[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 46953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19335]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

[INS No. 2082-00]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Implementation of Border Barriers for Enforcement 
Initiatives in Arizona

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), 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 
Arizona border, in 1994, the INS launched Operation Safeguard, an 
aggressive initiative that brought new agents, equipment, and 
technology to the Tucson Border Patrol Sector. The goal of Operation 
Safeguard is to heighten deterrence and improve control along the 
nearly 300 miles of international border in Arizona. The aim of INS' 
comprehensive border enforcement effort, which includes Operation 
Gatekeeper in California and Operations Hold the Line and Rio Grande in 
Texas, is to reduce the adverse effects of illegal immigration and 
improve the quality of life for residents along the immediate border 
and throughout the nation. The INS will now expand Operation Safeguard 
by utilizing new resources and technology within the following Arizona 
Border Patrol stations: Ajo/Why, Casa Grande, Douglas, Naco, Nogales, 
Sonoita, Tucson, Wellton, Wilcox, and Yuma. The enhancements will 
bolster the efforts to ensure the safety of migrants, ranchers, and 
local residents, as well as provide increased safety of operations for 
agents. Enhancement will include, but not be limited to, additional 
Border Patrol personnel, support vehicles, air support, border 
barriers, lighting, border road improvements, and remote video 
surveillance systems.

Alternatives

    In developing the DEIS, the options of no action and alternatives 
for Operation Safeguard 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 
environmental issues to be examined. The meetings will be well 
publicized and held at a time which will make it possible for the 
public and interested agencies or organizations to attend. Scoping 
meetings will be held in Douglas, Tucson, Yuma, and Nogales, Arizona. 
Notice of the Scoping meetings will be published in local newspapers 
prior to the meetings indicating the date, time, and location of each 
Scoping meeting.

DEIS Preparation

    Public notice will be published 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 Branch, 425 I Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20536, Room 
2060, Telephone: 202-353-0383.

    Dated: July 25, 2000.
Doris Meissner,
Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 00-19335 Filed 7-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-M