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DECISICN PAPER.

DISPOSAL CF 'w''E

NAVAL ALNRY IldIDING FI_LD

AT CFAPLES'I',CI, PSO2 ISIA'!D

Paul E. GouldingActing Administratcr ofGeneral ServicesJune 20, 1979

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I. 'IIE ISSUE

'Ihe decision before m is the detemination of the dispeciticn cf the

llaval Auxiliary Rinding Field (IIALF) at Charlestown, Flode Island. A

decisien amt be cnde which weig".s the socio-ecencmic and envircrr. ental

benefits to be derived fecm any of the potential uses. 'Ihe Firal

Envircrr. ental Impact Statement filed cn January 29, 1979 identifies 18

alternative use proposals fcr the subject property. Eleven discrete

alternative use proposals w're derived fecm considerations of the

general qualities cf the Charlestown site and the unique circumstances

surrcunding the transfer of cwnership of Federal lands. Six cf these

alterratives relate to issues which are subjects of concem in cur

generaticn and will probably remain so for generations to ccee. At

least three proposed uses mesh the site with systems ce networks of

regional or rational significance. Six proposals reflect cencern ever

the exigicus ecencmic conditions in the state cf Flode Island. Five

proposals center en the preservation and maragement cf specific

historical, archeological, cc ecological features of the site.

Ccebiration of cne or rcre of 10 of these use prepcsals and a required

censideraticn cf a "take no actien" ccmprise the 18 alternative uses_

before m.

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These proposals are cutlined in detail in Chapter 3 of th6 Final EIS.

they are as follows:

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Discrete Alterrative Use Precosals

No. 1 Enviremental Protection Acency (EPA)EPA is interested in to acres in cccer to study the effects cfpollutien upcn a salt water pord and marshland ecologysystem.

No. 2 Fish and Wildlife Ser/ ice (?dS)F#3 is requesting tranarer of 367 acres to manage the land ina ratural state for benefit of migratory waterfowl as Inrt cfthe Naticnal Wildlife Refuge System.

No. 3 State of Ehede IslandState requests entire site; 500-575 acres for possibleconstructica cf nuclear plant and 25-50 acres for the town ofCharlestcwn municipal centet .

No. 4 'Ihe Narm".sett Electric ana New Enzland ?cwer CemeaniesRequesting entire site for mixed use; 349 acres for nuclearpcwer plant; 200 acres conservaticn; and 55 acres for town ofCharlestown.

No. 5 Tcwn of charlestewnMixed use or 55 acres for :ainicipal administration andsertices,182 acres for passive recreation, 367 acres forresearch/prescriation.

No. 6 Narraransett Tribe300 to 604 acres as a full-service health and educationcenter, a :niseum, a historical village.

No. 7 The Arr.old Family

160 acres (ronnerly cuned by the Arnold Family) for famingand large lot su::Iner residences.

No. 8 D'CA cf Westerly - Pawaltuck

DICA requests 100 acres rce use as a campground and recreaticnarea.

No. 9 Rhode Island Cemittee en Ene" 7Desires the entire site for mixed use: 14 acres for Irdianreserve; 350 acres for preservaticn; 60 acres for research; 20acres for 1cw cost residential development; 50 acres municipaluse; 55 acres retail-cor.cercial; 55 acres for lightindustrial.

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!!o. 10 Mixed Uce Develc rentA private . investor, batte:",; Associates, rTuesta entire site:434 acres residential; 100 acren recreaticn; 20 acres forccm.ercial developnent; and 50 acras for nunicipal admini-strative.

Certination Use Preoccals

flo . 1.'. Combinaticn of U.S. Envirc:: ental Protection Agency; U.S.Department of Interior, Fish and 'dildlife Service; Tcwn cfCharlestcwn; and RICE.

No. 12 Cer31naticn cf U.S. Fnvirc= ental Protection Agency; U.S.Depart =ent of Interice, Fish and 'dildlife Ser/ ice;Narragansett Tribe cf Indians, Inc.

