U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20229

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

February 20, 2019

RE: Environmental Assessment, Laredo Sector Road Improvement Project, Laredo, Texas, Laredo Sector, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security

To Whom it May Concern:

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to upgrade three roads in Webb County, Texas. CBP is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine if the proposed upgrade of the three roads will potentially have any significant environmental impacts.

The upgraded all-weather roads will improve mobility and accessibility for U.S. Border Patrol Agents responding to illegal cross-border traffic. The proposed roads are located where the vanishing points for cross-border violators are seconds to minutes.

Two of the roads, D-1 to Tex Mex and Prada Machin Drive to Vela’s Pump, are located within the City of Laredo. The Trevino Ranch Road is located approximately 30 miles northwest of the City of Laredo (Table 1 and Figure 1). Figures 2 through 4 provide more detailed information on the location of each road.

Table 1. Project Components Laredo Sector Road Improvement Project

Road Segment Description Length (Miles)

Trevino Ranch 5.53

D-1 to Tex Mex 0.64

Prada Machin Drive to Vela’s Pump 1.07

All Segments 7.24

The EA will analyze the potential for significant adverse impacts and beneficial effects on the environment from the proposed action and alternatives. The EA will evaluate and assess potential impacts to the natural, physical, social environment to include but not limited to:

• Federal and state listed threatened and endangered species • Water quality • Air quality • Archaeological, historic, and tribal cultural resources • Wetlands/water resources

Page 2

• Contamination • People and commerce

CBP is gathering data and input from the public and state and local government agencies that may be affected by, or that would otherwise have an interest in, this proposed action. Your organization’s input is sought regarding the likely or anticipated environmental effects of this proposed action. Please include in your response any state and local restrictions, permitting, or other requirements with which CBP would need to comply during project siting, construction, and operation.

Comments and information will be accepted until Friday, March 22, 2019 by email at commentsenv@cbp.dhs.gov or mailed to:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters Program Management Office Directorate Wall Portfolio 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. 6.5E Mail Stop 1039 Washington, DC 20229-1100

Please reference “Laredo Roads Improvement” in your response.

We will provide your agency with a copy of the Draft EA for your review and comment.

We appreciate your feedback and help with evaluating the environmental impacts of the proposed project.

Sincerely,

Paul Enriquez Acquisitions, Real Estate, and Environmental Director Border Wall Project Management Office U.S. Customs and Border Protection 24000 Avila Road, Suite 5020 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Enclosure(s)

Project Location

RioGrande

D1 to Tex Mex

Prada Machin Drive to Vela's Pump

Trevino Ranch

Legend

Project Locations

Laredo South Station AOR (Laredo Sector)

Laredo West Station AOR (Laredo Sector) · 0 52.5 Miles

Webb County, Texas

Laredo Sector

Project Location

Figure 1. Vicinity Map

December 2018

Rio

Grand

e

ËÉ1472

17-acre Reservoir

Legend

Trevino Ranch

17-acre Reservoir

Laredo West Station AOR

Laredo Sector · 0 0.75 0.375 Miles

Trevino Ranch

Figure 2. Proposed Road Construction - Trevino Ranch

September 2018

Iturbide St

Grant St

Zaragoza St

Water St

San

Enr

ique

Ave

San

Pabl

o A

ve

San

Leo

nard

o A

ve

Zacate Creek

Linear Park

Las Palmas Trail Entrance

Zacata Creek

Legend

D1 to Tex Mex

Las Palmas Trail/Native Palm Forest

Laredo South Station AOR

Laredo Sector · 0 350 175 Feet

D1 to Tex Mex

Rio Grande

Figure 3. Proposed Road Alignment - D1 to Tex Mex

December 2018

RioG

rande

Prada Machin Dr

Alicante Dr

Cue

nca

Dr

£¤83

Laredo College South Campus

Don Camilo Blvd

Wilfrano Dr

Rid

dle D

r

Santa Rita Park

Legend

Prada Machin Drive to Vela's Pump

Option Route 1

Option Route 2

Option Route 3

Laredo South Station AOR

Laredo Sector · 0 1,000 500 Feet

Prada Machin Drive to

Vela's Pump

Figure 4. Proposed Road Construction - Prada Machin Drive to Vela's Pump

December 2018