[Federal Register: November 1, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 212)]
[Notices]
[Page 55238-55239]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01no01-92]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Federal Highway Administration
National Park Service
Environmental Impact Statement; Loudon, Fairfax, Fauquier, and
Prince William Counties, VA
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT; National Park
Service (NPS), DOI.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
[[Page 55239]]
environmental impact statement will be prepared, in cooperation with
the National Park Service (NPS), for potential transportation
improvements in the vicinity of the Manassas National Battlefield Park
to address the Manassas National Battlefield Park Amendments Act of
1988 which require relocation of US Route 29 and VA Route 234 in the
vicinity of the Park.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Van Dop, Environmental
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 21400 Ridgetop Circle,
Sterling, VA 20166, Telephone 703-404-6282 or John Marsh, Project
Manager, National Park Service, Denver Service Center, Telephone: (303)
969-2471.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a
computer, modem and suitable communications software from Government
Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661.
Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's home page
at: http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's web
site at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
Background
With this notice of intent, the FHWA and the NPS are initiating the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process including the
preparation of an environmental impact statement, for the Manassas
National Battlefield Bypass to study potential alternatives to relocate
US Route 29 and VA Route 234 in, and in the vicinity of, the Manassas
National Battlefield Park in Manassas, Virginia. In 1988, the Congress
enacted Public Law 100-647, 102 Stat. 3342, 3810. Title X of this Act
is cited as the Manassas National Battlefield Park Amendments of 1988.
In section 1004, the legislation states that:
[T]he Secretary of the Interior * * * in consultation with the
Commonwealth of Virginia, the Federal Highway Administration, and
Prince William County, shall conduct a study regarding the
relocation of highways (known as Routes 29 and 234) in, and in the
vicinity of, the Manassas National Battlefield Park. * * * The study
shall include an assessment of available alternatives, together with
cost estimates and recommendations regarding preferred options. The
study shall specifically consider and develop plans for the closing
of those public highways (known as Routes 29 and 234) that transect
the park and shall include analysis of the timing and method of such
closures and of means to provide alternative routes for traffic now
transecting the park. The Secretary shall provide for extensive
public involvement in the preparation of the study.
Recognizing that NEPA requires the consideration of a reasonable
range of alternatives that will address the Purpose and Need, the
environmental impact statement will include a range of alternatives for
detailed study consisting of a no-build alternative as well as other
alternatives including transportation system management strategies,
mass transit, improvements to existing roadways, and/or new alignment
facilities. These alternatives will be developed, screened, and
subjected to detailed analysis in the draft environmental impact
statement based on their ability to address the Purpose and Need, while
attempting to avoid known and sensitive resources.
Letters describing the proposed NEPA study and soliciting input
will be sent to the appropriate Federal, State and local agencies who
have expressed or are known to have an interest or legal role in this
proposal. It is anticipated that a formal scoping meeting will be held
as part of the NEPA process to facilitate local, state, and federal
agency involvement. Private organizations, citizens, and interest
groups will also have an opportunity to provide input into the
development of the Environmental Impact Statement and identify issues
that should be addressed. A comprehensive public participation program
will be developed to involve the public in the project development
process. Notices of public meetings or public hearings will be given
through various forums providing the time and place of the meeting
along with other relevant information. The draft environmental impact
statement will be available for public and agency review and comment
prior to the public meetings/hearings.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action are identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions
are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions
concerning this notice of proposed action and when the draft
environmental impact statement is made available should be directed to
the FHWA at the address provided under the caption For Further
Information Contact.
(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 proposed action.)
Authority: [23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48]
Issued on: October 18, 2001.
Donald R. Tuggle,
Director, Program Administration, Federal Highway Administration,
Sterling, Virginia.
Terry Carlstrom,
Regional Director, National Park Service, National Capital Region,
Washington, DC.
[FR Doc. 01-27410 Filed 10-31-01; 8:45 am]
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