[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 103 (Friday, May 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29079-29080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13610]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Clear Creek County, Colorado

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent and public scoping meetings.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public than an 
Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the proposed 
transportation project for transportation improvements and alternatives 
analysis of Interstate 70 (I-70) from Empire Junction to the top of 
Floyd Hill at the Highland Hills Interchange in Clear Creek County, 
Colorado.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scott Sands, FHWA Colorado 
Division, 555 Zang Street, Room 250, Denver, CO 80228, Telephone: 303/
969-6730, extension 362.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Title 23, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 771, Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (40 
CFR 1501.7), the FHWA, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of 
Transportation (CDOT), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
for proposed transportation improvements and alternatives analysis of 
I-70 from Empire Junction to the top of Floyd Hill in Clear Creek 
County, Colorado. The proposed improvement would involve the 
reconstruction of all or parts of the existing I-70 corridor (as 
described above) for a distance of approximately sixteen miles. The EIS 
will evaluate the No-Action and Build alternatives(s) on this I-70 
corridor and determine the estimated costs and potential impacts 
associated with each.
    A Major Investment Study (MIS) was performed by CDOT in 1998 to 
evaluate solutions for the mobility and congestion problems in the I-70 
corridor from the interchange of I-70 and C-470 in Jefferson County, 
Colorado, west bound to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The MIS recommended 
a vision incorporating futuristic thinking over a fifty-year planning 
horizon. In order to minimize highway improvements, the vision 
emphasizes changing travel behavior and preservation of the 
environmental character of the corridor. This EIS is a direct result of 
the recommendations detailed in the MIS.
    The proposed improvements resulting from the MIS are considered 
necessary to provide for increased safety, existing traffic demand, and 
projected future travel demand. Alternatives which may be evaluated 
include: (1) improved four lane roadway typical sections, (2) standard 
six lane roadway section, (3) non-standard six lane roadway section, 
(4) Twin Tunnel (MP 242) modifications, (5) interchange improvements, 
(6) an envelope for the preservation of Fixed Guideway Transit (FGT) 
system, (7) intermodal transfer center(s), (8) Transportation System 
Management (TSM) measures, (9) curve smoothing to increase the 
interstate design geometrics, and (10) No-Action.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, written 
comments, suggestions or questions should be directed to the FHWA at 
the address provided above or directed to: Ms. Cecelia Joy, Planning 
and Environmental Manager, Colorado Department of Transportation-Region 
1, 18500 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80011, Telephone: 303/
757-9112.
    All significant social, economic, and environmental impacts of the 
proposed alternatives carried through the EIS process will be 
evaluated. Depending upon the alternatives under study, impacts to be 
evaluated may include safety and mobility, visual, social, historic, 
cultural and archaeological resources, local economy, Section 4(f) and 
Section 6(f) issues, noise, wetlands, threatened and endangered 
wildlife species, animal migration, water resources, floodplains, 
hydrology, geology, air quality, and potential contaminant sources 
(hazardous wastes). Depending upon the preferred alternative and the 
associated impacts of that alternative, construction-related impacts 
and secondary and cumulative impacts may also be evaluated. 
Subsequently, mitigation of any significant adverse impacts would be 
developed in the EIS for that alternative.

[[Page 29080]]

    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Draft 
EIS will be prepared with required engineering design and environmental 
studies. These studies are necessary to propose a preferred alternative 
and to complete the document. After its publication, the Draft EIS will 
be available for public and agency review and comments, and a public 
hearing will be held. On the basis of the Draft EIS and the comments 
received, a preferred alternative will be selected and preparation of 
the Final EIS and Record of Decision will proceed.
    FHWA, CDOT and other local agencies invite interested individuals, 
organizations, and federal, state and local agencies to participate in 
defining the alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS and identifying 
any significant social, economic, or environmental issues related to 
the proposed alternatives. Information describing the purpose of the 
project, the proposed alternatives, the areas to be evaluated, the 
citizen involvement program, and the preliminary project schedule will 
be available. These scoping materials may be requested by contacting 
Ms. Cecelia Joy at the address and phone number above. Scoping comments 
may be made verbally or in writing to Ms. Joy and at future public 
meetings. Refinements to scoping will continue through coordination 
with affected parties, organizations, federal, state and local agencies 
and one-on-one meetings.
    Information describing the status of the project and soliciting 
comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, local agencies, 
and to private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed 
or are known to have an interest in this proposal.
    The public will receive notices on location and time of future 
meetings and public hearings through newspaper advertisements and other 
means.
    To ensure that a full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. If 
you wish to be placed on the mailing list to receive further 
information as the project develops, contact Ms. Cecelia Joy at the 
address above.

(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 on: May 18, 1999.
Ronald A. Speral,
Environmental/ROW Manager, Colorado Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, Lakewood, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 99-13610 Filed 5-27-99; 8:45 am]
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