[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 152 (Monday, August 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48270-48271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18113]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; South Carolina

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for the proposed 
Interstate 73 (I-73) highway project in eastern South Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Patrick L. Tyndall, Environmental 
Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 1835 Assembly Street, 
Suite 1270, Columbia, South Carolina 29201; Telephone (803) 765-5411; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the South 
Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed I-73 project. The 
proposed interstate highway is ultimately planned to connect to I-73 in 
North Carolina and would enter South Carolina near Marlboro County. The 
portion of the roadway to be evaluated in this proposed EIS is the 
portion from the vicinity of I-95, southeast to the Conway/Myrtle Beach 
area, a distance of approximately 60 miles. The proposed study area 
includes Dillon, Marion, and Horry Counties.
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to improve 
national and regional connectivity to the Conway/Myrtle Beach area of 
South Carolina by providing a direct interstate link. This link will 
enhance economic opportunities and tourism in South Carolina. The 
proposed project would fulfill part of the congressional intent, as 
originally proposed in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency 
Act (ISTEA) of 1991 and confirmed in the Transportation Equity Act 
(TEA-21) of 1998. The proposed action will also facilitate a more 
effective evacuation of the Conway/Myrtle Beach area during 
emergencies. Alternatives to be evaluated include the no action 
alternative, the upgrade of existing roads, construction on new 
alignment, and combinations of upgrades and new alignments.
    The FHWA and SCDOT are seeking input as a part of the scoping 
process to assist in identifying issues relative to this project. 
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 interest in this proposal. An interagency coordination process 
will begin soon, with the invitations to Cooperating Agencies and a 
formal scoping meeting to occur in the late summer of 2004. A public 
involvement plan is being developed for this project and will include a 
variety of opportunities for interested parties to be involved in the 
project. Two public interest group/public scoping meetings will be held 
in September 2004 at different locations in eastern South Carolina. 
These meetings will be well publicized in advance, giving the location 
and time for each meeting. Additional coordination with the public, 
public interest groups, elected officials, and state and federal 
agencies will be performed between September 2004 and July 2006. 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

[[Page 48271]]

directed to the FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research Planning and Construction. The regulation 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)


    Issued on: August 3, 2004.
Robert D. Thomas,
Acting Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
Columbia, South Carolina.
[FR Doc. 04-18113 Filed 8-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P