[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41653-41654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19809]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Lewis and Clark & Jefferson 
Counties, MT

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 in accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act for proposed transportation 
improvement along the I-15 corridor in Helena, Lewis and Clark & 
Jefferson Counties, Montana. The FHWA, in cooperation with the Montana 
Department of Transportation (MDT), invites public comment and will be 
holding public scoping meetings prior to commencing work on the 
environmental impact statement.
    Mail, fax or e-mail written comments to: Mr. Joel Marshik, P.E., 
Montana Department of Transportation, Environmental Services Manager, 
2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620-1001, Fax: 406-444-7245, e-
mail:[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dale Paulson, Program Development 
Engineer, FHWA Montana Division, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, Montana 
59602; Telephone (406) 449-5302, extension 239; or Mr. Joel Marshik, 
Manager, Environmental Services, Montana Department of Transportation, 
2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620-1001; Telephone (406) 444-
7632.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with Montana 
Department of Transportation (MDT), hereby give notice that they intend 
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Public Law 910190, 83 
Stat. 85291969), as amended, for corridor improvements to I-15 through 
Helena, in Lewis and Clark & Jefferson Counties, Montana. This EIS will 
evaluate the No Build and other Build Alternatives for proposed 
improvements to I-15 in Lewis and Clark & Jefferson Counties and 
determine the estimated costs and potential impacts associated with 
each. The project study area is approximately 13 miles along I-15 
between the Montana City and Lincoln Road interchanges. The project 
includes public involvement, agency coordination, technical analysis, 
and preparation of the environmental document to record the decision.

[[Page 41654]]

    Interstate 15 is the only North-South interstate highway in 
Montana. It is part of the National Highway System and has become 
critically important in regional, interstate, and international travel 
and commerce.
    Increases in population and changes in land use patterns in the 
Helena area have resulted in increased traffic volumes on Interstate 15 
and on East-West roadways since its construction in 1962. This 
increased traffic has decreased the operating efficiency of the 
interchanges on I-15 and on the East-West roadways crossing the highway 
corridor. I-15 has become a barrier to East-West travel, including 
pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency access.
    The purpose of the project is to accommodate anticipated traffic 
volumes safely and efficiently, while similarly considering the 
movement of east-west traffic crossing the I-15 corridor. The project 
will address safety and operating efficiencies at I-15 interchange and 
east-west roadways crossing I-15 between Lincoln Road and Montana City. 
The crossing roadways will be studied to the extent necessary to ensure 
their ability to collect and distribute anticipated traffic to and from 
I-15.
    The public involvement program will include the following:
     Public Workshops and Meetings
     Meetings and Presentations to Neighborhood Groups and 
Business Organizations
     Formation of an Advisory Committee of Local Citizens and 
Agencies
     Project Web Site (www.I-15helenaeis.com)
     Telephone Information `Hotline' (406-458-4789)
     Project Newsletter
     Public Opinion Survey
    The FHWA and MDT invite interested individuals, organizations, 
Federal, State, and local agencies to participate in defining the 
alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS and identifying any significant 
social, economic, and environmental issues relating to the 
alternatives. An information packet describing the purpose and need for 
the project, the areas and issues to be evaluated, the citizen and 
agency involvement program, and the preliminary project schedule will 
be available at the public scoping meeting. These scoping materials may 
be requested by contacting Mr. Joel Marshik at the address and phone 
number above. Scoping comments may be made verbally at the public 
scoping meeting or in writing. The public will receive notices on the 
location and time of the scoping meeting through newspaper 
advertisements and/or individual correspondence.
    To ensure that a 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. If 
you wish to be placed on the mailing list to receive further 
information as the project develops, contact Mr. Joel Marshik as 
previously described.

(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 date: July 31, 2001.
Dale W. Paulson,
Program Development Engineer, Montana Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, Helena, MT.
[FR Doc. 01-19809 Filed 8-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M