[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 138 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41166-41167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16053]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Notice To Rescind a Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS), Ada and Canyon Counties, ID

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration.

ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the 
Notice of Intent (NOI) published on July 17, 2007 to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed highway project in 
Ada County, Idaho is being rescinded.

[[Page 41167]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Peter Hartman Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3050 Lakeharbor Lane, 
Suite 126, Boise, Idaho 83703, Telephone: (208) 334 9180, ext. 116, or 
Ms. Amy Schroeder, GARVEE Program Engineer, Idaho Transportation 
Department, P.O. Box 7129, Boise, Idaho 83703-1129, Telephone: (208) 
334-8772.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA) are rescinding the Notice of Intent (NOI) to 
prepare an EIS for a project that has been proposed to evaluate 
existing transportation improvement needs along approximately 16 miles 
of Interstate 84 (1-84) in Ada and Canyon Counties, Idaho. The project 
is officially known as the 1-84 Karcher Interchange to Five Mile 
Environmental Study (Project No. A010 (002); Key No. 10002).
    The NOI is being rescinded because the current project development 
and NEPA process are yielding minimal potential for significant impacts 
and an EIS is not necessary or appropriate for the environmental 
evaluation.
    The I-84 Environmental Study is identified in the COMPASS 
Communities in Motion: Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan 2030 
(CIM) as one of several potential transportation needs in the Treasure 
Valley. The project was initiated with several conceptual alternatives 
from the previous planning efforts. The initially developed wide range 
of concept alternatives identified for evaluation in the I-84 Karcher 
to Five Mile Environmental Study had unknown and much greater potential 
for impacts. In response, it was thought that an EIS would be the best 
method to discuss impacts from the broad range of alternatives. This 
class of action was determined before the purpose and need statement 
was crafted.
    Consequently, a Letter of Project Initiation and NOl was published 
on July 17, 2007 to prepare an EIS.
    Public input, agency and stakeholder coordination was conducted 
under the SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review process. Public meetings were 
held on May 15, May 17, and November 6, 2007 to solicit comments from 
the public on the purpose and need, alternatives being considered and 
the alternative screening process.
    The Participating Agency group convened on August 9 and October 25, 
2007. Input from the public and agency meetings assisted in the 
establishment of the purpose and need for the project, and yielded the 
project range of alternatives to be considered. Some of the concept 
alternatives initially considered for the action, such as the 
development of a new corridor to the south and improvement of local 
streets, did not meet the established purpose and need and were 
therefore dismissed from further consideration. In addition, 
environmental scans and screening did not reveal potential for 
significant impacts from the remaining build alternatives. Subsequently 
added screening criteria effectively dismissed additional concept 
alternatives based on their reasonability, practicability, and 
constructability. Alternatives were developed and advanced into further 
screening where actual footprints are evaluated for impacts within the 
project limits. The screened alternatives to be advanced were presented 
to the public on March 19, 2008 and to participating agencies on April 
2, 2008.
    At this point in the project development process, no significant 
human or natural environmental impacts are evident in the 1-84 Karcher 
Interchange to Five Mile Road Environmental Study project that would 
require an ElS. If, at any point in the environmental process, it is 
determined that the action is likely to have a significant impact on 
the environment, the preparation of an EIS will be required.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action and all significant issues are identified, comments and 
suggestions are invited from all interested parties regarding this 
action to rescind the NOl published July 17, 2007 for the highway 
project in Ada and Canyon County, Idaho. Comments or questions 
concerning this proposed action should be directed to the FHWA or lTD 
at the addresses provided above.

Peter J. Hartman,
Division Administrator, FHWA--Idaho Division.
[FR Doc. E8-16053 Filed 7-16-08; 8:45 am]
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