[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31343-31345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14779]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: King County, WA

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 proposed 
redevelopment of

[[Page 31344]]

properties in the Waterfront South area of Seattle in King County, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Fong, Division Administrator, 
Federal Highway Administration, 711 South Capitol Way, Suite 501, 
Olympia, WA 98501, telephone: (360) 753-9413; Terry McCarthy, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Washington State Ferries (WSF), 801 Alaskan Way, 
Seattle, WA 98104, telephone: (206) 515-3403 and/or Tim King, P.E., 
Project Manager, Washington State Ferries, 811 First Avenue, Seattle, 
WA 98104, telephone: (206) 233-9127; or David Schniedler, Manager of 
Customer Service Marine Division, Port of Seattle, Pier 69, P.O. Box 
1209, Seattle, WA 98111, telephone: (206) 728-3523.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with Washington 
State Ferries (WSF)/Washington State Department of Transportation 
(WSDOT) and the Port of Seattle (PORT), will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on a proposal for redevelopment of Seattle 
waterfront properties in the area of Colman Ferry Dock and Pier 48 in 
King County, Washington, at the terminus of State Route 519.
    The project, known as ``Waterfront South'', would provide for the 
improvement and redevelopment of waterfront properties generally 
bounded by Terminal 46 on the south, Alaskan Way (State Route 519) to 
the east, and Colman Ferry Dock (Piers 50 and 52) to the north. 
Improvements to Alaskan Way and to an interim remote vehicle holding 
area bounded by Alaskan Way, 1st Avenue South, and Royal Brougham Way 
are also included.
    The condition of the existing physical facilities within the limits 
of the Waterfront South project require varying degrees of structural 
improvement to maintain existing uses. In addition, the Colman Dock 
ferry terminal facilities are approaching capacity and at present only 
marginally accommodate passengers and vehicles using the facility. 
Increased delays to ferry riders and increased congestion to the local 
community are anticipated through the forecast year 2025 if no action 
is taken. This increase results from passenger and vehicle demand on 
existing auto ferry routes (Seattle-Bainbridge Island, and Seattle-
Bremerton), new service on a potential third auto ferry route between 
Seattle and Southworth, increased demand on existing Passenger Only 
Fast Ferry (POFF) routes (Seattle-Bremerton, and Seattle-Vashon 
Island), and new demand resulting from the addition of two new POFF 
routes between Seattle-Kingston and Seattle-Southworth in Year 2001.
    The primary purpose of the proposed project is to create a multi-
modal regional transportation facility capable of accommodating current 
and future ferry ridership. A secondary goal of the project is to take 
full advantage of the revenue-sharing potential of public sector 
capital investments.
    The proposed Waterfront South project will combine infrastructure 
improvements at Colman Dock and Pier 48 to accommodate long range ferry 
traffic serviced by WSF; will expand and improve a remote vehicle 
holding area (RHA) located south of Colman Dock; will add capacity to 
existing arterials between the RHA and Colman Dock; will allow 
improvements to existing public open space owned and operated by the 
City of Seattle; will accommodate limited international ferry service 
and/or commercial moorage; and to the extent practical will allow for 
future development of the Pier 48 upland property.
    In addition to the No Action alternative required under NEPA, 
alternatives under consideration include the following common design 
options for improving, locating or relocating, or reconstructing 
facilities and operations: vehicle holding on Colman Dock; a fourth 
auto slip and connecting overhead passenger walkways at Pier 50; 
limited retail development at Colman Dock; additional pedestrian and 
vehicle ticketing capabilities; new POFF terminal and maintenance 
facilities south of Colman Dock; expanded public open space; 
improvement of existing and addition of new pedestrian walkways, ramps 
and bridges; improved transit connections; channelization and signal 
improvements between the RHA and Colman Dock; upgrade of historic sites 
and public parks; improvement/expansion to an interim RHA currently in 
planning and environmental review as part of a separate project, SR 
519; and contaminated sediment remediation undertaken in conjunction 
with project construction. Selective elements being considered include: 
transient small boat moorage, moorage for a historic vessel, 
international ferry service to Victoria, British Columbia, commercial 
boat moorage, and commercial/retail development on the upland 
properties of Pier 48.
    The three option packages currently under consideration include all 
of the common and some of the selective elements outlined in addition 
to the location and configuration of a new passenger only passenger and 
maintenance facility at pier 48. Features unique to the options 
packages are: (A) Splits the passenger only terminal and maintenance 
facilities between Colman Dock and Pier 48; (B) locates the new WSF 
passenger only terminal and maintenance facilities within the Pier 48 
right of way, and, (C) modification of A and B which would likely 
require greater cooperation among key stakeholders including the CITY, 
WSF, and the PORT, and may result in a larger public access area.
    All options considered will require WSF/WSDOT to purchase all or 
part of Pier 48 from the PORT. Option C would require additional 
exchanges of current ownership or operational agreements be established 
between the WSF/WSDOT, the PORT, and the CITY.
    Public involvement completed as part of the master planning process 
in 1996 and 1997 included formation of a Citizens Advisory Committee 
(CAC), interviews and coordination with stakeholders, public open 
houses, a speakers bureau, and project newsletters. Additional planning 
has occurred since the Master Development Plan was completed to develop 
options to assist in the scoping process and alternatives development 
for the EIS.
    Announcements describing the proposed action and soliciting 
comments will be sent to the appropriate Federal, State, local 
agencies, affected Indian Tribes, private organizations, and citizens 
who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest in this 
proposal. A series of open houses beginning in May 1999 are scheduled 
as a part of the EIS public involvement plan. Two EIS scoping meetings 
are scheduled for June 15, 1999--one for agencies and the other for the 
public. Input from these open houses and scoping meetings will then be 
used to identify the alternatives for study in the EIS. Subsequent to 
Scoping, the EIS public involvement plan will also include newsletters, 
bulletins, stakeholder coordination, and continued involvement of the 
CAC. A public hearing will be held after the release of the Draft EIS 
to receive public and agency comments. Public notice will be given of 
the time and place of the future meetings and hearing. The draft EIS 
will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the 
public hearing.
    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 and phone numbers provided above.


[[Page 31345]]


(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.
Michael R. Brower,
Transportation and Environmental Engineer, FHWA Washington Division.
[FR Doc. 99-14779 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M