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Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct Scoping; Public Museum at the Presidio

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[Federal Register: August 14, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 156)]
[Notices]
[Page 45469]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14au07-100]

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PRESIDIO TRUST

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and
Conduct Scoping; Public Museum at the Presidio

AGENCY: The Presidio Trust.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (Pub. L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321
et seq.), the Presidio Trust (Trust) is notifying interested parties
that it will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a
proposed museum at the Presidio (proposed action) and engage in a
scoping process to seek public input. The EIS will address the
significant environmental impacts of constructing a new public museum
and related structures totaling approximately 100,000 square feet
within the Main Post district of the Presidio of San Francisco
(Presidio), California. The public scoping process will determine the
range of actions, alternatives and impacts to be considered in the EIS.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Trust has received for its review an
offer to lease the area south of the Main Parade Ground on the Main
Post bounded by Moraga Avenue to the south, Arguello Boulevard to the
east, Montgomery Street to the west, and Sheridan Avenue to the north
(Project Site) for the purpose of constructing a new 100,000 square-
foot museum. The Trust is considering the proposal because it believes
that the presence of a major cultural institution such as the one
proposed could serve as a catalyst for attracting other compatible uses
to the Main Post. The proposed action would entail the demolition of
the existing 12,800 square-foot Bowling Center (Building 93), the 3,030
square-foot Red Cross Building (Building 97), a 450-square foot garage
(Building 98) and a tennis court. The museum building would be planned
and completed consistent with the general design and technical
recommendations for new construction at the Project Site that are
within the Trust's Main Post Planning & Design Guidelines. In order for
the proposed action to be considered successful, it should:
    1. Provide a cultural experience of distinction at the Main Post
that engages the public and that enhances the Presidio as a national park.
    2. In keeping with the Presidio's character as a national park,
ensure broad public accessibility to the premises and the program of a
cultural institution.
    3. Site and design new construction to enhance historically
significant open spaces within the Main Post and to preserve the
integrity of the National Historic Landmark District (NHLD).
    4. Incorporate ``green'' design and sustainable principles and
practices that lower energy consumption, conserve natural resources and
reduce pollution.
    5. Promote alternative forms of transportation to minimize the need
for vehicle use by visitors as well as employees.
    6. Be economically feasible and enhance the viability of the
Presidio as a self-sustaining national park.
    The Trust has determined that the proposed action may have
significant effects on the human environment within the meaning of the
NEPA. Because the Project Site was not identified as a ``preferred
location for a large museum'' in the Presidio Trust Management Plan,
the Trust's formally adopted policy statement for land use planning for
Area B of the Presidio, the Trust intends to prepare an EIS to address
potential environmental impacts from the proposed action and the range
of reasonable alternatives.
    In seeking tenants, the Trust is required to provide for
``reasonable competition.'' The Trust will promote competition for the
project site by widely publicizing a request for proposals (RFP).
Proposals received in response to the RFP may yield alternatives for
analysis in the EIS, including a ``preferred alternative'' that may
differ from the proposed action. Other alternatives to be considered
may include the museum's location at one or more sites at Crissy Field
(Area B) or within existing buildings on the Main Post. Potential
impacts to be evaluated in the EIS include those on parking and
traffic, visual resources, and those to the NHLD. Compliance with
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act will be a
component of the EIS utilizing the public input, alternatives development,
and assessment processes to address historic preservation requirements.
    The Trust will announce the release of the EIS (expected to occur
in early 2008) for review and comment through the publication of a
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register, through postings on its
Web site at http://www.presidio.gov and its regular electronic
newsletter (Presidio E-news), as well as direct mailing to the project
mailing list and other appropriate means.

DATES: Written comments or suggestions to assist in identifying
significant environmental issues and in determining the appropriate
scope of the EIS should be submitted on or before October 15, 2007. A
public meeting will be held on September 24, 2007 beginning at 6:30
p.m., at the Presidio Officers' Club (50 Moraga Avenue) to accept oral
comments on the scope of the EIS.

ADDRESSES: Electronic comments concerning this notice can be sent to 
PresidioMuseum@presidiotrust.gov. Written comments may be faxed to
Presidio Museum at 415.561.5308. Written comments may also be submitted
to Presidio Museum, Attn: NEPA Compliance Manager, The Presidio Trust,
34 Graham Street, P.O. Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129-0052. Please
be aware that all written comments and information submitted will be
made available to the public, including, without limitation, any postal
address, e-mail address, phone number or other information contained in
each submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Pelka, 415.561.5300.

    Dated: August 8, 2007.
Karen A. Cook,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. E7-15892 Filed 8-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-4R-P

 
 

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