[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3129-3130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-913]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Tiered Environmental Impact Statement: Sandoval County and 
Bernalillo County, New Mexico

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), USDOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public and other 
agencies that a tiered environmental impact statement will be prepared 
for a proposed transportation corridor in Sandoval County and 
Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The objective of the tiered EIS is to 
evaluate right-of-way preservation for the proposed corridor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Finch, District Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, New Mexico Division, 4001 Office Court 
Drive, Suite 801, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, Telephone (505) 820-2039; 
or, Phillip Rios, Sandoval County Public Works Director, Box 40, 
Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004, Telephone (505) 771-3312.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New Mexico 
Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and Sandoval County, will prepare 
a tiered environmental impact statement (tiered EIS) to preserve right-
of-way for a proposed transportation corridor located in Sandoval 
County and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The purpose of the tiered EIS 
is to determine the alignment and right-of-way needs and to evaluate 
impacts to the natural and human environment for a future 
transportation corridor that would connect Interstate 40 and U.S. 550 
west of the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The proposed corridor would 
begin near milepost 142 on Interstate 40. From its start at I-40, the 
proposed roadway would extend in a northerly direction for 
approximately 23 miles. At this point, the route would turn in an 
easterly direction and continue to its terminus at U.S. 550 near 
milepost 7.2. The total length of the proposed corridor is 
approximately 39 miles.
    The purpose of first tier EIS is limited to establishing the 
alignment and right-of-way boundaries for the proposed corridor. It is 
not intended to authorize construction of a new roadway or any portion 
thereof. Authorization for construction will require the preparation of 
second tier environmental documents.
    The proposed transportation corridor is considered necessary to 
provide

[[Page 3130]]

future roadways and other transportation infrastructure that will help 
facilitate orderly growth and development and access to areas within 
Bernalillo County and Sandoval County planned for development. In the 
longer term, the proposed transportation corridor will also provide a 
safe and efficient outer beltway for the expanding Albuquerque and Rio 
Rancho metropolitan area. Alternatives under consideration include: (1) 
Taking no action; and, (2) various centerline alignment alternatives.
    Letters describing the proposed action and requesting comments will 
be sent to appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and individuals who have previously expressed, or 
are known to have an interest, in the proposed action. A scoping 
meeting(s) will be scheduled in early February 2009. Agencies and other 
potential stakeholders having a likely interest in the proposed project 
will be informed of the scoping meeting by letter and by notices 
published in local and regional newspapers.
    A notice of intent to prepare a tiered EIS will be published in 
local newspapers in January 2008. The local notice will describe the 
proposed action and the intent of FHWA, NMDOT, and Sandoval County to 
prepare an environmental impact statement. It will also request 
comments from the public on issues of interest and concern and on 
alternatives to be considered.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified, 
comments, suggestions, and questions are invited from all interested 
parties. Comments, questions, and suggestions about the proposed action 
and the EIS should be sent 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 January 12, 2009.
J. Don Martinez,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Santa Fe, New 
Mexico.
 [FR Doc. E9-913 Filed 1-15-09; 8:45 am]
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