[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 35083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3109]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement, Travis and Hays County, TX

AGENCY:  Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY:  Pursuant to 40 CFR 1508.22 and 43 TAC Sec.  2.5(e)(2), the 
Federal Highway Administration and the Texas Department of 
Transportation (TxDOT) are issuing this notice that an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed highway project 
on United States Highway (US) 290 from Ranch to Market (RM) 12 to Farm 
to Market (FM) 1826 in Travis and Hays County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr. Salvador Deocampo, FHWA Texas 
Division District Engineer at 300 East 8th Street, Room 826, Austin, 
Texas 78701.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  From RM 12 to FM 1826, US 290 is an 
undivided 4-lane roadway with no shoulders except where 14-foot turn 
lanes and 10-foot shoulders have been recently added at various 
intersections to improve safety. The Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning 
Organization (CAMPO) travel demand model shows the need for a 4-6 lane 
limited access freeway from RM 12 to FM 1826. Therefore, a corridor 
study, which is included in the CAMPO 2030 Mobility Plan, is ongoing to 
evaluate the options for improving mobility on US 290 from RM 12 to FM 
1826. To date, the corridor study indicates that a 6-lane limited 
access freeway would improve mobility and increase safety. The EIS will 
include the evaluation of a range of alternative locations for the 6-
lane limited access freeway and the no action alternative.
    The EIS will evaluate the impacts that might occur as a result of 
the development of a 6-lane limited access freeway from RM 12 to FM 
1826. Resources to be evaluated include historic resources, air 
quality, noise, ground and surface water resources, socio-economics, 
etc.
    It is anticipated that a United States Army Corps of Engineers, 
Section 404 nationwide permit would be required at several tributary 
crossings. A Notice of Intent and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan 
would be required to adhere to Environmental Protection Agency, Texas 
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System as administered by the Texas 
Commission on Environmental Quality.
    Opportunities for public involvement will begin with two Scoping 
Meetings anticipated to be held in July 2007. One meeting will be held 
in southwest Austin, Texas, and the other will be held in Dripping 
Springs, Texas. The scoping meetings are an opportunity for 
participating agencies, cooperating agencies, and the public to review 
and comment on the draft coordination plan, to be involved in defining 
the purpose and need for the proposed project and to assist with 
determining the alternatives to be considered. 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 or TxDOT 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: June 20, 2007.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 07-3109 Filed 6-25-07; 8:45 am]
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