[Federal Register: November 12, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 218)]
[Notices]               
[Page 63350-63351]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12no98-118]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Howell, Michigan

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 proposed vehicular 
improvements for access to the Kent County International Airport and 
areas surrounding the airport in the southeast Grand Rapids and 
Kentwood area of, Kent County, Michigan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. James Kirschensteiner, Environmental Programs and Field Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 315 W. Allegan Street, 
Lansing, Michigan 48933, Telephone (517) 377-1880 x 41, Mr. Ron Kinney, 
Manager, Environmental Section, Bureau of Transportation Planning, 
Michigan Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, 
Michigan 48909, Telephone (517) 335-2621, or Mr. Steve Warren, Kent 
County Road Commission, 1500 Scribner Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 
49504, Telephone (616) 752-7111.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Michigan 
Department of Transportation (MDOT), Kent County Road Commission, Grand 
Valley Metropolitan Council, City of Kentwood, Cascade Charter 
Township, Kent County International Airport, and the Grand Rapids Area 
Transit Authority, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for proposed access improvements to the Kent County International 
Airport and environs. The area is experiencing significant growth and 
development. Currently there is no direct airport access to and from 
the freeway system. Existing roadways accessing the airport and the 
surrounding environs are not able to accommodate current and future 
traffic volumes in an acceptable manner.
    A Major Investment Study is underway to narrow the range of 
alternative investment strategies. The alternatives under consideration 
include (1) No Build, (2) the construction of a new I-96 Interchange at 
a new location, and (3) implementing traffic management programs which 
could include expansion of transit ridership, and/or travel demand 
management initiatives.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, with a 
Scoping Document. A substantial public involvement effort is currently 
underway to solicit public views and comments. Two public involvement 
efforts have been conducted to date under the Major Investment Study: 
the first in April 1998

[[Page 63351]]

and the second on October 21, 1998, to provide the public an 
opportunity to discuss the proposed action. A public hearing will also 
be held on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Public notice will 
be given of the time and place of the hearing. The Draft EIS will be 
available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public 
hearing. A Scoping Meeting is scheduled for November 23, 1998, at 9:00 
a.m. at the Kent County Road Commission.
    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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Issued on: November 3, 1998.
Norman R. Stoner,
Assistant Division Administrator, Lansing, Michigan.
[FR Doc. 98-30268 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M