[Federal Register: November 13, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 219)]
[Notices]               
[Page 67791-67792]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13no00-156]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

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 road 
project in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William C. Farr, Program Operations 
Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 5304 Flanders Drive, Suite A, 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70808, Telephone: (225) 757-7615, Facsimile: 
(225) 757-7601.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Louisiana 
Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to

[[Page 67792]]

upgrade a portion of US 90 to a full ``Control of Access'' highway 
meeting current interstate standards. US 90 will become an extension of 
Interstate 49 (I-49). The proposed project passes through the 
municipalities of Patterson and Berwick as well as the unincorporated 
community of Bayou Vista, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. The approximate 
distance of the project is 9 miles.
    The proposed improvements would provide sufficient capacity for 
hurricane evacuation routes, maintain access to abutting properties, 
and minimize adverse environmental and community impacts.
    This portion of US 90 begins east of the Wax Lake Outlet Bridge and 
extends to the interchange with LA 182 in Berwick, St. Mary Parish.
    Alternatives to be considered include: (1) Utilization of the 
existing right-of-way to the maximum extent practicable to incorporate 
a controlled access roadway with a one-way frontage road system; and 
(2) Utilization of the existing right-of-way to the maximum extent 
practicable to incorporate a controlled access roadway with a two-way 
frontage road system.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, state, and local agencies and to 
private organizations, including groups of individuals who have 
expressed interest in the project in the past. There are no plans to 
hold a formal scoping meeting for the proposed action. At least one 
public informational meeting will be held in the project area that will 
be affected. In addition, a Public Hearing will be held. Public notice 
will be given of the time and place of the public informational 
meeting(s) and the Public 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 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: October 31, 2000.
William A. Sussmann,
Division Administrator, FHWA, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
[FR Doc. 00-28869 Filed 11-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M