Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 40601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18639]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Public Buildings Service; Region 10


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

agency: General Service Administration (GSA).

action: The U.S. General Service Administration (GSA) hereby gives 
notice that it intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969, and the President's Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), for the construction of a 
new Port of Entry facility at Peace Arch in Blaine, Whatcom County, 
Washington.

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procedures: This project is at the feasibility stage and has not been 
approved by Congress. The scoping meeting is being held at this time to 
ensure that all significant environmental issues are identified and 
thoroughly studied as part of the environmental analysis. When the 
prospectus for the project is submitted to Congress for approval and 
funding, it will take into consideration these significant issues. When 
the project is approved by Congress, the EIS will be prepared based 
upon the scoping report. The EIS will evaluate the proposed project, 
including all reasonable alternatives identified through the scoping 
process and a no-action alternative. Scoping will be accomplished 
through direct mailing correspondence to interested persons, agencies, 
and organizations and through a Public Scoping Meeting. The public 
scoping meeting will be held on August 11th, 1999 at the Peace Arch 
State Park, Kitchen Shelter meeting room, Blaine, WA, (tel. 360-332-
8221) at 6:30 p.m. following an open house beginning at 6:00 p.m. GSA 
will publish a public notice of the meeting in Blaine newspapers 
approximately two weeks prior to the events.
    Public meetings will be held after the release of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement and GSA will respond to all relevant 
comments received during the 45-day public comment period in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement. After a minimum 30-day period following 
publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement GSA will issue 
a Record of Decision that will identify the alternative selected.

supplementary information: GSA, assisted by Herrera Environmental 
Consultants, will prepared the Environmental Impact Statement to 
acquire land, design, and construct a new Peace Arch Port of Entry 
Facility. GSA will serve as the lead agency and scoping will be 
conducted consistent with NEPA regulations and guidelines. GSA invites 
interested individuals, organizations, and federal, state, and local 
agencies to participate in defining and identifying any significant 
impacts and issues to be studied in the EIS, including social, 
economic, or environmental concerns. Scoping will be limited to 
identifying significant issues to be analyzed in the environmental 
document and commenting on alternatives and the merit of the proposal.

Project Purpose, Historical Background, and Description

    The US Customs, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and Dept. 
of Agriculture are currently located in the existing Peace Arch Port of 
Entry facility. The existing facility does not currently meet the 
tenant agencies space requirement due to the present configuration of 
the site. The existing facility cannot be adapted to accommodate the 
required space needs of the agency tenants.

Alternatives

    The EIS will examine the short- and long-term impacts on the 
natural and physical environment. The impact assessment will include 
but not be limited to impacts such as social environment, changes in 
land use, aesthetics, changes in traffic and parking patterns, economic 
impacts, and consideration of city planning and zoning requirements.
    The EIS will examine measures to mitigate significant adverse 
impacts resulting from the proposed action. Concurrent with NEPA 
implementation, GSA will also implement its consultation 
responsibilities under section 106 of the National Historical 
Preservation Act to identify potential impacts to existing historic or 
cultural resources.
    The EIS will consider a no-action alternative and action 
alternatives. The no-action alternative would continue the occupancy in 
the existing Peace Arch Port of Entry facility in Blaine. The action 
alternatives will consist of three different configurations for 
construction of a new port of entry facility.

addresses: In addition to the public scoping process, you may send 
written comments on the scope of alternatives and potential impacts to 
the following address: Michael D. Levine, Regional Environmental 
Program Manager, 10PCB, General Service Administration, 400 15th Street 
SW, Auburn, WA, 98001, or fax: Michael D. Levine at 253-931-7308, or e-
mail at [email protected] Written comments should be received no 
later than September 10, 1999.

for further information contact: Peter Sparhawk at Herrera 
Environmental Consultants, 2200 Sixth Ave., Suite 601, Seattle, 
Washington, 98121 or call 206-441-9080; or Michael D. Levine, GSA (253) 
931-7263.

mailing list: If you wish to be placed on the project mailing list to 
receive further information at the EIS process develops, contact Peter 
Sparhawk at the address noted above.

    Dated: July 13, 1999.
William Dubray,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc 99-18639 Filed 7-26-99; 8:45 am]
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