[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69445-69446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26229]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Arkansas River Valley Intermodal 
Facilities, Russellville, AR (Pope County)

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an EIS.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in a joint venture 
with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) 
and the River Valley Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority (RVRIFA) 
is issuing this notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to develop a regional intermodal 
facility in the Arkansas River Valley. This project is intended to 
improve regional and national transportation, to serve existing 
industry, and to provide services necessary to promote economic 
development in the six-county Arkansas River Valley region (Conway, 
Johnson, Logan, Perry, Pope, and Yell Counties).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Randal Looney, Environmental 
Specialist, 501-324-6430.

ADDRESSES: Federal Highway Administration `` Arkansas Division Office, 
700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3130, Little Rock, AR 72201-3298.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Arkansas River Valley Intermodal 
Facilities project would include local roadway access to Interstate (I-
40) highway connections via State Highway 7 and access to the 
Dardanelle Russellville Railroad development. A slackwater harbor along 
the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS), which 
would connect the intermodal facilities to the U.S. Inland Waterway 
System, would be constructed. Additional services at the intermodal 
facility would include on-site rail/truck transfers, truck/water 
transfers, rail/water transfers, freight tracking, a foreign trade sub-
zone, warehousing, distribution, consolidation, just-in-time inventory 
services, and material storage capabilities.
    There are currently three public ports/terminals along the Arkansas 
segment of the MKARNS located in Pine Bluff, Little Rock, and Fort 
Smith. There are no public use facilities within 30 miles of the study 
area, however there are three private docks within 30 miles of the 
study area including the following: Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel, the Port 
of Dardanelle; and Oakley Port.
    With this notice of intent, FHWA, AHTD, and RVRIFA are initiating 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the Arkansas 
River Valley Intermodal Facilities project to study the potential 
transportation improvements in the region. As part of the NEPA process, 
the purpose and need will be developed with regional and national needs 
and goals in mind.
    The NEPA process to support this intermodal facility was initiated 
by the development of an Environmental Assessment (EA) with a defined 
purpose

[[Page 69446]]

and need and supporting alternatives. The EA was approved for public 
dissemination by FHWA in November 2002, however it was determined that 
further study would be required and a Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) would not be issued by FHWA for the project. Further study in 
the proposed EIS will include a refinement of purpose and need for the 
project, alternatives development and screening based on social, 
environmental, and economic impacts of the proposed project. 
Recognizing that NEPA requires the consideration of a reasonable range 
of alternatives that will address the purpose and need, the EIS will 
include a range of alternatives for detailed study consisting of a no-
build alternative, several build alternatives, as well as alternatives 
consisting of transportation system management strategies, improvements 
to existing facilities, and/or new alignment of facilities. These 
alternatives will be developed, screened, and carried forward for 
detailed analysis in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
based on their ability to address the project purpose and need while 
avoiding adverse impacts to known and sensitive resources. Letters 
describing the proposed NEPA study and soliciting input will be 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. It is 
anticipated that at least one formal agency scoping meeting will be 
held as part of the NEPA process, in the vicinity of the project, to 
facilitate local, State, and Federal agency involvement and input into 
the project in an effort to identify all of the issues that need to be 
addressed in developing the EIS. Tribal consultation will also be an 
important part of the scoping process. Private organizations, citizens, 
and interest groups will also have an opportunity to provide input into 
the development of the Environmental Impact Statement and identify 
issues that should be addressed. A Public Involvement Plan will be 
developed to involve the public in the project development process. 
This plan will utilize outreach efforts to provide information and 
solicit input such as informal meetings, public information meetings, 
public hearings, and other efforts as necessary and appropriate. 
Notices of public meetings or public hearings will be given through 
various forums providing the time and place of the meeting along with 
other relevant information. The DEIS will be available for public and 
agency review and comment prior to the public hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions 
are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions 
concerning the proposed action and Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
should be directed to 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 proposed action)

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

    Issued on: November 16, 2004.
Sandra L. Otto,
Division Administrator, FHWA, Little Rock, Arkansas.
[FR Doc. 04-26229 Filed 11-26-04; 8:45 am]
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