Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for O'Brien Road Access Modernization (ORAM), Within the Fort Meade Complex, Maryland Publication: Federal Register Signing Official: Aaron T. Siegel Department: Department of Defense Date: 11 July 2022

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 131 (Monday, July 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41116-41117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14726]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for O'Brien 
Road Access Modernization (ORAM), Within the Fort Meade Complex, 
Maryland

AGENCY: National Security Agency, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of public scoping; request for 
comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The DoD announces its intent to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential effects associated with 
proposed access and infrastructure upgrades at the National Security 
Agency's (NSA) campus on Fort George G. Meade, Maryland (hereafter 
referred to as Fort Meade). The purpose of the proposed project is to 
increase efficiencies and capacity for required security processing of 
deliveries and traffic entering the NSA campus. Additionally, major 
construction projects have generated changes in Fort Meade traffic 
distribution, resulting in extensive delays for inspection and access. 
Publication of this notice begins a scoping process that identifies and 
determines the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the 
EIS. This notice requests public participation in the scoping process 
and provides information on how to participate.

DATES: The public is invited to provide comments on the scope of the 
EIS during a 45-day public scoping period. Comments will be accepted 
until August 25, 2022.
    In light of changing public health requirements, a narrated 
presentation will be made available in lieu of an in-person meeting. 
Information will be made available on the project website at https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/oram. For further information, see ``Scoping 
Process'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below).

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the scope of the EIS and comments 
on the scoping process may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
    Mail: ORAM EIS, c/o: HDR 2650, Park Tower Drive, Suite 400, Vienna, 
VA 22180;
    Email: ORAM@hdrinc.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffrey Williams, Sr. 
Environmental Engineer, jdwill2@nsa.gov 301-688-2970.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: NSA is a tenant DoD agency on Fort Meade, occupying 
approximately 840 acres of the 5,107.7 acres of base property. 
Renovation and upgrade of inspection and access facilities for NSA is 
required to meet increased mission and security capacity. The existing 
Vehicle Control Inspection Facility (VCIF) and Vehicle Control Point 5 
(VCP5) represent two significant entry points for access to the NSA 
campus. Both facilities require replacement due to process 
inefficiencies and insufficient capacity to meet current and future 
demand. Original sizing of the VCIF was to provide inspection 
facilities only for NSA deliveries and traffic. Post 9/11, a decision 
was made that NSA would inspect both Fort Meade and NSA deliveries. 
Additionally, major construction activities on Fort Meade have 
generated increases in traffic access and inspection throughout the 
installation. These conditions have resulted in extensive delays at the 
VCIF and traffic back-ups onto Maryland State Route 32. The design of 
VCP5 on O'Brien Road is also outdated and provides insufficient access 
capacity between the NSA campus and Fort Meade. Relocation of the Fort 
Meade Access Control Facility (ACF) on Mapes Road was included to 
facilitate the design and construction of the roadway system, as well 
as minimize environmental impacts.
    Proposed Action and Alternatives: The proposed action would consist 
of: construction of a new VCIF with adjacent visitor control center; 
construction of a new Mail Screening Facility (MSF) adjacent to the 
VCIF; construction of a new VCP5; reconfiguration of the Mapes Road 
ACF; roadway improvements to provide enhanced routing and separation of 
traffic between NSA and Fort Meade; and associated infrastructure 
including sidewalks, inspection canopies, dog kennels, surface parking 
areas, stormwater management facilities, utilities, and related 
infrastructure.
    It is anticipated that two build alternatives will be analyzed in 
detail through the EIS process that will involve distinct 
configurations of

[[Page 41117]]

project elements within the same general area on the NSA campus and 
Fort Meade. The No Action Alternative (not undertaking the proposed 
improvements) will also be analyzed in detail to provide a baseline for 
comparison with the action alternatives.
    This notice of intent is required by 40 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) 1501.9 and briefly describes the Proposed Action and possible 
alternatives and our proposed scoping process. The EIS will comply with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality regulations in 40 CFR parts 
1500 through 1508, and DoD Instruction 4715.9 (Environmental Planning 
and Analysis).
    Significant Issues: Environmental issues to be analyzed in the EIS 
will include potential effects on air quality, stream and wetland 
resources, forests, cultural resources, hazardous waste and materials, 
and transportation. Consultations to be incorporated into the 
preparation of the Draft EIS will include, but are not necessarily 
limited to, consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act 
and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
    Scoping Process: Public scoping is an early and open process for 
identifying and determining the scope of issues to be addressed in the 
EIS. Scoping begins with this notice and continues through the 45-day 
public comment period.
    As part of the public scoping process, in lieu of a public scoping 
meeting, a narrated presentation about the project and how to provide 
scoping comments will be made available on August 3, 2022, for a two-
day period. The presentation will be made available on the project 
website at https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/oram.
    Upon completion of the scoping process, DoD will prepare a Draft 
EIS, and will publish a Federal Register notice announcing its public 
availability. The Draft EIS is anticipated to be available for public 
review by mid-2023. If you want the notice to be sent to you, please 
submit your request in writing (see ADDRESSES section in this notice). 
There will also be an opportunity to review and comment on the Draft 
EIS. Additionally, it is anticipated that a public meeting would be 
held after publication of the Draft EIS to present the Draft EIS and 
receive public comments regarding the document. NSA will consider all 
comments received and then prepare a Final EIS. As with the Draft EIS, 
NSA will announce the availability of the Final EIS and once again 
provide an opportunity for review and comment. The Final EIS and a 
Record of Decision on the Proposed Action are expected in late 2023.

    Dated: June 30, 2022.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2022-14726 Filed 7-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P