Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Route 460 Location Study, Prince George County to Suffolk, Virginia, 76189-76190 [2013-29836]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2013 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Route 460 Location Study, Prince George County to Suffolk, Virginia Federal Highway Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the United States Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as joint lead federal agencies and in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to evaluate the Route 460 Location Study Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and a Department of the Army Individual Permit (IP) Application. The purpose of this SEIS is to evaluate new information regarding the aquatic resource impacts to the preferred alternative described in the June 2008 FEIS and approved in the September 2008 Record of Decision (ROD). In addition, FHWA is evaluating proposed changes to the termini of the selected alternative and the proposed interchange at Route 620, and proposed changes to the selected alignment to avoid and minimize aquatic resource impacts. The USACE is preparing the document as part of its evaluation of the IP application submitted by U.S. Route 460 Mobility Partners (the Applicant) for the discharge of fill material into waters of the United States in conjunction with the construction of the Route 460 Corridor Improvements Project (Project). DATES: Submit comments on or before January 15, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Sundra, Federal Highway Administration, 400 North 8th Street, Suite 750, Richmond, VA 23219; email: Ed.Sundra@dot.gov; (804) 775–3357. Alice Allen-Grimes, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch, 803 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510; email: Alice.W.Allen-Grimes@usace.army.mil; (757) 201–7219. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Description of the Proposed Action and Background: VDOT proposes to construct a limited access principle arterial tolled facility on new location for approximately 55 miles which would be located to the south and roughly parallel to the existing Route 460 corridor between Interstate 295 in pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:51 Dec 13, 2013 Jkt 232001 Prince George County and Route 58 in the City of Suffolk, Virginia. The typical section consists of a four-lane, divided highway with two-twelve foot lanes in each direction, a 40-foot median, and paved shoulders. Seven interchanges are proposed along the project at the secondary roads. The Applicant has entered into a design-build contract with VDOT to design and construct the Project. Upon determining that the submitted permit application is complete, the USACE will issue a public notice and continue processing the permit application. An FEIS for the Route 460 Location Study was approved by FHWA in June 2008, and a ROD was issued in September 2008. In November 2012, based upon the information before them at the time, FHWA completed a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Re-evaluation of the FEIS concluding that a SEIS was not needed. Based on new information bearing on the environmental impacts, including the aquatic impacts, it was later decided that an SEIS is required. The SEIS will review information from the Route 460 Location Study FEIS/ROD, incorporate new information, update the alternatives and impacts analyses, and assess impacts not previously evaluated in the FEIS/ ROD. To streamline federal processes, the SEIS will also include the USACE’s NEPA evaluation. 2. Alternatives: Alternatives to be considered for the proposed project are the No-Build Alternative, the preferred alternative (applicant preferred alternative for the USACE); the preferred alternative revised to include one or more of the following proposed changes: Changes to the termini, the proposed interchange at Route 620, and alignment shifts to avoid and minimize impacts; and potentially, other alternatives identified during the SEIS process in coordination with the USACE. The SEIS will document the alternatives previously eliminated from consideration by FHWA. In order that the USACE may fulfill its required alternatives analysis responsibilities, consideration will also be given to the alternative from the DEIS to improve the existing Route 460 corridor (CBA–2), an alternative to provide a limited access tolled facility along the existing Route 460 corridor (CBA–2 Tolled), and any other options along the existing alignment that may reduce the needed footprint and are found to be feasible and address the purpose and need of the project as stated in the draft SEIS. Actions available to the USACE for the proposed project are to issue the IP, PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76189 issue the IP with special conditions, or deny the IP. 3. Scoping and Public Review Process: Throughout the development of the project, a variety of scoping and public involvement opportunities were provided to alert the public about the project, provide information and updates, and solicit feedback. These opportunities included but were not limited to a series of public hearings in the corridor when the DEIS was issued in 2005 and a series of public meetings in 2007 under Virginia’s PPTA to evaluate conceptual proposals received from the private sector in response to the solicitation of proposals. Most recently, VDOT hosted public meetings in 2012 to update the public on the project and respond to public input. To ensure that a full range of issues related to the Project are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties via letter or email. Comments and suggestions concerning the range of issues to be evaluated under the SEIS should be submitted to FHWA and the Corps (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) within 30 days of issuance of this notice to ensure timely consideration. Based on the extensive public involvement to date on the proposed Project, no public input on the scope of the SEIS will be requested beyond the solicitation by this notice for comments on the range of issues to be evaluated. No formal scoping meetings will be held. The Draft SEIS is expected to be published and circulated in the Spring of 2014. Notification of the availability of the draft SEIS for public and agency review will be made in the Federal Register and using other methods to be jointly determined by FHWA, USACE and VDOT. Those methods will identify where interested parties can go to review a copy of the draft SEIS. For the draft SEIS, public meetings will be held after the publication of the Draft SEIS and a 45-day comment period will be