Notice2024-00138
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Modernization of the Land Port of Entry in Norton, Vermont
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 8, 2024
Issuing agencies
General Services Administration
Abstract
Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) GSA intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts from the proposed modernization of the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Norton, Vermont. The proposed project would allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to more efficiently carry out its agency mission at the international border crossing between Norton, Vermont and Stanhope, Quebec. The project study area is located in an area susceptible to flooding and therefore project alternatives will be reviewed in accordance with Executive Orders 11988, and 13690. GSA also intends to initiate consultation as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 5 (Monday, January 8, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 920-921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00138]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
[Notice-PBS-2024-01; Docket No. 2024-0002; Sequence No. 1]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Modernization of the Land Port of Entry in Norton, Vermont
AGENCY: Public Buildings Service (PBS), General Services Administration
(GSA).
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI); Announcement of meeting.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) GSA intends to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts
from the proposed modernization of the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in
Norton, Vermont. The proposed project would allow the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) to more efficiently carry out its agency
mission at the international border crossing between Norton, Vermont
and Stanhope, Quebec. The project study area is located in an area
susceptible to flooding and therefore project alternatives will be
reviewed in accordance with Executive Orders 11988, and 13690. GSA also
intends to initiate consultation as required by Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act.
DATES: Public Scoping--Interested parties are encouraged to provide
written comments regarding the scope of the EIS. Written comments must
be submitted to GSA by March 8, 2024 (see ADDRESSES section for where
to submit comments).
Meeting Date--A public scoping meeting will be held on January 30,
2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., EST, with a presentation to begin at
6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Norton Town Office (see
ADDRESSES section for location address). In the event of inclement
weather, the meeting will be rescheduled, and a new notice will be
posted.
Requests for Accommodations: Persons requiring accommodations shall
notify Kelly Morrison at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#642f0108081d4a090b16160d170b0a240317054a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8fc4eae3e3f6a1e2e0fdfde6fce0e1cfe8fceea1e8e0f9">[email protected]</span></a> by January 17, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Public Scoping Comments-- The public is encouraged to
provide written comments regarding the scope of the EIS at the meeting
and throughout the comment period. Submit comments by any of the
following methods:
In-person: Submit written comments at the public scoping meeting
via comment forms distributed at the meeting. There will be a
stenographer present to capture comments voiced at the meeting.
Email: Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b5574696f747535574b545e5b7c687a357c746d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0d43627f79626323415d42484d6a7e6c236a627b">[email protected]</span></a> and reference ``Norton
LPOE EIS'' in the subject line.
Mail: U.S. General Services Administration, Attention: U.S General
Services Administration, Attention: Adam Hunter, Norton Project
Manager, Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street,
11th Floor, Boston, MA 02222-1077.
Meeting Location--A public scoping meeting will be held at the
Norton Town Office, 12 VT-114 East, Norton, VT 05907.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Hunter, Norton Project Manager,
(347) 255-7483, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#debfbabfb3f0b6abb0aabbac9eb9adbff0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bddcd9dcd093d5c8d3c9d8cffddacedc93dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The project scope consists of the modernization of a LPOE in order
to meet the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) current Program of
Requirements to carry out their agency mission at the international
border crossing between Norton, Vermont and Stanhope, Quebec. The
existing LPOE was constructed in 1933, with a truck facility
constructed in 1961. Two additional garages were built in 2003. The
main building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The current facilities are significantly outdated and do not meet the
CBP's current LPOE design standards.
The proposed modernization of the Norton, Vermont LPOE would help
improve traffic flow, enhance security, and facilitate trade and travel
in the region. The proposed new facility will strengthen supply chains,
improve operational capabilities and facility infrastructure, spur
economic growth, and bolster the country's security.
Alternatives Under Consideration
GSA intends to prepare an EIS to analyze the potential
environmental impacts resulting from the proposed modernization of the
Norton, Vermont LPOE. The EIS will consider at a minimum, one
``action'' alternative and one ``no action'' alternative. The action
[[Page 921]]
alternative(s) will consist of modernizing the LPOE to improve public
and officer safety, and provide for the long-term, safe and efficient
flow of current and projected traffic volumes. The action
alternative(s) will be developed and refined based on resource impact
considerations, floodplain management, site and design logistics, and
information obtained through public scoping and agency consultation.
The EIS will address the potential environmental impacts of the
proposed alternatives on environmental resources which may include
aesthetics, air quality, geology and soils, hazardous materials,
hydrology and water quality, cultural resources, biological resources
including wetlands and threatened and endangered species, land use,
noise, utilities, and traffic. The EIS will also address the
socioeconomic effects of the project as well as impacts on
Environmental Justice populations.
Scoping Process
The views and comments of the public are necessary to help
determine the scope and content of the environmental analysis. The
scoping process will be accomplished through a public scoping meeting,
direct mail correspondence to appropriate federal, state, and local
agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously
expressed or are known to have an interest in the project. Agencies and
the public are encouraged to attend the public scoping meeting and
provide written comments regarding the scope of the EIS. There will be
a project presentation at 6:00 p.m. with a public comment period to
follow. After the meeting GSA will post the following items at the
project website, <a href="http://gsa.gov/norton">gsa.gov/norton</a>.
<bullet> Meeting handouts
<bullet> Presentation slide deck
<bullet> Meeting transcript
<bullet> Audio/video of the meeting with closed captions
See information provided above for dates, addresses, and contact
information.
Patrick Sbardelli,
Director, LPOE Project Management Office; Design and Construction
Division, U.S. General Services Administration, PBS New England Region.
[FR Doc. 2024-00138 Filed 1-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-RB-P
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