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November 22, 2023

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

From: Mark Liau 

NEPA Coordinator

Subject: Categorical Exclusion

Project Title: Renovation of the Harned Hall Biological Sciences Research 

Building

Location: Tennessee State University 

3500 John A. Merritt Blvd

Nashville, TN 37209

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: Renovation of the Harned Hall 

Biological Sciences Research Building at Tennessee State University for a federal funding grant. 

Consequently, NEPA and the associated implementing regulations apply to this project.

 

This memorandum summarizes the determination that the Renovation of the Harned Hall, 

Biological Sciences Research Building at Tennessee State University has been found to be 

categorically excluded from further environmental review under NEPA.

Description of the Action

Constructed in 1927, Harned Hall is 18,504 square feet in size. The Department of Biological 

Sciences research facilities are housed in Harned Hall which include twenty research labs, three

core facility labs (imaging, small animal, and cell culture) and two teaching laboratories. 

The purpose of this project is to upgrade the existing infrastructure of the building to state-ofthe-art facilities that will provide a conducive environment for research and teaching the latest 

technical skills to students and researchers. The project will involve modernizing teaching and 

research laboratory space to accommodate new research platforms. Major renovations will 

include installing new fume hoods, benchtops, and cabinets and replacing aged/damaged

building components (i.e., ceiling tiles and floor tiles). All renovations will be to the interior of 

the building; no work will be conducted on the exterior of the building or surrounding grounds of 
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the building. Specifically, 4500 sq ft of research and teaching labs will be renovated within 

Harned Hall.

A comprehensive assessment was conducted to prioritize the spaces in Harned Hall which would 

be renovated in this project. The current state of each laboratory space was evaluated, along with 

the needs of researchers/teachers to identify the areas that were in greatest need of renovation.

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 Harned Hall is not expected to increase significantly. Water consumption and 

electricity use are not expected to change significantly over current building use.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Building renovations are expected to improve the energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse 

gas emissions resulting from the building. State-of-the art fume hoods and ventilation 

systems will be more energy efficient than the existing systems. 

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. Harned Hall 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

The renovation tasks planned are not considered to have any historic or cultural impacts on 

the project site or vicinity. A letter from the Tennessee State Historic Preservation Officer 

indicating no adverse impacts is attached. 

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.
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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 

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: 

Renovation of the Harned Hall, Biological Sciences Research Building at Tennessee State 

University 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
Attachment 1

Tennessee State Historic Preservation Officer’s Letter 
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

2941 LEBANON PIKE

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37243-0442

OFFICE: (615) 532-1550

www.tnhistoricalcommission.org

2023-10-02 16:02:23 CDT

Mr. Phillip Neuberg

NIST

phillip.neuberg@nist.gov

RE: Department of Commerce (USDOC), Harned Hall Interior Upgrades, Project#: 

SHPO0003842, Nashville, Davidson County, TN

Dear Mr. Phillip Neuberg:

Pursuant to your request, this office has reviewed documentation concerning the abovereferenced undertaking. Our review of and comment on your proposed undertaking are 

among the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. This Act 

requires federal agencies or applicants for federal assistance to consult with the appropriate 

State Historic Preservation Office before they carry out their proposed undertakings. The 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has codified procedures for carrying out Section 

106 review in 36 CFR 800 (Federal Register, December 12, 2000, 77698-77739).

Based on the information provided, we find that the project as currently proposed will not 

adversely affect Tennessee State University, which is eligible for listing in the National 

Register of Historic Places.

This office has no objection to the implementation of this project as currently planned. If 

project plans are changed or previously unevaluated archaeological resources are 

discovered during project construction, please contact this office to determine what further 

action, if any, will be necessary to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act. Include the Project # if you need to submit any additional information 

regarding this undertaking. Questions and comments may be directed to Casey Lee, who 

drafted this response, at Casey.Lee@tn.gov, +16152533163. We appreciate your 

cooperation.

Sincerely,

E. Patrick McIntyre, Jr.

Executive Director and

State Historic Preservation Officer