[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31733-31734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12304]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Currituck and Dare Counties, NC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Rescinding of Notice of Intent and Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS).

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

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that we 
are rescinding the notice of intent and the public notice to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed highway project in 
Currituck and Dare Counties, North Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Hoops, P.E., Major Projects 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 Bern Avenue, Suite 410, 
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1418, Telephone: (919) 747-7022.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the North 
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the North Carolina 
Turnpike Authority (NCTA), is rescinding the notice of intent to 
prepare an EIS for a proposed bridge

[[Page 31734]]

and approach roadway connecting U.S. 158 on the mainland to NC 12 on 
the Outer Banks, crossing Currituck Sound. On July 6, 1995, FHWA issued 
a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) 
for a Mid-Currituck Sound Bridge project in Currituck and Dare 
Counties, North Carolina. The FHWA, in cooperation with the NCDOT, 
issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the project in 
January 1998. FHWA and NCDOT held a public hearing and provided a 
comment period on the DEIS.
    Since the 1998 DEIS, there have been several changes in the project 
including the expansion of the project study area, modification of the 
purpose and need statement, and analysis of additional alternatives. 
During this time period, state legislation and plans, including the 
North Carolina Intrastate System and the North Carolina Strategic 
Highway Corridor System, have also been developed or amended to 
incorporate the proposed project. In 2006, the project was adopted by 
the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) for consideration as a 
candidate toll project, and the environmental studies for the project 
are now being completed by NCTA, in coordination with FHWA and NCDOT.
    In light of these changes the FHWA is now rescinding the notice of 
intent and 1998 DEIS. The FHWA, NCDOT, and NCTA plan to prepare a new 
Draft EIS for the proposed project. A notice of intent to prepare the 
EIS will be issued subsequent to this rescinding notice. The new Draft 
EIS will include a toll alternative among the full range of 
alternatives that will be analyzed. Comments or questions concerning 
the decision to not prepare Final EIS should be directed to FHWA at the 
address provided above. 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 of 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Dated: May 28, 2008.
George Hoops,
Major Projects Engineer, Raleigh, North Carolina.
 [FR Doc. E8-12304 Filed 6-2-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P