No. 13 Ccc31natien of U.S. Envirc= ental Protecticn Agency;Narragansett Tribe of Indians, Inc.; and the Arnold Far.ily.

No. 14 Ccetinatien of F.ixed Residential (Pattery Acsociates) ard theArnold Family.

flo. 15 Ccetinaticn of U.S. &wirc= ental Protecticn Agency and theNew England Pcwer Cct pry' or State of Rhede Island.

No. 16 Ccastal Rescurces M r r ec.ent Ccuncil - RecreaticnEntire site witn 277 acres accive recreaticn, 277 acrespassive recreaticn, and tcwn cf Charlestown a6:.inistrativecenter 50 acres.

No. 17 Ccatal Rescurces Manarer.ent Ccuncil - Industrial20facres rce researen ana recreatica,154 acres forwarehousing, 200 acres for light industrial, and 50 acres fortown center.

No. 18 I'O ACTICII.

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II. BACKGRCU'ID_

The history of the proposed disposal cf the Charlestown Naval Aux 1.11ary

Landing Field (NALF) dates back to April 1973 when the Navy infomcd the

House and Senate A=ed Services Cc:mittee that it planned a nnjor

realisment of Navy bases in Phode Island and that it would no longer

need sc:ne 2,595 acres then owned by the Navy in Rhode Island. Included

in this 2,595 acres was the Charlestown NALF totalling 604 acres.

Ee dispcsal action was to be subject to the preservation and recapture

cf runways and adjoinirg parkirs areas in case cf a national cergency.

In October 1973, the Navy publicly anncunced its reoug=ent decisica

triggerirs the excess pecperty transfer / disposal process for Federal

croperties as set forth in the Federal Property and Ad-1.dstrative

Services Act of 1949

In November 1973, GSA used the basic infomation in this anncunc=ent,

and the descripticn of the pecperty to screen the property against the

needs of other Federal agencies. Federal agencies were notified ci the

availability of the pecperty through a " Fourteen Eny Screening Letter."

Eereafter, the Navy fon11y raported the property to GSA as being

excess to Navy needs in February 1974. At that ti:ne, tra property was,

described as being composed of three parcels: (1) the Naval Air Station.

at Quonset Point, (1,900 acres) (2) Ecpe Island, located just off

Quenset Point, (90 acres), and (3) the landing field at Charlestown,

located south of Quenset Point, (604 acres). On April 18, 1974, GSA

accepted the excess pecperty for disposal and cn April 26, 1974 declared

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348 159

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it to be surplus. Cn Ihy 1, 1974, a notice cf availability was there-

upcn circulated to ncn-federal public agencies as prescribed by the

Federal Prcperty and Ad=histrative Services Act of 1949 and

implementing regulations.

In mspense to the notice, GSA received formal expressions cf interest

to acquire the !IALF by the State cf Rhode Island, the Tcwn of

Charlestown, Providence College, and the !!arragansett Tribe cf Indians.

L1 addition, two Federal agencies, the Cepart: ant of Interior's Fish and

"dildli''e Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, expressed

interest in the fiALF land in respcnse to such notice as did the

liarragensett Electric Ccmpany. 'Ibe IIarragensett Electric Company

request, dated :'ay 6,1974, stated the cegany's desire to nesctiate for

the sale cf the landing field as a site for a nuclear-power electrical

, generating plant. 'Ihe request recited a Presidential =cmcrandum which

directed that, to the extent practicable, Federal surplus real property

was to be made available for energy producing facilities. GSA officials

subsaquently met with the elevtric ccmpany to discuss the sale of the

landing field.

