65FR37802 National Environmental Policy Act; Ames Development Plan for NASA Ames Research Center
robop...@us.govnews.org
Posting-number: Volume 65, Issue 117, Page 37802
[Federal Register: June 16, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 117)]
[Notices]
[Page 37802-37804]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jn00-81]
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice: 00-068]
National Environmental Policy Act; Ames Development Plan for NASA
Ames Research Center
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement
(EIS) and conduct scoping for an Ames Development Plan (ADP) for NASA
Ames Research Center (hereinafter referred to as the ``Center'').
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural
Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and NASA Policy and
Procedures (14 CFR part
[[Page 37803]]
1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA intends to conduct scoping and prepare an
EIS for the proposed ADP. The ADP will include integrated development
plans for the following areas within the Center: (1) A portion of the
Center comprised of approximately 86 hectares (213 acres) situated
between the original Center campus, the airfield, U.S. Highway 101, and
U.S. Air Force controlled military housing area (hereinafter referred
to as the ``NASA Research Park''); (2) a portion of the Center
comprised of 385 hectares (952 acres) including the airfield and lands
to the east of the airfield (hereinafter referred to as ``East Side-
Airfield''); (3) a portion of the Center comprising 38 hectares (94.6
acres) located north of the original Center campus (hereinafter
referred to as ``Bay View''); and (4) that portion of the Center
comprising the original 97 hectares (240 acres) Center campus
(hereinafter referred to as the ``ARC Facilities''). The Center is
located in Santa Clara County, California. The EIS will address the
environmental issues associated with the ADP and its implementation.
The ADP will focus, in part, on the NASA Research Park, proposed as
a world-class, shared-use educational and research and development
(R&D) campus focused on astrobiology, life sciences, space sciences,
nanotechnology, information technology, and aeronautics. The goal of
the NASA Research Park is to create partnerships with Federal, state,
and local government agencies, universities, private industry and non-
profit organizations in support of NASA's mission to conduct research
on and develop new technologies. The ADP will also focus on proposed
new development in Bay View and East Side-Airfield, and potential
replacement of existing NASA research facilities in the ARC Facilities.
DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments or
environmental concerns to NASA on or before July 31, 2000 to ensure
full consideration during the scoping process. Public scoping meetings
will be held in the vicinity of the Center during the middle part of
July 2000. The specific meeting times and locations will be published
in the San Jose Mercury News and the La Oferta Review. The meeting
schedule can also be obtained from Michael Mewhinney at the phone
number listed below.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted to Ms. Sandy Olliges, NASA Ames
Research Center, Environmental Services Office, Mail Stop 218-1,
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000. While hard copy comments are preferred,
comments by electronic mail may be sent to resear...@arc.nasa.gov
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Mewhinney, Development and
Communication Office, 650-604-3937.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1991, the Federal Base Closure and
Realignment Commission decided to close Moffett Field Naval Air
Station. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Defense transferred
stewardship of the property to NASA. NASA took over administration of
752 hectares (1,857 acres) of Moffett Field in 1994. The immediate
issues were how to use the newly acquired land in a manner consistent
with NASA's mission, and how to pay for the maintenance and operations
of such a large site. These matters were originally addressed in the
Moffett Field Comprehensive Use Plan (CUP) and its associated
Environmental Assessment (EA), which resulted in a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) in 1994. After the transfer of the property,
local community leaders formed a Community Action Committee (CAC) and
recommended uses for the newly acquired land. The uses proposed in the
ADP are consistent with the CAC recommendations.
In addition to the activities described in the CUP, NASA now
proposes to develop the NASA Research Park and other areas, which will
build on the full range of existing high-technology and aviation
resources at Moffett Field and create partnerships with Federal, State,
and local governmental agencies, universities, private industry and
non-profit organizations in support of NASA's mission to develop new
technologies. With the help of these collaborative organizations, NASA
proposes to develop on currently underutilized land at Moffett Field a
world-class, shared-use educational and R&D campus focused on
astrobiology, life sciences, space sciences, nanotechnology,
information technology, and aeronautics. This new campus would further
NASA's mission by providing the critical mass of scholars and engineers
necessary to create a vital research and educational community focused
on the advancement of human knowledge about life sciences, space
sciences, nanotechnology, information technology, the Earth and space.
By integrating public and private R&D efforts, the NASA Research Park
would serve as a hub of technology transfer, keeping NASA researchers
involved in cutting-edge technology advances, and promoting the
commercial applications of NASA's basic scientific research.
Alternatives for the development at the Center to be studied in the
EIS include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:
(1) Alternative 1: No action; continued current use of buildings
and land.
