environmental assessment us border patrol, tucson sector

3-4312345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243443.12 TRANSPORTATION3.12.1 Affected EnvironmentLateral access through the eastern zones of the USBP Douglas Station’s AOR is achieved one ofthree ways:1. Border Road2. Geronimo Trail, which roughly parallels the Border Road and ranges from approximately300 feet to 9 miles north of the United States /Mexico border3. State Highway 80, which provides access to the northern portions of the eastern zonesUSBP agents regularly travel these routes daily from muster at the USBP Douglas Station toreach their assigned patrol areas.3.12.2 Environmental Consequences3.12.2.1 No Action AlternativeUnder the No Action Alternative, there would be no effect on vehicle traffic at or around thealternative FOB sites. USBP agents would continue to commute from the USBP DouglasStation daily for patrols in the area. Indirect impacts from illegal activity would continue. Moreagents would be required to patrol the remote eastern zones of the USBP Douglas Station’s AORto account for the necessary drive time to their patrol areas. Indirect impacts from CBVactivities and subsequent USBP interdiction activities would be greater under the No ActionAlternative than any of the other alternatives.3.12.2.2 Preferred AlternativeVehicle traffic at the Preferred Alternative site would be increased slightly during construction,operation, and maintenance of the FOB, but the roads are very lightly traveled. Traffic in thevicinity of the proposed FOB would result in minor impacts as agents would leave the FOB forpatrols in areas where they are already patrolling. Overall traffic from Douglas on GeronimoTrail by USBP agents would be reduced, since agents would already be deployed at the FOB.CBP estimates that approximately 12,000 trips annually along Geronimo Trail would beeliminated following establishment of the proposed FOB.3.12.2.3 Alternative 2Alternative 2 would result in traffic impacts similar to those described for the PreferredAlternative.3.12.2.4 Alternative 3Alternative 3 would result in traffic impacts similar to those described for the PreferredAlternative.3.12.2.5 Alternative 4Alternative 4 would result in traffic impacts similar to those described for the PreferredAlternative.Douglas FOB EADraftAugust 2011