[Federal Register: June 3, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 106)]
[Notices]               
[Page 38309-38310]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03jn02-84]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Hamilton and Clermont Counties, 
OH, and Campbell County, KY

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 a 
Tiered Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) may be prepared for 
proposed multi-modal transportation projects in Hamilton and Clermont 
Counties, Ohio, and Campbell County, Kentucky.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark L. Vonder Embse, Urban Programs 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 200 North High Street, Room 
328, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Telephone: (614) 280-6854.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Ohio 
Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Hamilton County 
Transportation Improvement District (HCTID), will prepare a Tiered 
Environmental Impact Statement for proposed improvements in the Eastern 
Corridor of the City of Cincinnati, Ohio. Covering approximately 200 
square miles, the study area extends from the Cincinnati Business 
District east to the Communities of Milford, Batavia, and Amelia in 
Clermont County, and south into Northern Kentucky along I-275 and I-
471.
    The purpose and need of the project are to improve mobility and 
alleviate congestion in the Eastern Corridor. Alternatives under 
consideration include (1) Taking no action; and (2) a combination of 
the following: (a) Constructing a new highway on new location; (b) 
construction of new transit facilities; and (c) upgrading existing 
highway and transit facilities. FHWA, ODOT, HCTID and local agencies 
will be invited to participate in defining the alternatives to be 
evaluated in the Tiered EIS, and any significant social, economic, or 
environmental issues related to the alternatives.
    The purpose of this Tiered EIS is to document in a Record of 
Decision specific segments and their termini within the Eastern 
Corridor. The first tier will focus on broad issues such as general 
location, mode choice, and area-wide air quality and land use 
implications of the major alternatives. These individual projects will 
then advance as independent projects with individual NEPA decisions. 
The second tier will address site-specific details on project impacts, 
costs, and mitigation measures.
    Letters describing the proposed action and 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 series of public meetings 
will be held in the project

[[Page 38310]]

area. In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be 
given of the time and place of the meetings and hearing. A draft of the 
Tiered EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to the public hearing. Scoping activities will be conducted.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are identified and addressed, comments and suggestions are 
invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning 
this proposed action should be sent to the FHWA at the address provided 
above.

(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 program)

    Issued on: May 21, 2002.
Mark L. Vonder Embse,
Urban Programs Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Columbus, 
Ohio.
[FR Doc. 02-13830 Filed 5-31-02; 8:45 am]
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