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Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Implementation of Border Barriers for Enforcement Initiatives in Arizona

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: August 1, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 148)]
[Notices]
[Page 46953]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01au00-83]

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

[INS No. 2082-00]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for the Implementation of Border Barriers for Enforcement
Initiatives in Arizona

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Justice.

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

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SUMMARY:

Proposed Action

    In furtherance of its mission to gain and maintain control of the
Arizona border, in 1994, the INS launched Operation Safeguard, an
aggressive initiative that brought new agents, equipment, and
technology to the Tucson Border Patrol Sector. The goal of Operation
Safeguard is to heighten deterrence and improve control along the
nearly 300 miles of international border in Arizona. The aim of INS'
comprehensive border enforcement effort, which includes Operation
Gatekeeper in California and Operations Hold the Line and Rio Grande in
Texas, is to reduce the adverse effects of illegal immigration and
improve the quality of life for residents along the immediate border
and throughout the nation. The INS will now expand Operation Safeguard
by utilizing new resources and technology within the following Arizona
Border Patrol stations: Ajo/Why, Casa Grande, Douglas, Naco, Nogales,
Sonoita, Tucson, Wellton, Wilcox, and Yuma. The enhancements will
bolster the efforts to ensure the safety of migrants, ranchers, and
local residents, as well as provide increased safety of operations for
agents. Enhancement will include, but not be limited to, additional
Border Patrol personnel, support vehicles, air support, border
barriers, lighting, border road improvements, and remote video
surveillance systems.

Alternatives

    In developing the DEIS, the options of no action and alternatives
for Operation Safeguard will be fully and thoroughly examined.

Scoping Process

    During the preparation of the DEIS, there will be numerous
opportunities for public involvement in order to determine the
environmental issues to be examined. The meetings will be well
publicized and held at a time which will make it possible for the
public and interested agencies or organizations to attend. Scoping
meetings will be held in Douglas, Tucson, Yuma, and Nogales, Arizona.
Notice of the Scoping meetings will be published in local newspapers
prior to the meetings indicating the date, time, and location of each
Scoping meeting.

DEIS Preparation

    Public notice will be published in the Federal Register concerning
the availability of the DEIS for public review and comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manny Rodriguez, Chief Policy and
Planning, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Facilities and
Engineering Branch, 425 I Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20536, Room
2060, Telephone: 202-353-0383.

    Dated: July 25, 2000.
Doris Meissner,
Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 00-19335 Filed 7-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-M

 
 

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