80 FR 45701 - Rescinding the Notice of Intent for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Blair Bypass, Washington County, Nebraska
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 147 (July 31, 2015)
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 147 (July 31, 2015)
| Page Range | 45701-45702 | |
| FR Document | 2015-18815 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 45701-45702] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-18815] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Rescinding the Notice of Intent for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Blair Bypass, Washington County, Nebraska AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement to study a bypass route around the City of Blair, in Washington County, Nebraska, is being rescinded [project number S- 89(17)]. The NOI was published in the Federal Register on June 2, 2004. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement was not released. This rescission is based on a lack of available funding for the full corridor proposal, which has led to the reduction in the scope of the study and a refinement of the methods to identify and assess alternatives. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Maiefski, Program Delivery Team Lead, FHWA, Nebraska Division, 100 Centennial Mall North, Room 220, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508, Telephone: (402) 742-8473. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in cooperation with the City of Blair, Nebraska and the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) initiated [[Page 45702]] an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to study a bypass route around the City of Blair with a Notice of Intent on June 2, 2004. The project studied the causes of traffic congestion, delays, and accidents where State Highway 91 and U.S. Highways 30 and 75 share the same alignment within Blair on Washington Street from 19th Street to 13th Street. Traffic studies indicated that a bypass route around the south, east, and north parts of Blair could reduce truck traffic through downtown Blair. The NOI for the previous study is being rescinded due to funding constraints that have led to a reduced scope of study. The decision to rescind the NOI and to reduce the scope of the study was a joint decision by FHWA, the City of Blair, and NDOR. The new study will focus on alleviating traffic congestion within downtown Blair, but will refine the needs to be addressed and the methods for assessing alternatives. Given the reduction in scope, FHWA intends to proceed with an Environmental Assessment for the new study. If potentially significant impacts are identified during the new study, a new NOI to prepare an EIS will be published. Comments or questions concerning the rescission of this proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the FHWA at the address provided above. Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48 Dated: June 30, 2015. Joseph A. Werning, Division Administrator, Nebraska. [FR Doc. 2015-18815 Filed 7-30-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / Notices 45701
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION such actions were taken, are described 13287, Preserve America; E.O. 13175,
in the final Environmental Assessment Consultation and Coordination with
Federal Highway Administration (EA) for the project, for which a Finding Indian Tribal Governments; E.O. 11514,
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was Protection and Enhancement of
Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions issued on July 2, 2015, and in other Environmental Quality; E.O. 13112,
on I–35 Northeast Expansion Project, documents in the TxDOT administrative Invasive Species; E.O. 12372,
Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe record. The EA, FONSI, and other Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Counties, Texas documents in the administrative record Programs.
AGENCY: Federal Highway file are available by contacting TxDOT The environmental review,
Administration (FHWA), U.S. DOT. at the address provided above. consultation, and other actions required
ACTION: Notice of limitation on claims
This notice applies to all TxDOT by applicable Federal environmental
for judicial review of actions by TxDOT decisions and Federal agency decisions laws for this project are being, or have
and Federal agencies. as of the issuance date of this notice and been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to
all laws under which such actions were 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of
SUMMARY: This notice announces actions taken, including but not limited to: Understanding dated December 16,
taken by Texas Department of 1. General: National Environmental 2014, and executed by FHWA and
Transportation (TxDOT) and Federal Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321– TxDOT.
agencies that are final within the 4351]; Federal-Aid Highway Act [23
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1).
meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The U.S.C. 109].
actions relate to a proposed highway 2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401– Issued on: July 21, 2105.
project, I–35 Northeast Expansion 7671(q)]. Michael T. Leary,
Project in Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe 3. Land: Section 4(f) of the Director, Planning and Program Development,
Counties, Texas. Those actions grant Department of Transportation Act of Federal Highway Administration.
licenses, permits, and approvals for the 1966 [49 U.S.C. 303]; Landscaping and [FR Doc. 2015–18313 Filed 7–30–15; 8:45 am]
project. Scenic Enhancement (Wildflowers), 23 BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DATES: By this notice, TxDOT is U.S.C. 319.
advising the public of final agency 4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act
actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A [16 U.S.C. 1531–1544 and Section DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
claim seeking judicial review of the 1536]; Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act [16 U.S.C. 661–667(d)]; Migratory Federal Highway Administration
Federal agency actions on the highway
project will be barred unless the claim Bird Treaty Act [16 U.S.C. 703–712].
