[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 210 (Monday, November 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63387-63388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24330]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Public Buildings Service; Region 10 Notice of Intent To Prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement
ACTION: The General Services Administration (GSA) hereby gives notice
that it intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, and the President's Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), for the construction of a new
Port of Entry facility at Peace Arch in the City of Blaine, Whatcom
County, Washington.
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Procedures: This project is at the planning stage and design and site
acquisition funding has been approved by Congress. A public
informational meeting and a NEPA scoping meeting will be held to ensure
that all significant environmental issues are identified and thoroughly
studied as part of the environmental analysis.
The EIS will evaluate the proposed project, including all
reasonable alternatives identified through the scoping process and a
no-action alternative. The scoping notification process of the date of
the meeting will be accomplished through direct mailing correspondence
to interested persons, agencies, and organizations, and notices in the
local newspaper. There will first be an open house meeting in Blaine,
Washington on November 16th, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. so that the public can
review the proposed alternative plans for the new Peace Arch Port of
Entry facility. Subsequently, there also will be a NEPA public scoping
meeting on November 30th at 6:30 p.m. to be held in Blaine, Washington
so that GSA can receive input and comments from concerned parties. Both
meetings will be held at the Blaine Community Senior Center, 763 G
Street in Blaine, WA. GSA will publish a public notice of the meetings
in the local newspapers approximately two weeks prior to the events.
Scoping will be limited to identifying significant issues to be
analyzed in the environmental document and commenting on alternatives
and the merit of the proposal.
Additional public meetings will be held after the release of the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement and GSA will respond to all
relevant comments to the draft EIS received during the 45-day public
comment period in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. After a
minimum 30-day period following publication of the Final Environmental
Impact Statement, GSA will issue a Record of Decision that will
identify the alternative selected.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GSA, assisted by Herrera Environmental
Consultants, will prepare the Environmental Impact Statement. GSA is
the lead agency in conducting the NEPA study with United States
Department of Transportation--Federal Highways Administration and
Washington State Department of Transportation serving as cooperating
agencies. Scoping will be conducted consistent with NEPA regulations
and guidelines. GSA invites interested individuals, organizations, and
federal, state, and local agencies to participate in defining and
identifying any significant impacts and issues to be studied in the
EIS.
[[Page 63388]]
Project Purpose, Historical Background, and Description: The U.S.
Department of Homeland Security is currently located in the existing
Peace Arch Port of Entry facility. The existing facility does not
currently meet the tenant agencies space or mission requirements. The
existing facility cannot be adapted to accommodate the required space
needs of the agency tenants.
Alternatives: The EIS will examine the short- and long-term impacts
on the natural and physical environment. The impact assessment will
include but not be limited to impacts such as social environment,
changes in land use, aesthetics, changes in adjacent park land, changes
in traffic patterns and access to the ``D'' street intersection,
economic impacts, and consideration of City planning and zoning
requirements.
The EIS will examine measures to mitigate significant adverse
impacts resulting from the proposed action. Concurrent with NEPA
implementation, GSA will also implement its consultation
responsibilities under section 106 of the National Historical
Preservation Act to identify potential impacts to existing historic or
cultural resources.
The EIS will consider a no-action alternative and action
alternatives. The no-action alternative would continue the occupancy in
the existing Peace Arch Port of Entry facility in Blaine. The action
alternatives will consist of three different configurations for
construction of a new Port of Entry facility.
ADDRESSES: In addition to the public scoping process, you may send
written comments on the scope of alternatives and potential impacts to
the following address: Michael D. Levine, Regional Environmental
Program Analyst, 10PDTB, General Services Administration, 400 15th
Street SW., Auburn, WA, 98001, or fax: Michael D. Levine at 253-931-
7308, or e-mail at Michael.Levine@GSA. GOV. Written comments should be
received no later than 45 days after the publishing of this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Meerscheidt at Herrera
Environmental Consultants, 2200 Sixth Ave., Suite 601, Seattle,
Washington 98121 or call 206-441-9080; or Michael D. Levine, GSA (253)
931-7263.
MAILING LIST: If you wish to be placed on the project mailing list
to receive further information as the EIS process develops, contact
John Meerscheidt at the address noted above.
Dated: October 15, 2004.
William L. Dubray,
Executive Director (10A).
[FR Doc. 04-24330 Filed 10-29-04; 8:45 am]
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