[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71992-71993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24572]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Jefferson County, MO

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

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 proposed 
improvements to Route MM between Route 21 and Route 30 in Jefferson 
County, Missouri.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Peggy J. Casey, Environmental 
Projects Engineer, FHWA Division Office, 3220 West Edgewood, Suite H, 
Jefferson City, MO 65109, Telephone: (573) 636-7104; or Mr. Kevin 
Keith, Chief Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 
270, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Telephone: (573) 751-2803.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Missouri 
Department of Transportation (MoDOT), will prepare an EIS to 
investigate the possible relocation or reconstruction of Route MM 
between Route 21 and Route 30 in Jefferson County, Missouri. A location 
study will run concurrently with the preparation of the EIS and will 
provide definitive alternatives for evaluation in the EIS. The EIS will 
fully analyze the issues, problems, and potential social and 
environmental impacts associated with improving or realigning Route MM. 
The goals of the proposed action are to increase capacity, reduce 
congestion, and improve safety.
    The proposed project is located between Route 21 on the east and 
Route 30 on the west, entirely within Jefferson County. The project is 
approximately 4.3 miles in length.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) no build; (2) 
improvements to the existing alignment; (3) new alignments; (4) safety 
improvements; and (5) transportation management options.
    To date, preliminary information has been issued to local officials 
and other interested parties. As part of the scoping process, an 
interagency coordination meeting will be held with federal and state 
resource agencies. In addition, informational meetings with the public 
and community representatives will be held to solicit input on the 
project and a reasonable range of alternatives. A location public 
hearing will be held to present the findings of the draft EIS (DEIS). 
Public notice will be given announcing the time and place of all public 
meetings and the hearing. The DEIS will be available for public and 
agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments and questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA or MoDOT at the addresses provided 
above. Concerns in the study area include potential impacts to natural 
resources, cultural resources, neighborhoods, and the community of 
House Springs, located at the western end of the study area. 
Improvements to the existing alignment could impact cultural resources, 
adjacent residences, and the House Springs business district. 
Realignment of Route MM could impact a large undeveloped, wooded area 
with significant topographic relief,

[[Page 71993]]

potentially crossing several streams and floodplains.

(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: December 12, 2007.
Peggy J. Casey,
Environmental Project Engineer, Jefferson City.
[FR Doc. E7-24572 Filed 12-18-07; 8:45 am]
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