DHS Seeks Public Input on Proposed Hagerstown Area Warehouse Renovation

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, is initiating a public scoping process to gather feedback on potential environmental impacts related to the proposed renovation of an industrial warehouse in Hagerstown, Maryland. This assessment is being conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant directives, and the agency is actively soliciting input from the public to inform its environmental assessment. The warehouse is located at 10900 Hopewell Road, with an alternate address of 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport, Maryland.

The proposed renovation project encompasses both interior and exterior improvements to the existing warehouse facility. Internally, the modifications are designed to accommodate up to 1,500 individuals and will include the development of six secure recreation yards, a visitor waiting area, two cafeterias, a kitchen and food preparation space, three multi-purpose rooms, a health services room, and laundry facilities. For staff, the plans include training rooms, an indoor firing range, and office space to support operational and administrative needs.

Significant ground disturbance is anticipated as part of the project to facilitate utility upgrades. These improvements include the installation of new waterline and sanitary sewer systems, as well as other utilities. Notably, a 750,000-gallon onsite domestic water storage tank and a booster pump system are planned to mitigate operational demands on the local water distribution network. Additional ground work will involve the installation of fiber-optic and telecommunication cabling, new freestanding light poles, a generator, piers for recreational area awnings and basketball hoops, a perimeter security fence, and a prefabricated guard shack. While these ground disturbance activities are expected to be temporary and localized, they will primarily involve trenching and mechanical excavation. Exterior modifications are also slated to occur in phases, potentially involving the expansion of an off-site lift station, the procurement of additional equivalent dwelling units from Washington County, and upsizing of onsite sewer and domestic water service lines.

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ICE has already undertaken several preliminary steps, including developing an initial Environmental Report, initiating the Section 106 process for cultural resources, and issuing an Early Notice and Public Review concerning activities within a 500-year floodplain, in compliance with Executive Order 11988. The preliminary documentation compiled for this project includes a property description, survey boundaries, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment conducted by a third party, a preliminary renovation plan, a proposed facility operations plan, information on cultural resources, a site utilities report, preliminary floodplain data, and existing permits. A desktop review of potential environmental impacts on wetlands, water features, cultural and natural resources, and threatened and endangered species has also been conducted. At this time, DHS has indicated it is not aware of any significant potential environmental impacts.

Residents and interested parties are encouraged to provide comments, concerns, or any relevant information regarding potential environmental impacts associated with this proposed warehouse renovation. Submissions should be directed to ICESustainability@ice.dhs.gov with the subject line “Hagerstown Comments” and must be received by Wednesday, July 1, 2026. DHS will review all substantive feedback to inform the environmental assessment process.

The full scoping request is included in our Public Information Archive.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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