[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79450-79451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32294]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Loudoun, Fauquier, Fairfax, 
Prince William, and Stafford Counties, VA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement in cooperation with the Virginia Department of 
Transportation (VDOT) for potential transportation improvements in the 
western portion of Northern Virginia, between Route 7 in Loudoun County 
and Interstate 95 in Stafford County, to address growing regional 
transportation needs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Sundra, Senior Environmental 
Specialist and Acting Planning and Environmental Team Manager, Federal 
Highway Administration, Post Office Box 10249, Richmond, Virginia 
23240-0249, Telephone 804-775-3338.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1995, the Western Transportation Corridor 
(WTC) Major Investment Study (MIS) was initiated in accordance with 23 
CFR 450.318 to develop and document a purpose and need for 
transportation improvements in the western portion of Northern Virginia 
and to identify the modal type(s) and general corridor for those 
transportation improvements. It was intended that the regional 
government would use the results of the WTC MIS for purposes of long 
range transportation planning. In December of 1997, that WTC MIS was 
completed which resulted in the identification for detailed study of a 
transportation system management/travel demand management alternative, 
a links alternative, and new facility alternatives. The WTC MIS was 
reopened in 1998 for additional coordination, and a Coordination Report 
was issued by VDOT in October of 1998. In developing the WTC MIS, VDOT 
studied and developed information on a variety of issues including, but 
not limited to, the need for transportation improvements, 
identification and screening of a broad range of alternatives, traffic, 
land use, natural resources, historic and archaeological resources, 
parklands, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, and cost. 
Additional information on the WTC MIS conducted for this project and 
its outcomes can be found at http://www.vdot.state.va.us/proj/fred/wtcx. html.
    With this notice of intent, FHWA and VDOT are initiating the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the WTC to study 
potential transportation improvements in the western portion of 
Northern Virginia between Route 7 in Loudoun County and Interstate 95 
in Stafford County, just north of the City of Fredericksburg, to 
accommodate anticipated growth in population and employment and address 
increasing travel demand and regional access needs.
    As part of the NEPA process, the WTC MIS purpose and need will be 
revisited and revised as necessary to account for any changes in 
regional needs or goals.

[[Page 79451]]

Likewise, the alternatives development and screening process from the 
WTC MIS will be used as a starting point for the NEPA process. 
Recognizing that NEPA requires the consideration of a reasonable range 
of alternatives that will address the purpose and need, the 
Environmental Impact Statement will include a range of alternatives for 
detailed study consisting of a no-build alternative as well as 
alternatives consisting of transportation system management strategies, 
mass transit, improvements to existing roadways, and/or new alignment 
facilities. These alternatives will be developed, screened, and carried 
forward for detailed analysis in the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement based on their ability to address the purpose and need that 
will be developed while avoiding known and sensitive resources.
    Letters describing the proposed NEPA study and soliciting input 
will be sent to the appropriate Federal, State and local agencies who 
have expressed or are known to have an interest or legal role in this 
proposal. It is anticipated that two formal scoping meetings will be 
held as part of the NEPA process, one in the Fredericksburg area and 
one in Northern Virginia, to facilitate local, state, and federal 
agency involvement and input into the project in an effort to identify 
all of the issues that need to be addressed in developing the 
Environmental Impact Statement.
    Private organizations, citizens, and interest groups will also have 
an opportunity to provide input into the development of the 
Environmental Impact Statement and identify issues that should be 
addressed. A comprehensive public participation program will be 
developed to involve them in the project development process. This 
program will utilize the following outreach efforts to provide 
information and solicit input: newsletters, the Internet, a telephone 
hotline, e-mail, informal meetings, public information meetings, public 
hearings and other efforts as necessary and appropriate. Notices of 
public meetings or public hearings will be given through various forums 
providing the time and place of the meeting along with other relevant 
information. The draft Environmental Impact Statement will be available 
for public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions 
are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions 
concerning the proposed action and draft Environmental Impact Statement 
should be directed to 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 proposed action.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: December 8, 2000.
Edward S. Sundra,
Senior Environmental Specialist.
[FR Doc. 00-32294 Filed 12-18-00; 8:45 am]
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