Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at Land and Sea Ports of Entry, 34710-34711 [E7-12274]

Download as PDF 34710 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 121 / Monday, June 25, 2007 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection [USCBP–2007–0060] [CBP Dec. 07–33] Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at Land and Sea Ports of Entry Re-Accreditation of Dixie Services, Inc., as a Commercial Laboratory U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: Notice of re-accreditation of Dixie Services, Inc., of Galena Park, Texas, as an accredited commercial laboratory. ACTION: Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 19 CFR 151.12, Dixie Services, Inc., 1706 First Street, Galena Park, Texas 77547, has been reaccredited to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with the provisions of 19 CFR 151.12. Anyone wishing to employ this entity to conduct laboratory analysis should request and receive written assurances from the entity that it is accredited or approved by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to conduct the specific test requested. Alternatively, inquiries regarding the specific tests this entity is accredited to perform may be directed to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection by calling (202) 344–1060. The inquiry may also be sent to https://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/ operations_support/labs_scientific_svcs/ org_and_operations.xml SUMMARY: The re-accreditation of Dixie Services, Inc., as an accredited laboratory became effective on October 4, 2006. The next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for October 2009. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eugene J. Bondoc, Ph.D, or Randall Breaux, Laboratories and Scientific Services, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 1500N, Washington, DC 20229, 202–344–1060. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Dated: June 18, 2007. Ira S. Reese, Executive Director, Laboratories and Scientific Services. [FR Doc. E7–12283 Filed 6–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 23:08 Jun 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 This Notice of Availability announces that a draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) at land and sea ports of entry is available for public review and comment. The draft PEA documents a review of the potential environmental impacts from changes to technology and operations to meet the requirements for standardized, secure travel documents under WHTI. DATES: The draft PEA will be available for public review and comment for a period of 30 days beginning on the date this document is published in the Federal Register. Copies of the draft PEA may be obtained by telephone request (202–344–1589) or by accessing the following Internet addresses: https://www.cbp.gov/travel and https:// www.regulations.gov. Comments regarding the draft PEA may be submitted as set forth in the ADDRESSES section of this document. ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft PEA may be obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the Internet at https://www.cbp.gov/travel and https://www.regulations.gov or by writing to: CBP, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4C, Attn: WHTI Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC 20229. You may submit comments on the draft PEA, by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Comments by mail are to be addressed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4C, Attn: WHTI Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC 20229. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and draft PEA docket number ‘‘USCBP–2007–0060.’’ All comments will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 including any personal information sent with each comment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Howard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4C, Washington, DC 20229, 202–344–1589, e-mail address: Patrick.Howard@associates.dhs.gov, or Pat Sobol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4C, Washington, DC 20229, 202–344–1381, e-mail address: Pat.Sobol@dhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), as amended, provides that upon full implementation, U.S. citizens and Bermudian, Canadian and Mexican citizens and nationals would be required to present a passport or such alternative documents as the Secretary of Homeland Security designates as satisfactorily establishing identity and citizenship upon entering the United States. In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to be published in the Federal Register, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS) describe the second phase of a joint plan, known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), to implement these new requirements. The NPRM proposes the specific documents that U.S. citizens and nonimmigrant aliens from Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico would be required to present when entering the United States at sea and land ports-ofentry from Western Hemisphere countries. DHS and CBP have analyzed the potential impacts on the human environment of several alternate ways of implementing WHTI based on technological and operational considerations as part of the decisionmaking process regarding the implementation of WHTI at sea and land ports of entry. The impact analysis in the draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA), as explained in the report, focuses primarily on the effects of implementing WHTI at land ports of entry because the land environment is the most sensitive to the proposed document and technological changes associated with implementation of WHTI.1 1 Changes to processing travelers at sea ports of entry would happen entirely within existing