[Federal Register: August 8, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 153)]
[Notices]
[Page 41653-41654]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08au01-118]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Lewis and Clark & Jefferson
Counties, MT
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
environmental impact statement will be prepared in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act for proposed transportation
improvement along the I-15 corridor in Helena, Lewis and Clark &
Jefferson Counties, Montana. The FHWA, in cooperation with the Montana
Department of Transportation (MDT), invites public comment and will be
holding public scoping meetings prior to commencing work on the
environmental impact statement.
Mail, fax or e-mail written comments to: Mr. Joel Marshik, P.E.,
Montana Department of Transportation, Environmental Services Manager,
2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620-1001, Fax: 406-444-7245, e-
mail:jmarshik@state.mt.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dale Paulson, Program Development
Engineer, FHWA Montana Division, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, Montana
59602; Telephone (406) 449-5302, extension 239; or Mr. Joel Marshik,
Manager, Environmental Services, Montana Department of Transportation,
2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620-1001; Telephone (406) 444-
7632.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with Montana
Department of Transportation (MDT), hereby give notice that they intend
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Public Law 910190, 83
Stat. 85291969), as amended, for corridor improvements to I-15 through
Helena, in Lewis and Clark & Jefferson Counties, Montana. This EIS will
evaluate the No Build and other Build Alternatives for proposed
improvements to I-15 in Lewis and Clark & Jefferson Counties and
determine the estimated costs and potential impacts associated with
each. The project study area is approximately 13 miles along I-15
between the Montana City and Lincoln Road interchanges. The project
includes public involvement, agency coordination, technical analysis,
and preparation of the environmental document to record the decision.
[[Page 41654]]
Interstate 15 is the only North-South interstate highway in
Montana. It is part of the National Highway System and has become
critically important in regional, interstate, and international travel
and commerce.
Increases in population and changes in land use patterns in the
Helena area have resulted in increased traffic volumes on Interstate 15
and on East-West roadways since its construction in 1962. This
increased traffic has decreased the operating efficiency of the
interchanges on I-15 and on the East-West roadways crossing the highway
corridor. I-15 has become a barrier to East-West travel, including
pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency access.
The purpose of the project is to accommodate anticipated traffic
volumes safely and efficiently, while similarly considering the
movement of east-west traffic crossing the I-15 corridor. The project
will address safety and operating efficiencies at I-15 interchange and
east-west roadways crossing I-15 between Lincoln Road and Montana City.
The crossing roadways will be studied to the extent necessary to ensure
their ability to collect and distribute anticipated traffic to and from
I-15.
The public involvement program will include the following:
Public Workshops and Meetings
Meetings and Presentations to Neighborhood Groups and
Business Organizations
Formation of an Advisory Committee of Local Citizens and
Agencies
Project Web Site (www.I-15helenaeis.com)
Telephone Information `Hotline' (406-458-4789)
Project Newsletter
Public Opinion Survey
The FHWA and MDT invite interested individuals, organizations,
Federal, State, and local agencies to participate in defining the
alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS and identifying any significant
social, economic, and environmental issues relating to the
alternatives. An information packet describing the purpose and need for
the project, the areas and issues to be evaluated, the citizen and
agency involvement program, and the preliminary project schedule will
be available at the public scoping meeting. These scoping materials may
be requested by contacting Mr. Joel Marshik at the address and phone
number above. Scoping comments may be made verbally at the public
scoping meeting or in writing. The public will receive notices on the
location and time of the scoping meeting through newspaper
advertisements and/or individual correspondence.
To ensure that a full range of issues related to this proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified,
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. If
you wish to be placed on the mailing list to receive further
information as the project develops, contact Mr. Joel Marshik as
previously described.
(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 date: July 31, 2001.
Dale W. Paulson,
Program Development Engineer, Montana Division, Federal Highway
Administration, Helena, MT.
[FR Doc. 01-19809 Filed 8-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M