Environmental Impact Statement: Lake, Cook and McHenry Counties, Illinois

Federal Highway Administration
16 July 2018

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32947-32948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15097]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Lake, Cook and McHenry Counties, 
Illinois

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS).

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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 
transportation improvement project in Lake, Cook and McHenry Counties 
in Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine A. Batey, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park 
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: 217-492-4640. Paul Kovacs, 
Chief Engineer, Illinois Tollway, 2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, 
Illinois 60515, Phone 630-241-6800. Anthony Quigley, Deputy Director of 
Highways, Region 1 Engineer, Illinois Department of Transportation, 201 
West Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196, Phone: 847-705-4401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois 
Tollway and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), will 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed 
transportation improvement project in Lake County, northern portions of 
Cook County, and eastern portions of McHenry County. The FHWA intends 
to issue a single Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD) document 
pursuant to the FAST Act Section 1311 requirements, unless FHWA 
determines statutory criteria or practicability considerations preclude 
issuance of a combined document.
    Improvements in the project area are proposed to reduce congestion, 
improve reliability of travel, improve travel options connecting major 
origins and destinations, and improve local and regional travel 
efficiency. Alternatives under consideration to address these needs 
include (1) improvements to the existing roadway network; (2) 
construction on new alignment; (3) improvements to transit, including 
rail and bus; (3) improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities; 
(4) transportation system management/transportation demand management 
strategies; and (5) taking no action.
    Federal approvals needed for this project may include permits under 
Clean Water Act Sections 402 and 404 and Section 401 water quality 
certification. Section 7 consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife 
Service may also be required. The project will comply with the Clean 
Air Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Section 4(f) of the U.S. 
Department of Transportation Act of 1966, and Executive Order 12898 
``Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 
Populations and Low-Income Populations,'' and other applicable state 
and Federal laws.
    A Stakeholder Participation Group, consisting of community leaders, 
technical experts, and interest groups, has been formed as part of 
early coordination efforts to assist in the development of the purpose 
and need and to provide input on alternative evaluation. Additionally, 
all individuals and organizations expressing interest in the project 
will be able to participate in the process through various public 
outreach opportunities. These opportunities include, but are not 
limited to, the project website, public meetings and hearings, 
speakers' bureau events, and press releases.
    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. Scoping input 
on the proposed project will be invited during a public informational 
meeting scheduled for July 25, 2018, and may also be submitted via the 
project website or in writing to the Illinois Tollway, 2700

[[Page 32948]]

Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, attention Pete Foernssler. 
Comments and questions concerning the proposed action and this notice 
should be directed to the Illinois Tollway at the address provided 
above by the close of business on August 24, 2018.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123.

(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: July 9, 2018.
Division Administrator,
Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 2018-15097 Filed 7-13-18; 8:45 am]
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