Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Last Chance Grade Permanent Restoration Project on Interstate 101, in Del Norte County, California Publication: Federal Register Agency: Federal Highway Administration Byline: Rodney Whitfield Date: 3 November 2021 Subjects: American Government , The Environment, Roads & Highways Topic: Interstate Highway System

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 210 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60734-60735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23910]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Last Chance Grade Permanent Restoration Project on 
Interstate 101, in Del Norte County, California

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (Draft EIS) for the Last Chance Grade Restoration Project on 
Interstate 101 (I-101).

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

SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public 
that a Draft EIS will be prepared for the Last Chance Grade Permanent 
Restoration Project (Project), a proposed roadway improvement project 
on I-101, in Del Norte County, California. A separate Notice of 
Preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) has 
been issued by Caltrans to meet the requirements of the California 
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

DATES: This notice will be accompanied by a 30-day public scoping 
comment period from November 5, 2021 to December 6, 2021. The deadline 
for public comments is 5:00 p.m. (PST) on December 6, 2021. The Virtual 
scoping meeting will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PST on 
Thursday, November 18, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Project information is available on the internet at 
lastchancegrade.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Caltrans: Contact Steve Croteau, 
Senior Environmental Planner, Caltrans District 1, 1656 Union Street, 
Eureka, CA 95501, telephone 707-572-7149, or email 
lastchancegrade.com">ScopingComments@lastchancegrade.com.
    For FHWA, contact David Tedrick, telephone (916) 498-5024, or email 
david.tedrick@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective July 1, 2007, the FHWA assigned, 
and Caltrans assumed, environmental responsibilities for this project 
pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans as the assigned National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) agency and CEQA lead

[[Page 60735]]

agency, will prepare a joint EIR/EIS on a proposal for improvements 
along a portion of I-101 known as ``Last Chance Grade'' in Del Norte 
County, California.
    Last Chance Grade is the 3.5-mile-long section of I-101 (post mile 
[PM] 12.0 to 15.5) that runs between Wilson Creek to about 9 miles 
south of Crescent City. The Project area is almost entirely within 
portions of Redwood National and State Parks.
    The Project would realign the highway in response to landslide and 
roadway failures which have caused damage for decades. The purpose of 
the project is to:

 Provide a more reliable connection
 Reduce maintenance costs
 Protect the economy, natural resources, and cultural resources

    A geologic study in 2000 conducted for Caltrans by the California 
Geological Survey mapped over 200 historical and active landslides 
(both deep-seated and shallow) within the corridor between Wilson Creek 
and Crescent City. Over the years, Caltrans has conducted a 
considerable number of construction projects and maintenance activities 
in the Last Chance Grade area to keep the roadway open. Since 1997, 
landslide mitigation efforts, including retaining walls, drainage 
improvements, and roadway repairs have cost over $85 million. A long-
term sustainable solution at Last Chance Grade is needed to address:

 Economic ramifications of a long-term failure and closure
 Risk of delay/detour to traveling public
 Increasing maintenance and emergency project costs
 Increase in frequency and severity of large storm events 
caused by climate change

    Over the past several years, Caltrans has considered multiple 
alignment alternatives with input from numerous project partners in 
seeking a long-term feasible and sustainable solution suitable for the 
unique geologic and natural features of the project area. As a result 
of these past alternatives screening processes, Caltrans has elected to 
move forward with the environmental review of two action alternatives, 
Alternatives X and F.
    Alternative X would involve reengineering the existing roadway. 
Within a portion of Alternative X, the roadway would retreat inland (to 
the east) by approximately 130 feet to improve geotechnical stability 
and longevity. Alternative X would involve constructing a series of 
retaining walls (single and terraced) to minimize the potential for 
landslides on the roadway. Depending on feasibility, drainage 
improvements might also be included for this alternative.
    Alternative F would construct an approximately 10,000-foot-long 
tunnel that would diverge from the existing roadway near PM 14.06 and 
reconnect to US 101 near PM 15.5, thereby avoiding the surface portion 
of existing roadway most prone to landslides and geologic instability.
    The Draft EIR/EIS will also study a No Project Alternative, which 
would entail no new long-term feasible and sustainable solution for 
Last Chance Grade but would instead be a continuation of ongoing 
maintenance and repair activities needed to enable ongoing roadway 
operations.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, Participating Agencies, Tribal 
governments, and local agencies, and to private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in 
this proposal. The Scoping period to submit comments is from November 
5, 2021 to December 6, 2021. A public scoping meeting will be held 
virtually from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PST on November 18, 2021 from 
link at lastchancegrade.com. Comments on the NOI may be submitted by 
email: lastchancegrade.com">ScopingComments@lastchancegrade.com; or letter to 1656 Union 
Street, Eureka, CA 95501 with Attention to Steve Croteau, Senior 
Environmental Planner. In addition, a public hearing will be held once 
the Draft EIR/EIS is completed. Public notice will be given with the 
time and place of the meeting and 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.)

    Issued on: October 28, 2021.
Rodney Whitfield,
Director, Financial Services, Federal Highway Administration, 
California Division.
[FR Doc. 2021-23910 Filed 11-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-RY-P