Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Beltway Transportation Project From I-79 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway, Washington County, PA, 60008-60009 [E7-20812]

Download as PDF rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES 60008 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 23, 2007 / Notices The Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel shall be composed of not more than 15 members, who are eminent authorities in the fields of national security policy, intelligence, science, engineering, or business and industry. The Secretary of the Navy Panel, in keeping with the DoD policy to make every effort to achieve a balanced membership, shall include a cross section of experts that are directly affected, interested and qualified to advise on U.S. defense and naval issues. Panel and subcommittee members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not full-time Federal officers or employees, shall serve as Special Government Employees under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. Panel and subcommittee members shall be appointed on an annual basis by the Secretary of Defense, and with the exception of travel and per diem for official travel, they shall serve without compensation. The Secretary of the Navy shall select the Panel’s chairperson from the total Panel membership. The Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel shall meet at the call of the Panel’s Designated Federal Officer, in consultation with the chairperson. The Designated Federal Officer, pursuant to DoD policy, shall be a full-time or permanent part-time DoD employee, and shall be appointed in accordance with established DoD policies and procedures. The Designated Federal Officer or duly appointed Alternate Designated Federal Officer shall attend all committee and subcommittee meetings. Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and 102–3.140, the public or interested organizations may submit written statements to the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel membership about the Panel’s mission and functions. Written statements may be submitted at any time or in response to the stated agenda of planned meeting of the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel. All written statements shall be submitted to the Designated Federal Officer for the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel, and this individual will ensure that the written statements are provided to the membership for their consideration. Contact information for the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel’s Designated Federal Officer can be obtained from the GSA’s FACA Database—https://www.fido.gov/ facadatabase/public.asp. The Designated Federal Officer, pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.150, will announce planned meetings of the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel. The Designated Federal Officer, at that VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:33 Oct 22, 2007 Jkt 214001 time, may provide additional guidance on the submission of written statements that are in response to the stated agenda for the planned meeting in question. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Jim Freeman, DoD Committee Management Office, 703–601–2554, extension 128. Dated: October 17, 2007. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 07–5218 Filed 10–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Notification of an ‘‘Open Meeting’’ of the National Defense University Visitors (BOV) Department of Defense; National Defense University. ACTION: Notice of ‘‘Open Meeting.’’ AGENCY: SUMMARY: The National Defense University (NDU), Designated Federal Officer, has scheduled a meeting of the Board of Visitors. Request subject notice be published in the Federal Register. The National Defense University Board of Visitors is a Federal Advisory Board. The Board meets twice a year in proceedings that are open to the public. DATES: The meeting will be held on November 19–20, 2007 from 11:00 to 17:00 on the 19th and continuing on the 20th from 8:30 to 13:30. Location: The Board of Visitors meeting will be held at Building 62, Marshall Hall, Room 155, National Defense University, 300 5th Avenue, Fort McNair, Washington, DC 20319– 5066. The point of contact for this notice of an ‘‘Open Meeting’’ is Jeanette Tolbert at (202) 685–3955, Fax (202) 685–3328 or TolbertJ@ndu.edu. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: State of the University, National Security Professional Development, Accreditation, and Federal Policy. The meeting is open to the public; limited space is made available for observers and will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: October 17, 2007. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, DoD. [FR Doc. 07–5217 Filed 10–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–M PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Beltway Transportation Project From I–79 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway, Washington County, PA Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for proposed transportation improvements between Interstate 79 (I–79) and the Mon/Fayette Expressway (Turnpike 43), known locally as a Southern Beltway Transportation Project, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hans, Acting Chief, Regulatory Branch, Department of the Army, Pittsburgh District Corps of Engineers, William S. Moorhead Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222–4186, Telephone: (412) 395–7154; or David P. Willis, Environmental Manager, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106–7676, Telephone: (717) 939–9551. