[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63350-63351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30268]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Howell, Michigan
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 proposed vehicular
improvements for access to the Kent County International Airport and
areas surrounding the airport in the southeast Grand Rapids and
Kentwood area of, Kent County, Michigan.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. James Kirschensteiner, Environmental Programs and Field Operations
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 315 W. Allegan Street,
Lansing, Michigan 48933, Telephone (517) 377-1880 x 41, Mr. Ron Kinney,
Manager, Environmental Section, Bureau of Transportation Planning,
Michigan Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing,
Michigan 48909, Telephone (517) 335-2621, or Mr. Steve Warren, Kent
County Road Commission, 1500 Scribner Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan
49504, Telephone (616) 752-7111.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Michigan
Department of Transportation (MDOT), Kent County Road Commission, Grand
Valley Metropolitan Council, City of Kentwood, Cascade Charter
Township, Kent County International Airport, and the Grand Rapids Area
Transit Authority, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for proposed access improvements to the Kent County International
Airport and environs. The area is experiencing significant growth and
development. Currently there is no direct airport access to and from
the freeway system. Existing roadways accessing the airport and the
surrounding environs are not able to accommodate current and future
traffic volumes in an acceptable manner.
A Major Investment Study is underway to narrow the range of
alternative investment strategies. The alternatives under consideration
include (1) No Build, (2) the construction of a new I-96 Interchange at
a new location, and (3) implementing traffic management programs which
could include expansion of transit ridership, and/or travel demand
management initiatives.
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, with a
Scoping Document. A substantial public involvement effort is currently
underway to solicit public views and comments. Two public involvement
efforts have been conducted to date under the Major Investment Study:
the first in April 1998
[[Page 63351]]
and the second on October 21, 1998, to provide the public an
opportunity to discuss the proposed action. A public hearing will also
be held on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Public notice will
be given of the time and place of the hearing. The Draft EIS will be
available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public
hearing. A Scoping Meeting is scheduled for November 23, 1998, at 9:00
a.m. at the Kent County Road Commission.
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.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this
program.)
Issued on: November 3, 1998.
Norman R. Stoner,
Assistant Division Administrator, Lansing, Michigan.
[FR Doc. 98-30268 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
