[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 211 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 61946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21508]



[[Page 61946]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Gulf and Bay Counties, Florida

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), USDOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
highway project in Gulf and Bay Counties, Florida.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Hadley, Environmental 
Programs Coordinator, Federal Highway Administration, 545 John Knox 
Road, Suite 200, Tallahassee, Florida 32303, Telephone: (850) 942-9650.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Florida 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an EIS for a proposal to 
provide a new highway, known as the Gulf Coast Parkway, in the regional 
transportation network in Gulf and Bay Counties, Florida. The proposed 
improvements would connect U.S. 98 at CR 386 in Gulf County with U.S. 
98 (Tyndall Parkway) in Springfield and U.S. 231 in Bay County, north 
of Panama City, utilizing a combination of existing roadway facilities 
and new roadway alignments. The distance of the proposed improvement is 
approximately 35 miles. The proposed highway would improve mobility and 
manage future traffic demand by providing additional infrastructure 
within the regional transportation network serving Bay and Gulf 
Counties. The proposed improvements would support economic development 
in Gulf County. The proposed highway would enhance regional connections 
to intermodal hubs (airports, seaports and the intermodal distribution 
center), would provide an alternate route to U.S. 98 through the 
Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation for national security purposes, and 
would be an additional route for hurricane evacuation.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action, and 
(2) 4-lane roadway alternatives on a combination of existing and new 
alignments. 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 previously 
expressed interest in this proposal. A series of public meetings will 
be held in Gulf and Bay Counties between September 2007 and December of 
2008. In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be 
given of the time and place of the meetings and hearing. The draft EIS 
will be made available for public and agency review and comment. A 
formal scoping meeting is planned in the project vicinity during the 
fall of 2007.
    To ensure that a full range of issues related to the 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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Issued on: October 25, 2007.
George B. Hadley,
Environmental Programs Coordinator, Tallahassee, Florida.
[FR Doc. E7-21508 Filed 10-31-07; 8:45 am]
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