[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 91 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27529-27530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4368]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Sampson, Duplin, and Cumberland 
Counties, NC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that we 
are rescinding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed 
highway project in Sampson, Duplin, and Cumberland Counties, North 
Carolina

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clarence W. Coleman, P.E., Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 New Bern Avenue, Ste 410, 
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1418, Telephone: (919) 856-4346.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the North 
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), is rescinding the Draft 
Impact Environmental Statement (DEIS) for the proposed NC 24 
improvements from 2.8 miles east of I-95 to I-40. In June, 1994, the 
DEIS for the project was approved, published, and made available for 
public review. The DEIS evaluated in detail twelve (12) Build 
alternatives.

[[Page 27530]]

Following a corridor public hearing in November 1994, a preferred 
alternative was selected. Subsequently, preliminary design and wetland 
delineation commenced for the preferred alternative. The results of the 
wetland delineation indicated that the project would require extensive 
wetland takings, far more than originally anticipated in earlier 
studies. As a result of these findings, the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers and other resource agencies indicated that other alternatives 
should be studied to minimize natural resource impacts. Based on the 
comments received from various Federal and state agencies the FHWA and 
NCDOT have agreed not to prepare a Final EIS for the proposed NC 24 
improvements from 2.8 miles east of I-95 to I-40.
    FHWA and NCDOT are in the process of finalizing the development of 
a new draft EIS for the proposed project. The new Draft EIS will 
include full range of alternatives that may utilize sections of 
existing NC 24 to minimize impacts to natural resources.
    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 
directed to the 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 program)

    Issued on: May 4, 2006.
Clarence W. Coleman,
Operations Engineer, Raleigh, North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 06-4368 Filed 5-10-06; 8:45 am]
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