[Federal Register: March 5, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 42)]
[Notices]
[Page 9656]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr09-91]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement; Manatee and Hillsborough
Counties, FL
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 (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed
highway project in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties, Florida.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda Anderson, Environmental
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 545 John Knox Road,
Tallahassee, Florida 32301, Telephone: (850) 942-9650 extension 3053.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT), will prepare an EIS for a proposal
to improve access between Port Manatee and Interstate 75 (I-75) in
Manatee and Hillsborough Counties. The study area for the proposed
project generally extends from south of I-275 to south of State Road
674 and from the Tampa Bay coast line to east of I-75, in northern
Manatee County or southern Hillsborough County. The study corridor is
approximately 7 miles long. An enhanced roadway connection from I-75 to
Port Manatee would serve as a crucial freight route, improve the
overall efficiency of the existing highway network and relieve
congestion at the gateway to the port.
Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2)
upgrades to existing roadways; and (3) alternatives on a new east-west
alignment. A potential new roadway alignment would provide access to
Port Manatee at U.S. 41 and connect to a new or modified interchange
with I-75.
Coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies,
and with private organizations and citizens who have expressed interest
in this proposal has been undertaken and will continue. A series of
public meetings and a public hearing will be held in Manatee County
between September 2008 and December 2010. Public notice will be given
of the time and place of the meetings and hearing. Prior to the public
hearing, the Draft EIS will be made available for public and agency
review and comment. There are no plans to hold a formal scoping meeting
after this notice of intent to prepare an EIS. The information gained
through agency meetings, the Florida Efficient Transportation Decision
Making (ETDM) process, and public involvement will be used for scoping.
As part of the scoping process, a series of meetings were held between
September 23-30, 2008 to provide affected government agencies,
interested groups, and the public with an opportunity to review and
comment on the draft purpose and need statement developed for the
project. A subsequent series of meetings is anticipated for summer 2009
to provide agencies and the public an opportunity for input into the
alternatives analysis and development. The ETDM process is approved by
FHWA as meeting the streamlining requirements of Section 6002 of the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed
action is 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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this
program.)
Issued on: February 26, 2009.
Linda Anderson,
Environmental Protection Specialist.
[FR Doc. E9-4736 Filed 3-4-09; 8:45 am]
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