[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 235 (Friday, December 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74226-74227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28563]



[[Page 74226]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Wayne County, MI

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability (NOA) of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) for the Detroit River International Crossing Study and 
Section 4(f) Evaluation.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Section 4(f) Evaluation for 
the Detroit River International Crossing Study (DRIC). This action is 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq., as amended and the Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508). The FEIS identifies the 
Preferred Alternative for a new border crossing between Detroit, 
Michigan and Windsor, Ontario; describes the environmental impacts of 
the proposed project and proposed mitigation; and addresses comments 
received on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) 
Evaluation issued in February 2008.

DATES: Any comments must be received on or before January 5, 2009. The 
FEIS waiting period ends 30 days after the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes the DRIC's NOA in the Federal Register 
(currently scheduled to be published on December 5th).

ADDRESSES: 
    1. Document Availability: Copies of the FEIS are available for 
public inspection and review on the project Web site: http://www.partnershipborderstudy.com and at the following locations:

MDOT Bureau of Transportation Planning, 425 Ottawa St., Lansing;
MDOT Metro Region Office, 18101 W. Nine Mile Rd., Southfield;
MDOT Detroit Transportation Service Center, 1400 Howard St., Detroit;
MDOT Taylor Transportation Service Center, 25185 Goddard, Taylor;
Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Detroit;
Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit;
Bowen Branch of the Detroit Public Library, 3648 W. Vernor, Detroit;
Library at Southwestern High School, 6921 W. Fort St., Detroit;
Delray Recreation Center, 420 Leigh St., Detroit;
Allen Park Library, 8100 Allen Rd., Allen Park;
Ecorse Library, 4184 W. Jefferson Ave., Ecorse;
Melvindale Library, 18650 Allen Rd., Melvindale;
River Rouge Library, 221 Burke St., River Rouge;
Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort St., Detroit;
Campbell Brand Library, 8733 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit;
Neighborhood City Hall Central District, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit;
Neighborhood City Hall Northwestern District, 19180 Grand River Ave., 
Detroit;
Neighborhood City Hall Northeastern District, 2328 E. Seven Mile Rd., 
Detroit;
Neighborhood City Hall Western District, 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit;
Neighborhood City Hall Eastern District, 7737 Kercheval St., Detroit;
Neighborhood City Hall Southwestern District, 7744 W. Vernor St., 
Detroit.

    Copies of the FEIS may be requested from Bob Parsons (Public 
Involvement and Hearings Officer) at the Michigan Department of 
Transportation, 425 W. Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 48909 
or by calling (517) 373-9534.
    2. Comments: Send any comments on the FEIS to the Michigan 
Department of Transportation, c/o Bob Parsons (Public Involvement and 
Hearings Officer), 425 W. Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 
48909; Fax: (517) 373-9255; or e-mail: [email protected]. 
Information regarding this proposed action is available in alternative 
formats upon request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Rizzo, Major Project Manager, at 
FHWA Michigan Division, 315 W. Allegan Street, Room 201, Lansing, MI 
48933; by phone at (517) 702-1833, or e-mail at [email protected].
    David Williams, Environmental Program Manager, FHWA Michigan 
Division, 315 W. Allegan Street, Room 201, Lansing, MI 48933; by phone 
at (517) 702-1820; or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Detroit River International Crossing 
(DRIC) Study is a bi-national effort to complete the environmental 
study processes related to a new border crossing. The DRIC Study 
identifies solutions that support the region, state, provincial and 
national economies while addressing the civil and national defense and 
homeland security needs of the busiest trade corridor between Canada 
and the United States. Leading the study is the Border Transportation 
Partnership (The Partnership) comprised of the following agencies: 
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Michigan Department of 
Transportation (MDOT), Transport Canada (TC) and Ontario Ministry of 
Transportation (MTO). The Partnership completed the Planning/Needs and 
Feasibility Study in February 2004, released the DEIS for public review 
and comment in February 2008 and conducted public hearings in March 
2008. The FEIS includes responses to the comments received during that 
public comment period. All approvals will be consistent with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in the U.S., the Ontario 
Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA) and the Canadian Environmental 
Assessment Act (CEAA). The Canadian environmental clearance process 
also is nearing completion.
    Purpose and Need for the Project: The purpose of the DRIC Study is 
to provide safe, efficient and secure movement of people and goods 
across the U.S.-Canadian border in the Detroit River area to support 
the economies of Michigan, Ontario, Canada and the United States, and 
to support the mobility needs of national and civil defense to protect 
the homeland. To address future border crossing mobility requirements 
through 2035, there is a need to: Provide new border-crossing capacity 
to meet increased long-term demand; improve system connectivity to 
enhance the seamless flow of people and goods; improve operations and 
processing capability in accommodating the flow of people and goods; 
and provide reasonable and secure crossing options (i.e., redundancy) 
in the event of incidents, maintenance, congestion, or other 
disruptions.
    Preferred Alternatives: The Preferred Alternative evaluated 
includes an interchange with I-75, a customs inspection plaza, and a 
bridge from the plaza that spans the Detroit River. The FEIS analyzes 
the issues/impacts on the United States' side of the proposed new 
border crossing. A Canadian-produced set of documents analyzes the 
issues/impacts on the Canadian side. The No-Build Alternative would not 
result in a new international border crossing system in the Detroit-
Windsor area. Only the existing crossings, plazas and freeway 
connections, including the Gateway connection currently under 
construction, would continue operations. The No-Build Alternative 
considered the proposal by the private-sector owners of the Ambassador 
Bridge to build a six-lane span to replace the existing four-lane 
bridge.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., as amended and the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-

[[Page 74227]]

1508) 23 CFR 771.117; and 23 U.S.C. 139(1)(1).

    Issued on: November 24, 2008.
James J. Steele,
Division Administrator, Lansing, Michigan.
 [FR Doc. E8-28563 Filed 12-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P