In 2007, CBP began developing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a 16.1-mile pilot project to compare the cost and effectiveness of four different Carrizo cane removal methods: aerial herbicide application, mechanical removal, cut stem herbicide application, and controlled burn/herbicide. A public scoping meeting was held in Laredo in May 2008, and the EA was circulated for public review and comment from July 1 through July 31, 2008. The EA was completed in August 2008, and the resulting “Finding of No Significant Impact” was signed on August 27, 2008.

Because of funding limitations, the initial phase of the project has been limited to removing cane within a 1.1 mile portion of the 16.1 mile EA zone. The pilot project is located along a 1.1 mile stretch of the Rio Grande River on approximately 27 acres of city owned land between Laredo’s international railroad bridge and the south wall of the Laredo Community College. The project extends roughly 200 feet from the river shoreline inland to an existing Border Patrol road. This area was chosen out of the 16.1 mile EA zone because it poses the greatest challenge to mission performance in the entire Laredo Border Patrol Sector.

The resulting EA for the projects is provided below by chapter.