On Lhy 23,1974, GSA received a request frra the Fish and Wildlife

Scr';.ce of the Cepartment cf the Interice for 367 acres cf the landirs

field which was dete rined to be of high value for migratory waterfewl

and other wildlife. The mquest was submitted late because the Federal

screening notice circulated in Ilovember 1973 had rot identified the

landing field as being part of the property at Qucnset Point, as had the

surplus notice cf availability circulated in Shy 1974

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348 160

Another request for the property, dated June 17, 1974, as received recm

the Department of Health, Educaticn, and Welfam en behalf cf the

!!arragansett Indian Tribe which raquested the use of the land for health

and educaticn purposes. The request noted that a plan fcr future use

would not be ready for submission until July 31, 1974. This plan was

never submitted, and the Department of 15 withdrew its request en

February 27, 1975

During the su=er and early fall cf 1.974, GSA officials explored

pcssible sale of the liAIF to the State cf Rhode Island, the Tcwn of

Charlestown, and/or !!arr4".sett Electric for use as a nuclear power

plant and other compatible uses. Agraement in principle was reached

whereby the tcwn would ;nrchase approx 1.-:ately 50 acres of the 12.d for

its use and the !!arragansett Electric Comrarg/ would purchase the

remainder of the tract. On October 30, :arrapnsett Electric Cccr2ny

submitted an offer to purchase the IIAIF at $6,C00 per acre. Pursuant to

the tenna cf the contractual effer, !!arre.sett was obligated to obtain

the varicus constructicn and envircnmental clearances. If unsuccessful

in keeping a specific timetable established in the agreement, the

pecperty was to revert autccaticwi'y to GSA and the agreement to_

terminate.

The Goverr: ent Activities Subcccmittee of the House Cccmittee en

Goverment Operations opposed the proposed sale and notified GSA cf its

cpposition. Certain private citisens cojected to the proposed s. ale of

the landing field for use as a nuclear power plant and filed suit in the

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U.S. District Court for the District cf Ehode Island to enjoin the sale

allegirs violations cf the Feder51 Property and Administrative Services

Act of 1949 and the National Environmental Policy Act (IEPA). In July

1973, the court dismissed the suit insofar as it pertained to issues

involvirs alleged violaticns cf me Federal Property and Administrative

Services Act of 1949, but directed GSA to prepam an enviren= ental

impact statement that wculd consider all reasonable alternative uses cf -

the pecperty pursuant to Secticn 102(2)(C) of ! EPA. 'Ibe ccur; extended

the restrainirs ceder barring GSA from takirs any further action to

dispose of the NALF until the Final EIS could be filed.

Follcwing the court's dec*sien GSA circulated a new dispcsal notice

describirs the NALF pecperty and solicitirg expressiens cf interest.

Responses were received recm 20 cesanizations and individuals. GSA

repeated the notice process approxir:ntely cne year later to verify the

centinued interest cf parties which had earlier expressed interest in

the properties and to deternine whether there were any additional

organizatiens cc individuals interested in acquirLag a portion or all cf

the NALF property. Eleven organizations and individuals responded to

this seccnd notice. 'Ihe list of the neganizations and individuals are

contained in Volume II, Chapter III, cf the Final Environmental Impact -

. Statement filed by GSA.

Based en the expressions of interest and potential use of the

prcperty, GSA's EIS study team underteck an in-depth review of the

proposals that had been received by GSA. 'Ihe ultimate result us the

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production and consideration of the 18 alternative use propcsals.

Public hearings wem held by OSA cn the propccals ard mterials

ccntained in the Craft EIS. Public hearings were held June 7 and June

8,1978, in Provider.ce, Rhode Islard at the University of Rhode Island,

Extensien School-Providence, and in Charlestown, & ode Island at the

Charlestown Elementary School to solicit publje test!=cny relative to

the 18 proposals and the m terial contained in the Envircreental Impact

State:aint. Respcnses to the substantive coments raised ducirs the

comr.entirs period and at tha public hearings were wr'iteen and includud

in the text of the firal EIS which was published and issued January 29,

1979.

III. CECISICN PECCF.2S

In final preparation to develop this decisien, I have read the entire

3-volume Final Envircr= ental Impact Statement, reviewed all of the

correspcndence which has been received since the printirs of the firal

EIS, perscrally inspected the site, requested ard received answers to my

questicns, both substantive and legal, frcm GSA staff, and censidered

reccmendatcra and other backgrcund papers fran the Federal Property

Resources Service. The doct:nents which comprice the full record are

available for public scrutirif.

