[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30220-30221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8012]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Oconto and Marinette Counties, WI

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA and WisDOT are issuing this notice to advise the 
public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared 
for proposed transportation improvements in the United States Highway 
(US) 51 corridor in the city of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin 
generally between US 12/18 (South Beltline Highway) and State Trunk 
Highway (STH) 19. The EIS is being prepared in conformance with 40 CFR 
1500 and FHWA regulations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark Chandler, Field Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 567 D'Onofrio Drive--Suite 
100, Madison, Wisconsin 53719-2814; Telephone: (608) 829-7514. You may 
also contact Eugene Johnson, Director, Bureau of Equity and 
Environmental Services, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, P.O. 
Box 7916, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7916: Telephone: (608) 267-9527.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Offices' Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of Federal Register's 
home page at: http://www.archives.gov/ and the Government Printing 
Offices' database at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on 
proposed improvements to address safety, operational and capacity 
concerns on an approximate 10-mile (16-kilometer) portion of U.S. 51 
between Terminal Drive/Voges Road in the Village of McFarland and STH 
19, in the Town of Burke in Dane County. These improvements are being 
considered to address existing and future transportation demand on U.S. 
51 as identified in the 2003 Stoughton Road Needs Assessment Technical 
Report, safety concerns, and to identify land which may need to be 
preserved for future transportation improvements.
    FHWA's decision to prepare a draft EIS is based on the initial 
environmental assessment that indicates the proposed action is likely 
to have significant impacts on the environment including wetlands. The 
draft EIS will evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impacts 
of the

[[Page 30221]]

alternatives including no build, improvements within the existing 
highway corridor, and improvements on new location.
    Information describing the proposed action and soliciting comments 
will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, private 
agencies and organizations, and citizens who have expressed or are 
known to have an interest in this proposal.
    During needs assessment activities, coordination was conducted with 
State and Federal review agencies (including an April 2005 Pre-
Consultation/NEPA 404 Merger Scoping Meeting) and there has been 
extensive coordination with local officials. Ongoing coordination with 
local, State, and Federal agencies and officials, including Native 
American Tribes, is planned throughout the environmental analysis 
process. Public information meetings were conducted from 2003 to 2006 
and several ongoing focus group meetings and workshops have been held 
since 2002. A Policy Advisory Committee consisting of neighborhood & 
business representatives and elected officials has met quarterly since 
the study began in 2002. A public information meeting is planned while 
the draft EIS is being written and also following completion of the 
draft EIS, to address the impacts of each alternative. Public notice 
will be given of the time and place of the meeting and the draft EIS 
will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the 
meeting. Coordination with State and Federal review agencies will also 
continue throughout preparation of the draft EIS.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed, and all substantive issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the draft EIS 
should be directed to FHWA or the Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation at the addresses provided under the heading FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

(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.

    Issued on: May 18, 2006.
Mark R. Chandler,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Madison, 
Wisconsin.
 [FR Doc. E6-8012 Filed 5-24-06; 8:45 am]
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