[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 219 (Monday, November 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 67791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28872]



[[Page 67791]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Manatee County, FL

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 Manatee County, Florida.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Donald Davis, Program Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 227 North Bronough Street, 
Suite 2015, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, Telephone: (850) 942-9650, 
Extension 3031.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Florida 
Department of Transportation will prepare an EIS for a proposal to 
improve the north-south circulation between I-75 and Rye Road (CR 675). 
Part of this proposal is to evaluate increased vehicular capacity 
crossing the Manatee River. Improvements to the corridor are considered 
necessary to provide for projected traffic demand.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
widening mainline I-75 and the I-75 crossing of the River; (3) widening 
Rye Road; and (4) a new crossing of the Manatee River connecting a 
widened Fort Hamer Road to the north with a widened Upper Manatee River 
Road to the south.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, state, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have expressed interest in this 
proposal. A series of public meetings will be held in Manatee County, 
Florida between October 2000 and September 2001. In addition a public 
hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place 
of the meetings and hearing. The Draft EIS (DEIS) will be made 
available for public and organizations reviews and comments prior to 
the public hearing. Per 40 CFR 1507.1, a scoping process will be 
developed as part of the project and a formal scoping meeting will be 
held.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all 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 inter-governmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Issued on: November 1, 2000.
Donald Davis,
Program Operations Engineer, Tallahassee, Florida.
[FR Doc. 00-28872 Filed 11-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M