NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
U. S. Department of
Veterans Affairs
Acquisition of Real Property
Community-Based
Outpatient Clinic
14540 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, FL
Background
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is proposing the acquisition of the Pine Brook Regional Medical Center located at 14540 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida. The medical complex is owned by Hernando County, and the VA currently leases approximately 25% of the facility for the existing Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) that services veterans in the area. With purchase of this medical complex, the VA intends to expand the CBOC to provide greater outpatient services to an increasing population of veterans in Hernando County.
Proposed Action
The VA’s Proposed Action involves the VA acquisition of the Pine Brook Regional Medical Center with the expansion of the existing CBOC operations in general compliance with VHA Directive 97-036 for clinic operations. This action will require interior facility modifications and alterations for the expanded CBOC services, and building envelope repairs, but will not require any alterations to the facility footprint or the taking of additional land. The expanded services would continue to include primary care services, with added/expanded services for audiology & speech, radiology, mental health, physical therapy, podiatry, prosthetics, pathology, pharmacy services, anticoagulation monitoring, laboratory (including phlebotomy), nutrition, and social work. These services are consistent with the original design of the Pine Brook Regional Medical Center, and the Proposed Action will only require interior alterations and modifications to accommodate the physical expansion for a centralized clinic layout.
Actions Completed
Pursuant to Section102(2) (c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice that a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared.
Conclusions
The Draft EA identifies, analyzes and documents the potential physical, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts associated with the VA’s Proposed Action. The Draft EA also evaluates the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts resulting from the Proposed Action. The proposed action and the no action alternative are considered.
Draft Environmental Assessment Location
The public is advised that it has 30 days to respond from the date of this publication with comments. The public comment period runs from July 28, 2020 to August 28, 2020. Hard copies of the Draft EA are available for public review at the Hernando County Public Library (238 Howell Ave, Brooksville, FL; and 6335 Blackbird Ave, Spring Hill, FL), and at the VA CFM Environmental Programs website https://www.cfm.va.gov/environmental/index.asp.
For further information please contact Marianne Marinucci, CFM Realty Specialist, 425 I Street, NW, Washington DC 20001, at the following phone number: (202) 632-5458 or email: [email protected].
Comments on the Draft EA shall be submitted to Marianne Marinucci, CFM Realty Specialist, at 425 I Street, NW, Washington DC 20001, or by email at [email protected].
(08/14/2020), (08/21/2020), (08/28/2020)