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, will now prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal for a limited access toll highway in Washington County, south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The proposed highway would extend from Interstate 79 south of the Allegheny County and Washington County line, easterly to the Mon/Fayette Expressway (Turnpike 43), near Finleyville, Washington County. The study corridor is approximately 19 kilometers (12 miles) long and 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) wide. Previously, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) served as the lead federal agency, with the Corps as a cooperating agency. The Financial Plan most recently submitted by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), the local Metropolitan Planning Organization, was not considered reasonable by SPC. As a result, the I–79 to Mon/Fayette Expressway Project was not included on SPC’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) when it was updated and adopted in July 2007. Subsequently, the FHWA E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 23, 2007 / Notices rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES has withdrawn its involvement from the EIS process. In order to advance this project, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has decided to continue project development without federal funding and FHWA oversight. Since this project will require a Section 404 permit from the Corps, the Corps will become the lead federal agency. The proposed highway is considered necessary to improve the movement of people and goods from the Mon Valley to Interstate 79 in the area south of Pittsburgh. Preliminary studies and public and agency input have indicated that the project needs cannot be met by Transportation System Management (TSM) activities, upgrading existing roadways or mass transit improvements. Several new tolled expressway alternatives are under consideration. The No Build Alternative is also under consideration. Descriptions of these alternatives, the results of the engineering, traffic, and environmental studies, and the environmental impacts of the alternatives will be presented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. A scoping meeting was held on this project on August 18 and 19, 1993 in Washington, Pennsylvania. Federal, state, regional, county, and municipal agency representatives attended and participated in this scoping meeting. In addition, an active public participation program was implemented on this project, including Special Agency Coordination Meetings, special purpose meetings with locally elected officials, Executive Committee Meetings, maintenance of a project website, and implementation of a toll-free phone number. A series of public meetings have also been held to ensure public input and participation. The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to a public hearing. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the hearing. To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed action are identified and addressed, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the Corps at the address provided above. Scott A. Hans, Acting Chief, Regulatory Branch, Pittsburgh District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. [FR Doc. E7–20812 Filed 10–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–85–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:33 Oct 22, 2007 Jkt 214001 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Contractor Employee Pension and Medical Benefits Office of Management, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Office of Management is announcing the availability of a summary of the public comments it received in response to a request for public comments on the challenge the Department of Energy (Department) confronts with respect to the costs and liabilities associated with contractor employee pension and medical benefits. The Department’s request for comments was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2007. ADDRESSES: The summary of public comments is available on the Internet at https://management.energy.gov/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Stephanie Weakley, Office of Procurement and Assistance Management, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, 20585, 202–287– 1645. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background On April 26, 2006, the Department issued Department of Energy Notice 351.1, Contractor Employee Pension and Medical Benefits Policy, which updated and revised the Department’s policy concerning reimbursement of Management and Operating (M&O) and other site management contractor pension and medical benefit costs. On June 19, 2006, the Secretary of Energy suspended implementation of the revised policy to permit consultation with stakeholders about the purpose of the Notice. On March 27, 2007, the Department published a Federal Register notice (72 FR 14266) seeking public comments and/or recommendations on how the Department should address the challenge it faces due to the increasing costs and financial liabilities associated with the reimbursement of contractor employee pension and medical benefit costs. The Office of Management established a Web site for the public to submit their comments and/or recommendations on how the Department should address this financial challenge. The Office of Management received approximately 475 comments in response to the March 27, 2007, request for public comments. The overwhelming majority of comments were from current and retired PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60009 Department employees who did not support the new policy in the suspended DOE Notice 351.1. The remainder of the comments were submitted by private citizens, labor unions, and actuarial firms. As a result of its stakeholder outreach and consideration of public comments, the Department decided not to reissue DOE N 351.1 after it expired by its terms on April 27, 2007. The Department is not contemplating further action with regard to contractor employee pension and medical benefits at this time. