[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 143 (Thursday, July 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 41096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3652]



[[Page 41096]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Sarpy County, NE

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 for a proposed 
interchange on U.S. Interstate Highway 80 in Sarpy County, Nebraska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Edward Kosola, Realty/
Environmental Officer, FHWA, Federal Building, Room 220, 100 Centennial 
Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508-3851, (402) 437-5765. Mr. Randy Peters, 
Planning and Project Development Engineer, Nebraska Department of 
Roads, Box 94759, 1500 Highway 2, Lincoln, NE 68509, (402) 479-4795. 
Mr. Thomas Lynam, Highway Superintendent, Sarpy County, 15100 South 
84th Street, Papillion, NE 68046, (402) 339-4606.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Nebraska 
Department of Roads and Sarpy County, Nebraska, will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to study a proposed interchange on 
U.S. Interstate Highway 80 (I-80) at the location of the existing Pflug 
Road overpass in Sarpy County. The proposed interchange location is 
approximately three miles east of the Platte River Bridge.
    The Pflug Road overpass has recently been reconstructed as part of 
widening I-80 to six lanes between Omaha and Lincoln. The reconstructed 
overpass consolidates the Pflug and Ruff Road overpass bridges at one 
location 1,300 feet southwest of Pflug Road to not preclude possible 
future interchange improvements, including construction of ramps.
    The proposed Pflug Road interchange is shown in the Sarpy County 
Comprehensive Development Plan adopted by the Sarpy County Board in 
2005, as well as in the (Omaha) Metropolitan Area Planning Agency's 
(MAPA) 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan adopted in 2006. The impetus 
for the project is anticipated future growth and development in 
southern Sarpy County and along the I-80 corridor.
    Alternatives to be analyzed in the Interchange Justification Report 
(IJR) and EIS include (1) a partial cloverleaf at the current Pflug 
Road location, (2) a tight diamond with a skew at the current Pflug 
Road location, (3) improvements to the existing Gretna interchange, (4) 
an interchange at the 180th Street location, and (5) the no build 
alternative. The proposed study area for the alternatives analysis will 
extend from the Platte River to 180th Street. The study area for the 
EIS will be based on the area of potential effect for those 
alternatives carried forward for further analysis.
    To date, the main environmental concern that has been expressed is 
the effect of cumulative impacts on fish and wildlife resources. 
Concerns have been raised that increased access from the interchange 
will result in private development that may negatively affect the 
Platte River.
    A Coordination Plan is being prepared for the project to define the 
agency and public participation process for the environmental review. 
An agency scoping meeting and a public information meeting are planned. 
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 are known to be interested in this 
proposed project. A Draft EIS will be prepared and a public hearing 
will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the 
public meetings and public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are 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 the Nebraska Department of Roads at 
the address provided.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation of 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Dated: July 19, 2007.
Edward W. Kosola,
Realty/Environmental Officer, Nebraska Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, Lincoln, Nebraska.
[FR Doc. 07-3652 Filed 7-25-07; 8:45 am]
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