[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 156 (Wednesday, August 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48441-48442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20540]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Yellowstone County, Montana

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 highway 
project in Yellowstone County, Montana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Paulson, Program Development 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, 
Montana 59602, Telephone: (406) 449-5302, ext. 233; or Fred Bente, 
Consultant Design, Montana Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect 
Avenue, P.O. Box 201001, Helena, Montana 59620-1001, Telephone: (406) 
444-7634.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Montana 
Department of Transportation will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct a bypass route north of 
Billings in Yellowstone County, Montana. The proposed bypass route 
would be located north of the Billings Logan International Airport 
between Interstate 94 (I-94) and Montana Highway 3 (MT 3), a distance 
of approximately 24 km (15 miles), and would include connections to I-
94, Highway 312, US 87, and MT 3.
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to improve 
the Camino-Real International Trade Corridor and alleviate congestion 
on a number of principal arterial streets in northeast Billings. The 
bypass could also help to improve air quality in the Billings urban 
area, which is currently designated as a non-attainment area for carbon 
monoxide (CO), by reducing stopping and idling times for traffic.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
constructing a new bypass route.
    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 an interest in this proposal. An extensive public 
involvement process will be conducted to solicit views and comments 
from the appropriate agencies and interested private organizations and 
citizens. The process will include a Billings Bypass Advisory 
Committee,

[[Page 48442]]

public meetings & workshops, a public hearing, and presentations & 
meetings with community interest groups. Public notice will be given of 
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. No formal scoping meeting date has been set at this time.
    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 intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

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


    Issued on: August 5, 2003.
Dale W. Paulson,
Program Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Montana 
Division, Helena, Montana.
[FR Doc. 03-20540 Filed 8-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M