[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23754-23755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11586]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Bolivar, Sunflower, Coahoma, and 
Tunica Counties, Mississippi

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to 
advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be 
prepared for the I-69 Corridor Study in the above referenced counties 
in Mississippi.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 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. Claiborne 
Barnwell, Environmental/Location Division Engineer, Mississippi 
Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1850, Jackson, MS 39215-1850, 
telephone: (601) 359-7920; Mr. James Dickerson III, District 2 
Engineer, Mississippi Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 660, 
Batesville, MS 38606, telephone (662) 563-4541; and Mr. Walter Lyons, 
District 3 Engineer, Mississippi Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 
630, Yazoo City, MS, 39194, telephone (662) 746-2513.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a segment of the proposed 
Interstate 69 corridor in Mississippi.
    This segment of the proposed interstate would be located in one of 
at least three identified corridor areas. It has logical termini at the 
Great River Bridge crossing of the Mississippi River near Benoit, 
Mississippi, and at Mississippi Highway 304 east of Robinsonville in 
Tunica County, Mississippi.
    This approximately 100-mile section of I-69 in Mississippi is a 
part of the much larger transcontinental highway 69 project extending 
from Canada to Mexico. The purpose of the I-69 project in Mississippi 
is very similar to the national purpose of improving international and 
interstate trade and facilitating economic development. I-69 is also a 
transportation recommendation of the Delta Initiative. The Delta 
Initiative is aimed at the revitalization and economic development of 
the Lower Mississippi Delta. The I-69 corridor, after crossing the 
Mississippi River, will enter Mississippi at its western termini in 
Bolivar County and extend in a generally northerly direction through 
several Mississippi Delta counties exiting Desoto County to Memphis, 
Tennessee. The highway is a proposed full control of access facility, 
and interchanges will be studied at various locations.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action and 
(2) build alternatives.

[[Page 23755]]

    The FHWA and MDOT 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 
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 near future.
    Coordination will be continued with appropriate federal, state, and 
local agencies, tribes, and private organizations and citizens who have 
previously expressed or are known to have an interest in this proposal. 
Of paramount importance to this effort is the public participation 
process. Several public involvement meetings will be held, a newsletter 
will be developed, and a website will be created 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. 01-11586 Filed 5-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M