[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49346-49347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4195]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement, Canyon and Ada Counties, ID State 
Highway 44 (SH-44) Corridor Preservation Study

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. DOT.

ACTION:  Letter of Project Initiation; Notice of Intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); for the preservation of right-of-
way to construct additional travel lanes and other improvements to 
approximately 17 miles of SH-44 from Exit 25 at Interstate 84 (I-84) in 
Canyon County to Ballantyne Lane in Ada County.

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[[Page 49347]]

SUMMARY: The FHWA hereby gives notice that it intends to prepare an EIS 
for the proposed preservation of right-of-way for the construction of 
projects that would increase surface transportation capacity 
(additional travel lanes, intersection improvements) and improve 
operating conditions and safety (access management improvements) for 
both near-term and long-term needs. 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 150-1508), and FHWA 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 4(f) of 
the Department of Transportation Act, section 7 of the Endangered 
Species Act and 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 address listed below. 
Additional formal opportunities for public participation are 
tentatively scheduled as follows:

Review and comment of Draft EIS (including a public hearing): Fall 
2008. Review of Final EIS: Spring 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 o 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.

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

    Recommendations for improvements along this corridor are identified 
in the regional long-range transportation plan, ``Communities in 
Motion,'' prepared by the Boise-Nampa Metropolitan Planning 
Organization, Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho 
(COMPASS) and adopted by the COMPASS board in August 2006.
    SH-44 lies in an important east/west corridor connecting Ada and 
Canyon counties from the city of Eagle to the highway's junction with 
I-84 in Canyon County. The once rural areas along the highway are 
changing from farms and orchards to subdivisions and businesses. The 
highway runs through the central business districts of the cities of 
Star and Middleton. The speed is gradually decreased from 55 to 25 mph 
within city limits. It is one of only three main highways that carry 
traffic directly from the city of Caldwell to Boise. Growth and 
development have resulted in higher traffic volumes and congestion.
    The city of Middleton has identified a need for a bypass of its 
downtown area and has preliminary plans for a route south of town. 
There has been discussion about a bypass for the city of Star, but the 
level of support for this has not been determined.
    Public scoping meetings on this project were held from 4 p.m. to 8 
p.m. on May 24, 2006 in Middleton, ID, and May 25, 2006 in Eagle, ID, 
to solicit public comment regarding the full spectrum of issues and 
concerns, including the need for the project, alternate routes around 
the cities of Middleton and Star, access management, and environmental 
issues to be considered in the analysis. Attendees were informed at the 
meeting that an EIS would be prepared for the corridor preservation 
study.
    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 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 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 J. Hartman,
Idaho Division Administrator, FHWA.
[FR Doc. 07-4195 Filed 8-27-07; 8:45 am]
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