Idaho -  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has determined that tearing down four World War II-era historic structures and part of another structure at Idaho National Laboratory’s Central Facilities Area that remain from when the area served as the U.S. Naval Proving Ground will not have a significant impact on the environment.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the DOE today issued its Final Environmental Assessment (EA) on the Disposition of Five Signature Properties at Idaho National Laboratory. The DOE based its demolition decision on the results of its analysis described in the EA. The DOE published a draft EA for public comment on May 28, 2014. No public comments were received during the public comment period that concluded on June 30, 2014.

During development of the EA, the DOE worked with the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

This coordination in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act has resulted in an agreement to preserve significant historic elements.  Original portions of the proving ground’s Naval Ordnance Offices will be retained – including a concussion wall, an observation tower, powder rooms, a gantry crane, gun abutments and railroad tracks.

Interpretive signs discussing the World War II era will be prepared and erected in a location easily accessible to the public. The DOE will work with the SHPO to develop appropriate text and with the Idaho Department of Transportation to identify an appropriate location for the signs.

The DOE also plans to complete a Standard Format Historic American Landscape Study (HALS) report. The HALS report will document INL buildings and landscape associated with World War II and post-war activities through 1949.

The DOE plans to demolish the facilities in 2016.

The final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact are posted at the following Link: http://www.id.energy.gov/NEWS/PressReleases/PR140922-five/Final%20EA%20S...