Environmental Impact Statement: St. Louis County, Missouri

Topics:  Federal Highway Administration

Peggy J. Casey
Federal Register
September 13, 2011

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 56492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23301]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: St. Louis County, Missouri

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for improvements 
to the corridor generally following the existing pathway created by 
Missouri Bottom Road, Aubuchon Road, and Charbonier Road between Earth 
City Expressway and Howdershell/Shackelford Road in northwestern St. 
Louis County, Missouri. These roads lie within the floodplain of the 
Missouri River. The hydrological conditions of the area create a 
situation where short-term flood-related closures occur along this 
pathway. The occurrence and length of closures are often difficult to 
predict; the detours caused by the closures are often lengthy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Peggy J. Casey, Program 
Development Team Leader, FHWA Division Office, 3220 West Edgewood, 
Suite H, Jefferson City, MO 65109, Telephone: (573) 636-7104; or Mr. 
David Nichols, Chief Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation, 
P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Telephone: (573) 751-4586. 
Questions may also be directed to the Local Public Agency sponsor by 
contacting Mr. Adam Spector, Transportation Studies Project Manager, 
St. Louis County Department of Highways and Traffic, 121 S. Meramec 
Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105, Telephone: (314) 615-8594.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Missouri 
Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and St Louis County Department of 
Highways and Traffic (County), will prepare an EIS for a proposed 
roadway project in St. Louis County, Missouri. A location study will 
run concurrently with the preparation of the EIS and will provide 
definitive alternatives for evaluation in the EIS. The EIS will fully 
analyze the issues, problems, and potential social and environmental 
impacts associated with improving transportation within this portion of 
St. Louis County. The goals of the proposed action are to: (1) 
Eliminate flood-related detours between Charbonier Road and Earth City 
Expressway, (2) address capacity needs in northwestern St. Louis 
County, (3) enhance safety along roadways in northwestern St. Louis 
County, and (4) provide access to the economic opportunities in 
northwestern St. Louis County. The project study area is generally 
bounded by the Missouri River on the north and west, Route 370 on the 
south, and Howdershell/Shackelford Road on the east.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
reconstruction/improvements along the existing alignment; and (3) new 
alignments.
    To date, preliminary information has been issued to local 
officials. As part of the project scoping process, an interagency 
coordination meeting will be held with appropriate federal, state, and 
local agencies having jurisdiction or having specific expertise with 
respect to any environmental impacts associated with the proposed 
improvements. Agencies with jurisdiction by law will be asked to become 
cooperating agencies. Other agencies with interest in the project will 
be invited to become participating agencies. In addition, informational 
meetings with the public and community representatives will be held to 
solicit input on the project and reasonable range of alternatives. A 
location public hearing will be held to present the findings of the 
Draft EIS (DEIS). Public notice will be given announcing the time and 
place of all public meetings and the hearing. The DEIS will be 
available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public 
hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action is addressed and all significant issues are identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the FHWA or MoDOT, or the St. Louis County Department of 
Highways and Traffic at the addresses 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: September 7, 2011.
Peggy J. Casey,
Program Development Team Leader, Jefferson City.
[FR Doc. 2011-23301 Filed 9-12-11; 8:45 am]
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