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Contact: David Elkowitz, 432-477-1108
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to re-open a crossing in the Boquillas area of the Rio Grande River and International border in Big Bend National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) is exploring issues associated with establishing and constructing a Port of Entry (POE) at the crossing between the U.S. and Mexico. A public comment period is open to 1) Share information about planning and environmental compliance for the project, and 2) accept written comments, views, and ideas on re-opening the border crossing and establishing a POE. The structure is intended to provide the facilities needed for a secure Class B POE for travel between the U.S. and Mexico, facilitate international cooperation in the management of natural areas of bi-national interest, and provide park visitors who wish to travel to or from Mexico through the POE with information about the area. In order to make informed decisions associated with the project, an environmental review examining potential effects associated with the project will be conducted. For this project, an environmental assessment (EA) will be prepared. This planning effort includes compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires opportunity for public participation and an analysis of environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives. The 30-day Public Comment period begins February 16 and ends March 16, 2011. Comments will be considered in development of the EA. The EA will be developed in coming months. To learn more about the proposal, the planning process, and to provide comments and identify issues for consideration, visit the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/bibe during the comment period. Written comments may be submitted on the PEPC website or may be sent to: Superintendent The EA will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500 et seq), and NPS Director's Order 12: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-making. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made public at any time. While you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. The public may view a public scoping newsletter and provide comments on the proposal at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BoquillasCrossing |
Last updated: February 24, 2015