Environmental Impact Statement: Travis County, TX, 61471-61472 [2012-24722]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2012 / Notices
Native American Indian Governments
who, by contract, manage their own
transportation program. These reports
will be submitted through the RADS
and reviewed for accuracy by the FHWA
Division Offices.
Estimated Average Burden per
Response: 5 hours
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: Total estimated average annual
burden is 4000 hours.
Public Comments Invited: You are
asked to comment on any aspect of this
information collection, including: (1)
Whether the proposed collection is
necessary for the FHWA’s performance;
(2) the accuracy of the estimated
burden; (3) ways for the FHWA to
enhance the quality, usefulness, and
clarity of the collected information; and
(4) ways that the burden could be
minimized, including the use of
computer technology, without reducing
the quality of the collected information.
The agency will summarize and/or
include your comments in the request
for OMB’s clearance of this information
collection.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended;
and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued On: October 1, 2012.
Steven Smith,
Chief, Information Technology Division.
[FR Doc. 2012–24801 Filed 10–5–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement:
Travis County, TX
Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to 40 CFR 1508.22
and 43 TAC § 2.5(e)(2), the FHWA,
Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT), and Central Texas Regional
Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority)
are issuing this notice to advise the
public that an environmental impact
statement (EIS) will be prepared for a
transportation project in Travis County,
Texas. The proposed project would
improve US 290 from State Loop 1 (SL1
[Mopac]) to Ranch-to-Market Road (RM)
1826, in Travis County, Texas, a
distance of approximately 3.6 miles.
The EIS will also include improvements
to SH 71 from Silvermine Drive to US
290 in Travis County, a distance of
approximately 1.2 miles.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Salvador Deocampo, District Engineer,
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:28 Oct 05, 2012
Jkt 229001
District A, Federal Highway
Administration, Texas Division, 300
East 8th Street, Room 826, Austin,
Texas, 78701. Phone: 512–536–5950.
DATES: Public Scoping meetings will be
held in fall 2012 and winter 2013 to
receive oral and written comments on
environmental concerns that should be
addressed in the EIS. The public
scoping meetings will be held at dates,
times and locations to be published in
general circulation newspapers in the
project area. Comments concerning the
scope of the analysis should be received
in writing within 30 days following the
date of the last scoping meeting to
receive full consideration in the
development of alternatives.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
FHWA in cooperation with TxDOT and
the Mobility Authority will prepare an
EIS for the proposed improvement of US
290 from State Loop 1 (SL1 [Mopac]) to
Ranch-to-Market Road (RM) 1826, in
Travis County, Texas, a distance of
approximately 3.6 miles. The EIS will
also include improvements to SH 71
from Silvermine Drive to US 290 in
Travis County, a distance of
approximately 1.2 miles. Proposed
improvements were originally
considered in a Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS) covering
improvements to SH 71/US 290 from
RM 1826 to Farm-to-Market (FM) 973. A
Record of Decision (ROD) was issued by
FHWA on August 22, 1988. The midsection of the original project limits,
between Joe Tanner Lane and Riverside
Drive, has been constructed. Since the
issuance of the ROD, changes in
adjacent land use, State and Federal
listing of the Barton Springs salamander
as endangered, changes in funding
mechanisms, and public input have
resulted in changes in the proposed
design concept. A new EIS will be
completed to evaluate potential impacts
from the proposed improvements. The
proposed project limits of the US 290
EIS would extend beyond the limits of
the original FEIS to allow for a logical
terminus and transition back to existing
US 290 at Circle Drive and along SH 71
at Silvermine Drive.
The project is listed in the Capital
Area Metropolitan Planning
Organization (CAMPO) 2035 Regional
Transportation Plan, as amended, as a
six-lane tolled freeway from Circle Drive
to Joe Tanner Lane and as tolled
connector bridges from SH 71 to US 290
W. The proposed action is also included
in the CAMPO’s fiscal year 2011–2014
Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP) as an added capacity, tolled
facility and tolled connector bridges
from SH 71. The need for the proposed
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
61471
project stems from corridor congestion
causing unreliable traffic operations
within the US 290/SH 71 corridor.
