[Federal Register: July 25, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 142)]
[Notices]
[Page 40922-40923]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25jy07-111]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement; Graham County,
NC
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of
Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a
Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (Supp. FEIS) will be
prepared for the proposed relocation of U.S. 74 from U.S. 129 in
Robbinsville to NC 28 in Stecoah, Graham County, North Carolina. The
proposed project would be the construction of a four-lane divided
highway approximately 11 miles in length. This project is identified as
TIP Project No. A-9 B&C.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clarence W. Coleman, P.E.,
Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 New Bern
Avenue, Suite 410, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1418, telephone: (919)
856-4350, Extension 133.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed relocation is part of the North
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) Project No. A-9, which includes four
different relocation projects, identified as TIP Project Nos. A-9 A, B,
C, & D. The ``A'' portion of the project begins in Cherokee County with
a proposed terminus in Andrews and extends into Graham County with a
proposed terminus in Robbinsville. The proposed relocation from
Robbinsville to Stecoah is the ``B & C'' portion of the project. The
``D'' portion of the project begins in Stecoah and extends east into
Swain County, terminating in Almond; most of this segment is complete.
An FEIS for the entire A-9 project was completed in 1984. Federal
regulations impose a three-year restriction, commencing from the time a
document is signed, for action to be taken on a project. If action is
not taken within this period, a reevaluation of the FEIS is required.
The Supp. FEIS will serve as this reevaluation (40 CFR 1502.9). The
FEIS identified a Preferred Corridor for the entire A, B, C, & D
corridor from Andrews to Almond. A reevaluation was completed for A-9D
(a widening project), while A-9 A, B, & C (the new location portion)
was subject to further analysis due to the project's potential impacts.
The Supp. FEIS and its associated technical memorandum (indirect and
cumulative effects report, air analysis, noise analysis, etc.) are
being prepared only for the B & C portion of the project. The A portion
of the project is currently unfunded. The project includes a tunnel
under Stecoah Gap where an easement will be obtained from the U.S.
Forest Service. The project corridor follows the existing NC 143
alignment in some areas; however, the majority of the project is on new
location, as is the area through Stecoah Gap. The project also includes
several new stream crossings including a bridge over Stecoah Creek.
The purpose of this project is to improve the US 74 corridor
throughout the state providing better system linkage, economic and
social development, highway capacity, and safety resulting in road user
savings from a more efficient highway facility. It will also provide
better accessibility with highway connections for Graham County. The
proposed US 74 relocation is part of the Appalachian Development
Highway System (ADHS), which would complete a missing link in the
Appalachian Highway Corridor K. In summary, the purpose of the ADHS is
to improve the economic conditions of the region by providing the
infrastructure necessary for economic and human resource development.
A scoping letter was sent to federal and state resource agencies on
December 5, 1995, and an interagency scoping meeting held on January 4,
1996. Additional interagency meetings were held on July 31, 1996,
December 9, 1999, January 20, 2004, and September 19, 2006. An
interagency meeting is currently scheduled for August 14, 2007. Public
involvement has occurred for this project. The first Citizens
Informational Workshop was held in two locations to accommodate
interests at each end of the entire ABC project study area. The first
workshop was held on March 11, 1996, at the Robbinsville High School in
Robbinsville; the second was held at the Andrews Community Center in
Andrews. The second Citizens Informational Workshop was also held in
two locations on subsequent days. The workshop in Robbinsville was held
October 28, 1996, at the Robbinsville High School; the second on
October 29, 1996, at the Andrews Community Center in Andrews. The third
Citizens Informational Workshop was also held on subsequent days in
Robbinsville and
[[Page 40923]]
Andrews. The workshop in Robbinsville was held March 14, 2000, at the
Robbinsville High School; the second on March 15, 2000, at the Andrews
Community Center in Andrews. The most recent Citizens Informational
Workshop was held on November 28, 2006, at the Graham County Community
Building in Robbinsville. Local Officials Meetings were held
immediately before the Citizens Informational Workshops with the
exception of the November 28, 2006, workshop.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed
action is addressed and all significant issues are identified, comments
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments and
questions concerning the proposed action 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: July 19, 2007.
Clarence W. Coleman,
P.E., Operations Engineer, Raleigh, North Carolina.
[FR Doc. E7-14352 Filed 7-24-07; 8:45 am]
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