[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42138-42139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Polk County, IA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT, City of Des Moines.

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
roadway project in Polk County, Iowa. The planned EIS will evaluate 
potential transportation improvement alternatives for serving east-west 
travel between downtown Des Moines and the Highway 65 outer beltway.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phillip E. Barnes, P.E., Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 105 Sixth Street, Ames, 
Iowa 50010-6337, Phone: (515) 233-7300. Scott Dockstader, P.E., 
District Engineer, Iowa Department of Transportation, 1020 S. Fourth 
Street, Ames, Iowa 50010, Phone: (515) 239-1635. Jeb Brewer, P.E., City 
Engineer, City of Des Moines, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 
50309-1891, Phone: (515) 237-2113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the City of Des Moines and the Iowa 
Department of Transportation will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Southeast Connector urban arterial street 
corridor from Southeast 14th Street to its planned connection to 
Highway 65, all in southeasterly Des Moines.
    The proposed project is intended to directly connect the primarily 
industrial southeast quadrant of Des Moines to both the Highway 65 
outer beltway and downtown via the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway 
Extension over the Des Moines River. The increased connectivity will 
lead to economic development opportunities in the southeast area of the 
city, including a planned agribusiness park and improved access for 
redeveloped areas. Other potential benefits include improving regional 
mobility, addressing local road system deficiencies, improving access 
to jobs, improving safety, and improving traffic operations. Primary 
environmental resources that may be affected include numerous known and 
potential hazardous waste generating sites, floodplains, wetlands, and 
agricultural land. The surrounding

[[Page 42139]]

area also contains stable and cohesive populations of minority and low-
income residents, which will lead to the consideration of environmental 
justice impacts.
    Alternatives under consideration include the no action, 
transportation system management (TSM)/travel demand management (TDM), 
new arterial roadway, existing arterial improvement, and transit 
alternatives. The mode, project type, location, and length of the 
alternatives evaluated will be identified based on the results of 
alternative studies.
    The scoping process undertaken as part of this proposed project 
will include distribution of a scoping information packet, coordination 
with appropriate Federal, State and local agencies, including an agency 
scoping meeting to be held on September 7, 2005, at 1 p.m. at the St. 
Etienne Conference Room in the Armory Building at 602 Robert D. Ray 
Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. A study group comprised of local 
officials, environmental organizations, and other community interest 
groups has been established to provide input during the development of 
the purpose and need and alternative analyses.
    To help ensure that a full range of issues related to this proposed 
project are identified and all substantive issues are addressed, a 
comprehensive public involvement program has been devised. It includes 
meetings with advisory committees, resource agencies, local officials, 
and interest groups; public informational meetings and workshops; 
newsletters; and focus groups. Public notice will be given of the time 
and place of all public meetings and the public hearing. The Draft EIS 
will be available for public review and comments and suggestions are 
invited from all interested parties.
    Comments or questions concerning this proposed project and the EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA, Iowa Department or Transportation, or 
City of Des Moines at the addresses 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)
(Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48)

    Dated: June 15, 2005.
Gerald L. Kennedy,
Acting Division Administrator, FHWA, Iowa Division.
[FR Doc. 05-14377 Filed 7-20-05; 8:45 am]
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