[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 231 (Thursday, November 30, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71349-71350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30512]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Calhoun, Clarendon and Sumter 
Counties, SC

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 (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
highway facility from S.C. Route 267 near Lone Star in Calhoun County 
to S-52 near Rimini and Pinewood in Clarendon and Sumter Counties, 
South Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol G. Adkins, Environmental Program 
Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 1835 Assembly Street, Suite 
1270, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, 
Telephone: (803) 765-5460.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the South 
Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), will prepare an 
environmental

[[Page 71350]]

impact statement on the proposed Lone Star to Rimini Connector from 
S.C. Route 267 near Lone Star in Calhoun County across Lake Marion to 
S-52 near Rimini and Pinewood in Clarendon and Sumter Counties, South 
Carolina. The proposed route would be approximately 9.3 miles in length 
and would consist of one travel lane for each direction of traffic with 
shoulder widths of eight feet. Alternatives under consideration 
include: (1) Taking no action (no-build; (2) locating the proposed 
roadway immediately adjacent to the northwest side of the existing CSX 
railroad trestle; and, (3) locating the proposed roadway immediately 
adjacent to the southeast side of the existing CSX railroad trestle.
    The FHWA and SCDOT are seeking input as a part of the scoping 
process to assist in determining and clarifying issues relative to this 
project. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments 
have been sent by the SCDOT 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. Formal public 
scoping meetings are planned for early 2001. Early coordination with 
State and Federal permit and resource agencies will be completed in the 
development of the draft EIS. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service are being requested to be cooperating agencies due to the 
likely involvement of the proposal with wetlands and wildlife habitat 
in the Lake Marion flood plain area. At least one location public 
hearing will be held for which public notice will be given of the time 
and place of the hearings. The draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    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 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: November 20, 2000.
Robert L. Lee,
Division Administrator, Columbia, South Carolina.
[FR Doc. 00-30512 Filed 11-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M