[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 4999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2233]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

[INS No. 2033-99]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Implementation of Operation Rio Grande for the United 
States Border Patrol, McAllen, TX

AGENCY:  Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

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

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SUMMARY:

Proposed Action

    In furtherance of its mission to gain and maintain control of the 
border, in August 1997, the Immigration and Naturalization Service 
(INS), U.S. Border Patrol, McAllen, Texas, implemented Operation Rio 
Grande to prevent illegal entry and drug trafficking along the Rio 
Grande corridor between the United States and Mexico. Operation Rio 
Grande involves five project actions within the Border Patrol Stations 
of Rio Grande City, McAllen, Mercedes, Harlingen, Brownsville, and Port 
Isabel. Specifically, the project will enhance the mission of the U.S. 
Border Patrol along the Rio Grande corridor fencing, lighting, boat 
ramps, road improvements, and remote video surveillance systems.
    These actions are intended to reduce, detect, and deter the influx 
of illegal entry and drugs into the McAllen Sector, especially into 
nearby towns, as well as to increase apprehensions, increase community 
safety, and provide increased safety of operations for agents. Also, 
this initiative will help reduce the risk of drowning as undocumented 
aliens attempt to swim across the river and irrigation canals.
    In February 1998, the INS began to conduct an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) regarding Operation Rio Grande and in October 1998, a 
Draft EA was released for public comment. Due to the public's concerns 
regarding Operation Rio Grande's impacts to the Lower Rio Grande 
Valley, the INS agreed to prepare an environmental Impact Statement.

Alternatives

    In developing the DEIS, the options of no action and alternatives 
for Operation Rio Grande will be fully and thoroughly examined.

Scoping Process

    During the preparation of the DEIS, there will be numerous 
opportunities for public involvement in order to determine the issues 
to be examined. A scoping meeting will be held at a location convenient 
to the citizens of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The meeting will be 
well publicized and held at a time which will make it possible for the 
public and interested agencies or organizations to attend. In addition, 
a number of informal meetings have already been held and will be 
continued by representatives of the INS with interested community 
leaders, officials, and citizens.

DEIS Preparation

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Manny Rodriguez, Chief Policy and Planning, Immigration and 
Naturalization Service, Facilities and Engineering Division, 425 I 
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20536, Room 2060, Attn: Debra Hood, 
Telephone: 202-353-4386, or Eric Verwers, INS Architect and Engineering 
Resource Center, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Fort Worth District, P.O. 
Box 17300, Fort Worth, Texas, 76102-0300, Telephone: 817-978-0202.

    Dated: January 18, 2000.
Doris Meissner,
Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2233 Filed 02-01-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-M