[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 165 (Thursday, August 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 43703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20702]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Construction of a New Land Port of Entry, International Falls, 
Koochiching County, Minnesota

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 analyze the potential 
impacts of the construction of a new Land Port of Entry (LPOE) facility 
in International Falls, Minnesota (the ``Proposed Action''). At the 
request of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the GSA is 
proposing to construct a new LPOE that meets U.S. Department of 
Homeland Security needs and the design requirements of the GSA. The 
existing LPOE, which was built in 1993, no longer meets the space and 
operational requirements of CBP or the Food and Drug Administration, a 
new tenant.

DATES: Effective Date: August 27, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions concerning the scope of the 
EIS should be sent to Glenn H. Wittman, Regional Environmental Quality 
Advisor, GSA Public Buildings Service, Design & Construction Division, 
230 S. Dearborn St., DCD-5PM, Chicago, Illinois 60604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Glenn H. Wittman by phone at (312) 353-
6871, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action has been defined and 
will include: (a) identification of land requirements, including 
acquisition of adjoining or nearby land; (b) construction of a main 
administration building, vehicle and cargo inspection areas, and 
ancillary support buildings; and (c) consequent potential alterations 
to secondary roads.
    Alternatives to be identified and studied will include alternative 
locations for the components of the LPOE including the buildings and 
inspection areas, the associated roadway network, and traffic. A No-
Action alternative will be studied that will evaluate the consequences 
of not constructing the new facility. This alternative is included to 
provide a basis for comparison to the action alternatives described 
above as required by NEPA regulations [40 CFR 1502.14(d)].
    The GSA invites individuals, organizations, and agencies to submit 
comments concerning the scope of the EIS. An informal open house 
followed by a formal presentation and public comment meeting will be 
held from 2:30--6:00 and 7:00-8:30 PM on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 
at Rainy River Community College, 1501 Highway 71, International Falls, 
MN. The public scoping period starts with the publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register and continues for 45 days from the date 
of this notice. The GSA will consider all comments received or 
postmarked by that date in defining the scope of the EIS.
    The GSA expects to issue a Draft EIS in 2009 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.

     August 18, 2009
J. David Hood,
Regional Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. E9-20702 Filed 8-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-A9-S