Environmental Impact Statement: Lee County, South Carolina; Notice of Intent

Emily O. Lawton
Federal Highway Administration
14 April 2017

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 71 (Friday, April 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 18073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07341]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Lee County, South Carolina; 
Notice of Intent

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, 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 Lee County, South Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily O. Lawton, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Strom Thurmond Federal 
Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Suite 1270, Columbia, South Carolina 
29201, Telephone: (803) 765-5411, Email: emily.lawton@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the South 
Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the Santee-Lynches 
Regional Council of Governments (SLRCOG), will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to provide a truck route in the 
vicinity of the City of Bishopville in Lee County, South Carolina, from 
US 15 near I-20, southwest of the City, to the junction of US 15 and 
Bethune Highway (SC 341), northeast of the City. The project study area 
is generally defined by the area bordered by US 15/I-20 Interchange to 
the southwest, US 15 just north of Bethune Highway (SC 341) to the 
northeast, the intersection of Pinchum Sly Road (S-15) and Camden 
Highway (SC 34) to the northwest and the intersection of Wisacky 
Highway (SC 341) and Mac Stuckey Lane (local road) to the southeast.
    US 15 (N. Main Street) through downtown Bishopville is currently a 
two-lane roadway with a raised median and on-street parking. On 
average, over 700 large commercial trucks travel through downtown 
daily. The purpose of the project is to address the existing and future 
truck traffic traveling through downtown Bishopville. The EIS for the 
proposed project will consider the No-build Alternative as well as 
build alternatives within the identified project study area that would 
meet the purpose and need of the project. The EIS will promote informed 
decision making in the development of a solution to address truck 
traffic through the downtown area. This EIS will also evaluate options 
which may enhance the economic development of the area.
    The FHWA, SCDOT, and SLRCOG are seeking input as part of the 
scoping process to assist in identifying issues relative to this 
proposed project and potential solutions. Letters describing the 
proposed project and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate 
Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed an interest in this proposal. 
Formal public scoping meetings will be held in Lee County. In addition, 
public information meetings will be held as the proposed project is 
developed, and a public hearing will be conducted after the approval of 
the draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the 
meetings and hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and 
agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action is addressed and all significant issues are 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.)

    Dated: April 6, 2017.
Emily O. Lawton
Division Administrator, Columbia, South Carolina.
[FR Doc. 2017-07341 Filed 4-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-22-P