[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 217 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77587-77588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24927]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[Notice-PBS-2023-04; Docket No. 2023-0002; Sequence No. 23]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Notice of Public Scoping Meeting and Comment Period

AGENCY: Office of Public Buildings Service (PBS), General Services 
Administration (GSA)

ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of public scoping meeting and comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: GSA intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
which will be prepared in order to analyze potential environmental 
impacts from the proposed modernization of the Bridge of the Americas 
Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in El Paso, Texas.

DATES: Public Scoping--The public scoping period will begin November 
13, 2023.
    Meeting Date--An initial public scoping meeting will be held on 
Wednesday December 13, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. central standard 
time (CST), where GSA will meet with governmental and public 
stakeholders to explain the project and obtain input on the scoping of 
the project. The meeting will be an informal open house, where visitors 
may come, receive information, and provide written comments. There will 
be a brief opening statement and review of the project.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide written comments 
regarding the scope of the proposed EIS. Written comments pertaining to 
this initial public scoping meeting must be received by Tuesday, 
January 16, 2024, in order to be considered during preparation of the 
Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: The initial public scoping meeting will be held at the Hilos 
De Plata Senior Center, 4451 Delta Dr., El Paso, Texas 79905.
    Written comments may be sent to GSA [email protected], or 
the address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karla R. Carmichael, NEPA Program 
Manager, Environmental, Fire and Safety & Health Branch, GSA/PBS, 
Facilities Management and Services Programs Division, Greater Southwest 
Region 7, 819 Taylor St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 or via telephone at 817-
822-1372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 77588]]

Background

    On November 6, 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure 
Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
(IIJA). On November 15, 2021, the President signed Executive Order 
(E.O.) 14052 ``Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act.'' On December 13, 2021, the President signed E.O. 14508 
``Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to 
Rebuild Trust in Government.'' On February 25, 2022, President Biden 
and the GSA announced the list of major LPOE projects funded by the 
BIL. This included the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) LPOE in El Paso, 
Texas.
    The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared in 
accordance with section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 to 4370d), as 
implemented by the regulations promulgated by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500-
1508). The principal objectives of NEPA are to ensure the careful 
consideration of environmental aspects of proposed actions in Federal 
decision-making processes and to make environmental information 
available to decision makers and the public before decisions are made 
and actions are taken.
    Additionally, this EIS will be prepared in accordance with GSA NEPA 
guidelines (GSA Order ADM 1095.1F and the Public Buildings Service 
[PBS] NEPA Desk Guide, both dated October 1999) and serves as a 
mechanism for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act 
(NHPA) of 1966 (as amended) and other relevant laws and/or regulations.

Scoping Process

    The purpose of this initial public scoping meeting is to seek input 
from stakeholders and the public regarding potential environmental 
issues that could affect the proposed project. The EIS will include 
public input on alternatives being developed to implement the proposed 
improvements and the potential impacts that could result from 
implementing those improvements.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the proposed action is for the GSA to support the 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mission by bringing the BOTA 
LPOE infrastructure in line with current CBP land port design standards 
(i.e., CBP Land Port of Entry Design Standard) and operational 
requirements while addressing existing deficiencies identified with the 
ongoing port operations. In order to bring the BOTA LPOE in line with 
CBP's design standards and operational requirements, action is needed 
to satisfy the following overriding needs:
     Improve the capacity and functionality of the LPOE to meet 
future public demand, while maintaining the capability to meet border 
security initiatives.
     Ensure the safety and security for the employees and the 
travelling public.

Proposed Action and Alternatives Development

    As part of initial project planning, the GSA has developed three 
(3) action alternatives as potential means of implementing the proposed 
action. The no action alternative will also be considered in the EIS. 
All three action alternatives include the phased razing of all existing 
buildings/structures and infrastructure within the existing LPOE 
boundaries and construction of new buildings/structures and supporting 
infrastructure. All three also include minimal land acquisition in 
areas immediately adjacent to the port.

Summary of Potential Impacts

    The EIS will identify, describe, and analyze the potential effects 
of the action alternatives developed to implement the proposed action 
and the no action alternative. This will include direct, indirect, and 
cumulative effects. At present, GSA has identified the following 
resources/issues for analysis of both beneficial and adverse potential 
impacts:

 Hazardous Materials, Waste, and/or Site Contamination
 Socioeconomics (including Environmental Justice)
 Public Services, Infrastructure, and Utilities
 Surface Waters, Drainage, and Floodplains
 Land Use and Zoning (including Visual and Aesthetics)
 Traffic (Vehicular and Pedestrian), Transportation, and 
Parking
 Air Quality (including Greenhouse Gas Emissions)
 Noise and Vibration
 Cultural and Historic Resources

    The EIS will document measures that could potentially avoid, 
minimize, or mitigate any identified adverse impacts. GSA welcomes 
public input on these potential impacts and other resources that could 
be considered.

Anticipated Schedule for Decision-Making Process

    All dates are estimated and may change.
     EIS NOI published in the Federal Register: Friday November 
17, 2023.
     Initial NEPA Scoping Meeting: Wednesday December 13, 2023.
     End of Initial NEPA Scoping Period: Tuesday January 16, 
2024.
     Publication of the Draft EIS: May-June 2024 TBD.
     Draft EIS Public Comment Period: June-August 2024 TBD.
     Final EIS: September 2024 TBD.
     Record of Decision: October 2024 TBD.

Michael Clardy,
Director, Facilities Management Division.
[FR Doc. 2023-24927 Filed 11-9-23; 8:45 am]
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