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[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 230 (Friday, November 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 67779]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5881]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement: Christian, Shelby, Fayette, 
Marion, Clinton, Jefferson and Washington Counties, IL

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 a proposed highway 
project in Christian, Shelby, Fayette, Marion, Clinton, Jefferson, and 
Washington Counties, Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman R. Stoner, P.E., Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park 
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4600. Christine 
Reed, P.E., Deputy Director of Highways, Region 4 Engineer, District 7, 
Illinois Department of Transportation, 400 W. Wabash, Effingham, 
Illinois 62401, Phone: (217) 342-8201.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve US Route 51 located in the 
Illinois counties of Christian, Shelby, Fayette, Marion, Clinton, 
Jefferson, and Washington. The proposed improvement would involve the 
expansion of the existing 70-mile roadway facility between CR 900 N 
(South of Pana) to CR 2150 N (East of Irvington).
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary due to 
increases in traffic volumes, operational issues, and State economic 
initiatives. Alternatives that may be considered include (1) taking no 
action; (2) combining the existing two-lane highway with widening to 
four lanes on existing and/or new location; and (3) constructing a 
four-lane highway on new location.
    Improvements to US 51 have the potential to affect agricultural, 
biological, historical, and natural resources within the corridor. The 
corridor contains moderately prime farmland in rural areas. A nature 
preserve exists along the abandoned railroad right-of-way north of 
Ramsey and the palustrine wetlands of the Kaskaskia River basin area 
may be habitat for plant and animal species listed by State and Federal 
endangered and threatened wildlife and plants programs. The Kaskaskia 
drainage basin has potential to contain prehistoric archaeological 
sites. Historical resources located along US 51 include the Vandalia 
Statehouse and the First Presbyterian church in Vandalia. Hazardous 
waste sites exist within the corridor, including the Sandoval zinc 
smelter site and several tank farms east of US 51 near Patoka. In the 
urban limits of the corridor, residential areas adjacent to US 51 may 
be affected.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies. A public 
scoping meeting is planned for January 2008 and agency scoping meeting 
is planned for February 2008. Due to the length of the corridor, public 
meetings will be held in each region; north, central, and south. The 
first public meetings will take place in January 2008. Illinois' 
Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process will be used for public 
involvement. The project Web site is www.US51-IDOT.com. In addition to 
the public meetings, a public hearing and comment period will be held 
following the release of the Draft EIS. Public notice will be given for 
the time and place of the public meetings and 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 26, 2007.
Norman R. Stoner,
P.E., Division Administrator, Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 07-5881 Filed 11-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
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