[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10063-10064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4856]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Missoula County, MT

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 in accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act for proposed transportation 
improvements in the vicinity of Miller Creek Road in Missoula County, 
Montana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Craig Genzlinger, P.E., Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, 
Montana 59602; Telephone (406) 449-5302, extension 240 or Ms. Jeanette 
Lostracco, Carter & Burgess, Inc., 707 17th Street, Suite 2300, Denver, 
Colorado, 80202; Telephone (303) 820-4808.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA hereby gives notice that it intends 
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 
852, 1969), as amended, for road and bridge improvements in the 
vicinity of Miller Creek Road, Missoula County, Montana. The study area 
is approximately four miles long and three miles wide including 
portions of US 93, the Bitterroot River, the city of Missoula, Missoula 
County and Lolo National Forest. The study area begins near the 
intersection of Miller Creek Road and US 93 to the north and extends 
southward approximately four miles along US 93. The east-west 
boundaries are approximately .25 miles west of US 93 and approximately 
2.5 miles east of US 93.
    Alternatives being considered will include a no build and build 
alternatives. The build alternatives will connect to US 93 and provide 
a new structure crossing the Bitterroot River.
    Improvements to the corridor are necessary as the population is 
expected to increase in the near future. The need for a second 
connection to U.S. 93 in this area has been a priority to the local 
community, Missoula County, and the city of Missoula. A second entrance 
into the Miller Creek area is needed for safety and to relieve 
congestion. An additional access could provide regional benefits to 
connectivity, improving air quality by reducing total vehicle miles 
traveled (VMT), improving pedestrian and bike circulation, facilitating 
bus service to the Miller Creek and Linda Vista area, and providing 
secondary emergency egress and, potentially, improved emergency 
response times.
    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 an interest in this proposal. A formal public scoping 
meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 
the Linda Vista Golf Course Clubhouse located on 4915 Lower Miller 
Creek Road, Missoula, Montana. Brief identical presentations will be

[[Page 10064]]

given at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. A series of public meetings will be held in 
Missoula. 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.
    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 above. Additional project 
information can be obtained at the Web site (www.millereis.com) or from 
the Telephone Information `Hotline' (1-800-865-6905).

(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 an activities apply to this proposed action.)

(Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48)

    Issued February 25, 2003.
Dale Paulson,
Program Development Engineer, Montana Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, Helena, MT 59602.
[FR Doc. 03-4856 Filed 2-28-03; 8:45 am]
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