Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction of an International Border Fence and Roads in San Diego, California [65 FR 1175] [FR2-00]

DOCUMENT NUMBER: FR2-00

FEDERAL REGISTER CITE: 65 FR 1175

DATE OF PUBLICATION: January 7, 2000

BILLING CODE: 4410-10

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immgration and Naturalization Service

[INS No. 2032-99]

Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction of an International Border Fence and Roads in San Diego, California

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

SUMMARY:

Proposed Action

The Immigration and Naturalization Service will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the construction of a secondary fence and patrol roads along the United States/Mexico border in the vicinity of San Diego, California. Related infrastructure includes north/south gate access, maintenance corridors, lighting, and remote video surveillance components. these actions are intended to gain and maintain control of the border to further prevent the influx of illegal entry and drugs into the United Sta tes.

Prior National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, developed to address those project portions which have been previously constructed, will be incorporated into the DESI by reference. Direct project impacts of the remaining portions of the project, as well as cumulative impacts of the comprehensive project, will also be addressed. Pursuant to the Council on environmental Quality’s regulations, a scoping process will be conducted. As part of this process, a public workshop/open house will be held to i dentify issues of concern for analysis during the NEPA process.

Alternatives

Alternatives to be covered by the DESI will include various alignments and configurations within the narrow geographic scope dictated by the international border. Other alternatives (to include the required “No Action” alternative) identified will also be fully examined.

Scoping Process

During the preparation of the EIS, there will be numerous opportunities for public involvement, including scoping and review.

DEIS Preparation

Public notice will be given in the Federal Register concerning the availability of the DESI for public review and comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manny Rodriguez, Chief, Policy and Planning, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Facilities and Engineering Branch, 425 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20536, Room 2060, Attn: Kevin Feeney, telephone: 202-353-9412, or Dr. Rebecca Griffith, INS Architecture Engineering Resource Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, 819 Taylor Street, Room 3A28, Fort Worth, Texas, 76102-0300, telephone: (817) 978-3389.

December 29, 1999 _________________ Dated:

Signed _______________________________ Doris Meissner, Commissioner,Immigration and Naturalization Service.