E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 121 / Monday, June 25, 2007 / Notices Four technological and operational alternatives are analyzed in the PEA that meet the requirements to define and process secure, standardized travel documents under WHTI. The four alternatives are: (1) Maintaining the status quo by continuing current processes for assessing individuals with multiple documents; (2) implementing standardized features and limiting the number of documents accepted for entry into the United States; (3) defining and enhancing a limited number of standardized acceptable documents with machine readable zone (MRZ) technology; and/or (4) defining and enhancing a limited number of standardized acceptable documents with MRZ and radio-frequency identification (RFID) technologies at the top volume land ports of entry. The potential impacts evaluated include air quality, noise, and environmental justice, among others. Next Steps sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES This process is being conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 5100.1, Environmental Planning Program of April 19, 2006. Substantive comments concerning environmental impacts received from the public and agencies during the comment period will be evaluated to determine whether further environmental impact review is needed in order to publish the final PEA. Should CBP determine that the implementation of the proposed action or alternatives would not have a significant impact on the environment, it will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI would be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general circulation in border areas along the border with both Canada and Mexico. Should CBP determine that significant environmental impacts exist due to the plan, CBP would proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Dated: June 19, 2007. Thomas S. Winkowski, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations. [FR Doc. E7–12274 Filed 6–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P buildings and other infrastructure, so no environmental impacts are anticipated. VerDate Aug<31>2005 23:08 Jun 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Rice Lake and Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuges, Aitkin, Pine, and Mille Lacs Counties, MN Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability: Draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment for Rice Lake and Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/EA, we describe how we propose to manage these refuges for the next 15 years. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by July 30, 2007. Open house style meetings will be held during the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft plan. Special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other media announcements will inform people of the meetings and opportunities for written comments. ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any of the following methods. You may also drop off comments in person at Rice Lake NWR. • Agency Web site: View or download a copy of the document and comment at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ RiceLake/. • E-mail: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Rice Lake Draft CCP/EA’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: 218–768–3040. • Mail: Refuge Manager, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 36289 State Hwy 65, McGregor, MN 55760. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walt Ford, 218–768–2402. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Rice Lake and Mille Lacs NWRs, which was started with the notice of intent published in 70 FR 5693 (February 3, 2005). For more about the initial process and the history of these refuges, see that notice. Rice Lake and Mille Lacs NWRs are located in eastcentral Minnesota. Both refuges are administered by the staff at Rice Lake NWR. Rice Lake NWR is a mosaic of lakes, marshes, forests, and grasslands PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34711 that provide a variety of habitat for migrant and resident wildlife. The Refuge is especially noted for its fall concentrations of Ring-necked Ducks, which often number over 150,000 birds. The Refuge also includes pre-historic and historic cultural resources of recognized importance. Mille Lacs NWR is the smallest refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The 0.57-acre Refuge consists of two islands in Mille Lacs Lake. One island is managed as a nesting colony for the State-listed threatened Common Tern. The other island is used by other colonial nesting species. Background The CCP Process The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires us to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, plans identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation. CCP Alternatives and Our Preferred Alternative Priority Issues During the public scoping process, we, other governmental partners, and the public identified several priority issues, which include: Management of the grassland area on auto tour route; management of water levels in Rice Lake; pending Wilderness recommendation; Native American activities on the Refuge; interpretation of cultural resources on the Refuge; unmet demand for interpretation and environmental education; erosion of Hennepin Island (Mille Lacs); operation of the Sandstone Unit. To address these issues, we developed and evaluated the following alternatives during the planning process. Alternative A, Current Management Under Alternative A, Current Management, the 170 acres of grassland E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 121 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34710-34711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12274]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

