[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 59 (Monday, March 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14127-14128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7158]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Reconfiguration and Expansion of the San Luis I Land Port of Entry

AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration.

ACTION: Notice of intent with request for comments.

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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 reconfiguration and expansion of the San Luis I Land Port of Entry 
(LPOE) in San Luis, Arizona.
    The proposed action is for GSA to reconfigure the existing downtown 
San Luis LPOE and expand it to improve its functionality, capacity, and 
security. The San Luis I LPOE was built in 1984 and is operated by the 
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP). The facility currently handles all traffic modes, 
including commercial vehicles, buses, privately operated vehicles 
(POVs), and pedestrians. However, the existing facility is inadequate 
relative to CBP's security standards and is incapable of adequately 
handling current and projected traffic volumes. GSA therefore is 
proposing to reconfigure and expand the existing San Luis I LPOE so 
that it may continue to serve POV's, buses and pedestrians. GSA is 
currently constructing San Luis II LPOE that will become the commercial 
port of entry for Yuma County, which it expects to complete in late 
2009 at which time the commercial operations at San Luis I will cease.
    GSA proposes to expand the current port by utilizing the vacated 
commercial space and acquiring approximately one

[[Page 14128]]

acre of land along the eastern boundary of the LPOE, and approximately 
one acre along the western boundary of the LPOE. This expansion will 
mitigate traffic congestion in the port and allow an increase of the 
number of inspection lanes and employee parking. The expansion and 
reconfiguration of the LPOE will accommodate 11 primary booths for 
northbound inspection and allow for the future accommodation of four 
additional booths, including one booth for U.S./Mexico Emergency 
Vehicle pathway. The current six primary northbound U.S. entry lanes 
will be converted into three primary booths for U.S. entry for bus/high 
occupancy vehicles/recreational vehicles (HOV/RV) and bicycles. 
Southbound vehicle inspection lanes will be expanded from two to three 
lanes and four adjacent secondary inspection stalls will be 
constructed. Under the proposed action, a new headhouse facility will 
be constructed, administrative offices will be renovated, and 
pedestrian processing facilities would be expanded. Roadway 
modifications within the port will be conducted to improve traffic 
movement through the port and to enhance pedestrian safety. These 
modifications will also allow for establishment of an emergency route 
through the port.
    The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts 
associated with alternatives to implement the proposed action, 
including the No Action Alternative:
    Alternative 1: Reconfigure the existing San Luis I LPOE and expand 
facilities through acquisition of approximately one acre of adjacent 
land to the west and approximately one acre of adjacent land to the 
east.
    No Action Alternative: Continue operations in the existing LPOE 
facilities as they are currently configured. This alternative is 
included to provide a basis of comparison to the action alternative as 
required by NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1002.14[d]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public scoping period starts with 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will continue 
for 45 days from the date of the notice. GSA will consider all comments 
received or post-marked by that date in defining the scope of the EIS.
    A public scoping meeting will be held to provide the public with an 
opportunity to present comments, ask questions, and discuss concerns 
regarding the scope of the EIS with GSA representatives. GSA will hold 
a public scoping meeting on April 14, 2009 at the San Luis City Hall 
Council Chambers, 1090 E. Union Street from 4 to 7 p.m.

DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments on or before 
May 14, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the scope of the EIS should be 
sent to GSA San Luis Scoping, c/o Parsons, 1700 Broadway Suite 900, 
Denver, CO 80290 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Sheehan by phone at (415) 522-
3601 or by e-mail at [email protected].

    Dated: March 20, 2009.
Abdee Gharavi,
Portfolio Division Director, 9PT.
 [FR Doc. E9-7158 Filed 3-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-YF-P