E9-11133. Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway in California

AGENCY:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of Limitation on claims for judicial review of actions by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327.

SUMMARY:

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed Avenue 416 Widening Project in the County of Tulare and County of Fresno, State of California. Those actions grant approvals for the project.

DATES:

By this notice, the FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is advising the public of final agency actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A claim seeking judicial review of the Federal agency actions on the highway project will be barred unless the claim is filed on or before November 9, 2009. If the Federal law that authorizes judicial review of a claim provides a time period of less than 180 days for filing such claim, then that shorter time period still applies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kelly Hobbs, Senior Environmental Planner, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2015 E. Shields Avenue #100, Fresno, CA 93726; weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time); telephone [phone]; e-mail [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Effective July 1, 2007, the FHWA assigned, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assumed environmental responsibilities for this project pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Notice is hereby given that Caltrans has taken final agency actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1) by issuing approvals for the following highway project in the State of California. The County of Tulare along with Fresno County and the City of Dinuba, in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), propose to improve approximately 12 miles of Mountain View Avenue/Avenue 416/El Monte Way by widening from a two-lane to a four-lane roadway and constructing a median and/or median lane. The limits are from Bethel Avenue in Fresno County east to Road 92 in the City of Dinuba in Tulare County. The replacement of the Kings River Bridge in Tulare County with a four-lane structure is also proposed. The project would improve traffic operations and improve regional transportation and circulation. The actions by the Federal agencies, and the laws under which such actions were taken, are described in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA)/Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project, approved on April 28, 2009, and in other documents in the FHWA administrative records. The EA/FONSI and other documents are available by contacting FHWA or Caltrans at the addresses provided above. The FHWA EA/FONSI can be viewed at public locations in the project area: Tulare County Resource Management Agency at 5961 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93277; the City of Dinuba City Hall, 405 East El Monte Way, Dinuba, CA 93618; the Dinuba Branch Library, 150 S I St, Dinuba, CA 93618; the Windsor Christian Academy, 5018 Avenue 416, Reedley, CA 93654; or the Fresno Central Library, 2420 Mariposa St, Fresno, CA 93721.

This notice applies to all Federal agency decisions as of the issuance date of this notice and all laws under which such actions were taken, including but not limited to:

1. General: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321-4351]; and Federal-Aid Highway Act [23 U.S.C. 109 and 23 U.S.C. 128].

2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401-7671(q)].

3. Land: Landscape and Scenic Enhancement (Wildflowers) [23 U.S.C. 319].

4. Wetlands and Water Resources: Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251-1377 (Section 404, Section 401, Section 319); Wetlands Mitigation [23 U.S.C. 103(b)(6)(m) and 133(b)(11)]; Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), 16 U.S.C. 4601-4604; Flood Disaster Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. 4001-4128; and Safe Drinking Water Act [42 U.S.C. 300(f)-300(j)(6)].

5. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act [16 U.S.C. 1531-1544 and Section 1536]; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act [16 U.S.C. 661-667(d)]; and Migratory Bird Treaty Act [16 U.S.C. 703-712].

6. Historic and Cultural Resources: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended [16 U.S.C. 470(f) et seq.]; Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act [16 U.S.C. 469-469c]; Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 [16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.]; and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act [25 U.S.C. 3001-3013].

7. Social and Economic: Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000(d)-2000(d)(1)]; Farmland Protection Policy Act [7 U.S.C. 4201-4209]; American Indian Religious Freedom Act [42 U.S.C. 1996]; and The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970, as amended.

8. Hazardous Materials: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act [42 U.S.C. 9601-9675]; Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986; and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act [42 U.S.C. 6901-6992(k)].

9. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990 Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988 Floodplain Management; E.O.12898 Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations; E.O. 11593 Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment; E.O. 13007 Indian Sacred Sites; E.O. 13287 Preserve America; E.O. 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments; E.O. 11514 Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality; and E.O. 13112 Invasive Species.

(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. 139(l)(1).

Issued on: May 7, 2009.

Karen Bobo,

Director, Local Agency Programs, Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento, California.