[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19705]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

 

Environmental Impact Statement: Arenac and Iosco Counties, 
Michigan

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 the proposed US-23 
freeway from M-13 to M-55, Arenac and Iosco Counties, Michigan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Norman Stoner, Program Operations 
Engineer, FHWA, 315 W. Allegan Street, Room 207, Lansing Michigan, 
48933, Telephone: (517) 377-1880; or Mr. Ronald S. Kinney, Manager, 
Environmental Section, Bureau of Transportation Planning, Michigan 
Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, Michigan, 48909, 
Telephone: (517) 335-2621.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Michigan 
Department of Transportation (MDOT), is preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed US-23 freeway from M-13 to M-55 
in Arenac and Iosco Counties, Michigan. The purpose of the new freeway 
is to assist northeast Michigan in its economic development program 
which has been intensified subsequent to the closure of Wurtsmith Air 
Force Base. The freeway will provide a high speed non-stop facility 
which will make the region's markets, resources, and employment base 
accessible to more clients and customers. An accelerated schedule for 
the completion of this 48 kilometer (30 mile) project is important to 
other economic development efforts. Alternatives under consideration 
include: (1) No Action, (2) low Capitol Improvements, and (3) Freeway 
on New Location..

    The Low Capitol Alternate proposes the possibility of passing 
relief lanes, intersection and interchange improvements, and other 
minor traffic safety modifications.
    Other alternates eliminated from further study through public and 
agency comments include a southern Bypass of Standish and Omer to M-65 
and improvements along the existing alignment (roadways).
    The freeway alternate is a four lane divided, controlled access 
freeway with a median on a new location. The route under study would 
begin at the existing US-23/M-13 interchange south of Standish and 
bypass Standish 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) east of US-23 to interchange 
with the existing US-23 northeast of Standish near Senske Road. From 
this point, the roadway proceeds northeast to cross the Rifle River 
about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) northwest of Omer. The route then heads 
to parallel the railroad (along its west side) to Whittemore Road and 
then north to interchange with M-55 west of Tawas (between Imperial 
Drive and Rempert Road).
    Early coordination with a number of Federal, State, and local 
agencies has identified the more significant issues to be addressed in 
the EIS. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency are requested to be cooperating agencies in the 
development of the proposed action. A scoping document will be prepared 
identifying the alternates being considered and the social, economic, 
and environmental issues involved.
    The scoping document anticipated in August of 1994 and will be 
available to all interested agencies, organizations, and individuals on 
request. A pre-study meeting will be held in 1994 to provide the public 
an opportunity to discuss the proposed action. Comments on the scoping 
document and issues identified are invited from all interested parties. 
Requests for a copy of the scoping document or any comments submitted 
should be addressed to the above contact persons.
    The Draft EIS is scheduled for completion in fall 1995 and will be 
available for public and agency review.

(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).

    Issued on: July 6, 1994.
A. George Ostensen,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-19705 Filed 8-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M