[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 877-878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25589]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection


Notice of Availability and Public Open House Announcement for the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Construction, 
Operation, and Maintenance of Tactical Infrastructure, U.S. Border 
Patrol, San Diego Sector, CA

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) identifying and assessing the 
potential impacts associated with the proposed construction, operation, 
and maintenance of tactical infrastructure, to include a primary 
pedestrian fence, supporting patrol roads, and other infrastructure in 
two distinct sections along the U.S./Mexico international border within 
CBP's San Diego Border Patrol Sector. The two fence sections would be 
approximately 0.8 miles and 3.6 miles in length. Newly constructed 
access and patrol roads to support each fence section would be 0.8 
miles and 5.2 miles respectively. This Federal Register notice 
announces the availability of and invites public comments on the draft 
EIS. This document also announces a public open house on the Draft EIS.

DATES: The Draft EIS will be available for public review and comment 
for a period of 45 days beginning January 4, 2008. Comments must be 
received by February 19, 2008.
    The public open house will be held on January 17, 2008, at the San 
Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA. The public open house will be 
held from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please refer to the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section below for more information.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft EIS can be downloaded from the Internet 
by visiting http://www.BorderFenceNEPA.com, or https://ecso.swf.usace.army.mil/Pages/Publicreview.cfm, or requested by e-
mailing: [email protected]. To request a hard copy of the 
Draft EIS, you may call toll-free (877) 752-0420. Alternatively, 
written requests for information may be submitted to: Charles McGregor, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Construction Support 
Office, 819 Taylor St., Room 3B10, Fort Worth, Texas 76102; fax: (757) 
257-7643. Hard copies of the Draft EIS can be reviewed at the Chula 
Vista Public Library (365 F Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910, (619) 691-
5069); San Diego Central Library (820 E St., San Diego, CA 92101, (619) 
236-5800); and San Diego Otay Mesa-Nestor Branch Library (3003 Coronado 
Ave., San Diego, CA 92154, (619) 424-0474).
    The public open house will be held on January 17, 2008, at the San 
Diego Convention Center, located at 111 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 
92101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles McGregor, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Engineering and Construction Support Office, 819 Taylor St., 
Room 3B10, Fort Worth, Texas 76102; and fax: (757) 257-7643.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On September 24, 2007, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
published in the Federal Register (72 FR 54277) a Notice of Intent to 
prepare an EIS to identify and assess the potential impacts associated 
with the construction, operation, and maintenance of tactical 
infrastructure, to include a primary pedestrian fence, supporting 
patrol roads, and other infrastructure in two distinct sections along 
the U.S./Mexico international border within CBP's San Diego Border 
Patrol Sector (Proposed Action). The EIS complies with NEPA, the 
Council on Environmental Quality regulations in 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508, 
and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Management Directive 5100.1, 
Environmental Planning Program.
    The mission of CBP is to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons 
from entering the U.S., while also facilitating the flow of legitimate 
trade and travel. In supporting CBP's mission, the Border Patrol is 
charged with establishing and maintaining effective control of the U.S. 
border between ports of entry. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to 
provide Border Patrol agents with the tools necessary to strengthen 
their control of the U.S. border between ports of entry in the San 
Diego Sector. The Proposed Action also provides a safer work 
environment and enables Border Patrol agents to enhance response time.
    The Proposed Action would consist of constructing a primary 
pedestrian fence, patrol roads, access roads, and other infrastructure 
in two sections. The first proposed section would be approximately 3.6 
miles in length and would start at Puebla Tree and end at Boundary 
Monument 250. A newly

[[Page 878]]

constructed access and patrol road to support the fence section would 
be 5.2 miles in length. The first proposed section would be adjacent to 
and on the Otay Mountain Wilderness (OMW), and would follow the U.S./
Mexico international border where topography allows, deviating from the 
border to follow a newly constructed access road where conditions 
warrant, such as descent to canyon bottoms. The OMW is on public lands 
administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The second 
proposed section would be approximately 0.8 miles in length and would 
connect with existing border fence west of Tecate, California. This 
fence section would be constructed along the border at the southern 
base of Tecate Peak. This proposed fence section would encroach on a 
mix of privately owned land parcels and public land administered by the 
BLM.
    Under the No Action Alternative, a proposed tactical infrastructure 
would not be built and there would be no change in fencing, access 
roads, or other facilities along the U.S./Mexico international border 
in the proposed project locations.

Public Open House

    CBP will hold a public open house to provide information and invite 
comments on the Proposed Action and the Draft EIS. A public open house 
will be held on January 17, 2008, at the San Diego Convention Center, 
San Diego, CA 92101. The public open house will be held from 4:30 p.m. 
to 8 p.m. Border Patrol agents and Draft EIS preparers will be 
available during the open house. Anyone wishing to submit comments may 
do so orally or in writing at the open house. Comments received at the 
open house will be recorded and transcribed into the public record for 
the open house. Commentors must provide their names and addresses. 
Spanish language translation will be provided. Those who plan to attend 
the public open house and will need special assistance, such as sign 
language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation, should 
notify the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT) at least 3 business days in advance. Include contact 
information, as well as information about specific needs. Those unable 
to attend may submit comments as described under ``Request for 
Comments'' below.

Request for Comments

    CBP requests public participation in the EIS process. The public 
may participate by attending the public open house and submitting 
comments on the Draft EIS. CBP will consider all comments submitted 
during the public comment period, and subsequently will prepare the 
Final EIS. CBP will announce the availability of the Final EIS and once 
again give interested parties an opportunity to review the document. 
When submitting comments, please include name and address, and identify 
comments as for the San Diego Sector EIS. Please use only one of the 
following methods:
    (a) Attendance and submission of comments at the Public Open House 
to be held January 17, 2008 at the San Diego Convention Center in San 
Diego, CA.
    (b) Electronically through the Web site at http://www.BorderFenceNEPA.com.
    (c) By e-mail to: [email protected].
    (d) By mail to: San Diego Sector Tactical Infrastructure EIS, c/o 
e\2\M, 2751 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200, Fairfax, Virginia 22031.
    (e) By fax to: (757) 257-7643.
Comments on the Draft EIS should be submitted by February 19, 2008.

    Dated: December 28, 2007.
Robert F. Janson,
Acting Executive Director, Asset Management, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection.
[FR Doc. E7-25589 Filed 1-3-08; 10:10 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P