CBP plans to prepare a draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) that further analyzes the potential effects that may result from the proposed construction and operation of a new Border Patrol Station (BPS) in the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Buffalo Sector, Wellesley Island Station Area of Responsibility (AOR), Orleans, New York. The proposed location for the BPS is an approximately 20-acre parcel in Orleans, New York which is approximately 4 miles north of the town of Clayton and 6.5 miles south of Alexandria Bay.
The proposed BPS project would include the construction of a new 48,000 square foot facility to accommodate current and near-future staff and operational requirements, with modernized technology and infrastructure to fulfill the border security mission of USBP within the Wellesley Island BPS AOR along the international border with Canada.
CBP previously prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project and made them available for public review and comment in February 2022. During the public review period, CBP received more than 1,000 comments on the draft EA and FONSI. To address questions and concerns raised in the public comments, CBP plans to conduct additional environmental surveys at the proposed location and evaluate alternative sites for the project. The results of the additional surveys and evaluation of alternatives will be documented in the draft SEA.
CBP will notify the public of the availability of the draft SEA and provide an opportunity for review and comment. CBP anticipates releasing the draft SEA in 2023.