LRF_-_NEPA.pdf

U.S. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

RECORD OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

SUBJECT:

Renovation of Lower Roosevelt Field at USMMA

REFERENCE :

Action:

(a) Department of Transportation Order DOT 5610.1 C; September 18, 1979

(b) Maritime Administrative Order (MAO) 600-1 ; July 23 , 1985

(c) MAO 600-1 Categorical Exclusion Checklist

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is soliciting the services of a contractor to conduct a complete renovation of the Lower Roosevelt field baseball park. The existing baseball park will be put to the same use after renovation . Existing natural grass and sod will be replaced with artificial turf on all areas ofthe field . Existing facilities including the press box, the dugouts , grandstands, entry structure, sidewalks, and utilities will be renovated . The size of the field is to remain substantially the same. Stormwater that is normally allowed to percolate through the natural grass and flow into the nearby bay through natural or artificial conveyance systems, will now be collected and accumulated on-site for appropriate treatment and/or disposal.

This project qualities for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) under the National Environmental Policy Act ( EPA) policy guidance.

Analysis:

The project listed above involves actions related to facility repair and/or renovation that do not alter the character of the facility. It is the Agency's experience that this type of action has no significant effect on the human and natural environment, individually or cumulatively, under normal conditions and is categorically excluded from further documentation requirements under the NEPA by Maritime Administrative Order (MAO) 600-1 Categorical Exclusions.

The MAO Categorical Exclusion that applies is MAO Categorical Exclusion #4: Reconstruction, modification, modernization, replacement, repair, and maintenance (including emergency replacement, repair, or maintenance) of equipment, facilities , or structures which do not change substantially the existing character of the equipment/faci li ty/structure.

Conclusion:

Based upon the analysis completed, the proposed action fits squarely within the scope of MAO 600-1 Categorical Exclusions and are not expected to involve any extraordinary circumstances that would result in significant environmental effects.

Environmental Reviewer:

: _ _1~~~~~-~~---------------------------------'f~<'~t-~- Kri stine A. Gil son Date Environmental Protection Specialist Office of Env ironment

Approval :

Acting Associate Administrator for Environment, Safety and Vessel Security