Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting and Comment Period, 77587-77588 [2023-24927]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 217 / Monday, November 13, 2023 / Notices f. Travel. This includes airfare, car rental, mileage, and meals for HISA’s corporate staff in the course of traveling to Covered Racetracks, industry meetings, HISA meetings (strategic planning summits, board meetings, etc.), and meetings with industry stakeholders. Travel to these events allows HISA’s corporate staff to conduct its business more efficiently and to perform its duties under the Act. g. Interest. This includes the interest expected to be charged on the loans that HISA procured to fund its initial operations. h. Bank Fees. This includes the cost of bank fees and credit card fees. These fees are minimal and are necessary to efficiently and effectively conduct business. i. Supplies. This includes the cost of all office supplies, including printer/ copier paper, printer/copier ink and toner, postage, shipping, and other miscellaneous office supplies. j. Accounting Services. This consists of the cost of a contract bookkeeping service that will book accounting entries, produce financial statements, manage and process Accounts Receivable, manage and process Accounts Payable, and draft/file HISA’s annual IRS Form 990. Contracting this work out to a company with expertise in these areas is much more costeffective than if HISA were to hire staff to perform these functions in-house. Additionally, this includes the estimated cost of an annual independent audit of HISA. k. Public Relations Services. This is the cost of a contract public relations service to manage HISA’s website, issue press releases, assist with the production and distribution of information to industry stakeholders, and provide continuing education information for industry stakeholders. The public relations firm that HISA is working with has many years of expertise in P/R for thoroughbred racing enterprises. The firm can perform the aforementioned tasks more efficiently and effectively than if HISA were to hire staff to perform these tasks in-house. l. Legal. This includes the cost of outside legal counsel for the creation, management, and updating of Racetrack Safety and ADMC rules as well as the cost of outside counsel that is working on the various lawsuits in which HISA is a party. Doing all of these tasks requires a decentralized group of lawyers with varied skill sets. At present, it is much more efficient and effective to utilize outside counsel than for HISA to hire a large in-house legal team to handle these issues. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:12 Nov 09, 2023 Jkt 262001 m. Insurance. This includes the following insurance policies for HISA: i. Directors & Officers insurance. ii. Workers’ Compensation insurance. All these policies were competitively shopped by a broker to get the lowest rate possible. n. Payroll Services. This includes all costs of HISA’s relationship with Resource Management, Inc. (RMI), a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). RMI provides Human Resources administration (handbook and policy management resources, new employee onboarding, labor law assistance, etc.), benefits management, compliance services (workers’ compensation claims management and annual reporting, unemployment claims management, etc.) and payroll administration (payroll processing, W2 management, vacation tracking, etc.). The relationship with RMI allows these functions to be performed in a more cost-effective manner than if HISA hired employees to perform those functions. o. Professional Services. This account consists of: i. Consulting fees to assist HISA with board and executive functions. ii. $300,000 contingency fund set aside for unexpected expenses. These items will ensure that HISA has high quality employees who are welltrained to properly serve its constituents. Please note that the 2024 HISA budget contemplates the repayment of $1.25M of loans; it does not assume that any funding shortfall will be incurred. V. Information Concerning Rule 1.150(b)(5). Attached as Appendix 8 is a comparison of the approved HISA 2023 Budget to actual revenues and expenditures. A variance has been calculated for each line item, and a narrative explanation has been provided for all variances >10% and at least $100,000. Conclusion The budget furthers the purpose of the Act in that it allocates the funding necessary for the successful implementation by HISA of the requirements of the Act. The budget has been carefully analyzed and is narrowly tailored to the various regulatory activities of HISA as contemplated by the Act. By direction of the Commission. April J. Tabor, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2023–24939 Filed 11–9–23; 8:45 am] PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION [Notice–PBS–2023–04; Docket No. 2023– 0002; Sequence No. 23] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting and Comment Period Office of Public Buildings Service (PBS), General Services Administration (GSA) ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of public scoping meeting and comment period. AGENCY: GSA intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which will be prepared in order to analyze potential environmental impacts from the proposed modernization of the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in El Paso, Texas. DATES: Public Scoping—The public scoping period will begin November 13, 2023. Meeting Date—An initial public scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday December 13, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. central standard time (CST), where GSA will meet with governmental and public stakeholders to explain the project and obtain input on the scoping of the project. The meeting will be an informal open house, where visitors may come, receive information, and provide written comments. There will be a brief opening statement and review of the project. Interested parties are encouraged to provide written comments regarding the scope of the proposed EIS. Written comments pertaining to this initial public scoping meeting must be received by Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in order to be considered during preparation of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: The initial public scoping meeting will be held at the Hilos De Plata Senior Center, 4451 Delta Dr., El Paso, Texas 79905. Written comments may be sent to GSA BOTA.NEPAcomments@gsa.gov, or the address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karla R. Carmichael, NEPA Program Manager, Environmental, Fire and Safety & Health Branch, GSA/PBS, Facilities Management and Services Programs Division, Greater Southwest Region 7, 819 Taylor St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 or via telephone at 817–822– 1372. