[Federal Register: March 3, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 41)]
[Notices]
[Page 10063-10064]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03mr03-111]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Missoula County, MT
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 in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act for proposed transportation
improvements in the vicinity of Miller Creek Road in Missoula County,
Montana.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Craig Genzlinger, P.E., Operations
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena,
Montana 59602; Telephone (406) 449-5302, extension 240 or Ms. Jeanette
Lostracco, Carter & Burgess, Inc., 707 17th Street, Suite 2300, Denver,
Colorado, 80202; Telephone (303) 820-4808.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA hereby gives notice that it intends
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat.
852, 1969), as amended, for road and bridge improvements in the
vicinity of Miller Creek Road, Missoula County, Montana. The study area
is approximately four miles long and three miles wide including
portions of US 93, the Bitterroot River, the city of Missoula, Missoula
County and Lolo National Forest. The study area begins near the
intersection of Miller Creek Road and US 93 to the north and extends
southward approximately four miles along US 93. The east-west
boundaries are approximately .25 miles west of US 93 and approximately
2.5 miles east of US 93.
Alternatives being considered will include a no build and build
alternatives. The build alternatives will connect to US 93 and provide
a new structure crossing the Bitterroot River.
Improvements to the corridor are necessary as the population is
expected to increase in the near future. The need for a second
connection to U.S. 93 in this area has been a priority to the local
community, Missoula County, and the city of Missoula. A second entrance
into the Miller Creek area is needed for safety and to relieve
congestion. An additional access could provide regional benefits to
connectivity, improving air quality by reducing total vehicle miles
traveled (VMT), improving pedestrian and bike circulation, facilitating
bus service to the Miller Creek and Linda Vista area, and providing
secondary emergency egress and, potentially, improved emergency
response times.
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 formal public scoping
meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at
the Linda Vista Golf Course Clubhouse located on 4915 Lower Miller
Creek Road, Missoula, Montana. Brief identical presentations will be
[[Page 10064]]
given at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. A series of public meetings will be held in
Missoula. 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.
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. Additional project
information can be obtained at the Web site (http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=www.millereis.com) or from
the Telephone Information `Hotline' (1-800-865-6905).
(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 an activities apply to this proposed action.)
(Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48)
Issued February 25, 2003.
Dale Paulson,
Program Development Engineer, Montana Division, Federal Highway
Administration, Helena, MT 59602.
[FR Doc. 03-4856 Filed 2-28-03; 8:45 am]
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