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Environmental Impact Statement: Summit County, Utah Publication: Federal Register Agency: Federal Highway Administration Byline: Ivan Marrero Date: 21 December 2022 Subjects: American Government  , Roads & Highways
Topic: Interstate Highway System |
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78190-78193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27728]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Summit County, Utah
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of
Transportation (USDOT), Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
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SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the Utah Department of Transportation
(UDOT), is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to solicit comment and
advise the public, agencies, and stakeholders that an EIS will be
prepared for transportation improvements in the Kimball Junction area
which includes the I-80 and SR-224 interchange and SR-224 through the
two at-grade intersections to the south of I-80 (Ute Boulevard and
Olympic Parkway) in Summit County, Utah. Persons and agencies who may
be interested in or affected by the proposed project are encouraged to
comment on the information in this NOI and the NOI Supplemental
Information document. All comments received in response to this NOI
will be considered, and any information presented herein, including the
draft purpose and need, preliminary alternatives, and identified
impacts, may be revised in consideration of the comments.
DATES: Comments on the NOI must be received on or before January 27,
2023.
ADDRESSES: This NOI is available in the docket referenced above at
www.regulations.gov and on the project website
(kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov). Interested parties are invited to
submit comments by any of the following methods:
Website: For access to the documents, go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal located at www.regulations.gov or the project website
(kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov). Follow the online instructions for
submitting comments.
Mailing address or for hand delivery or courier: UDOT Environmental
Services Division, 4501 South 2700 West, P.O. Box 148450, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84114-8450.
Email address: kimballjunctioneis@utah.gov.
All submissions should include the agency name and the docket
number that appears in the heading of this Notice. All comments
received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov or
kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov.
The Draft EIS will include a summary of the comments received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carissa Watanabe, Environmental
Program Manager, UDOT Environmental Services Division, 4501 South 2700
West, P.O. Box 148450, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-8450; telephone:
(503) 939-3798; email: cwatanabe@utah.gov. Grant Farnsworth, PE,
Kimball Junction EIS Project Manager, UDOT Region Two, 2010 South 2760
West, Salt Lake City, UT 84104; telephone: (801) 663-9985 email:
gfarnsworth@utah.gov.
Persons interested in receiving the project information can also
use the project email address referenced above to be added to the
project mailing list.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review, consultation, and
other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for
this project are being or have been carried out by UDOT pursuant to 23
U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022 and
executed by FHWA and UDOT. UDOT, as the assigned National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) agency, will prepare an EIS to evaluate
transportation solutions in the Kimball Junction area which includes
the Interstate 80 (I-80) and State Route (SR) 224 interchange and SR-
224 through the two at-grade intersections to the south (Ute Boulevard
and Olympic Parkway). The proposed project study area extends on I-80
from the Jeremy Ranch interchange (I-80 milepost 142) to the US-40
interchange (I-80 milepost 147). The EIS will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of NEPA, as amended (42 United States
Code [U.S.C.] Section 4321, et seq.), 23 U.S.C. 139, Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts
1500-1508), FHWA regulations implementing NEPA (23 CFR 771.101-
771.139), and all applicable federal, state, and local governmental
laws and regulations.
In 2021, UDOT, in partnership with Summit County, published the
Kimball Junction and SR-224 Area Plan (Area Plan) that was prepared to
identify and evaluate future transportation improvements at the
interchange of I-80 and SR-224 and through the two at-grade
intersections on SR-224 (Ute Boulevard and Olympic Parkway) in Summit
County, Utah. The Area Plan was conducted using UDOT's Solutions
Development process which is a local planning process that seeks to
capture the unique context of an area or corridor and develop a set of
solutions to meet its transportation needs. The Area Plan evaluated
multimodal improvements to address congestion, mobility, safety,
access, and travel time reliability at the Kimball Junction interchange
and on SR-224 in the Kimball Junction area.
Transportation problems as well as opportunities to solve the
problems were established in the study area via input from study
partners and the public. Other criteria were developed to balance
transportation and environmental goals and objectives. Further input
from the study partners and the public was incorporated to develop the
goals. The problems and opportunities developed during the Area Plan
process informed the draft
[[Page 78191]]
purpose and need of this EIS. The Area Plan process analyzed several
solutions (30) and narrowed the options down to three alternatives,
including intersection and pedestrian improvements and larger, more
complex transportation solutions that will be evaluated in the EIS. The
alternatives evaluation process included developing screening criteria
based on addressing the problems and opportunities and study goals,
developing a full range of alternatives, and documenting the
elimination of alternatives. The 2021 Area Plan may be viewed at the
project website (kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov).
