[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 82 (Friday, April 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18639-18640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10371]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact; Barney
Circle Freeway Modification Project, Washington, DC
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a
Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed by the FHWA's
District of Columbia Division Administrator on April 16, 1996, after
reviewing and analyzing the Environmental Assessment (EA) and
associated public comments for the Barney Circle Freeway Modification
Project in Washington, DC .
After reviewing and analyzing currently available data and
information on existing conditions, project impacts, measures to
mitigate those impacts, and comments from the public and governmental
agencies, the FHWA has determined that there are no new significant
impacts that would require the FHWA to prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) or to modify the 1984 FHWA Record
of Decision (ROD) to construct the Selected Alternative, as proposed in
the 1983 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Barney
Circle Freeway Modification Project. This FONSI is based on the 1995 EA
and Public Review and Comment Record, both of which are summarized in
the FONSI. These documents have been independently evaluated by the
FHWA and determined to adequately and accurately discuss the need for
the proposed project, the environmental changes, issues, and impacts
that have
[[Page 18640]]
occurred since preparation of the 1983 FEIS, and the appropriate
mitigation measures. These documents provide sufficient evidence and
analysis for determining that a SEIS is not required. The FHWA takes
full responsibility for the accuracy, scope, and content of the 1995
EA, Public Review and Comment Record, and the FONSI document. The FHWA
reiterates its determination that there is no feasible and prudent
alternative to the use of land from Anacostia and Garfield Parks, and
that the proposed action includes all possible planning to minimize
harm to these properties resulting from such use.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walt Adams, Assistant Division
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 820 First Street, N.E.,
Suite 750, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 523-0163. Office hours are 8:00
a.m.-4:30 p.m.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The basis for the 1996 FONSI for the
proposed Barney Circle Freeway Modification Project is discussed in the
document. It has been developed in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Barney Circle Freeway Modification
Project, as proposed by the District of Columbia Department of Public
Works (DCDPW), completes a portion of the Interstate highway system in
the southeast area of the District of Columbia. It would connect the
Eisenhower Freeway (I-295) at Barney Circle with a logical terminus,
via a 1.4-mile four-lane freeway and bridge, at the Anacostia Freeway.
The goal of the project is to provide a direct link between central
Washington, D.C., and areas to the northeast and east, and to divert
through traffic from local streets to higher-capacity roadways. The
1995 Barney Circle Freeway Modification Project EA was prepared to
determine if any new conditions, changes in government policy, or new
environmental issues have occurred, since completion of the 1983 FEIS
and the subsequent re-evaluations of the FEIS in 1989 and 1993, that
would affect or modify the basis for FHWA's 1984 Record of Decision
(ROD).
The FHWA has reviewed and analyzed available data and information
on existing conditions, project impacts, and measures to mitigate those
impacts, and the comments from the public and governmental agencies.
The FHWA has determined that there are no new significant impacts that
would require the FHWA to prepare a SEIS or to modify the 1984 ROD to
construct the Selected Alternative, as proposed in the 1983 FEIS.
Major concerns addressed in the EA include: (1) the discovery of
contaminated materials in the western section of the proposed freeway,
(2) environmental justice, (3) cumulative impacts, and (4) the federal
ecological management initiative. A summary discussion of each of these
issues is presented in the FONSI document, which is available to the
public for review. Comments or questions concerning the FONSI should be
directed to the FHWA 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 program.)
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315, 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: April 19, 1996.
Walt Adams,
Assistant Division Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-10371 Filed 4-25-96; 8:45 am]
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