[Federal Register: March 4, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 42)]
[Notices]
[Page 10247-10250]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04mr03-83]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Record of Decision for the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Future Master Plan
Development for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Chamblee, GA;
Record of Decision, Master Plan Expansion for Chamblee Campus Centers
for Disease Control, Chamblee, GA
Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations
(40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and GSA Order PBS P 1095.4E.F,2, PBS 1095.4C,
ADM 1020.1, GSA has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The Proposed Action is the
implementation of a Master Plan at the Chamblee Campus. The purpose of
the EIS is to provide public notice of the Proposed Action and
Alternatives, reasonable time for public comment, and to develop and
implement mitigation measures based on the impacts identified.
A. Proposed Action
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an agency
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with a
critical mission to safeguard the health of the American public through
detection, investigation, control, and prevention of communicable
diseases. The Proposed Action is the implementation by the CDC of a
Master Plan to expand and upgrade facilities at the Chamblee Campus.
The Chamblee Campus currently consists primarily of buildings
constructed between 1940 and 1993, many of which no longer satisfy the
essential technical needs of CDC programs. Chamblee is one of two
primary CDC campuses in the Atlanta Metro Area; the other is the main
Roybal Campus and CDC Headquarters at Clifton Road. The Proposed Action
would also consolidate leased facilities onto the Chamblee Campus and
would accommodate the projected CDC growth at the Chamblee Campus to
the year 2010 and beyond.
The Chamblee Campus is home to the National Center for
Environmental Health (NCEH) and the Division of Parasitic Diseases
(DPD). The Current laboratories at Chamblee Campus operate at a maximum
bio-safety level (BSL) of 2 on a bio-safety scale of 1 (lowest) to 4
(highest). Practices, equipment, and facilities at BSL 2 are applicable
to clinical, diagnostic, teaching and other facilities in which work is
done with moderate-risk agents. The CDC anticipates an increase in
personnel at the Chamblee Campus from a current staff of approximately
700 employees to approximately 4,000 in ten years. To accommodate this
growth, the Master Plan provides for demolition of 17 outdated
buildings, the construction of four new buildings, as well as the
renovation of several other buildings on the existing 48.5-acre
property. The Master Plan incorporates CDC's current inventory of
245,500 net usable square feet (NUSF) of office and laboratory space.
This includes two buildings (103 and 109) that are
currently under construction to replace space from buildings recently
demolished. The Master Plan would meet a cumulative need for 706,200
NUSF of space. Additional parking would be required to increase
capacity from the current total of 591 spaces to 3,390 spaces at
completion of full build-out. Design and construction of specific
buildings, associated parking, and support facilities would be based on
year-by-year Federal appropriations to fund individual projects. The
General Services Administration (GSA) has prepared the EIS for the CDC
and is serving as the lead agency for the NEPA process. However, the
CDC will be responsible for implementing all aspects of the Proposed
Action including, planning, designing, contracting, construction
management, physical security, and operations and maintenance for new
facilities.
B. Purpose and Need
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to enable the CDC to perform
its public health and safety missions effectively and to better utilize
Federal property and assets. The need for the
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Proposed Action is dictated in part by national security due to the
importance of the CDC missions. The Proposed Action is needed to:
Facilitate the performance of CDC's National missions. Alleviate
overcrowded and substandard space and conditions at the Chamblee
Campus, Consolidate CDC Chamblee programs that are currently performed
at leased facilities. Accommodate projected growth in CDC programs
associated with expanding missions. Provide campus environment that
meets building codes and security requirements. Improve internal
pedestrian and traffic flow.
C. Alternatives Considered
No-Action Alternative
The No-Action Alternative would maintain the status quo at the
Chamblee Campus, perpetuating the use of overcrowded substandard
buildings and continued reliance on off-campus leased space to support
programs. Under this alternative, construction, renovation, traffic
improvements, and other components of the Proposed Action, would not be
implemented. The impacts of the No-Action Alternative on the natural
and human environment were evaluated based on extrapolations of current
traffic, building density, and other conditions for the same 10-year
planning period as used to evaluate the Proposed Action.
