Statement from DHS 1/8/26

Notice of Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain in Chester, NY

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is providing public notice pursuant to Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, as amended, for the following Proposed Action within the 100-year floodplain. Additionally, ICE evaluated practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain and reducing any potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action.  The conclusions drawn from the evaluation of alternatives are described below and determined the Chester site to be the most suitable option. 

Proposed Action

ICE is proposing to purchase, occupy and rehabilitate a warehouse property at 29 Elizabeth Drive, Chester, NY in support of ICE operations.  Proposed site improvements may include, but are not limited to, internal structural changes, surface parking area modifications, installation of a small guard building (approximately 150 square feet), establishment of an outdoor recreation area, utility and stormwater improvements, and fence line modifications.  No site improvements are expected to be taller than the existing structure or expand beyond the current site boundaries, and all work and construction staging will occur within the parcel boundary.  The new and modified facilities would occupy approximately 35.9 acres of land within the Village of Chester in Orange County. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Hazard Layer maintains official maps that delineate areas of regulated floodways and floodplains in the landscape to denote special flooding hazard and risk premium zones.  The Project site boundary is located within the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel 36071C0456E (effective date August 3, 2009). Approximately 5.90 acres are located within Zone AE Regulatory Floodway, and an additional 5.90 acres are within Zone AE Special Flood Hazard Area. The site also contains 6.49 acres of Zone X (shaded), representing areas of moderate flood hazard, and 10.96 acres of Zone X (unshaded), representing areas of minimal flood hazard (FEMA, 2025) 

Although the FIRM map shows portions of the building footprint within mapped flood hazard areas, these maps are generalized and do not reflect site-specific grading or elevation. The first-floor elevations of the existing structure are approximately 478.70 and 478.60 feet, which are roughly four feet above the adjacent base flood elevation of 474 feet.

Proposed activities requiring ground disturbance would be limited to minor excavation and surface preparation for the construction of the recreation court on existing asphalt, as well as for upgrades to perimeter security fencing, utilities, and stormwater capabilities.  Based on the scope of proposed activities, neither the acquisition nor the planned modifications would result in any functional changes to existing floodplain conditions. 

Alternatives

ICE evaluated reasonable alternative locations within the Area of Operations (AOR) and dismissed these alternative locations as they did not meet the purpose and need due to siting, operational suitability, or buildability issues.  Based on this analysis, the Chester site is identified as the preferred alternative due to its ability to minimize environmental impacts, avoid sensitive land uses, and meet the operational requirements of the Proposed Action. As stated previously, the Proposed Action is not anticipated to impact the floodplain. 

Comment

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Any individual, group, or agency wishing to comment on the project may do so via email at icesustainability@ice.dhs.gov. Comments must be received by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on or before January 16, 2026.