Southeast Federal Center In-Water Development at the Yards

Environmental Assessment

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in coordination with Forest City Washington, Inc. (FCW), is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for in-water development of three acres at the Yards in the Near Southeast neighborhood along the Anacostia River in Washington, DC.  GSA is the lead Federal agency and FCW is the selected developer for the mixed-use 42-acre development at the Southeast Federal Center (SEFC), now known as The Yards.

The purpose of the proposed in-water development is to provide public access to the Anacostia River and support recreational water-dependent activities. Project components include a recreational marina, two public piers, and accommodations for a water taxi operation.  The project is needed because there are limited in-water amenities available to the public that support water-dependent activities along the Anacostia River.

The EA will analyze the impacts that could result from the proposed action and its alternatives. The EA will only analyze the impacts that could occur from the proposed in-water development. The EA will be a supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that was prepared for the upland development of the SEFC. The Final EIS was completed May 28, 2004, and the Record of Decision (ROD) was signed May 17, 2005. The Final EIS fully considered the potential effects that would arise from upland development above the seawall.

Public Involvement Opportunities GSA is accepting comments concerning the scope of the EA. The scoping period begins on July 15, 2009 and ends August 14, 2009. Scoping is the first step in the NEPA process and is conducted prior to the development of the EA. Comments received during the scoping period will be used to refine alternatives and issues analyzed in the EA. Pursuant to NEPA regulations, a no action alternative will also be analyzed.

Upon completion, the Draft EA will be made available to the public for review and comment for a period of 30 days. Availability of the Draft EA will be advertised in the Washington Post and the Washington Times. The Draft EA will also be made available through this website.

Inquiries regarding this project should be directed to:
 
Pat Daniels
General Services Administration
Senior Project Manager
301 7th Street, SW
Room 2021
Washington, DC 20407
Fax Number: (202) 708-4964
pat.daniels@gsa.gov

The Scoping Letter with Map of Area is available for download below.