[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 72 (Friday, April 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 19599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3576]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, and 
Mineral Counties in WV; and, Allegany County, MD

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
Tier I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared to review 
improvements in the existing transportation system between Interstate 
68 in Western Maryland and Appalachian Corridor H in the West Virginia 
Potomac Highlands. The study area generally parallels the existing U.S. 
220 highway corridor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henry E. Compton, Division 
Environmental Coordinator, Federal Highway Administration, West 
Virginia Division, Geary Plaza, Suite 200, 700 Washington Street East, 
Charleston, West Virginia 25301, Telephone: (304) 347-5268.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In July 2001, the North South Appalachia 
Corridor Study was completed by the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
and West Virginia. The study concluded that the U.S. Route 220 corridor 
south from Interstate 68 connecting to Appalachian Corridor H in 
eastern West Virginia provided great potential for benefiting 
Appalachian economic development. The purpose of this EIS is to review 
options for a new or improved highway between these termini as part of 
the National Highway System. The proposed corridor improvements will 
serve to improve the existing transportation system by providing an 
upgraded north-south road in order to resolve existing transportation 
deficiencies and to enhance regional commerce for areas residents, 
businesses, and visitors. It will also service interstate north-south 
travel movements and support other economic development efforts 
throughout the Appalachian regions of Maryland, West Virginia, 
Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The EIS will be prepared by the West 
Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways in 
cooperation with the Maryland State Highway Administration for the 
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to fulfill the requirements 
established in the National Environmental Policy Act in conformance 
with current FHWA regulations and guidance materials. The EIS will be 
prepared as a Tiered document. The tiered process will provide a 
systematic approach for advancing the best transportation improvements 
in the most cost-effective manner. The analyses undertaken during Tier 
I will lead to the identification of the most practical corridor for 
carrying out transportation improvements. A Record of Decision will be 
prepared at the conclusion of the Tier I EIS process to identify the 
option that best meets the identified transportation need. 
Subsequently, if more detailed study of a particular option or corridor 
is required, further environmental analyses will be undertaken. The 
scope of future environmental studies will be commensurate with the 
proposed action and potential environmental consequences.
    Alternates under consideration in the EIS will be: (1) The no 
action alternative, (2) build corridors identified in the North South 
Appalachia Corridor Study, and (3) alternatives identified based on 
discussions with the resource agencies and the public during the 
environmental scoping process.
    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 or are known to 
have an interest in this proposal. Public and resource agency meetings 
are currently being scheduled for the spring of 2006. Meeting 
notifications will be made to the public, resource agencies and the 
public in accordance with the approved public involvement procedures 
for each state. At this time, it is anticipated meetings will be held 
in Cumberland, Maryland and Keyser and Moorefield, West Virginia.
    To ensure 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 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: March 31, 2006.
Henry E. Compton,
Environmental Coordinator, Charleston, West Virginia.
[FR Doc. 06-3576 Filed 4-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M