[USCBP-2007-0060]


Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at Land and Sea 
Ports of Entry

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Notice of Availability announces that a draft 
Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the Western Hemisphere 
Travel Initiative (WHTI) at land and sea ports of entry is available 
for public review and comment. The draft PEA documents a review of the 
potential environmental impacts from changes to technology and 
operations to meet the requirements for standardized, secure travel 
documents under WHTI.

DATES: The draft PEA will be available for public review and comment 
for a period of 30 days beginning on the date this document is 
published in the Federal Register. Copies of the draft PEA may be 
obtained by telephone request (202-344-1589) or by accessing the 
following Internet addresses: https://www.cbp.gov/travel and https://
www.regulations.gov. Comments regarding the draft PEA may be submitted 
as set forth in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft PEA may be obtained from U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection (CBP) through the Internet at https://www.cbp.gov/
travel and https://www.regulations.gov or by writing to: CBP, 1300 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4C, Attn: WHTI Environmental 
Assessment, Washington, DC 20229.
    You may submit comments on the draft PEA, by one of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Comments by mail are to be addressed to U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4C, Attn: 
WHTI Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC 20229.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
draft PEA docket number ``USCBP-2007-0060.'' All comments will be 
posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information sent with each comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Howard, U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4C, 
Washington, DC 20229, 202-344-1589, e-mail address: 
Patrick.Howard@associates.dhs.gov, or Pat Sobol, U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.4C, 
Washington, DC 20229, 202-344-1381, e-mail address: Pat.Sobol@dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

    The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 
(IRTPA), as amended, provides that upon full implementation, U.S. 
citizens and Bermudian, Canadian and Mexican citizens and nationals 
would be required to present a passport or such alternative documents 
as the Secretary of Homeland Security designates as satisfactorily 
establishing identity and citizenship upon entering the United States. 
In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to be published in the 
Federal Register, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and 
Department of State (DOS) describe the second phase of a joint plan, 
known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), to implement 
these new requirements. The NPRM proposes the specific documents that 
U.S. citizens and nonimmigrant aliens from Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico 
would be required to present when entering the United States at sea and 
land ports-of-entry from Western Hemisphere countries.
    DHS and CBP have analyzed the potential impacts on the human 
environment of several alternate ways of implementing WHTI based on 
technological and operational considerations as part of the decision-
making process regarding the implementation of WHTI at sea and land 
ports of entry. The impact analysis in the draft Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (PEA), as explained in the report, focuses 
primarily on the effects of implementing WHTI at land ports of entry 
because the land environment is the most sensitive to the proposed 
document and technological changes associated with implementation of 
WHTI.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Changes to processing travelers at sea ports of entry would 
happen entirely within existing buildings and other infrastructure, 
so no environmental impacts are anticipated.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 34711]]

    Four technological and operational alternatives are analyzed in the 
PEA that meet the requirements to define and process secure, 
standardized travel documents under WHTI. The four alternatives are: 
(1) Maintaining the status quo by continuing current processes for 
assessing individuals with multiple documents; (2) implementing 
standardized features and limiting the number of documents accepted for 
entry into the United States; (3) defining and enhancing a limited 
number of standardized acceptable documents with machine readable zone 
(MRZ) technology; and/or (4) defining and enhancing a limited number of 
standardized acceptable documents with MRZ and radio-frequency 
identification (RFID) technologies at the top volume land ports of 
entry. The potential impacts evaluated include air quality, noise, and 
environmental justice, among others.

Next Steps

    This process is being conducted pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 5100.1, 
Environmental Planning Program of April 19, 2006.
    Substantive comments concerning environmental impacts received from 
the public and agencies during the comment period will be evaluated to 
determine whether further environmental impact review is needed in 
order to publish the final PEA. Should CBP determine that the 
implementation of the proposed action or alternatives would not have a 
significant impact on the environment, it will prepare a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI would be published in the Federal 
Register and in newspapers of general circulation in border areas along 
the border with both Canada and Mexico.
    Should CBP determine that significant environmental impacts exist 
due to the plan, CBP would proceed with preparation of an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS).

    Dated: June 19, 2007.
Thomas S. Winkowski,
Acting Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
 [FR Doc. E7-12274 Filed 6-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P

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