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Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) [PDF - 39 MB]
Notice of Availability [PDF - 120 KB]
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) gives notice that it is publishing the Final Environmental Assessment and the Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed construction of a reconfigured, expanded, and fully modernized Land Port of Entry (LPOE) located immediately adjacent to the U.S.-Canada border, north of the village of Trout River, New York. The modernized facility will house Federal inspection operations involved in the processing of non-commercial and commercial vehicles and train passengers.
Pursuant to the provision of GSA Order ADM 1095.1f, this notice advises the public of GSA’s findings that the action described above will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
This notice is being issued in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact is available to the public at the GSA website: https://www.gsa.gov/
For further information please contact: Amanda Foley, GSA Environmental Protection Specialist, One World Trade Center, 55th floor, Room 55W09, New York, NY 10007; or by email at amanda.l.foley@gsa.gov.
Introduction
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. An 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.) and GSA’s Public Buildings Service NEPA Desk Guide.
The EA explains the need for the project, the alternatives that were considered to meet the need, the impacts that were identified, and how impacts will be minimized or mitigated. The anticipated impacts, mitigation of impacts, and other information discussed herein are incorporated by reference from the published EA.
Proposed Action
Under the Proposed Action, GSA will 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 majority of the proposed renovated LPOE will be located within the existing 1.75-acre site. Land acquisition of approximately 2.0 acres will also be required on the west side of the LPOE parcel (currently a vacant lot) to accommodate the west parking area, snow removal, and stormwater management. In addition, land acquisition will be required east of the existing facility to construct new inspection lanes, site lighting, and infrastructure located on the New York State (NYS) Route 30 right of way. The Proposed Action will impact previously disturbed land on four parcels that abut NYS Route 30, east of the existing facility. The Government will acquire these four parcels and demolish the existing structures, which total approximately 1.5 acres. During construction, the Trout River LPOE will close for 20 to 24 months and traffic will be diverted to the Fort Covington LPOE in Fort Covington, New York, and the Chateaugay LPOE in Chateaugay, New York. The Proposed Action will 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.
Purpose and Need
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 will 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 will also improve security and ensure that the Government 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 will bring the building up to current GSA Core Building Standards. The existing facility does not meet the Government’s needs due to its space constraints and limitations associated with its aging infrastructure.
Environmental Impacts
The EA examines the potential effects on water resources (surface waters and wetlands); cultural resources (archaeology and historical resources); socioeconomics; and traffic, transportation, and parking.
Under the Proposed Action, ground-disturbing activities, such as clearing, excavating, grading, and adding impervious surface for the modernized and expanded LPOE facility, will not result in direct or indirect permanent, adverse impacts on surface water resources, including wetlands. Although there are 0.28 acres of wetlands within the project area, permanent impacts are not anticipated because the modernized and expanded LPOE facility has been designed to avoid existing wetlands. Temporary adverse impacts to wetlands during construction of the modernized and expanded LPOE facility will be avoided through the implementation of construction best management practices for stormwater, erosion, and sediment control. Ground disturbance during construction could result in temporary, direct, adverse impacts on surface waters from increasing the potential for erosion and the transport of sediment into surrounding surface waters. Temporary, indirect, adverse impacts could result from the operation of construction equipment, which could increase the potential for accidental leaks or spills of fuel, lubricants, or other materials that could contaminate nearby surface waters. Additionally, increasing impervious surfaces could result in direct and indirect, long-term, adverse impacts from increased stormwater runoff. Implementation of stormwater best management practices and erosion control methods will avoid or minimize all potential impacts on surface water resources.
The Proposed Action will result in Historic Properties Affected under Section 106, as the Trout River Border Inspection Station is a listed property in the New York State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. However, GSA intends to undertake the project in a way to limit all potential impacts to the historic property and the New York State Historic Preservation Office concurred that the Proposed Action will have no adverse effect on historic properties. In addition, no adverse impacts to archaeological resources are expected to result from the Proposed Action. Therefore, no adverse impacts on cultural resources are anticipated to occur because of the Proposed Action.
The Proposed Action is anticipated to result in short- and long-term beneficial impacts to local employment and income through potential increases in temporary employment during construction and through potential permanent employment at the modernized and expanded LPOE facility.
The Proposed Action will result in long-term, beneficial impacts on parking and vehicular traffic. Short-term, adverse impacts on traffic are anticipated during construction of the proposed LPOE because of port closures. Beneficial impacts are expected in the long term through simpler traffic patterns and a more streamlined system for vehicles passing through the LPOE.
Many of these impacts will be associated with construction activities and will be temporary and relatively minor. All impacts, short and long term, will be less than significant. The EA identifies impact mitigation measures (e.g., avoidance, best management practices, and environmental compliance) to minimize potential environmental impacts.
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U.S. General Services Administration