EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso County Commissioner David Stout is asking the Commissioners Court to approve a letter supporting the federal government’s proposal to move ahead with renovations at the Bridge of the Americas port of entry that would prohibit future commerical traffic.
On Sept. 20, the U.S. General Services Administration released its draft Environmental Impact Statement on the project and picked a “no-commercial traffic” alternative.
According to the GSA, the public now has 45 days to comment on the draft EIS. That comment period will end at 10:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Nov. 4.
The draft EIS analyzes in detail the three remaining alternatives — one that includes commercial traffic, one that eliminates commercial traffic, and one that examines if no improvements are made to the port of entry.
GSA currently identifies the “no-commercial traffic” alternative as the one that “would best meet the requirements of the federal government while addressing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the project,” the agency said at the time of its announcement.
“I put this item on the agenda because I believe this Commissioners Court supports public health and regional business development. This provides an opportunity for both,” Stout said. “This area of El Paso is overburdened with industrial facilities and roadways. This is an historic opportunity to reduce the harmful impact of commercial traffic on densely populated urban core neighborhoods while continuing to function regionally as a significant entry for people, goods and services into the U.S.”
The Commissioners Court is scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7 at the Enrique Moreno County Courhouse, Room 303, 500 E. San Antonio.
Public input during the 45-day comment period is “essential to ensure that all perspectives are considered,” GSA said.
Comments can be submitted through the following methods:
Email: BOTA.nepacomments@gsa.gov.
Must include “BOTA LPOE Draft EIS” in the subject line.
Mail:
U.S. General Services Administration
Attention: Karla Carmichael, NEPA Program Manager
819 Taylor St, Room 12-B
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Comments must be received by 10:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Nov. 4, to be considered by GSA.
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