NOS Taylor Science Building California State University Monterey Bay

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), which is within the National Ocean Service (NOS), a line office under NOAA, proposes to join California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) in its development of a new science and engineering academic building. CSUMB has planned to construct such a facility since its previous Master Plan was drafted in 2004. CSUMB would own the building. NOAA proposes to (1) provide partial funding for a portion of the construction and maintenance of the new 25,000-gross-square-foot (GSF) Edward ‘Ted’ Taylor Science and Engineering Building (referred to as the Taylor Science Building), and (2) relocate the main office of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS or the sanctuary) from Monterey to a portion of the new building. The provision of federal funding by NOAA is a federal action subject to NEPA. Accordingly, NOAA is the federal lead agency for this project in fulfillment of its obligations under NEPA to evaluate the effects of, and alternatives to, the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action being reviewed in this EA is therefore the construction and operation of the Taylor Science Building, including NOAA office space.