[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 220 (Friday, November 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64626-64627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28491]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement

    The General Services Administration (GSA), Greater Southwest 
Region, intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (SEIS) for the Phase III expansion of the Del Rio Port of 
Entry (POE), Del Rio, Texas.
    Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality's Regulations 
(40 CFR part 1500-1508)--, and GSA Order PBS P1095.1F (Environmental 
Considerations in Decision Making, dated 19 October 1999), GSA proposes 
to prepare a SEIS for the proposed Phase III expansion of the Del Rio 
POE which includes the proposed closure of a portion of Rio Grande Loop 
Road, south of the planned POE as documented in the 1992 EIS for the 
Phase II and III expansion of the Del Rio POE. The need for the 
proposed action arises due to the additional security requirements for 
border crossing into the United States due to the overall increased 
security requirements following the events of 11 September 2001.
    The purpose of the proposed action is to facilitate entry into the 
planned Del Rio POE expansion for entrants from Mexico and limit 
security risks

[[Page 64627]]

associated with border crossing activities.

Alternatives Under Consideration

    A preliminary group of alternatives for the proposed action that 
would be evaluated in the SEIS has been developed by GSA, pending 
comment received during scoping.
    Alternative 1 (No Action Alternative). Under this alternative the 
Del Rio POE would be expanded per the 1992 EIS finding allowing for 
pedestrian access along Rio Grande Loop Road.
    Alternative 2. Under this alternative the Del Rio POE would be 
expanded per the 1992 EIS with pedestrian access to the east of the POE 
along Rio Grande Loop Road provided by an elevated walkway.
    Alternative 3. Under this alternative the Del Rio POE would be 
expanded per the 1992 EIS with pedestrian access to the east of the POE 
along Rio Grande Loop Road provided by a tunnel walkway.
    Alternative 4. Under this alternative the Del Rio POE would be 
expanded per the 1992 EIS with complete closure of Rio Grande Loop 
Road, which traverses the POE. GSA anticipates that the following 
categories of impacts will be addressed in the SEIS: Land use, 
economic, community, environmental justice, transportation system, air 
quality, noise, hazardous materials and substances, cultural resources, 
and natural systems. The SEIS will also address methods to mitigate any 
significant impacts. GSA will comply with its obligations under Section 
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to identify potential 
impacts to cultural resources. Comments received during scoping may 
result in consideration of additional issues.

Scoping Process

    In accordance with NEPA, a scoping process will be conducted to aid 
in determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying 
the significant issues related to the proposed action. Scoping will be 
accomplished through a public scoping meeting, direct mail 
correspondence to potentially interested persons, agencies, and 
organizations, and meetings with persons or agencies of special concern 
with an interest in the proposed actions. It is important that Federal, 
regional, state, and local agencies, and interested individuals and 
groups take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that 
should be addressed during the preparation of the Draft SEIS.

Public Scoping Meeting

    The public scoping meeting will be held at Del Rio Civic Center, 
1915 Veterans Blvd., Del Rio, TX on 19 November 2003, from 7 p.m. to 9 
p.m. The meeting will be an information open house, where visitors may 
come, receive information, discuss the proposal with study team 
members, give their comments, and leave anytime during the meeting 
period. GSA will publish notices announcing this meeting approximately 
one week prior to the meeting in the Del Rio News-Herald, the San 
Antonio Express News, and the Austin American-Statesman. GSA will 
prepare a scoping report, available to the public, that will summarize 
the comments received and facilitate their incorporation into the SEIS 
process.
    Written Comments: Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide 
written comments on the scoping issues in addition to or in lieu of 
giving their comments at the public scoping meeting. Written comments 
regarding the environmental analysis for the proposed action must be 
postmarked no later than 28 November 2003, and sent to the following 
address: U.S. General Services Administration, Public Building 
Services, Greater Southwest Region, Attention: Lisa Schaub, 
Environmental Advisor, 819 Taylor Street, 7PM, Fort Worth, TX 76102.

Scoping Meeting Place

    The meeting will be held at the following address: Del Rio Civic 
Center, 1915 Veterans Blvd., Del Rio, TX, Data: 19 November 2003, Time: 
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

    Dated: November 7, 2003
Lisa Schaub,
Environmental Advisor, Greater Southwest Region, General Services 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-28491 Filed 11-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-M