Public Meeting Draft Environmental Assessment

Proposed Multi-Specialty Care Outpatient Clinic

Jonathan M. WainwrightMemorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Walla Walla, Washington

March 29, 2011

Opening Statements

Mr. Brian Westfield, Director

Agenda House Keeping Purpose and Need Environmental Consequences Assessment Public Involvement Management Measures Conclusions Questions / Comments

House Keeping

Mr. Brian WestfieldDirector

House Keeping Court Reporter Recording Oral Discussions

During the question and answer session, please state your name and then ask a question directly into the microphone

Restroom Locations Public Meeting Proposed from 7PM to 9PM A question and answer session will follow

the EA presentation.

Outpatient ClinicPurpose and Need

S. Lorraine Norwood, MA, RPA

Need for Projects (Undertakings) Proposed Undertakings

VISN 20 Inland North Sub Market serves 65,000 veterans Consolidates VA activities into 24 acres of western

portion of campus Allows remaining 64 acres to be candidate for Enhanced

Use Lease or other functions

Need for Projects (Undertakings) New Outpatient Clinic Building

Consolidates clinical, administrative and support functions into one facility that are currently spread across 88 acres

Residential Recovery Unit Existing Building (Building 69) is a 104 years old and not

adequately designed to provide for mental health services. Separate EA in progress.

Specialty Care Unit Consolidates audiology, optometry, and dental services

into one facility adjacent to other care facilities and parking. Separate EA in progress.

Project Location In 1857, (1) square mile of land was set aside for

the Fort Walla Walla military reservation In 1921, the U.S. Veterans Bureau took over 88

acres of this property On July 21, 1930 the Veterans Medical Center

(VAMC) became part of the newly established Veterans Administration

The VAMC currently consists of 51 buildings and structures that total approx. 336,000 SF and employ more than 300 staff members

Proposed Buildings

OPC

Proposed OPC The proposed OPC would be located on the

west portion of the campus Construction will consist of a two story

approximately 67,000 SF building to serve as the VA Outpatient Clinic.

Proposed Building Footprint

Proposed Building: Front Elevation All Brick

Proposed Building: View from Southwest – All Brick

Proposed Building: View from Southwest - Brick Columns

Services Provided OPC functional design reflects an extensive planning effort

by VA staff and the A/E Design Team to provide a state-of-the-art healthcare facility tailored to the needs of veterans of the Walla Walla community including:

Large modular clinic adaptable for accommodating both current and future healthcare delivery activities.

 Purpose-designed women’s exam and treatment area.

 Specialized Ambulatory Surgery Unit with private intake and recovery stations.

 Specialized Sleep Lab facility to permit convenient on-site sleep studies.

Services Provided (Continued) Modern clinical laboratory with convenient waiting, multiple

blood draw stations and large open-plan area to accommodate the latest high-tech equipment.

Pharmacy with convenient line-of-sight dedicated waiting.

Amenities including “café-style” extension of the Canteen.

Mental health clinic encompassing various treatment disciplines and support services in a single area.

Consolidated Physical Therapy area allowing exercise and training equipment to be located together in a single large gym.

Site Selection Considerations Identification and evaluation of potential

sites for the new OPC facility targeted the following key considerations:

• Compatibility with the overall Wainwright campus renewal and redevelopment plan.

• Coordination with on-going utility and infrastructure upgrades and improvements.

Environmental Consequences Assessment

. Lorraine Norwood, MA, RPA

Information Gathered for NEPA

Land Use

Archeological, Cultural and Historic

Noise

Traffic Disruption

Air Quality, Odor and Dust

Cumulative Impacts

Environmentally Sensitive Area

Commitment of Irreversible and

Irretrievable Resources

Visual Resources

Erosion andSedimentation

Compliance withRegulatory Requirements

SocioeconomicConditions

Threatened and Endangered Species

Biological andBotanical Resources

Surface and Groundwater

ResourcesNEPA

Cultural Resources

Cultural Resources Approximately 180 archaeological shovel test probes were

completed to assess historic and archeological resources. Historic Fort Era and VA artifacts were discovered in the

western portion of the campus. The nature of the deposits indicate that most artifacts are

within a disturbed context resulting from past demolition and construction.

A stone flake was encountered in three separate shovel test probes.

Historical Resources A total of 15 buildings are currently listed on the National

Register of Historic Places An assessment of the eligibility for listing of 43 buildings

that are over 50 years old is currently underway

Construction of the OPC, Residential Recovery Unit, Specialty Care Unit, and associated infrastructure project may have an adverse effect on archaeological sites and historic resources that are listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Signatories include the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Stipulations include: Notify parties and evaluate new APE if the Area of Potential Effect

(APE) changes or is altered Prepare inventory reports to DAHP guidelines

Memorandum of Agreement

Evaluate historic significance and determine NRHP eligibility Prepare Supplemental Treatment Plan in consultation with DAHP,

affected tribes and other Consulting Parties if NRHP-eligible archaeological resources will be adversely affected

Avoid and protect two existing archaeological sites Develop a Site Treatment and Management Plan addressing future

care of the two sites Phase II/III evaluations will be completed at two locations and

possible data recovery will take place. Implement the Monitoring Plan and Discovery Protocol to ensure

monitoring for all ground-disturbing activities associated with construction.

