[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 42753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20167]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Rail Corridor-Washington, DC to
Charlotte, NC
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 a
Tiered Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the
Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor from Washington, DC to Charlotte,
North Carolina, by way of Richmond, Virginia and Raleigh, North
Carolina.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Catherine Batey, Planning &
Program Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 New
Bern Ave., Suite 410, Raleigh, NC 27601, Telephone # (919) 856-4330 x
115: and Mr. David Valenstein, Transportation & Environmental
Specialist, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), 400 Seventh Street,
SW, MS 20, Washington, DC 20590, Telephone # (202) 493-6368.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA and the FRA, in cooperation with
the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), will prepare a
Tiered Environmental Impact Statement to examine the concept of a high
speed rail system from Washington, DC through Richmond, Virginia and
Raleigh, North Carolina, on to Charlotte, North Carolina. This concept
represents a 477 mile long extension of the Northeast Rail Corridor,
and encompasses over 1000 miles of existing rail rights-of-way that are
potentially useable.
This action has four basic goals: (1) Establish the purpose and
need of the project concept; (2) examine the regional implications of
the project concept; (3) assess the modal and technology alternatives
within the broad corridor and determine a preferred modal alternative;
and (4) determine the feasible study area(s) to be carried forward for
the appropriate second tier of environmental documentation.
It is anticipated that a joint scoping meeting will be held in
South Hill, Virginia during late September or early October of this
year. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments
are being sent appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies (in North
Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia). An iterative public
involvement/information program will support the process. The program
will involve public workshops, newsletters, fact sheets, a public
opinion survey, and a project hotline along with other methods to
solicit and incorporate public input throughout the planning process.
To ensure that the full range of issues relating to the proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments and
questions concerning the proposed action should be directed to the FHWA
or the FRA at the addresses provided above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulation implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)
Issued on: July 29, 1999.
Nicholas L. Graf,
Division Administrator, Raleigh, North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 99-20167 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
