[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55238-55239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27410]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Federal Highway Administration

National Park Service


Environmental Impact Statement; Loudon, Fairfax, Fauquier, and 
Prince William Counties, VA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT; National Park 
Service (NPS), DOI.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an

[[Page 55239]]

environmental impact statement will be prepared, in cooperation with 
the National Park Service (NPS), for potential transportation 
improvements in the vicinity of the Manassas National Battlefield Park 
to address the Manassas National Battlefield Park Amendments Act of 
1988 which require relocation of US Route 29 and VA Route 234 in the 
vicinity of the Park.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Van Dop, Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 21400 Ridgetop Circle, 
Sterling, VA 20166, Telephone 703-404-6282 or John Marsh, Project 
Manager, National Park Service, Denver Service Center, Telephone: (303) 
969-2471.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from Government 
Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. 
Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's home page 
at: http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's web 
site at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    With this notice of intent, the FHWA and the NPS are initiating the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process including the 
preparation of an environmental impact statement, for the Manassas 
National Battlefield Bypass to study potential alternatives to relocate 
US Route 29 and VA Route 234 in, and in the vicinity of, the Manassas 
National Battlefield Park in Manassas, Virginia. In 1988, the Congress 
enacted Public Law 100-647, 102 Stat. 3342, 3810. Title X of this Act 
is cited as the Manassas National Battlefield Park Amendments of 1988. 
In section 1004, the legislation states that:

    [T]he Secretary of the Interior * * * in consultation with the 
Commonwealth of Virginia, the Federal Highway Administration, and 
Prince William County, shall conduct a study regarding the 
relocation of highways (known as Routes 29 and 234) in, and in the 
vicinity of, the Manassas National Battlefield Park. * * * The study 
shall include an assessment of available alternatives, together with 
cost estimates and recommendations regarding preferred options. The 
study shall specifically consider and develop plans for the closing 
of those public highways (known as Routes 29 and 234) that transect 
the park and shall include analysis of the timing and method of such 
closures and of means to provide alternative routes for traffic now 
transecting the park. The Secretary shall provide for extensive 
public involvement in the preparation of the study.

    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 other 
alternatives including transportation system management strategies, 
mass transit, improvements to existing roadways, and/or new alignment 
facilities. These alternatives will be developed, screened, and 
subjected to detailed analysis in the draft environmental impact 
statement based on their ability to address the Purpose and Need, while 
attempting to avoid 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 a formal scoping meeting will be held 
as part of the NEPA process to facilitate local, state, and federal 
agency involvement. 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 the public in the project development 
process. 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 meetings/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 this notice of proposed action and when the draft 
environmental impact statement is made available should be directed to 
the FHWA at the address provided under the caption For Further 
Information Contact.

(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: October 18, 2001.
Donald R. Tuggle,
Director, Program Administration, Federal Highway Administration, 
Sterling, Virginia.
Terry Carlstrom,
Regional Director, National Park Service, National Capital Region, 
Washington, DC.
[FR Doc. 01-27410 Filed 10-31-01; 8:45 am]
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