Environmental Impact Statement: Washington County, Utah

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 12209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6041]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Washington County, Utah

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 a 
study will be prepared for a new transportation corridor in Washington 
County, Utah. The new corridor will provide a new transportation 
facility to the east of I-15, from approximately milepost 1 on I-15 
south of St. George, Utah to a connection with SR-9 near Hurricane, 
Utah.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Allen, FHWA, Utah Division, 2520 
West 4700 South, Suite 9-A, Salt Lake City, UT 84118, Telephone (801) 
963-0182; or Ken Adair, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), 1345 
South 350 West, Richfield, Utah 84701, Telephone (801) 896-9501  x 760.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FHWA, in cooperation with the Utah 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement for a new transportation corridor approximately 20 miles in 
length to the east of I-15, from approximately milepost 1 on I-15 south 
of St. George, Utah to a connection with SR-9 near Hurricane, Utah. The 
study is being initiated as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). If 
the scoping process does not identify potential for significant 
impacts, or identify controversy on environmental grounds, the study 
will be charged to an Environmental Assessment.
    The study is intended to consider the need for additional capacity 
to serve transportation needs associated with expected regional growth 
in the project area, including several currently planned development 
projects. Existing travel-forecasting models will be updated and 
supplemented to forecast traffic patterns. The study will consider no-
build, transportation system management, and build alternatives. The 
build alternative is expected to be a new 2-4 lane highway, with access 
control.
    A project steering committee has been established to provide 
direction on the project. Additionally, a project advisory committee 
will be established to encourage early and on-going participation by 
interested parties. 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 
expressed an interest in this proposal. A series of public meetings 
will be held, including a scoping meeting expected in April 1999. In 
addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of 
the time and place of the meetings and hearing. The environmental 
document will be available for 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 this 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 apply to this program.)

    Issued on February 17, 1999.
Michael G. Richie,
Division Administrator, Utah Division, Federal Highway Administration, 
Salt Lake City, Utah.
[FR Doc. 99-6041 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am]
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