[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44376-44377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19097]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Harris County, Texas

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 for a proposed 
transportation project in Harris County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Mack, Federal Highway 
Administration, Texas Division, 826 Federal Building, 300 East 8th 
Street, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone 512-536-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) for improvements in the US 290 corridor from IH 
610 to FM 2920, a distance of approximately 38 miles (including the 
Hempstead Highway corridor and the connections to the IH 610 West 
Loop). The project is in Harris County, Texas, primarily within the 
city limits of Houston, although the corridor also extends into Jersey 
Village and the smaller communities of Cypress, Hockley, and Waller. A 
Major Investment Study (MIS) for the project was completed in 2003. The 
MIS evaluated modal and configuration alternatives for improvements 
within the study corridor and recommended a locally preferred multi-
modal configuration to meet the corridor's transportation needs, while 
minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment.
    The alternatives studied in the EIS will be variations, of the 
multi-modal configurations suggested in the US 290 Corridor Major 
Investment Study. The proposed alternative includes general-purpose 
lanes, managed lanes (possibly toll), and a reserve for advanced high-
capacity transit (light rail/bus rapid transit). The EIS will evaluate 
alternative alignments for potential impacts from construction and 
operation of the proposed roadway including, but not limited to, the 
following: transportation impacts (construction detours, construction 
traffic, mobility improvement and evacuation improvement), air, and 
noise impacts from construction equipment and operation of the 
facilities, water quality impacts from construction area and roadway 
storm water runoff, impacts to waters of the United States including 
wetlands from right-of-way encroachment, impacts to historic and 
archeological resources, impacts to floodplains, and impacts and/or 
potential displacements to residents and businesses.
    To ensure that the full range of issues relating to this proposed 
action are addressed, a series of public scoping meetings will be held 
from 6 to 9 p.m., as follows: On August 25, 2003, at Jersey Village 
High School (7600 Solomon, Houston, TX 77040), August 26 at Wainwright 
Elementary School (5330 Milwee, Houston, TX 77092), and August 27 at 
Ault Elementary School (21010 Maple Village Dr, Cypress, TX 77429). The 
purpose of the public scoping meetings will be to request comments and 
identify issues to be considered during evaluation of alignment 
alternatives and preparation of the EIS. All interested citizens are 
encouraged to attend these meetings. During the open house meetings, 
displays showing the project area and other project information will be 
presented and staff will be available to answer questions. In addition, 
a public hearing will be held in the future. Public notice will be 
given of the time and place of future public meetings and

[[Page 44377]]

the public hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public and 
agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    Appropriate Federal, State and local agencies, and private 
organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known 
to have interest in this proposal will be sent letters describing the 
proposed action and soliciting comments.
    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.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding governmental consultation on Federal 
programs and activities apply to this program.)
John R. Mack,
District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 03-19097 Filed 7-25-03; 8:45 am]
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