[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67659-67660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27555]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Deployment and
Operation of Low Energy X-Ray Inspection Systems at U.S. Customs and
Border Protection Operational Areas
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announces that a
final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) for Low Energy X-Ray Inspection Systems
(LEXRIS) at CBP operational areas have been prepared and are available
for public review. The final PEA documents a review of the potential
environmental impacts from the deployment and use of LEXRIS at CBP
operational areas throughout the country. Based on the final PEA, a
determination was made that the proposed action will not significantly
affect the quality of the human environment and a FONSI was issued. As
a result, a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) is not
required.
DATES: The Final PEA and FONSI are available for review through
December 13, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the final PEA AND FONSI may be obtained by
accessing the following Internet addresses: http://ecso.swf.usace.army.mil/Pages/Publicreview.cfm or www.dhs.gov/nepa, or
by sending a request to David Duncan of CBP by telephone (202-344-
1527), by fax (202-344-1418), by email to [email protected] or by
writing to: CBP, Attn: David Duncan, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.,
Suite 1575, Washington, DC 20229.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Antoinette DiVittorio, Environmental
and Energy Division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, telephone
(202) 344-3131.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
LEXRIS
LEXRIS is a low energy x-ray inspection system. The purpose of
deploying and operating LEXRIS is to non-intrusively scan vehicles for
the presence of contraband, including weapons of mass destruction,
[[Page 67660]]
explosives, and illicit drugs. The use of LEXRIS at, for example U.S.
ports of entry, directly supports CBP's mission of securing the U.S.
borders and homeland from terrorists and other threats while
simultaneously facilitating legitimate trade and travel by assisting
CBP personnel in preventing contraband, including illegal drugs and
terrorist weapons, from entering the United States.
Two different LEXRIS systems are available. One system is mobile,
mounted on a truck or van type platform and will be used at CBP
operational areas. The system can be driven alongside a parked vehicle
in a controlled area and will scan the vehicle as it drives by. Before
the vehicle is scanned, the driver and passenger(s) will exit the
vehicle and be escorted outside the controlled area. The other system
is a stationary, portal configuration that will be installed along an
existing traffic lane. Vehicles will be scanned as they are driven
through the portal. Occupants of the vehicle will have the option of
remaining in the vehicle while the driver drives it through the portal
or exiting the vehicle and having CBP personnel drive it through the
portal. Examples of CBP operational areas include, but are not limited
to, ports of entry, CBP checkpoints, and locations of events designated
as national special security events.
LEXRIS is needed to fill a unique capability to detect objects that
are not effectively visualized by other non-intrusive inspection
technologies currently used by CBP. LEXRIS gives a clear image of
objects in the vehicle, including objects that may be hidden in
fenders, tires, trunks, gas tanks, and under hoods. LEXRIS provides CBP
personnel with information about what may be encountered during a
manual search and, in some cases, will eliminate the need for CBP
personnel to manually enter vehicles to search for contraband. As a
result, LEXRIS will increase the safety of CBP personnel.
The NEPA Process
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) requires an agency to evaluate the environmental
implications of any proposed major action that could significantly
affect the quality of the human environment. Generally, to meet the
NEPA requirements, an agency prepares an Environmental Assessment (EA)
to determine whether a more thorough analysis of the environmental
implications is necessary. If such an analysis is necessary, the agency
will produce an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). If additional
analysis is not necessary, the agency will issue a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI). A Programmatic Environmental Assessment
(PEA) is an EA that evaluates a major action on a broad, programmatic
basis. Environmental evaluations at specific project locations are
conducted later.
LEXRIS PEA
On January 18, 2012, CBP published a notice in the Federal Register
(77 FR 2562) entitled: ``Notice of Availability of the Draft
Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Deployment and Operation
of Low Energy X-Ray Inspection Systems at U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Operational Areas.'' This notice announced that a draft PEA
concerning LEXRIS had been prepared and made available to the public in
accordance with NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations
for Implementing the NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and Department of
Homeland Security Directive 023-01, Environmental Planning Program
(April 19, 2006). The draft PEA addressed the potential effects on
resources present at CBP operational areas, including: Climate, soils,
water quality, air quality, vegetation, wildlife, noise,
infrastructure, aesthetics, and radiological health and safety. The
notice informed the public on how to obtain a copy of the draft PEA and
requested comments from the public on the draft PEA. The draft was made
available for a 30 day public comment period, beginning on the date of
the publication of the notice. The comment period ended on February 17,
2012. Two comments were received.
CBP has now prepared the final PEA addressing the potential effects
on resources for the deployment and operation of LEXRIS at CBP
operational areas. The comments received on the draft PEA have been
reviewed and are addressed in the final PEA. On the basis of the final
PEA, CBP determined that the deployment and operation of LEXRIS will
have no significant impact on human health or the environment and that
preparation of a PEIS is not necessary. A FONSI was issued on April 10,
2012. This document announces that the final PEA and the FONSI for
LEXRIS can be reviewed by the public. The environmental implications
for individual CBP operational areas will be considered as LEXRIS is
deployed.
Dated: October 25, 2012.
Karl H. Calvo,
Executive Director, Facilities Management and Engineering, Office of
Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 2012-27555 Filed 11-9-12; 8:45 am]
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