[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 37168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18256]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Harrison County, Mississippi

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 an East Harrison 
County connector between Interstate 10 and United States Highway 90 in 
Biloxi, Mississippi.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cecil Vick, Realty Officer/Environmental Coordinator, Federal Highway 
Administration, 666 North Street, Suite 105, Jackson, MS 39202-3199. 
Telephone: (601) 965-4217. Contacts at the State and local level, 
respectively are: Mr. Billie Barton, Environmental/Location Division 
Engineer, Mississippi Department of Transportation. P.O. Box 1850, 
Jackson, MS, 39215-1850, telephone: (601) 359-7920; and Mr. Ricky Lee, 
District Engineer, Mississippi Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 
551, Hattiesburg, MS, 39403-0551, telephone (601) 544-6511.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed East Harrison 
County connector in Biloxi, Mississippi.
    The proposed connector would be located in one of two corridor 
study areas; Corridor One would begin at Exit 41 (MS 67 interchange) 
crossing the Tchoutacobouffa River, Big Lake, and connecting to US 90 
west of the Coliseum; Corridor Two would begin at Exit 44 (Cedar Lake 
Interchange) crossing Back Bay of Biloxi and connecting to US 90 west 
of Keesler Air Force Base. The connector is a proposed full control of 
access facility and interchanges will be studied at various locations.
    Section 65-39-1(2), Mississippi Code 1972, annotated, authorized 
study of the connector and the Intermodal Surface Transportation 
Efficiency Act of 1998, authorized partial funding. Alternatives under 
consideration include (1) taking no action and (2) build alternative.
    The FHWA and MDOT are seeking input as a part of the scoping 
process to assist in determining the clarifying issues relative to this 
project. Letters describing the purposed action and soliciting comments 
will be sent 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. A formal scoping meeting with 
federal, state, and local agencies, and other interested parties will 
be held in the immediate future.
    Coordination will be continued with appropriate federal, state, and 
local agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have 
previously expressed or known to have interest in this proposal. A 
public involvement meeting will be held and a newsletter developed to 
keep the public informed. The draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the official 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.
Andrew H. Hughes,
Division Administrator, Jackson, Mississippi.
[FR Doc. 98-18256 Filed 7-8-98; 8:45 am]
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