ICE Processing Facility Near Hagerstown Faces New Environmental and Cultural Resource Review

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided an update regarding the proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Hagerstown, Maryland, outlining further steps in its environmental and cultural resource compliance processes. The facility, located at 10900 Hopewell Road, also identified by the address 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport, Maryland, is undergoing review in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This action follows the events of the court case in which Maryland’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against the facility, in part due to lack of environmental review.

As part of the ongoing consultation process, ICE has received a request for additional information from a Native American tribe. The agency is currently awaiting the final design plans from its contractor, which will include more detailed information regarding ground disturbance at the proposed site. Once this information is received, ICE intends to re-engage with the tribe to fulfill its obligations under Section 106. Should the final design lead to any changes in the scope of the project, ICE has committed to re-engaging with all previously consulted parties.

Furthermore, in compliance with NEPA, ICE has determined that the potential impacts associated with the proposed undertaking necessitate the development of an Environmental Assessment (EA). This assessment will examine potential impacts on both environmental and cultural resources. Public engagement will be initiated in the future, providing an opportunity for interested parties to comment on these potential impacts. All feedback submitted during the Section 106 consultation process will be considered for inclusion in the EA. Information pertaining to these public comments and the NEPA process will be made available on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website under “Documents for Public Comment.” Stakeholders with questions or comments regarding the proposed facility can direct their correspondence to ICESustainability@ice.dhs.gov.

Associated documents for this story are available in our Public Information Archive.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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