[Federal Register: August 2, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 148)]
[Notices]
[Page 43786-43787]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02au06-98]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[CGD13-06-034]
Announcement of Public Hearing Regarding the Interstate 5 Bridge
Replacement Project Across the Columbia River Between Portland, OR and
Vancouver, WA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of public hearing.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will hold a public hearing to receive comments
on the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project, also known as the
Columbia River Crossing Project, between Portland, Oregon and
Vancouver, Washington. The dual vertical lift highway bridges across
the Columbia River, mile 106.5, are being examined as candidates for
replacement. Comments regarding impacts that the proposed bridge
replacement project may have on navigation of the Columbia River and
the environment will be of particular relevance to the Coast Guard's
bridge permitting responsibilities.
DATES: This hearing will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2006, from
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., or later if necessary. Attendees at the hearing who
wish to present testimony and have not previously made a request to do
so, will follow those having submitted a request, as time permits.
Written material and requests to make oral comment must be received by
the Bridge Administrator at the address given under ADDRESSES on or
before September 14, 2006.
ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the Red Lion Hotel on the
River--Jantzen Beach, 909 North Hayden Drive, Portland, Oregon. The
Timberline Room downstairs from the main lobby has been reserved. Send
written material and requests to make oral comment to Mr. Austin Pratt,
Bridge Administrator, Commander (dpw), Thirteenth Coast Guard District,
915 Second Avenue, Room 3510, Seattle, WA 98174-1067.
Commander (dpw) maintains the public docket and comments and
material received from the public will become part of docket [CGD13-06-
034] and will be available for inspection or copying at the above
address between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions regarding this
notice or the proposed project, call Mr. Austin Pratt, Thirteenth Coast
Guard District, Bridge Administrator, telephone (206) 220-7282.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Action
The Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project under consideration
will improve the mobility, reliability, and accessibility for
automobile, freight, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian users of the
Interstate 5 corridor from State Route 500 in Vancouver to Columbia
Boulevard in Portland while meeting the reasonable needs of navigation.
The existing Interstate 5 dual vertical lift highway bridges currently
provide a 40-foot vertical clearance in the closed position. When
raised, the lift spans increase the vertical clearance to 178.9 feet.
Critical issues include the determination of the vertical clearance in
a fixed span alternative as well as pier placement in the river. In
addition to current navigational interests, existing conditions
potentially impacting navigational clearances include the surrounding
land uses, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe rail line bridge
(approximately one mile downstream), and the glide path requirements
for Pearson Airpark in Vancouver and Portland International Airport in
Portland. While the main focus of the hearing is to allow interested
persons to present comments and information concerning the impact of
the proposed bridge project on navigation and air space, comments
concerning impacts on the human environment may also be presented and
will be included in the public record.
The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit
Administration are the joint lead Federal agencies for satisfying the
requirements of Section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (NEPA), and the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) has commenced. The Coast Guard is a cooperating
agency. This replacement bridge project will require a bridge permit
from the Coast Guard (33 U.S.C. 525) and environmental review pursuant
to NEPA.
Procedural
All interested parties will have an opportunity to be heard and to
present evidence regarding the impacts of the proposed bridge project.
Written statements and other exhibits in lieu of,
[[Page 43787]]
or in addition to, oral statements at the hearing must be submitted to
the Bridge Administrator at the address listed under ADDRESSES on or
before September 14, 2006, to be included in the Public Hearing
transcript.
Comments, including names and home addresses, may be published as
part of the Final EIS. If you wish to withhold your name or street
address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of
Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of
your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent
allowed by law. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and
from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials
of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection
in their entirety.
Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities
For information about facilities or services for individuals with
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact
the Commander (dpw), Thirteenth Coast Guard District. Please request
these services by contacting the Bridge Administrator at the phone
number under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or in writing at the
address listed under ADDRESSES. Any requests for an oral or sign
language interpreter must be received as soon as possible.
Dated: July 14, 2006.
N.E. Mpras,
Chief, Office of Bridge Administration, U.S. Coast Guard,
[FR Doc. E6-12472 Filed 8-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P