[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74698-74699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31639]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Cities of Chesapeake and Virginia 
Beach, VA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement in cooperation with the Virginia Department of 
Transportation (VDOT) for the proposed Southeastern Parkway and 
Greenbelt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Myers, Planning & 
Environmental Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, PO Box 
10249, Richmond, Virginia 23240-0249. Telephone: (804) 775-3353.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 
in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), 
will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt. The study area begins in central 
Chesapeake and extends to north central Virginia Beach. The study 
window is roughly defined by the Battlefield Boulevard/Great Bridge 
Bypass in Chesapeake to the west; the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal in 
Chesapeake and North Landing Road in Virginia

[[Page 74699]]

Beach to the south; Volvo Parkway in Chesapeake and Lynnhaven Parkway 
and Laskin Road in Virginia Beach to the north; and Bird Neck Road in 
Virginia Beach to the east.
    The EIS will examine a range of alternatives consisting of a no-
build alternative as well as transportation system management 
strategies, mass transit, improvements to existing facilities, and new 
alignment facilities. Initial studies for this project began in 1987, 
with a Draft EIS issued in September 1989 followed by a Supplemental 
Draft EIS in September 1994. Subsequently, VDOT recommended, and 
Virginia's Commonwealth Transportation Board endorsed, a preferred 
alternative. However, work was suspended prior to the completion of a 
Final EIS. Because of the lapse of time since the circulation of the 
previous drafts, the study is being reinitiated with a new Draft EIS. 
Previous studies will be used to the extent practical and will be 
updated to reflect changes in the project area. The final selection of 
an alternative will not be made until the alternatives' impacts and 
comments on the draft EIS and from the public hearing have been fully 
evaluated.
    The scoping process is currently underway. Scoping letters 
describing the proposed study and soliciting input are being sent to 
the appropriate Federal, State and local agencies who have expressed or 
are known to have an interest or legal role in this proposal. A 
Citizen's Information Meeting will be held to enable organizations, 
citizens, and interest groups to provide input into the development of 
the EIS and identify issues that should be addressed. No formal scoping 
meeting is planned at this time.
    A Public Hearing will be held upon completion of the Draft EIS. 
Notices of the Public Hearing will be given through various forums, 
providing the time and place of the meeting along with other relevant 
information. 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.

(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.)

    Issued on: December 17, 2003.
Kenneth R. Myers,
Planning & Environmental Program Manager.
[FR Doc. 03-31639 Filed 12-23-03; 8:45 am]
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