Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway Projects in Texas |
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Michael T. Leary
Federal Highway Administration
29 March 2021
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 58 (Monday, March 29, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16440-16442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06434]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway
Projects in Texas
AGENCY: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of limitation on claims for judicial review of actions
by TxDOT and Federal agencies.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces actions taken by TxDOT and Federal
agencies that are final. The environmental review, consultation, and
other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for
these projects are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant
to an assignment agreement executed by FHWA and TxDOT. The actions
relate to various proposed highway projects in the State of Texas.
These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the projects.
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DATES: By this notice, TxDOT is advising the public of final agency
actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A claim seeking judicial review
of TxDOT and Federal agency actions on the highway projects will be
barred unless the claim is filed on or before the deadline. For the
projects listed below, the deadline is 150 days from the date of
publication. If the Federal law that authorizes judicial review of a
claim provides a time period of less than 150 days for filing such a
claim, then that shorter time period still applies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carlos Swonke, Environmental Affairs
Division, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street,
Austin, Texas 78701; telephone: (512) 416-2734; email:
carlos.swonke@txdot.gov. TxDOT's normal business hours are 8:00 a.m.-
5:00 p.m. (central time), Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review, consultation, and
other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for
these projects are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant
to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9,
2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
Notice is hereby given that TxDOT and Federal agencies have taken
final agency actions by issuing licenses, permits, and approvals for
the highway projects in the State of Texas that are listed below.
The actions by TxDOT and Federal agencies and the laws under which
such actions were taken are described in the Categorical Exclusion
(CE), Environmental Assessment (EA), or Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) issued in connection with the projects and in other key project
documents. The CE, EA, or EIS and other key documents for the listed
projects are available by contacting TxDOT at the address provided
above.
This notice applies to all TxDOT and Federal agency decisions as of
the issuance date of this notice and all laws under which such actions
were taken, including but not limited to:
1. General: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C.
4321-4351]; Federal-Aid Highway Act [23 U.S.C. 109].
2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401-7671(q)].
3. Land: Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of
1966 [49 U.S.C. 303]; Landscaping and Scenic Enhancement (Wildflowers)
[23 U.S.C. 319].
4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act [16 U.S.C. 1531-1544 and
Section 1536], Marine Mammal Protection Act [16 U.S.C. 1361], Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act [16 U.S.C. 661-667(d)], Migratory Bird Treaty
Act [16 U.S.C. 703-712].
5. Historic and Cultural Resources: Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended [54 U.S.C. 300101 et
seq.]; Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1977 [16 U.S.C.
470(aa)-11]; Archeological and Historic Preservation Act [54 U.S.C.
312501 et seq.]; Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA) [25 U.S.C. 3001-3013].
6. Social and Economic: Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C.
2000(d)-2000(d)(1)]; American Indian Religious Freedom Act [42 U.S.C.
1996]; Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) [7 U.S.C. 4201-4209].
7. Wetlands and Water Resources: Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1251-
1377] (Section 404, Section 401, Section 319); Land and Water
Conservation Fund (LWCF) [16 U.S.C. 4601-4604]; Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) [42 U.S.C. 300(f)-300(j)(6)]; Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 [33
U.S.C. 401-406]; Wild and Scenic Rivers Act [16 U.S.C. 1271-1287];
Emergency Wetlands Resources Act [16 U.S.C. 3921, 3931]; TEA-21
Wetlands Mitigation [23 U.S.C. 103(b)(6)(m), 133(b)(11)]; Flood
Disaster Protection Act [42 U.S.C. 4001-4128].
8. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990 Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988
Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898 Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income
Populations; E.O. 11593 Protection and Enhancement of Cultural
Resources; E.O. 13007 Indian Sacred Sites; E.O. 13287 Preserve America;
E.O. 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments; E.O. 11514 Protection and Enhancement of Environmental
Quality; E.O. 13112 Invasive Species. (Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction.)
The projects subject to this notice are:
1. IH 30 from IH 35E to IH 45 in Dallas County, Texas. The proposed
improvements consist of the full reconstruction of the proposed urban
freeway with six mainlanes in each direction, and discontinuous
frontage roads. The proposed exit and entrance ramps will be on the
right to meet driver expectations and to improve safety. The proposed
mainlanes would consist of six 12-foot-wide travel lanes in each
direction, and 10-foot-wide inside and outside shoulders. The project
would also include ramping improvements and widen cross street bridges
to provide 12-foot wide travel lanes and add dedicated bicycle lanes in
both directions. The total project length is approximately 1.5 miles.
The purpose of the proposed project is to improve safety and mobility
and accommodate future traffic demands. The actions by TxDOT and
Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken are
described in the Categorical Exclusion Determination issued on December
7, 2020, and other documents in the TxDOT project file. The Categorical
Exclusion Determination and other documents in the TxDOT project file
are available by contacting TxDOT at the address provided above or the
TxDOT Dallas District Office at 4777 E Highway 80, Mesquite, TX 75150;
telephone: (214) 320-4480.
