[Federal Register: December 22, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 246)]
[Notices]
[Page 77084]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22de06-131]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Notice To Rescind a Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS); Bannock County, ID
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the
Notice of Intent (NOI) published on May 3, 2006 to prepare an EIS for a
proposed highway project in Bannock County, Idaho is being rescinded.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Edwin B. Johnson, Field Operations
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 3050 Lakeharbor Lane, Suite
126, Boise, Idaho 83703, Telephone: (208) 334-9180, ext. 116, or Mr.
Dennis Clark, Environmental Section Manager, Headquarters, Idaho
Transportation Department, P.O. Box 7129, Boise, Idaho 83703-1129,
Telephone: (208) 334-8203.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FHWA, in cooperation with the Idaho Transportation Department
(ITD), is rescinding the NOI to prepare an EIS for a project that has
been proposed to provide a new access point along Interstate 15 (I-15)
in Bannock County, Idaho. The NOI is being rescinded because ITD and
FHWA have determined that the project will have no significant impacts
and an EIS is not necessary or appropriate for the environmental
evaluation.
The I-15 Environmental Study began in June 2004. Initial projects
indicated that an Environmental Assessment (EA) would be an appropriate
level of documentation for project impacts. Additional environmental
scans and screening did not reveal significant impacts to support a
change in the level of documentation. Alternatives were developed and
advanced into further screening where actual footprints were evaluated
for impacts within the project limits. One of the alternatives showed
greater impacts than others being evaluated during the continued
screening process. In response to that finding it was thought that an
EIS would be the best method to discuss impacts from this alternative.
Consequently, an NOI was published on May 3, 2006.
A public meeting was held on June 22, 2006 to solicit comments from
the public on alternatives being considered. An additional screening
analysis was performed in conjunction with the public meeting. Based
upon the results of that screening analysis and public comments
received on this analysis, some of the alternatives were dropped from
further analysis due to potential significant impacts to the built and
natural environment as well as to traffic operations. At this point in
the project development process, no significant human or natural
environmental impacts are evident in the I-15 Environmental Study
project that would require an EIS. If, at any point in the EA process,
it is determined that the action is likely to have a significant impact
on the environment, the preparation of an EIS will be required.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action and all significant issues are identified, comments and
suggestions are invited from all interested parties regarding this
action to rescind the NOI published May 3, 2006 for the highway project
in Bannock County, Idaho. Comments or questions concerning this
proposed action should be directed to the FHWA or ITD at the addresses
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 the
program.]
Issued on December 12, 2006.
Stephen A. Moreno,
Division Administrator, Boise, Idaho.
[FR Doc. 06-9779 Filed 12-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M