[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 68329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32856]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Baltimore County, MD

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 Baltimore County, Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. George K. Frick, Jr. Assistant Division Administrator, Federal 
Highway Administration, The Rotunda Suite 220, 711 West 40th Street, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21211, Telephone: (410) 962-4342.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Maryland 
State Highway Administration, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) for a proposal to provide improved highway access to 
the Middle River Employment Center (MREC) in Baltimore County, 
Maryland. The Middle River Employment Center is a designated growth 
area within Baltimore County intended for industrial and commercial 
development. The undeveloped portions of the MREC are not accessible at 
present. A roadway to access these properties is needed in order for 
the planned development of these properties to occur. The proposed 
roadway will provide more direct access to interstate commerce routes, 
promoting the economic growth of the existing businesses within the 
MREC.
    A full range of alternates, which address the need to improve 
access to the MREC while minimizing impacts to environmental resources, 
are being considered. The project limits are from existing MD 43 and US 
40 to MD 150, a distance of approximately three miles. Alternatives 
which have been retained for detailed study include a no-build 
alternative, as well as several build alternatives, all proposing a 
four-lane, partially access controlled roadway on new location. 
Modifications and improvements to the existing roadway network were 
initially considered. However, these improvements were unable to 
provide the access necessary to adequately promote the development of 
the MREC without extensive residential relocations and impacts to 
community facilities.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens and citizen groups who have 
previously expressed or are known to have an interest in this proposal. 
It is anticipated that a Public Hearing will be held in the Spring of 
1999. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and 
comment prior to a Public Hearing. Public notice will be given of the 
availability of the Draft EIS for review and of the time and place of 
this hearing. An Alternates Public Workshop was held in June 1998.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestion are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning these proposed actions and 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 regulation 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation of Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program).

    Issued on: December 4, 1998.
George K. Frick, Jr.,
Assistant Division Administrator, Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. 98-32856 Filed 12-9-98; 8:45 am]
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