[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 9656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4736]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Manatee and Hillsborough 
Counties, FL

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 project in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties, Florida.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda Anderson, Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 545 John Knox Road, 
Tallahassee, Florida 32301, Telephone: (850) 942-9650 extension 3053.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Florida 
Department of Transportation (FDOT), will prepare an EIS for a proposal 
to improve access between Port Manatee and Interstate 75 (I-75) in 
Manatee and Hillsborough Counties. The study area for the proposed 
project generally extends from south of I-275 to south of State Road 
674 and from the Tampa Bay coast line to east of I-75, in northern 
Manatee County or southern Hillsborough County. The study corridor is 
approximately 7 miles long. An enhanced roadway connection from I-75 to 
Port Manatee would serve as a crucial freight route, improve the 
overall efficiency of the existing highway network and relieve 
congestion at the gateway to the port.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) 
upgrades to existing roadways; and (3) alternatives on a new east-west 
alignment. A potential new roadway alignment would provide access to 
Port Manatee at U.S. 41 and connect to a new or modified interchange 
with I-75.
    Coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, 
and with private organizations and citizens who have expressed interest 
in this proposal has been undertaken and will continue. A series of 
public meetings and a public hearing will be held in Manatee County 
between September 2008 and December 2010. Public notice will be given 
of the time and place of the meetings and hearing. Prior to the public 
hearing, the Draft EIS will be made available for public and agency 
review and comment. There are no plans to hold a formal scoping meeting 
after this notice of intent to prepare an EIS. The information gained 
through agency meetings, the Florida Efficient Transportation Decision 
Making (ETDM) process, and public involvement will be used for scoping. 
As part of the scoping process, a series of meetings were held between 
September 23-30, 2008 to provide affected government agencies, 
interested groups, and the public with an opportunity to review and 
comment on the draft purpose and need statement developed for the 
project. A subsequent series of meetings is anticipated for summer 2009 
to provide agencies and the public an opportunity for input into the 
alternatives analysis and development. The ETDM process is approved by 
FHWA as meeting the streamlining requirements of Section 6002 of the 
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A 
Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
action is 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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Issued on: February 26, 2009.
Linda Anderson,
Environmental Protection Specialist.
[FR Doc. E9-4736 Filed 3-4-09; 8:45 am]
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