JFK Final EA Narrative
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Final Environmental Assessment John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Addition and Renovation Submitted by: Prepared by: National Archives and Records Epsilon Associates, Inc. Administration 3 Clock Tower Place, Suite 250 8601 Adelphi Road Maynard, MA 01754 College Park, MD 20740 and In Association with: The John F. Kennedy Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Presidential Library and Museum Engineering P.C. Columbia Point Haley & Aldrich, Inc. Boston, MA 02125 Nitsch Engineering May 2009 Final Environmental Assessment JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ADDITION AND RENOVATION Submitted by: NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION 8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20740 and THE JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM COLUMBIA POINT Boston, MA 02125 Prepared by: In Association with: EPSILON ASSOCIATES, INC. Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & 3 Clock Tower Place Engineering P.C. Suite 250 Haley & Aldrich, Inc. Maynard, MA 01754 Nitsch Engineering May 2009 Table of Contents PAGE ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-1 1.0 PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED 1-1 1.1 Introduction 1-1 1.2 Project Background 1-1 1.3 Project Purpose and Need 1-3 1.4 Land Use and Planning Context 1-4 1.4.1 Zoning 1-4 1.4.2 Municipal Harbor Plan/HarborWalk 1-4 2.0 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED 2-1 2.1 Introduction 2-1 2.2 Analyses Undertaken 2-1 2.2.1 Alternatives Eliminated from Consideration 2-1 2.2.2 Alternatives Considered 2-2 2.3 Alternative 1: No Action 2-2 2.4 Alternative 2: Preferred Alternative 2-2 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND POTENTIAL PROJECT IMPACTS 3-1 3.1 Introduction 3-1 3.2 Land Use 3-1 3.3 Water Resources 3-1 3.3.1 Wetlands 3-1 3.3.2 Floodplains 3-3 3.3.3 Coastal Zones 3-4 3.4 Soils, Disposal Sites, and Hazardous Materials 3-4 3.4.1 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Massachusetts Contingency Plan 3-4 3.4.2 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Landfill Closure/Post Closure 3-5 3.5 Water Quality/Stormwater Management 3-7 3.6 Public Services and Utilities/Energy Impacts 3-9 3.6.1 Electric 3-9 3.6.2 Water Supply 3-9 3.6.3 Sanitary Sewer 3-10 3.6.4 Summary of Public Service and Utilities/Energy Impacts 3-10 3.7 Noise and Vibration 3-10 3.8 Traffic and Parking 3-10 3.9 Air Quality 3-11 3.10 Public Safety 3-11 155005/JFK Presidential Library and Museum i Table of Contents Final Environmental Assessment Epsilon Associates, Inc. Table of Contents (Continued) 3.11 Ecologically Sensitive Areas and Endangered Species 3-13 3.12 Aesthetics 3-13 3.13 Historic Properties 3-17 3.14 Construction 3-19 3.14.1 Noise 3-19 3.14.2 Air Quality 3-19 3.14.3 Water Quality 3-20 3.14.4 Construction Waste 3-20 3.14.5 Construction Impacts and Mitigation 3-20 3.15 Environmental Justice 3-21 3.16 Sustainability 3-21 3.17 Conclusion 3-22 4.0 CONSULTATION 4-1 4.1 Federal Agencies and Organizations 4-1 4.2 State Agencies and Organizations 4-1 4.3 Local Agencies and Organizations 4-1 4.4 Other Parties 4-1 5.0 PUBLIC MEETING AND RESPONSE TO COMMENTS 5-1 5.1 Response to Comments 5-1 Boston Environmental Department, February 21, 2008 5-1 The Boston Harbor Association, February 22, 2008 5-3 Public Comment, January 22, 2008 5-4 6.0 CIRCULATION LIST 6-1 6.1 Federal Agencies and Organizations 6-1 6.2 State Elected Officials, Agencies, and Organizations 6-1 6.3 Local Elected Officials, Agencies, and Organizations 6-1 6.4 Other Parties 6-1 7.0 LIST OF PREPARERS 7-1 8.0 REFERENCES 8-1 8.1 Bibliography 8-1 8.2 Glossary of Terms and Acronyms 8-1 155005/JFK Presidential Library and Museum ii Table of Contents Final Environmental Assessment Epsilon Associates, Inc. List of Appendices Appendix A Photographs Appendix B Site Plan and Elevation Drawings Appendix C Proposed Subdivision Plan Appendix D U.S. Fish and Wildlife Correspondence Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Correspondence Appendix E Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office Correspondence Appendix F Boston Globe Public Meeting Notice Appendix G Draft Environmental Assessment Comment Letters Appendix H Boston Conservation Commission Notice of Intent Cover Letter List of Figures Figure 1-1 Project Locus 1-2 Figure 3-1 Rare Habitat and Vernal Pools 3-15 Figure 3-2 Historic Properties within the Area of Potential Effect 3-18 155005/JFK Presidential Library and Museum iii Table of Contents Final Environmental Assessment Epsilon Associates, Inc. ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) proposes to expand and renovate the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The Preferred Alternative proposes the renovation of the existing building and an addition to the facility to provide increased museum, archival storage, and support space. The Library, designed by the firm of I.M. Pei & Partners of New York, represents an important work of late modern architecture by an internationally renowned architect. The Library was completed in 1979 and expanded to the west in 1991 with the construction of the Smith Center, also designed by I.M. Pei. The Library was again renovated in 1992 under the architectural direction of HNTB of Kansas City. The JFK Library is not listed in the National Register of Historic Places, nor is it included in the Inventory of Historic and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth maintained by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. However, the building is associated with President John F. Kennedy, a person significant in our past (National Register criterion B) and represents the work of the architect I.M. Pei, a potential master (National Register criterion C). Therefore, NARA recognizes that the property may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register under National Register special consideration criterion G, a property achieving significance within the past 50 years because of its exceptional importance. The JFK Library currently has a severe shortage of artifact and record storage space. While bolstering the significance of the Library’s already extensive holdings, new donations to the library collection have further strained already insufficient space. In the short-term, to mitigate possible damage caused by a lack of appropriate storage space, parts of the collection have been temporarily moved off site. The Preferred Alternative proposes an expansion of the facility to provide increased museum, archival storage, and support space. The scope includes a two-story addition on the western side of the building and renovation of space within the existing building. This Final Environmental Assessment describes the project purpose and need, the alternatives considered, and the environmental consequences of the Preferred Alternative and the No Action Alternative. The Final Environmental Assessment is substantially the same as the Draft Environmental Assessment with two exceptions: Sustainability has been addressed in a new Section 3.16 and a Response to Draft Environmental Assessment Comment Letters has been added in a new Section 5.1. In addition, Sections 3.3, Water Resources and 3.11, Ecologically Sensitive Areas and Endangered Species, have been updated. Both the preferred and No Action Alternatives will result in no significant impact on resources studied in this Final Environmental Assessment. The Preferred Alternative, however, will result in numerous beneficial impacts. Most importantly, the Preferred 155005/JFK Presidential Library and Museum ES-1 Executive Summary Final Environmental Assessment Epsilon Associates, Inc. Alternative addresses the purpose and need for the project by providing for a new addition that will relieve crowding at the existing building, as well as allow for the storage of all records and materials at the site within NARA-compliant storage conditions. In addition, the Preferred Alternative provides for new temporary exhibit space, increasing the opportunities for educational and community programs. In addition to meeting the project purpose and need, the project also calls for stabilization of the rip-rapped bank at the waterfront, thereby alleviating erosion occurring along this stretch of shoreline. The project will also have a positive impact on public safety through improved security and fire control systems, as well as other site repairs and improvements. Finally, the proposed project is compatible with the existing building and enhances and contributes to the visual character of the Library and surrounding area. 155005/JFK Presidential Library and Museum ES-2 Executive Summary Final Environmental Assessment Epsilon Associates, Inc. 1.0 PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED 1.1 Introduction The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) proposes to expand and renovate the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (JFK Library). The Preferred Alternative proposes the renovation of the existing building and an addition to the facility to provide increased museum, archival storage, and support space. This Final Environmental Assessment describes the project purpose and need, the alternatives considered, and the environmental consequences of the Preferred Alternative and the No Action Alternative. 1.2 Project Background The JFK Library, designed by I.M. Pei & Partners of New York, represents an important work of late modern architecture by an internationally renowned architect. The Kennedy family began planning for the Library with the architect in 1966, but it was not until 1976 that the Columbia Point site was selected and the detailed design of the existing building began. Upon completion in 1979 the Library included a 10-story triangular tower for administrative, research, and archival functions, a one-story circular base with two 330- seat theaters, and a below-grade museum, all connected to a 110-foot-high glazed pavilion facing north to the water.