GA begins environmental study of Heritage Center, office building site
OLYMPIA – General Administration will initiate an environmental assessment of the Heritage Center & Executive Office Building Project with a public Scoping Meeting at 5 p.m. March 27 in the General Administration Building auditorium.
 

GA, as lead agency under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act for the project, determined that an EIS should be completed to evaluate possible environmental impacts of the project.
 
During the Scoping Meeting, the project team, including consultants from BERGER/ABAM Engineers, will give the audience an overview of the focused Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. The public will then have an opportunity to comment on the scope of issues to be addressed in the focused EIS, including probable impacts of the project and mitigation or approvals that may be required.
 
The consulting firm will draft a focused EIS, examining potential impacts resulting from the construction of the project. They will also evaluate and propose alternative actions that could reduce the risk of any possible adverse impacts.
 
For those who cannot attend the public meeting, information will also be made available on the project Web site at www.ga.wa.gov/EOB. Comments on the scope of the EIS can be made through the Web site or by e-mailing communications@ga.wa.gov.
 
GA’s project team anticipates having a draft of the EIS prepared by late June and completion of the study by October. The EIS process will include another public meeting for community members to discuss information that will be presented in the draft EIS.
 
GA plans to build the Executive Office Building on the north end of the Capitol Campus where the GA Building currently stands. The Heritage Center will be built into the hillside just below the Executive Office Building, creating stepped terraces overlooking Capitol Lake.
 
What: EIS Scoping Meeting – Heritage Center/Executive Office Building
Where: GA Building, Auditorium, 210 11th Ave. S.W. in Olympia
When: 5 p.m. March 27
 
Parking is available in a lot at 11th Avenue and Columbia Street next to the GA Building.