San Diego Sector EIS
San Diego Sector Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Introduction
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to identify and assess the potential impacts associated with the proposed construction, operation, and maintenance of tactical infrastructure, to include pedestrian fence, access roads, and patrol roads, along approximately 4 miles of the U.S./Mexico international border within the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) San Diego Sector, California (the Proposed Action).
Final decisions on fence locations have not been made. The Draft EIS is one step in the decision-making process, and gives the public further opportunity to provide input to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP. While tactical infrastructure might not be constructed in all locations identified in the Draft EIS, for the purposes of completing the NEPA process, CBP is required to evaluate lands that have the potential to meet the purpose and need of the proposed action. DHS and CBP are committed to making every effort to comply with Federal environmental laws and be good stewards of the environment.
Download the Draft EIS
The Draft EIS can be downloaded in its entirety by clicking on the following link:
Or as individual sections by clicking on the following links:
Executive Summary (1MB)
Table of Contents (1 MB)
Section 1 and 2, Introduction and Proposed Action and Alternatives (2.5 MB)
Section 3, Affected Environment (1 MB)
Section 4, Environmental Consequences (1 MB)
Section 5, Mitigation and CEQA Findings (1 MB)
Section 6, Cumulative Impacts (1 MB)
Sections 7, 8, and 9, Acronyms, References, and List of Preparers (1 MB)
Appendix A. Standard Design for Tacitcal Infrastructure (1 MB)
Appendix B. Applicable Laws and Executive Orders (1 MB)
Appendix C. Draft EIS Scoping Summary Report (12 MB ZIP)
Appendix D. Public Comments on the DEIS (1 MB)
Appendix E. Detailed Maps of the Proposed Fence Sections Showing Land Use and Water (9 MB ZIP)
Appendix F. Air Quality Information (1 MB)
Appendix G. Detailed Maps of the Proposed Fende Sections Showing Soils (9 MB ZIP)
Appendix H. Draft Biological Survey Report (1 MB)
Appendix I. Draft Cultural Resources Survey Report (5 MB)
To request a hard copy of the Draft EIS, you may call toll-free (877) 752-0420. Alternatively, written requests for information may be submitted to: Charles McGregor, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Construction Support Office, 819 Taylor St., Room 3B10, Fort Worth, TX 76102; and fax: (757) 282-7697.
Libraries Where the Draft EIS was Available for Review
Copies of the Draft EIS were sent to the following libraries:
• Chula Vista Public Library - 365 F Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910, (619) 691-5069
• San Diego Central Library - 820 E St., San Diego, CA 92101, (619) 236-5800
• San Diego Otay Mesa-Nestor Branch Library - 3003 Coronado Ave., San Diego, CA 92154, (619) 424-0474
Public Participation
Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations, CBP invites public participation in the NEPA process. The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft EIS was published on January 4, and public comments were requested by February 19, 2008. CBP is now reviewing all comments on the Draft EIS submitted during the 45-day public comment period and will prepare the Final EIS. CBP will announce the availability of the Final EIS and will give interested parties an opportunity to review the Final EIS.
CBP hosted one public open house to provide information and invite comments on the Proposed Action and the Draft EIS. The public open house was held from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on January 17, 2008 at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA.
USBP agents and Draft EIS preparers were available during the open house. Anyone wishing to submit comments at the open house was able to do so orally or in writing. Comments received at the open house were recorded and will be considered in the preparation of the Final EIS. All comments received will become part of the public record. Questions should be directed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Construction Support Office, Attn: Charles McGregor, 819 Taylor Street, Room 3B10, Fort Worth, TX 76102; and fax: (757) 257-7643.
Request for Comments
The 45-day public comment period on the Draft EIS ended on February 19, 2008. Comments are accepted continually throughout the development of the EIS. Comments submitted after the close of the Draft EIS comment period will be taken into consideration during the Final EIS public comment period. When submitting comments, please include your name and address, and identify comments as intended for the San Diego Sector EIS. Please use only one of the following methods:
(a) Electronically through this website: SAN DIEGO SECTOR EIS COMMENT FORM
(b) By mail to: San Diego Sector Tactical Infrastructure EIS, c/o e²M, 2751 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200, Fairfax, Virginia 22031
(c) By fax to: (757) 257-7643
See the complete Notice of Availability (NOA) published in the Federal Register by clicking on the links below:
NOA Published by EPA
NOA Published by CBP
Scoping and Public Comments
Public scoping was conducted for the San Diego Sector EIS. Public scoping comments were accepted from January 4 through February 19, 2008 and were considered in the preparation of the Draft EIS. The purpose of the scoping process is to solicit public comments regarding the range of issues, including potential impacts and alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS. Public scoping is an open process for determining the scope of the EIS and identifying significant issues related to the Proposed Action.
The public scoping period and the Draft EIS public comment period are two of three opportunities for public comment. The third opportunity to comment will be a 30-day public comment period once the Final EIS is released. Comments on the Final EIS will contribute to the Record of Decision.