[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 17826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7796]



[[Page 17826]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Rescinding the Notice of Intent for an Environmental Impact 
Statement: Gilpin, Clear Creek, and Jefferson Counties, CO

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice rescinds the Notice of Intent for preparing an 
Environmental Impact Statement that was issued on August 11, 2000, for 
a proposed transportation improvement project in Gilpin, Clear Creek, 
and Jefferson Counties, Colorado. The action is being taken because 
there are no federal or state funds identified to make the proposed 
transportation improvements in this corridor for the next 20 years. It 
is not known when federal or state funds may become available for these 
improvements therefore an Environmental Impact Statement will not be 
prepared until further notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Melinda Urban, Operations 
Engineer, FHWA, Colorado Division, 12300 West Dakota Avenue, Suite 180, 
Lakewood, CO, 80228, Telephone: (720) 963-3015. Mr. Russel Cox, 
Resident Engineer, Colorado Department of Transportation Region 1, 425 
Corporate Circle, Suite 250, Golden, Colorado 80401, Telephone: (720) 
497-6905.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 
cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) 
initiated an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with a Notice of 
Intent August 11, 2000, to improve access into the gaming towns of 
Blackhawk and Central City along the SH 119 corridor. The FHWA and CDOT 
have determined that while major transportation improvements along SH 
119 are needed, federal, state, or other funds are not available to 
meet these needs in the foreseeable future. Much work has been 
completed towards an EIS for this corridor and can serve as a planning 
foundation for future projects by CDOT.
    In late 2008 it became apparent that many transportation needs in 
the State would be competing for very limited funding. This EIS project 
was one of six major Denver-area EISs initiated in 2000 with the 
expectation that funding levels would continue and possibly increase. 
While the need for a project is an important factor in determining 
which projects receive funding, those with the greatest public and 
local-entity support are more likely to receive funding in a fiscally-
constrained, long-range plan. As a result, the current long-range plan 
does not include funding for the improvements considered in the Gaming 
Area EIS. As such, it is not the best use of limited public funds to 
complete the NEPA process for this project.
    If any entity or authority, public or private, wants to proceed 
with improvements or connections to state highways in this area in the 
future, applicable state and federal requirements must be met and 
established study processes followed to determine feasibility and 
environmental impacts. In consultation with CDOT and FHWA, the 
information collected as part of Gaming EIS could support efforts to 
develop these future NEPA, technical studies, or smaller safety 
projects. Decision-making for future projects within the SH 119 
corridor should consider the purpose and need, alternatives development 
and evaluation, environmental resource background data, and public and 
agency coordination that was compiled as part of the EIS process.

    Authority:  (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: March 31, 2010.
Karla S. Petty,
Colorado Division Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-7796 Filed 4-6-10; 8:45 am]
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