[Federal Register: November 14, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 220)]
[Notices]
[Page 64626-64627]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14no03-80]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement
The General Services Administration (GSA), Greater Southwest
Region, intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (SEIS) for the Phase III expansion of the Del Rio Port of
Entry (POE), Del Rio, Texas.
Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality's Regulations
(40 CFR part 1500-1508)--, and GSA Order PBS P1095.1F (Environmental
Considerations in Decision Making, dated 19 October 1999), GSA proposes
to prepare a SEIS for the proposed Phase III expansion of the Del Rio
POE which includes the proposed closure of a portion of Rio Grande Loop
Road, south of the planned POE as documented in the 1992 EIS for the
Phase II and III expansion of the Del Rio POE. The need for the
proposed action arises due to the additional security requirements for
border crossing into the United States due to the overall increased
security requirements following the events of 11 September 2001.
The purpose of the proposed action is to facilitate entry into the
planned Del Rio POE expansion for entrants from Mexico and limit
security risks
[[Page 64627]]
associated with border crossing activities.
Alternatives Under Consideration
A preliminary group of alternatives for the proposed action that
would be evaluated in the SEIS has been developed by GSA, pending
comment received during scoping.
Alternative 1 (No Action Alternative). Under this alternative the
Del Rio POE would be expanded per the 1992 EIS finding allowing for
pedestrian access along Rio Grande Loop Road.
Alternative 2. Under this alternative the Del Rio POE would be
expanded per the 1992 EIS with pedestrian access to the east of the POE
along Rio Grande Loop Road provided by an elevated walkway.
Alternative 3. Under this alternative the Del Rio POE would be
expanded per the 1992 EIS with pedestrian access to the east of the POE
along Rio Grande Loop Road provided by a tunnel walkway.
Alternative 4. Under this alternative the Del Rio POE would be
expanded per the 1992 EIS with complete closure of Rio Grande Loop
Road, which traverses the POE. GSA anticipates that the following
categories of impacts will be addressed in the SEIS: Land use,
economic, community, environmental justice, transportation system, air
quality, noise, hazardous materials and substances, cultural resources,
and natural systems. The SEIS will also address methods to mitigate any
significant impacts. GSA will comply with its obligations under Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to identify potential
impacts to cultural resources. Comments received during scoping may
result in consideration of additional issues.
Scoping Process
In accordance with NEPA, a scoping process will be conducted to aid
in determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying
the significant issues related to the proposed action. Scoping will be
accomplished through a public scoping meeting, direct mail
correspondence to potentially interested persons, agencies, and
organizations, and meetings with persons or agencies of special concern
with an interest in the proposed actions. It is important that Federal,
regional, state, and local agencies, and interested individuals and
groups take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that
should be addressed during the preparation of the Draft SEIS.
Public Scoping Meeting
The public scoping meeting will be held at Del Rio Civic Center,
1915 Veterans Blvd., Del Rio, TX on 19 November 2003, from 7 p.m. to 9
p.m. The meeting will be an information open house, where visitors may
come, receive information, discuss the proposal with study team
members, give their comments, and leave anytime during the meeting
period. GSA will publish notices announcing this meeting approximately
one week prior to the meeting in the Del Rio News-Herald, the San
Antonio Express News, and the Austin American-Statesman. GSA will
prepare a scoping report, available to the public, that will summarize
the comments received and facilitate their incorporation into the SEIS
process.
Written Comments: Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide
written comments on the scoping issues in addition to or in lieu of
giving their comments at the public scoping meeting. Written comments
regarding the environmental analysis for the proposed action must be
postmarked no later than 28 November 2003, and sent to the following
address: U.S. General Services Administration, Public Building
Services, Greater Southwest Region, Attention: Lisa Schaub,
Environmental Advisor, 819 Taylor Street, 7PM, Fort Worth, TX 76102.
Scoping Meeting Place
The meeting will be held at the following address: Del Rio Civic
Center, 1915 Veterans Blvd., Del Rio, TX, Data: 19 November 2003, Time:
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Dated: November 7, 2003
Lisa Schaub,
Environmental Advisor, Greater Southwest Region, General Services
Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-28491 Filed 11-13-03; 8:45 am]
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