[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 53 (Monday, March 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13503-13504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5452]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[PBS-N01]


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Construction of a New Border Station Facility on 1-91 at Derby 
Line, Vermont

AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, GSA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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[[Page 13504]]

SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) announces its intent 
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 to assess the potential impacts 
of the construction of a New Border Station Facility on Interstate 91 
in Derby Line, Vermont (the ``Proposed Action'').
    At the request of the US Customs and Border Protection, the GSA is 
proposing to construct a new border station facility on Interstate 
Highway 91 at Derby Line, Vermont. The existing facilities are 
undersized and obsolete, and consequently incapable of providing the 
level of security now required.
    The Proposed Action has been defined and will likely include: (a) 
identification of land requirements, including acquisition of adjoining 
land if appropriate; (b) demolition of all existing government 
structures at the border station; (c) construction of a main 
administration building and ancillary support buildings; and (d) 
relocation a portion of the I-91 roadway and interchange and consequent 
potential alterations to secondary roads.
    The location of the new border station facility is set by the 
requirement that the facility be located at the intersection of the 
interstate highway and the U. S. Border. Therefore, alternatives to be 
studied will identify alternative locations for the components of the 
border station including the main administration and ancillary support 
buildings, the roadway and interchange. A No Action alternative will 
also be studied that will evaluate the consequences of not constructing 
the new border station facility. This alternative is included to 
provide a basis for comparison to the action alternatives described 
above as required by NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1002.14(d)).
    GSA invites individuals, organizations and agencies to submit 
comments concerning the scope of the EIS.
    The public scoping period starts with the publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register and will continue for forty five (45) 
days from the date of this notice. GSA will consider all comments 
received or postmarked by that date in defining the scope of the EIS.
    GSA expects to issue a Draft EIS in summer 2005 at which time its 
availability will be announced in the Federal Register and local media. 
A public comment period will commence upon publication of the Notice of 
Availability. The GSA will consider and respond to comments received on 
the Draft EIS in preparing the Final EIS.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions concerning the scope of the 
EIS should be sent to David M. Drevinsky P.E., PMP, Regional 
Environmental Quality Advocate (REQA), U.S. General Services 
Administration, 10 Causeway Street, Room 975, Boston, MA 02222; Fax 
(617) 565-5967.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David M. Drevinsky by phone at (617) 
565-6596 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Other Agency Involvement:

    The GSA anticipates that the Federal Highway Administration will be 
a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS because the proposed 
action affects the Federal Highway System. The GSA will consult with 
the Vermont Agency of Transportation regarding regulatory issues 
pertaining to the Proposed Action.

Public Scoping Meetings:

    A public scoping meeting will provide the public with an 
opportunity to present comments, ask questions, and discuss concerns 
regarding the scope of the EIS for the Proposed Action with GSA 
representatives. GSA will hold a public scoping meeting in April 2005 
at Derby Line, Vermont. Once established, the specific date for this 
meeting will be published in the Federal Register and the local media.

    Date: March 14, 2005
Dennis R. Smith
Regional Administrator,New England Region
[FR Doc. 05-5452 Filed 3-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-23-S