Chamblee Campus Master Plan Implementation Alternative
Under the Master Plan Implementation Alternative, which is the
Government's preferred alternative, CDC would construct eight new
buildings, including parking decks and a central utility plant, on the
Chamblee Campus and demolish 17 existing obsolete buildings over a 10-
year planning period. These activities would be restricted to the
existing disturbed areas of the campus comprising 26 acres, except for
approximately two acres of upland vegetated area in the southwestern
portion of the property and a strip of upland fringe on the eastern
side of the developed area. The balance of approximately 20 acres,
including 11.4 acres of floodplains and 4.6 acres of jurisdictional
wetlands, is currently vegetated and would remain undisturbed during
implementation of the Master Plan. Any future activity that would
disturb this 20-acre area would require additional NEPA compliance as
outlined the EIS.
Evaluation Approach and Future Tiering
The Chamblee Campus Master Plan is intended as a steering document
rather than a detailed blueprint. The phasing of actions proposed in
the plan must remain flexible due to uncertainties regarding the
availability and timing of Federal funds. Therefore, the approach taken
in this EIS for the evaluation of the Master Plan Implementation
Alternative assumes that the exact locations and configurations of
facilities, and activities supported, will be determined after the
completion of this EIS. In the event that specific future actions are
beyond the information outlined in the Master Plan and the assumptions
followed for this EIS, subsequent NEPA documentation will be required
consistent with the tiering process outlined in the CEQ regulations (40
CFR 1502.20). Such documentation may consist of Categorical Exclusions
(at a minimum), site-specific Environmental Assessments (more likely),
or an addendum/amendment to this EIS if appropriate. Chapter II
provides specific examples of future actions that would be subject to
tiering review.
D. Environmental Consequences to Affected Environment
The environmental consequences of implementing this Proposed Action
and mitigation measures identified are summarized below.
Aesthetics
Due to the age and condition of various buildings and structures on
site, continuing deterioration of these facilities will occur with the
No-Action Alternative and there will be no adverse aesthetic impacts.
The Master Plan Alternative would improve the aesthetic quality of the
campus by eliminating overcrowded and deteriorating facilities,
improving pedestrian and vehicle circulation, and upgrading landscaped
areas. Short-termed adverse impacts during construction would be
restricted to previously disturbed areas of the campus.
Geophysical Resources
The No-Action Alternative would not affect geologic features or
soil conditions on the campus. Demolition and construction activities
for the Master Plan Alternative would not significantly affect geologic
features or soils on the property. Construction would be limited
generally to the previously disturbed areas of the campus, which are
underlain by Urban Land soils that have been altered during prior
development. Construction for the Master Plan Alternative will include
us of best management practices (BMPs) that generally comply with the
Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance of the City of
Chamblee (Municipal Code, Part II, Chapter 34, Article IV) and the
DeKalb County Code (Chapter 14, Article II, Section 14-38), to reduce
soil erosion and sedimentation impacts.
Surface Water Resources
The No-Action Alternative would not alter surface waters, drainage,
floodplains, or wetlands on the campus, because there would be no
change in existing structures and uses on site. With appropriate uses
of BMPs during construction, compliance with the General Storm Water
Permit requirements, and implementation of the SWMP, the Master Plan
Alternative would be in compliance with state and local regulations and
would provide a net benefit over existing water resource conditions.
Biological Resources
There are no critical species or habitats on the Chamblee Campus
for any Federally or state-protected rare, threatened or endangered
species listed under the Endangered Species Act (1973). The No-Action
Alternative would not affect flora and fauna on the campus. The Master
Plan Alternative would not have adverse impacts on wildlife or plant
species. No Federally or state-protected rate, threatened, or
endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act (1973) will
be impacted.
Cultural Resources
Based on consultation with the Georgia State Historic Preservation
Officer (SHPO) as documented in Chapter VIII, no archeological
resources have been identified on the campus, and none of the
structures designated for future demolition are eligible for the
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Therefore, the Proposed
Action would have no impact on cultural resources.
Demographics and Socioeconomic
Under the No-Action Alternative, future operations at the Chamblee
Campus would have no effect on population, housing, economic activity,
or employment in the city and county. The Master Plan Alternative would
not adversely affect population growth in DeKalb county either directly
or indirectly. The exposure of local businesses on Buford Highway and
the International Village to increasing numbers of employees at the
nearby
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Chamblee Campus may have a favorable impact on local services and
retail commerce. The potential increase in trade opportunities for
local businesses may have a small impact on the demand for local
housing. The increase in jobs at the campus would provide a net
favorable effect on employment for the City of Chamblee but have no
impact on countywide employment, because relocations by significant
numbers of existing CDC employees would not be expected. Nearby leased
space to be vacated by CDC in conjunction with the Master Plan would be
absorbed by the regional commercial real estate market without
measurable effect over the 10-year planning period.