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The purpose of this project as identified by UDOT is to improve
operations and travel time on SR-224 from the I-80 interchange through
Olympic Parkway; improve safety by reducing queues on I-80 off-ramps;
improve pedestrian and bicyclist mobility and accessibility throughout
the study area; and maintain or improve transit travel times. The need
for the project is based on future (2050) failing conditions at the SR-
224 and the I-80, Ute Boulevard, and Olympic Parkway intersections
create delay and unreliable travel times; off-ramp queues extending
onto mainline I-80 resulting in unsafe travel conditions; and growing
east-west active transportation demand across SR-224. Agencies and the
public are invited to comment on the draft purpose and need statement
and technical memorandum available on the project website
(kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov). The purpose and need statement and
supporting documentation, including data and public input summary, will
be available in the Draft EIS. The purpose and need statement might be
revised based on comments received during the comment period on this
NOI.
Preliminary Description of the Proposed Action and Alternatives the EIS
Will Consider
The currently contemplated range of alternatives proposed to be
considered in the EIS consists of the following: (1) taking no action;
(2) capacity improvements to I-80 and SR-224 such as adding general-
purpose or auxiliary lanes and interchange improvements; (3) modified
accesses to and from I-80 and SR-224; (4) additional or modified road,
bicycle and pedestrian crossings on I-80 and SR-224; (5) combinations
of any of the above, and (6) other reasonable alternatives identified
during the EIS process. Three alternatives identified in the Area Plan
meet the range of alternatives listed above and include Alternative A:
a split-diamond interchange with intersection improvements; Alternative
B: an alternative that has grade-separated intersections with one-way
frontage roads to the I-80 interchange; and Alternative C: an
alternative that combines HOV-focused improvements. Additional
information on the alternatives, as well as maps and figures
illustrating the project location, are available for review on the
project website noted in the ADDRESSES section. Alternatives that do
not meet the project's purpose and need or that are otherwise not
reasonable will not be carried forward for detailed consideration in
the EIS. The alternatives to be retained will be finalized after UDOT
considers the comments received during the comment period on this NOI.
The alternatives might be revised based on UDOT's consideration of
public comments. The concepts not retained will also be documented in
the Draft EIS. Alternatives carried forward in the EIS process will be
evaluated along with the No Action alternative. The No Action
alternative assumes all transportation improvements identified in the
current long-range transportation plan would be built except the
interchange improvements proposed in this study.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The EIS will evaluate the expected social, economic, and
environmental effects resulting from the implementing the action
alternatives and the no action alternative. The following resources are
the most sensitive resources in the project area as identified in the
Area Plan and will be evaluated by UDOT in the EIS:
Water Quality and Water Resources including Wetlands and other
Waters of the United States: Project alternatives could require placing
fill in waters of the United States and impacts to wetlands considered
to be jurisdictional. These impacts would require a permit from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the discharge of dredged or
fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands.
Section 4(f) Resources: Project alternatives might use section 4(f)
recreation resources and eligible historic properties. Section 4(f) is
in reference to the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966.
Environmental Justice Communities: Project alternatives might
impact communities eligible for consideration as environmental justice
communities that are low-income and minority due to right-of-way
requirements, increases in noise, or other environmental factors.
Additional analysis and public involvement will be conducted during the
NEPA process to assess if the potential action alternatives would
result in any disproportionately high and adverse impacts on the low-
income and minority communities.
Property Acquisitions: Project alternatives could require acquiring
private properties and relocating the tenants or owners of the
properties. UDOT will work closely with the impacted stakeholders and
designers to reduce the number of acquisitions and relocations.
The EIS will evaluate the expected impacts of and benefits to the
known resources listed above as well as the following resources: land
use, social and community resources, traffic, economics, pedestrian and
bicyclist considerations, air quality, noise, wildlife resources,
floodplains, cultural resources, hazardous material sites, and visual
resources. The level of review of the identified resources for the EIS
will be commensurate with the anticipated effects on each resource from
the proposed project and will be governed by the statutory or
regulatory requirements protecting those resources.
The analyses and evaluations conducted for the EIS will identify
the potential for effects; avoidance measures; whether the anticipated
effects would be adverse; and mitigation measures for adverse effects.
UDOT welcomes comments on the expected impacts to be analyzed in the
Draft EIS during the NOI comment period.
Agencies, stakeholders, and the public are invited to comment on
the expected resources and anticipated impacts. The environmental
impact analysis will not begin until the purpose and need, range of
alternatives, and impact categories are finalized based on the public
comments on this NOI. UDOT might revise the identification of impacts
as a result of considering public comments. The studies to identify the
impacts, as well as the analyses of impacts from the retained
alternatives, will be presented in the Draft EIS.
Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations
The project might require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Additional
state or local permits that may be required include stream alteration
permits (PGP-10) from the Utah Division of Water Rights, Clean Water
Act section 401 Certification from the Utah Division of Water Quality,
Clean Water Act Section 402 Utah
[[Page 78192]]
Pollution Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Construction
Activities from the Utah Division of Water Quality, floodplain
development permits from local jurisdictions (cities or counties), and
other construction related permits (such as Air Quality Approval Orders
and Fugitive Dust Emission Control Plan from the Utah Division of Air
Quality). A section 4(f) de minimis impact and/or section 106 affected
properties would require concurrence from the official with
jurisdiction.
Scoping and Public Review
Agency Coordination
A coordination plan is being prepared to define the agency and
public participation procedures for the environmental review process.
