[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79450-79451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32294]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Loudoun, Fauquier, Fairfax,
Prince William, and Stafford Counties, VA
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this
notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement in cooperation with the Virginia Department of
Transportation (VDOT) for potential transportation improvements in the
western portion of Northern Virginia, between Route 7 in Loudoun County
and Interstate 95 in Stafford County, to address growing regional
transportation needs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Sundra, Senior Environmental
Specialist and Acting Planning and Environmental Team Manager, Federal
Highway Administration, Post Office Box 10249, Richmond, Virginia
23240-0249, Telephone 804-775-3338.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1995, the Western Transportation Corridor
(WTC) Major Investment Study (MIS) was initiated in accordance with 23
CFR 450.318 to develop and document a purpose and need for
transportation improvements in the western portion of Northern Virginia
and to identify the modal type(s) and general corridor for those
transportation improvements. It was intended that the regional
government would use the results of the WTC MIS for purposes of long
range transportation planning. In December of 1997, that WTC MIS was
completed which resulted in the identification for detailed study of a
transportation system management/travel demand management alternative,
a links alternative, and new facility alternatives. The WTC MIS was
reopened in 1998 for additional coordination, and a Coordination Report
was issued by VDOT in October of 1998. In developing the WTC MIS, VDOT
studied and developed information on a variety of issues including, but
not limited to, the need for transportation improvements,
identification and screening of a broad range of alternatives, traffic,
land use, natural resources, historic and archaeological resources,
parklands, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, and cost.
Additional information on the WTC MIS conducted for this project and
its outcomes can be found at http://www.vdot.state.va.us/proj/fred/wtcx. html.
With this notice of intent, FHWA and VDOT are initiating the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the WTC to study
potential transportation improvements in the western portion of
Northern Virginia between Route 7 in Loudoun County and Interstate 95
in Stafford County, just north of the City of Fredericksburg, to
accommodate anticipated growth in population and employment and address
increasing travel demand and regional access needs.
As part of the NEPA process, the WTC MIS purpose and need will be
revisited and revised as necessary to account for any changes in
regional needs or goals.
[[Page 79451]]
Likewise, the alternatives development and screening process from the
WTC MIS will be used as a starting point for the NEPA process.
Recognizing that NEPA requires the consideration of a reasonable range
of alternatives that will address the purpose and need, the
Environmental Impact Statement will include a range of alternatives for
detailed study consisting of a no-build alternative as well as
alternatives consisting of transportation system management strategies,
mass transit, improvements to existing roadways, and/or new alignment
facilities. These alternatives will be developed, screened, and carried
forward for detailed analysis in the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement based on their ability to address the purpose and need that
will be developed while avoiding known and sensitive resources.
Letters describing the proposed NEPA study and soliciting input
will be sent to the appropriate Federal, State and local agencies who
have expressed or are known to have an interest or legal role in this
proposal. It is anticipated that two formal scoping meetings will be
held as part of the NEPA process, one in the Fredericksburg area and
one in Northern Virginia, to facilitate local, state, and federal
agency involvement and input into the project in an effort to identify
all of the issues that need to be addressed in developing the
Environmental Impact Statement.
Private organizations, citizens, and interest groups will also have
an opportunity to provide input into the development of the
Environmental Impact Statement and identify issues that should be
addressed. A comprehensive public participation program will be
developed to involve them in the project development process. This
program will utilize the following outreach efforts to provide
information and solicit input: newsletters, the Internet, a telephone
hotline, e-mail, informal meetings, public information meetings, public
hearings and other efforts as necessary and appropriate. Notices of
public meetings or public hearings will be given through various forums
providing the time and place of the meeting along with other relevant
information. The draft Environmental Impact Statement will be 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 identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions
are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions
concerning the proposed action and draft Environmental Impact Statement
should be directed to 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 proposed action.)
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: December 8, 2000.
Edward S. Sundra,
Senior Environmental Specialist.
[FR Doc. 00-32294 Filed 12-18-00; 8:45 am]
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