Curate and analyze artifacts in the Hussey Collection. Curation Plan will be based on the Vet Curation Program of the USACE.

Memorandum of Agreement, continued

Memorandum of Agreement, continued Prepare Design Guidelines for new building construction Afford construction Design Review on the RRU, OPC, and SCU

Buildings Prepare a Cultural Landscape Report Archive and curate VA historic maps Prepare a revised National Register Nomination Form to update

the 1974 form Prepare a Historic Preservation Plan to include long-range vision,

goals and policies, management, and long-term preservation plans.

Biological Resources Wetland were not identified within the proposed

undertakings Federal and State listed threatened or endangered species

were not identified within the proposed undertakings Suitable habitat for endangered species was not identified

within the proposed undertakings

Aesthetics A significant impact is not anticipated Removal of mature trees will occur during construction. Trees and shrubs will be planted in accordance with

landscape plan. Visual impacts are addressed by the MOA and stipulations

will be taken to mitigate the impacts.

Land Use A significant effect is not anticipated. Existing land use conditions include the hospital, adjoining

park, nearby non-profits, nearby cemetery and residential area.

These adjoining areas will not be affected.

Air Quality A significant effect is not anticipated. Some impact during construction due to dust. Project specifications required dust abatement provisions. Abatement permit for asbestos containing material will be

obtained and ACM will be abated before disturbance.

Geology and Soils A significant effect is not anticipated. The OPC building is located within a seismically active

portion of the US. OPC building will be designed to reduce impacts from

earthquakes as required in the International Building Code Seismic Standard.

Procedures will be put in place to reduce transport of sediment during inclement weather through Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

Hydrology and Water Quality A significant effect is not anticipated. Contaminants including oil and grease may be discharged

to groundwater. Maintaining adequate stormwater and runoff controls in

accordance with construction requirements will reduce discharges of contamination to groundwater.

Noise A significant effect is not anticipated. There will be a temporary increase in noise levels during

construction. The contractor will be required to implement Best

Management Practices to reduce noise levels during construction.

Floodplains, Wetlands and Coastal Zone Management A significant effect is not anticipated. Stormwater during construction will be managed in

accordance with Best Management Practices to reduce stormwater impacts.

Sediment control will reduce the potential for sediment discharge to nearby wetlands.

Socioeconomics A significant effect is not anticipated. Short-term positive impact on employment during

construction. OPC will retain employment of personnel within the greater

Walla Walla community and these personnel will contribute to the economy and community development.

Community Service A significant effect is not anticipated. Additional impacts to community services during

construction are not anticipated due to onsite water wells providing potable water, VA police providing security, and use of portable toilets.

Solid and Hazardous Materials A significant effect is not anticipated. Asbestos and lead based paint may be encountered during

renovation activities. Contractor will be required to remove ACM prior to

disturbing. Best Management Practices will be put into place regarding

accidental spills.

Transportation and Parking A significant effect is not anticipated. Construction will result in the loss of 170 standard and 9

ADA parking spaces in two parking lots. Staff parking (70 spaces) will be relocated to an existing

gravel lot to the east of the campus. Patient parking will be located within existing Lot 1 with

capacity of 125 spaces to meet patient demand. Handicapped equipped bus or van will be used for patient

pickup and drop off. A shelter will be constructed on Lot 1 and pick-up/drop-off

of passengers will likely be at the rear or front of ADA compliant entrances to Buildings 74 and 86.

Utilities A significant effect is not anticipated. Utility improvements include installation of a fire

suppression water line, natural gas pipeline, and electrical and fiber optic line for the campus.

OPC building will be connected to existing campus utilities including potable water pipelines and sanitary sewer.

Environmental Justice A significant effect is not anticipated. Construction of the OPC is not anticipated to change

minority or disenfranchised population affected environments including air, water, land use or natural resources.

Cumulative Impacts A significant effect is not anticipated. Impacts to cultural and historical resources are addressed

by the MOA. The MOA stipulates actions the VA will take to mitigate the

impacts to a level of non-significance.

Potential for Generating Substantial Controversy Noted in previous meetings: impacts from construction or

disturbance to the Parade Ground, removal of existing mature trees within the campus and modern appearance of the proposed OPC building

The Parade Ground has been eliminated as proposed parking area.

There is consultation and public outreach to discuss the proposed aesthetics of new buildings within the context of the historic campus.

Trees will be replaced in accordance with the proposed landscaping plans.

No significant effect.

Public Involvement Previous public meetings held in June 2010 and August

2010. Notice of Availability issued to public in March. In the local

newspaper, Walla Wall VAMC website, and VAMC complex canteen. Public has 30 days to comment on the draft EA.

Conclusions Environmental Assessment concludes that there would be

no significant adverse impact to the human environment provided management measures consisting of Best Management Practices and regulatory compliance measures are implemented.

EA concludes that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate and an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

Questions or Comments

Public

Closing Statements

Mr. Brian WestfieldDirector

Closing Statements

Public Comment Period Ground Breaking Ceremony