TxDOT and the Mobility Authority have
identified the following issues that the
project would address: safety concerns
along the corridor, roadway congestion
which has been caused by steady
population growth in the Austin
metropolitan area, system mobility and
connectivity, time delay and level of
service (LOS; currently at LOS F—
unacceptable congestion) within the
corridor, and reliable routes for transit
and emergency vehicles within the
corridor.
In order to address the identified
needs and objectives, the purpose of the
proposed project is to improve mobility
and operational efficiency, facilitate
long-term congestion management in
the corridor by accommodating the
movement of people and goods for
multiple modes of travel, and improve
safety and emergency response within
the corridor. A reasonable number of
alignment alternatives will be identified
and evaluated in the EIS, as well as the
No-build Alternative, based on input
from federal, state, and local agencies,
as well as private organizations and
concerned citizens. Alternative designs
and funding alternatives will include
tolling options or new managed lanes.
In addition, environmental stewardship
and sustainability strategies will be
developed to address those problems
which are not transportation related and
may include improved service quality
and quality of access to goods and
services, safety, improved air quality,
noise reduction, improved water
quality, protection of habitat and open
space, historic preservation, reduced
carbon emissions, increased social
equity, economic development, and a
satisfying quality of life, plus local goals
consistent with the overall project
purpose and need.
Impacts caused by the construction
and operation of the proposed
improvements would vary depending
on the selection of a build alternative.
The EIS will evaluate potential impacts
from construction and operation of the
proposed roadway including, but not
limited to, the following: impacts to
residences and businesses, including
potential relocation; impacts to
parkland; transportation impacts
(construction detours, construction
traffic, and mobility improvement); air
and noise impacts from construction
equipment and operation of the
roadway; social and economic impacts,
including impacts to minority and lowincome residences; impacts to historic
cultural resources; endangered and
threatened species and impacts to
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
09OCN1
61472
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2012 / Notices
waters of the U.S. including wetlands
from right-of-way encroachment; and
potential indirect and cumulative
impacts.
Public involvement is a critical
component of the project development
process and will occur throughout the
planning and study phases.
Opportunities for public involvement
would exist during the scoping process,
public meetings and a public hearing. A
Public and Agency Coordination Plan
will be provided in accordance with 23
U.S. Code Section 139 (23 U.S.C. 139),
to facilitate and document the lead
agencies, structure interaction with the
public and other agencies, and to inform
the public and other agencies of how the
coordination will be accomplished. The
Public and Agency Coordination Plan
will promote early and continuous
involvement from stakeholders,
agencies, and the public as well as
describe the proposed project, the roles
of the agencies and the public, the
project purpose and need, schedule,
level of detail for alternatives analysis,
and the proposed process for
coordination and communication.
Letters describing the proposed action
and soliciting comments will be sent to
the appropriate Federal, State, and local
agencies, and private organizations and
citizens who have previously expressed
or are known to have interest in this
proposal. To ensure that the full range
of issues related to this proposed action
are 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
FHWA at the address 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 1, 2012.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2012–24722 Filed 10–5–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA–2012–0006–N–14]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Comment Request
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
AGENCY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:28 Oct 05, 2012
Jkt 229001
Notice and request for
comments.
ACTION:
In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces that the Information
Collection Requirements (ICRs)
abstracted below have been forwarded
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and comment. The
ICRs describe the nature of the
information collections and their
expected burdens. The Federal Register
notice with a 60-day comment period
soliciting comments on the following
collections of information was
published on August 6, 2012, volume
77, page number 151.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before November 8, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Janet Wylie, Office of Planning and
Administration, RPD–3, Federal
Railroad Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 20,
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493–6292), or Ms. Kimberly Toone,
Office of Information Technology, RAD–
20, Federal Railroad Administration,
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35,
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493–6132). (These telephone numbers
are not toll-free.).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), Public Law 104–13, Section 2,
109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised
at 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR Part
1320, require Federal agencies to issue
two notices seeking public comment on
information collection activities before
OMB may approve paperwork packages.