The plan will establish cooperating and participating agency roles and
a review schedule and will be posted on the project website
(kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov). Cooperating agencies that have been
preliminarily identified include the USACE and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Agency and Public Review
UDOT will initiate a scoping process in December 2022 to gather
information and solicit input after this NOI is issued. To ensure that
a full range of issues are addressed in the EIS and potential issues
are identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all
interested parties. During Scoping, UDOT requests comments and
suggestions on the draft purpose and need, potential project
alternatives and impacts, the draft alternatives screening methodology,
and the identification of any relevant information, studies, or
analyses of any kind concerning impacts to the quality of the human and
natural environment. The purpose of this request is to bring relevant
comments, information, and analyses to the attention of UDOT, as early
in the process as possible, to enable the agency to make maximum use of
this information in decision making.
A public scoping period will be held between December 27, 2022 and
January 27, 2023. As part of the scoping process, UDOT will provide an
opportunity for public and agency comments on the draft purpose and
need statement and technical memorandum, and preliminary alternatives
screening methodology. These documents will be available on the project
website (kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov) on December 27, 2022. Final
versions of these documents, along with a scoping summary report, will
be available on the project website when they are completed.
Public scoping meetings will be held in-person and virtually. An
in-person public scoping meeting will be held on January 10, 2023 from
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ecker Hill Middle School, 2465 Kilby Road,
Park City, Utah. A virtual public scoping meeting will be held on
January 11, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. To register for
the virtual public meeting or to obtain information regarding the
scoping meetings, please visit the project website.
Public involvement is a critical component of the project
development process and will continue throughout the development of the
EIS. All individuals and organizations expressing interest in the
project will be able to participate in the process through various
public outreach opportunities, and they can sign up to receive email
announcements and notifications on the project website
(kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov). These opportunities include, but
are not limited to, public meetings and hearing(s), the project
website, and press releases. Public notice will be given regarding the
time and place of all public meetings and hearing(s). A public scoping
period and 30-day public comment period is planned between December 27,
2022 and January 27, 2023. Pursuant to 40 CFR 1501.9(d), during the
scoping period, all interested parties are requested to provide
comments on the draft purpose and need statement, the range of
potential alternatives for the project, the preliminary alternatives
screening methodology, and resources to be considered in the EIS, and
to identify any relevant information, studies, or analyses relevant to
the project. Written comments or questions should be directed to UDOT
representatives at the mail or email addresses provided above.
Public hearings will be held during the course of the EIS, as
described below. Generally, the locations, dates, and times for each
public hearing will be publicized on the project website
(kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov) and in newspapers with local and
regional circulation, including The Salt Lake Tribune, the Deseret
News, the Park Record, and Townlift. Materials will be available at the
meetings in English and Spanish, and oral and written comments will be
solicited.
Public Hearing on the Draft EIS
Notice of availability of the Draft EIS for public and agency
review will be published in the Federal Register and through other
methods which will identify where interested parties can review a copy
of the Draft EIS. A public hearing will be conducted by UDOT and
announced a minimum of 15 days in advance of the scheduled hearing
date. UDOT will provide information for the public hearing, including
the location, date, and time for the meeting, through a variety of
means including the project website (kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov)
and by newspaper advertisement.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
After this NOI is issued, UDOT will coordinate with the
participating and cooperating agencies to develop study documentation
and the Draft EIS.
The Draft EIS is anticipated to be issued in Winter 2023.
The combined Final EIS and Record of Decision is anticipated to be
issued in the Fall of 2024, within 24 months of the publication of this
NOI.
Any other federal permits, if necessary, will be obtained within 90
days after the Record of Decision is issued.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
To ensure that a full range of issues related to the project are
addressed and all potential issues are identified, UDOT invites
comments and suggestions from all interested parties. The project team
requests comments and suggestions regarding potential alternatives and
impacts and the identification of any relevant information, studies, or
analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the
human environment. Any information presented in this NOI, including the
draft purpose and need statement, preliminary range of alternatives,
and identification of impacts, might be revised after UDOT considers
the comments. The purpose of this request is to bring relevant
comments, information, and analyses to UDOT's attention, as early in
the process as possible, to enable UDOT to make maximum use of this
information in decision making. Comments may be submitted according to
the instructions in the ADDRESSES section of this NOI.
(h) Contact Information
For more information, please visit the project website at
kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov. Information requests or comments can
also be emailed to kimballjunctioneis@utah.gov.
[[Page 78193]]
UDOT: Carissa Watanabe, Environmental Program Manager, UDOT
Environmental Services Division, 4501 South 2700 West, P.O. Box 148450,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-8450; telephone: (503) 939-3798; email:
cwatanabe@utah.gov.
(Catalog of Federal and Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental
consultation on federal programs and activities apply to this
program.)
Dated: December 14, 2022.
Ivan Marrero,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Salt Lake City,
Utah.
[FR Doc. 2022-27728 Filed 12-20-22; 8:45 am]
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