Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) [PDF - 2.7 MB] [PDF - 2 MB]
Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meeting [PDF - 299 KB] [PDF - 299 KB]
The General Services Administration (GSA) announces the availability for public review of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Trout River Land Port of Entry for the proposed construction of an expanded and modernized Land Port of Entry immediately adjacent to the U.S.-Canada border at the corner of State Route 30 and County Route 20 in Trout River, New York. The Draft EA is available for a 30-calendar-day public review period ending on December 14, 2024 and can be accessed from the link above and at the following local library:
- Wead Library, 144 Lake Street, Rouses Point, 64 Elm Street, in Malone, New York (12953).
A virtual public meeting regarding the proposed project will be held at 6:00 p.m. on November 21, 2024. The website to access the meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88920475580?pwd=YjhqXyABMQS1SqdUF4GvX0S3yeJYQH.1 Webinar ID: 8892047 5580#, Passcode: 161428 or by telephone at 929-205-6099, Passcode: 061428#. Interested parties are invited to attend to learn about the project and submit questions and comments.
Interested parties can submit all comments via email or via U.S. Postal Service and must be received or postmarked before midnight on December 14, 2024. Any questions or comments should be sent to Thomas Burke, GSA NEPA Program Manager, One World Trade Center, 55th Floor, Room 55W09, New York, NY, 10007, thomas.w.burke@gsa.gov.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) proposes to reconfigure, expand, and fully modernize the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) located north of the village of Trout River, New York. This environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared as required in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([NEPA]; 42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations 1500–1508) (CEQ 1978), and GSA’s Public Building Services NEPA Desk Guide (GSA 1999). This EA is required to determine whether the Proposed Action would have significant environmental impacts.
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The purpose of the project is to reconfigure, expand, and fully modernize the Trout River LPOE. The Proposed Action is intended to address operational inefficiencies, increase inspection rates, improve traffic flow, and accommodate the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection (CBP) request for more space to accommodate additional support staff, functional program areas, and additional parking. The Proposed Action would improve efficiency for travelers and for Federal agency staff but is not expected to increase the volume of traffic through the LPOE. The Proposed Action would also improve security and ensure that CBP has the accommodations necessary to carry out its mission. The Proposed Action is needed to bring the LPOE into compliance with Federal infrastructure and security requirements and support the Government’s mission. The proposed project would bring the building up to current GSA Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service (P100). The existing facility does not meet the Government’s needs due to its space constraints and limitations associated with its aging infrastructure.
Description of the Proposed Action and Alternatives
Under the Proposed Action, GSA would award a contract to modernize and expand the existing Trout River LPOE with new facilities connecting to the existing building including a new outbuilding to house the fire suppression system, water storage tank, and the emergency generator. The Proposed Action would bring the LPOE into compliance with current Federal infrastructure and security requirements and provide additional staff workspace, functional program areas, and adequate parking to meet the Government’s operational requirements. The EA analyzes two alternatives—the Proposed Action Alternative and the No-Action Alternative. Under the No-Action Alternative, GSA would not modernize or expand the Trout River LPOE facility. The existing facility would continue to operate in its current condition.
Environmental Impacts
The affected environment of the Proposed Action Alternative site and its immediate surroundings is discussed in Section 3 of this EA. The potential direct and indirect effects of implementing the Proposed Action and the No-Action Alternative are also identified in Section 3. Resource areas evaluated in this EA are water resources, including surface waters and wetlands; cultural resources, including archaeology and historical resources; socioeconomics and environmental justice; and traffic, transportation, and parking. No significant impacts on these resources were identified.
U.S. General Services Administration