2. Rocket Lane/Schaefer Road from E Norris Drive to Loop 1604,
Bexar County, Texas. The project includes the construction of
additional travel and turn lanes, bicycle and pedestrian
accommodations, and drainage improvements. The project is approximately
0.8 miles in length. The actions by TxDOT and Federal agencies and the
laws under which such actions were taken are described in the
Categorical Exclusion issued on December 15, 2020, and other documents
in the TxDOT project file. The Categorical Exclusion determination and
other documents in the TxDOT project file are available by contacting
TxDOT at the address provided above or the TxDOT San Antonio District
Office at 4615 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229; telephone: (210)
615-5839.
3. US 67 at Lake Ridge Parkway in Dallas and Ellis Counties, Texas.
The proposed project would include a grade separation at Lake Ridge
Parkway and the reconstruction of US 67 mainlanes and frontage roads
from north of Shiloh Road to south of Mt. Lebanon Road. The proposed US
67 mainlanes would consist of four 12-foot lanes (two in each
direction), 22-foot inside shoulder, and 10-foot outside shoulders. A
26-foot wide grassy median would separate northbound and southbound
mainlanes. The 22-foot inside shoulder would be restriped in the future
to add one additional travel lane in each direction. The proposed
improvements to Lake Ridge Parkway would consist of a grade-separated
interchange with an overpass of US 67, six 12-foot lanes (three in each
direction), 10-foot raised median, curb and gutter, and Texas U-turns.
The total project length is approximately 1.9 miles. The purpose of the
proposed project to reduce traffic congestion, enhance connectivity,
and improve mobility and safety. The actions by
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TxDOT and Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were
taken are described in the Categorical Exclusion Determination issued
on February 4, 2021, and other documents in the TxDOT project file. The
Categorical Exclusion Determination and other documents in the TxDOT
project file are available by contacting TxDOT at the address provided
above or the TxDOT Dallas District Office at 4777 E Highway 80,
Mesquite, TX 75150; telephone: (214) 320-4480.
4. FM 2001 from I-35 to SH 21, Hays and Caldwell Counties, Texas.
The project will improve and realign FM 2001 to include construction of
four travel lanes, two in each direction, with a raised median and
sidewalks along urban portions of the proposed roadway and a center
left turn lane and wide outside shoulders in the suburban section. The
project is approximately 8.5 miles in length. The actions by TxDOT and
Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken are
described in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), the Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) issued on January 24, 2021 and other
documents in the TxDOT project file. The EA, FONSI and other documents
in the TxDOT project file are available by contacting TxDOT at the
address provided above or the TxDOT Austin District Office at 7901
North I-35, Austin, TX 78753; telephone: 512-832-7000.
5. Loop 1604 from SH 16 to I-35, Bexar County, Texas. The project
will expand Loop 1604 to a ten-lane expressway. The layout of auxiliary
lanes and entrance and exit ramps would be reconfigured. The
interchange at I-10 would be modernized by removing the cloverleaf
connectors, adding direct connectors, and replacing the signalized
frontage road intersections with a continuous flow configuration. The
project would include accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians,
water quality protection, and other highway features. All improvements
would be located within the existing right of way and easements. The
project is approximately 24 miles in length. The actions by TxDOT and
Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken are
described in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), the Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) issued on February 4, 2021 and other
documents in the TxDOT project file. The EA, FONSI and other documents
in the TxDOT project file are available by contacting TxDOT at the
address provided above or TxDOT San Antonio District Office at 4615 NW
Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229; telephone: (210) 615-5839.
6. US 377 from BUS 377E to US 380, Denton County, Texas. The
proposed project would reconstruct, realign, and widen US 377 within
the proposed limits. Improvements would include the expansion of the
current 2-lane rural roadway to a 6-lane urban roadway with a raised
median. Improvements would consist of 12-foot-wide travel lanes, 14-
foot-wide outside shared-use lanes, and 5-foot sidewalks. The length of
the proposed project is approximately 13.7 miles. The purpose of the
proposed project is to reduce traffic congestion on the existing
roadways; to improve operations of the roadway; to increase mobility
(including pedestrian and bicycle accommodations); and, to provide
improved connectivity to the area. The actions by TxDOT and Federal
agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken are described
in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) issued on February 17, 2021 and other documents in the
TxDOT project file. The EA and other documents are available by
contacting TxDOT at the address provided above or the TxDOT Dallas
District Office at 4777 E Highway 80, Mesquite, TX 75150; telephone:
(214) 320-4480.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1).
Michael T. Leary,
Director, Planning and Program Development, Federal Highway
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2021-06434 Filed 3-26-21; 8:45 am]
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