[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 17474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9362]



[[Page 17474]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Talbot and Caroline Counties, 
Maryland

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 
Enviromental Impact Statement/Section 4(f) Evaluation (EIS/4(f)) will 
be prepared for a proposed bridge project in Talbot and Caroline 
Counties, Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Renee Sigel, Planning, Research 
and Environmental Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration. The 
Rotunda--Suite 220, 711 West 40th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the U.S. Coast 
Guard, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Maryland State 
Highway Administration, will prepare an EIS/4(f) on a proposal to 
improve the MD 331 crossing of the Choptank River connecting Talbot and 
Caroline Counties, Maryland.
    The purpose of this project is to provide a dependable crossing of 
the river which will safely accommodate both vehicular and marine 
traffic. The existing structure (Bridge No. 20023) is an historically 
significant swing span bridge which provides the only crossing of the 
river for thirteen miles. This crossing serves as a vital economic link 
between the towns of Easton and Preston and is also essential for 
providing rapid response for fire equipment and emergency services. 
From a maritime perspective, the bridge controls access to and from the 
upper twenty miles of the Choptank River, and provides the only access 
to Tuckahoe Creek.
    The alternatives under consideration include the No-Build 
Alternate, rehabilitation of the existing bridge, several high level 
fixed span structures on new alignment both north and south of the 
existing bridge, and a Dual Bridge Alternate utilizing both a new high 
level fixed span structure and the existing bridge.
    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 informational 
meeting will be held in the Spring of 1998, followed by a public 
hearing in the Summer. Public notice will be given of the time and 
place of both the meeting and hearing. The draft EIS/4(f) will be 
available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public 
hearing.
    An informal scoping meeting for this project was held in November 
of 1997. The scoping process includes on-going coordination with a 
number of agencies and the public including local marinas and the 
Marine Trade Association as well as presenting at interagency meetings.
    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 EIS should be directed to 
the FHWA at the address provided above. In addition, the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers is reviewing the proposal for a Department of the 
Army Section 404 Clean Water Act and Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act 
permit decision. Any questions or concerns regarding the aquatic 
environment can be forwarded to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Baltimore District, CE NAB-OP-RX, Attn: Keith A. Harris, Chief Special 
Projects, Permit Section, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715.

(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: April 1, 1998.
Renee Sigel,
Planning, Research and Environment Team Leader, Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. 98-9362 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M