[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12583-12584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4706]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Klickitat and Skamania Counties, 
Washington and Hood River County, Oregon

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 
new Columbia River crossing project in Klickitat County or Skamania 
County, Washington and Hood River County, Oregon. Northern and southern 
termini for the new crossing would be located in or near the cities of 
White Salmon and Bingen, Washington, and Hood River, Oregon.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kulbacki, Transportation and 
Environmental Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 711 S. Capitol 
Way, Suite 501, Olympia, WA 98501, Telephone: 360-753-9556; or Dale 
Robins, Project Manager, Southwest Washington Regional Transportation 
Council, 1351 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA 98661, Telephone: 360-397-
6067. Additional information can also be obtained at the project web 
site: http:www.rtc.wa.gov/studies/sr35.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Washington 
State Department of Transportation, the Southwest Washington Regional 
Transportation Council, and the Oregon Department of Transportation, 
will prepare an EIS on

[[Page 12584]]

a proposal to establish a new or improved transportation crossing of 
the Columbia River. This crossing will involve either existing facility 
improvements or new connections between SR 14 in Washington to SR 35 
and/or I-84 in Oregon. The Washington State Department of 
Transportation has designated this proposed crossing as State Route 35 
(SR-35).
    A new or improved Columbia River crossing is necessary to 
effectively accommodate current and future traffic demands, address 
multi-modal accessibility, enhance movement of freight and other goods, 
improve public safety, and improve current and future traffic 
operations.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) no action; (2) multi-
modal options; (3) improvements to traffic and toll operations, (4) 
improvements to the existing bridge; and (5) constructing a new bridge 
or tunnel at or near the existing location. Potential crossing 
corridors being evaluated along the Columbia River include: West Hood 
River I-84 interchange, Second Street in Hood River (using the City 
Center exit on I-84), the existing bridge crossing, and east of Hood 
River near Stanley Rock. Design variations being evaluated include 
adjustments to grade, alignment, and crossing type.
    A series of preliminary meetings have already been conducted 
between various public groups, the project Steering Committee, a Local 
Advisory Committee, and a Resource and Regulatory agency Committee 
since this project has been introduced. The ideas presented at these 
meetings will be incorporated into the environmental process as will 
all the necessary impacts and alternatives required by the National 
Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) regulations.
    Letters soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, 
State, and Local agencies, including private organizations and citizens 
who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in this 
proposal.
    A public scoping meeting will be held on March 8, 2001, from 5 to 8 
p.m. at Fidel's at the Gorge (restaurant), located on SR 14 at 120 East 
Steuben in Bingen, Washington. On March 8, 2001, a resource and 
regulatory agency scoping meeting will be held in Troutdale, Oregon, at 
the Oregon Department of Transportation Maintenance Facility from 1:30 
to 3:00 p.m. Notification of the public scoping meeting will be 
published in the local newspaper and through mailed announcements.
    In addition, a public meeting will be held prior to completion of 
the draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time and place of all 
proposed meetings during Draft and Final EIS development. The draft EIS 
will be made available to the public and all agencies for review and 
comment prior to all public meetings.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide suggestions and 
comments in order to ensure that the full range of issues related to 
this proposed action are addressed and all potential impacts 
identified. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and 
the EIS should be directed to the FHWA, Washington Division or 
Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council at the addresses 
or telephone numbers provided in the Contact Information Section.

(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: February 14, 2001.
Michael Kulbacki,
Transportation and Environmental Engineer, Olympia, Washington.
[FR Doc. 01-4706 Filed 2-26-01; 8:45 am]
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