[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 9 (Thursday, January 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 2145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-559]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Construction of a New Land Port of Entry in International 
Falls, Koochiching County, MI

AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, GSA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and its implementing regulations, the U.S. General Services 
Administration (GSA), Great Lakes Region, announces the availability of 
a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) assessing the 
potential impacts of a proposed new land port of entry (LPOE) in 
International Falls, Minnesota (the ``Proposed Action''). At the 
request of Customs and Border Protection, the GSA is proposing to 
construct and operate a larger improved LPOE which meets the needs of 
the Federal Inspection Services and the design requirements of the GSA.
    The existing facilities are undersized and functionally obsolete 
and, consequently, incapable of fully providing the level of security 
now required. The Proposed Action includes: (a) Identification of land 
requirements, including property acquisition; (b) demolition of 
existing government structures at the existing LPOE; (c) construction 
of a main administration building and ancillary support buildings; and 
(d) incorporation of the principles of sustainable design through the 
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating 
System of the U.S. Green Building Council.
    The Proposed Action would improve the operational efficiency, 
safety, and security for federal agency personnel and cross-border 
travelers at International Falls, Minnesota. The specific objectives 
are to:

 Increase vehicle and pedestrian processing efficiency and 
capacity
 Reduce traffic queues and delays approaching the LPOE from 
both directions
 Minimize conflict points among different types of traffic 
crossing the border (passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, trains, 
buses, and pedestrians)
 Add a functional secondary inspection area for commercial 
vehicles
 Accommodate future demands and new safety and security 
technologies and border initiatives

    Alternatives being studied include alternative locations and 
layouts for the components of the LPOE that are identified in the 
concurrent GSA feasibility study including the main administration and 
ancillary support buildings, the associated transportation network, and 
parking. A no-build alternative also is being studied that evaluates 
the consequences of not constructing the LPOE. This alternative is 
included to provide a basis for comparison to the action alternatives 
described above as required by the NEPA regulations (40 CFR 
1002.14(d)).
    The GSA invites individuals, organizations and agencies to submit 
comments concerning the content and findings of the Draft EIS. The 
public comment 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. The GSA will consider and respond to comments 
received on the Draft EIS in preparing the Final EIS. The GSA expects 
to issue the Final EIS by Spring 2010 at which time its availability 
will be announced in the Federal Register and local media.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the Draft EIS should be sent to 
Glenn Wittman, Regional Environmental Quality Advisor, U.S. General 
Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, Design & 
Construction Division, 230 South Dearborn Street, Room 3600, Chicago, 
IL 60604.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public comment period provides 
stakeholders with an opportunity to comment on the content and findings 
of the EIS for the Proposed Action. Copies are being distributed to 
selected stakeholders and are available for public review at the 
International Falls Public Library, the International Falls Area 
Chamber of Commerce, and the Koochiching County Administration Office.

    Dated: January 7, 2010.
J. David Hood,
Regional Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-559 Filed 1-13-10; 8:45 am]
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