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 15, 2007. Ingrid Kolb, Director of Management, U.S. Department of Energy. [FR Doc. E7–20801 Filed 10–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; Safe Transportation and Emergency Response Training; Technical Assistance and Funding Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice extending comment period. AGENCY: SUMMARY: On Monday, July 23, 2007, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of revised proposed policy (72 FR 140) setting forth its revised plans for implementing Section 180(c) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (the NWPA). The notice requested comments on the provision of technical assistance and financial assistance for training of public safety officials to States and Indian Tribes through whose jurisdictions the DOE plans to transport spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste to a facility authorized under Subtitle A or C of the NWPA. The training is to cover safe, routine transport procedures and emergency response procedures as directed in the NWPA. The comment period for this notice of revised proposed policy was scheduled to close on October 22, 2007. Today’s notice announces a 90-day extension of the comment period on the revised proposed policy. The Department is taking this action in order to allow additional time for all interested parties to comment on the revised proposed policy. DATES: Written comments should be mailed and electronic comments submitted to the Department and must E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60008-60009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20812]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Southern Beltway Transportation Project From I-79 to the Mon/Fayette 
Expressway, Washington County, PA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) will be prepared for proposed transportation improvements between 
Interstate 79 (I-79) and the Mon/Fayette Expressway (Turnpike 43), 
known locally as a Southern Beltway Transportation Project, in 
Washington County, Pennsylvania.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hans, Acting Chief, Regulatory 
Branch, Department of the Army, Pittsburgh District Corps of Engineers, 
William S. Moorhead Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania 15222-4186, Telephone: (412) 395-7154; or David P. Willis, 
Environmental Manager, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, P.O. Box 
67676, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-7676, Telephone: (717) 939-9551.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps, in cooperation with the 
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, will now prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal for a limited access toll highway 
in Washington County, south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The proposed 
highway would extend from Interstate 79 south of the Allegheny County 
and Washington County line, easterly to the Mon/Fayette Expressway 
(Turnpike 43), near Finleyville, Washington County. The study corridor 
is approximately 19 kilometers (12 miles) long and 2.5 kilometers (1.5 
miles) wide. Previously, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 
served as the lead federal agency, with the Corps as a cooperating 
agency. The Financial Plan most recently submitted by the Pennsylvania 
Turnpike Commission to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), 
the local Metropolitan Planning Organization, was not considered 
reasonable by SPC. As a result, the I-79 to Mon/Fayette Expressway 
Project was not included on SPC's Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) 
when it was updated and adopted in July 2007. Subsequently, the FHWA

[[Page 60009]]

has withdrawn its involvement from the EIS process. In order to advance 
this project, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has decided to 
continue project development without federal funding and FHWA 
oversight. Since this project will require a Section 404 permit from 
the Corps, the Corps will become the lead federal agency.
    The proposed highway is considered necessary to improve the 
movement of people and goods from the Mon Valley to Interstate 79 in 
the area south of Pittsburgh. Preliminary studies and public and agency 
input have indicated that the project needs cannot be met by 
Transportation System Management (TSM) activities, upgrading existing 
roadways or mass transit improvements. Several new tolled expressway 
alternatives are under consideration. The No Build Alternative is also 
under consideration. Descriptions of these alternatives, the results of 
the engineering, traffic, and environmental studies, and the 
environmental impacts of the alternatives will be presented in the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
    A scoping meeting was held on this project on August 18 and 19, 
1993 in Washington, Pennsylvania. Federal, state, regional, county, and 
municipal agency representatives attended and participated in this 
scoping meeting. In addition, an active public participation program 
was implemented on this project, including Special Agency Coordination 
Meetings, special purpose meetings with locally elected officials, 
Executive Committee Meetings, maintenance of a project website, and 
implementation of a toll-free phone number. A series of public meetings 
have also been held to ensure public input and participation. The Draft 
EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to 
a public hearing. Public notice will be given of the time and place of 
the hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are identified and addressed, comments and suggestions are 
invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning 
this proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the Corps at the 
address provided above.

Scott A. Hans,
Acting Chief, Regulatory Branch, Pittsburgh District, U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers.
[FR Doc. E7-20812 Filed 10-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-85-P
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