[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 42753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20167]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Rail Corridor-Washington, DC to 
Charlotte, NC

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 
Tiered Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the 
Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor from Washington, DC to Charlotte, 
North Carolina, by way of Richmond, Virginia and Raleigh, North 
Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Catherine Batey, Planning & 
Program Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 New 
Bern Ave., Suite 410, Raleigh, NC 27601, Telephone # (919) 856-4330 x 
115: and Mr. David Valenstein, Transportation & Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), 400 Seventh Street, 
SW, MS 20, Washington, DC 20590, Telephone # (202) 493-6368.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA and the FRA, in cooperation with 
the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), will prepare a 
Tiered Environmental Impact Statement to examine the concept of a high 
speed rail system from Washington, DC through Richmond, Virginia and 
Raleigh, North Carolina, on to Charlotte, North Carolina. This concept 
represents a 477 mile long extension of the Northeast Rail Corridor, 
and encompasses over 1000 miles of existing rail rights-of-way that are 
potentially useable.
    This action has four basic goals: (1) Establish the purpose and 
need of the project concept; (2) examine the regional implications of 
the project concept; (3) assess the modal and technology alternatives 
within the broad corridor and determine a preferred modal alternative; 
and (4) determine the feasible study area(s) to be carried forward for 
the appropriate second tier of environmental documentation.
    It is anticipated that a joint scoping meeting will be held in 
South Hill, Virginia during late September or early October of this 
year. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments 
are being sent appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies (in North 
Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia). An iterative public 
involvement/information program will support the process. The program 
will involve public workshops, newsletters, fact sheets, a public 
opinion survey, and a project hotline along with other methods to 
solicit and incorporate public input throughout the planning process.
    To ensure that the full range of issues relating to the proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments and 
questions concerning the proposed action should be directed to the FHWA 
or the FRA at the addresses provided above.

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

    Issued on: July 29, 1999.
Nicholas L. Graf,
Division Administrator, Raleigh, North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 99-20167 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M