[Federal Register: August 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 159)]
[Notices]               
[Page 46260-46261]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17au07-101]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Travis County, TX

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to 40 CFR 1508.22 and 43 TAC 2.5(e)(2), the FHWA and 
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are issuing this notice to 
advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be 
prepared for a proposed transportation project on United States Highway 
(US) 290 from State Highway (SH) 130 to Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 973, 
about 3.2 miles, in Travis County, Texas. Areas within the cities of 
Manor and Austin are included in the study area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Salvador Deocampo, District 
Engineer, District A, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Texas 
Division, 300 East 8th Street, Rm 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone 
512-536-5950.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed roadway is listed in the 
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Mobility 2030 
Plan (the long-range transportation plan) as a six-lane tolled freeway. 
The need for the US 290 project has resulted from rapid population 
growth in the project area and in surrounding areas in recent years, 
which is expected to further increase well into the foreseeable future. 
It is anticipated that this population growth will result in increased 
levels of vehicular traffic, with a corresponding increase in traffic 
accidents, a decrease in the roadway's traffic handling capability, and 
a decline in the functionality of the roadway as part of an area-wide 
transportation system. The purpose of the proposed project is to 
increase capacity and improve mobility in the roadway corridor while 
enhancing safety and system interconnectivity, in compliance with the 
adopted CAMPO Mobility 2030 Plan. The EIS will evaluate a range of 
alternatives, including the alternative of no action.
    The EIS will evaluate potential impacts from construction and 
operation of the proposed roadway including, but not limited to, the 
following: Transportation impacts (construction detours, construction 
traffic, and mobility improvement), air quality and noise impacts from 
construction equipment and operation of the facilities, water quality 
impacts from construction area and roadway storm water runoff, impacts 
to waters of the United States including wetlands from right-of-way 
encroachment, impacts to historic and archeological resources, impacts 
to floodplains, and impacts and/or potential displacements to residents 
and businesses, land use, vegetation, wildlife, aesthetic and visual 
resources, socioeconomic resources, and cumulative impacts.
    Public involvement is a critical component of the project 
development process and will occur throughout the planning and study 
phases. Public

[[Page 46261]]

scoping meetings are planned, but have not yet been scheduled. The 
purpose of the public scoping meetings is to solicit public comments on 
the proposed action as part of the National Environmental Policy Act 
process. The scoping meetings, pursuant to Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU 
will provide opportunities for participating agencies, cooperating 
agencies, and the public to be involved in review and comment on the 
draft coordination plan, defining the need and purpose for the proposed 
project, and determining the range of alternatives to be considered in 
the EIS. Letters describing the proposed action including a request for 
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.
    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: August 13, 2007.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 07-4024 Filed 8-16-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-22-M