In additien, I am a lifelcrg resident cf the state of Rhcde Island.

I am familiar with the Charlestown area and am sensitive to the

sentiments cf the citinera.

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348 163.

IV. CSCISICN

I have excraned each of the' 18 alternatives in light of GSA's statutcry

authority, the impacts cf each proposed altermtive, both adverte and

beneficial, the umveidable adverse ir: pacts which cculd mault, and

cuasures available to neutralice ce mitigate adverse impacts. I have

attempted to assess accurately p1blic sentiment relative to the propcsed

alternativss. 'Ihis has been done in a thorough examinaticn by myser and

by staff review and recccrendaticns. All decisiens, cf ccurse, must be

made against a backdecp of the naticnal policies influencirg gover=enml

choice.

The Feceral Property rnd Administrative Services Act cf 1949 charges

the Administratcr of General Services with precotirs mximun utilization

of excess pecperty by e'.:cutive agencies and disposi.g of property no

lenger required to meet the program needs cf Federal agencies.

Real property my be transferred frca cne agency to another when it is

no lenger required by the holding agency. Under normal precedures, the

General Services Ad :inistration (GSA) screens excess property against

the progran needs cf other Federal agencies and, if the property is

needed by an agency, transfers it to that agency. Property excess to

the needs of all Federal agencies is censidered surplus. Surplus real

property is effered to State and local gover=ents and to eligible

ncnprofit organizations for a wide variety cf public purpcses including

health, educaticn, park and mcreation, historic nenuments, airports and

other uses at a public benefit discount allcwance. Surplus real proper y

is also mde available to State end local gover :nents by ragctiated cale

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based cn the fair mrket value. If none of there entities has a

requirement for the pecperty, it is off- ed to the public thrcugh the

sealed bid mthod cf sale. In any case, such ccapetiticn as is feasible

is required by statute for the sule of surplus property. If, at any

time before disposal, a Federal agency has a valid preg:1m requirement

for all er part cf the prcperty, such pecperty can be removed ftm the

surplus classification and transferred to that agency.

The Federal Property and Ad .inistt tive Services Act cf 1949, which

authorizes me to rake this decision, contains a preference for i.canoting

the maximum utilizaticn cf Federal prcperty by executive agencies of the

Federal gover=ent. While recer. icing that the Act gives me full

authority to chocse any of the alternatives described in the FlS, as

well as any others, I have not found evidence which convinces ce that

any cf the non-Fedemi alternatives mnticned should overccme this

- preference. Ac.ccedingly, I hve decided that the property should be

utilized by the Fish and Wildlife Service (Alter .ative No. 2) and the.

Envircr;mntal Frctection Agency (Alternative No.1)

.

It is my decisicn to transfer 307 acres requested by the Fich and

Wildlife Service cf the Depart:.ent of Interice pursuant to the Fish and

Wildlife Cccedinatien Act (16 U.S.C. 667b), for the tenefit of wildlife

and waterfcwl to be managed in its natural state and to be administered

as a portien of the Naricnal Wildiffe Refuge System. The Charlestown

Naval Auxiliary IandL"g Field is situated in a unique ecological araa

with a 1cng histcry of migratory waterfcwl use en the East Ccast flyway.

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348 165

It is a resource with acepticnally high value for shellfisa and other

wildlife. The southerly portien cf the property to be transferrel

contains nearly 2 m.iles of shoreline cn Ninigret Pcnd, as well as

wetlands along the shore. Included in the property am lands censidered

as waterfewl nesting cover and buffer to protect the nesting.

I believe this decision is conscnant with the basic provisions cf the

Federal Frenerty and Administrative Services Act of 1949 in its preco-

tien of the cnxiram utilication of excess property by executive agencies

ani with the purposes cf the rational rlgratcry bird management pecgram.