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BILLING CODE 6750–01–P Sfmt 4703 77587 E:\FR\FM\13NON1.SGM 13NON1 77588 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 217 / Monday, November 13, 2023 / Notices Background On November 6, 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). On November 15, 2021, the President signed Executive Order (E.O.) 14052 ‘‘Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.’’ On December 13, 2021, the President signed E.O. 14508 ‘‘Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government.’’ On February 25, 2022, President Biden and the GSA announced the list of major LPOE projects funded by the BIL. This included the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) LPOE in El Paso, Texas. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared in accordance with section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 to 4370d), as implemented by the regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500–1508). The principal objectives of NEPA are to ensure the careful consideration of environmental aspects of proposed actions in Federal decisionmaking processes and to make environmental information available to decision makers and the public before decisions are made and actions are taken. Additionally, this EIS will be prepared in accordance with GSA NEPA guidelines (GSA Order ADM 1095.1F and the Public Buildings Service [PBS] NEPA Desk Guide, both dated October 1999) and serves as a mechanism for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (as amended) and other relevant laws and/ or regulations. Scoping Process khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES The purpose of this initial public scoping meeting is to seek input from stakeholders and the public regarding potential environmental issues that could affect the proposed project. The EIS will include public input on alternatives being developed to implement the proposed improvements and the potential impacts that could result from implementing those improvements. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the proposed action is for the GSA to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mission by bringing the BOTA LPOE infrastructure in line with current CBP land port design standards (i.e., CBP Land Port of Entry Design Standard) and operational VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:12 Nov 09, 2023 Jkt 262001 requirements while addressing existing deficiencies identified with the ongoing port operations. In order to bring the BOTA LPOE in line with CBP’s design standards and operational requirements, action is needed to satisfy the following overriding needs: • Improve the capacity and functionality of the LPOE to meet future public demand, while maintaining the capability to meet border security initiatives. • Ensure the safety and security for the employees and the travelling public. Proposed Action and Alternatives Development As part of initial project planning, the GSA has developed three (3) action alternatives as potential means of implementing the proposed action. The no action alternative will also be considered in the EIS. All three action alternatives include the phased razing of all existing buildings/structures and infrastructure within the existing LPOE boundaries and construction of new buildings/structures and supporting infrastructure. All three also include minimal land acquisition in areas immediately adjacent to the port. Summary of Potential Impacts The EIS will identify, describe, and analyze the potential effects of the action alternatives developed to implement the proposed action and the no action alternative. This will include direct, indirect, and cumulative effects. At present, GSA has identified the following resources/issues for analysis of both beneficial and adverse potential impacts: • Hazardous Materials, Waste, and/or Site Contamination • Socioeconomics (including Environmental Justice) • Public Services, Infrastructure, and Utilities • Surface Waters, Drainage, and Floodplains • Land Use and Zoning (including Visual and Aesthetics) • Traffic (Vehicular and Pedestrian), Transportation, and Parking • Air Quality (including Greenhouse Gas Emissions) • Noise and Vibration • Cultural and Historic Resources The EIS will document measures that could potentially avoid, minimize, or mitigate any identified adverse impacts. GSA welcomes public input on these potential impacts and other resources that could be considered. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Anticipated Schedule for DecisionMaking Process All dates are estimated and may change. • EIS NOI published in the Federal Register: Friday November 17, 2023. • Initial NEPA Scoping Meeting: Wednesday December 13, 2023. • End of Initial NEPA Scoping Period: Tuesday January 16, 2024. • Publication of the Draft EIS: May– June 2024 TBD. • Draft EIS Public Comment Period: June–August 2024 TBD. • Final EIS: September 2024 TBD. • Record of Decision: October 2024 TBD. Michael Clardy, Director, Facilities Management Division. [FR Doc. 2023–24927 Filed 11–9–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–AY–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice. This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project ‘‘Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.’’ SUMMARY: Comments on this notice must be received by January 12, 2024. DATES: Written comments should be submitted to: Doris Lefkowitz, Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, by email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov. Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\13NON1.SGM 13NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 217 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77587-77588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24927]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[Notice-PBS-2023-04; Docket No. 2023-0002; Sequence No. 23]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Notice of Public Scoping Meeting and Comment Period

