Parcel ED-3: A Little History

Parcel ED-3 is a name formerly applied to a collection of DOE-managed tracts of federal land (a total of 450 acres) near the K-25 site that were proposed for lease or transfer to CROET for industrial and commercial development (shown on this map). Back in 2000, the CROET strategic plan called this the "Gateway Center" and outline plans for marketing it, but CROET did not receive the area then.

As of 2008-2009, the name ED-3 refers to a smaller portion of this area south of State Route 95, which has been under consideration for transfer. DOE expects to issue a NEPA environmental assessment on the proposal to transfer the new ED-3.

The original proposal to lease ED-3 to CROET was one of several piecemeal initiatives to transfer the public lands of the Oak Ridge Reservation for private development. Following complaints from AFORR and others that this practice violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DOE agreed to withdraw the ED-3 proposal until after undertaking a comprehensive land-use planning process for the Oak Ridge Reservation with community participation. In response, DOE conducted the Land-Use Planning Focus Group, whose participants came from a variety of governmental and community groups, including the City of Oak Ridge, CROET, AFORR, and several Tennessee state agencies.

Posted October 4, 2009.



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