Notice2024-13756
National Environmental Policy Act; Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 26, 2024
Issuing agencies
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Abstract
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) procedures for implementing NEPA, NASA, in cooperation with the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed development of the Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park. The EIS will be a joint EIS/ environmental impact report (EIR) that fulfills the requirements of both NEPA and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This notice opens a 30-day public scoping period during which the public and other interested parties are encouraged to submit comments as provided for under ADDRESSES to inform the scope of environmental issues which should be considered in the EIS/EIR, including alternatives to the proposed action. The public scoping period is for a period of 30 days from publication of this notice.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53448-53452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13756]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[NASA Document No: NASA-24-039; NASA Docket No: NASA-24-0002]
National Environmental Policy Act; Berkeley Space Center at NASA
Research Park
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of meetings; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations
for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) procedures for
implementing NEPA, NASA, in cooperation with the University of
California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), will prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed development of the Berkeley
Space Center at NASA Research Park. The EIS will be a joint EIS/
environmental impact report (EIR) that fulfills the requirements of
both NEPA and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This
notice opens a 30-day public scoping period during which the public and
other interested parties are encouraged to submit comments as provided
for under ADDRESSES to inform the scope of environmental issues which
should be considered in the EIS/EIR, including alternatives to the
proposed action. The public scoping period is for a period of 30 days
from publication of this notice.
DATES: Comments are due by July 26, 2024.
UC Berkeley and NASA will hold two joint online public scoping
meetings to inform interested parties about the project, and to provide
agencies and the public with an opportunity to provide oral and written
comments on the scope and content of the joint EIR/EIS. The first
scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 and the second
scoping meeting will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024. Information
regarding public scoping meetings and the location of project materials
is found under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Advance registration to attend or provide a comment at the
virtual public meetings described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION is
not required. Public meeting attendees may submit comments during the
public meeting, or by other means described below throughout the 30-day
comment
[[Page 53449]]
period. You may submit written comments and materials by one of the
following methods:
<bullet> U.S. mail: NASA Ames Research Center, Attn: Berkeley Space
Center at NASA Research Park, M/S 204-15, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001.
<bullet> Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: Written comments and
recommendations for this information collection should be sent within
30 days of publication of this notice to ensure consideration in the
Draft EIS/EIR. You may send comments, identified by NASA Docket Number
NASA-24-0002 to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
We encourage you to submit comments electronically through the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. If submitting
your comments electronically, it is not necessary to also submit a hard
copy. All comments received will be posted without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Before including your address, phone number, email
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be
advised that your entire comment--including any personal identifying
information you provide--may be publicly available at any time. While
you may request, in your comment, to withhold from public review your
personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that your request
will be granted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andr[eacute]s Estrada, NEPA Program
Manager, Natural Resources Manager. NASA Ames Research Center, M/S 204-
15, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a9c8c7cddbccda87df87ccdadddbc8cdc8e9c7c8dac887cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0667686274637528702863757274676267466867756728616970">[email protected]</span></a>, or
phone 650-224-8532. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The joint EIS/EIR will evaluate the environmental impacts of the
proposed action related to the proposed construction and occupancy of
the Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park, which would redevelop
the project site with academic and research facilities, including
office, laboratories, and research and development (collectively,
``research and office uses''); conference and amenity facilities,
including a gym, lobbies, and other amenities (collectively, ``active
uses''); student/faculty housing; short-term lodging; transportation
networks; and public open spaces as well as landscaped spaces, to
create a state-of-the-art research and education hub that shapes the
future of technology and innovation and to advance UC Regents'
educational, scientific research, charitable, and other exempt purposes
(within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal
Revenue Code). The Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park would be
located at the NASA owned and operated Ames Research Center (NASA ARC)
in Santa Clara County, California.
The purpose of the proposed project is to:
<bullet> Facilitate the development and long-term operation of a
collaborative research environment at NASA ARC as contemplated in the
NASA Ames Development Plan (NADP).
<bullet> Create a research development that combines UC Berkeley's
mission to accelerate scientific discovery, create innovative
technologies, and advance knowledge for the benefit of humanity with
NASA's mission to enable exploration, innovative technologies and
interdisciplinary scientific discovery through the integration of
public and private research and development efforts.
<bullet> Strengthen and expand the NASA ARC's global profile,
attracting and retaining new research talent as well as generating
innovative ideas for use throughout the world and the cosmos.
<bullet> Promote collaborative research and development activities
among NASA ARC, UC Berkeley, private industry, and non-profit
organizations.
<bullet> Provide convenient short-term housing and lodging options
to primarily support faculty, students, and guests at the NASA ARC.
<bullet> Enable more efficient use of land at NASA ARC by
demolishing older underutilized buildings and constructing new
facilities involved in the creation of the new research space.
The need for the proposed project is as follows:
<bullet> To maintain NASA's position at the forefront of
technological innovation and as catalyst for space and aeronautical
research and technology transfer.
<bullet> To strengthen our nation's ability to address the research
problems of tomorrow by combining NASA's unique ability to focus on
high-risk long-term research; industry's ability to react quickly with
applied technology; and the University of California's expertise in
educating and providing a vibrant workforce for the future.
Project Location
The project site is on Federal land within the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Ames Research Center (NASA ARC) in Santa Clara
County, California (refer to the attached Project Location map). The
NASA ARC is located on approximately 2,000 acres between U.S. 101 and
the southwestern edge of San Francisco Bay. The city of Mountain View
borders the NASA ARC to the south and west; the city of Sunnyvale
borders the NASA ARC to the south and east. The NASA ARC is
approximately 33 miles south of the city of San Francisco and 8 miles
north of the city of San Jos[eacute]. As part of the NADP, which is
NASA's vision for development of the NASA ARC, development was
considered in four areas commonly referred to as the NASA Research Park
(NRP), Eastside/Airfield, Bay View, and Ames Campus. The project site
is within the NRP.
The approximately 36-acre triangular project site is currently
developed with approximately 16 one- or two-story buildings that total
approximately 112,000 square feet, along with surface parking lots,
roadways, and utility infrastructure. The existing buildings are mostly
vacant and many were formerly used as ancillary buildings that
supported Navy operations (e.g., office buildings, food service, gas
station).
The project site is bounded by Wescoat Road to the north and Cody
Road to the east. The southern boundary of the project site is between
Edquiba Road and Girard Road. Northwest of the project site, across
Wescoat Road, is Shenandoah Plaza, a linear open space surrounded by
buildings. Approximately 0.3 mile northeast of the project site, across
from the intersection of Wescoat Road and Cody Road, is Hangar One, one
of the largest freestanding structures in the world. Hangar One and
many of the buildings, landscapes, and objects north of the project
site are part of the Shenandoah Plaza Historic District. East of the
project site, across Cody Road, is Moffett Federal Airfield. South of
the project site is a planned residential development that would
include approximately 2,000 residential units; the planned residential
development would be located within the NRP, but is not part of the
proposed project.
With respect to hazardous materials, ongoing remediation activities
in the vicinity of the project site continue to be implemented under
the jurisdictions of the United States Environmental
[[Page 53450]]
Protection Agency and California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Background
The project site is within the NRP, which was incorporated into the
NASA ARC in 1994 following the closure of the former Naval Air Station
Moffett Field. In 2002, a programmatic EIS (PEIS) was prepared pursuant
to NEPA and was completed with a Record of Decision that provided
environmental review for the implementation of the NADP. Since 2002,
NASA (or other authorized parties) has redeveloped portions of the NASA
ARC with entitled uses under the terms of several ground leases. The
project site is one of the parcels considered for redevelopment in the
2002 PEIS. In 2019, NASA invited UC Berkeley, on behalf of the
University of California system and its constituent campuses, to
explore the feasibility of developing the project site for public and
private sector research, professional education, and housing. In May
2021, the Regents authorized UC Berkeley to enter into a joint venture
with SKSP NRP, LLC to create Moffett Partners, LLC for the proposed
project.
Proposed Action and Alternative
The following two build alternatives (Build Alternative 1 and Build
Alternative 2) and the No Action Alternative will be evaluated in the
Draft EIS/EIR.
<bullet> Build Alternative 1: Build Alternative 1 would create
approximately 2.3 million square feet of research uses, a conference
center, active uses, student/faculty housing, and short-term lodging
for visitors and conference attendees. Build Alternative 1 would
include approximately 1.99 million square feet (87 percent) research
and office uses; 22,000 square feet (1 percent) conference center uses;
89,000 square feet (4 percent) active uses; 126,0000 square feet (5
percent) student/faculty housing; and 73,000 square feet (3 percent)
short-term lodging uses. Build Alternative 1 is considered the proposed
project under CEQA and the Proposed Action under NEPA.
<bullet> Build Alternative 2: Build Alternative 2 would create
approximately 1.4 million square feet of research uses, a conference
center, active uses, student/faculty housing, and short-term lodging
for visitors and conference attendees. Compared to Build Alternative 1,
Build Alternative 2 would provide the same types of uses and the same
square footage for most uses, with the exception that Build Alternative
2 would provide less space for research and office uses. Build
Alternative 2 would include approximately 1.09 million square feet (78
percent) research and office uses; 22,000 square feet (2 percent)
conference center uses; 89,000 square feet (6 percent) active uses;
126,0000 square feet (9 percent) student/faculty housing; and 73,000
square feet (5 percent) short-term lodging uses. Build Alternative 2 is
considered one of the alternatives to the proposed project under CEQA;
it is also one of the alternatives under NEPA. Build Alternative 2 will
be evaluated at the same level of detail as Build Alternative 1 in the
joint EIR/EIS.
<bullet> No Action Alternative: For the purposes of NEPA, under the
No Action Alternative, the project would not be approved by NASA, and
would not be constructed and operated at the project site.
As discussed below, Build Alternative 1 and Build Alternative 2
would have the same general site layout; the same maximum building
heights; the same conference center, active uses, student/faculty
housing, short-term lodging, and open space; the same amount of
student/faculty housing; the same amount of short-term lodging; the
same utility infrastructure and roadways; and the same ratio of parking
spaces.
<bullet> Site Layout: Both build alternatives would include
buildings that would be oriented around a large open space in the
center of the project site, the Central Green. This area would include
retail and amenity uses. The proposed research uses would be located
along the perimeter of the project site. The proposed student/faculty
housing, short-term lodging uses, and conference center would be
located in the southwestern corner of the project site. The proposed
parking garages would be located in the southwestern and southeastern
corners of the project site. Vehicular access would be provided along
Wescoat Road, the realigned Cody Road, and the realigned Girard Road
(refer to the discussion of Utility Infrastructure and Roadways for
more details on roadway realignments).
<bullet> Maximum Building Heights: Under both build alternatives,
maximum structure heights would be 80 feet, with an exceedance allowed
of up to 25 feet for mechanical screens and equipment.
<bullet> Conference Center, Active Uses, Student/Faculty Housing,
Short-term Lodging Uses, and Open Space: Both build alternatives would
include an approximately 20,000-square-foot conference center,
approximately 92,000 square feet of active uses, and approximately
199,000 square feet of student/faculty housing and short-term lodging.
In addition, both build alternatives would include approximately 10.9
acres of open space, including pathways, active uses (e.g., occupied
areas that pedestrians could access via sidewalks or pathways), and
passive uses (e.g., open lawns, patios). Landscaping would include a
mix of native, climate-adaptive, and drought-resistant plant materials.
<bullet> Student/Faculty Housing: Both build alternatives would
include approximately 141 student/faculty housing units, which would
house approximately 352 residents. The proposed student/faculty housing
would be used by students or faculty on a short-term basis (i.e.,
academic calendar year, semester, summer).
<bullet> Short-term Lodging: Both build alternatives would include
approximately 99 short-term lodging units, which would accommodate
approximately 197 guests. The proposed short-term lodging would be used
as temporary lodging for staff, researchers, academics, tenants, and
their families visiting the project site for conferences, meetings,
research projects, and other short-term events affiliated with or at
NASA ARC.
<bullet> Utility Infrastructure and Roadways: Both build
alternatives would include building-level air source heat pumps for all
heating, package air conditioning units for cooling at buildings
without office or lab space, and water-cooled chillers for cooling at
buildings with office and/or lab spaces. In addition, both build
alternatives would have the same infrastructure for utilities (i.e.,
wet and dry utilities) installed offsite and the same utility
connection points to those utilities. Existing NASA critical
infrastructure would remain within the project site. Both build
alternatives would realign Girard Road north to form the southern
boundary of the project site and construct a new connector road between
the realigned Girard Road and Wescoat Road along the southwestern
corner of the project site. Both build alternatives would also realign
Cody Road east to align with centerline of Hanger One, incorporating
the design intent from the NADP, which was evaluated in the 2002 PEIS.
<bullet> Ratio of Parking Spaces: Parking would be located off the
realigned Girard Road within parking structures and/or podium parking
at designated areas. While Build Alternative 1 would have more parking
spaces than Build Alternative 2 because it would include more space for
research and office uses, both build alternatives would have the same
parking ratios for each land use, establishing a blended parking ratio
of
[[Page 53451]]
approximately 1.43 parking spots per 1,000 square feet.
As discussed below, the primary differences between Build
Alternative 1 and Build Alternative 2 would be the square footage of
the research uses, the number of employees, the number of students, and
the number of parking spaces.
<bullet> Research and Office Uses: Build Alternative 1 would
include approximately 1.99 million square feet for research and office
uses, whereas Build Alternative 2 would include approximately 1.09
million square feet for research and office uses.
<bullet> Employees: Build Alternative 1 would result in
approximately 5,789 employees, whereas Build Alternative 2 would result
in approximately 3,260 employees. Build Alternative 1 would result in
more employees because it would include more space for research and
office uses.
<bullet> Students: Build Alternative 1 would accommodate up to
approximately 177 students at a time, whereas Build Alternative 2 would
accommodate up to approximately 96 students at a time. Build
Alternative 1 would accommodate more students because it would include
more space for research and office uses.
