[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7040-7041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4092]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Environmental Impact Statement: Otero County, New Mexico

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be 

[[Page 7041]]
prepared for a proposed highway project in Otero County, New Mexico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. William R. Bird, Environmental Planning Engineer, Federal Highway 
Administration, P.O. Box 25246, Denver, Colorado 80225, telephone 303-
969-5909.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with Lincoln 
National Forest and the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation 
Department, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a 
proposal to improve New Mexico Forest Highway (FH) 45, Sacramento River 
Road. The portion to be improved extends 13.1 miles from Sunspot to 
Timberon in Otero County, New Mexico. The FHWA is the lead agency. The 
USDA-Forest Service, Lincoln National Forest, will assist the FHWA in 
the preparation of the environmental impact statement.
    Improvements are being considered to provide a safe, all-weather 
facility for the existing and projected traffic demand. Alternatives 
under consideration include (1) taking no action, (2) the improvement 
of the existing facility to appropriate American Association of State 
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design criteria, and (3) 
other alternatives that may be developed during environmental process.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens. A public scoping meeting and a 
public hearing will be held in the project area. Information on the 
time and place of public meetings and hearings will be provided in the 
local news media and by letter to individuals and agencies that have 
expressed interest in the proposal. The draft EIS will be available for 
public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related 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 
at the address 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: February 6, 1996.

    Dated: February 15, 1996.
Larry C. Smith,
Division Engineer, FHWA, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 96-4092 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]
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