[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 161 (Friday, August 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45583-45584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21451]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Clark County, Indiana and 
Jefferson County, Kentucky

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this supplemental notice to advise the 
public of the ongoing scoping process for an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) for the proposed construction of two new Ohio River 
crossings, including approaches and connections to existing roadway 
systems, between Clark County, Indiana, and Jefferson County, Kentucky. 
The FHWA previously published a notice of intent on March 27, 1998, for 
the preparation of an EIS for the proposed project. This supplemental 
notice of intent describes in greater detail the scoping process that 
FHWA, in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Transportation 
(INDOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), is utilizing to 
identify the significant issues to be addressed in the EIS. The purpose 
of the scoping process is to obtain the views of other Federal, State, 
and local agencies and the public regarding the scope of the EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact: Jesse A. Story, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, John C. Watts Federal 
Building and U.S. Courthouse, 330 W. Broadway, Frankfort, Kentucky 
40601; Telephone: (502) 223-6720; Fax: (502) 223-6735; Pete Wolff, 
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Telephone: (502) 564-4780; Steve 
Cecil, Indiana Department of Transportation, Telephone: (317) 232-5468; 
or the project consultant, Community Transportation Solutions, Inc., 
10000 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40223; Telephone: (502) 
253-9221 or (800) 513-6691; Fax: (502) 253-9520.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem and suitable

[[Page 45584]]

communications software from the Government Printing Office's 
Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet users may 
reach the Office of the Federal Register's home page at: http://
www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at: 
http://www.access.gpo.nara.

Background

    As stated in FHWA's March 27, 1998 notice of intent (63 FR 14989), 
the EIS will build upon the work performed previously for the Ohio 
River Major Investment Study (ORMIS), and will discuss the 
environmental, social and economic impacts associated with the 
development of the proposed action and a range of alternatives.
    The scoping process for the EIS builds on the extensive public and 
agency involvement that occurred during ORMIS and the public 
involvement activities that have occurred since the publication of the 
March 27, 1998 notice of intent. As part of those activities, a Federal 
agency finding was held on October 6, 1998, to introduce interested 
Federal agencies to the proposed project. Two public information 
meetings were held on December 1-2, 1998, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, 
and Louisville, Kentucky, respectively, to introduce the public to the 
proposed project and to answer questions about the EIS process. 
Briefings for Indiana and Kentucky State agencies were held on February 
10 and February 16, 1999, respectively. Two additional public 
information meetings were held on April 14-15, 1999, in Jeffersonville, 
Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, to allow members of the public to 
provide comments concerning the scope of, and significant issues to be 
addressed in, the EIS.
    A project web site has been established at www.kyinbridges.com and 
a quarterly newsletter entitled ``Riverlink'' began publication in 
November 1998. A mailing list is being maintained of all those members 
of the public who have requested notice of meetings, hearings, and/or 
the availability of information and documents concerning the proposed 
action. Public comments on the project may be submitted in writing, 
care of Community Transportation Solutions, Inc., 10000 Shelbyville 
Road, Louisville, KY 40223; via electronic mail at the project web 
site; by facsimile at 502-253-9520; or by calling the project's toll-
free number at 800-513-6691.
    In addition to the foregoing opportunities for public 
participation, scoping meetings will be held in September 1999. A 
Federal and State agency scoping meeting will occur on September 8, 
1999, at 9 a.m., in Room 105, South Wing, Kentucky Fair and Exposition 
Center, Louisville, Kentucky, to solicit agency input concerning the 
scope of the EIS. The public is invited to two public meetings, to be 
held as follows: September 1, 1999, at 6 p.m., at the Jeffersonville 
High School cafeteria, Clark County, Indiana; and September 2, 1999, at 
6 p.m., at the Ballard High School cafeteria, Jefferson County, 
Kentucky. A scoping document that describes current alternatives under 
consideration and identifies currently known relevant issues can be 
obtained from the project web site (www.kyinbridges.com) or the project 
consultant's office.
    Additional public and agency meetings are anticipated during the 
preparation of the EIS to allow the public and agencies to remain 
informed and provide input into the preparation of the EIS. A Regional 
Advisory Council and four Area Work Groups have been formed to provide 
a more formal method of input from affected constituencies within the 
project area. The Regional Advisory Council will address regional goals 
relating to transportation, economic development, and quality of life. 
The Area Work Groups will address issues of concern to specific 
geographic areas potentially affected by the proposed action and 
alternatives. All meetings of these groups are open to the public. 
Information on the membership of these groups and their meeting dates 
can be obtained from project web site or by contacting Community 
Transportation Solutions, Inc., at 800-513-6691. Finally, the release 
of the draft EIS for public comment and the date of the formal public 
hearing will be announced to the public as such dates are established.
    Comments on the scope and significant issues to be addressed in the 
EIS, or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS process, 
may be submitted to the FHWA at the address provided above, or to the 
project consultant through one of the methods identified 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.)

(23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48)

    Issued on August 12, 1999.
Dennis Luhrs,
Assistant Division Administrator, Frankfort, Kentucky.
[FR Doc. 99-21451 Filed 8-19-99; 8:45 am]
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