[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 91 (Thursday, May 10, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23966-23967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11794]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Evansville, IN and 
Henderson, KY

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 (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed 
I-69 corridor in the Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Dirks, Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 575 North Pennsylvania 
Street, Room 254, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Telephone: (317) 226-
7492, Fax: (317) 226-7341, e-mail: robert. dirks@fhwa. dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Indiana 
department of Transportation (INDOT), the Kentucky Transportation 
Cabinet (KYTC) and the Evansville Urban Transportation Study (EUTS), 
will prepare an EIS to determine a proposed route for the I-69 Corridor 
through the Evansville, Indiana-Henderson, Kentucky area, extending 
south from I-64 in Indiana to the Pennyrile Parkway in Kentucky. The 
proposed facility is anticipated to provide an interstate-type facility 
with two lanes in each direction (with the possibility of three lanes 
in each direction depending on forecasted traffic volumes) separated by 
a median. The study will build upon the previous Corridor 18 studies 
(the Feasibility Study, 1995; the Special Issues Study, 1997; and the 
Special Environmental Study, 2000), which identified a variety of 
environmental and location factors that must be considered prior to the 
construction of I-69 as an addition to the Interstate System. The EIS 
will discuss environmental, social, and economic impacts associated 
with the develoment of the proposed action.
    Up to five (5) possible conceptual alternatives (including one (1) 
to the east and two (2) to the west of Evansville and Henderson, one 
(1) incorporating U.S. 41, and one (1) focusing on ITS (Intelligent 
Transportation Systems) strategies for existing US 41 and I-164 through 
Evansville and Henderson), as well as a no-build alternative, will be 
examined. The study will identify and consider potential impacts the 
project may have on natural, cultural, historic and other environmental 
resources. Early coordination meetings will be held with federal, 
state, regional and local resource agencies. An environmental 
``footprint'' will be developed at the outset of the study, and will be 
made available at the initial public information meetings. These early 
public meetings will be held to solicit input from citizens and local 
officials prior to the development of detailed alternatives. A formal 
scoping meeting will be scheduled with the appropriate resource 
agencies to review the purpose and need and the conceptual alternatives 
to be considered. A second interagency meeting will be held to review 
the selection of alternatives to be retained for detailed study. A 
third interagency review meeting will be held to review the selected 
action and conceptual mitigation. Utilizing input from these agencies, 
input received at public meetings, and information obtained from field 
review, alternatives will be developed along with preliminary cost 
estimates for each of the alternatives. This information, along with 
environmental investigations, will be presented at a second series of 
public information meetings for review and public comment.
    Following evaluation of public comments, alternatives will be 
refined and evaluated, a preferred alternative may be identified, and a 
Draft EIS will be prepared. Public hearings will then be held in 
accordance with all State and Federal requirements. Public notice will 
be given of the time and place of the public hearings. The Draft EIS 
will be available for public and agency review and comment. To ensure 
that the full range of issues related to the proposed action are 
addressed and that 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 contact at the address provided above.

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             State contacts                   FHWA Division contacts
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                                 Indiana
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Steve Cecil, Deputy Commissioner of      John Baxter, Division
 Planning and Intermodal Transp.,         Administrator, Federal Highway
 Indiana Department of Transportation,    Administration, 575 North
 100 North Senate Ave., Room N755,        Pennsylvania St., Room 254,
 Indianapolis, IN 46204-2249; Phone:      Indianapolis, Indiana 46204;
 317-232-5535; Fax: 317-232-0238; e-      Phone: 317-226-7475; Fax: 317-
 mail: [email protected].          226-7341; e-mail:
                                          dot.gov">john.baxter@fhwa.dot.gov
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[[Page 23967]]

 
                                Kentucky
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John Carr, Deputy State Highway          Jose Sepulveda, Division
 Engineer, Kentucky Transportation        Administrator, Federal Highway
 Cabinet, State Office Building, Rm.      Administration, 330 W.
 1005, 501 High Street, Frankfort, KY     Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601;
 40622; Phone: 502-564-3730; Fax: 502-    Phone: 502-223-6720; Fax: 502-
 564-2277; e-mail:                        223-6735; e-mail:
 [email protected].             dot.gov">jose.sepulveda@fhwa.dot.gov
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(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.205, Highway 
Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive 
Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal 
programs and activities apply to the program).

    Authority: 23 USC 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: May 1, 2001.
Robert Dirks,
Environmental Specialist, FHWA, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[FR Doc. 01-11794 Filed 5-9-01; 8:45 am]
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