[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 62506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23932]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Oconto & Marinette Counties, 
Wisconsin

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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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 
transportation improvements on the U.S. 41 corridor from Oconto to 
Peshtigo in Oconto and Marinette Counties, Wisconsin. The environmental 
impact statement will be prepared in conformance with 40 CFR part 1500 
and the FHWA regulations

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Johnny M Gerbitz, Field Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 567 D'Onofrio Drive, Madison, 
Wisconsin, 53719-2814; telephone: (608) 829-7500. You may also contact 
Mr. Eugene Johnson, Director, Bureau of Equity & Environmental 
Services, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 7965, 
Madison, Wisconsin, 53707-7965; telephone: number (608) 266-9626.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Offices' Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of Federal Register's 
home page at: http://www.archives.gov/ and the Government Printing 
Offices' database at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation, will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) on a proposal to provide capacity, safety and operational 
improvements on an approximate 21-mile (34-kilometer) portion of U.S. 
41 between the cities of Oconto and Peshtigo in Oconto and Marinette 
Counties, including community bypasses at Oconto and Peshtigo.
    FHWA's decision to prepare a draft EIS is based on the initial 
environmental assessment that indicates the proposed action is likely 
to have significant impacts on the environment including wetlands. The 
draft EIS will evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impacts 
of the alternatives including no build, improvements within the 
existing highway corridor, and improvements on new location.
    Information describing the proposed action and soliciting comments 
will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, private 
agencies and organizations, and citizens who have expressed or are 
known to have an interest in this proposal.
    During environmental assessment activities, agency scoping and 
coordination was conducted with state and federal review agencies 
(including an inter-agency meeting in September 2004), and there was 
extensive coordination with local officials and Native American Tribes. 
Public information meetings were also conducted from 2002 to 2004 and 
two open forum public hearings were held in August 1999. Another public 
information meeting is planned following completion of the draft EIS. 
Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meeting and 
the draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and 
comment prior to the meeting. Coordination with state and federal 
review agencies will also continue throughout preparation of the draft 
EIS.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed, and all substantive issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the draft EIS 
should be directed to FHWA or the Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation at the addresses provided under the heading FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

(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.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: October 20, 2004.
Johnny M Gerbitz,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Madison, 
Wisconsin.
[FR Doc. 04-23932 Filed 10-25-04; 8:45 am]
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