us. Customs and 5; Border Protection Mr. Bird: us, Customs and Border Protection (CEP) is writing once again to solicit your input concerning the proposed of border barriers in the United States Border Patrol (USBP) Rio Grande Valley Sector. This letter follows-up on an initial scoping letter that was sent in March 2018. As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18), Congress specifically appropriated funds for the construction barriers in the Rio Grande Valley Sectorr With the funding that has been provided by Congress, CBP is proposing: to design and construct approximately 25 miles of levee fencing in Hidalgo County, Texas within the USBP Rio Grande Valley Sector, MeAllen and Weslaco Stations areas of responsibility and (2) to design and construct approximately eight (8) miles of bollard wall in Starr County, Texas within the USBP Rio Grande Valley Sector, Rio Grande City Station AOR. CBP would like your input on the proposed construction. The purpose of the proposed barrier construction is to increase CBP's ability to impede or deny illegal border crossings and to provide improved surveillance and detection capabilities to the areas orgreatest risk of illegal cross-border activity located within the USBP Rio Grande Valley Sector. The Rio Grande Valley Sector continues to lead the nation in apprehensions orillegal immigrants and accounted for 45% ofall apprehensions along the southwest border last year. Approximately 35% ofall Rio Grande Valley Sector apprehensions come from the Western Corridor. The projectwill be similar to other existing levee and border wall systems located within the Rio Grande Valley Sector Enclosed you will find maps showing the proposed locations for levee wall and bollard wall in Hidalgo and Stan Counties. The approximate mileage for each USBP AOR within the Rio Grande Valley Sector is as follows: . Weslaco Station AOReApproximately 14 miles (Hidalgo County) - McAllen Station AOR 7 Approximately 11 miles (Hidal go County) - Rio Grande City AOR 7 Approximately 8 miles (Starr County) Regarding the approximately 25 miles of levee wall in Hidalgo County, the proposed alignment would be situated on the south face ofthe northern US. International Boundary Water Commission levee. The proposed design includes a reinforced concrete levee wall to the approximate height ofthe existing levee, with 18-foot tall steel bollards installed on the top ofthe levee wall. The project would also include a ISO-foot enforcement zone on the south/river side of the levee wall, detection and surveillance technology that would be incorporated into the levee wall, automated vehiclc gates, pedesirian gates, and an all-weather patml mad that would nm parallel to the levee wall, and enforcement zone lighting. Regarding the approximately 8 miles wall in Starr County, proposed design includes 20 lo 30- foot tall steel bollards, detection and surveillance technoloy that would be incorporated into the bollard wall design, pedeslrian gates, and an all-Weather patrol road parallel to the bollard wall. it could also include a ISO?foot enforcement zone on the south/river side of the bollard wall and enforcement zone lighting. Additional details of the possible components of the projects are as follows: 0 Levee Wall -The levee wall would be a concrete wall to the approximate height of the levee crest with 18? foot tall bollards installed in the top of the levee wall. 0 Bollard Wall The bollard wall would be 20 to 30 feet high utilizing 6?x6? concrete ?lled steel bollards. 0 150 Foot Enforcement Zone The enforcement zone would be an area extending from the south/river side of the levee wall or bollard wall approximately 150 feet. All vegetation within the 15 0-foot enforcement zone will be cleared. 0 Gates - Automated vehicle gates would be installed with a minimum height of 18 feet and minimum width of 20 feet. In addition, gates designed to allow for farming equipment would be installed where appropriate and range in width from 40 to 50 feet. All gates will be motorized overhead sliding gates with an enclosed drive and operator system. 0 Lighting - LED lighting would be installed as part of this project. CBP would work with the appropriate stakeholders to develop solutions to avoid excess lighting beyond the enforcement zone. 0 All Weather Road - An all-weather aggregate patrol road (type FC-2) would be constructed on the south side and parallel to the levee or bollard wall and within the ISO-foot enforcement zone. The speci?c location of the road within the enforcement zone would be determined during the design phase of the project. 0 Cameras - A camera surveillance system would be installed to monitor the wall, the enforcement zone, and southern approach. CBP is in the process of obtaining rights of entry for survey to identify land requirements, appraising the acreage that would be required for the proposed construction, and gathering input from landowners. CBP will also conduct environmental and design related survey and site assessment activities. CBP will evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the levee wall and steel bollard wall construction. In addition to the survey and site assessments, CBP is gathering data and input from state and local government agencies, federal agencies, Native American Tribes and landowners that may be affected by or otherwise have an interest in the proposed construction. Because your agency or organization is likely to have knowledge and expertise regarding the potential environmental impacts, your input is sought regarding the likely or anticipated effects to biological, cultural, and natural resources from the proposed construction. Your response should include any state and local restrictions, permitting or other requirements with which CBP should consider during project siting, construction, and operation. Comments sought by CBP include speci?c input regarding the proposed construction, information that could be pertinent to analysis of potential environmental effects, and identi?cation of signi?cant issues. Comments received in response to this letter, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental documents. CBP is committed to providing additional opportunities for public comment for these projects and will prepare appropriate environmental planning documents to evaluate potential environmental impacts from the implementation of the planned projects. Your prompt attention to this request is appreciated. Comments and information will be accepted up to 30 days following the date of this letter. If you have any questions or comments please contact me at Please include Border Barrier Construction? in the title of your email. You may also submit comments, questions, or concerns to the following address: US. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters Program Management Of?ce Directorate Wall Portfolio 1300 Ave. 6.5E Mail Stop 1039 Washington, DC 20229-1100 Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, 94% Paul Enriquez Real Estate and Environmental Branch Chief US. Customs and Border Protection United States Border Patrol Border Wall Program Management Of?ce Program Management Of?ce Directorate Proposed Barrier Hidalgo County Huma Mli?i?'l Reynnsu Em mun: (I a San Juan . Hidalgo nhmo Plurr Donna Wslaco ?ml Santa Ana LEGEND FY18 I: ma Rev-m4 .E ?Primary 'n'fshu! 16: than 11x17' fl is a nducdpn?nl. 1 In 3 mi 1190.030 {19: . . . . if .IIL I11 EL Morn-nay Saltillo El AREA ENLARGED May a 2018 Preposed Barrier - Starr County Hal g? Hidllalgo Emma]; - Proposed Barrielr FY18 "mm [as man 11:17?1?: a nduuapnnt 1 in 2.37 mi ?mm" 12150000 camp's 5111*? I :1 El, Ma nt-rny F. . Saltillo El AREA ENLARGED