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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan requesting the agency to consider conducting a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as part of the BOTA Land Port of Entry modernization project. The assessment is requested in addition to the already required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Review Act. 

“Built in 1967, BOTA has reached the end of its lifecycle as most of the buildings and infrastructure are operating at or beyond capacity and are no longer meeting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection current design standards,” Congresswoman Escobar wrote. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $600 - $700 million have been designated to renovate BOTA. I welcome this funding and know that the investment is desperately needed.” 

She continued, “Residents who live near the port have raised concerns about the environmental and health impacts that already exist along with questions about whether the project could potentially exacerbate existing issues. El Paso is an economically disadvantaged community in a region where our residents are burdened with poor air quality and the negative impacts of climate change. The pollution emitted by idling vehicles waiting for inspection at all of our land ports has significantly impacted the well-being of residents, federal personnel, and students and staff at nearby schools. The lack of adequate CBP personnel to operate all our land ports at full capacity – to more efficiently move that traffic -- has exacerbated wait-times and increased that pollution.” 

“If conducted, I believe a HIA within a three-mile radius of BOTA could support the NEPA process by helping GSA better understand the current health challenges faced by residents who live near what is one of the busiest land ports of entry in our region, one that sees disproportionately high traffic because it is toll-free,” she added. “HIAs help thoroughly examine various factors, including health indicators such as respiratory and cardiovascular health, non-chemical stressors like noise pollution, indoor and ambient air pollutants, as well as other sources of pollution in the area. By incorporating a HIA, recommendations to mitigate any harmful or negative factors could be identified and adopted.” 

“I understand that any decision around conducting a HIA will also carefully evaluate the impact on the timeline and budgetary restraints for the BOTA project. I recommend that GSA assess the possibility of conducting a Health Impact Assessment (HIA), provided that it can be carried out efficiently and expeditiously, and without jeopardizing the current project schedule or posing any substantial risks to the funding that has already been allocated to El Paso… Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you about how we can protect public health, uphold the principles of sustainable development, and safeguard the environmental well-being of El Paso through this historic investment,” she concluded. 

The full text of the letter can be found here.