[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49177-49178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12700]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[Notice-PBS-2024-06; Docket No. 2024-0002; Sequence No. 27]


Notice of Availability for the Record of Decision on the 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the International Falls 
Land Port of Entry Modernization and Expansion Project in International 
Falls, Minnesota

AGENCY: Great Lakes Region 5, Public Buildings Service (PBS), General 
Services Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: GSA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the International Falls Land 
Port of Entry (LPOE) Modernization and Expansion Project in 
International Falls, Minnesota (MN), on May 30, 2024. The ROD was 
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, and 
the GSA PBS NEPA Desk Guide.

DATES: Applicable: Thursday, May 30, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The ROD may be found online at the following website: 
https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/gsa-regions/region-5-great-lakes/buildings-and-facilities/minnesota/international-falls-land-port-of-entry.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Gonczar, NEPA Program Manager, 
GSA, at 312-810-2326, or via email to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The International Falls LPOE is a port of entry for vehicles and 
pedestrians crossing the U.S.-Canada border between International 
Falls, MN and the town of Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. The port is 
operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and 
Border Protection (CBP) and is a full-service, multi-modal facility 
where CBP officers inspect commercially owned vehicles (COVs), 
privately owned vehicles (POVs), and pedestrians.
    The International Falls LPOE Improvements Study Final EIS, released 
in 2011, assessed the potential environmental impacts associated with 
the proposed action of replacing the International Falls LPOE with a 
new LPOE facility ``to improve safety, security, and functionality.'' A 
total of ten build alternatives were considered, and a preferred action 
alternative was identified in the 2011 Final EIS as best satisfying the 
purpose and need of the project with the least overall adverse impacts 
to the environment. The 2011 preferred alternative consisted of 
demolishing the existing building, constructing new facilities at the 
existing LPOE, and expanding the LPOE to meet the required space 
standards and increased security requirements of the Federal Inspection 
Services. The 2011 preferred alternative proposed to move the majority 
of the LPOE improvements and operations to an approximately 20-acre 
site southeast of the existing site. Since 2011, GSA identified changes 
to the project, which differed from the preferred alternative described 
in the 2011 EIS. As such, GSA prepared a Final SEIS to assess the 
potential impacts of project updates, which were not assessed in the 
2011 EIS.
    The purpose of the Proposed Action is for GSA to support CBP's 
mission by bringing the International Falls LPOE operations in line 
with current land port design standards and operational requirements of 
CBP while addressing existing deficiencies identified with the ongoing 
port operations. In order to bring the International Falls LPOE 
operations in line with CBP's design standards and operational 
requirements, the Proposed Action is needed to (1) improve the capacity 
and functionality of the International Falls LPOE to meet future 
demand, while maintaining the capability to meet border security 
initiatives; (2) address spatial and layout constraints that lead to 
traffic congestion and safety issues for the employees and users of the 
LPOE; and (3) provide adequate space and facilities for the Federal 
agencies to accomplish their missions.
    On December 9, 2022, GSA published a Notice of Intent for the SEIS 
and underwent a 35-day scoping period. A Draft SEIS and Draft 
Floodplain Assessment and Statement of Findings were issued over a 45-
day public comment period on October 27, 2023; and a Final SEIS and 
Floodplain Assessment and Statement of Findings were issued over a 30-
day waiting period on April 19, 2024.
    Comments received, along with GSA's responses, during the Final 
SEIS waiting period are provided in Appendix A and B of the ROD.

Preferred Alternative

    GSA has chosen to implement Alternative 1: Full Build as defined in 
the Final SEIS (GSA, April 2024). This decision is based on the Final 
SEIS issued in April 2024; associated technical reports; comments from 
Federal and State agencies, stakeholders, members of the public, and 
elected officials; and miscellaneous resources contained in the 
administrative record.
    Alternative 1 (Full Build) includes the project as generally 
assessed under the 2011 preferred alternative but modified by project 
updates. Similar to the 2011 preferred alternative, Alternative 1 
proposed expansion area encompasses an approximately 20-acre area that 
stretches east from the LPOE along the Rainy River shoreline to an area 
just west of a U.S. Border Patrol Station and primarily bordered by 
State Route 11 (SR-11) on the south. Approximately 16 and 4 acres are 
owned by the Packing Corporation of America (PCA) and Recreational Land 
Development, LLC, respectively. Most of the LPOE functions will be 
relocated in the expanded portion of the parcel between the Rainy River 
and SR-11. A construction phasing plan will be developed during design 
and implemented during demolition and construction to ensure continuity 
of operations of the LPOE, as well as minimize disruptions to PCA and 
other neighboring operations.

[[Page 49178]]

    To prepare the proposed expansion area for development, some 
existing utilities and PCA infrastructure will need to be accommodated 
in a new way, either within the LPOE via easements or moved off site to 
the west or south on PCA-owned land. Project changes have triggered the 
reconfiguration of some of the existing PCA operations on PCA lands and 
will require relocation of some infrastructure associated with PCA, the 
MD&W Railway, and OfficeMax. Relocation of utilities and infrastructure 
may be conducted by either GSA or PCA, depending on final acquisition 
negotiations. Actions taken by PCA are considered as connected actions 
to the Proposed Action.
    Alternative 1 also considers the implementation of renewable energy 
technologies within the expanded and modernized LPOE. These 
technologies were not considered in the 2011 Final EIS but have since 
been proposed for inclusion in future site plans. Renewable 
technologies that may be incorporated into the facility design include 
solar and geothermal technologies, depending on the final design.
    GSA is currently undergoing formal consultation with the State 
Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and consulting parties to follow 
coordination procedures as required under Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act. GSA intends on implementing and complying 
with all mitigation measures resulting from section 106 consultation as 
detailed in the ROD.

William Renner,
Director, Facilities Management and Services Programs Division, Great 
Lakes Region 5, U.S. General Services Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-12700 Filed 6-10-24; 8:45 am]
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