[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2961-2962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1223]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement, Manatee County, FL

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: On November 13, 2000, the FHWA published a notice of intent in 
the Federal Register (Vol. 65, No. 219, pg. 67791) to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed roadway/bridge 
project in Manatee County, Florida. Subsequent study indicated that 
there was very little controversy and impacts to pristine natural 
environment as previously anticipated. The FHWA is re-issuing this 
notice to advise the public that although an environmental assessment 
(EA) was prepared and approved, an EIS will now be prepared in response 
to growing public controversy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. BSB Murthy, District 
Transportation Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 227 North 
Bronough Street, Room 2015, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-2015, Telephone 
(850) 942-9650, Ext. 3032.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in consultation with the Florida 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an EIS for a proposal to 
improve regional traffic circulation in the rapidly developing portion 
of eastern Manatee County. The EIS will examine a study area bounded by 
State Road (SR) 64 to the south, Rye Road to the east, CR 675 and U.S. 
301 to the north and I-75 to the west. The proposed project will 
include improvements to Upper Manatee River Road and Fort Hamer Road, 
and provide a new bridge connection across the Upper Manatee River 
south of the community of Parrish

[[Page 2962]]

in Manatee County, Florida. The project limits extend a distance of 
approximately 7.0 miles from SR 64 on the south to U.S. 301 on the 
north.
    This project is commonly referred to as the Upper Manatee River 
Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. This project has been 
identified as a high priority by the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan 
Planning Organization and is needed to accommodate future growth and to 
serve as an additional hurricane evacuation route.
    An EA was previously completed for the project and signed on 
September 6, 2002. After the identification and analysis of numerous 
corridors, alternatives and locations, the EA study recommended two 
through lanes in each direction along the existing Upper Manatee River 
Road/Fort Hamer Road corridor and a new four-lane bridge across the 
Manatee River. During the EA study, the proposed project generated 
significant controversy among residents within the study area. As a 
result, an EIS is now being prepared and will consider all reasonable 
alternatives, as well as a no-build alternative.
    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 expressed interest in this 
proposal. Public meetings will be held between January and November 
2004. In addition, a Public Hearing will be held in the study area. 
Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and 
hearing. The Draft EIS will be made available for public and agency 
review and comment. No formal scoping meeting is planned at this time.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
action is 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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)

    Issued on: January 14, 2004.
BSB Murthy,
District Transportation Engineer, Tallahassee, Florida.
[FR Doc. 04-1223 Filed 1-20-04; 8:45 am]
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