[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 71230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30201]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Rutland County, Vermont

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for the proposed 
relocation of the Rutland rail switching yard and related improvements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Sikora, Environmental Program 
Manager, Federal Highway Administration, P.O. Box 568, Montpelier, 
Vermont 05601. Telephone: 802-828-4433.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Vermont 
Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and the Rutland Redevelopment 
Authority (RRA), will prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the proposed relocation of the Rutland rail switching yard and 
related improvements in Rutland, Vermont. Relocation of the existing 
rail yard is considered necessary due to changes to both the City of 
Rutland and the railroad. The existing rail yard site is in downtown 
Rutland. Industry in Rutland has changed and the rail yard results in 
frequent noise, traffic delay and congestion, safety hazards to 
pedestrians and vehicles, and occupies land that could be redeveloped.
    Other improvements related to the proposed rail yard relocation are 
the construction of a new access road from Route 4 to downtown Rutland 
paralleling the rail line corridor, a connector track at Howe Center 
between the Green Mountain Railroad Corporation (GMRC) and the 
switching yard and a connector track in Center Rutland, Town of 
Rutland, between the Clarendon and Pittsford Railroad (CLP) and Vermont 
Railway (VTR).
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
improvement to the existing rail yard; and (3) alternative relocation 
sites with associated connector tracks and downtown access roads.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be 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 series of public meetings 
will be held in Rutland. In addition, a public hearing will be held. 
Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and 
hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment prior to the public hearing. No formal scoping meeting is 
planned at this time.
    To ensure that a 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 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 program.)

    Issued on: November 20, 2002.
Kenneth R. Sikora, Jr.,
Environmental Program Manager, Montpelier, Vermont.
[FR Doc. 02-30201 Filed 11-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M