[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20041-20042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9985]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Jackson, Harrison and Hancock, 
Greene, Stone, and Pearl River Counties, Mississippi

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to 
advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be 
prepared for the CSX Railroad Relocation Study in the above referenced 
counties in Mississippi.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Cecil Vick, Realty Officer/
Environmental Coordinator, and Mr. Dickie Walters, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 666 North 
Street, Suite 105, Jackson, MS 39202-3199, Telephone: (601) 965-4217. 
Contacts at

[[Page 20042]]

the State and local level, respectively are: Mr. Claiborne Barnwell, 
Environmental/Location Division Engineer, Mississippi Department of 
Transportation, P.O. Box 1850, Jackson, MS, 39215-1850, telephone: 
(601) 359-7920; and Mr. Ricky Lee, District 6 Engineer, Mississippi 
Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 551, Hattiesburg, MS, 39403-
0551, telephone (601) 544-6511.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the relocation study through 
the six counties of the Mississippi Gulf Coast--Jackson, Harrison, 
Hancock, Greene, Stone, and Pearl River counties.
    The relocated CSX Railroad will be situated within the six 
Mississippi coastal counties noted above. The project has logical 
termini at both the eastern and western termini of the State of 
Mississippi where the connection will occur with the CSX railroad into 
the states of Alabama and Louisiana. The purpose of the CSX Study is 
three-fold: Identify the best feasible corridor for relocation of the 
CSX Railroad in Mississippi; obtain the necessary environmental 
clearances; and demonstrate the applicability of remote sensing 
technologies to environmental analysis for transportation planning 
projects and decision making. Of paramount importance to this effort is 
the public participation process. The relocated CSX Railroad will enter 
Mississippi at the eastern terminus in Jackson County and extend 
generally in a western alignment through Harrison County into Jackson 
County exiting the state at the western terminus into Louisiana. 
Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action and (2) 
various build alternatives.
    The FHWA and MDOT are seeking input as a part of the scoping 
process to assist in determining and clarifying issues relative to this 
project. 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 formal scoping meeting 
with Federal, State, and local agencies, and other interested parties 
has been held.
    Coordination will be continued with appropriate Federal, State, and 
local agencies, Native American tribes and private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in 
this proposal. Numerous public involvement meetings will be held, a 
newsletter will be developed, and a Web site will be created to keep 
the public informed. A local project office will be opened in Gulfport, 
Mississippi. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency 
review and comment prior to the official 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.

Andrew H. Hughes,
Division Administrator, Jackson, Mississippi.
[FR Doc. 03-9985 Filed 4-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M