[Federal Register: January 16, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 11)]
[Notices]
[Page 3129-3130]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16ja09-155]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Tiered Environmental Impact Statement: Sandoval County and
Bernalillo County, New Mexico
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), USDOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public and other
agencies that a tiered environmental impact statement will be prepared
for a proposed transportation corridor in Sandoval County and
Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The objective of the tiered EIS is to
evaluate right-of-way preservation for the proposed corridor.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Finch, District Engineer,
Federal Highway Administration, New Mexico Division, 4001 Office Court
Drive, Suite 801, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, Telephone (505) 820-2039;
or, Phillip Rios, Sandoval County Public Works Director, Box 40,
Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004, Telephone (505) 771-3312.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New Mexico
Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and Sandoval County, will prepare
a tiered environmental impact statement (tiered EIS) to preserve right-
of-way for a proposed transportation corridor located in Sandoval
County and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The purpose of the tiered EIS
is to determine the alignment and right-of-way needs and to evaluate
impacts to the natural and human environment for a future
transportation corridor that would connect Interstate 40 and U.S. 550
west of the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The proposed corridor would
begin near milepost 142 on Interstate 40. From its start at I-40, the
proposed roadway would extend in a northerly direction for
approximately 23 miles. At this point, the route would turn in an
easterly direction and continue to its terminus at U.S. 550 near
milepost 7.2. The total length of the proposed corridor is
approximately 39 miles.
The purpose of first tier EIS is limited to establishing the
alignment and right-of-way boundaries for the proposed corridor. It is
not intended to authorize construction of a new roadway or any portion
thereof. Authorization for construction will require the preparation of
second tier environmental documents.
The proposed transportation corridor is considered necessary to
provide
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future roadways and other transportation infrastructure that will help
facilitate orderly growth and development and access to areas within
Bernalillo County and Sandoval County planned for development. In the
longer term, the proposed transportation corridor will also provide a
safe and efficient outer beltway for the expanding Albuquerque and Rio
Rancho metropolitan area. Alternatives under consideration include: (1)
Taking no action; and, (2) various centerline alignment alternatives.
Letters describing the proposed action and requesting comments will
be sent to appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, and to
private organizations and individuals who have previously expressed, or
are known to have an interest, in the proposed action. A scoping
meeting(s) will be scheduled in early February 2009. Agencies and other
potential stakeholders having a likely interest in the proposed project
will be informed of the scoping meeting by letter and by notices
published in local and regional newspapers.
A notice of intent to prepare a tiered EIS will be published in
local newspapers in January 2008. The local notice will describe the
proposed action and the intent of FHWA, NMDOT, and Sandoval County to
prepare an environmental impact statement. It will also request
comments from the public on issues of interest and concern and on
alternatives to be considered.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified,
comments, suggestions, and questions are invited from all interested
parties. Comments, questions, and suggestions about the proposed action
and the EIS 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 January 12, 2009.
J. Don Martinez,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
[FR Doc. E9-913 Filed 1-15-09; 8:45 am]
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