[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 141 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45418-45419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18454]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Lincoln County, Oregon

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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[[Page 45419]]

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
supplement to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared 
for a proposed highway project in Lincoln County, Oregon. The Oregon 
Department of Transportation (ODOT) initially started the project 
development process for the proposed Pioneer Mountain-Eddyville project 
with the intent to use their own funds to construct the project. They 
published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in September 
1993 and held a Public Hearing in October 1993. ODOT did not complete 
the final EIS for the proposed project. ODOT is now proposing to 
request federal aid participation for the project. As a result, FHWA is 
reviewing the DEIS, public hearing testimony, and comments received on 
the DEIS to determine if all federal regulations and processing 
requirements have been met.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Boesen, Region 2 Liaison 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Equitable Center, Suite 100, 
530 Center Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301, Telephone (503) 399-5749.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with ODOT and after 
evaluation of the DEIS, public hearing testimony and written comments, 
will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the 
project, and hold additional public hearing as necessary.
    The proposed project will realign a 10 mile, 2-lane roadway section 
from mile point 14.5 to 24.75 of the Corvallis-Newport Highway (US 20). 
Two Build Alternatives and a No-Build Alternative were considered in 
the DEIS. Build Alternative number one generally followed the existing 
roadway and the Yaquina River. Build Alternative number two is on new 
alignment and overall reduces the highway length by 2.5 miles. An 
option common to both Build Alternatives was considered for a short 
segment on the west end of the project; this design option was a 
channel change of Simpson Creek. Based on public input, agency comments 
and coordination, and overall environmental impacts, Build Alternative 
number two without the channel change of Simpson Creek is the preferred 
alternative determined by ODOT. Lincoln County has strongly supported 
Alternative 2 and has now included the proposed project in their county 
comprehensive land use plans.
    The project is considered necessary to improve the highway to 
current safety standards, eliminate numerous sharp curves, reduce a 
higher than average accident rate that occurs on this segment of 
highway, and is part of an overall upgrade of this highway between the 
Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast.
    There have been no significant changes in development/conditions in 
the area since the DEIS was prepared, as the proposed route is 
predominately through underdeveloped large timber company holdings that 
have been logged within recent years. The project has been developed 
with consideration for the proposed listings of the salmon by the 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Since then the salmon has 
been formally listed by NMFS. There appears to be no Section 4(f) 
eligible properties that would be impacted by this proposed project.
    The DEIS describing the proposed action and solicitation of 
comments was sent to all appropriate federal, state, and local agencies 
by ODOT. Public meetings and a public hearing were held for the 
project. ODOT published a Hearing Study Report/Decision Document in 
March 1994 that summarized and responded to all comments received at 
the public hearing and on the DEIS. As a result of comments received, 
minor changes are being considered for inclusion in the proposed 
project and subsequent environmental documents. Since ODOT formally 
circulated the DEIS, we propose to develop a supplemental EIS and 
circulate it with a copy of the summary of the DEIS as part of our 
normal distribution. Copies of the entire DEIS will be made available 
upon request. Additional public meetings/public hearing will be held as 
needed.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and 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 provided above.

(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: July 12, 2000.
Elton Chang,
Environmental Engineer, Oregon Division.
[FR Doc. 00-18454 Filed 7-20-00; 8:45 am]
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