[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 82 (Friday, April 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18639-18640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10371]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact; Barney 
Circle Freeway Modification Project, Washington, DC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed by the FHWA's 
District of Columbia Division Administrator on April 16, 1996, after 
reviewing and analyzing the Environmental Assessment (EA) and 
associated public comments for the Barney Circle Freeway Modification 
Project in Washington, DC .
    After reviewing and analyzing currently available data and 
information on existing conditions, project impacts, measures to 
mitigate those impacts, and comments from the public and governmental 
agencies, the FHWA has determined that there are no new significant 
impacts that would require the FHWA to prepare a Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) or to modify the 1984 FHWA Record 
of Decision (ROD) to construct the Selected Alternative, as proposed in 
the 1983 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Barney 
Circle Freeway Modification Project. This FONSI is based on the 1995 EA 
and Public Review and Comment Record, both of which are summarized in 
the FONSI. These documents have been independently evaluated by the 
FHWA and determined to adequately and accurately discuss the need for 
the proposed project, the environmental changes, issues, and impacts 
that have

[[Page 18640]]

occurred since preparation of the 1983 FEIS, and the appropriate 
mitigation measures. These documents provide sufficient evidence and 
analysis for determining that a SEIS is not required. The FHWA takes 
full responsibility for the accuracy, scope, and content of the 1995 
EA, Public Review and Comment Record, and the FONSI document. The FHWA 
reiterates its determination that there is no feasible and prudent 
alternative to the use of land from Anacostia and Garfield Parks, and 
that the proposed action includes all possible planning to minimize 
harm to these properties resulting from such use.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walt Adams, Assistant Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 820 First Street, N.E., 
Suite 750, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 523-0163. Office hours are 8:00 
a.m.-4:30 p.m.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The basis for the 1996 FONSI for the 
proposed Barney Circle Freeway Modification Project is discussed in the 
document. It has been developed in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Barney Circle Freeway Modification 
Project, as proposed by the District of Columbia Department of Public 
Works (DCDPW), completes a portion of the Interstate highway system in 
the southeast area of the District of Columbia. It would connect the 
Eisenhower Freeway (I-295) at Barney Circle with a logical terminus, 
via a 1.4-mile four-lane freeway and bridge, at the Anacostia Freeway. 
The goal of the project is to provide a direct link between central 
Washington, D.C., and areas to the northeast and east, and to divert 
through traffic from local streets to higher-capacity roadways. The 
1995 Barney Circle Freeway Modification Project EA was prepared to 
determine if any new conditions, changes in government policy, or new 
environmental issues have occurred, since completion of the 1983 FEIS 
and the subsequent re-evaluations of the FEIS in 1989 and 1993, that 
would affect or modify the basis for FHWA's 1984 Record of Decision 
(ROD).
    The FHWA has reviewed and analyzed available data and information 
on existing conditions, project impacts, and measures to mitigate those 
impacts, and the comments from the public and governmental agencies. 
The FHWA has determined that there are no new significant impacts that 
would require the FHWA to prepare a SEIS or to modify the 1984 ROD to 
construct the Selected Alternative, as proposed in the 1983 FEIS.
    Major concerns addressed in the EA include: (1) the discovery of 
contaminated materials in the western section of the proposed freeway, 
(2) environmental justice, (3) cumulative impacts, and (4) the federal 
ecological management initiative. A summary discussion of each of these 
issues is presented in the FONSI document, which is available to the 
public for review. Comments or questions concerning the FONSI 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.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315, 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: April 19, 1996.
Walt Adams,
Assistant Division Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-10371 Filed 4-25-96; 8:45 am]
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