County officials say they were not involved in federal purchase of Williamsport warehouse; ICE to develop environmental assessment

County Administrator Michelle Gordon told the Board of County Commissioners that Washington County was not involved in the site-selection or sale of a warehouse on Wright Road in Williamsport and that county officials were not approached to sign any non-disclosure agreement.

Gordon said the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified the county's planning and zoning office on May 5, 2026, and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has informed county staff it is awaiting final contractor design before providing ground-disturbance details. "ICE has determined that the scope of potential impacts associated with the proposed undertaking warrants the development of an environmental assessment," Gordon said, adding that ICE "will re-engage interested parties and consulting parties in compliance with section 106" once design information is available.

Gordon said the county had not been consulted during the purchase and that "any statements or social media posts to the contrary are false." She said Washington County has no jurisdiction over the property now that it is federal government-owned and that public engagement on environmental and cultural-resource impacts will be initiated by the federal agency when the proposed action plan is available.

The administrator asked the public to submit questions and written correspondence directly to ICE environmental staff (as provided in the meeting) and encouraged citizens to contact congressional or senatorial offices for constituent inquiries. Gordon said a press release would be distributed with the county's update.

The board did not take a formal action to challenge the sale; the update was presented for information and to clarify the county's role.