[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3147-3148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1221]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement; Washington County, 
Minnesota and St. Croix County, WI

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 a 
supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for 
a proposed highway project in Washington County, Minnesota and St. 
Croix County, Wisconsin.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Martin, Federal Highway 
Administration, Galtier Plaza, Box 75, 175 East Fifth Street, Suite 
500, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2901, Telephone (651) 291-6120; or Adam 
Josephson, Project Manager, Minnesota Department of Transportation--
Metro Division, 1500 West County Road B2, Roseville, Minnesota 55113, 
Telpehone (651) 582-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Minnesota 
Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation, will prepare a supplement to the EIS on a proposal for 
a replacement river crossing, including the reconstruction of bridge 
approach roadways, on Trunk Highway (TH) 36/State Trunk Highway (STH) 
64 in the vicinity of Stillwater and Oak Park Heights (Washington 
County), Minnesota and Houlton (St. Croix County), Wisconsin. MnDOT 
will be the lead State agency. The original EIS for the river crossing 
(FHWA-MN-EIS-90-92-F) was approved on April 5, 1995 with a Record of 
Decision issued on July 10, 1995.
    In 1996, the National Park Service (NPS) evaluated the project 
under Section 7(a) of the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The 
Section 7(a) Evaluation, completed in December 1996, found that the 
project, as proposed, would have a direct and adverse effect on the 
scenic and recreational values for which the Lower St. Croix River was 
included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. As a result, 
the NPS directed that Federal permits not be issued for the project and 
it was not allowed to proceed. In April 1998, in response to challenges 
to the NPS determination, a U.S. District Court Judge upheld the 
findings of the Section 7(a) Evaluation.
    In June 1998, a facilitation process was initiated in the hope that 
a

[[Page 3148]]

mutually satisfactory solution to the impasse on the river crossing 
could be reached. Over a period of four months, an independent review 
of the proposed project was performed, including extensive discussions 
and meetings with the key individuals and organizations involved and 
public meetings with the St. Croix River Crossing Advisory Group. The 
Advisory Group was made up of representatives from regulatory agencies, 
local units of government, and other interested organizations; 
including, environmental groups, historic preservation groups and 
Chambers of Commerce. The facilitation process concluded that a new 
four-lane bridge was required to satisfy the project need and 
recommended a new alignment with less impact on the river.
    The proposed improvements consist of a four-lane bridge on a new 
alignment approximately 800 meters north of the Final EIS Preferred 
Alternative alignment. It is proposed to be constructed using a below 
deck arch bridge type. This proposed alternative is the only new 
alternative that will be evaluated in the supplemental EIS process.
    An Amended Scoping Decision Document will be published in February 
1999. A press release will be published to inform the public of the 
document's availability. Copies of the Amended Scoping Decision 
Document will be distributed to agencies, interested persons and 
libraries. No formal scoping meeting is planned.
    Coordination has been initiated and will continue with appropriate 
Federal, State and local agencies, and private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest 
in the proposed action. Public meetings have been held in the past and 
will continue to be held, with public notice given for the time and 
place of the 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 the EIS should be 
directed to the FHWA at the address provided above.

(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: January 11, 1999.
Stanley M. Graczyk,
Project Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-1221 Filed 1-19-99; 8:45 am]
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