[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 45050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12824]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[PBS-N01]


Notice of Availability to Distribute a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Construction of a New Border Station Facility in 
Madawaska, Maine

AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, GSA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) announces its intent 
to distribute a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) under 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 4321 - 4347 (NEPA) 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 Draft 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 
Final EIS by September 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.
    COMMENTS: 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 e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Comment / Distribution:

    A public comment period is intended to provide the public with an 
opportunity to present comments, ask questions, and discuss concerns 
regarding the scope of the EIS for the Proposed Action. GSA will 
distribute ten reading copies of the Draft EIS at both the Middle / 
High School Library located on 135 Seventh Avenue in Madawaska and the 
Madawaska Library located on 393 Main Street on July 21, 2006. A Public 
Scoping workshop will be held on August 17, 2006 from 6pm to 8pm at the 
Middle / High School Library. All are welcome to attend and talk with 
the GSA Officials.

    Dated: July 25, 2006.
Dennis R. Smith,
Regional Administrator, New England Region.
[FR Doc. E6-12824 Filed 8-7-06; 8:45 am]
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