[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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