[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 2922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-899]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Addison and Rutland Counties, VT

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 an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for proposed 
improvements to freight transportation to and from Middlebury, Vermont.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Sikora, Environmental Program 
Manager, Federal Highway Administration, P.O. Box 568, Montpelier, 
Vermont 05601. Telephone: 802-828-4573.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Vermont 
Agency of Transportation (VTrans), will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for a proposal to improve the transportation of large 
amounts of industrial materials to and from Middlebury along the U.S. 
Route 7 corridor.
    Improvements in the corridor are considered necessary to provide 
for existing and projected movement of freight to and from Middlebury 
via U.S. Route 7. Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking 
no action; (2) improving existing U.S. Route 7; and (3) adding a new 
rail line with associated connector tracks and access roads. 
Incorporated into and studied with the various build alternatives will 
be design variations of grade and alignment.
    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 an interest in this proposal. A series of public meetings 
will be held in Middlebury and other communities along Route 7. In 
addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of 
the time and place of the meetings and hearing. The draft EIS will be 
available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public 
hearing. No formal scoping meeting is planned at this time.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed 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 11, 2005.
Kenneth R. Sikora, Jr.,
Environmental Program Manager, Montpelier, Vermont.
[FR Doc. 05-899 Filed 1-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M