It protects and rnintains valuable and irreplaceable wetland ecological

syste a in acccedance with the policies set forth in Executive Orders

11983 and 11990, which were part cf President Carter's Environmental

message of I'ay 23, 1977, ard aids in the fulfill ent of United Sr.ates

Treaty cbligations with Carada for tne protection and enhancement of

migrator / waterfew1. The decisien will enhance the wildlife canagement

network so important to present and future generations cf cur citizens.

Within a five mile radius cf the NAIS cite are state ard privately cwned

wildlife caragement areas which include the Indian Cedar Swamp Wildlife

l'anagement Area, Burlingame State Park, Rhode Island Audubon Society's

Kimball Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish I i Wildlife Service land around

Trustom Fond, the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, the Ninigret

Ccnservation Area, and the I?.censtone Waterfowl Refuge.

Ccncurrently, I am approving the transfer cf the sixty acres cf

property requested by the United States Enviren= ental 'rotecticn Agency

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for its Envircnmental Research Laboratory located in Narragansett, Ehode

Island (ERIAI) in interest of furthering research related to the waters

of Foster Cove and the Ninigret Pend. My approval would ccncentrate the

ERL-N's lard holdirs alecg the shorefecnt areas of Focter Cove ard the

southwesterly corner of the site between Foster Cove and ''ocn Cove.

This area, which is protected f"cra oceanic physical str=sses, will.

reportedly per nit a rnre opportunity to carry cut research in a ecnfined

area. The site has previcusly been utilized fer investigaticn and

research by u-Aversities an;l private research groups. Th's investi-

gation and research will dovetail with the proposed ESAT studies.

Moreover, land ownership currounding the Nirdr~t Pcnd area is an

additicral factcr in this prepcsal. Government control ove:' portions of

the barrier teach between Minigret Pond and Block Is1rnd Scund and the

Charlestcwn NALF will serve to limit interferences with the gathering of

accurate baseline ecological data. EP141's use cf the site will not

involve any const:ucticn cc modificaticn cf existing terrain, and.

therefore, will be entirely ccmpatible with the Fish and Wildlife

Service use. PdS use and the EPA living laboratory use will te subject

to their nutual convenience and agreement.

Tnis decisien has been ene of the nest difficult I have ever had to

make. 'Ihe sheer vclure cf documentation is sufficient to make the

decisica difficult. The cceplexity of the environmental, econcaic,

social and legal aspects involved in this decisicn is illustrated by the

fact that the EIS censiders no less than 18 alternatives and analyzes

each one of them. The decision involves a lengstanding, centroversial,

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348 167

and emotionally intense situatien, the genesis of which predates the

initial court hearirg in December 1974. I realize that the decisien

cannot be cade withcut alienaths or disappointir6 cne er more

interests. Sincere and interestcd private persons and Govertnent

officials are in disagreement as to the best use of the pecperty.

Perhaps the most gratifyirs aspect of the this pmcess is the knowledge

that whichever cf the alternatives had been select ed, it would in scme

way be construed as a positive er .ributicn to our society.

After this use there remain 237 acres of the pecperty. t e dispcsal

cf te ' remainder cf the pecperty must be ccncistent with r;y decision

that the property be s ea as a wildlife preserve. I am, therefcre,

directirs the Connissioner cf the Federal Property Resources Ser/ ice

(FPES) to enter into discussions with ',ne town cf Charlestown for the

purpose cf disposirg cf the re aining orcperty to the tcwn for use in

accordance with its prvposal set forth y the FEIS as Alternative 5.

There is little substantive differanca ce : ween the town's plan cf use

for general cpen space p2rposes and this decisicn; the tcwn desires to

hold approxhately the same 367 acres for wildlife presertaticn. The

tcwn plan proposes 182 acres for recreation v/nich ';culd serie as a

further buffer scne fer the wildlife preserie, since the tcwn's plan

calls for passive fctra cf racreatien as well as active fer;c.s not

requirirg extensive facilities in this acreage.

