The court-ordered environmental review describes a facility for up to 1,500 people, nearly three times the number ICE gave the court through the spring. Public comment runs through July 1.
"Not any significant impact on current environmental structures within the county" WE ARE LOSING WATER AND OUR GROUND IS BARELY HOLDING ANY! Our landscape is a Karst-Style.....meaning we open ourselves up to sinkholes, underground water caverns, and human pollution buildup within a landscape already heavily impacted by those fleeing DC/Baltimore and other major cities thinking Wash Co is the land of magats. So many developments by Dan Ryan and others are already destroying our ecosystem. Our current infrastructure is hammered and overpopulated by flippin warehouses, it's like we've become the mushroom warehouse county. I miss the green rolling hills, the long srives without ugly warehouses.
There is not, unfortunately. All comments go to an ICE email inbox, and — at least in the past — they weren't shared publicly.
I do know with a high degree of probability that ICE uses a tool to scan emails that are sent in for similarity. Highly similar emails are counted as one single instance of a message. For that reason, it's best that everyone send in their own, unique message.
How do I take advantage of this public comment opportunity? I don't see a link in this article.
If I recall, the last time they had a public comment period, the email address that DHS provided was defective, yes?
Regarding the water and sewer capacity: Based on the most recent meetings of our Board of County Commissioners, I'd say they're hard at work trying to work around that pesky problem. The good ol' boys are handing no-bid consult contracts to none other than former county administrator.
I wish they'd work this hard at doing something that actually needs done around here, and would benefit their constituents.
I urge people who live in the area to file comments on the impact on their lives.
This detention center will be bad for Williamsport no matter what the administration says. Also, given that there are less than 3 years left for Trump, and the public hates these detention centers and the brutality of immigration enforcement, it's hard to imagine that this center will be survive much past January 20, 2029.
A commercial buyer would be more concerned with the community than this administration, whether it remained a warehouse or was repurposed for some other appropriate use. It will be a bargain for the next buyer, especially if there has been little modification by the administration.
See link above. Also suggest cc'ng yourself and/or the city council or county court (so if they say no one commented, or the email is broken, others see it.
"Not any significant impact on current environmental structures within the county" WE ARE LOSING WATER AND OUR GROUND IS BARELY HOLDING ANY! Our landscape is a Karst-Style.....meaning we open ourselves up to sinkholes, underground water caverns, and human pollution buildup within a landscape already heavily impacted by those fleeing DC/Baltimore and other major cities thinking Wash Co is the land of magats. So many developments by Dan Ryan and others are already destroying our ecosystem. Our current infrastructure is hammered and overpopulated by flippin warehouses, it's like we've become the mushroom warehouse county. I miss the green rolling hills, the long srives without ugly warehouses.
Indoor firing range?!
So they are required to do an EIS? Environmental Impact Statement? Yes? They should be very extensive and take a long time. Any time
Federal funds are involved, an EIS is required. Local folks should insist on this and make sure the Feds follow all the rules.
Email your comment to:
ICESustainability@ice.dhs.gov
Put “Hagerstown Comments” in the subject line.
—
From DHS:
DHS invites public comments on environmental conditions at the site and potential
environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action. Please provide any
comments, concerns, information, studies, or other data you may have regarding
potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action by Wednesday,
July 1, 2026. Please direct your correspondence to ICE at ICESustainability@ice.dhs.gov
with a subject “Hagerstown Comments”. DHS will consider all responses identifying
substantive issues that meaningfully inform the consideration of environmental effects
during the preparation of the EA
Many thanks!
Thanks.
Is there an online website where we can read the comments?
I don't trust the administration, and I want to make sure comments are recorded, so the administration can't claim there were no negative comments.
There is not, unfortunately. All comments go to an ICE email inbox, and — at least in the past — they weren't shared publicly.
I do know with a high degree of probability that ICE uses a tool to scan emails that are sent in for similarity. Highly similar emails are counted as one single instance of a message. For that reason, it's best that everyone send in their own, unique message.
Great question. Dunno is my answer. If you can do better, please post. TIA.
How do I take advantage of this public comment opportunity? I don't see a link in this article.
If I recall, the last time they had a public comment period, the email address that DHS provided was defective, yes?
Regarding the water and sewer capacity: Based on the most recent meetings of our Board of County Commissioners, I'd say they're hard at work trying to work around that pesky problem. The good ol' boys are handing no-bid consult contracts to none other than former county administrator.
I wish they'd work this hard at doing something that actually needs done around here, and would benefit their constituents.
See my instructions in my comment.
How do we file public comments?
I urge people who live in the area to file comments on the impact on their lives.
This detention center will be bad for Williamsport no matter what the administration says. Also, given that there are less than 3 years left for Trump, and the public hates these detention centers and the brutality of immigration enforcement, it's hard to imagine that this center will be survive much past January 20, 2029.
A commercial buyer would be more concerned with the community than this administration, whether it remained a warehouse or was repurposed for some other appropriate use. It will be a bargain for the next buyer, especially if there has been little modification by the administration.
See link above. Also suggest cc'ng yourself and/or the city council or county court (so if they say no one commented, or the email is broken, others see it.