[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 4 (Monday, January 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1260-1261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-6303]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Saint Louis County, MN

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 the 
development of a more direct and efficient roadway connection between 
the Cities of Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt, Saint Louis County, Minnesota and 
to improve connectivity across the broader East Iron Range region. 
Given the project area

[[Page 1261]]

boundaries, the alternatives studied will vary in length from 18 miles 
to 37 miles.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Martin, Federal Highway 
Administration, Galtier Plaza, 380 Jackson Street, Suite 500, St. Paul, 
Minnesota 55101, Telephone (651) 291-6120; or Marcus Hall, Public Works 
Director/Highway Engineer, Saint Louis County Public Works Department, 
4787 Midway Road, Duluth, Minnesota 55811, Telephone (218) 625-3830.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with Saint Louis 
County Public Works Department, will prepare an EIS on a proposal to 
connect the Cities of Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt, Saint Louis County, 
Minnesota, a distance of approximately 18 to 37 miles. The proposed 
action is being considered to develop a more direct and efficient 
roadway connection between the two Cities and to improve connectivity 
across the broader East Iron Range region. The EIS will evaluate the 
social, economic, transportation and environmental impacts of 
alternatives, including: (1) No-Build, (2) Reconstruction on existing 
alignment, (3) Construction on partial new alignment, and (4) 
Construction on new alignment.
    The ``Hoyt Lakes to Babbitt Scoping Document/Draft Scoping Decision 
Document'' will be published early in 2008. A press release will be 
published to inform the public of the document's availability. Copies 
of the scoping document will be distributed to agencies, interested 
persons and libraries for review to aid in identifying issues and 
analyses to be contained in the EIS. A thirty-day comment period for 
review of the document will be provided to afford an opportunity for 
all interested persons, agencies and groups to comment on the proposed 
action. A public scoping meeting will also be held during the comment 
period. Public notice will be given for the time and place of the 
meeting. After the scoping comment period has closed, the ``Hoyt Lakes 
to Babbitt Scoping Decision Document'' will be published in the spring 
of 2008. A Draft EIS will be prepared based on the outcome of and 
closely following the scoping process. The Draft EIS will be available 
for agency and public review and comment. In addition, a public hearing 
will be held following completion of the Draft EIS. Public Notice will 
be given for the time and place of the public hearing on the Draft EIS. 
Coordination has been initiated and will continue with appropriate 
Federal, State and local agencies and private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest 
in the proposed action. ``Participating agencies'' have been identified 
and a meeting will be held in February or March, 2008 to discuss the 
project and receive input on the ``purpose and need'' for the project 
and range of alternatives to be studied in the Draft EIS. To ensure 
that the full range of issues related to this 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 Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Issued on: December 28, 2007.
Cheryl B. Martin,
Environmental Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, St. Paul, 
Minnesota.
[FR Doc. 07-6303 Filed 1-4-08; 8:45 am]
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