2e t.lans developed by the town have been subject to cMnge over the

years. It is the plan set forth in the FEIS which I am choosing because

of its compatibilit/ with the transfer cf the major portiens of

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the acea to the PdS. By this decision, it is my intent to specifically

precluding disposal cf this re.naining 237 acres for the construction of

any large facility such as the proposed nuclear power plant.

.

V. CC!ISIDERATIC!! CF O'UER ALTiRt!ATIVES

'Ihe Fedeml Property and Administmtive Services Act of 1949 requires

that sales of surplus : cal property be made by publicly advertisirg for

bids, except for specified exceptiens (40 U.S.C. 484(e)(3). 'Ihe

specific excepticra which would petuit the Administrator to negotiate

the disposal of real pecperty with private parties are: (1) the value

of the preperty is ~: der $1,000; (2) bid prices, after advertising

therefor, are not reascnable or have not been independently arrived at

in cpen competiticn; or (3) the character or ccnditicn cf the property

or unusual circu . stances r:nkes it irgmctical to advertise publicly for

competitive bids and the fair market value cf the property and other.

satisfactory terms of disposal can be cbtained by negotiation,

lione of these exceptiicns exists here. 'Ihe property is valued greater

than $1,000; the property has not been publicly advertised fcr sale;

and, neither the chamcter, nor the ccndition cf the property, er any

unusual circumstances exist that wculd make it impractical to advertise.

publicly for bids. Ccnsequently, there is no anthority to permit a

negotiated sale of the property to liarmgensett Electric Ccm.

'Ihe identical reascn would preclude mgotiaticn wir' ;ce VMCA, the

Rhode Island Cc=lttee en Energy, BatterJ Asre 'e ;- the Arnold

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348 169'

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genemting facility which would require the acquisition cf all 604

acres. In reviewirs facters in the Narr36ansett Electric Ccepany

proposal, in tents of the energy mquirements cf the State and the

Southern New England region, it is a propccal which prcmotes the

develop:ent of regicnal energy self-sufficiency. We are ccgnicant of

the fact that today, approxi ately 90", of all electric power cencumed in

Rhode Island is gene mted cutside the state. I do rot, however, see the

rejecticn of this alternative as precluding alternative solutions to

this problem. I am not naking a decision for cc against nuclear power

but rather, rejecting the proposal as a use for this particular site

which is rich in ratuml beauty and unique values as precious as

energy.

Secondly, I an aware of the referendum in which a nnjcrity of the

local residents voted e. gainst the prcpened facility. Except in cases Of

public health and raticnal defense, I would te most reluctant to 1."pese"

a project of this nng-J.tude en a cot:::nity against the wishes expressed

by the electorate.

The Final Envircnmental I.;act Statement notes the eften-stated

uncertainties as to the future of nuclear power itself, the problems.

involved in dispcsal cf genemted radicactive waste, the adequacy cf

erergency plans and the attendant problems of decom:iscicnirs the

facility cnce the nor al plant cperaticn period has transpired. 'Ihe

issues are serious enes which seek technolcgical and raticnal energy

- 16 -

.

348 171

policy solutiens, I would not presume to use this particular decisicn as

a statement of confidence or showirs cf a lack of faith that solutions

will not be available for any cc all of these problems which may or may

not exist in the future.

The Piral Envircnmental Impact Statement contains projections which

demenstrate a negative effect en the envircreental values of this unique

ecological resource which could perhaps not be sustained by this

prcperty without permanent damage. Tne increase in total envircrrental

burden during the constructicn and cperatien will not te positive.

R1rther, a protracted ccnstructica pericd will have a negative effect en

the town cf Charlestown which dces not have the municipal services to

handle such an influx cf people and machines.

It is incontrovertible that large scale construction of any plant will

add population to the town which it is not cnly not equipped to P2ndle,

but which will forever adversely change that quality cf life in this

smil rural ecmmity. It would also adversely i=act a resource which

is rapidly teccming very scarce, a refuge of ratural beauty, barreny and

quiet.

