[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 79450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32206]



[[Page 79450]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Desha County, Arkansas and 
Bolivar County, Mississippi

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 location 
of I-69 from US 65 in Desha County, Arkansas to State Highway 1 in 
Bolivar County, Mississippi, including a crossing of the Mississippi 
River.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Randal Looney, Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Office 
Building, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3130 Little Rock, Arkansas 
72201-3298, Telephone: (501) 324-6430; Mr. Bill Richardson, Asst. 
Division Head, Environmental Division, Arkansas Highway and 
Transportation Department (AHTD), 10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, 
Arkansas 72201-2398, Telephone: (501) 569-2379; or Mr. Claiborne 
Barnwell, Environmental Division Engineer, Office of Intermodal 
Planning, Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), 401 North 
West Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1850, Telephone: (601) 359-
7920.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Arkansas 
Highway and Transportation Department and the Mississippi Department of 
Transportation will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on 
a proposal to build a section of independent utility (SIU) for the 
proposed Interstate 69. The new facility would include a new roadway 
and bridge crossing of the Mississippi River connecting U.S. Highway 65 
in Arkansas with Route 1 in Mississippi. Project distance is 
approximately 25 miles. Information developed by a previous EIS for the 
location of the Great River Bridge and other preliminary documents 
pertaining to the I-69 corridor will be used in this study.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) The no build and (2) 
constructing a four-lane, limited access highway within the limits 
described above, on various alignment alternatives.
    A scoping process has been initiated that involves all appropriate 
federal and state agencies and Native American Tribes. This will 
continue throughout the study as an ongoing process. A formal scoping 
meeting will be held for the project. A public information effort will 
be initiated in December, 2000, to include those agencies, local 
agencies, and private organizations and citizens who have previously 
expressed, or are known to have, interest in this proposal. This will 
include all coordination required under Section 106 of the Historic 
Preservation Act. Public informational meetings will be held in the 
study area to engage the regional community in the decision-making 
process and to obtain public input. In addition, public hearings will 
be held to present information developed by the environmental studies 
and to obtain comments and recommendations from the public. Public 
notice will be given concerning the time and place of informational 
meetings and public hearings. The Draft EIS will be made available for 
public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearings.
    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 EIS should be directed to 
the FHWA, or AHDT, or MDOT at the addresses provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)
    Issued on: December 11, 2000.
Gary A. DalPorto,
Planning and Research Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Little 
Rock, Arkansas.
[FR Doc. 00-32206 Filed 12-18-00; 8:45 am]
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