Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project; Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Phillip A. Ditzler
Federal Highway Administration
23 May 2019

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 100 (Thursday, May 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 23827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10770]



[[Page 23827]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project; Notice of 
Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise that a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement will be prepared for a proposed bridge replacement project of 
the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge across the Columbia River between 
Hood River, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Cline, Federal Highway 
Administration, 530 Center Street NE, Suite 420, Salem, OR 97301; 
Telephone: (503) 316-2547 or Kevin Greenwood, Port of Hood River, 1000 
E Port Marina Drive, Hood River, OR 97031; Telephone: (541) 436-0797.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FHWA, with the Port of Hood River (the Port) 
and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) as joint lead 
agencies, will prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement 
Project (formerly named the SR-35 Columbia River Crossing Project) to 
replace the existing Hood River-White Salmon Bridge between Hood River, 
Oregon, and White Salmon, Washington. The primary purpose of this 
project is to improve multi-modal transportation of people and goods 
across the Columbia River between the Hood River and White Salmon/
Bingen communities by replacing the existing Hood River-White Salmon 
bridge. The need for the project is to rectify current and future 
transportation and structural inadequacies and deficiencies of the 
bridge.
    The SR-35 Columbia River Crossing Draft EIS was issued in December 
2003. The Draft EIS evaluated four alternatives, including the no 
action alternative, and documented the project's impacts and benefits 
to the community and environment and identified a preliminary preferred 
alternative. All build alternatives would replace the existing movable 
span bridge with a fixed span bridge, retain the current two travel 
lanes on the bridge, add shoulders, add a pedestrian and bicycle 
facility, resolve all height, width and weight restrictions currently 
in place on the existing bridge, and provide a wider clearance for 
navigation. The Draft EIS disclosed proposed measures to avoid, 
minimize, or mitigate impacts to the community and environment, 
summarized agency and public engagement to date, and described how and 
when the public and agencies could submit comments. The 45-day comment 
period included a public open house/hearing on January 22, 2004. The 
environmental review phase of the project was put on hold shortly after 
the comment period ended.
    In 2017, the Port of Hood River secured state funding (Oregon House 
Bill 2017) to continue the bridge replacement project and complete the 
environmental review process in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Port of Hood River restarted the 
project in 2018, including holding a public open house on December 10, 
2018 and an online survey conducted through January 31, 2019. Attendees 
and survey respondents indicated continued support for the project and 
the previously identified purpose and need statement, range of 
alternatives, and preliminary preferred alternative.
    The Supplemental Draft EIS will provide updated information on the 
affected environment, environmental consequences, and mitigation 
measures for the same alternatives studied in the 2003 Draft EIS; 
coordination activities and input from Federal, State and local 
agencies; consultation with Tribes; and public involvement. The 
Supplemental Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment prior to a public hearing.

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

    Issued On: May 15, 2019.
Phillip A. Ditzler,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Oregon 
Division.
[FR Doc. 2019-10770 Filed 5-22-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P