[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 88 (Friday, May 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 26271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11221]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Valencia County, NM

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 
new east-west highway and Rio Grande river crossing in Valencia County, 
New Mexico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory D. Rawlings, Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 604 W. San Mateo Road, 
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505, telephone: (505) 820-2027; or F. Craig 
Conley, Environmental Program Manager, New Mexico State Highway and 
Transportation Department, P.O. Box 1149, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504, 
telephone: (505) 827-5233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New Mexico 
State Highway and Transportation Department, will prepare an EIS for a 
proposed new highway that would link Interstate 25 (I-25) and New 
Mexico Highway 47 (NM 47) in Valencia County, NM. The study area 
encompasses a corridor approximately 4 miles wide and between I-25 and 
NM 47. The southern boundary of the corridor lies approximately 5 miles 
north of Reinken Road (NM Highway 309) through the City of Belen. The 
northern boundary of the corridor lies approximately 1.5 miles south of 
Main Street (NM Highway 6) through the Village of Los Lunas.
    The need for a new east-west highway and river crossing that would 
connect I-25 and NM 47 is founded in several factors including rapid 
population growth, employment growth and congested roadways. Continuing 
population and employment growth is projected to occur on both sides of 
the Rio Grande in the project corridor, necessitating additional east 
to west travel. The current highway system to serve this growth is 
limited to two 4-lane highways spaced over 10 miles apart, and is 
projected to become severely congested. Alternatives to be considered 
by the EIS will include the No Action alternative and various route 
alternative(s) developed during the initial corridor study phase and 
scoping process. Alternatives are being developed with input from 
stakeholder jurisdictions, agencies, landowners, and the general 
public. The alternatives will also consider different lane 
configurations, access management concepts, roadway profiles, and 
system and demand management measures. Preliminary scoping for the 
project has included: (1) Introductory information sent to federal, 
state, tribal, and local agencies, public and private organizations, 
and individuals identified as potentially-interested or affected 
parties; (2) public information meetings conducted in the study area to 
solicit preliminary issues and concerns regarding the proposed action; 
(3) briefings to local jurisdictions; and, (4) meetings with various 
neighborhood groups, Native American groups and other stakeholder 
groups. A scoping letter describing the proposed action will be sent to 
interested agencies followed by a formal agency scoping meeting planned 
for Summer 2000. Additional public meetings will be held to discuss 
FHWA's intention to prepare an EIS. These meetings will provide an 
opportunity for additional public and agency input.
    A public hearing will be held to present the findings of the Draft 
EIS (DEIS) during the public review period. The DEIS will be available 
for public and agency review and comment prior to the hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed all significant issues identified, comments and 
suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning the proposed action and EIS should be directed to 
the FHWA or NMSHTD at the addresses provided above.

(Catalogue 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 and 23 U.S.C. 315; 
49 CFR 1.48 apply to this program.)

    Issued on April 26, 2000.
Gregory D. Rawlings,
Environmental Specialist, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-11221 Filed 5-4-00; 8:45 am]
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