PUBLIC NOTICE

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

OFFICE OF CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES

MANAGEMENT

NOTICE OF SCOPING AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT UNDER THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT FOR THE PROPOSED VETERAN AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA [VA UPDATE: VA ID# EAXX-029-15-VHA-1729883405]

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to construct and operate a new outpatient clinic in Baton Rouge, LA (the Proposed Action). The purpose of the Proposed Action is to provide enhanced and expanded primary care and mental health services and add a comprehensive array of specialty care outpatient services to serve Veterans in Baton Rouge and the surrounding communities in a moder, state-of-the-art facility. The OPC will be constructed by a private entity for the VA to lease and operate at one of the two sites being considered:

(1) 8300-8400 Pecue Lane

(2) 18555 Highland Road

VA is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) to assess the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action. VA is preparing the EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S. Code [USC] 4321- 4370), as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500-1508), and VAs NEPA regulations (38 CFR Part 26).

Through this notice, VA is also providing the public with information about the undertaking and seeking public comment and input about the undertakings effects on historic properties pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, (54 USC 306108), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800 Protection of Historic Properties). VA is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA in lieu of public involvement requirements in Subpart B of the Section 106 regulations per 36 CFR Part 800.2(d)(3). This notice does not serve as an invitation to consult under Section 106, it is solely to seek and consider the views of the public. VA conducted its Section 106 review and consultation separately.

If you have comments on the scope of the EA, the range of alternatives, and environmental issues for in-depth analysis, please email your comments to vacoenvironment@va.gov with the subject line Baton Rouge OPC EA.

Additionally, VA will publish the Draft EA online at http://www.cfm.va.gov/environmental/index.asp for a 30-day public review and comment period. The Notice of Availability of the Draft EA will be published in The Advocate.

113016 Nov. 8, 10, 2t