[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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