Rio Grande Valley Border Barrier System Construction Project

Para solicitar esta información en español, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a  RGVComments@cbp.dhs.gov. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking your input concerning the construction of a border barrier system in Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Texas.  CBP proposes to design and construct up to 20 miles of new border barrier system in Starr County.  The barrier will consist of 18-foot high, six-inch diameter bollards embedded into a movable concrete jersey barrier-style base and will include lighting, roads, detection technology and cameras.  CBP is accepting comments until September 15, 2023.

CBP is seeking input on potential impacts to the environment, culture, quality of life and commerce, including potential socioeconomic impacts. CBP will be conducting environmental site surveys and assessments and is also 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 construction projects.  As the projects progress, there will be additional opportunities for public comment.  CBP will prepare environmental planning documents to evaluate potential environmental impacts and make those documents available to the public.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will move forward with the planning and execution of up to approximately 20 miles of border barrier system, in U.S. Border Patrol's (USBP) Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector. The proposed project is located within Starr County, Texas, which is USBP’s highest priority location within RGV Sector.

• Patrol and Maintenance Roads: An area of 60- to 100-feet wide could accommodate a Functional Class-2 (FC-2) maintenance road north of the barrier and an FC-2 patrol road on the riverside of the barrier. The area could also include cameras, vegetation clearing, lighting, and a utility corridor with communications fiber and electrical systems.

• Light Poles and Lighting: All luminaries would be LED, 4000K CCT (+- 300 CCT), 70+ CRI. The lighting could provide 3-foot candles (fc) average along the area cleared for the barrier and roads. Light trespass beyond the specified illuminated area shall be no more than 0.1fc at ground level at a distance equal to the width of the area cleared for the roads. Shielding may be installed to control possible spillage of light. All light poles would be mounted on reinforced concrete pedestals at a minimum height of three feet above finished grade. The minimum diameter of the pedestal would be 18 inches and would be rigidly connected to the light pole foundation. The light poles would be a minimum of six inches in diameter at the base of the pole and coated black to resist corrosion. Light would be powered by grid power connected through an underground conduit.

• Gates: The barrier could include gates for access to the southside of the barrier. Gates would be manually operated swing gates supported by hydraulics.

• Cameras: Cameras could be affixed to the light poles. Cameras would be spaced out based on viewshed requirements set by U.S. Border Patrol. A Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) feed would be utilized for these cameras.

• Shelters:  Shelters are needed to house fiber optic and CCTV equipment. Shelter dimensions are up to 12 x 20 feet. Height is approximately 10 feet. One shelter is anticipated to be needed and would be built perpendicular to the barrier on the maintenance road. Placement of the shelter would be within 50 miles of a port of entry.

• Erosion and drainage control:  Earth retaining systems and erosion control may be needed to control grades and could include items such as concrete or block walls, erosion control mats and riprap. Drainage improvements are anticipated to include concrete low water crossings, reinforced concrete pipe culverts, reinforced concrete box culverts, bridge drainage gates, and associated scour protection that may include concrete slope protection, grouted rip rap, and sheet piles.

• Access Roads:  The project could include road improvements to FC-2 access road standards.

• Water is anticipated to be needed for construction and dust suppression to maintain air quality near the project. Water is expected to be permitted with local irrigation districts or local landowners with water rights.

• Laydown yards would be used to stage project materials and for temporary concrete batch plants and aggregate sorting operations. In addition, laydown yards could include temporary work trailers for the contractors that would also have temporary utility hookups. Locations of laydown yards would be determined by the construction contractor and are anticipated to be required every five miles in the project area. Construction of the proposed new border barrier system would be expected to take up to two years. Maintenance to the proposed border barrier system would be expected upon completion of construction. Maintenance activities could include routine upgrade, clearing of debris from the barrier, repair, and maintenance of the patrol road and barrier system that would not result in a change to their use (e.g., resurfacing a road or replacing a gate component).

Comments and information will be accepted until September 15, 2023.  Comments should include data or information that could help inform CBP’s analysis of potential impacts.  Helpful comments are fact-based, include links to data or research, and provide specific information concerning potential impacts to environment, culture, quality of life and commerce, including potential socioeconomic impacts.  If known, your response should include any state and local restrictions, permitting or other requirements that CBP should consider during project siting, construction, and operation.

In 2022, CBP solicited comments on potential impacts for border barrier development in this Rio Grande Valley.  A summary of comments is included at the following link:  https://www.cbp.gov/document/environmental-assessments/border-barrier-environmental-planning-starr-county-hidalgo-county .  The comments previously submitted, as well as those received as part of this comment period, will be considered as part of the planning process.

Specifically, CBP is looking for information not previously submitted that answers the following questions:

• Are you aware of threatened or endangered plant or animal species within the areas of proposed construction? If so, where?

• Are you aware of recreational activities that take place around proposed construction?

• Are you aware of possible impacts to businesses by the proposed project? Where are those businesses located?

• Are you aware of historical sites or areas of cultural significance located within the area of proposed construction? If so, where?

• Do you foresee your day-to-day activities being impacted by the proposed project?

• Are you aware of any studies, data, or other information available that would aid in the analysis of potential environmental impacts in the proposed project area?

• Do you have any recommendations for practices the construction contractor should follow to avoid or minimize impacts?

Comments can be submitted using the form at the bottom of this page.

Alternatively, comments can be submitted via email to RGVComments@cbp.dhs.gov.  Please include “RGV Border Barrier System Project” in the subject of your email.  Comments received in response to this letter, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record.  If you are providing a comment about a specific area, please specify that in your comment.

You may also submit comments, questions, or concerns to the following address:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. 6.5E Mail Stop 1039 Washington, DC 20229-1100 ATTN: Paul Enriquez