[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 9 (Monday, January 14, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1804-1805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-850]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement, Trinity County, California

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as lead agency, in 
cooperation with the Trinity County Department of Transportation 
(TCDOT) and the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), 
intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). 
This is based on a proposal by TCDOT to construct a local connector 
roadway project providing residents with local connections to existing 
County roads and minimizing the travel dependency on SR-299 through 
Weaverville. FHWA intends to process an EIS for this project.

[[Page 1805]]


DATES AND ADDRESSES: To ensure that the full range of issues related to 
the proposed improvements are addressed and all significant issues 
identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested 
parties. Written comments or questions concerning the proposed action 
and the EIS should be directed to FHWA and/or TCDOT at the addresses 
provided below. Written comments on the scope of alternatives and 
impacts to be considered should be submitted not later than thirty (30) 
calendar days from the date of this publication. Scoping Meeting: A 
public scoping meeting was held November 14, 2001 and a subsequent 
scoping meeting may be offered to agencies on request. The public has 
been notified through local newspapers, postings in public places, and 
through other public notification methods.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R.C. Slovensky, Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA), 980 Ninth Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 
95814-2724, (916) 498-5774, or fax (916) 498-5008 and/or Jan Smith, 
TCDOT, PO. Box 2490, Weaverville, CA 96093-2490 (530) 623-1365, or fax 
(530) 623-5312.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed new roadway, beginning at or 
near the intersection of Industrial Park Road and State Route (SR)-299, 
southeast of the community of Weaverville, and intersecting with SR-299 
approximately 2 miles northwest of the community of Weaverville, is 
intended to provide residents with local connections to existing County 
roads, minimizing the travel dependency on SR-299 and providing an 
alternative means of travelling in and around Weaverville. Accordingly, 
the project will reduce traffic congestion and delays along SR-299 
through the historic district in downtown Weaverville and at key 
intersections with SR-3 and Washington Street. The project involves 
construction of a new two-lane undivided arterial roadway with 12-foot 
lanes (3.6m) and 4-foot (1.2m) paved shoulders on both sides that will 
accommodate bicycle traffic. The project will have a 55 mph design 
speed for Design Hourly (traffic) Volume projected for Year 2030. Up to 
six existing residential County roads may be connected to the proposed 
West Connector. A total of three alternative alignments will be 
examined initially, although other alignments or alignment 
configurations may be considered. Depending on the ultimate project 
alignment and configuration, the total project length will vary from 
3.1 miles (5.0k) to 4.0 miles (6.4k), including up to 4 stream 
crossings. Alternative connecting designs for the western project 
terminus include a grade-separated interchange, and an at-grade ``T'' 
intersection.
    Issues to be addressed in the EIS include socioeconomic issues 
related to noise and safety, impacts on the rural character of affected 
neighborhoods, and effects on downtown business. Cultural resources 
associated with historic mining activities are present in the project 
area. Elements of a proposed trail system follow the same alignments as 
the West Connector, and coordination with the Weaverville Basin Trails 
Committee will be required to resolve any conflicts. The east end of 
the alignment will traverse a Natural Resources Conservation Service 
Wetland Reserve Easement through a corridor dedicated for the West 
Connector. The project will involve construction activities within and 
adjacent to West Weaver Creek, which is potential habitat for State and 
Federally listed fish, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife species.

    Issued on January 8, 2002.
R.C. Slovensky,
Senior Transportation Engineer, District Operations-North--California 
Division, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-850 Filed 1-11-02; 8:45 am]
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