Environmental Justice (EJ)
Under the No-Action Alternative, existing operations would continue
at Chamblee Campus and at offsite, leased facilities without
environmental Justice consequences. However, because there would be no
change in the number of employees on site, there would be no potential
for local economic stimulus from CDC actions. The Master Plan
Alternative would not adversely and disproportionately affect minority
and low-income groups who live near the Chamblee Campus. As indicated
in Chapter 4, the distributions of minorities and low-income groups in
the immediate vicinity of the campus are not substantially greater than
in the broader local community. Also, the campus would perform
essentially the same programs it currently performs without any change
in bio-safety level (currently BSL 2) for laboratories onsite. All
Master Plan activities would occur on existing Federal property; hence,
the Federal government would not purchase any additional land for the
Proposed Action, and there would be no impact on the tax base. The
improvements would add over 3,000 more employees to the Chamblee
Campus, which would add to the local employment base. Through potential
increased patronage by greater numbers of employees on the campus, the
Master Plan Alternative may also benefit nearby businesses, such as
restaurants, shops, and service establishments that employ higher
proportions of minorities and the economically disadvantaged. In this
way, the Master Plan Alternative--would potentially support the
economic development plans of the City of Chamblee and DeKalb County
for the nearby DeKalb International Corridor.
Community Services
After the events of September 11, 2001, CDC assessed security at
the Chamblee Campus to insure the appropriate level of protection for
facilities, staff, and the surrounding community. CDC has also improved
the coordination of emergency response activities with the DeKalb
Homeland Security Office and the Governors Office for Homeland
Security. Under the No-Action Alternative, future operations at the
Chamblee Campus would not affect responsibilities of the Chamblee
Police Department, the DeKalb Fire Services Bureau, regional medical
facilities, the DeKalb County Public School System, or park authorities
in the city and county. However, the No-Action Alternative also would
not resolve potential existing deficiencies in water distribution on
campus to provide adequate fire response, as indicated by CDC's
engineering consultant. The increase in facilities and staff operations
at the Chamblee Campus envisioned in the Master Plan Alternative will
emphasize the needs for security and emergency coordination by CDC. The
size of the campus and extent of developed area will remain unchanged
within the existing perimeter. Therefore, the Master Plan alternative
would not have adverse impacts on the operations and responsibilities
of the Chamblee Police Department, DeKalb Fire Services Bureau, and
regional medical facilities. Also, because the Proposed Action would
not influence population growth in DeKalb County, the Master Plan
Altnerative would not affect service providers, the school system, or
recreational resources adversely.
Land Use and Planning
The No-Action Alternative would not affect local land use. Because
the Master Plan Alternative would affect future development only of the
existing property and would not require additional property
acquisition, it would have no impact on local zoning or land use plans.
GSA and CDC have consulted with planning authorities of both the City
of Chamblee and DeKalb County regarding this Proposed Action, and the
current land use on the Chamblee Campus is consistent with the
classification for the site in the DeKalb County Comprehensive Plan.
The proposed development under the Master Plan Alternative would also
be compatible with adjacent land uses, zoning districts, and future
plans of the City of Chamblee and DeKalb County.
Transportation
Prior traffic studies as summarized in Chapter IV and discussed in
Appendix A have indicated that the levels of service at intersections
in the vicinity of Chamblee Campus would remain unchanged over the 10-
year planning period without the Proposed Action except at the
intersection of Buford Highway and Chamblee-Tucker Road. The level of
service at that intersection was projected to deteriorate by one
category. The No-Action Alternative would not affect other means of
transportation in the area; however, it also would not address existing
pedestrian safety issues on Buford Highway adjacent to the campus. For
the Master Plan Alternative, the traffic evaluations of this EIS in
association with the prior traffic studies in the vicinity of the
campus have indicated a potential for significant adverse impacts on
levels of service at nearby intersections. Therefore, an updated
traffic study should be performed after the two replacement buildings
currently under construction (103 and 109) are
completed and occupied. The Master Plan Alternative would improve
pedestrian safety on campus by separating vehicle and pedestrian
routes. Also, to help mitigate problems associated with existing
pedestrian traffic adjacent to the campus, consideration of a sidewalk
along the entire CDC frontage on Buford Highway has been requested by
the county. Additionally, the Master Plan alternative would increase
the use of Marta by CDC Chamblee Campus employees due to the proximity
of the Campus to the Chamblee Marta Station. This would reduce the
total number of vehicle trips and be a positive impact that would
result from the Master Plan alternative.