provided. The public meetings will be conducted by VDOT and announced a minimum of 15 days in advance of the meetings. VDOT will provide information for the public meetings, including date, time and location through a variety of means including their Web site (https:// www.virginiadot.org/ default_noflash.asp) and by newspaper advertisement. In addition to the draft SEIS public involvement opportunities, the USACE will issue a public notice for a 30-day comment period following receipt of a complete application. E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 76190 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2013 / Notices 4. Issues: Based on coordination between FHWA, USACE, and VDOT, the issues to be analyzed in the SEIS will include, but are not limited to, alternatives based on the updated effects to aquatic resources including wetland and stream impacts, threatened and endangered species, relocations, cultural resources, and cost. 5. Additional Review and Consultation: The SEIS will comply with other Federal and State requirements including, but not limited to, the State water quality certification under Section 401 of the CWA; protection of water quality under the Virginia/National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; consideration of minority and low income populations under Executive Oder 12898; protection of endangered and threatened species under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act; and protection of cultural resources under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48; 33 CFR Part 325. (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 by: December 10, 2013. Edward Sundra, Director of Program Development, Federal Highway Administration, Virginia Division. [FR Doc. 2013–29836 Filed 12–13–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA–2013–0002–N–24] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:51 Dec 13, 2013 Jkt 232001 public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below. DATES: Comments must be received no later than February 14, 2014. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following proposed activities by mail to either: Ms. Janet Wylie or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA acknowledge receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard stating, ‘‘Comments on OMB control number 2130–0580.’’ Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493–6170, or via email to Ms. Wylie at janet.wylie@dot.gov, or to Ms. Toone at Kim.Toone@dot.gov. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent notice and include them in its information collection submission to OMB for approval. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Janet Wylie, Office of Information and Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6353) 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, § 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 provide 60-days notice to the public for comment on information collection activities before seeking approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR §§ 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of proposed information collection activities regarding (i) whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 determine the estimates; (iii) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)–(iv); 5 CFR § 1320.8(d)(1)(i)–(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal regulations. FRA reasons that comments received will advance three objectives: (i) reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it organizes information collection requirements in a ‘‘user friendly’’ format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501. Below is a brief summary of currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Notice of Funding Availability and Solicitations of Applications for Grants under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair Grant Program. OMB Control Number: 2130–0580. Abstract: The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110– 329; September 30, 2008), established the Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair Program, making Federal funds available directly to States. This Program allowed grants to fund up to 80 percent of the cost of rehabilitation and repairs to Class II and Class III railroad infrastructure damaged by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters in areas that are located in counties that have been identified in a Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance by the President under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974. Funding was made available on a reimbursement basis for costs incurred after a major disaster declaration that was made between January 1, 2008 and the date of the publication of the notice of funding availability in the counties covered by such a declaration. Rehabilitation and repairs include rights-of-way, bridges, signals, and other infrastructure which is part of the general railroad system of transportation and primarily used by railroads to move freight traffic. FRA recently revised this Information Collection Request (ICR) to allow for the E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 241 (Monday, December 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76189-76190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29836]



[[Page 76189]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Route 460 
Location Study, Prince George County to Suffolk, Virginia

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the United 
States Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as joint lead 
federal agencies and in cooperation with the Virginia Department of 
Transportation (VDOT) will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (SEIS) to evaluate the Route 460 Location Study Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and a Department of the Army 
Individual Permit (IP) Application. The purpose of this SEIS is to 
evaluate new information regarding the aquatic resource impacts to the 
preferred alternative described in the June 2008 FEIS and approved in 
the September 2008 Record of Decision (ROD). In addition, FHWA is 
evaluating proposed changes to the termini of the selected alternative 
and the proposed interchange at Route 620, and proposed changes to the 
selected alignment to avoid and minimize aquatic resource impacts. The 
USACE is preparing the document as part of its evaluation of the IP 
application submitted by U.S. Route 460 Mobility Partners (the 
Applicant) for the discharge of fill material into waters of the United 
States in conjunction with the construction of the Route 460 Corridor 
Improvements Project (Project).

