[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36872-36873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17561]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Sebastian, Crawford, Scott, 
Logan, Polk, Howard and Sevier Counties, AR

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHA), 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 
project in the Arkansas Counties of Sebastian, Crawford, Scott, Logan, 
Polk, Howard and Sevier.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Wendall L. Meyer, Environmental and 
Design Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 3128 Federal Office 
Building, Little Rock, AR 72201-3298, telephone: (501) 324-6430; or 
Reid Beckel, Consultant Coordinator, Roadway Design, Arkansas State 
Highway and Transportation Department, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 
72203, telephone: (501) 569-2163.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Arkansas 
State Highway and Transportation Department, will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct a four-
lane, divided, fully controlled access highway facility located on new 
alignment. Several alternatives and locations will be considered, 
including various types of improvements and combinations of 
improvements to the existing facility. The ``no-action'' alternative 
will also be considered, in which roads are constructed in accordance 
with the Statewide Transportation Improvement plan, with the exception 
of the proposed facility. The approximate length of the project is 206 
kilometers (128 miles).
    This Environmental Impact Statement will also include a Major 
Investment Study within the metropolitan area of Fort Smith, AR, as 
required by the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 23, Part 450.
    The proposed improvements would improve the safety and capacity of 
the existing route and increase regional mobility along a proposed 
ultimate 

[[Page 36873]]
route extending from Kansas City, MO to Shreveport, LA. This project is 
one of several projects identified as ``high priority corridors'' on 
the National Highway System that would provide a transportation 
corridor of national significance from Kansas City to Shreveport. The 
proposed improvements will draw new traffic through western Arkansas 
and serve as both a short-term and long-term economic stimulus, 
promoting development in this currently rural area.
    The northern terminus of the proposed improvements will connect to 
Interstate 40 near Fort Smith, AR. The southern terminus will connect 
with the proposed improvements of U.S. 71 near DeQueen, AR, for which 
an EIS is currently being prepared.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have 
been sent to appropriate Federal, state, and local agencies and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are 
known to have an interest in this project. A series of public meetings 
will be held within the study area beginning in the summer of 1995, 
with on-going public involvement activities. Scoping meetings with 
local officials and State and Federal resource agencies will also be 
held during the summer of 1995. The draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) will be available for public and agency review and 
comment prior to a public hearing. Public notice will be given of the 
time and place for all meetings and hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
project are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 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.)

    Issued on: July 12, 1995.
Wendall L. Meyer,
Environmental and Design Specialist, FHWA, Little Rock, AR.
[FR Doc. 95-17561 Filed 7-17-95; 8:45 am]
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