[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 7 (Thursday, January 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1363-1364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-64]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Ada County, ID

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Letter of project initiation; Notice of Intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); and initiation of public and 
agency scoping for the extension of State Highway 16 (SH 16) between 
State Highway 44 (SH 44) and Interstate 84 (I-84) in Ada County, Idaho.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA hereby gives notice that it intends to prepare an EIS 
for the proposed new construction of approximately 7 miles of SH 16 
between SH 44 (State Street) and I-84 in the general vicinity of 
McDermott Road in Ada County, Idaho. The corridor study will evaluate 
the location and design for future construction of this highway 
segment. This EIS is being prepared and considered in accordance with 
the

[[Page 1364]]

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, regulations of the 
Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508, and FHWA 
regulations, guidance and policy.
    Anticipated Federal approvals/actions needed for this project to be 
constructed include permits for Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water 
Act (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), issuance of a Biological Opinion by 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through consultation as required by 
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and compliance with Section 
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
    Cooperating Agencies: There are no cooperating agencies yet 
identified for this project.

DATES: Comments on the scope of the EIS for the proposed project should 
be received no later than January 31, 2007. Comments and questions 
should be directed to the address listed below. Public comments are 
welcome anytime during the NEPA process and should be directed to the 
address listed below. Additional formal opportunities for public 
participation after the Public Scoping are tentatively scheduled as 
follows:
    Review and comment of Draft EIS (including a public hearing): Fall 
of 2009.
    Review of Final EIS: Fall 2010.
    Notices of availability for the Draft EIS, Final EIS and Record of 
Decision will be provided through direct mail, the Federal Register and 
other media. Notification also will be sent to Federal, State, local 
agencies, persons, and organizations that submit comments or questions. 
Precise schedules and locations for public meetings will be announced 
in the local news media. Interested individuals and organizations may 
request to be included on the mailing list for the distribution of 
meeting announcements and associated information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Johnson, Field Operations Engineer; 
Federal Highway Administration, 3050 Lake Harbor Lane, Suite 126, 
Boise, Idaho, 83703, Telephone: (208) 334-9180; or Gwen Smith, GARVEE 
Public Involvement Coordinator, Idaho Transportation Department, P.O. 
Box 7129, Boise, Idaho 83707-1129, Telephone: (208) 334-4444; or Steve 
Alters, CIP, 720 Park Blvd, Boise, Idaho, 83729, Telephone: (208) 386-
5004.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

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

Background

    The FHWA in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Transportation 
(ITD), and Connecting Idaho Partners (CIP) will prepare an EIS to 
identify an alignment for the extension of State Highway 16 (SH 16) 
from SH 44 (State Street) to Interstate 84 (I-84) in Ada County, Idaho. 
This extension includes a new bridge across the Boise River. Notice is 
hereby given that the public scoping process has been initiated to 
prepare an EIS that will address the impacts of and alternatives to the 
proposal. The purpose of the scoping process is to solicit public 
comment regarding the full spectrum of issues and concerns, including a 
suitable range of alternatives, and the nature and extent of potential 
environmental impacts and appropriate mitigation measures that should 
be addressed in the EIS process. The EIS will examine the short and 
long-term impacts of a reasonable range of alternatives, including the 
no action alternative, on the natural, physical, and human 
environments. The impacts assessment will include, but not be limited 
to, impacts on wetlands, wildlife, and fisheries; social environment; 
changes in land use; aesthetics; changes in traffic; and economic 
impacts. Environmental Justice (as outlined in Executive Order 12898) 
will also be addressed as part of the impact assessment. The EIS will 
also examine measures to mitigate adverse impacts resulting from the 
proposed action.
    Comments are being solicited from Federal, State, and local 
agencies and from private organizations and citizens who have interest 
in this proposal. Public information meetings will be held in the 
project area to discuss the potential alignments. The draft EIS will be 
available for public and agency review, and a public hearing will be 
held to receive comments. Public notice will be given of the time and 
place of all meetings and hearings.
    Comments and/or suggestions from all interested parties are 
requested, to ensure that the purpose and need for the project, the 
full range of all issues, and significant environmental issues in 
particular, are identified and reviewed. Comments or questions 
concerning this proposed action and/or its EIS should be directed to 
the FHWA, ITD or CIP at the addresses listed previously.
    It is anticipated that a draft EIS will be available in the Fall of 
2009.

(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 proposed Action.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: January 7, 2007.
Stephen Moreno,
Idaho Division Administrator, FHWA.
[FR Doc. 07-64 Filed 1-10-07; 8:45 am]
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