Laurel Beager – International Falls Journal
The proposal for a new facility has moved forward because the port-of-entry at International Falls has outgrown its existing one.
An environmental impact study on a proposal to establish a new site for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection facility and port of entry in International Falls is expected to be completed by mid-March, according to General Services Administration officials.
A feasibility study for the project is expected to be completed at about the same time, according to David Wilkinson, GSA regional public affairs.
“GSA’s regional office will then submit it to our Central Office,” Wilkinson noted.
“Pending approval there and by the Office of Management and Budget, it possibly could be included for initial funding [design] in the presidential budget for FY 2013.”
When completed, copies will be made available at the Falls Municipal Building and at the Falls Public Library.
Last year, comments received about 10 potential sites were included in a daft environmental impact statement.
The EIS serves as the primary document to facilitate review of the proposed action by federal, state, and local agencies as well as the general public.
The final environmental impact statement will be made available for public inspection for a 30-day period, according to a report by Donald R. Melcher Jr., project manager, GSA Land Ports of Entry Service Center in Chicago.
The proposal for a new facility has moved forward because the port of entry has outgrown its existing facility with increased inspection duties and staff, GSA officials have explained.
The existing facility was constructed in 1993. Since then, the former U.S. Customs Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service has been blended into the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
And the mission of managing the border has changed.
Support has been given for Alternative 10 by the International Falls City Council and Koochiching County Board.
In addition, the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Board supports Alternative 10.
Both governments and the chamber board said that alternative would not change traffic flow in the community, and would encourage visitors to continue to travel to and from the border through the community’s business district.
Alternative 10, according to the draft EIS, would consist of demolishing the existing building, constructing new facilities at the existing land port of entry, and expanding it to meet the required space standards and increased security requirements of the CBP.
This alternative would move the majority of the port of entry improvements and operations to a 15-acre site southeast of the existing site between Fourth Street and Rainy River.
Passenger vehicles, buses, and pedestrians would enter and exit the port on Highway 53 and Second Street.
Commercial vehicles would enter and exit the port on Highway 11.
Passenger vehicles, buses, and pedestrians would enter and exit the port at Second Avenue after passing through the central business district.
Commercial vehicles would enter and exit the port from Highway 11, reducing traffic and noise in the business district.