44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5,
1320.8(d)(1), 1320.12. On August 6,
2012, FRA published a 60-day notice in
the Federal Register soliciting
comments on ICR that the agency was
seeking OMB approval. 77 FR 46800.
FRA received one comment after issuing
this 60-day notice. Accordingly, DOT
announces that these information
collection activities have been reevaluated and certified under 5 CFR
1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR
1320.12(c).
Before OMB decides whether to
approve these proposed collections of
information, it must provide 30 days for
public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5
CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires
OMB to approve or disapprove
paperwork packages between 30 and 60
days after the 30 day notice is
published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)–(c); 5 CFR
1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983,
August 29, 1995. OMB believes that the
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
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30 day notice informs the regulated
community to file relevant comments
and affords the agency adequate time to
digest public comments before it
renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, August
29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should
submit their respective comments to
OMB within 30 days of publication to
best ensure having their full effect. 5
CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 44983,
Aug. 29, 1995.
The summaries below describe the
nature of the information collection
requirements (ICRs) and the expected
burden. The revised requirements are
being submitted for clearance by OMB
as required by the PRA.
Title: Solicitation of Applications and
Notice of Funds Availability for HighSpeed Rail Corridors and Intercity
Passenger Rail Service-Capital
Assistance and Planning Grants
Program.
OMB Control Number: 2130–0584.
Type of Request: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Affected Public: States and local
governments, government sponsored
authorities and corporations, railroads.
Abstract: After 60 years and more
than 1.8 trillion investment dollars, the
United States has developed the world’s
most advanced highway and aviation
systems. During this time, the nation
has made a relatively modest
investment in passenger rail systems. As
congestion on highways and in the air
continues to grow and environmental
costs mount, there is a growing need for
diverse transportation options.
In 2009, President Obama announced
a new vision to address the nation’s
transportation challenges. He called for
a collaborative effort among the Federal
government, States, railroads, and other
stakeholders to help transform
America’s transportation system. The
President’s vision seeks to create an
efficient high-speed passenger rail
system to connect inner-city
communities across America.
Developing a comprehensive highspeed intercity passenger rail network
requires a long-term commitment at
both the Federal and State levels. The
President has jump-started the process
with $2 billion provided by the
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Appropriations Act of 2010 (FY10
Appropriations), $8 billion provided by
the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA), $90 million
provided by the DOT Appropriations
Act of 2009 (FY09 Appropriations), and
approximately $1.8 million remaining
funds from the Transportation, Housing
and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008
(FY08 Appropriations). Additional or
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
09OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61471-61472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24722]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Travis County, TX
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 40 CFR 1508.22 and 43 TAC Sec. 2.5(e)(2), the
FHWA, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and Central Texas
Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) are issuing this
notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement
(EIS) will be prepared for a transportation project in Travis County,
Texas. The proposed project would improve US 290 from State Loop 1 (SL1
[Mopac]) to Ranch-to-Market Road (RM) 1826, in Travis County, Texas, a
distance of approximately 3.6 miles. The EIS will also include
improvements to SH 71 from Silvermine Drive to US 290 in Travis County,
a distance of approximately 1.2 miles.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Salvador Deocampo, District
Engineer, District A, Federal Highway Administration, Texas Division,
300 East 8th Street, Room 826, Austin, Texas, 78701. Phone: 512-536-
5950.
DATES: Public Scoping meetings will be held in fall 2012 and winter
2013 to receive oral and written comments on environmental concerns
that should be addressed in the EIS. The public scoping meetings will
be held at dates, times and locations to be published in general
circulation newspapers in the project area. Comments concerning the
scope of the analysis should be received in writing within 30 days
following the date of the last scoping meeting to receive full
consideration in the development of alternatives.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with TxDOT and the
Mobility Authority will prepare an EIS for the proposed improvement of
US 290 from State Loop 1 (SL1 [Mopac]) to Ranch-to-Market Road (RM)
1826, in Travis County, Texas, a distance of approximately 3.6 miles.
