Public Participation

What are the opportunities for public involvement?

Two scoping meetings were held on May 19, 2010 in Old Saybrook, CT and on May 20, 2010 in Greenport, NY to solicit public comments on the proposed public sale of Plum Island and the 9 ½- acre Orient Point, NY facility. Follow the links below to information presented at the meetings.

Document links
Plum Island FAQ
Fact Sheet on Sale of Plum Island
Freshwater/Tidal Buffers
Aerial Photography
Environmental Impact Statement Overview
Floodplain Areas
Island Overview
Topography
Wetlands
Presentation Slides
EIS Scoping Report - Appendix A, B, C, D, E, F, G


The primary purpose of the scoping process is for the public to assist the GSA and DHS in developing the EIS by identifying important issues related to the sale of Plum Island. The scoping meetings were the first formal opportunity for sharing your thoughts and concerns regarding issues to be evaluated in the EIS. GSA and DHS requested that any comments be submitted by Wednesday, June 2, 2010, so that they could be considered during the preparation of the draft EIS. The scoping comment period is now closed. GSA has compiled comments received as a result of the scoping process. Follow the link below to view verbal and written public comments submitted at the scoping meetings and received afterwards.

Click for comments

In addition, the public will have two other formal opportunities to comment: after the Draft EIS and the Final EIS are published. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review in 2012. At that time, a Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS will be published in the Federal Register, notices will appear in the Suffolk Times(New York) and the Shoreline Times (Connecticut), and public meetings will be held to facilitate public comment. Written and oral comments will be accepted for a period of 45 days from the date the Draft EIS is made available.

The Final EIS is scheduled to be available later in 2012. At that time, a Notice of Availability will be published in the Federal Register, and the Final EIS will be available for public review for 30 days.