'Ihe propcsal relatirs to the request cf the Narragansett Tribe of.

Indians would require a mini =m of 300 acres. After the conveyance of

367 acres to the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Envircnmental

Protection Agency, there wculd appear to be insufficient land remaining

to satisfy this t suest. 'Ihis mquest for transfer, wbale for a ncn-

federal use, has the colce of Federal use. 'Ihe applicaticn for the

property would have to be approved by the Department of Health,

- 17 -

348 172

Education and Welfare prior to its submissien to GSA. Moreover, the

project would have to have actual and not prospective fundirs,.and, in

tems of the requested parcels, the request wculd have to be revised

downwarxi in tems cf the acreage requirements.<

Frankly, I doubt that the procedural hurdles, which might have been

overccme in 1975, can be satisfied today. But, in the event they can, m

am directing that this proposal is the cne to be considered in the event

the town of Charlestcwn beccmes unable cc urzd1111r6 to take all cc a

portice of the remaining 237 acres.

No. 3 'Ibe state cf Rhode Island. 'Ihe State earlier expressed

interest in acquiring the entire site using 500-575 acres to explore the

feasibility of nuclear power plant constructica and 25-50 acres for the

town cf Charlestcwn nunicipal center. Tne botten lire of this pecposal

is that it is speculative. The state pmsently has no definitive plans.

for acquisiticn and development cf the pecperty. It might put a nuclear

pcwer plant en the land in a couple of years; but if it should chocse

not to do this, it aculd have free rein to utilize the pecperty in a

manner which is unkncwn at this tLne. 'Ihere are other writorious

croposals which are not speculative. To decide in favcr of this plan

would in the particular circu . stances cf this case be abdicatirs the

responsibilty placed in me by the Property Act to direct the disposition

of this Federal property.

- 18 -

348 173

This proposal includes some 25-50 acres for the town of Charlestown, and

rr;y decision provides for the potential disposal of at least that ancunt

of land to the town.

No. 7. Re Amold Family. The Amold Family is requesting 160 acres

(formerly cwned by family) to be used for fannirs c.::d subsequent gradual

subdivision and developcent into large-lot su=er residences. Since

fomer owners are unable to receive a priority ce price preference,

under existing law, in reacquiring former holdings, acquisition of the

160 acres cculd cnly be acccmplished by submitting the high bid at a

public sale, an altemative that is far down the list of pricrities cf

censideration expressed in the law, especially in view cf the other

meriterious pecposals. As mnticned above, there is no authority under

the circumstances to pemit a negotiated sale cf the property to a

private party.

No. 8. The You. Mens' Christian Asscciatien (DICA) of

Westnely-Pawcatuck.

The DICA wishes to acquire 100 acres for camping and recreaticn use. As

with the Arnold Family proposal, the DICA could cnly acquire the desired

property by cutmitting the high bid at a ccmpetitive public sale, since

there is no authority under the circumstances to pemit a negotiated

sale of t.be property to a private party.

No. 9 R e Rhode Island Cemittee en Ene mi (?lCE). 'Ihe PICE which

becugnt suit against the Government in December 1974 over the proposed

sale of the pecperty, is a nonprofit p2blic interest group concemed

with the development of altemative energy sources. PlCE has no

- 19 -

348 174

,- . _

pricrity of consideration pursuant to cur Operating authority sic 11ar to.

that of Federal or local public bodies in acquiring surplus property.

Its proposal contemplates rnaltiuse, including wildlife, education and

research, industry, municipal, residential, comercial, and Native

American preserte. 'Ihere is substantial local cppcsiticn to this

proposal. It is not a viable alternative without appropriate Federal,

State, and local sponsorship and support. Also, there is no authority

under the circumstances to permit a negotiated sale of the property to a

private party.

