[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 1973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-408]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: In the Vicinity of the City and 
Borough of Juneau, AK

AGENCY: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 
(DOT&PF), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA, in cooperation with DOT&PF, will prepare a 
supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for Juneau Access 
Improvements, a project to improve surface transportation to and from 
Juneau within the Lynn Canal corridor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tim Haugh, Environmental Program 
Manager, FHWA Alaska Division, P.O. Box 21648, Juneau, Alaska 99802-
1648; office hours 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (AST), phone (907) 586-7430; 
email [email protected]. You may also contact Mr. Reuben Yost, DOT&PF 
Project Manager, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public 
Facilities, 6860 Glacier Highway, P.O. Box 112506, Juneau, Alaska 
99811-2506; office hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (AST), phone (907) 465-
1774.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A final environmental impact statement 
(FEIS) for this project was released on January 18, 2006, and a Record 
of Decision was approved on April 3, 2006. However, on February 13, 
2009, the United States District Court for Alaska determined the FEIS 
was invalid and vacated the ROD. The SEIS will therefore evaluate a new 
alternative of improved ferry service using existing assets, as was 
determined reasonable by the Court. The SEIS will also address any new 
issues identified and update FEIS alternatives and topics.
    The purpose for the project remains the same: to improve surface 
transportation to and from Juneau within the Lynn Canal corridor to 
provide travel flexibility, capacity to meet demand, and greater travel 
opportunity while reducing travel time, state costs, and user costs. In 
addition to the court ordered alternative, the SEIS will also update 
the reasonable alternatives evaluated in the FEIS. These include the No 
Action Alternative (Alternative 1), the East Lynn Highway to Katzehin 
with Shuttles to Haines and Skagway (Alternative 2B), the West Lynn 
Canal Highway (Alternative 3), and four primary marine alternatives 
that would construct new ferries (Alternatives 4A-D). Two of the marine 
alternatives include a short road extension and a new ferry terminal 
(Alternatives 4B and 4D).
    FHWA anticipates a focused scoping effort prior to commencement of 
SEIS studies. Letters describing the SEIS process and requesting 
comments will be sent to appropriate federal, state, and local 
agencies. Meetings will be held with all Cooperating Agencies and other 
agencies, as requested. Newspaper notices, newsletters, and Web site 
postings will explain the SEIS process, describe the new alternative, 
detail the topics anticipated to be addressed, and request public 
comments.
    Public hearings will be held in Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and Sitka 
following publication of the draft SEIS. Notice of the hearings and 
availability of the document will be published in the Federal Register, 
the Juneau Empire, the Chilkat Valley News, the Skagway News, the Sitka 
Sentinel, and the Anchorage Daily News. Comments or questions 
concerning the project and the SEIS should be directed to the FHWA or 
DOT&PF at the addresses provided.

(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.)


    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1).

    Issued on: January 3, 2012.
David C. Miller,
Division Administrator, Juneau, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 2012-408 Filed 1-11-12; 8:45 am]
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