AGENCY: Office of Public Buildings Service (PBS), General Services 
Administration (GSA)

ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of public scoping meeting and comment 
period.

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

SUMMARY: GSA intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
which will be prepared in order to analyze potential environmental 
impacts from the proposed modernization of the Bridge of the Americas 
Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in El Paso, Texas.

DATES: Public Scoping--The public scoping period will begin November 
13, 2023.
    Meeting Date--An initial public scoping meeting will be held on 
Wednesday December 13, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. central standard 
time (CST), where GSA will meet with governmental and public 
stakeholders to explain the project and obtain input on the scoping of 
the project. The meeting will be an informal open house, where visitors 
may come, receive information, and provide written comments. There will 
be a brief opening statement and review of the project.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide written comments 
regarding the scope of the proposed EIS. Written comments pertaining to 
this initial public scoping meeting must be received by Tuesday, 
January 16, 2024, in order to be considered during preparation of the 
Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: The initial public scoping meeting will be held at the Hilos 
De Plata Senior Center, 4451 Delta Dr., El Paso, Texas 79905.
    Written comments may be sent to GSA [email protected], or 
the address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karla R. Carmichael, NEPA Program 
Manager, Environmental, Fire and Safety & Health Branch, GSA/PBS, 
Facilities Management and Services Programs Division, Greater Southwest 
Region 7, 819 Taylor St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 or via telephone at 817-
822-1372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 77588]]

Background

    On November 6, 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure 
Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
(IIJA). On November 15, 2021, the President signed Executive Order 
(E.O.) 14052 ``Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act.'' On December 13, 2021, the President signed E.O. 14508 
``Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to 
Rebuild Trust in Government.'' On February 25, 2022, President Biden 
and the GSA announced the list of major LPOE projects funded by the 
BIL. This included the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) LPOE in El Paso, 
Texas.
    The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared in 
accordance with section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 to 4370d), as 
implemented by the regulations promulgated by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500-
1508). The principal objectives of NEPA are to ensure the careful 
consideration of environmental aspects of proposed actions in Federal 
decision-making processes and to make environmental information 
available to decision makers and the public before decisions are made 
and actions are taken.
    Additionally, this EIS will be prepared in accordance with GSA NEPA 
guidelines (GSA Order ADM 1095.1F and the Public Buildings Service 
[PBS] NEPA Desk Guide, both dated October 1999) and serves as a 
mechanism for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act 
(NHPA) of 1966 (as amended) and other relevant laws and/or regulations.

Scoping Process

    The purpose of this initial public scoping meeting is to seek input 
from stakeholders and the public regarding potential environmental 
issues that could affect the proposed project. The EIS will include 
public input on alternatives being developed to implement the proposed 
improvements and the potential impacts that could result from 
implementing those improvements.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the proposed action is for the GSA to support the 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mission by bringing the BOTA 
LPOE infrastructure in line with current CBP land port design standards 
(i.e., CBP Land Port of Entry Design Standard) and operational 
requirements while addressing existing deficiencies identified with the 
ongoing port operations. In order to bring the BOTA LPOE in line with 
CBP's design standards and operational requirements, action is needed 
to satisfy the following overriding needs:
     Improve the capacity and functionality of the LPOE to meet 
future public demand, while maintaining the capability to meet border 
security initiatives.
     Ensure the safety and security for the employees and the 
travelling public.

Proposed Action and Alternatives Development

    As part of initial project planning, the GSA has developed three 
(3) action alternatives as potential means of implementing the proposed 
action. The no action alternative will also be considered in the EIS. 
All three action alternatives include the phased razing of all existing 
buildings/structures and infrastructure within the existing LPOE 
boundaries and construction of new buildings/structures and supporting 
infrastructure. All three also include minimal land acquisition in 
areas immediately adjacent to the port.

Summary of Potential Impacts

    The EIS will identify, describe, and analyze the potential effects 
of the action alternatives developed to implement the proposed action 
and the no action alternative. This will include direct, indirect, and 
cumulative effects. At present, GSA has identified the following 
resources/issues for analysis of both beneficial and adverse potential 
impacts:

 Hazardous Materials, Waste, and/or Site Contamination
 Socioeconomics (including Environmental Justice)
 Public Services, Infrastructure, and Utilities
 Surface Waters, Drainage, and Floodplains
 Land Use and Zoning (including Visual and Aesthetics)
 Traffic (Vehicular and Pedestrian), Transportation, and 
Parking
 Air Quality (including Greenhouse Gas Emissions)
 Noise and Vibration
 Cultural and Historic Resources

    The EIS will document measures that could potentially avoid, 
minimize, or mitigate any identified adverse impacts. GSA welcomes 
public input on these potential impacts and other resources that could 
be considered.

Anticipated Schedule for Decision-Making Process

    All dates are estimated and may change.
     EIS NOI published in the Federal Register: Friday November 
17, 2023.
     Initial NEPA Scoping Meeting: Wednesday December 13, 2023.
     End of Initial NEPA Scoping Period: Tuesday January 16, 
2024.
     Publication of the Draft EIS: May-June 2024 TBD.
     Draft EIS Public Comment Period: June-August 2024 TBD.
     Final EIS: September 2024 TBD.
     Record of Decision: October 2024 TBD.

Michael Clardy,
Director, Facilities Management Division.
[FR Doc. 2023-24927 Filed 11-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-AY-P
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