[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 17 (Thursday, January 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 3974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1556]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: St. Clair County, MI

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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 proposed 
improvements to the United States Port of Entry plaza for the Blue 
Water Bridge in St. Clair County, Michigan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Kirschensteiner, Assistant 
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 315 W. Allegan 
Street, Room 201, Lansing, Michigan 48933, telephone: (517) 702-1835.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Michigan 
Department of Transportation (MDOT) is preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate alternatives for potential 
improvements to the United States Border Plaza at the Blue Water 
Bridge. Invitations are being sent to other Federal agencies to become 
cooperating agencies in the development of the environmental impact 
statement for he subject project.
    The Blue Water Bridge is a major passenger and commercial border 
crossing between the United States and Canada and is the termination 
point for I-94/I-69 in the United States and for Highway 402 in Canada. 
MDOT owns and operates the Blue Water Bridge in conjunction with the 
Canadian Blue Water Bridge Authority (BWBA). MDOT also owns and 
operates the Blue Water Bridge Border Plaza. Several agencies of the 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operate on the United States 
Plaza. These agencies are responsible for inspecting vehicles, goods, 
and people entering the United States and include: the Bureau of 
Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The 
inspection agencies lease facilities on the United States Plaza from 
MDOT through the General Services Administration (GSA), which serves as 
the Federal-leasing agent. MDOT collects tolls from vehicles departing 
the United States for Canada on the plaza.
    The study area is located within the City of Port Huron and Port 
Huron Township. The study area consists of approximately 30 blocks (195 
acres) of urban land use surrounding the existing plaza and ramps, and 
its extends to the west along I-94/I-69 for approximately 2.2 miles. 
The study areas includes the existing plaza, the Black River Bridge, 
the Water Street interchange, and locations for off-site inspection 
facilities, located north of I-94/I-69 and west of the Water Street 
interchange.
    In September 2002, this project started as an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) and has proceeded through the scoping phase, Purpose 
and Need documentation, and alternatives development. Two resource 
agency meetings and three public information meetings were held during 
this time. As a result of identified potentially significant impacts, 
FHWA and MDOT have concluded that an Environmental Impact Statement 
should be completed.
    A range of plaza and transportation improvement alternatives will 
be analyzed within the recommended study area. Reasonable alternatives 
under consideration include: (1) Taking no-action, (2) expanding the 
existing plaza location in the City of Port Huron, and (3) Relocating 
the major plaza functions to off-site plaza location in Port Huron 
township.
    Agencies and citizen involvement will continue to be solicited 
throughout this process. A public meeting and a public hearing will be 
held on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Public notice 
will be given of the time and place of the hearing. The DEIS 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 of 
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 12, 2005.
James J. Steele,
Division Administrator, Lansing, Michigan.
[FR Doc. 05-1556 Filed 1-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M