From: (b) (6)

To: (b) (6)

Cc: (b) (6) ADAMS, ROWDY(b MARTIN, STEPHEN(
Subject: RE: environmental q&a
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 8:42:50 AM

Good points (b)

(6)
Would it be correct to say “BP had finalized initial operational assessments more recently”?

(b) (6)
Secure Border Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(b) (6)
For more information about the Secure Border Initiative, visit www.cbp.gov/sbi or contact us at SBI_info@dhs.gov.

From: (b) (6)

Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 8:26 AM
To: (b) (6)
Cc: GIDDENS, GREGORY; 'ADAMS, ROWDY D'; (b) (6)
Subject: RE: environmental q&a

All,

After reviewing this I don’t agree with the statement “BP had only just completed initial operational
assessments.” We provided the initial lay down back in Sept/October timeframe which is now six
months down. There have been issues of prioritization but that was due to not being given the build
miles in order to make educated decisions. I think it is more accurate to state that until recently, the
focus has been on PF225 projects due to more challenging environmental, engineering and legal issues
as compared to VF300 projects.

(b)
(6)

From:(
Sent: bTuesday, March 25, 2008 6:59 AM
To: (b) (6)
Cc: GIDDENS, GREGORY; 'ADAMS, ROWDY D'
Subject: RE: environmental q&a

Good morning all.

Attached is a draft Q&A for your review.

Please provide any suggested edits back to me by 1030.

Thank you.

(b) (6)
Secure Border Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(b) (6)
For more information about the Secure Border Initiative, visit www.cbp.gov/sbi or contact us at SBI_info@dhs.gov.

From: GIDDENS, GREGORY

Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 6:55 AM
To: (b) (6) ; ADAMS, ROWDY D
Subject: RE: environmental q&a

Need to send to TI as well.

Greg,
Please ensure (b) (6) review as well.

Thanks,
Greg G

From: (b) (6)

Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 10:27 PM
To: GIDDENS, GREGORY; ADAMS, ROWDY D
Subject: environmental q&a
Importance: High

Attached for your review is the Q&A to accompany the environmental data on our potential fence
segments.
Q: Please describe the environmental process, and how much of that effort DHS has completed.

A: An important part of DHS’s decision-making process is the formal environmental review

process. Four main factors contribute to fence location decisions: (1) the initial Border
Patrol operational assessments; (2) input from stakeholders, including landowners; (3)
environmental assessments; and (4) engineering assessments, which include the cost to
construct.

The environmental review process includes extensive consultation with state and local
officials, landowners, and the public. Federal agencies – such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the International Boundary and Water Commission –
are also included in the review process.

To conduct an environmental analysis, the Border Patrol must first have completed its initial
operational assessment to determine the potential locations for fence construction. For
pedestrian fence, DHS was able to initiate the environmental process last fall, and has made
significant progress in the development of NEPA documents for these projects. For
pedestrian fence, DHS released draft Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental
Assessments for public comment and held public open house meetings.

The Border Patrol completed its operational assessment for vehicle fence more recently. As
a result, DHS has not reached the point in the process where the draft environmental
documents are provided for public comment and public open house meetings are scheduled.
However, for many of the potential locations identified for vehicle fence, previous
environmental analysis has been completed. These historical analyses included public input.

NOTE: No final decisions on locations for pedestrian or vehicle fence have been made. As
our environmental documents for pedestrian fence had only reached the draft stage, the
factors in the decision-making process have not been completed. Because the Border Patrol
had only just completed initial operational assessments, there has been little to no outreach
on vehicle fence segments, and stakeholders are completely unaware of potential locations.