[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 155 (Thursday, August 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 49055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20317]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Williams, Mountrail, and Ward 
Counties, ND

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 a proposed highway 
project in Williams, Mountrail, and Ward Counties of North Dakota.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Michael Bowen, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 1471 Interstate Loop, 
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503, Telephone: (701) 250-4204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperating with the North 
Dakota Department of Transportation, will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve U.S. Highway 2 (US 2) 
in Williams, Mountrail, and Ward Counties of North Dakota. The proposed 
improvement would involve the four-laning of US 2 from junction US 85 
(milepost 32.4), north of Williston, to junction US 52 (milepost 
131.3), west of Minot, a distance of nearly one hundred miles. The 
proposed improvement would require the construction of an additional 
two-lane roadway adjacent to the present two-lane US 2.
    The proposed improvements for four-laning U.S. Highway 2 are based 
on the public requests established by the repeated ongoing and historic 
formal and informal communication from local and regional civic and 
business groups. The completion of this four-lane facility will provide 
a consistent National Highway System Designated transportation system 
through the northern portion of North Dakota, with a primary benefit of 
enhanced economic development opportunities. Alternatives under 
consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) add two lanes to the 
south of the existing US 2; (3) add two lanes to the north of the 
existing US 2; (4) selectively add two lanes to the north or the south 
through the existing corridor; and (5) obliterate the existing US 2 and 
align the new four-lane section within the existing corridor.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting views and 
comments will be sent to various Federal, State and Local agencies and 
to private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or 
are known to have interest in this proposal. A series of public 
meetings will be held in the US 2 area between August and December 2000 
to solicit both oral and written comments from interested parties. 
Public notice will be given for the time and place of the public 
meetings. Project scoping will be completed in conjunction with the 
public meetings and the solicitation of views.
    A draft EIS will be prepared based upon the project scoping. The 
draft EIS will be available for agency and public review and comment. 
In addition, a public hearing will be held following completion of the 
draft EIS. Public notice will be given for the time and place of the 
public hearing for the draft EIS.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are 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 Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Issued on: July 14, 2000.
William M. Brownell,
Assistant Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503.
[FR Doc. 00-20317 Filed 8-9-00; 8:45 am]
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