The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hereby gives a Notice of Availability (NOA) of a "Draft Environmental Assessment" (DEA) for the Proposed Action construct and operate a Fisher House at the Maine VA Healthcare System (MHS), #1 VA Center, Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine (Togus VA Medical Center [VAMC]). The Proposed Action involves constructing and operating an approximately 16-suite Fisher House in a 0.5-acre area at the Togus VAMC. Fisher Houses provide a "home away from home" in a supportive environment, offering a free place to stay for the family and caregivers of VA patients who are receiving medical care at or near VA medical centers. Currently, there is not a Fisher House at any VA medical center in Maine. The proposed Fisher House would be constructed in an undeveloped area of the Togus VAMC, located along Pond Road and between the main hospital and Quarters 1, which is a National Historic Landmark. Due to the proximity of the proposed Fisher House to Quarters 1, the Proposed Action will include a commitment for historic preservation to include a maintenance plan for Quarters 1 and avoidance of other contributing features.
The VA has prepared the DEA in accordance with the regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), (Public Law 91-190, 42 USC 4321-4347 January 1, 1970), amendments, and VA's Implementing Regulations (38 CFR Part 26). The purpose of the DEA is to provide the public with the information required to understand and evaluate the Proposed Action. A 30-day public comment period to review and comment on the Draft EA will begin with the publication of this NOA. The DEA is available for public review at the Togus VAMC, the Maine State Library (230 State Street, Augusta, Maine, 04333), and may be downloaded from the VA MHS website, [u]www.maine.va.gov.[/u]
Additionally, the VA will hold a public meeting to solicit public comments on the DEA. The public meeting will be held on February 13, 2017, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Theater Conference Room in Building 210 at the Togus VAMC, #1 VA Center, Augusta, Maine. All members of the public are welcome to attend.
Public comments or questions may be directed in writing to the address below. Please include Name, Address and Telephone Number on comments. Please note that the VA reserves the right to not address any comment that does not include this information. All public comments on the DEA are requested no later than thirty days from publication of this NOA.
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