[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 106 (Monday, June 2, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31535-31536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12146]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Travis County, TX

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to 40 CFR 1508.22 and 43 TAC Sec.  2.5(e) (2), the 
FHWA and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are issuing this 
notice to advise the public that a limited scope supplemental 
environmental impact statement (SEIS) will be prepared for a 
transportation project in Travis County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Salvador Deocampo, District 
Engineer, District A, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Texas 
Division, 300 East 8th Street, Rm 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone 
512-536-5950.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with TxDOT will 
prepare a limited scope SETS for the proposed improvement of State 
Highway (SH) 71 from Riverside Drive to SH 130, in Travis County, 
Texas. The project length is approximately 6.5 miles. The improvements 
proposed between Riverside Drive and Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 973 were 
originally considered in a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) 
covering improvements to SH 71/US 290 from Ranch-to-Market Road (RM) 
1826 to FM 973. A Record of Decision (ROD) was issued by FHWA on August 
22, 1988. The mid-section of the original project limits, between Joe 
Tanner Lane and Riverside Drive, has been constructed. Since the 
issuance of the SH 71/US 290 ROD, changes in adjacent land use, the 
construction of SH 130, and proposed design modifications have resulted 
in the need to supplement the original FEIS to evaluate the change in 
potential impacts from the proposed project. As a result, the 
unconstructed eastern portion of the original FEIS, between Riverside 
Drive and FM 973, will be the subject of a limited scope SEIS. Due to 
the proximity of intersections on SH 71 at FM 973 and at the recently 
constructed SH 130, the SH 71/US 290 SEIS would extend beyond the 
limits of the original FEIS to include the new interchange at SH 130 to 
provide for a more logical terminus and transition back to existing SH 
71 east of SH 130. Information from the FEIS and subsequent ROD (June 
5, 2001) for SH 130 from IH 35 north of Georgetown to IH 10 near Seguin 
will be incorporated into the subject SEIS.
    The project is listed in the Capital Area Metro Planning 
Organization (CAMPO) Mobility 2030 Plan, as amended, (the long-range 
transportation plan) as a six-lane tolled freeway between Riverside 
Drive and Spirit of Texas Drive. From Presidential Avenue to SH 130, 
the project is listed as a six-lane freeway but is being considered for 
tolling. The need for the proposed project, as stated in the 1988 FEIS, 
stems from congestion and low travel speeds caused by rapid population 
growth in the Austin metropolitan area. Crash data have also indicated 
safety concerns as a primary need for this project. Additionally, the 
economic growth of the SH 71/US 290 corridor is dependent on the 
ability of the roadway network to accommodate both local trips created 
by recent nearby development as well as regional through traffic. In 
order to address these needs, the purpose of the proposed project is to 
increase traffic flow capacities and improve mobility in the roadway 
corridor while enhancing safety and system interconnectivity, in 
compliance with the adopted GAMPO Mobility 2030 Plan.
    The SEIS will evaluate potential impacts from construction and 
operation of the proposed roadway including, but not limited to, the 
following: Transportation impacts (construction detours, construction 
traffic, and mobility improvement), air quality and noise impacts from 
construction equipment and operation of the facilities, water quality 
impacts from construction area and roadway storm water runoff, impacts 
to waters of the United States including wetlands from right-of-way 
encroachment Impacts to histonc and archeological resources impacts to 
floodplains, and impacts and/or displacements to residents and 
businesses, land use, vegetation, wildlife, aesthetic and visual 
resources, socioeconomic resources, and cumulative and indirect 
impacts.
    Public involvement is a critical component of the project 
development process and will occur throughout the planning and study 
phases. Opportunities for public involvement exist during public 
meetings and public review of the draft SEIS. A public meeting will be 
held on Tuesday June 24, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the Del Valle High School 
located at 5201 Ross Road, Del Valle, Texas 78671.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. To ensure that the full range 
of issues related to this proposed action is addressed and all 
significant issues are identified, comments and suggestions are invited 
from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning this 
proposed action and the SEIS should be directed to FHWA at the address 
above.


[[Page 31536]]


(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: May 22, 2008.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer.
 [FR Doc. E8-12146 Filed 5-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M