(2) Alternative 2: Increase buildings and existing structures to
326,000 square meters from 140,000 square meters (3.5 million square
feet from 1.5 million square feet) of floor space within the NASA
Research Park. Proposed uses within the NASA Research Park would
include: Student/faculty housing, training and residential conference
facilities, offices, R&D, laboratory, museum and educational
facilities. Also included in this alternative is the renovation of
46,500 square meters (500,000 square feet), including Hangar 1 for the
California Air and Space Center. For Bay View, this alternative also
includes 121,000 square meters (1.3 million square feet) of offices,
R&D, laboratory, educational facilities and student/faculty housing.
For East Side-Airfield, this alternative includes approximately 51,000
square meters (550,000 square feet) of new light industrial, R&D,
office and educational facilities. For ARC Facilities, this alternative
includes the renovation and replacement of approximately 46,500 square
meters (500,000 square feet) for offices, R&D and laboratories. No new
wind tunnels or increased aircraft operations are proposed. The
existing Burrowing Owl habitat would be protected.
(3) Alternative 3: Increase buildings and existing structures to
418,000 square meters from 140,000 square meters (4.5 million square
feet from 1.5 million square feet) of floor space within the NASA
Research Park. Proposed uses within the NASA Research Park would
include: Student/faculty housing, training and residential conference
facilities, offices, R&D, laboratory, museum and educational
facilities. Also included in this alternative is the renovation of
46,500 square meters (500,000 square feet), including Hangar 1 for the
California Air and Space Center. For Bay View, this alternative
includes no proposed development. For East Side-Airfield, this
alternative includes the adaptive reuse of existing historic hangars.
For ARC Facilities, this alternative includes the renovation and/or
replacement of existing buildings and structures. No new wind tunnels
or increased aircraft operations are proposed. The existing Burrowing
Owl habitat would be protected.
(4) Alternative 4: Increase buildings and existing structures to
279,000 square meters from 140,000 square
[[Page 37804]]
meters (3.0 million square feet from 1.5 million square feet) of floor
space within the NASA Research Park. Proposed uses within the NASA
Research Park would include: Student/faculty housing, training and
residential conference facilities, offices, R&D, laboratory, museum and
educational facilities. Also included in this alternative is the
renovation of 46,500 square meters (500,000 square feet), including
Hangar 1 for the California Air and Space Center. For Bay View, this
alternative also includes 251,000 square meters (2.7 million square
feet) of offices, R&D, laboratory, educational facilities and student/
faculty housing, and elimination of the Outdoor Aerodynamic Research
Facility in the northern portion of Bay View). For East Side-Airfield,
this alternative would include approximately 62,000 square meters
(670,000 square feet) of new light industrial, R&D, office and
educational facilities. For ARC Facilities, this alternative would
include the renovation and replacement of approximately 140,000 square
meters (1.5 million square feet) for offices, R&D and laboratories. No
new wind tunnels or increased aircraft operations are proposed. The
existing Burrowing Owl habitat would be protected.
NASA is currently proceeding with a project that includes the
development of a laboratory facility that was covered by a FONSI issued
in 1994 for the CUP. Development under the CUP also includes renovation
of portions of the Shenandoah National Historic District and other
minor development.
The California Air National Guard (CANG) is proceeding with its
master plan, which includes construction of a new airfield support
facility. The CANG's development is covered by a separate FONSI and EA,
which they issued in 1997.
No new wind tunnels or additional aircraft operations are proposed
for any of the action alternatives. No development would occur in
wetlands. The Bay Trail would be accommodated as part of the action
alternatives.
The Center area is served by several modes of public
transportation, including the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority
Light Rail, CalTrain, and bicycle paths.
The EIS will consider the full range of potential environmental
impacts associated with these alternatives. Environmental issues
addressed will include, but not necessarily be limited to, public
policy, land use, motor vehicle traffic, air quality, infrastructure
and drainage, hazardous materials and site contamination, pollution
prevention, geology, biological resources, noise, aesthetics, cultural
resources, socioeconomic impacts (including environmental justice), and
other issues identified for emphasis during the scoping process. NASA
believes that the greatest potential for environmental impact is to
traffic and air quality. If the proposed development would increase
relevant air emissions above 100 tons per year, NASA would conduct a
detailed general conformity determination, pursuant to the Clean Air
Act.
NASA will consult with the State Historic Preservation Office
during the planning process because part of the NASA Research Park and
East Side-Airfield development would be located in a historic district
that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Written public input and comments on environmental issues or
concerns related to the development of the Center are hereby solicited.
Jeffrey E. Sutton,
Associate Administrator for Management Systems.
[FR Doc. 00-15257 Filed 6-15-00; 8:45 am]
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