Environmental Impact Statement: Billings County, North Dakota

Wendall Meyer
Federal Highway Administration
December 6, 2010

[Federal Register: December 6, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 233)]
[Notices]               
[Page 75721]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06de10-87]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Billings County, North Dakota

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Revised 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 roadway 
project and river crossing over the Little Missouri River within a 
study area bounded by the southern border of the North Unit of Theodore 
Roosevelt National Park (TRNP), the northern border of the South Unit 
of TRNP, the eastern border of U.S. Highway 85, and the western border 
of N.D. Highway 16.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Schrader, Environment and Right-
of-Way Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 1471 Interstate Loop, 
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503, Telephone: (701) 250-4343 Extension 111. 
Bryon Fuchs, Local Government Division, North Dakota Department of 
Transportation, 608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 
58505-0700, Telephone: (701) 328-2516.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 12, 2006, the FHWA, in 
cooperation with the NDDOT, published a Notice of Intent to develop an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed roadway project and 
river crossing over the Little Missouri River within a study area 
bounded by the northern border of the Billings County line, the 
southern border of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park 
(TRNP), the eastern border of U.S. Highway 85, and the western border 
of N.D. Highway 16. This project is ongoing and, since the initial 
Notice of Intent, the northern limits of the study area have been 
expanded to the southern border of the North Unit of TRNP. 
Additionally, the southern limits of the study area have been decreased 
to the northern border of the South Unit of TRNP. The Elkhorn Ranch 
Unit of TRNP is excluded from the project study area.
    The purpose of the proposed project is to provide for the safe and 
efficient movement of people and commerce. Specifically, the purpose of 
the proposed project is to:
    [dec221] Improve the transport of goods and services within the 
study area;
    [dec221] Provide the public with a centrally accessible, safe, 
efficient, and reliable link between ND Highway 16 and US Highway 85 
within the study area (system linkage);
    [dec221] Connect the transportation network on the east side of the 
Little Missouri River to the transportation network on the west side of 
the Little Missouri River (internal linkage);
    [dec221] Accommodate a variety of vehicles ranging from a two-wheel 
drive passenger vehicle to agricultural, commercial, and industrial 
vehicles and equipment.
    The safe and efficient movement of people and commerce would be 
accomplished by improving connectivity through construction of a 
reliable crossing of the Little Missouri River, and upgrading existing 
roadways and/or creating new roadways to best meet roadway design 
standards. Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Take no 
action; (2) construction of a river crossing structure: bridge or low-
water crossing; and (3) different roadway alignments to the river 
crossing, including upgrading and/or constructing roadways to meet 
NDDOT guidelines/standards.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments were 
distributed to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, as well 
as other interested parties, in February and May of 2007. Scoping 
meetings and alternatives public workshops were also held with agencies 
and the public in March and July of 2008. Due to the passage of time, 
Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as other interested 
parties, will be re-solicited for their views on the proposed action. 
Additional public workshops on the alternatives will be held. In 
addition, a public hearing will be held. 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 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 29, 2010.
Wendall Meyer,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-30424 Filed 12-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P