[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15181-15182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6123]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Notice To Rescind the Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement, Valley County, ID

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration.

ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the 
Notice of Intent published on January 24, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 15) 
to prepare an EIS for a proposed highway project in Valley County, 
Idaho is being rescinded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Perry, Field Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 3050 Lakeharbor Lane, Suite 
126, Boise, Idaho 83703, Telephone: (208)334-9180 or Mr. Greg Vitley, 
Sr. Environmental Planner, Idaho Transportation Department District 3, 
P.O. Box 8028, 83707-2028, Telephone: (208)334-8300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 
cooperation with Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) published a 
Notice of Intent (NOI) on January 24, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 15) to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating the 
alternatives for transportation improvements along a 7.04-mile stretch 
of State Highway 55 (SH-55) from milepost 94.85 to milepost 101.89. The 
project is officially known as the SH-55, Smith's Ferry to Round Valley 
Project (Project No. DHP-NH-1568(001); Key No. 01004). The Purpose and 
Need of this project was to improve safety, reduce existing road 
deficiencies, and decrease traffic congestion in the area of Smith's 
Ferry to Round Valley, on SH-55. A series of project team meetings/
public workshops were held and a range of alternatives were developed 
and evaluated; however, because development pressures have decreased 
since the inception of this project, ITD has determined the basis for 
the Purpose and Need of the project is no longer valid resulting in the 
NOI being rescinded.
    Instead, minor safety and congestion improvements which may include 
north and southbound passing lanes, and intersection improvements are 
being proposed to meet the future needs of the corridor. These 
improvements could require minor road realignments to avoid existing 
resources and replacement of Tripod Creek and Round

[[Page 15182]]

Valley Creek culverts. To meet fiscal constraint requirements, the 
project would be programmed in a phased manner. These proposed safety 
improvements are not anticipated to result in significant impacts on 
the human or natural environment.
    If, at a future time, FHWA determines that the proposed safety and 
congestion improvements are likely to have a significant impact on the 
environment, a new NOI to prepare an EIS will be published.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related are identified, 
comments or questions regarding this action to rescind the NOI are 
invited from all interested parties. These comments or questions should 
be directed to FHWA or ITD at the addresses provided above.

Peter J. Hartman,
Division Administrator, FHWA--Idaho Division.
[FR Doc. 2012-6123 Filed 3-13-12; 8:45 am]
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