[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60168-60169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24274]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: San Joaquin and Stanislaus 
Counties, CA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public 
that the Notice of Intent (NOI) published on June 03, 2002, to prepare 
an Environmental Impact statement (EIS) for the proposed highway 
project in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, California, is being 
rescinded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Smith, Senior Environmental 
Planner, Central Sierra Environmental Analysis Branch, Caltrans, 855 M. 
Street, Suite 200, Fresno, California 93721 or call (559) 445-6172.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective July 1, 2007, the FHWA assigned, 
and Caltrans assumed, environmental responsibilities for this project 
pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans, in cooperation with San Joaquin 
and Stanislaus counties, is rescinding the NOI to prepare an EIS for 
the Vernalis Expressway project along State Route 132.
    The proposed project included improvements to State Route 132 from 
the State Route 132/33 Separation Overhead (Bridge 29-167L) in San 
Joaquin County to 0.16 km (0.1 mile) west of the San Joaquin Bridge 
(Bridge 38-45) in Stanislaus County. The project is approximately 5.63 
km (3.5 miles) in length. The project was anticipated to improve 
traffic safety and operations by reducing congestion and accidents. 
Since the NOI to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register 
on June 3, 2002, Caltrans has conducted public involvement and agency 
coordination, developed a purpose and need for the project, and 
developed preliminary alternatives to be examined. Preliminary 
screenings identified sensitive environmental features associated with 
the proposed

[[Page 60169]]

alternatives that could result in potentially significant adverse 
impacts. Due to the extent of analysis required on these resources and 
the lack of financial resources needed to complete the project, 
representatives from Caltrans, Stanislaus County, and San Joaquin 
County determined to no longer spend resources to obtain Project 
Acceptance & Environmental Document (PA&ED) for the project. No further 
Federal resources will be expended on the project; the environmental 
review process has been terminated. Comments and questions concerning 
the proposed action should be directed to Caltrans at the address 
provided above.

(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: September 25, 2012.
Dominic Hoang,
Transportation Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2012-24274 Filed 10-1-12; 8:45 am]
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