The EIS will also include improvements to SH 71 from Silvermine Drive
to US 290 in Travis County, a distance of approximately 1.2 miles.
Proposed improvements were originally considered in a Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) covering improvements to SH 71/US
290 from RM 1826 to Farm-to-Market (FM) 973. A Record of Decision (ROD)
was issued by FHWA on August 22, 1988. The mid-section of the original
project limits, between Joe Tanner Lane and Riverside Drive, has been
constructed. Since the issuance of the ROD, changes in adjacent land
use, State and Federal listing of the Barton Springs salamander as
endangered, changes in funding mechanisms, and public input have
resulted in changes in the proposed design concept. A new EIS will be
completed to evaluate potential impacts from the proposed improvements.
The proposed project limits of the US 290 EIS would extend beyond the
limits of the original FEIS to allow for a logical terminus and
transition back to existing US 290 at Circle Drive and along SH 71 at
Silvermine Drive.
The project is listed in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning
Organization (CAMPO) 2035 Regional Transportation Plan, as amended, as
a six-lane tolled freeway from Circle Drive to Joe Tanner Lane and as
tolled connector bridges from SH 71 to US 290 W. The proposed action is
also included in the CAMPO's fiscal year 2011-2014 Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) as an added capacity, tolled facility and
tolled connector bridges from SH 71. The need for the proposed project
stems from corridor congestion causing unreliable traffic operations
within the US 290/SH 71 corridor. TxDOT and the Mobility Authority have
identified the following issues that the project would address: safety
concerns along the corridor, roadway congestion which has been caused
by steady population growth in the Austin metropolitan area, system
mobility and connectivity, time delay and level of service (LOS;
currently at LOS F--unacceptable congestion) within the corridor, and
reliable routes for transit and emergency vehicles within the corridor.
In order to address the identified needs and objectives, the
purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility and operational
efficiency, facilitate long-term congestion management in the corridor
by accommodating the movement of people and goods for multiple modes of
travel, and improve safety and emergency response within the corridor.
A reasonable number of alignment alternatives will be identified and
evaluated in the EIS, as well as the No-build Alternative, based on
input from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private
organizations and concerned citizens. Alternative designs and funding
alternatives will include tolling options or new managed lanes. In
addition, environmental stewardship and sustainability strategies will
be developed to address those problems which are not transportation
related and may include improved service quality and quality of access
to goods and services, safety, improved air quality, noise reduction,
improved water quality, protection of habitat and open space, historic
preservation, reduced carbon emissions, increased social equity,
economic development, and a satisfying quality of life, plus local
goals consistent with the overall project purpose and need.
Impacts caused by the construction and operation of the proposed
improvements would vary depending on the selection of a build
alternative. The EIS will evaluate potential impacts from construction
and operation of the proposed roadway including, but not limited to,
the following: impacts to residences and businesses, including
potential relocation; impacts to parkland; transportation impacts
(construction detours, construction traffic, and mobility improvement);
air and noise impacts from construction equipment and operation of the
roadway; social and economic impacts, including impacts to minority and
low-income residences; impacts to historic cultural resources;
endangered and threatened species and impacts to
[[Page 61472]]
waters of the U.S. including wetlands from right-of-way encroachment;
and potential indirect and cumulative impacts.
Public involvement is a critical component of the project
development process and will occur throughout the planning and study
phases. Opportunities for public involvement would exist during the
scoping process, public meetings and a public hearing. A Public and
Agency Coordination Plan will be provided in accordance with 23 U.S.
Code Section 139 (23 U.S.C. 139), to facilitate and document the lead
agencies, structure interaction with the public and other agencies, and
to inform the public and other agencies of how the coordination will be
accomplished. The Public and Agency Coordination Plan will promote
early and continuous involvement from stakeholders, agencies, and the
public as well as describe the proposed project, the roles of the
agencies and the public, the project purpose and need, schedule, level
of detail for alternatives analysis, and the proposed process for
coordination and communication.
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are
known to have interest in this proposal. To ensure that the full range
of issues related to this proposed action are 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 FHWA at the address
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 1, 2012.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2012-24722 Filed 10-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
