[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9825-9826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2694]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Calexico West Port of Entry Expansion/Renovation, Calexico, 
California

AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, GSA

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) and Public Scoping Meeting

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) announces its intent 
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the expansion/
renovation of the Calexico West Port of Entry (POE), located in 
Calexico, California. The purpose of the expansion/renovation is to 
reduce traffic congestion in Calexico and Mexicali city centers caused 
by vehicles crossing the border, to improve border security; and to 
provide safe, secure, and efficient operational areas for the public 
and Federal employees. This facility serves both vehicular and 
pedestrian traffic into and out of the Mexican city of Mexicali. The 
need for this expansion/renovation derives from the substantial 
increase in its use by international travelers. The existing POE is not 
equipped to process this increase within an acceptable level of service 
consistent with the Federal Inspection Service's minimum standards. 
Problems at the current facility are mostly related to inadequate space 
for inspection operations, equipment, and personnel. The facility also 
requires seismic retrofitting.
    The EIS will address potential environmental impacts of the 
alternatives for the proposed project related to geology and soils, 
water resources, land use, biological resources, cultural resources, 
visual resources, infrastructure, traffic, air quality, noise, human 
health and safety, socioeconomics, and environmental justice. The 
existing contamination of the New River and traffic congestion have 
been identified as potential environmental impacts. Information 
regarding other potential environmental impacts will be gathered during 
the public scoping process.

DATES: The views and comments of the public are necessary in 
determining the

[[Page 9826]]

scope and content of the environmental analysis in connection with the 
proposed project. A public scoping meeting for the proposed project 
will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the 
Calexico City Hall, 608 Heber Avenue in Calexico, California. 
Interested parties may attend to present questions and concerns that 
they believe should be addressed in the EIS. Comments and questions can 
also be submitted to the Point of Contact (see the ADDRESS section 
below). Due to time limits mandated by Federal law, responses to 
scoping are requested no later than 45 days after publication of this 
notice. It is anticipated that the Draft EIS will be available for 
public review and comment in January of 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments and questions to Mr. Morris Angell, Regional 
Environmental Quality Advisor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 3rd Floor East, 
San Francisco, California, 94102, 415-522-3473, [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you require additional information 
regarding the public scoping meeting or the proposed project, or 
require special assistance to attend the meeting, please contact Morris 
Angell, GSA Regional Environmental Quality Advisor, (see the ADDRESS 
section above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GSA is proposing two alternative actions: 1) 
construct a new vehicle and pedestrian inspection facility on the 
existing site and federally owned vacant land immediately to the west 
of the current facility, and 2) a ``no action'' alternative. Under the 
``no action'' alternative, the existing facilities and their operation 
will remain unchanged.

    Dated: February 10, 2006.
Peter G. Stamison,
Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, Pacific Rim Region.

    Dated: February 10, 2006.
Jeffrey Neely,
Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, Pacific Rim 
Region.
[FR Doc. E6-2694 Filed 2-24-06; 8:45 am]
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