[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 82 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 20016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9732]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Final and Gila Counties, AZ

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway 
project in Pinal and Gila counties, Arizona.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Davis, Senior Engineering 
Manager for Operations, Federal Highway Administration, Arizona 
Division Office, 4000 North Central Avenue, Suite 1500, Phoenix, 
Arizona 85012, Telephone: (602) 382-8970, Fax: (602) 382-8998, e-mail: 
[email protected]; or
    Mary Frye, Environmental Coordinator, Federal Highway 
Administration, Arizona Division Office, 4000 North Central Avenue, 
Suite 1500, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, Telephone: (602) 382-8979, Fax: 
(602) 382-8998, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Arizona 
Department of Transportation (ADOT), will prepare a National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on 
a proposal to improve and/or realign US Highway (US) 60 in Pinal and 
Gila counties, Arizona from west of Superior at approximately milepost 
(MP) 222.6 to east of Globe at approximately MP 258.0. The proposed 
project evaluation will include, but not be limited to potential 
impacts to residential and commercial development, cultural resources, 
mining, Threatened and Endangered Species, jurisdictional waters of the 
U.S., scenic resources, air and noise quality, hazardous materials, and 
secondary and cumulative impacts.
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to provide 
for the existing and projected traffic demand. Alternatives under 
consideration include (1) taking no action, (2) improvements to the 
existing US 60, and (3) at least 18 different segment alignments for 
potential relocation and development of the highway north and south of 
the existing US 60 on lands managed by the Tonto National Forest (TNF), 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as on private lands. The TNF 
and BLM have been invited to accept the roles of Cooperating Agency for 
the study in addition to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed 
interest in this proposal. Formal NEPA agency and public scoping 
meetings, a series of public information meetings and public hearings 
will be held.
    Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings 
and hearings. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency 
review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

Kenneth Davis,
Senior Engineering Manager for Operations, Federal Highway 
Administration, Arizona Division Office, Phoenix, Arizona.
[FR Doc. E9-9732 Filed 4-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M