[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 56872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21931]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Mendocino County, CA

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 (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
highway project on State Route 101 (SR 101) in Mendocino County, near 
the town of Hopland, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harry Khani, Transportation Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, 980 Ninth Street, Suite 400, 
Sacramento, California 95814, telephone: (916) 498-5056, e-mail: 
[email protected]. Alan Escarda, California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans) Project Manager, 1656 Union Street, Eureka, 
CA 95501, telephone: (707) 441-2097, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with Caltrans 
proposes to construct a four-lane freeway or expressway on SR 101 in 
Southern Mendocino County. The project limits extend from kp 14.2 to 
28.3 (pm 8.8/17.6). The project will bypass the community of Hopland 
and upgrade the last section of two-lane conventional highway on SR 101 
between Ukia and the San Francisco Bay Area to a four-lane freeway or 
expressway. The project is needed to reduce operational conflicts, 
accommodate existing and future traffic demand, reduce travel time, 
increase safety, improve air quality, reduce noise in Hopland and 
provide the facility concept identified in the ``Inter-regional 
Transportation Strategic Plan''.
    Five alignments are being proposed at this time as well as a ``No 
Build'' alternative. All of the alignments potentially affect oak 
woodlands, riparian forest and pre-historic cultural resources. Letters 
describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have been sent 
to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private 
organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known 
to have interest in this proposal. A Public Open House has been held to 
solicit opinions from the community and a Project Development Team has 
been formed to determined the scope of the project. In addition, a 
public hearing will be held when the Draft EIS is complete. Public 
notice will be given of the time and location of the meetings and 
hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment prior the public hearing. No formal scoping meeting is 
planned at this time.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action 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.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning, and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Issued on: August 13, 2002.
Maiser Khaled,
Chief, District Operations North, California Division, Federal Highway 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-21931 Filed 9-4-02; 8:45 am]
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