[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 213 (Friday, November 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 56605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28068]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Imperial County, CA
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway
project in Imperial County, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Glenn Clinton, District Engineer,
Federal Highway Administration, 980--9th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento,
CA 95814-2724.
Telephone: (916) 498-5037.
Internet Address:
C. [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the California
Department of Transportation will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct approximately 19.9 km (12.4
miles) of State Routes 78 and 111 in Imperial County and near the City
of Brawley from 0.8 km (0.5 miles) south of Baughman Road on State
Routes 86 and 78 to 0.5 km (0.3 miles) north of Mead Road on State
Route 111. The project is proposed as a four-lane expressway on new
location.
Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to provide
the final link in continuous four-lane highway access between
Interstate 8 in Imperial County and Interstate 10 in Riverside County.
This project is part of the primary North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) corridor between the mainland of Mexico and the City of Los
Angeles. These improvements are also considered necessary to relieve
local congestion and highway safety concerns in the City of Brawley
along existing State Routes 78 and 111 which are currently burdened
with extensive commercial traffic. Alternatives under consideration
include (1) taking no action; (2) constructing a divided four-lane,
controlled access expressway on new location; (3) alignment variations
as appropriate to minimize environmental effects of the project.
Within the limits of the study area for this project, various
environmental resources and issues are known to exist and include but
are not limited to: wetlands, floodway and floodplain, wildlife
habitat, prime farmlands, growth inducement, economic, home and
business relocation, noise, changes to vehicle traffic patterns,
regional air quality, seismic exposure, land use planning, hazardous
waste, and irrigation/drain systems.
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are
known to have interest in this proposal. At least one public meeting
will be held in Imperial County to solicit input from the local
citizens on alternatives. In addition, a public hearing will be held.
Public Notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and
hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review
and comment prior to the public hearing.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to the FHWA at the address provided above. The views of
agencies having knowledge about historic resources potentially affected
by the proposal or interested in the effects of the project on historic
properties are solicited
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)
Issued on: October 18, 1996.
C. Glenn Clinton,
Chief, District Operations--South Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 96-28068 Filed 10-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
