E7-2997. Environmental Impact Statement: State Route 91 Improvements. The Project Begins on State Route 91/State Route 67/U.S. 321 West of State Route 362 and Extends to Just West of State Route-37 (U.S. 19E), Elizabethton, Carter County, TN

AGENCY:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of Intent.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed highway project in Carter County, Tennessee.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Karen M. Brunelle, Planning and Program Management Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration—Tennessee Division Office, 640 Grassmere Park Road, Suite 112, Nashville, TN 37211. 615-781-5772.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared for the proposed project and completed on June 7, 2002. Since the June 7, 2002 EA approval, technical studies identified sensitive environmental features which warranted the consideration of additional alternatives beyond the ones studied for the western half of the original preferred alternative presented in the EA. The identified environmental issues could result in potential significant impacts. As a result, the FHWA in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Transportation will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to provide an improved corridor from west of State Route 362 to just west of State Route-37 (U.S. 19E), a distance of approximately four miles.

Alternatives to be considered include: (1) No-build; (2) a Transportation System Management (TSM) alternative; (3) a transit alternative; (4) one or more build alternatives that could include constructing a roadway on a new location, upgrading existing State Route-91, or a combination of both, and (5) other alternatives that may arise from public input. Public scoping meetings will be held for the project corridor. As part of the scoping process, federal, state, and local agencies and officials; private organizations; citizens; and interest groups will have an opportunity to identify issues of concern and provide input on the purpose and need for the project, range of alternatives, methodology, and the development of the Environmental Impact Statement. A Coordination Plan will be developed to include the public in the project development process. This plan will utilize the following outreach efforts to provide information and solicit input: newsletters, an internet Web site, e-mail and direct mail, informational meetings and briefings, public hearings, and other efforts as necessary and appropriate. A public hearing will be held upon completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and 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 hearings.

To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed action are identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions concerning the proposed action should be directed to the FHWA contact person identified above at the address provided above.

(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 proposed program).

Issued on: February 15, 2007.

Karen M. Brunelle, P.E.,

Planning and Program Mgmt. Team Leader Nashville, TN.