The General Services Administration (GSA) issued a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the modernization and expansion of the Nogales DeConcini Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Nogales, Arizona. The notice initiates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process for the project.

The DeConcini LPOE is one of the primary ports of entry on the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, handling significant volumes of commercial and passenger traffic between Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.

The proposed modernization and expansion project is substantial in scope. Based on the GSA notice, the project may include:

• Significant expansion of the port footprint — the project may substantially increase the physical area of the port facility, potentially requiring acquisition of adjacent properties
• Replacement of existing buildings — aging port infrastructure would be replaced with modern facilities designed to meet current CBP operational requirements and security standards
• Additional vehicle processing lanes — expanded capacity for commercial truck lanes, passenger vehicle lanes, and dedicated lanes for trusted traveler programs
• Additional pedestrian processing facilities — expanded capacity for pedestrian crossings, including facilities for CBP processing and inspection
• Utility infrastructure — upgrades to water, sewer, electrical, and communications infrastructure serving the expanded facility
• Traffic management improvements — changes to approach roads, queuing areas, and traffic circulation patterns to accommodate expanded capacity

The EIS process follows a structured sequence under NEPA:

Scoping The notice of intent initiates the scoping phase, during which GSA will identify the range of issues to be addressed in the EIS, the alternatives to be evaluated, and the agencies and public to be involved. Scoping typically includes public meetings and a formal comment period.

Draft EIS GSA will prepare a Draft EIS analyzing the environmental impacts of the proposed project and alternatives. The Draft EIS will be published for public comment.

Final EIS After reviewing public comments on the Draft EIS, GSA will prepare a Final EIS responding to comments and presenting GSA's conclusions.

Record of Decision Following the Final EIS, GSA will issue a Record of Decision documenting its decision on the project.

The full EIS process typically takes two to four years for a project of this complexity.

Border-Trade Operators and Logistics Companies The DeConcini LPOE is a critical crossing point for commercial trade between the United States and Mexico. The expansion project will ultimately increase processing capacity and reduce wait times — but the construction period will create significant operational disruption. Border-trade operators and logistics companies should:

• Monitor the project timeline and construction phasing to anticipate periods of reduced capacity
• Engage in the scoping process to ensure that construction phasing plans minimize disruption to commercial traffic
• Review contracts with Mexican suppliers and customers for force majeure provisions that may be triggered by extended border delays

Real Estate Owners and Developers The expansion of the port footprint may require acquisition of adjacent properties through purchase or eminent domain. Property owners near the DeConcini LPOE should:

• Monitor the scoping process for information about the project's proposed footprint and potential acquisition areas
• Assess whether their properties may be in the path of the expansion
• Consult with counsel about their rights in the event of a government acquisition

The project may also affect property values in the surrounding area — both positively (increased commercial activity from expanded port capacity) and negatively (construction disruption, traffic changes, and potential condemnation of adjacent properties).

Contractors and Construction Firms A project of this scale — replacing and expanding a major federal facility — represents a significant procurement opportunity. GSA will ultimately issue solicitations for design and construction services. Contractors and construction firms with experience in federal facility construction, border infrastructure, and CBP facility requirements should monitor GSA procurement announcements.

Historic Preservation The EIS will include an assessment of impacts on cultural resources and historic properties in the project area. The Nogales area has significant historic resources associated with the border region's history. Parties with interests in historic preservation should engage in the scoping process.

Utilities The project will require coordination with utility providers for water, sewer, electrical, and communications infrastructure. Utility companies serving the Nogales area should engage with GSA during the scoping and design phases.

The Nogales DeConcini expansion is part of a broader federal effort to modernize U.S. land ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Biden and Trump administrations have both identified land port modernization as a priority, and Congress has appropriated significant funding for LPOE improvements through multiple legislative vehicles.

The DeConcini LPOE handles a mix of commercial and passenger traffic. The Mariposa LPOE, located a few miles west of DeConcini, handles the bulk of commercial truck traffic. The DeConcini expansion is focused primarily on passenger vehicle and pedestrian capacity, though the project scope may include commercial vehicle elements.

Stakeholders who want to influence the project's design, scope, or mitigation measures should engage early in the NEPA process:

• Scoping comments: Submit comments during the scoping phase identifying issues that should be addressed in the EIS
• Draft EIS comments: Submit detailed comments on the Draft EIS when it is published
• Agency coordination: Parties with specific regulatory interests (historic preservation, utilities, transportation) should request cooperating agency or consulting party status

Early engagement is more effective than late-stage objections — the scoping phase is the best opportunity to shape what the EIS analyzes.

The GSA's notice of intent for the Nogales DeConcini LPOE expansion initiates a multi-year federal review process for a project that will significantly affect border-trade operations, logistics, real estate, and construction activity in the Nogales area. Border-trade operators, logistics companies, real estate owners, contractors, and developers with interests in the Nogales area should engage with the NEPA process now, before the project's scope and design are locked in.