FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

CROWN HILL NATIONAL CEMETERY EXPANSION ,

BACKGROUND The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) proposes the expansion of the existing Crown Hill National Cemetery through the purchase and phased development of a wooded parcel one mile north of the existing national cemetery, but within the Crown Hill Cemetery property. The existing Crown Hill National Cemetery is at capacity and cannot accept additional veterans for burial. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500 through 1508), and Title 38, Part 26.4(a), Environmental Effects of VA Actions, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to evaluate and document the potential environmental effects associated with the proposed action. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to continue to enable the NCA to provide eligible Veterans and their families with a national cemetery of sufficient size and capacity to serve the projected needs in the central Indiana region for the next 100 years.

The Proposed Action is needed to meet the NCA’s goal of providing eligible Veterans with reasonable access to VA burial options.

Two alternatives were analyzed: • The Proposed Action to expand the Crown Hill National Cemetery by purchasing a nearby wooded area north of the existing national cemetery property and constructing columbarium walls, an access drive, flagpole area, and public information and restroom facilities. • The No Action alternative to not expand and improve the Crown Hill National Cemetery.

SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED ACTION Under the Proposed Action, the Crown Hill National Cemetery would be expanded and improved to extend burial operations through the purchase of a 14.75-acre wooded parcel located one mile north of the existing national cemetery site. The proposed property to be purchased is privately owned by Crown Hill Cemetery and located at the far north end of their property line. The property would be developed to include the following: • Columbarium: columbarium walls would be constructed. • Flagpole Area • Public Information and Restroom Building: utility infrastructure such as electric, water, and sewer would be constructed. Water and sewer would be connected to the city services. • Roadway and Parking

Indianapolis is one of five columbaria locations NCA seeks to build as part of the Urban Initiative. It is intended to help better serve the Indianapolis veteran community who currently must travel in excess of 50 miles and more than one hour drive time to Marion National Cemetery for burials.

DETERMINATION Summary of Impact Analysis

Resource / Issue Proposed Action No Action Meets Purpose of and Yes No Need for Action Minor temporary impact from presence of Aesthetics heavy equipment and unfinished work No impact during construction. Particulate emissions during construction are below the de minimis threshold level, Air Quality emissions would comply with all permit No impact requirements and regulations. No significant impact. It is expected that the proposed action would have no effect to historic properties. Cultural Resources No impact State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) concurrence was received on July 21, 2015 Minor short-term potential for erosion and sedimentation during construction; impacts would be minimized through Best Geology and Soils Management Practices (BMPs) and No impact conformance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. Minor short-term potential for erosion and sedimentation during construction; impacts Hydrology and Water would be minimized through BMPs and No impact Quality conformance with NPDES permit requirements. Resource / Issue Proposed Action No Action Not likely to adversely affect legally protected plant and animal species No direct impact. Potential providing tree removals do not occur indirect impact by leaving between April 1–September 30; indirect property for sale and impact would occur to migratory birds and Wildlife and Habitat vulnerable to more local wildlife due to habitat removal. extensive development than Potential impacts will be minimized by the currently proposed incorporating the Indiana Department of action. Natural Resources (IDNR) recommendations during project design. Minor short-term adverse noise impacts during construction. Continued minor intermittent long-term adverse noise Noise No impact impacts during operation from ceremonial M-16 rifle salutes and grounds maintenance equipment. No change to designated land use will occur as the property is within an existing, privately owned, cemetery property. Upon Land Use No impact development of the site, large portions of the woodland will be removed and removal will occur in phases. No floodplains or jurisdictional wetlands are present. The project is not within the Floodplains, Wetlands, Indiana Coastal Zone Management Area. and Coastal Zone Impacts to three isolated wetlands will be No impact Management avoided, minimized, and/or mitigated for, as needed, based on projected impacts determined during the design phase. No adverse impact. Possible short-term Socioeconomics and localized beneficial impact to employment No impact Environmental Justice during construction. Adverse impact because Beneficial impact by providing burial Veteran’s families must Community Services services for Veterans and their families. travel long distances for burial and visitation. Minor increase in solid waste during Solid and Hazardous construction, and continued generation at No impact Materials current levels from operations. No significant impact. Transportation and Short-term adverse impact from No impact Parking construction traffic, less than significant Utilities No adverse impacts. No impact Resource / Issue Proposed Action No Action If the property is purchased and developed for a non- Potential for Generating cemetery use, then None identified Substantial Controversy significant public controversy may be generated.

No significant cumulative adverse effects to any resources are anticipated. Public comments on the Draft EA were sought through a 30-day public notice period and document availability at two local public libraries. No comments were received during the 30-day public notice period.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT This FONSI is based on the attached EA. The analysis performed in the EA concludes that implementation of the proposed project as described would not constitute a major Federal action that would have significant impact upon the quality of the human environment within the meaning of Section 102(2)(C) of NEPA of 1969. Accordingly, the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed action is not required. Responsible Official

Digitally signed by Paul L Rau 700384 : DN: clc=gov, dc=va, einternal, ou=people, Paul L. Rau 700384 , t0&u84 'Date Date 2015.09.03 15:1252 {4'00' Paul L. Rau Project Manager Office of Construction & Facilities Managernent, Real Property Services U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ct/Q/ o",. l5

Design and Construction (438) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Z/alts

Director of Design and Construction (438) U.S. Department of Veterans fffairs

Diana J. Ohman Director, NCA Continental