No. 10. Mixed Use Develorrant. Mixed residential propccal is by

Battery Associates a private land developcent grcup in Chevy Chc se,

Mary. nd, and would only be viable in the event of a public sale. It

does not conform with State and city development plans. There is much

local cpposition. Also, there is no authcrity under the ciretre.inces

.

to permit a negotiated sale of the preperty to a private party.

No. 11. Cemb hat'.cn of Fnvircrr. ental Protecticn Acency (1), Fish, and

W11dlife Sectice (2), town er Charlesecwn (5), and FlCE ( 9 ) .

The proposed f.isposal of PlCE suffers frca the objections menticned in

No. 9 above. Ccmbined usage, while feasible in a broad speculative

:mener, provides no clearly discera.able benefit frca an envircnmental or

ecencmical standpoint. Additicrn11y, there are certain procedural steps

which GSA must follcw in the disposal of real property that greatly

reduce any possibility of ccmbined Federal, State, and private

ccmbination.

- 20 -

.

348 175

,

No. 12. Cctbiration of EPA, Fish and 'dildlife, and Narrazanse_tjiTribe.

Having chosan the EPA and ?d3 portions of this alternative for the

reasons mentioned above, I believe that the proposal cf the tchn of

Charlestown better coordinates with this choice then the proposal of the

Narragansett Tribe. Ecwever, as I have menticned, should the tchn be

urable or unwilling to take the remaining land and the tribe be able to

overecce the hufdles in its path, consideraticn shall te given to the

proposal of the tribe.

No. 13. Cctbiratien of EPA, Nar-t ansett Tribe and the ArnoldFa-ily.

As mentioned above, neget.iated sales under the circumstances to private

parties is precluded.

No. 14. Amold Fa-d.lv and Mixed Use Cevelctcent. Negotiated sales

to private parties are precluded under the circumstances.

No. 15. Cctbination of EPA and State of Rhode Island or PcwerCcccany.

Having rejected alternatives 3 and 4 above, the decision includes the 60

acres fer EPA.

No. 16. Coastal Rescurces 72rar_ement Ccuncil - Recreatien. 'Ihis is a

generic prcposal with no specific organizaticn or individual sponsor.

No. 17. Ccastal Resources Mana~e ent Council - Industrial. Sis is a

generic prcpesal with no specific organizaticn or individual spenscr.

- 21 -

348 170

.

No. 18. NO ACTICN. I reject this alternative because no action can be

mom damaging than a wrcng decicicn. 'Ib postpone this decisicn and let

someone else ::nke it would be irresponsible en my part because cf my

extensive knowledge'cf the area. The swond of IM:nocles has been held

over the town cf Charlestown for a long time. It is time to r:nke a

decisien.

ACCCRDINGLY, after Eralyzing the record cr. this matter and pursuant to

my authority under the circt= stances, for the reascns set forth in this

decision doc =ent, I hereby approve the trans' er of 307 acres to thef

Department of Interice for the benefit cf wildlife and waterfowl to be

managed in its ratural state and to te administered as a portion cf the

National Wildli''e Refuge System; 60 acres tr the Environmental Pro'ac-

tien Agency for its Envircnmental Research Laboratory in the interest cf

- furthering research related to the waters cf Fester Cove and Ninigret

Pend, such use not be be inconsistent with the use cf the 307 acres by

the Fish ard Wildlife Sectice; ard the remaining 237 acres to be

disposed cf, if possible, to the town of Charlestown to be used

substantially in accordance with its propcsal as set forth in the FEIS

as Alternative $. Such use is not to be inconsistent with the use cf -

the other 367 acres transferred to the Cepartment of the Interier and

the Envircnnental Protection Agency._. ---,

. , er ,, y - m .

h \ v' LwVM:< ,

Paul E. Gouldi::g,

*# *# '

D1ted: June 20, 1979.

348 177- 22 -

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f ENVIPONMENTAL !MDACT STATEMENT A LTE R N ATIV E i '

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c 200 5000t:

EXHIBli HI ;3

348 180_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ .