Exterior Improvements at the U.S. Department of Commerce - Herbert C. Hoover Building Environmental Assessment

GSA proposes to install exterior improvements at the Department of Commerce – Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB), located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.  An Environmental Assessment (EA) is being prepared that will anlayze the impacts that could result from the proposed action and it's alternatives.

The actions analyzed in the EA include relocating the visitor entrance of the National Aquarium to Constitution Avenue to enhance the facility and make it more accessible to visitors; installing new entrance ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations; and replacing temporary perimeter security with permanent perimeter security, which could intrude on public space, to provide medium level security for Department of Commerce employees and vistors.

The EA evaluates two action alternatives and a no action alternative.  The two action alternatives differ in the location and treatment of perimeter security around the HCHB.  The other components of the alternatives, the ADA improvements and new entrance to the National Aquarium, are consistent between the two action alternatives.  The impacts of each of these alternatives on the natural and man-made environment are anlayzed in the EA.

GSA is now accepting public comments concerning the Draft EA.  Comments received on the Draft EA will be considered and responded to in the Final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), if deemed appropriate for the proposed action.  Upon completion, the Final EA/Draft FONSI will be made available to the public for review and comment for a period of 30 days.  This is the second opportunity for public comment.  A public scoping period was conducted February through March 2009.  Comments received during the scoping period were considered during the preparation of the Draft EA.

GSA welcomes comments on the Draft EA  through November 16, 2009. Copies of the EA can be obtained by contacting Ms. Suzanne Hill, (202) 205-5821. Written comments and inquiries regarding this project should be submitted to Suzanne Hill using the contact information located to the upper right hand side of this page.

Comments received on the Draft EA will be considered and responded to in the Final EA and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), if a FONSI is deemed appropriate for the proposed action.