[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 108 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30372-30373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14284]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Pierce County, Washington

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Additional Studies.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA, Washington State Department of Transportation 
(WSDOT), and Pierce County are issuing this notice to advise the public 
that additional studies have been completed related to the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) (FHWA-WA-EIS-98-3D) prepared for 
a proposed new roadway project in Pierce County, Washington between 
Interstate 5 and State Route 7 (Pacific Avenue).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Leonard, PE, Transportation/
Environmental Engineer FHWA, Olympia, Washington 98501. Phone Number 
(360) 753-9408.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with WSDOT and 
Pierce County, issued a DEIS in May 1998 on a proposal to build a new 
roadway between Interstate 5 at the Thome Lane interchange and State 
Route 7 (Pacific Avenue) at 176th Street South. The proposed roadway 
corridor passes through a residential area in the City of Lakewood 
known as American Lake Gardens and portions of the Fort

[[Page 30373]]

Lewis Military Reservation and McChord Air Force Base. The DEIS 
includes a Major Investment Study (NUS) that examines the overall need 
for the project and alternative means of reducing or meeting the demand 
for additional transportation capacity and a Draft 4(f) Evaluation.
    The new roadway would compound existing barriers to wildlife 
movement for many species and would isolate the habitat north of the 
roadway. This habitat has been used by the western gray squirrel, which 
is listed as threatened by the Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife. The DEIS evaluated impacts to western gray squirrel and Garry 
oak (also known as Oregon white oak) woodland habitat from the proposed 
roadway based on available information and field reconnaissance. Oak 
woodlands are important because this type of habitat has been greatly 
reduced in western Washington and because it is important habitat for 
the western gray squirrel. The DEIS committed to a genetic analysis of 
western gray squirrels and a detailed mapping and evaluation of oak 
woodlands as part of the EIS process. Both additional studies are now 
available for public review as part of the environmental documentation 
of the proposed roadway. These additional studies do not change the 
purpose and need for the project, the range of alternatives considered, 
the overall impacts or the range of potential mitigation measures 
described in the DEIS.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Issued on: June 1, 1999.
James A. Leonard,
Transportation and Environmental Engineer.
[FR Doc. 99-14284 Filed 6-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-01-M