Replacement of Law Enforcement Division Headquarters at Padre Island National Seashore Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effects

The National Park Service (NPS) is making available for public review an Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AoE) for the construction of a new law enforcement division headquarters at Padre Island National Seashore. The EA/AoE evaluated a No Action Alternative, in which law enforcement staff would continue to use the existing modular structure in the Malaquite Visitor Center parking lot and the Preferred Alternative, which is construction of a new law enforcement headquarters at the same location as the current facility in the Visitor Center parking lot.

The new Law Enforcement division headquarters would replace the previous facility that was destroyed by fire in 2005 and the current temporary modular facility. The new facility would be constructed within the existing paved surface at the same location as the existing facility. The proposed bi-level facility would support a number of law enforcement functions and provide space for protection ranger staff offices; a muster room for the Padre Island Homeland Security Task Force; an evidence room; and storage for firearms, search and rescue equipment, emergency medical services, wildland fire gear, and radio equipment. In addition, the first floor would contain a compliant prisoner management area and secured vehicle bays for a fire engine and emergency patrol vehicles. The proposed facility would be designed to withstand torrential rains and high winds from storms and hurricanes. It would improve the work conditions for staff, create a secure location for law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical services, wildland firefighting and other functions and would help ensure the safety of visitors and staff, and the preservation of the park's fragile natural and cultural resources.

NPS encourages your review and comment on the EA. The document is available and comments may be submitted electronically on this website. Comments also may be sent to the address below.

Document Content:

Replacement of Law Enforcement Division Headquarters at Padre Island National Seashore EA_AoE   (4.0 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.