[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 45695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22871]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Raleigh County, West Virginia

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 
improvement project in Raleigh County, West Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David A. Leighow, Division Environmental Coordinator, Federal Highway 
Administration, Geary Plaza, Suite 200, 700 Washington Street E., 
Charleston, WV 25301 Telephone: (304 347-5268.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the West 
Virginia Division of Highways (DOH), will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed East Beckley Bypass, beginning 
on I-64 just east of Beckley and extending generally northward to 
connect with Appalachian Corridor L (US 19) at the existing interchange 
just east of the Crossroads Mall, a distance of approximately 11 km. A 
bypass is considered necessary to provide for the existing and 
projected traffic demand. Alternatives under consideration include (1) 
taking no action; (2) using alternate travel modes; (3) improve the 
existing system by constructing a four lane, limited access highway on 
a new location. Incorporated into the study with the various building 
alternatives will be design variations of grade and alignment.
    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 an interest in this proposal. A public meeting will be 
held in Beckley after the draft EIS is available. In addition, a public 
hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place 
of the meeting and hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the public meeting. A scoping 
package will be distributed after this notice is published.
    To ensure the full range of issues related to this proposed action 
are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and 
suggestions are invited. 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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation of federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Issued on: August 20, 1997.
David A. Leighow,
Environmental Coordinator, Charleston, West Virginia.
[FR Doc. 97-22871 Filed 8-27-97; 8:45 am]
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