[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43786-43787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12472]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[CGD13-06-034]


Announcement of Public Hearing Regarding the Interstate 5 Bridge 
Replacement Project Across the Columbia River Between Portland, OR and 
Vancouver, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will hold a public hearing to receive comments 
on the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project, also known as the 
Columbia River Crossing Project, between Portland, Oregon and 
Vancouver, Washington. The dual vertical lift highway bridges across 
the Columbia River, mile 106.5, are being examined as candidates for 
replacement. Comments regarding impacts that the proposed bridge 
replacement project may have on navigation of the Columbia River and 
the environment will be of particular relevance to the Coast Guard's 
bridge permitting responsibilities.

DATES: This hearing will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2006, from 
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., or later if necessary. Attendees at the hearing who 
wish to present testimony and have not previously made a request to do 
so, will follow those having submitted a request, as time permits. 
Written material and requests to make oral comment must be received by 
the Bridge Administrator at the address given under ADDRESSES on or 
before September 14, 2006.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the Red Lion Hotel on the 
River--Jantzen Beach, 909 North Hayden Drive, Portland, Oregon. The 
Timberline Room downstairs from the main lobby has been reserved. Send 
written material and requests to make oral comment to Mr. Austin Pratt, 
Bridge Administrator, Commander (dpw), Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 
915 Second Avenue, Room 3510, Seattle, WA 98174-1067.
    Commander (dpw) maintains the public docket and comments and 
material received from the public will become part of docket [CGD13-06-
034] and will be available for inspection or copying at the above 
address between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions regarding this 
notice or the proposed project, call Mr. Austin Pratt, Thirteenth Coast 
Guard District, Bridge Administrator, telephone (206) 220-7282.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Action

    The Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project under consideration 
will improve the mobility, reliability, and accessibility for 
automobile, freight, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian users of the 
Interstate 5 corridor from State Route 500 in Vancouver to Columbia 
Boulevard in Portland while meeting the reasonable needs of navigation. 
The existing Interstate 5 dual vertical lift highway bridges currently 
provide a 40-foot vertical clearance in the closed position. When 
raised, the lift spans increase the vertical clearance to 178.9 feet. 
Critical issues include the determination of the vertical clearance in 
a fixed span alternative as well as pier placement in the river. In 
addition to current navigational interests, existing conditions 
potentially impacting navigational clearances include the surrounding 
land uses, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe rail line bridge 
(approximately one mile downstream), and the glide path requirements 
for Pearson Airpark in Vancouver and Portland International Airport in 
Portland. While the main focus of the hearing is to allow interested 
persons to present comments and information concerning the impact of 
the proposed bridge project on navigation and air space, comments 
concerning impacts on the human environment may also be presented and 
will be included in the public record.
    The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit 
Administration are the joint lead Federal agencies for satisfying the 
requirements of Section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (NEPA), and the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) has commenced. The Coast Guard is a cooperating 
agency. This replacement bridge project will require a bridge permit 
from the Coast Guard (33 U.S.C. 525) and environmental review pursuant 
to NEPA.

Procedural

    All interested parties will have an opportunity to be heard and to 
present evidence regarding the impacts of the proposed bridge project. 
Written statements and other exhibits in lieu of,

[[Page 43787]]

or in addition to, oral statements at the hearing must be submitted to 
the Bridge Administrator at the address listed under ADDRESSES on or 
before September 14, 2006, to be included in the Public Hearing 
transcript.
    Comments, including names and home addresses, may be published as 
part of the Final EIS. If you wish to withhold your name or street 
address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of 
Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of 
your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent 
allowed by law. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and 
from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials 
of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection 
in their entirety.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information about facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
the Commander (dpw), Thirteenth Coast Guard District. Please request 
these services by contacting the Bridge Administrator at the phone 
number under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or in writing at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES. Any requests for an oral or sign 
language interpreter must be received as soon as possible.

    Dated: July 14, 2006.
N.E. Mpras,
Chief, Office of Bridge Administration, U.S. Coast Guard,
 [FR Doc. E6-12472 Filed 8-1-06; 8:45 am]
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