06-9163. Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, Office of Border Patrol, Laredo Sector, Laredo North and South Station's Road Improvement and Non-Native ...

AGENCY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on behalf of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for the construction and improvement of existing patrol roads and the removal of non-native (giant cane, Arundo donax) vegetation along 111 miles of the Rio Grande (Proposed Action) in Webb County, Texas. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the decision-making agency for this project. This EIS is being prepared in support of the proposal by the Office of Border Patrol's (OBP) Laredo North and Laredo South Stations for controlling and deterring the influx of illegal immigration and contraband into the United States. Due to the increased violent activity in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and increase in drug trafficking in Webb County, the Secretary of Homeland Security has mandated this effort as the top priority of the OBP's Laredo Sector.

The Laredo Sector has a need to secure the border by obtaining an unobstructed line of sight to the Rio Grande and a continuous patrol road. These actions are intended to gain and maintain control of the border to further prevent the influx of illegal aliens and drugs into the United States.

Prior NEPA documents, developed to address those project portions which have been previously constructed or proposed to be constructed, will be incorporated into the DEIS by reference. Direct project impacts of the remaining portions of the project, as well as cumulative impacts of the comprehensive project, will also be addressed. Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations, a scoping process will be conducted. As part of this process, a public workshop/open house will be held to identify issues of concern for analysis during the NEPA process.

DATES:

The meeting dates are:

1. December 5, 2006, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Carrizo Springs, TX.

2. December 6, 2006, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Laredo, TX.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting locations are:

1. Carrizo Springs—Carrizo Springs Intermediate School, 300 N. 7th Street, Carrizo Springs, TX 78834.

2. Laredo—Holiday Inn—Civic Center, 800 Garden Street, Laredo, TX 78040.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Glenn Bixler, DHS Engineering Construction and Support Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 819 Taylor St., Room 3A14, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Phone: [phone] and Fax: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Alternatives. Alternatives to be covered by the DEIS will include various alignments and configurations within the narrow geographic scope dictated by the international border (typically 300 feet from the United States bank of the Rio Grande). Other reasonable alternatives (to include the required “No Action” alternative) identified will also be fully examined.

Scoping Process. During the preparation of the EIS, there will be numerous opportunities for public involvement, including scoping and review. Two open house public scoping meetings are scheduled (see DATES). The purpose of the meetings is to inform the public of the proposed action and identify issues and concerns regarding this project. Appropriate displays and exhibits will be provided to inform meeting participants of potential alternatives and actions. Representatives from the CBP, OBP, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and private contractors will be present to provide the public with information and address questions. The meetings will be conducted in an informal format. No formal presentation will be conducted during the meeting. Oral and written comments will be accepted at the public scoping meetings or by mail until February 20, 2006.

DEIS Preparation. Public notice will be given in the Federal Register concerning the availability of the DEIS for public review and comments.

Mark A. Gable,

T.I. Program Manager (NM/TX)/Environmental Program Manager, Dallas Facility Division, Customs and Border Protection.