(Wednesday, August 31, 2011)
contacts for this news release
Washington—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has completed a draft study analyzing potential environmental and socioeconomic effects of current and potential future border security activities along the U.S. Northern Border. The draft “Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Northern Border Activities” is currently available for a 45-day public review period.
CBP protects against terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. CBP plans to use information from the analysis in the Final PEIS for planning and decision making purposes—evaluating its mission and environmental stewardship responsibilities.
The study analyzed approximately 4,000 miles from Maine to Washington and 100 miles south of the U.S.–Canada Border. The Alaskan border area with Canada was not a part of this study. CBP will review and incorporate comments into a final PEIS, following the 45-day public review period.
Public meetings for the draft PEIS will be held in cities along the Northern Border during fall of 2011. Additionally, a meeting will be held in Washington, D.C., on October 10, 2011. For more information about the public meetings, the project, or to obtain a copy of the draft PEIS, please visit the project’s web site. ( NorthernBorderPEIS ) A copy of the PEIS may also be requested by calling (866) 760-1421.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.