[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 16861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8330]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Lafourche and St. Charles 
Parishes, LA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise interested agencies 
and the public that, in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be 
prepared for a proposed road project (State Project Nol 700-92-0011 and 
Federal Aid Project No. NH-9201(501)) in Lafourche and St. Charles 
Parishes, Louisiana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William C. Farr, Programs Operations 
Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 5304 Flanders Drive, Sutie A, 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808, Telephone: (225) 757-7615; Facsimile 
(225) 757-7601 or Vincent Russo, Environmental Engineer Administrator, 
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, P.O. Box 94245, 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804, Telephone: (225) 248-4191; Facsimile: 
(225) 248-4188.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Louisiana 
Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD), will prepare an 
EIS on a proposal to upgrade a portion of U.S. Highway 90 (US 90) to 
full ``Control of Access'' highway meeting interstate standards. US 90 
would become an extension of Interstate 49 (I-49). The project consists 
of the proposed I-49 extension from Raceland to the Davis Pond 
Diversion. The approximate distance of the project is 23 miles.
    Proposed I-49 south is comprised of approximately 143 miles of US 
90 from Lafayette to the Westbank Expressway in Jefferson Parish. This 
project is intended to provide traffic safety, a primary hurricane 
evacuation route serving 37% of Louisiana's population, access to nine 
airports and four of Louisiana's seven deep draft ports, and provide a 
vital link for economic development of the region.
    Studies have been completed on the I-49 Connector (US 90/US 167) in 
Lafayette and studies are being completed oin the Lafayette Regional 
Airport to Route LA 88 and the Wax Lake Outlet to Berwick sections of 
I-49 South. This proposed EIS addresses the Raceland to Davis Pond 
section of I-49 South, herein after referred to as Section of 
Independent Utility (SIU) 1. More specifically, this project will 
involve preliminary environmental (including social environment) and 
engineering constraints studies, the development of concept line and 
grade alternatives, intitial impact evaluation, more detailed study of 
line and grade alternatives and environmental impact, the development 
of a draft EIS, a public hearing, preparation of a final EIS with 
complete, detailed environmental and line and grade studies, and a 
Record of Decision.
    A Solicition of Views (SOV) letter will be submitted for 
distribution to representatives on the SOV mailing list. After mailing 
of the SOV, a scoping meeting will be held with LADOTD and interested 
agencies. A public meeting will be scheduled in both of the affected 
parishes to introduce the project and receive public comment after the 
initial scoping meeting with LaDOTD. There will be a total of three 
public meetings and one public hearing in each parish (Lafourche and 
St. Charles Parishes) throughout the NEPA process to present findings 
to the public and obtain public input. Additionally, small group 
informational meetings may be held at the request of commumity groups 
throughout the project.
    Interested individuals, organizations, and public agencies are 
invited to attend the public meetings and participate in identifying 
any important environmental issues related to the proposed alternatives 
and suggesting alternatives which are more economical or which have 
less environmental effects while achieving similar transportation 
objectives.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action is 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.
    The public will receive notices on location and time of future 
opportunities for participation at meetings and public hearings through 
newspaper advertisements and other means. If you wish to be placed on 
the mailing list to receive further information as the project 
develops, please contact Mr. William Farr with FHWA or Mr. Vincent 
Russo with LaDOTD at the addresses above.
    In accordance with the regulations and guidance by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ), as well as 23 CFR part 450 and 23 
policies; the EIS will include an evaluation of the social, economic, 
and environmental impacts of the alternatives. The EIS will comply with 
the requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and with 
Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice. The EIS will meet the 
requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 
transportation conformity regulations (40 CFR part 93 and 23 CFR 
450.322(b)(8)). After publication, the draft EIS will be available for 
public agency review and comment.
    The Final EIS will consider the public and agency comments received 
during the public and agency circulation of the EIS and will identify 
the preferred alternative. Opportunity for additional public comment 
will be provided throughout all phases of the project development.

(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)

    Dated: Issued on April 1, 2003.
William A. Sussmann,
Division Administrator, FHWA, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
[FR Doc. 03-8330 Filed 4-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M