Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact for the Metropolitan Branch Trail

Topics:  Federal Highway Administration

Joseph C. Lawson
Federal Register
September 28, 2011

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60115-60116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24889]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[FHWA-DC-2011-01-F]


Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact 
for the Metropolitan Branch Trail

AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration, District of Columbia 
Division; and District Department of Transportation; in cooperation 
with the National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact 
for the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) Project.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the 
District Department of Transportation (DDOT) as lead agencies, and in 
cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), announce the 
availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the 
Metropolitan Branch Trail Project, pursuant to the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347; 
the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508); and the FHWA Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (23 CFR 
771).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Highway Administration, 
District of Columbia Division: Mr. Michael Hicks, Environmental/Urban 
Engineer, 1990 K Street, NW., Suite 510, Washington, DC 20006-1103, 
(202) 219-3536; or District Department of Transportation: Heather 
Deutsch, Bicycle Program Specialist/Trail Planner, Policy, Planning and 
Sustainability Administration, District Department of Transportation, 
55 M Street, SE., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20003, (202) 671-2638.

[[Page 60116]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action evaluated in the 
Environmental Assessment (EA) includes construction of a multi-use 
trail facility following the Metro red line from Fort Totten to Takoma 
and the Metro green line from Fort Totten to the District border.
    This EA analyzed the potential impacts resulting from constructing 
and operating the MBT on sections of land owned by the NPS within the 
area north of Fort Totten (Reservation 451 West), the area east of Fort 
Totten (Reservation 451 East), the Community Gardens (Reservation 497), 
and Tacoma Park (Reservation 531). Following the public comment period, 
DDOT identified Alternatives A1, B1, C1 and/or C2 as the Preferred 
Alternatives.
    The FHWA has determined that the Preferred Alternative and options 
will not have a significant impact on the natural, human or built 
environment as defined by CEQ. This Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) is based on the findings of the proposed project's Final EA, 
and comments submitted during preparation of the EA. The Final EA has 
been evaluated by the FHWA, using CEQ regulations and FHWA and NPS 
guidelines, and determined to adequately discuss the need, 
environmental issues, and impacts of the proposed project and 
appropriate mitigation measures. It provides sufficient evidence and 
analysis for determining that an environmental impact statement is not 
required.

ELECTRONIC AND HARD COPY ACCESS: An electronic copy of this document 
may be downloaded from the Project Web Site: http://www.metbranchtrail.com. Hard copies of the FONSI may also be viewed at 
the following locations:

District Department of Transportation, Policy, Planning and 
Sustainability Administration, 55 M Street, SE., 4th Floor, Washington, 
DC 20003.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20001.

Joseph C. Lawson,
Division Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-24889 Filed 9-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P