[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 45012-45013] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-21373] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Statement: Jefferson, Chambers, and Galveston Counties, Texas
Agency
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
Action
Notice of Intent.
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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 Jefferson, Chambers, and Galveston Counties, Texas.
For Further Information Contact
Mr. John Mack, District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 826 Federal Office Building, 300 E. 8th Street, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone: (512) 916-5516.
Supplementary Information
The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Jefferson County, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to reconstruct State Highway 87 (SH 87) within a corridor between Sea Rim State park and High Island, a distance of approximately 17 miles, in Jefferson, Chambers and Galveston Countries, Texas. Improvements to the facility are considered necessary after this section of SH 87 was closed to through traffic after it was extensively damaged by Hurricane Jerry in October 1989. This proposed project would restore the roadway connection between the two communities of Sabine Pass and High Island as well as provide improved access to the area beaches and wildlife refuges. Alternatives under consideration include (1) Taking no action; and (2) constructing a roadway on one of several proposed new alignments at more inland locations. Jefferson Country initiated environmental studies while
applying for a Section 404 permit for a roadway easement through the McFaddin National Wildlife Refugee in 1997. This resulted in a determination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that an EIS should be prepared. The project study limits for the EIS are from the northward turn of SH 87 in Sabine Pass, Jefferson County, to SH 124 in High Island, Galveston County. A section of SH 87 presently exists within these study limits for a distance of about 15 miles from Sabine Pass to approximately three miles west of Sea Rim State Park. The existing roadway is an undivided two-lane highway. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interested in this proposal. A scoping meeting to discuss the proposed SH 87 project, as well as, other public meetings and a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the 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 the proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the FHWA 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 that apply to this program.) John Mack, District Engineer, Austin, Texas. [FR Doc. 99-21373 Filed 8-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-M