Environmental Impact Statement: Yellowstone County, MT

Brian Hasselbach
Federal Highway Administration
September 7, 2010

[Federal Register: September 7, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 172)]
[Notices]               
[Page 54419-54420]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07se10-89]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Yellowstone County, MT

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent--revised.

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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 Yellowstone County, Montana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Hasselbach, Right of Way and 
Environmental Programs Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 585 
Shepard Way, Helena, Montana 59601. Telephone: (406) 441-3908; or Fred

[[Page 54420]]

Bente, Consultant Design, Montana Department of Transportation, 2701 
Prospect Avenue, P.O. Box 201001, Helena, Montana 59620-1001. 
Telephone: (406) 444-7634.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Montana 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct a connection between 
Interstate 90 (I-90) and Old Highway 312 in or near the city of 
Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana.
    FHWA previously issued a notice on August 13, 2003 that an EIS 
would be prepared for a proposal to construct a bypass route north of 
the city of Billings. Funding constraints prompted a re-scoping of that 
proposed project and this notice is intended to advise the public that 
an EIS will be prepared on the re-scoped, proposed project.
    These improvements are considered necessary in order to provide an 
additional Yellowstone River crossing for transportation system 
reliability. The improvements are also necessary to provide an 
additional connection between the Lockwood and Billings areas; as well 
as improve mobility to and from Billings Heights.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
providing a connection between I-90 and Old Highway 312.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have 
been sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens, who have previously expressed 
interest in this proposal. An extensive public involvement process will 
be conducted to solicit views and comments from appropriate agencies 
and interested private organizations and citizens. The process, to 
date, has included a Billings Bypass Advisory Committee, public 
meetings and workshops, a public hearing, and presentations and 
meetings.
    Public notice will be given of the time and place of future 
outreach meetings and hearing. The draft EIS will be available for 
public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing. No 
formal scoping meeting date has been set at this time.
    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 or MDT at the addresses provided previously.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.206, 
Highway Planning & Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Authority:  23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: August 26, 2010.
Brian Hasselbach,
Right of Way & Environmental Programs Manager, FHWA.
[FR Doc. 2010-22116 Filed 9-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M