[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27625-27626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Hatillo-Aguadilla Corridor, 
Puerto Rico

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 the Hatillo-
Aguadilla Corridor in the northwestern area of Puerto Rico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jose Luis Torres, P.E., Federal 
Highway Administration, Puerto Rico Division, 350 Carlos Chardon 
Street, Suite 210, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918, Telephone (787)766-5600 
Ext. 234; or Ms. Irma Garcia, P.E., Programming and Special Studies 
Area, Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, PO Box 42007, 
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00940-2007, Telephone (787)729-1580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's 
home page at: http://www.archives.gov and the Government Printing 
Office's Web site at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 
Department of Transportation and Public Works (PRDTPW), through its

[[Page 27626]]

Highway and Transportation Authority (HTA), will prepare a joint 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct a new 
roadway between the municipalities of Hatillo and Aguadilla.
    Various environmental resources and issues are known to exist 
within the limits of the study area for this project. These resources 
and issues include, but are not limited to: location of prime 
agricultural land; archaeological resources; historic resources; 
residential, business and recreational land uses; geology; water 
quality; scenic viewsheds; native plant communities; wetlands; noise; 
and preservation of the natural, cultural, scenic and recreational 
values of the area. Any resources protected under Section 4(f) of the 
Department of Transportation Act \1\ (49 U.S.C. 303 and 23 U.S.C. 138; 
23 CFR 771.135(a)) will be addressed in a section 4(f) statement to be 
prepared for this project.
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    \1\ Section 4(f) of Pub. L. 89-670, 80 Stat. 934, was repealed 
by Pub. L. 97-449, 96 Stat. 2444, and enacted without substantive 
change at 49 U.S.C. 303; Section 138 of title 23, U.S.C., remains 
unchanged. Because of common usage and familiarity, the term section 
4(f) continues to be used by the Department of Transportation in 
matters relating to 49 U.S.C. 303 and 23 U.S.C. 138.
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    Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Pub. L. 89-
665, 80 Stat. 915; 36 CFR part 800) applies to the project. 
Consultation pursuant to Section 106 is being initiated.
    The EIS will address the impacts related to the construction of a 
new roadway in the Hatillo-Aguadilla Corridor. Recent planning efforts 
leading to the preparation of an EIS include development of design 
concepts for the following alternatives: (1) No Action; (2) Conversion 
to Expressway of existing road PR-2; (3) A New Road, and; (4) A 
combination of alternatives (2) and (3).
    Correspondence describing this proposed action and requesting 
comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, Commonwealth, and local 
agencies and to private organizations and individuals that have 
previously expressed, or are known to have, an interest in this 
proposal. In addition, public scoping meetings will be held in the 
Spring/Summer of 2003.
    To ensure that the full range of issues and alternatives related to 
this proposed action is addressed and all significant issues 
identified, comments and suggestions are invited from interested 
parties. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action should 
be directed to the FHWA at the address provided above. The view of 
agencies having interest on this proposal or knowledge of potential 
effects on the environmental resources listed above is requested.

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

    Issued on: May 13, 2003.
Lubin M.Qui[ntilde]ones,
Division Administrator, Puerto Rico Division Office.
[FR Doc. 03-12542 Filed 5-19-03; 8:45 am]
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