Book Description

Pursuant to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act (Public Law 101.510) and the base closure decisions approved by Congress in 1993, the Department of Defense Housing Facility Novato (DODHF Novato) in Novato, California, was closed in September 1996. DODHF Novato includes two Navy-owned areas at the former Hamilton Air Force Base- the Main Site property and the of site Rafael Village housing property. This environmental impact statement (%15) analyzes the potential significant environmental consequences from the proposed Navy disposal of federal surplus property and structures and community reuse of DODHF Novato property, and has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The City of Novato may use this ElS in place of an environmental impact report, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15221. The Preferred Alternative evaluated in this ElS is the disposal of federal surplus property and structures by the Navy and subsequent reuse as described by the Hamilton Army Airfield Reuse Plan of October 1995, as amended and approved in February 1996 by the City of Novato, and incorporating technical updates published in November 1996. The Revised Reuse Plan proposes demolishing existing housing and constructing new housing units at Rafael Village and reusing existing Main Site buildings and structures for uses similar to historic uses. An Open Space Alternative and the required No Action Alternative also are evaluated.