5. Historic and Cultural Resources: Rescinding the Notice of Intent for an
is filed on or before December 28, 2015. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS):
Section 106 of the National Historic
If the Federal law that authorizes Blair Bypass, Washington County,
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended
judicial review of a claim provides a Nebraska
[16 U.S.C. 470(f) et seq.]; Archeological
time period of less than 150 days for
Resources Protection Act of 1977 [16 AGENCY: Federal Highway
filing such claim, then that shorter time
U.S.C. 470(aa)–11]; Archeological and Administration (FHWA), DOT.
period still applies.
Historic Preservation Act [16 U.S.C.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent to
469–469(c)]; Native American Grave
Carlos Swonke, P.G., Environmental Protection and Repatriation Act prepare an EIS.
Affairs Division, Texas Department of (NAGPRA) [25 U.S.C. 3001–3013].
Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this
6. Social and Economic: Civil Rights notice to advise the public that the
Austin, Texas 78701; telephone: (512) Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000(d)–
416–2734; email: carlos.swonke@ Notice of Intent (NOI) for the
2000(d)(1)]; American Indian Religious preparation of an Environmental Impact
txdot.gov. TxDOT normal business Freedom Act [42 U.S.C. 1996]; Farmland
hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (central Protection Policy Act (FPPA) [7 U.S.C. Statement to study a bypass route
time) Monday through Friday. around the City of Blair, in Washington
4201–4209]. County, Nebraska, is being rescinded
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is 7. Wetlands and Water Resources: [project number S–89(17)]. The NOI was
hereby given that TxDOT and Federal Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1251–1377]; published in the Federal Register on
agencies have taken final agency actions Land and Water Conservation Fund
June 2, 2004. A Draft Environmental
by issuing licenses, permits, and (LWCF) [16 U.S.C. 4601–4604]; Safe Impact Statement was not released. This
approvals for the following highway Drinking Water Act (SDWA) [42 U.S.C. rescission is based on a lack of available
project in the State of Texas: I–35 300(f)–300(j)(6)]; Rivers and Harbors Act funding for the full corridor proposal,
Northeast Expansion Project, Bexar, of 1899 [33 U.S.C. 401–406]; Wild and which has led to the reduction in the
Comal and Guadalupe Counties, Texas. Scenic Rivers Act [16 U.S.C. 1271– scope of the study and a refinement of
The project will include the 1287]; Emergency Wetlands Resources the methods to identify and assess
construction of four elevated managed Act [16 U.S.C. 3921, 3931]; TEA–21 alternatives.
lanes (two in each direction) generally Wetlands Mitigation [23 U.S.C.
between the existing I–35 mainlanes 103(b)(6)(m), 133(b)(11)]; Flood Disaster FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
and frontage roads along I–35 from I– Protection Act [42 U.S.C. 4001–4128]. Melissa Maiefski, Program Delivery
410 South in San Antonio to FM 1103 8. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990, Team Lead, FHWA, Nebraska Division,
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
in Schertz. Direct connectors at the I– Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988, 100 Centennial Mall North, Room 220,
35/I–410 South, I–35/I–410 West, and I– Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508, Telephone:
35/Loop 1604 interchanges and Federal Actions to Address (402) 742–8473.
operational improvements at the FM Environmental Justice in Minority SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
2252, Old Wiederstein Road, and FM Populations and Low Income Federal Highway Administration
1103 intersections are also included. Populations; E.O. 11593, Protection and (FHWA) in cooperation with the City of
The actions by TxDOT and the Federal Enhancement of Cultural Resources; Blair, Nebraska and the Nebraska
agencies, and the laws under which E.O. 13007, Indian Sacred Sites; E.O. Department of Roads (NDOR) initiated
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![45702 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / Notices
an Environmental Impact Statement Information and Regulatory Affairs, survey will be the eighth in this series,
(EIS) to study a bypass route around the Office of Management and Budget, 725 and allow researchers, planners, and
City of Blair with a Notice of Intent on 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, officials at the state and federal levels to
June 2, 2004. The project studied the Attention DOT Desk Officer. You are monitor travel trends.