Utilities and Services
The Chamblee Campus is located within established grids of typical
urban infrastructure, and all required utilities are available.
Existing suppliers are meeting all current demands for utilities. Under
the No-Action Alternative, future operations at the Chamblee Campus
would not affect current utilities consumption rates or infrastructure
capacities.
However, based on a review of the water distribution system map for
the Chamblee Campus, the CDC's engineering consultant recommended the
testing of fire hydrants, because the campus may not have adequate
service for fire protection. The No-Action Alternative would not
address this issue. For the Master Plan Alternative, CDC's design
consultant would develop the projected demands on all utilities as part
of the project development design phase. Because of the long lead time
(10-year planning period), it is expected that all local utilities
suppliers would be capable of adjusting system capacities to satisfy
the demands of the facilities
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included in the alternative upon completion. Because all suppliers are
expected to have adequate capacity to serve the future demands
resulting from the Master Plan Alternative, there would not be any
significant adverse impacts on utilities. By correcting potential
deficiencies in the water distribution system and other utilities on
campus, the Master Plan Alternative would have a net beneficial impact
on these services.
Air Quality
Air emissions at the Chamblee Campus are currently covered under a
Title V permit. For the No-Action Alternative, there would be no
changes in emissions that would affect the existing permit. For the
Master Plan Alternative, construction equipment would generate
emissions of CO, NO2, various hydrocarbons, PM-10, and small
amounts of SO2; however, the impact of these additional
emissions would be highly localized and limited to periods of
construction. Short-term impacts would be minimal, and no long-term
impacts would occur as a result of construction activities. After
completion of Master Plan elements, site-generated traffic would
increase and result in additional congestion on area streets. The
associated pollutant emissions would have minor adverse impacts on air
quality. However, the increases in air pollutant emissions would be
minimal on a regional basis and would not be expected to cause any
violations of NAAQS. In addition, as each development activity within
the Master Plan Alternative is funded; the Title V permit is reviewed
and updated.
Noise
For the Master Plan Alternative, noise levels in the nearby
residential areas from construction activity on campus would fall
within background sound levels and be masked by the intervening traffic
noise. Potential short-term noise impacts will be reduced by
maintaining construction equipment in good working condition with
standard muffling apparatus installed, by limiting demolition and
construction activities to daytime hours, and by complying with the
noise restrictions of the Chamblee Code of Ordinances. Increased
traffic noise after full Master Plan build-out would not have a
significant impact on surrounding communities.
Rationale for Decision:
1. As part of environmental review completed for CDC, GSA conducted
Public Scoping Meetings and consultations with the local community to
identify potential impacts and concerns that would result form
proceeding with the proposed CDC Master Plan Alternative.
2. The community, through two Public Meetings and correspondence
and consultation, identified no issues.
3. GSA consulted with other government agencies including local,
State, and Federal Agencies, to solicit their input on the proposed
Master Plan Alternative. All issues identified and responses provided
are presented in the Draft and Final EIS documents.
4. GSA consulted with the State Historic Preservation Officer and
received reconfirmation the proposed action would have no effect on
historic properties.
5. Potential impacts that were identified during the NEPA process
will be mitigated with additional NEPA documentation if necessary as
individual projects are funded. CDC will institute the mitigation
measures identified in the EIS and will consult with the appropriate
groups and agencies at the appropriate time to insure that the
identified mitigation measures are implemented.
6. Should potentially significant impacts be later identified in
the future development of the Master Plan, CDC will conduct additional
NEPA documentation before proceeding with the implementation of the
Master Plan. In this event, CDC will supplement this EIS with
additional documentation identifying the mitigation measures as
required by the National Environmental Policy Act.
Therefore, having given consideration to all of the factors
discovered during the 16-month environmental review process, the NEPA
process is completed with the execution of this document for the CDC
Proposed Action is the implementation of the Master Plan Alternative at
the CDC Campus in Chamblee, Georgia, and is outlined in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement Dated July 6, 2002, and this Record of
Decision.
Dated: February 20, 2003.
Philip B. Youngberg,
Environmental Manager, Southeast Sunbelt Region, General Services
Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-4945 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
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