[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 98 (Friday, May 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 24066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11991]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Project Number SP-0008-03(048)]


Environmental Impact Statement: Rankin County, MS

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (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 Rankin County, Mississippi. The project study area will 
extend a distance of approximately 15 miles from U.S. Highway 49 near 
Star, Mississippi, to Interstate 20 near State Route 475 in Pearl, 
Mississippi.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dickie Walters, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 666 North 
Street, Suite 105, Jackson, MS 39202-3199, Telephone: (601) 965-4217. 
Contact at the State level is Mr. Claiborne Barnwell, Environmental/
Location Division Engineer, Mississippi Department of Transportation, 
P.O. Box 1850, Jackson, MS 39215-1850, telephone: (601) 359-7920.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a U.S. Highway 49 Star 
Connector in Rankin County, Mississippi. The proposed improvements are 
intended to help alleviate high levels of congestion and travel delays 
on U.S. Highway 49 between Star and Interstate 20.
    A Coordination Plan for Agency and Public Involvement will be 
developed in accordance with Public Law 109-59, SAFETEA-LU, Title VI, 
Section 6002, Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decision 
Making, August 10, 2005, and will outline the process by which project 
information will be communicated to the lead, cooperating, 
participating, and other agencies and organizations, and the public. 
This plan will also identify how input from agencies and the public 
will be solicited and considered. The Coordination Plan is intended to 
be a flexible and fluid document and will be available at public and 
agency meetings for review.
    The purpose of the EIS is to address the transportation, 
environmental, and safety issues of such a transportation corridor. The 
proposed fully controlled U.S. Highway 49 Star Connector on new 
location would provide a safer roadway and improve mobility for those 
traveling to or through the Jackson Metropolitan area from the South 
Mississippi region. Additionally, the proposed U.S. Highway 49 Star 
Connector would create an additional route to I-55 North by providing 
traffic a route through the planned Airport Parkway reducing movements 
through the I-55/I-20/U.S. 49 interchange. Alternatives under 
consideration include (1) taking no action and (2) build alternatives.
    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, Native 
American tribes, 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. Public involvement 
meetings will be held during the EIS process. 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.

    Dated: May 18, 2009.
Donald E. Davis,
Assistant Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
Mississippi Division, Jackson, Mississippi.
[FR Doc. E9-11991 Filed 5-21-09; 8:45 am]
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