[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41413-41414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17539]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Cameron and Willacy Counties, TX

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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[[Page 41414]]

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed second 
access to South Padre Island, in Cameron or Willacy Counties, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Mack, District Engineer, Federal 
Highway Administration, 300 East 8th Street, Austin, Texas, Telephone: 
(512) 536-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) proposing to provide a second access to and from South 
Padre Island. Currently, the Queen Isabella Causeway is the only means 
of vehicular access to and from the island. The purpose of the proposed 
project is to provide an alternate route to and from South Padre. 
Residents and visitors need increased vehicular mobility to enhance 
their health, safety, and security. This need is heightened during 
constrained or interrupted traffic flow conditions on the Queen 
Isabella Causeway resulting from hurricane evacuations, incidents 
involving the bridge, lane closures associated with bridge repairs and 
during peak travel periods such as Spring Break and the summer vacation 
season.
    The EIS will examine or evaluate viable alternatives for providing 
access between the mainland and the island. The project study area 
includes South Padre Island and the mainland in Cameron and Willacy 
Counties. Transportation alternatives include taking no action (the no-
build alternative), Transportation System Management (TSM), ferrying 
systems and construction of a second causeway. The environmental study 
will also include discussions of the social, economic and environmental 
effects of the proposed project.
    A public scoping meeting will be held on August 5, 2003 at 6 p.m. 
at the South Padre Island Convention Center. This will be the first in 
a series of meetings to solicit public comments on the proposed action. 
In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given 
about the time and place of the meetings and hearing. The draft EIS 
will be available for the public and relevant agencies for comment 
before the public hearing.
    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 scoping 
meetings will be held in the area. In addition, a public hearing will 
be held. Public notice will be given with 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.

    Issued on: June 30, 2003.

(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.)
John R. Mack,
District Engineer, Austin, Texas.
[FR Doc. 03-17539 Filed 7-10-03; 8:45 am]
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