[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 236 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 63583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30329]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Desha, Chicot, Ashley, Drew, 
Union, Bradley, Calhoun, Ouachita, and Columbia Counties, AR

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 for a proposed highway 
project in the Arkansas Counties of Desha, Chicot, Ashley, Drew, Union, 
Bradley, Calhoun, Ouachita, and Columbia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randal Looney, Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, Room 3130 Federal Building, 
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-3298, telephone: (501) 324-6430; or Dale 
Loe, Consultant Coordinator, Assistant Chief Engineer, Arkansas State 
Highway and Transportation Department, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, 
Arkansas 72203, telephone: (501) 569-2301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Arkansas 
State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a segment of the proposed 
Interstate 69 corridor in Arkansas.
    This approximately 85-mile segment of I-69 will connect the 
Mississippi River crossing of I-69 to U.S. 167 near El Dorado and will 
improve regional travel, safety, intermodal connectivity and will 
enhance the economic vitality of the project area. This segment will 
accommodate the overall purpose of the national I-69 Corridor, a much 
larger transcontinental project identified as a ``high priority 
corridor'' on the National Highway System that would provide a North 
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) transportation corridor of 
national significance from Canada to Mexico. I-69 is also a 
transportation recommendation of the Delta Initiative aimed at the 
revitalization and economic development of the Lower Mississippi Delta.
    I-69 is proposed to be a fully controlled access facility located 
on a new alignment. Several alternatives and locations will be 
considered, including the ``no-action'' alternative. The western 
terminus of the project will connect to U.S. 167 near El Dorado, 
Arkansas and the eastern terminus will connect to U.S. 65 near McGehee, 
Arkansas.
    The FHWA and AHTD are seeking input as part of the scoping process 
to assist in determining and clarifying important issues relative to 
this project. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting 
comments have been sent to appropriate Federal, state, and local 
agencies, Native American Tribes, and to private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest 
in this project. Formal scoping meetings with Federal, state, and local 
agencies, NativeAmerican Tribes, and other interested parties will be 
held in the near future. A series of public meetings will also be held 
in the study area beginning in early 2002, with on-going public 
involvement activities. The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to a 
formal public hearing. Public notice will be given of the time and 
place for all meetings and hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this project 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 proposed action.)

    Issued on: December 3, 2001.
Derrell Turner,
Assistant Division Administrator, FHWA, Little Rock, Arkansas.
[FR Doc. 01-30329 Filed 12-6-01; 8:45 am]
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