[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 17, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39129-39130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3464]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement, Canyon and Ada Counties, ID I-84, 
Karcher Interchange to Five Mile Road Environmental Study

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Letter of Project Initiation; Notice of Intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); and initiation of public and 
agency scoping for the addition of traffic lanes, interchange 
configuration improvements, structure widening, structure replacements 
and pavement reconstruction to Interstate 84 (I-84) from the Karcher 
Interchange in Canyon County to the Five Mile Road overpass in Ada 
County, Idaho.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA hereby gives notice that it intends to prepare an EIS 
for the proposed addition of lanes and other reconstruction 
improvements to approximately 16 miles of I-84 between the Karcher 
Interchange in Canyon County and Five Mile Road in Ada County, Idaho. 
The environmental study will evaluate the potential impacts of design 
alternatives for future construction of the additional lanes and 
several associated staged improvement projects of this highway segment. 
This EIS is being prepared and considered in accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, regulations of the 
Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and FWHA 
regulations, guidance and policy.
    Anticipated Federal approvals/actions needed for this project to be 
constructed include permits for Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water 
Act (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and compliance with Section 106 of 
the National Historic Preservation Act.
    Cooperating Agencies: There are no cooperating agencies identified 
for this project.

DATES: Public comments and questions are welcome anytime during the 
NEPA process and should be directed to the addresses listed below. 
Additional formal opportunities for public participation after the 
Public Scoping are tentatively scheduled as follows:

Review and comment of Draft EIS (including a public hearing): Early 
2009.
Review of Final EIS: Summer of 2009.

    Notices of availability for the Draft EIS, Final EIS and Record of 
Decision will be provided through direct mail, the Federal Register and 
other media. Notification also will be sent to Federal, State, local 
agencies, persons, and organizations that submit comments or questions. 
Precise schedules and locations for public meetings will be announced 
in the local news media. Interested individuals and organizations may 
request to be included on the mailing list for the distribution of 
meeting announcements and associated information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edwin Johnson, Field Operations 
Engineer; Federal Highway Administration, 3050 Lake Harbor Lane, Suite 
126, Boise, Idaho 83703, Telephone: (208) 334-9180; or Gwen Smith, 
GARVEE Public Involvement Coordinator, Idaho Transportation Department, 
P.O. Box 7129, Boise, Idaho 83707-1129, Telephone: (208) 334-4444.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic access

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

Background

    The FHWA in cooperation with the Idaho Transportation Department 
(ITD) will prepare an EIS for the proposed addition of lanes and other 
staged associated reconstruction improvement projects to approximately 
16 miles of I-84 between the Karcher Interchange in Canyon County (Mile 
Post 33) and Five Mile Road (Mile Post 49) in Ada County, Idaho. These 
associated projects could include reconstructing existing lanes, 
reconstructing interchanges at Meridian Road and Garrity Boulevard; 
replacing seven overpass structures at Five Mile Road, Cloverdale Road, 
Ten Mile Road, 11th Avenue, Franklin Boulevard, Northwest Boulevard and 
Karcher Boulevard; ramp modifications at the

[[Page 39130]]

Eagle Road Interchange, Franklin Boulevard, Meridian Road Interchange, 
and Karcher Interchange; two railroad structures; and six irrigation/
canal structures. Three of these associated projects are currently 
identified in the Idaho State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) 
for District 3, as projects funded through Connecting Idaho GARVEE. 
These projects are:
    <bullet> The reconstruction and widening of the existing Garrity 
overpass to accommodate additional lanes on I-84.
    <bullet> The reconstruction and widening of I-84 mainline from 
Franklin Boulevard to the Garrity Road Interchange.
    <bullet> The reconstruction and widening of the Garrity Interchange 
to Meridian Interchange.
    Another associated project that is anticipated to be added to the 
2008 STIP is:
    <bullet> The reconstruction of the east half of the Franklin 
Boulevard Interchange.
    Additional associated projects have been identified through 
previous studies, the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho 
(COMPASS) MPO plan and other long range planning documents. These 
projects have been presented to the public through public meetings, 
workshops, and publicly distributed documents. These projects are not 
in the current STIP or may not be programmed for funding at this time, 
but have been identified as a needed improvement through these studies. 
These projects are:
    <bullet> The rehabilitation of the bridge on the eastbound lane of 
the Karcher Boulevard Interchange.
    <bullet> The rehabilitation of the I-84, UPRR overpass, westbound 
lanes.
    <bullet> Widening I-84 mainline from Eagle Road to the Five Mile 
Overcrossing at Mile Post 49.
    <bullet> Widening I-84 mainline from Ten Mile Road to Eagle Road.
    <bullet> Widening I-84 mainline from Garrity Boulevard to Ten Mile 
Road.
    <bullet> The Meridian Road Interchange improvement project.
    <bullet> Reconstruction of the Garrity Boulevard Interchange.
    Notice is hereby given that the public scoping process has been 
initiated to prepare an EIS that will address the impacts of and 
alternatives to the proposal. The purpose of the scoping process is to 
solicit public comment regarding the full spectrum of issues and 
concerns, including a suitable range of alternatives, and the nature 
and extent of potential environmental impacts and appropriate 
mitigation measures that should be addressed in the EIS process. The 
EIS will examine the short and long-term impacts of a reasonable range 
of alternatives, including the no action alternative, on the natural, 
physical, and human environments. The impacts assessment will include, 
but not be limited to, impacts on wetlands, wildlife; social 
environment; changes in land use; noise, aesthetics; changes in 
traffic; and economic impacts. Environmental Justice (as outlined in 
Executive Order 12898) will also be addressed as part of the impact 
assessment. The EIS will also examine measures to mitigate adverse 
impacts resulting from the proposed action.
    Comments are being solicited from Federal, State, and local 
agencies and from private organizations and citizens who have interest 
in this proposal. Public information meetings, including scoping 
meetings, will be held in the project area to discuss the potential 
alignments and alternatives. The draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review, and a public hearing will be held to receive 
comments. Public notice will be given of the time and place of all 
meetings and hearings.
    Comments and/or suggestions from all interested parties are 
requested, to ensure that the purpose and need for the project, the 
full range of all issues, and significant environmental issues in 
particular, are identified and reviewed. Comments or questions 
concerning this proposed action and/or its EIS should be directed to 
the FHWA, or ITD at the addresses listed previously.

(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 
proposed action)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123; 49 CFR 1.48.

Peter Hartman,
Idaho Division Administrator, FHWA.
[FR Doc. 07-3464 Filed 7-16-07; 8:45 am]
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