[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 20345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9782]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Maricopa County, Arizona

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 
individual impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway 
project within Maricopa County, Arizona.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth H. Davis, District Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, 234 North Central Avenue, Suite 330, 
Phoenix, AZ 85004, telephone (602) 379-3646.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Arizona 
Department of Transportation (ADOT), will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) to study the proposed South Mountain Corridor in 
Maricopa County, Arizona. The proposed project will involve 
construction of a new multilane freeway in the metropolitan Phoenix 
area extending approximately 25 miles from I-10 west of Phoenix to I-10 
southeast of Phoenix to form a southwest loop. The proposed project 
will evaluate potential impacts to mountain preserve land, residential 
and commercial development, Tribal lands, cultural resources, historic 
roads and canals, Endangered Species, jurisdictional water of the U.S., 
air and noise quality, and hazardous waste.
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to provide 
for the existing and projected traffic demand. A full range of 
reasonable alternatives will be considered including (1) taking no 
action; (2) using alternate travel modes; (3) limited access parkway; 
(4) major urban arterial with transportation system management 
improvements; and (5) a freeway.
    A Final State Environmental Assessment was completed for the South 
Mountain Corridor. At that time, a recommended alternative was selected 
and an accompanying Design Concept Report was completed in September 
1988. Due to the elapsed time and changed conditions that have occurred 
since completion of these documents, new studies are required.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies including the 
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau 
of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Arizona State Land Department, Arizona Game & Fish Department, 
City of Phoenix, Town of Laveen, City of Avondale, and the Gila River 
Indian Tribe. Letters will also be sent to interested parties 
including, the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee, Laveen 
Village Planning Committee and Estrella Village Planning Committee.
    A series of public meetings will be held in the communities within 
the proposed study area. In addition, a public hearing will be held. 
Public notice will be given advising of the time and place of the 
meetings and hearing. A formal scoping meeting is planned between 
Federal, State, city and Tribal stakeholders.
    To insure 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 Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

Kenneth H. Davis,
District Engineer, Phoenix.
[FR Doc. 01-9782 Filed 4-19-01; 8:45 am]
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