The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) would like to announce the availability of the Rock Creek Park Multi-Use Trail Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA analyzes a range of alternatives for the rehabilitation of this multi-use trail located within Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. 

The rehabilitation would cover the section of the trail from Broad Branch Road, NW to P Street, NW, including an existing social trail from Broad Branch to Peirce Mill. The project also would include part of the Rose Park trail from M Street to P Street, NW, and the Piney Branch Parkway trail from Beach Drive to Arkansas Avenue, NW.

As provided for by regulations guiding the implementation of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (NHPA), the EA also provides documentation to comply with Section 106 of that act in support of a Finding of No Adverse Effect on cultural resources (36 CFR 800.8(c)). The District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office (DCSHPO) concurred with this determination on October 19, 2011. Consulting parties wishing to comment on the finding of no adverse effect may do so by commenting on the EA.

EA NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

What

The EA will available for public review on December 2, 2011

Where

The EA will be available to review in its entirety at the NPS’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC)  website and the following District locations: District Department of Transportation Infrastructure Project Management Administration 55 M Street SE, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20003 National Capital Planning Commission Library 401 9th Street, NW – North Lobby, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20004 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library 901 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 Cleveland Park Branch Library 3310 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 Mount Pleasant Interim Library 3162 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010 Tenley-Friendship Library 4450 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016 Rock Creek Park Headquarters 3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW, Washington, DC 20008-1207 Rock Creek Park Nature Center 5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC 20015 Rock Creek Park Peirce Barn 2401 Tilden Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Only written comments can be accepted. You may submit comments electronically at NPS’s PEPC  website or by mail at the following address:

Austina Casey, Project Manager
District Department of Transportation
Infrastructure Project Management Administration
Attn: Rock Creek Trail EA
55 M Street SE, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20003

Comments must be received no later than January 13, 2012

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

In cooperation with the FHWA, DDOT and NPS will be hosting a public hearing to provide interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and the EA.

Registrations to provide comments will be accepted on a first come, first served basis starting at 6:00 pm. The first twenty (20) individuals to register are guaranteed the opportunity to comment. Comments are limited to two (2) minutes.
DDOT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its projects, programs, and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, or gender, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or on the basis of disability as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need special accommodations or language assistance services (translation or interpretation) please contact Austina Casey at (202) 673-6813 or by email at austina.casey@dc.gov at least four days in advance of the meeting. These services will be provided free of charge.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS: The Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC) is located one block from the Columbia Heights Metro Station on the Green Line. The Campus is adjacent to the Headquarters of the DC Parks and Recreation and the Capital City Charter School. The CHEC is located on the corner of 16th and Irving Streets, NW.

For more information visit www.parkplanning.nps.gov/RockCreekTrailRehab .