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Welcome

NIH Bethesda Campus Master Plan And

Environmental Impact Statement

National Environmental Policy ActScoping Meeting

February 28, 2012

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NIH Representatives and Consultants

NEPA Management Valerie Nottingham, Chief, Environmental Quality Branch

Division of Environmental Protection/ORF/NIHMark Radtke, Environmental Protection Specialist

Division of Environmental Protection/ORF/NIH

Facilities Planning Ricardo C. Herring, Director,

Division of Facilities Planning /ORF/NIHPhillip Neuberg, Chief, Facility Planning and Programming Branch

Division of Facilities Planning /ORF/NIH

EIS Consultant Sara O’Neil-Manion, Principal, O’Neil & Manion Architects P.A.Demian Wincele, Senior Project Geologist, ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

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NIH Bethesda Campus Master Plan would guide campus development over a 20-year period.

A Plan would assure that research and research support facilities are provided at the appropriate time, as need dictates, and as resources permit, taking into consideration local and community planning objectives.

The Master Plan

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Why Does the NIH Bethesda Campus Need a Master Plan?

A Master Plan would establish a physical framework which:

• Allows NIH to continue to fulfill its biomedical research needs by defining the program based on research goals, and priorities.

• Results in a consistent and appropriate physical appearance for the site.

• Is in accord with local and regional planning and environmental objectives.

• Defines the priorities for new building construction and renovation of current facilities.

• Ensure accordance with Department of Health and Human Services facility planning policy.

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Master Planning Process

Vision

•Formulate goals and planning principles

Data •Data

collection

Concep

t

•Develop Preliminary Master Plan for agency and public review

Master Plan

•Develop Master Plan

•Issue Draft NIH Bethesda Campus Master Plan for agency and public review

•Issue Final NIH Bethesda Campus Master Plan

Master Plan/EIS Timeline

Assemble planning information on the Bethesda Campus and Winter 2011 project campus population and space

Issue Notice of Intent to Prepare EIS and Master Plan Winter 2012

Hold Scoping Meeting to Receive Comments and Concerns February 28, 2012 Comments will also be received during the 45-day public comment period ending March 26, 2012.

Prepare Draft Master Plan and Draft EIS Spring 2012

Hold Draft EIS Public Meeting Summer 2012 Receive Comments on Draft EIS and Master Plan

Prepare Final EIS Fall 2012

Issue Record of Decision Winter 2012/2013

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NIH Mission

The NIH mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.

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Master Plan Goals

Goal 1: Foster innovative research to improve the nation’s health.

Goal 2: Support the evolving requirements for biomedical research

Goal 3: Provide secure and supportive campus for staff & visitors

Goal 4: Respect the integrity of the surrounding community.

Goal 5: Protect the environment of campus and the region.

Goal 6: Foster communication about NIH goals and policies.

Goal 7: Meet the Federal Real Property Council’s Performance

Measures

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Current Land Use

Land Use Acres Percentage of SiteBuffer Zone 66 21%Open Space 115 37%Sub Total Open Space 181 58%Parking 32 10%Roads/Walks/Service 54 18%Sub Total Circulation 86 28%Buildings 44 14%Total Land Area 310 100%

Potential Areas for Redevelopment

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Replace Building 31

Adapt and reuse historic laboratories with administrative space

Re-locate Building 21

Re-siting the Animal Research Center from south of the Central Utility Plant

Replace Building 12 & 12 A with new laboratory and support space

Replace old buildings with new laboratories, parking garages and support space

Improve pedestrian safety

Improve use of mass transit

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Master Planning Issues

The Master Plan will study and address:• Campus Development• Land Use Compatibility• Traffic• Parking• Security• Noise• Lighting• Utilities• Other issues to be determined

EIS Consultants

ECS MID-ATLANTIC, LLC

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O’NEIL & MANION ARCHITECTS P.A.

Corporate Background and NEPA Experience

• ECS, Mid-Atlantic, LLC is one of several consulting/contracting firms on subcontract to O’Neil & Manion Architects P.A.

• Our interdisciplinary team includes scientists, industrial hygienists, engineers, and planners

• We offer a wide range of NEPA and other environmental services– Federal NEPA Environmental Assessments for construction and demolition

projects– Programmatic NEPA support to various federal agencies (DoD, FBI, GSA)– Communications support (public meetings, coordinating public comments)

• ECS staff have prepared and reviewed several EAs, EISs, and EIRs– Examples include the Federal Reserve Building, University of Mary Washington,

and Northern Virginia Community College Campus

• ECS and other consulting firms will coordinate to perform analyses independently of NIH

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Scope and Content of an EIS

Notice of Intent & Scoping

Draft EIS Public Review & Comment Final EIS Public Availability

and ROD

•EIS Content:

Purpose and need

Alternatives being considered

Affected environment

Consequences

Mitigation measures

Cumulative impacts14

ECS’s Technical Approach for Preparing an EIS

• Objectively evaluate reasonable alternatives

• Perform environmental analyses– Use existing, relevant studies and/or data– Conduct site investigations– Apply modeling tools– Consult with subject matter experts– Consult with federal, state, and local agencies

• Identify mitigation measures to minimize impacts

• Perform regulatory analyses to identify compliance requirements

• Consider and respond to public comments

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What is NEPA?

• National Environmental Policy Act (1969)

• Defines procedural elements– The NEPA Process– Council on Environmental Quality regulations 40 CFR 1500-1508– Department of Health and Human Services General Administration Manual

Chapter 30, Environmental Protection

• Purpose of this Environmental Impact Statement for the NIH Master Plan is to examine potential impacts and mitigation

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Why Perform NEPA?

• It is Federal Law

• Allows for the agency to consider the environmental impacts of its actions

• Allows for public participation

• Ensures the agency makes an informed decision on its action

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NEPA Process

• Issue Notice of Intent (NOI) • Hold Public Scoping Meeting • Issue Draft EIS

- Copies of draft are given to the Environmental Protection Agency and

a Notice of Availability (NOA) is posted in the Federal Register

- There is at least a 45 day comment period on the draft EIS

• Hold public comment meeting on DEIS• Issue Final EIS

- The final EIS must respond to relevant comments received from other

agencies and the public

- The final EIS is given to the EPA and a NOA is published in the

federal register

- 30 day waiting period

• Record of Decision

- Final step for the EIS process

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Effective Public Commenting

You can make a difference

Comments may be the most important contribution from citizens

Effective Comments:• Early in the NEPA process• Clear, concise and relevant to the analysis• Solution oriented and provide specific examples• Suggest additional alternatives• Suggest sources of relevant data or information for consideration

How Do I Get Information on the Bethesda Campus Master Plan and Provide Comments

on the EIS?

Scoping comments should be directed to:

Valerie NottinghamChief, Environmental Quality BranchDivision of Environmental Protection

National Institutes of Health, ORFB13/2S11, 9000 Rockville Pike,

Bethesda, Maryland 20892

telephone 301-496-7775

e-mail: nihnepa@mail.nih.gov

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