<bullet> Parking Spaces: Build Alternative 1 would include
approximately 3,290 parking spaces, whereas Build Alternative 2 would
include approximately 2,009 parking spaces.
The future sub-tenant users for the proposed research space are not
yet known and because the project would be constructed over a period of
years, the exact configuration of certain project elements has not yet
been determined. Thus, the joint EIR/EIS will evaluate the potential
environmental impacts of the project based on conservative, worst case
assumptions regarding certain aspects of the project design within
specific areas of the project site (referred to as subareas).
Specifically, it is anticipated that variations to the following
project design elements could occur within seven subareas in the
project site: the number and configuration of buildings, the design of
the buildings, the allocation of permitted uses among or within the
buildings, and the specific locations of mechanical equipment. On the
other hand, it is anticipated that the following project elements would
be known at the time the joint EIR/EIS is prepared: types of permitted
uses, maximum square footage by use and in total, maximum building
heights, parking ratios by use, locations of access roads, types and
general locations of mechanical equipment, and other project
parameters. This approach to the analysis will ensure that the joint
EIR/EIS will evaluate the proposed project's maximum potential impact
based on potential future building design and configuration to
accommodate specific future sub-tenants of the proposed research and
office space.
Prior to construction of the proposed project, all of the existing
buildings and utilities infrastructure within the project site would be
demolished except for the existing NASA critical infrastructure that
would remain.
Summary of Expected Impacts
Based on the initial evaluation of the build alternatives, the
following impacts would be expected: temporary increases in dust and
other air pollutants during construction; temporary increases in noise
and vibration during construction; temporary increases in construction
traffic on roadways; temporary changes to existing public access;
short-term disturbance to and changes in habitat conditions for listed
and sensitive species; air quality and greenhouse gas emissions during
operation; increases in traffic due to employees, residents, and
visitors during operation; increases in building density and height,
which could affect visual resources and historic resources in the
vicinity of the site; and remediation of soil and groundwater issues
known to be present related to historical uses at and near the project
site. The proposed action would be required to follow existing soil and
groundwater remediation protocols. Details regarding the required
remediation would be coordinated with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and Responsible Parties in charge of ongoing remediation
efforts.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The permits and other authorizations anticipated to be required for
the proposed project include but are not limited to the list below:
<bullet> Bay Area Air Quality Management District permit for
stationary sources,
<bullet> San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification,
<bullet> Consultation pursuant to section 7 of the Federal
Endangered Species Act with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
National Marine Fisheries Service,
<bullet> Consultation with tribes and the State Historic
Preservation Officer pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act and CEQA,
<bullet> Encroachment permit or similar permit for any roadway in
the city of Mountain View, city of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority, and California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) rights-of-way, and
<bullet> Completion of a Bona fide Prospective Lessee agreement
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The EIS/EIR process is expected to take approximately 1.5 years and
end with a record of decision signed by NASA. Subsequent Federal
actions would include review and approval of project plans through the
NASA Ames Design Review Process, NASA construction permitting, and
securing of permits, approvals, and/or authorizations from external
Federal or State agencies as required by applicable laws.
Environmental Impact Statement Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the 30-day scoping process, which
guides the development of the Draft EIS. The scoping process is
designed to elicit comments from the public, public agencies, Tribal
governments, and other interested parties on the scope of the Draft
EIS. UC Berkeley and NASA will hold two joint online public scoping
meetings to inform interested parties about the project and its
location as well as to provide agencies and the public with an
opportunity to provide oral and written comments on the scope and
content of the joint EIR/EIS. The scoping meetings will be held
exclusively through Zoom videoconference. Members of the public will be
able to provide written comments during the meetings in the chat or
verbally during an open mic session. The information for the two
scoping meetings is as follows:
<bullet> Scoping Meeting No. 1, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Time: 6:00 to
7:30 p.m., Meeting Link: <a href="https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/public-meetings">https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/public-meetings</a>
<bullet> Scoping Meeting No. 2, Monday, July 15, 2024, Time: 6:00 to
7:30 p.m., Meeting Link: <a href="https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/public-meetings">https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/public-meetings</a>
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
NASA requests comments concerning the scope of the analysis and
identification of relevant information and studies. All interested
parties are invited to provide input related to the identification of
potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the
Proposed Action Alternatives in
[[Page 53452]]
writing. All written comments should be submitted via any of the
methods provided under ADDRESSES.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
NASA is the lead agency for the EIS. The Regents of the University
of California will serve as the lead State agency for the EIR.
Cooperating agencies have not been identified at this time; however,
NASA continues to coordinate with external agencies and may identify
one or multiple cooperating agencies during the scoping period.
Joel Carney,
Associate Administrator of the Office of Strategic Infrastructure,
Mission Support Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-13756 Filed 6-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 26, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.