[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19807-19808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9026]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Prince George's, and Charles 
Counties, Maryland

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
highway project in Prince George's and Charles Counties, Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Pamela S. Stephenson, 
Environmental Protection, Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 
The Rotunda, Suite 220, 711 West 40th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 
21211, Telephone: (410) 962-4342, ext. 145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Maryland 
State Highway Administration (SHA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers, 
will prepare a combined Tier I/Tier II Environment Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the US 301 Transportation Study-Southern Corridor. The study 
limits encompass a total of 39 miles within both the US 301 corridor, 
from the Governor Nice Bridge crossing of the Potomac River to the

[[Page 19808]]

301/MD5 interchange at T.B., and the MD 5 corridor from T.B. to the 
Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495). Within the Southern Corridor limits, 
there are four definable areas: the MD 5 corridor, LaPlata corridors, 
US 301 south of LaPlata to the Governor Nice Bridge and US 301 through 
the Waldorf area.
    The EIS for this study will combine two tiered levels of 
documentation. Tier I documentation will be completed for the MD 5 and 
the LaPlata corridors, as well as for US 301 south of LaPlata to the 
Governor Nice Bridge. Tier II (or traditional NEPA studies) 
documentation will be completed for US 301 through the Waldorf area, 
due to the more immediate need for improvements in this area.
    Existing and projected growth population and development is 
resulting in severe traffic congestion throughout southern Maryland, 
especially within Waldorf area. The roadways within and adjacent to the 
Waldorf area will soon reach capacity during peak travel periods and 
will be unable to accommodate increasing traffic volumes. This study 
will evaluate improvements, which will address safety problems and 
accommodate existing and projected travel demand. Alternatives for the 
Waldorf area will include the No-Build, Transportation Systems 
Management (TSM)/Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures, 
Existing road upgrades and Bypass Alternative(s) east and west of 
existing US 301. The goal is to receive Location Approval on one or a 
combination of alternative for this area.
    For the remaining corridors (MD 5, LaPlata, and south of LaPlata to 
the Governor Nice Bridge), the current level of traffic congestion is 
less acute. SHA has identified these corridors, where development is 
likely to occur and where preservation of right-of-way (within the 
specific corridor) may be needed to maintain options for future 
transportation improvements. The goal is to receive approval on a 
selected corridor(s), which will permit the use of federal funds for 
the purpose of hardship and protective right-of-way acquisition. The 
goal is to receive approval on a selected corridor(s), which will 
permit the use of federal funds for the purpose of hardship and 
protective right-of-way acquisition. This would ensure that land for 
implementing transportation options would still be available in this 
corridor(s) when the anticipated need for future improvements becomes 
more apparent.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens and citizen groups who have 
previously expressed or are known to have an interest in this proposal. 
A Public Hearing is tentively scheduled for the Fall of 2000. The draft 
EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to 
a Public Hearing. Public notice will be given of the availability of 
the Draft EIS for review and of the time and place of this hearing.
    Project scoping activities include formation of the US 301 Task 
Force, with representatives of Federal, State and Local governments, 
elected officials, local area civic, environmental and business 
leaders, and land owners. A series of Task Force environmental and 
business leaders, and land owners. A series of Task Force Informational 
Workshops and Public Hearings were held on June 17, June 19, and July 
9, 1996, in Bowie, Waldorf and Upper Marlboro, respectively. The 
meeting reviewed the history of the US 301 Task Force and its goals and 
also presented its preliminary recommendations consisting of the 
integration of new local land use policies, transportation demand 
strategies and transit and highway options. Since that time, a series 
of Public Workshops were held on September 14, September 15, and 
September 23, 1999 to share with the public conceptual improvements for 
the Waldorf area and identify the corridors for future improvement for 
the LaPlata area and MD 5 corridor.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestion are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning these proposed actions and EIS should be directed 
to FHWA at the address provide above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway 
Research, Planning and Construction. The regulation implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation of 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Issued on: March 22, 2000.
Pamela S. Stephenson,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. 00-9026 Filed 4-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M