[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 213 (Friday, November 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 56605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28068]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Imperial County, CA

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 
project in Imperial County, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Glenn Clinton, District Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, 980--9th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, 
CA 95814-2724.

Telephone: (916) 498-5037.

Internet Address:
C. [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the California 
Department of Transportation will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct approximately 19.9 km (12.4 
miles) of State Routes 78 and 111 in Imperial County and near the City 
of Brawley from 0.8 km (0.5 miles) south of Baughman Road on State 
Routes 86 and 78 to 0.5 km (0.3 miles) north of Mead Road on State 
Route 111. The project is proposed as a four-lane expressway on new 
location.
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to provide 
the final link in continuous four-lane highway access between 
Interstate 8 in Imperial County and Interstate 10 in Riverside County. 
This project is part of the primary North American Free Trade Agreement 
(NAFTA) corridor between the mainland of Mexico and the City of Los 
Angeles. These improvements are also considered necessary to relieve 
local congestion and highway safety concerns in the City of Brawley 
along existing State Routes 78 and 111 which are currently burdened 
with extensive commercial traffic. Alternatives under consideration 
include (1) taking no action; (2) constructing a divided four-lane, 
controlled access expressway on new location; (3) alignment variations 
as appropriate to minimize environmental effects of the project.
    Within the limits of the study area for this project, various 
environmental resources and issues are known to exist and include but 
are not limited to: wetlands, floodway and floodplain, wildlife 
habitat, prime farmlands, growth inducement, economic, home and 
business relocation, noise, changes to vehicle traffic patterns, 
regional air quality, seismic exposure, land use planning, hazardous 
waste, and irrigation/drain systems.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. At least one public meeting 
will be held in Imperial County to solicit input from the local 
citizens on alternatives. In addition, a public hearing will be held. 
Public Notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and 
hearing. 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 this proposed 
action 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. The views of 
agencies having knowledge about historic resources potentially affected 
by the proposal or interested in the effects of the project on historic 
properties are solicited

(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: October 18, 1996.
C. Glenn Clinton,
Chief, District Operations--South Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 96-28068 Filed 10-31-96; 8:45 am]
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