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, as the assigned National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) agency and CEQA lead agency, prepared a joint Draft EIR/EIS on a proposal for improvements along a portion of U.S. Highway 101 (U.S. 101) in Del Norte County, California known as “Last Chance Grade”.

Last Chance Grade is the 3.5-mile-long section of U.S. 101 (post miles [PMs] 12.7 to 16.5) located approximately 10 miles south of Crescent City. The project area is almost entirely within portions of Redwood National and State Parks.

The project would realign the highway in response to landslide and roadway failures which have caused damage for decades. The purpose of the project is to:

• Provide a more reliable connection.
• Reduce maintenance costs.
• Protect the economy, natural resources, and cultural resources.

Last Chance Grade is located in an area of geologic instability; there is a landslide complex that is approximately 3 miles long with more than 30 active landslides. This instability has required significant expenditures of tax dollars on emergency construction projects and maintenance activities to keep the highway open and safe. Between 1997 and 2021, landslide mitigation efforts, including retaining walls, drainage improvements, and roadway repairs, cost more than $85 million. There is no foreseeable end to such expenditures, and effects of climate change may exacerbate conditions. A long-term sustainable solution at Last Chance Grade is needed to address:

• Economic ramifications of a long-term failure and closure.
• Risk of delay/detour to traveling public.
• Increasing maintenance and emergency project costs.
• Increase in frequency and severity of large storm events caused by climate change.

Over the past several years, with input from numerous project partners, Caltrans has considered multiple alignment alternatives in seeking a long-term feasible and sustainable solution suitable for the unique geologic and natural features of the project area. As a result of these past alternatives screening processes, Caltrans has elected to move forward with the environmental review of two action alternatives. The Draft EIR/EIS evaluates either taking no action (No-Build Alternative) or proceeding with one of the two build alternatives (X and F).

Alternative X would involve reengineering and partially realigning a 1.6-mile-long section of the existing highway to minimize the risk of landslides. Main project components would include 1.6 miles of retaining walls along the roadway, an underground drainage system to help reduce landslide risk by capturing groundwater, and strategic eastward retreats from the existing roadway.

Alternative F would involve constructing a 1.1-mile-long tunnel east of the existing highway to avoid the most intense areas of known landslides and geologic instability. Main components would include a tunnel and associated portals, a bridge from the northern portal to reconnect to existing U.S. 101, and an on-site Operations and Maintenance Center (OMC) for tunnel support.

Notifications describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to the appropriate federal, state, participating agencies, tribal governments, and local agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal.

To ensure interested parties have the opportunity to comment and provide suggestions on the full range of potential issues related to this proposed action, the Draft EIR/EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment over a 60-day circulation period, starting on December 15, 2023. Caltrans will respond in the Final EIR/EIS (expected in winter 2025) to all the public comments received in writing during the public comment period.

Following circulation for public review and consideration of comments received, Caltrans will issue a combined Final EIR/EIS and Record of Decision document unless statutory criteria or practicability considerations preclude such issuance.

Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the Draft EIR/EIS should be directed to Caltrans at the address indicated above (under Further Information).

(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.)

88 FR 86442