[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 134 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46241-46242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17504]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


U.S. 285 Notice of Intent

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration.

ACTION: Notice of intent and public scoping meeting.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for proposed 
transportation improvements to U.S. 285 from Foxton Road to Bailey in 
Jefferson and Park Counties, Colorado.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scott Sands, FHWA Colorado 
Division, 555 Zang Street, Room 250, Denver, CO 80228, Telephone (303) 
969-6730, extension 362.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Colorado 
Department of Transportation (CDOT) will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) for transportation improvements on U.S. 285 from Foxton Road 
in Conifer to just south of Bailey, Colorado. The EIS will evaluate the 
No-Action and Build alternative(s) and determine the estimated costs 
and potential impacts of each. CDOT will be the local lead agency for 
the EIS. The project is approximately 15 miles in length. Alternatives 
that may be evaluated include the No-Action Alternative and various 2, 
3 and 4 lane alternatives. A public scoping meeting has been scheduled 
for July 30, 2002 at the Elk Creek Fire Protection District at 11993 
Blackfoot Road in Conifer, CO. Scoping meetings are also planned with 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Colorado Division of Wildlife and various local agencies. This effort 
will build on the results of the U.S. 285 Feasibility Study which was 
completed in March of 2002.
    Written comments on project scope should be sent to: Mr. Kim Patel, 
Project Manager, CDOT Region One, 18500 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, CO 
80111, Telephone: (303) 365-7373.
    FHWA, CDOT and other local agencies invite interested individuals, 
organizations, and federal, state and

[[Page 46242]]

local agencies to participate in refining the alternatives to be 
evaluated in the EIS and identifying any significant social, economic 
or environmental issues related to the alternatives. Scoping comments 
may be made at the scheduled scoping meeting or in writing. Scoping 
comments received during the development of the U.S. 285 Feasibility 
Study will be incorporated into the overall scoping comments for the 
EIS. The public will receive notices on locations and times of future 
public meetings through newspaper advertisements and individual 
correspondence. If you wish to be placed on the project mailing list, 
please contact Mr. Kim Patel at the address noted above.
    All significant social, economic and environmental impacts of the 
alternatives carried forward for complete EIS analysis will be 
evaluated. Depending on the alternatives under study, environmental and 
social impacts to be evaluated will include safety and mobility 
impacts, impacts on cultural resources, noise impacts, natural 
resources, air quality, threatened and endangered species, wildlife 
resources, habitat connectivity, and parks and recreation resources.
    In accordance with FHWA policy, the Draft EIS will be prepared with 
required engineering design studies necessary to complete the document. 
After its publication, the Draft EIS will be available for public and 
agency review and comments and a public hearing will be held. A Final 
EIS will hen be prepared, followed by a Record of Decision which will 
officially select a preferred alternative. Prior to the official 
selection of a preferred alternative in the Record of Decision, 
notification of the preference will be made in either the Draft or 
Final EIS.
    The No-Action Alternative is expected to include minor safety 
improvements, (e.g., intersection improvements, shoulder widening, or 
climbing lanes) resurfacing, bridge repair, maintenance, stream or 
other environmental improvements, and the construction of a grade 
separated intersection at Wandcrest Drive. Through the course of the 
EIS, other independent utility projects may be identified if they are 
found to not conflict with the outcome of the EIS.

    Issued on: June 13, 2002.
William C. Jones,
Division Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-17504 Filed 7-11-02; 8:45 am]
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