P400--PUBLIC NOTICE: Demolition Building three Butler VAMC Butler PA Posted for public Comments.

National Historic Preservation Act Public Comment Solicitation for the Butler Veterans Affairs Health Care System

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Butler VA Health Care System (VAHCS) proposes to demolish Building 3 (Nurse s Quarters) and remove all associated underground utility connections (Project) at the Butler VA Medical Center (VAMC) located at 325 New Castle Rd, Butler, Pennsylvania (PA) 16001.

In accordance with 36 CFR § 800.3(a), Butler VAHCS has determined that the Project is a federal action that meets the definition of an undertaking per 36 CFR § 800.16(y), and is the type of activity that has the potential to cause effects on historic properties, and therefore subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as amended, (54 USC § 306108), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800 Protection of Historic Properties). In accordance with 36 CFR § 800.4(b), Butler VAHCS, in consultation with the PA State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), has identified the Butler Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District (PA SHPO Resource # 2004RE06024), which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on May 27, 2022 (NRHP Ref # MP100007743) under the Multiple Property Documentation Form United States Third Generation Veterans Hospitals under Criterion A (Health/Medicine) and Criterion C (Architecture), as a historic property within the area of potential effects (APE) that may be affected by the undertaking. In accordance with 36 CFR § 800.5(a), Butler VAHCS has found, and the PA SHPO has concurred, that the undertaking will have an adverse effect on the historic property as it will demolish one contributing resource to the historic district (Building 3).

Through this notice, VA is providing the public with information about the undertaking and seeking public comment and input about the undertaking s effects on historic properties pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.2(d). 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 is initiating its Section 106 review and inviting consulting parties to participate via a separate communication.

If you would like to comment on the proposed project at this time, please contact Angela McArdle at Angela.McArdle@va.gov and reference Demolition of Building 3, Butler VA Health Care System. VA greatly appreciates your participation in this matter and asks that you provide comments on the proposed project within seven (7) days from the date when this notice was posted.