[Federal Register: August 7, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 152)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42476-42477]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07au98-164]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties, 
TX

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 
transportation project in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Mack, P.E., Federal Highway 
Administration, Texas Division, 300 East 8th Street, Room 826, Austin, 
Texas 78701, Telephone (512) 916-5516.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Grand Parkway Association, 
will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to 
upgrade the existing road network in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties. A 
major investment study is underway to evaluate various modal options 
between U.S. 59 (S) and SH 288. The proposed action will occur within a 
corridor in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties. The majority of this 
corridor crosses relatively undeveloped properties in Fort Bend and 
Brazoria Counties. Cities and towns in the region include, Sugar Land, 
Richmond, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Thompsons and Iowa Colony.
    The Grand Parkway Association proposes to build a facility to 
provide improved transportation characteristics in the region, 
including improvement to the evacuation routes from coastal areas in 
Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria Counties.
    Several alignment alternatives will be discussed in the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS will also include 
evaluation of the no action alternative. Alignment alternatives through 
and near urban areas as will as alignments through farmland will be 
evaluated in the DEIS.
    Impacts caused by the construction and operation of the facility 
will vary according to the alternative alignment utilized. Generally, 
impacts would include the following: transportation impacts 
(construction detours, construction traffic, mobility improvement and 
evacuation route improvement), air and noise impacts from construction 
equipment and operation of the facility, water quality impacts from 
construction area and roadway storm water runoff, impacts to waters of 
the United States including wetlands from right of way encroachment, 
and impacts to residents and businesses based on potential 
displacements.
    Letters describing the proposed action soliciting comments will be 
sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private 
organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known 
to have interest in this proposal. A public scoping meeting will be 
held at August 20, 1998 at the George Ranch Historical Park, 5 miles 
south of US 59 on FM 762 in Guy Hall at 7:00 P.M. Public comments on 
the proposed action and alternatives will be requested. This will be 
the first of a series of meetings to evaluate alternatives, corridor 
alternatives and design alternative alignments. a public hearing will 
be held at a later time, with

[[Page 42477]]

copies of DEIS 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 Environmental Impact 
Statement should be directed to the FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway and Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding governmental consultation on Federal 
programs and activities apply to this program.)
John R. Mack,
District Engineer, Austin, Texas.
[FR Doc. 98-21218 Filed 8-6-98; 8:45 am]
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