causes of traffic congestion, delays, and asked to comment on any aspect of this Data from the NHTS are widely used
accidents where State Highway 91 and information collection, including: (1) to support research needs within the
U.S. Highways 30 and 75 share the same Whether the proposed collection is USDOT, and State and local agencies, in
alignment within Blair on Washington necessary for the FHWA’s performance; addition to responding to queries from
Street from 19th Street to 13th Street. (2) the accuracy of the estimated Congress, the research community and
Traffic studies indicated that a bypass burden; (3) ways for the FHWA to the media on important issues. Current
route around the south, east, and north enhance the quality, usefulness, and and recent topics of interest include:
parts of Blair could reduce truck traffic clarity of the collected information; and • Travel to work patterns by
through downtown Blair. (4) ways that the burden could be transportation mode for infrastructure
The NOI for the previous study is minimized, including the use of improvements and congestion
being rescinded due to funding electronic technology, without reducing reduction,
constraints that have led to a reduced the quality of the collected information. • Access to public transit, paratransit,
scope of study. The decision to rescind All comments should include the and rail services by various
the NOI and to reduce the scope of the Docket number FHWA–2015–0007. demographic groups,
study was a joint decision by FHWA, • Measures of travel by mode to
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the City of Blair, and NDOR. The new establish exposure rates for risk
Adella Santos, 202–366–5021, NHTS
study will focus on alleviating traffic analyses,
Program Manager, Federal Highway
congestion within downtown Blair, but • Support for Federal, State, and local
Administration, Office of Policy, 1200
will refine the needs to be addressed planning activities and policy
New Jersey Avenue SE., Room E83–426,
and the methods for assessing evaluation,
Washington, DC 20590, Monday • Active transportation by walk and
alternatives. Given the reduction in through Friday, except Federal holidays.
scope, FHWA intends to proceed with bike to establish the relationship to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: public health issues,
an Environmental Assessment for the
new study. If potentially significant
Title: 2015 National Household Travel • Vehicle usage for energy
Survey (NHTS). consumption analysis,
impacts are identified during the new
study, a new NOI to prepare an EIS will
Type of Request: Renewal request for • Traffic behavior of specific
periodic information collection demographic group such as Millennials
be published.
Comments or questions concerning the requirement. and the aging population.
Background: Title 23, United States Within the USDOT, the Federal
rescission of this proposed action and
Code, section 502 authorizes the Highway Administration (FHWA) holds
the EIS should be directed to the FHWA
USDOT to carry out advanced research responsibility for technical and funding
at the address provided above.
and transportation research to measure coordination. The National Highway
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48 the performance of the surface Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Dated: June 30, 2015. transportation systems in the US, Federal Transit Administration (FTA),
Joseph A. Werning, including the efficiency, energy use, air and the Bureau of Transportation
Division Administrator, Nebraska. quality, congestion, and safety of the Statistics (BTS) are also primary data
[FR Doc. 2015–18815 Filed 7–30–15; 8:45 am] highway and intermodal transportation users, and have historically participated
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
systems. The USDOT is charged with in project planning and financial
the overall responsibility to obtain support.
current information on national patterns
of travel, which establishes a data base Proposed Data Acquisition
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
to better understand travel behavior, Methodology
Federal Highway Administration evaluate the use of transportation NHTS data are collected from a
[Docket No. FHWA–2015–0007]
facilities, and gauge the impact of the stratified random sample of households
USDOT’s policies and programs. that represent a broad range of
Agency Information Collection The NHTS is the USDOT’s geographic and demographic
Activities: Request for Comments for authoritative nationally representative characteristics. Letters and a brief
Periodic Information Collection data source for daily passenger travel. household survey are sent to selected
This inventory of travel behavior households requesting some basic
SUMMARY: The FHWA has forwarded the reflects travel mode (e.g., private demographic and contact information
information collection request described vehicles, public transportation, walk and inviting them to participate in the
in this notice to the Office of and bike) and trip purpose (e.g., travel survey. The recruitment surveys are
Management and Budget (OMB) for to work, school, recreation, personal/ returned in business reply envelopes to
approval of a new information family trips) by U.S. household the survey contractor.
collection. We published a Federal residents. Survey results are used by Participating households are
Register Notice with a 60-day public federal and state agencies to monitor the subsequently sent a package containing
comment period on this information performance and adequacy of current travel logs for each member of the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
collection on February 19, 2015. We are facilities and infrastructure, and to plan household age 5 and older. The
required to publish this notice in the for future needs. household is assigned to record their
Federal Register by the Paperwork The collection and analysis of travel on a specific day, and asked to
Reduction Act of 1995. national transportation data has been of note every trip taken during a 24 hour
DATES: Please submit comments by critical importance for nearly half a period. Based upon their preferences,
August 31, 2015. century. Previous surveys were the travel information is then reported
ADDRESSES: You may send comments conducted in 1969, 1977, 1983, 1990, either through the use of a survey Web
within 30 days to the Office of 1995, 2001, and 2009. The current site, or through a telephone interview.
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:00:06
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:00:06
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Rescind Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS. | |
| Contact | Melissa Maiefski, Program Delivery Team Lead, FHWA, Nebraska Division, 100 Centennial Mall North, Room 220, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508, Telephone: (402) 742-8473. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 45701 |
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