Environmental Impact Statement: Port Huron township and City of Port Huron, MI, 23882-23883 [07-2112]

Agencies

• Federal Highway Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23882-23883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2112]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Port Huron township and City of 
Port Huron, MI

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is reissuing this Notice to advise the public of 
changes to the Environmental Assessment that was to be prepared for the 
proposed improvements to the I-94/I-69 corridor and the Black River 
Bridge in Port Huron Township, MI and changes to the Environmental 
Impact Statement that was to be prepared for the proposed improvements 
to the United States Port of entry Plaza for the Blue Water Bridge in 
St. Clair County, Michigan. This Notice revises the published Notices 
of Intent of January 27, 2005 and November 7, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ryan Rizzo, Major Projects 
Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 315 W. Allegan Street, Room 
201, Lansing, Michigan 48933, Telephone (517) 702-1833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Michigan 
Department of Transportation (MDOT) is preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate alternatives for potential 
improvements to the United States Border Plaza at the Blue Water 
Bridge.
    The Blue Water Bridge is a major passenger and commercial border 
crossing between the United States and Canada and is the termination 
point for I-94 in the United States and for Highway 402 in Canada. MDOT 
owns and operates the Blue Water Bridge in conjunction with the 
Canadian Blue Water Bridge Authority (BWBA), MDOT also owns and 
operates the Blue Water Bridge Border Plaza. Several inspection 
agencies operate on the United States Plaza. The agencies are 
responsible for inspecting vehicles, goods, and people entering the 
United States and include: The Bureau of Customs and border Protection 
(CBO), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food 
and Drug Administration (FDA). The inspection agencies lease facilities 
on the United States Plaza from MDOT through the General Services 
Administration (GSA), which serves as the Federal-leasing agent. MDOT 
collects tolls from vehicles departing the United States for Canada on 
the plaza.
    The study area is located within the City of Port Huron and Port 
Huron Township. The study area consists of approximately 30 blocks (195 
acres) of urban land use surrounding the existing plaza and ramps and 
extends to the west along I-94/I-69 approximately 2.2 miles. The study 
area includes the Black River Bridge, Water Street interchange, Lapeer 
Connector interchange, and locations for possible off-site inspection 
facilities, located north of I-94/I-69 and west of the Water Street 
interchange.
    In September 2002, this project started as an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) and proceeded through the scoping phase, Purpose and 
Need documentation, and three public information meetings. As a result 
of identified potentially significant impacts, FHWA and MDOT concluded 
in 2004 that an Environmental Impact Statement should be completed. In 
2006 after further analysis, it was decided that the project could be 
split into two environmental documents: and Environmental Assessment 
for the I-94/I-69 corridor improvements and an Environmental Impact 
Statement for the plaza project. In early 2007, after additional 
consultation with stakeholders and interested parties, it was 
determined that the two separate studies should be merged into one and

[[Page 23883]]

the I-94/I-69 improvements will be a part of the Environmental Impact 
Statement.
    Four plaza and transportation improvement alternatives have been 
identified within the recommended study area. Alternatives will 
include: (1) No-Build Alternative, (2) Township alternative with a 
secured I-94 corridor, (3) City alternative with Pine Grove Avenue 
relocated to the east and an unsecured I-94 corridor.
    Agency and citizen involvement will continue to be solicited 
throughout this process. A public hearing will be held on the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Public notice will be given of 
the time and place of 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 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 the FHWA at the address provided above.

    Issued on: April 20, 2007.
James J. Steele,
Division Administrator, Lansing, Michigan.
[FR Doc. 07-2112 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M