[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 205 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 55086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25654]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Project Number GAI-0067-01 (004)]


Environmental Impact Statement: Hancock and Pearl River Counties, 
MS

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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 Hancock and Pearl River Counties, Mississippi. The project 
study area will extend a distance of approximately 30 miles from 
Interstate 10 south of Kiln, MS to Interstate 59 in the vicinity of 
Picayune, Mississippi.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Claiborne Barnwell, Project 
Development Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration, 666 North 
Street, Suite 105, Jackson, MS 39202-3199, Telephone: (601) 965-4217. 
Contact at the State level is Ms. Kim Thurman, Environmental/Location 
Division Administrator, Mississippi Department of Transportation, P.O. 
Box 1850, Jackson, MS 39215-1850, telephone: (601) 359-7920.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed widening and/or 
realignment of State Route 603/43 in Hancock and Pearl River Counties, 
Mississippi. The proposed improvements are intended to provide a safe 
and effective hurricane evacuation route while alleviating high levels 
of congestion and travel delays presently being experienced on the 
southern terminus of State Route 603/43. This project was initially 
started in 2008 as an Environmental Assessment. However, due to the 
complexity of the project and a high number of sensitive wetland and 
water issues, it has been determined that it is appropriate to convert 
this project to an EIS.
    A Coordination Plan for Agency and Public Involvement will be 
developed in accordance with Public Law 109-59, SAFETEA-LU, Title VI, 
Section 6002, Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decision 
Making, August 10, 2005, and will outline the process by which project 
information will be communicated to the lead, cooperating, 
participating, other agencies and organizations, and the public. This 
plan will also identify how input from agencies and the public will be 
solicited and considered. The coordination Plan is intended to be a 
flexible and fluid document and will be available at public and agency 
meetings for review. The purpose of the EIS is to address the 
transportation, environmental, and safety issues of such a 
transportation corridor. The proposed transportation project will be 
studied both for widening of the existing roadway and for the potential 
for new alignment in some areas and will provide a safer roadway and 
improve mobility for those traveling from Interstate 10 to Interstate 
59. The proposed project will also specifically address traffic 
concerns in Kiln, Mississippi and how the existing congestion through 
the town can be best alleviated while preserving sensitive wetland 
resources. Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no 
action and (2) build alternatives.
    The FHWA and MDOT are seeking input as a part of the scoping 
process to assist in determining and clarifying issues relative to this 
project. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments 
will be sent to appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, Native 
American tribes, private organizations and citizens who have previously 
expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. A formal 
scoping meeting with federal, state, and local agencies, and other 
interested parties will be held in the near future. Public involvement 
meetings will be held during the EIS process. The draft EIS will be 
available for public and agency review and comment prior to the 
official 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.

    Dated: October 19, 2009
E. Claiborne Barnwell,
Project Development Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration, 
Mississippi Division, Jackson, Mississippi.
[FR Doc. E9-25654 Filed 10-23-09; 8:45 am]
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