Notice2024-12700
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
Primary source
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Published
June 11, 2024
Issuing agencies
General Services Administration
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 113 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49177-49178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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:
<a href="https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/gsa-regions/region-5-great-lakes/buildings-and-facilities/minnesota/international-falls-land-port-of-entry">https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/gsa-regions/region-5-great-lakes/buildings-and-facilities/minnesota/international-falls-land-port-of-entry</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Gonczar, NEPA Program Manager,
GSA, at 312-810-2326, or via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ef3f7fdf6fffbf2b0f9f1f0fde4ffecdef9edffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bcd1d5dfd4ddd9d092dbd3d2dfc6ddcefcdbcfdd92dbd3ca">[email protected]</span></a>.
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]
BILLING CODE 6820-CF-P
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