[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9293-9294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4675]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Los Angeles County, California

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the pubic that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway 
project in Los Angeles County, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
C. Glenn Clinton, Chief, District Operations--South, Federal Highway 
Administration, 980-9th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814-2724 
Telephone: (916) 498-5037.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the California 
Department of Transportation and the City of Santa Clarita, will 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to 
construct the extension of Magic Mountain Parkway (State Route 126) 
from west of San Fernando Road to Via Princessa (2.5 miles) and to 
construct the extension of Via Princessa from Magic Mountain Parkway to 
Rainbow Glen Drive (1.7 miles). The proposed project includes 
constructing a 120-foot wide roadway, an interchange on Magic Mountain 
Parkway with San Fernando Road including a structure over the Los 
Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Railroad, and 
widening the existing bridge over the South Fork of the Santa Clara 
River.
    The new roadway will be approximately 4.5 miles in length. These 
improvements are intended to serve as a major east-west corridor to 
accommodate the substantial increases in traffic volumes associated 
with several large existing and planned developments in the area.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) Taking no action; (2) 
constructing an interchange and a six-lane, uncontrolled access 
arterial on new location; and (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 know to exist and include but are not limited to: cultural 
resources, wetlands, floodway and floodplain, wildlife habitat, growth 
inducement, economic, business relocation, noise, changes to vehicle 
traffic patterns, regional air quality, seismic exposure, land use 
planning, hazardous waste, and irrigation/drain systems.
    Per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a Notice of 
Preparation on an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for this project 
was published on February 12, 1997, and a 45-day public comment period 
followed from February 12, 1997, to March 31, 1997, including a Public 
Scoping Meeting held on March 5, 1997. In addition to the comment 
period and scoping meeting, three public meetings were conducted by the 
City of Santa Clarita in November 1996. The public and review agencies 
have had the opportunity to comment on the scope and content of the 
project. Thus, this Notice serves as additional public notification of 
the preparation of an EIS. The public and agencies will have further 
opportunity to comment on the project when the draft EIS has been 
completed.
    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 the City of Santa Clarita 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.

[[Page 9294]]

    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.

(Catalog of Federal Document 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: February 10, 1998.
C. Glenn Clinton,
Chief, District Operations--South Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 98-4675 Filed 2-23-98; 8:45 am]
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