October 2024
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for public comment during a 30-day minimum public review period, ending Wednesday November 27, 2024. The Draft EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed transfer of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) Mukilteo Research Station property at 802 Front Street (formerly 10 Park Avenue) in Mukilteo, Washington, to the Port of Everett.
The NWFSC determined that the property is no longer needed to fulfil its mission, and in 2022 facilities at the site were demolished/removed. In accordance with The National Defense Authorization Act, NOAA is required to transfer the property to the Port of Everett or to the General Services Administration for eventual disposal as excess property.
The Preferred Alternative would transfer the property (approximately 1 acre of upland and 2 acres of tidelands) to the Port of Everett. NOAA has determined that transfer of the property outside of federal ownership requires an EA, which was prepared per Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A. The Preferred Alternative, Excess Property Alternative, and a No-action Alternative are evaluated in the Draft EA.
The Draft EA did not identify a significant effect resulting from implementation of either the Preferred Alternative or Excess Property Alternative. However, NOAA will consider public and agency comments in a Final EA prior to making its decision regarding implementation of the proposed action. Based on the Final EA, NOAA may conclude that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is warranted.
In conformance with Executive Order 11988, “Floodplain Management” notification is hereby given that the proposed federal action is partially located within a floodplain. However, NOAA has determined that no adverse effects to the floodplain or impacts to future flooding events would occur. NOAA intends to follow the eight-step process required by Executive Order 11988.
An electronic copy of the Draft EA is included here and a printed copy of the Draft EA is available for viewing at the Mukilteo Library at 4675 Harbour Pointe Boulevard, Mukilteo, WA.
Written comments on the Draft EA may be sent to the following physical or email addresses and will be accepted if received or postmarked on or prior to November 27, 2024.
Re: NOAA Mukilteo Research Station Property Transfer EA
C/- AECOM
888 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
Attn: Emma Rawnsley
Emma.Rawnsley@aecom.com
The NOAA POC for this project is:
Anne H. Delp
Environmental Engineer
Chief, Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Division
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
U.S. Department of Commerce
1305 East West Highway, SSMC4 Rm 5309
Silver Spring, MD 20910
anne.delp@noaa.gov / 301.640.9194