Notice2023-12350
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the O'Brien Road Access Modernization, Fort Meade, Maryland
Primary source
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Published
June 9, 2023
Issuing agencies
Defense Department
Abstract
The DoD announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the environmental planning process for the O'Brien Road Access Modernization (ORAM) at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland (hereafter referred to as Fort Meade). The DoD proposes to implement the ORAM project, which would entail renovation and upgrade of inspection facilities, upgrade of access facilities, and corresponding roadway improvements for Mapes, O'Brien, Perimeter, and Venona Roads on Fort Meade. The purpose of the proposed project is to construct facilities and infrastructure to allow for increased capacity for required security processing of traffic and deliveries entering Fort Meade and the National Security Agency (NSA) campus. The need for the proposed project is to address inefficiencies with current infrastructure and capacity issues.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 111 (Friday, June 9, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 111 (Friday, June 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37869-37870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12350]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the O'Brien Road Access
Modernization, Fort Meade, Maryland
AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of public meeting; request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: The DoD announces the availability of the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the environmental planning process
for the O'Brien Road Access Modernization (ORAM) at Fort George G.
Meade, Maryland (hereafter referred to as Fort Meade). The DoD proposes
to implement the ORAM project, which would entail renovation and
upgrade of inspection facilities, upgrade of access facilities, and
corresponding roadway improvements for Mapes, O'Brien, Perimeter, and
Venona Roads on Fort Meade. The purpose of the proposed project is to
construct facilities and infrastructure to allow for increased capacity
for required security processing of traffic and deliveries entering
Fort Meade and the National Security Agency (NSA) campus. The need for
the proposed project is to address inefficiencies with current
infrastructure and capacity issues.
DATES: There will be a virtual public meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on
July 19, 2023 via the Webex platform. Access and registration details
are available on the project website at <a href="https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/oram">https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/oram</a>. The public meeting may end earlier or later than the stated time
depending on the number of persons wishing to speak. All materials that
are submitted in response to the Draft EIS should be received by July
24, 2023 to provide sufficient time to be considered in preparation of
the Final EIS.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft EIS are available for your review on the
project website at <a href="https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/oram">https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/oram</a> and at the Medal
of Honor Memorial Library, 4418 Llewellyn Avenue, Fort Meade, MD 20755;
Glen Burnie Regional Library, 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie, MD 21060;
Odenton Regional Library, 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 21113; and
Severn Community Library, 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn, MD 21144. You
may also call (301) 688-2970 or send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#410e13000c01292533282f226f222e2c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="470815060a072f23352e29246924282a">[email protected]</span></a> to
request a copy of the Draft EIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffrey Williams at 301-688-2970,
or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#620806150b0e0e50220c11034c050d14"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1e747a697772722c5e706d7f30797168">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces a 45-day comment
period and provides information on how to participate in the public
review process. The public comment period for the Draft EIS will
officially end July 24, 2023.
Background: NSA is a tenant DoD agency on Fort Meade, occupying
approximately 840 acres of the 5,100-acre installation. 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 provided for 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 is included to facilitate the
design and construction of the overall access gate infrastructure and
roadway system, as well as minimize environmental impacts.
Proposed Action and Alternatives: The proposed action would consist
of: construction of a new VCP5 along O'Brien Road; construction of a
new VCIF with adjacent visitor control center; construction of a new
Mail Screening Facility adjacent to the VCIF; reconfiguration of the
Mapes Road ACF; roadway improvements to provide enhanced routing and
separation of traffic between NSA and Fort Meade entering from MDs 32
and 198; and associated infrastructure, including sidewalks, inspection
canopies, dog kennels, surface parking areas, stormwater management
facilities, and utilities.
Alternatives identified include two build alternatives that involve
distinct configurations of project elements within the same general
area on the NSA campus and Fort Meade. The No Action Alternative (not
undertaking the proposed improvements) is also analyzed in detail.
Summary of Environmental Impacts: The level of environmental
impacts potentially resulting from the Proposed Action and alternatives
would be largely similar, regardless of which alternative would be
selected.
Generally, construction and demolition would result in some ground
disturbance, temporary increases in noise, and increased traffic
congestion and lane closures, which would be expected regardless of the
alternative selected. Implementation of the ORAM would be expected to
result in long-term, negligible to major, adverse impacts on noise,
geological resources, water resources, biological resources,
infrastructure, and socioeconomics. Long-term, negligible to moderate,
beneficial impacts on land use and visual resources, air quality, and
sustainability. Major adverse impacts on wetlands would occur under
either alternative, for which mitigation measures would be developed in
coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland
Department of the Environment. Major beneficial impacts on
transportation would occur as result of the improvements.
Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures: The Proposed
Action has the potential to result in adverse environmental impacts.
The Proposed Action includes best management practices, mitigation
measures, and design concepts to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to
the extent practicable. Unavoidable impacts would be minimized or
compensated for to the extent practicable. In accordance with Council
on Environmental Quality regulations, mitigation measures are
[[Page 37870]]
considered for adverse environmental impacts.
Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review on the
project website, at local repositories, and by request (see ADDRESSES).
The DoD invites public and agency input on the Draft EIS. Please submit
comments and materials during the 45-day public review period to allow
sufficient time for consideration in development of the Final EIS (see
DATES).
The DoD will consider all comments received and then prepare the
Final EIS. As with the Draft EIS, DoD will announce the availability of
the Final EIS.
Dated: June 2, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023-12350 Filed 6-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
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