[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19191]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

 

Environmental Impact Statement: Idaho County, ID

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 a proposed highway 
construction project on the Salmon River Road in Idaho County, Idaho.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael J. Edgerly, Project Manager, or Ross Widener, Staff 
Environmental Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Western Federal 
Lands Highway Division, 610 East Fifth Street, Vancouver, Washington 
98661. Telephone: (206) 696-7750.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the US Forest 
Service, the Idaho Transportation Department, and Idaho County, will 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to 
reconstruct a 16.73-kilometer (10.4-mile) section of the Salmon River 
Road. The section proposed for improvements is located just south of 
Riggins in the Nezperce National Forest and stretches east from the 
junction with US 95 to Spring Bar.
    The proposed improvements will address the existing narrow road, 
the deteriorated roadway foundation, the substandard horizontal 
alignment, the overly steep side slopes, the inadequate roadway 
drainage, and other roadside safety problems such as a lack of 
guardrail and shoulders. Under this proposal the road may be upgraded 
to a two-lane paved standard either on its existing alignment, on a new 
alignment, or a combination of both. Bridges along the route may be 
replaced or rehabilitated.
    The highway improvements are considered necessary to provide users 
with a modern, safe road that can accommodate the existing and future 
volume of traffic using it. The road is mainly a multi-purpose 
recreational route in an environmentally sensitive river canyon and is 
used heavily by rafters who need to access landing areas and pick-up 
points (over seven thousand rafters use this route annually during the 
rafting season). The road is functionally classified as a minor rural 
collector and is only 4.88 to 5.49 meters (16 to 18 feet) wide, which 
is very substandard for the amount and type of traffic using it. The 
road's deteriorated condition and substandard features create 
operational deficiencies and safety hazards that put all who use the 
route at risk.
    At this early stage we are considering four preliminary 
alternatives for improving this road: (A) Upgrade the existing road 
along its present alignment to a two-lane road that is 7.32 meters (24 
feet) wide. The horizontal alignment would be corrected where 
necessary, drainage would be improved, the structure over the Little 
Salmon River (MP 0.1) would be upgraded from one to two lanes, and the 
structure over the Salmon River (MP 6.4) would remain a one-lane 
bridge. (B) relocate the road to the north side of the canyon, widen it 
to 7.32 meters (24 feet) with two lanes, provide adequate drainage, 
provide guardrail where needed, and construct a new structure across 
the Salmon River near Riggins. (C) upgrade the existing road to a two-
lane road partially along a new alignment and partially on the existing 
alignment. A 7.32-meter (24-foot) paved surface would be provided, new 
bridges would be built over the Salmon River, the bridge over the 
Little Salmon River would be upgraded to two lanes, the horizontal 
alignment would be corrected, guardrail would be installed where 
necessary, and adequate drainage would be provided. (D) the No Action 
alternative. The road would remain in its present deteriorated 
condition with only normal maintenance being done to it. The major 
maintenance problems and operational and safety deficiencies would not 
be addressed.
    Announcements describing the proposed action and soliciting 
comments will be sent to the appropriate federal, state, and local 
agencies. These also will be sent to private organizations and citizens 
who have expressed an interest in the project or who are known to have 
an interest in the area. Public scoping meeting have been tentatively 
scheduled for the week of September 26, 1994, in the Idaho communities 
of Riggins, Grangeville, and McCall. Public notices announcing the 
times and places of these meetings will be sent to interested 
individuals and to various newspapers in the communities of Riggins, 
Grangeville, and McCall. A separate meeting will be held with all 
interested resource agencies prior to the public meetings. Additional 
public meetings may be held if it is determined to be necessary based 
on public input.
    It is important that the full range of issues related to this 
proposed action be addressed and that all significant issues be 
identified. To ensure that this happens, comments and suggestions are 
invited from all parties. Comments or questions concerning this 
proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the FHWA at the 
address and phone number 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: July 26, 1994.
James N. Hall,
Division Engineer, Vancouver, Washington.
[FR Doc. 94-19191 Filed 8-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M