: The DOC will develop an Environmental 

Assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with implementation 

of the selected Master Plan concept, which may include features from one or more 

alternatives.

Alternative Concept 1: 

Campus Center

Alternative Concept 2: 

 Discrete Research 

Centers

Alternative Concept 3: 

Offi ce & Service 

Consolidation