Environmental Impact Statement: Los Angeles County, California

Matt Schmitz
Federal Highway Administration
November 13, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68135-68136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26948]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Los Angeles County, California

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public 
that an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a proposed 
highway project in Los Angeles County, California.

DATES: Public Scoping meetings will be held in early part of 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tami Podesta, California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans), 100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 
telephone (213) 897-0309 and tami_podesta@dot.ca.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Effective July 1, 2007, the Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA) assigned, and the California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans) assumed, environmental responsibilities fOr 
this project pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans as the assigned 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) agency will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal for State Route 138 (SR-
138) Northwest Corridor Improvement project in Los Angeles County, 
California. This project is located in northern Los Angeles County, 
three miles south of the Kern County Line and passing within one-half 
mile of the northernmost limits of the City of Lancaster. The project 
extends from Interstate 5 (1-5) on the west to State Route 14 (SR-14) 
on the east, a distance of approximately 36 miles. It is currently a 
two-lane rural highway with no access control. SR-138 Northwest 
Corridor Improvement Project proposes to improve the highway as a 
freeway, expressway with access control and/or traffic system/multi-
modal facility. The SR-138 currently supports the regional 
transportation needs of the local community, and serves as an alternate 
route for east-west traffic in northern Los Angeles County.
    Four alternatives are identified for the project corridor. 
Alternative 1 is an expressway facility throughout the entire corridor. 
Alternative 2 is a freeway/expressway facility throughout the entire 
corridor. Alternative 3 is a traffic system/multi-modal facility 
throughout the entire corridor. Alternative 4 is the No-Build 
Alternative.
    These alternatives may be refined, combined with various different 
alternatives, or be removed from further consideration, as more 
analysis is conducted on the project alternatives. Analysis supporting 
the EIS will determine the type of facility necessary to meet the 
existing and future

[[Page 68136]]

transportation needs in the corridor. Section 404 Permit may be 
required from U.S. Army Corp of Engineers under the Clean Water Act. In 
addition, Caltrans will coordinate with U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
under Section 7 of the Federal Endangered Species Act and request and 
receive species lists, prepare the biological assessment, and conduct 
the formal consultation.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, Participating Agencies, local 
agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously 
expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. Public 
Scoping meetings will be held in the early part of 2014. The public 
outreach/information program will continue throughout the environmental 
document phase for the proposed project. In addition, a public hearing 
will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the 
hearing. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement 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 Caltrans 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.)

Matt Schmitz,
Director, Project Delivery, Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2013-26948 Filed 11-12-13; 8:45 am]
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