[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 64 (Thursday, April 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15896-15897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8448]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Draft Environmental Impact Statement For The Lease Construction 
and Consolidation of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) 
Miami, Dade County, Florida; Notice of Availability

March 19, 1997.
    Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969, and the President's Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), as implemented by General 
Services Administration (GSA) Order PBS P 1095.4B, GSA announces the 
availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the 
lease construction to consolidate the Immigration and Naturalization 
(INS).
    The DEIS was available for 45-days of public comment that closed on 
March 10. A public meeting was held in Miami

[[Page 15897]]

on February 12, 1997. The FEIS examined the short and long term impacts 
on the natural and built environments of developing and operating a 
consolidated INS facility at 9300-9499 NW 41st Street, Miami, FL 33172. 
The FEIS also addresses issues that were raised at the public meeting 
and issues that were expressed in writing during the comment period 
that closed in March 10, 1997. GSA continued to accept and address 
comments received until close of business on March 18. Issues addressed 
included impacts to public facilities & infrastructure, parking, 
traffic, property values, the community, and neighborhood & economic 
issues. The FEIS also examined and considered measures to mitigate 
unavoidable adverse impacts of the proposed action.
    GSA's proposed action is to lease a newly constructed building for 
the INS consolidation on the vacant parcel of land consisting of 
approximately 7.31 acres at 9300-9499 NW 41st Street, Miami, FL 33172. 
The proposed facility would consist of an office building containing a 
total occupiable area of approximately 214,600 square feet, along with 
supporting site improvements and 885 parking spaces. The subject site 
fronts for 390 feet along NW 41st Street and spans to the back to 
Dressels Canal (approximately 1150 feet south from 41st Street at the 
deepest point). The proposed facility would accommodate the INS by 
consolidating the District Office, the Asylum Office, and the Executive 
Office of Immigration Review (EOIR). The Krome Detention Center is a 
high-security containment facility located in Western Dade county and 
its location, function, and purpose will be unchanged as a result of 
the proposed action.
    GSA has identified and screened from consideration, over 20 
alternatives to the proposed action since 1993. GSA has identified the 
following alternatives to be examined in the EIS:
    <bullet> ``No Action,'' that is, take no action and continue to 
house the INS at its current locations.
    <bullet> Lease construction of a consolidated facility of 214,600 
occupiable square feet (osf) at the proposed site at 9300-9499 NW 41st 
Street, Miami, Florida 33172. This is the GSA preferred alternative.
    A final 30-day comment period will close on April 28, 1997. 
Comments on the FEIS should be provided in writing to the address below 
by close of business on Monday, April 28, 1997. Copies of the FEIS were 
distributed on Wednesday, March 19. A copy of the FEIS and one copy of 
all of the public comments are available for inspection at the Metro-
Dade Public Library Fairlawn Branch located at 6869 SW 8th Street, 
Miami, FL 33144. Mr. Phil Youngberg, Regional Environmental Officer 
(4PT), General Services Administration (GSA), 401 West Peachtree 
Street, NW, Suite 3050, Atlanta, GA 30365. FAX: Mr. Phil Youngberg at 
404-331-4540. Comments should be received no later than Monday, April 
28, 1997. All comments must be in writing.

    Dated: March 19, 1997.
Phil Youngberg,
Regional Environmental Officer (PT).
[FR Doc. 97-8448 Filed 4-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-23-M