[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 4 (Friday, January 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-8328]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[PBS-N01]


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Hold a Public Scoping Meeting for the Construction of a New Border 
Station Facility in Madawaska, Maine

AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, GSA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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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 in Madawaska, 
Maine (the ``Proposed Action''). At the request of Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP), the GSA is proposing to construct a new border 
station facility which meets their needs, and the design requirements 
of the GSA.
    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; (b) demolition of existing government structures at the border 
station; (c) construction of a main administration building and 
ancillary support buildings; and (d) consequent potential alterations 
to secondary roads.
    Alternatives to be studied will identify alternative locations for 
the components of the border station including the main administration 
and ancillary support buildings, the associated roadway network and 
parking. 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 by June 
2006 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: Public Scoping Meeting:
    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 at the Middle / 
High School Library located on 135 Seventh Avenue in Madawaska on 
January 10, 2006 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In case of inclement weather, 
this public scoping meeting will be held on January 11, 2006 at the 
same location and with the same time.

    Dated: December 29, 2005
Dennis R. Smith
Regional Administrator, New England Region
[FR Doc. E5-8328 Filed 1-5-06; 8:45 am]
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