[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 226 (Monday, November 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65981-65982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29215]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Fond du Lac & Sheboygan Counties, 
Wisconsin

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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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 proposed 
improvements of STH 23 between CTH K east of Fond du Lac in Fond du Lac 
County and CTH P west of Plymouth in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Johnny M Gerbitz, Field Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 567 D'Onofrio Drive, Madison, 
Wisconsin 53719-2814; telephone: (608) 829-7511. You may also contact 
Mr. Eugene Johnson, Director, Bureau of Equity & Environmental 
Services, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 7965, 
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7965; telephone: number 608-267-9527.

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 Federal Register's 
home page at: http://www.archives.gov/ and the Government Printing 
Office's database at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to 
construct a four-lane facility on STH 23. The project begins at CTH K 
east of Fond du Lac in Fond du Lac County and extends approximately 19 
miles to CTH P west of Plymouth in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.
    The anticipated format for the EIS will be Screening Worksheets 
rather than the typical narrative form. The Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation has developed a series of Environmental Screening 
Worksheets which are divided into Basic Sheets and Factor Sheets. The 
Screening Worksheets provide a flexible means of addressing the 
requirements for an Environmental Document.
    The improvements to this highway are considered necessary to 
decrease the potential for crashes, lower congestion, and complete the 
constrution of a multi-lane highway facility between the Fond du Lac 
and Sheboygan urban areas.
    Planning, environmental, and engineering studies are underway to 
develop transportation alternatives. The EIS will assess the need, 
location, and environmental impacts of alternatives within the study 
area. These alternatives include (1) No Build--this alternative assumes 
the continued use of existing facility with the maintenance necessary 
to ensure its continued use; (2) Upgrade the Existing Facilities--this 
alternative would improve the safety and traffic handling capabilities 
of the existing route; (3) Construction of Added Lanes on Existing or 
New Alignment--This alternative would involve one or more proposals for 
construction of two new lanes adjacent to the existing highway or 
another local roadway, constructing four lanes on new locations, or a 
combination of add lanes and a new location. All alternatives will 
examine improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
    Information 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 
meetings will be held in the project corridor throughout the data 
gathering and development of alternatives. In addition, a public 
hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place 
of the

[[Page 65982]]

meetings and hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public and 
agency review and comment prior to the hearing. As part of the scoping 
process, coordination activities have begun. A Corridor Preservation 
Study is underway and will be a large contributor to the EIS study and 
the alternate development. Coordination with public officials and local 
residents will continue with focus groups, set up to help determine the 
alternatives to be evaluated. Scoping meetings will continue to be held 
on an individual or group meeting basis. Agency coordination will be 
accomplished during these meetings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed, and all substantive issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to FHWA or the Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation at the addresses provided in the caption FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

(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: November 17, 2003.
Johnny M Gerbitz,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Madison, 
Wisconsin.

[FR Doc. 03-29215 Filed 11-21-03; 8:45 am]
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