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Environmental Impact

Last Updated: May 10, 2022 | Publication

DRAFT Environmental Assessment for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Testing at Multiple Sites

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) proposes to test C-UAS capabilities to detect, track, identify, and mitigate (DTI-M) small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). Five geographical testing areas are being considered in this Environmental Assessment (EA): Niagara Falls and Buffalo, New York; the greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area; Northeastern West Virginia; National Capital Region (NCR), Washington, D.C.; and Richmond, Virginia.

Last Updated: April 14, 2022 | Site Page

Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Assessment of the Nationwide Operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The Department of Homeland Security’s proposes to conduct current and future small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS; i.e., drone) activities nationwide in order to meet DHS mission requirements (Proposed Action). DHS is preparing a Programmatic Environmental Assessment to evaluate the potential impacts associated with the Proposed Action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 United States Code §§ 4321 et seq.); the White House Council on Environmental Quality Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1500-1508); and DHS Management Directive 023-01, rev. 01 Implementation of the NEPA.

Last Updated: March 17, 2022 | Press Releases

Feature Article: Tracing the Path of Pathogens after Rain

DHS S&T and EPA joined forces for a Stormwater Tracer Study to help the Coast Guard locate pathogenic spores after rains and decontaminate the sites.

Last Updated: January 28, 2022 | Site Page

Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Closure Activities at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center on Plum Island, NY

DHS intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment and requests receipt of public scoping comments. DHS currently operates a facility known as the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) on Plum Island, New York. The PIADC mission is to protect U.S. livestock from accidental or intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases that seriously threaten United States livestock industries, food security and economy. DHS proposes to cease operations and close the PIADC facility. Plum Island is an 840-acre island located approximately 1.5 miles off Orient Point and Long Island, New York. DHS also owns and operates transportation assets and a 9.5-acre facility to support PIADC at Orient Point, New York, which includes buildings, utilities, and ferry docking facilities. 

Last Updated: October 7, 2021 | Publication

DHS Climate Action Plan to Address the Impacts of Climate Change and Ensure the Department’s Climate Resilience

The DHS Climate Action Plan outlines the steps the Department is taking to tackle the climate crisis, including bolstering the Department’s ability to adapt to climate change, building national resilience, undertaking mitigation measures, and addressing key vulnerabilities. This plan is part of President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to confronting the climate crisis.

Last Updated: October 7, 2021 | Press Releases

DHS Releases New Climate Action Plan to Address the Impacts of Climate Change and Ensure the Department’s Climate Resilience

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a new Climate Action Plan outlining the steps the Department is taking to tackle the climate crisis, including bolstering the Department’s ability to adapt to climate change, building national resilience, undertaking mitigation measures, and addressing key vulnerabilities.  This plan is part of President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to confronting the climate crisis. 

Last Updated: September 23, 2021 | Press Releases

Department of Homeland Security Partners with Environmental Protection Agency to Enforce Phasedown of Climate-Damaging HFCs

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new interagency task force that will guard against the illegal importation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).  HFCs are potent greenhouse gases with global warming potential that can be thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide.  A global phasedown of HFCs could meaningfully prevent the development of adverse global warming effects over the next century.  

Last Updated: August 16, 2021 | Publication

Final Environmental Assessment of Proposed Tracer Particle and Gas Releases and Finding of No Significant Impact

The United States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and other stakeholders in New York City (NYC), is proposing to conduct testing events to improve resiliency of urban areas and transportation systems against chemical or biological terrorist attacks (Proposed Action).

Last Updated: August 3, 2021 | Publication

Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for El Paso Service Processing Center

ICE has prepared this Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.) and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations, as well as DHS Directive 023-01, Revision 01 and DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Revison 01, Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act. This Draft EA discloses the environmental impacts that would result from the Proposed Action and alternatives.

Last Updated: June 4, 2021 | Site Page

DHS Actions: Climate Change

The climate crisis poses a multi-level threat to the American people, the global community, and DHS operations at home and abroad. It is vital for the Department to provide leadership and act to minimize its own environmental impact, to promote resilience against the risks posed by climate change, and to facilitate adaptation, so as to reduce harms and threats to the American people and abroad.