[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 53531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21837]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

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


Environmental Impact Statement: Hancock County, MS

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department Of 
Transportation (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 Hancock County, Mississippi. The project study area will 
extend a distance of approximately six (6) miles from Interstate 10 to 
the intersection of State Routes 43 and 603 in the vicinity of Kiln, 
Mississippi.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Claiborne Barnwell, Project 
Development Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration, 100 West 
Capitol Street, Suite 1062, Jackson, MS 39269, 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 43/603 in Hancock County, Mississippi. The 
proposed improvements are intended to provide a safe and effective 
emergency evacuation route while alleviating high levels of congestion 
and travel delays presently being experienced. 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 was determined that an EIS was more appropriate. 
The initial terminus was evaluated between Interstate 10 near Kiln and 
Interstate 59 near Picayune, a distance of some 30-miles. In 
consideration of the immediate need and the available funding, the 
termini has been determined to extend between Interstate 10 south of 
Kiln and the intersection of State Route 43 and 603 north of Kiln, a 
distance of approximately 6-miles.
    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 north from Interstate 10 to the 
intersection of state Routes 43 and 603. 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: August 19, 2011.
Andrew H. Hughes,
Division Administrator, Mississippi, Federal Highway Administration, 
Jackson, Mississippi.
[FR Doc. 2011-21837 Filed 8-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P