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 15, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Sundra, Federal Highway 
Administration, 400 North 8th Street, Suite 750, Richmond, VA 23219; 
email: Ed.Sundra@dot.gov; (804) 775-3357. Alice Allen-Grimes, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch, 803 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 
23510; email: Alice.W.Allen-Grimes@usace.army.mil; (757) 201-7219.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Description of the Proposed Action and Background: VDOT proposes 
to construct a limited access principle arterial tolled facility on new 
location for approximately 55 miles which would be located to the south 
and roughly parallel to the existing Route 460 corridor between 
Interstate 295 in Prince George County and Route 58 in the City of 
Suffolk, Virginia. The typical section consists of a four-lane, divided 
highway with two-twelve foot lanes in each direction, a 40-foot median, 
and paved shoulders. Seven interchanges are proposed along the project 
at the secondary roads. The Applicant has entered into a design-build 
contract with VDOT to design and construct the Project.
    Upon determining that the submitted permit application is complete, 
the USACE will issue a public notice and continue processing the permit 
application.
    An FEIS for the Route 460 Location Study was approved by FHWA in 
June 2008, and a ROD was issued in September 2008. In November 2012, 
based upon the information before them at the time, FHWA completed a 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Re-evaluation of the FEIS 
concluding that a SEIS was not needed. Based on new information bearing 
on the environmental impacts, including the aquatic impacts, it was 
later decided that an SEIS is required.
    The SEIS will review information from the Route 460 Location Study 
FEIS/ROD, incorporate new information, update the alternatives and 
impacts analyses, and assess impacts not previously evaluated in the 
FEIS/ROD. To streamline federal processes, the SEIS will also include 
the USACE's NEPA evaluation.
    2. Alternatives: Alternatives to be considered for the proposed 
project are the No-Build Alternative, the preferred alternative 
(applicant preferred alternative for the USACE); the preferred 
alternative revised to include one or more of the following proposed 
changes: Changes to the termini, the proposed interchange at Route 620, 
and alignment shifts to avoid and minimize impacts; and potentially, 
other alternatives identified during the SEIS process in coordination 
with the USACE. The SEIS will document the alternatives previously 
eliminated from consideration by FHWA. In order that the USACE may 
fulfill its required alternatives analysis responsibilities, 
consideration will also be given to the alternative from the DEIS to 
improve the existing Route 460 corridor (CBA-2), an alternative to 
provide a limited access tolled facility along the existing Route 460 
corridor (CBA-2 Tolled), and any other options along the existing 
alignment that may reduce the needed footprint and are found to be 
feasible and address the purpose and need of the project as stated in 
the draft SEIS.
    Actions available to the USACE for the proposed project are to 
issue the IP, issue the IP with special conditions, or deny the IP.
    3. Scoping and Public Review Process: Throughout the development of 
the project, a variety of scoping and public involvement opportunities 
were provided to alert the public about the project, provide 
information and updates, and solicit feedback. These opportunities 
included but were not limited to a series of public hearings in the 
corridor when the DEIS was issued in 2005 and a series of public 
meetings in 2007 under Virginia's PPTA to evaluate conceptual proposals 
received from the private sector in response to the solicitation of 
proposals. Most recently, VDOT hosted public meetings in 2012 to update 
the public on the project and respond to public input.
    To ensure that a full range of issues related to the Project are 
addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and 
suggestions are invited from all interested parties via letter or 
email. Comments and suggestions concerning the range of issues to be 
evaluated under the SEIS should be submitted to FHWA and the Corps (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) within 30 days of issuance of this 
notice to ensure timely consideration.
    Based on the extensive public involvement to date on the proposed 
Project, no public input on the scope of the SEIS will be requested 
beyond the solicitation by this notice for comments on the range of 
issues to be evaluated. No formal scoping meetings will be held.
    The Draft SEIS is expected to be published and circulated in the 
Spring of 2014. Notification of the availability of the draft SEIS for 
public and agency review will be made in the Federal Register and using 
other methods to be jointly determined by FHWA, USACE and VDOT. Those 
methods will identify where interested parties can go to review a copy 
of the draft SEIS.
    For the draft SEIS, public meetings will be held after the 
publication of the Draft SEIS and a 45-day comment period will be 
provided. The public meetings will be conducted by VDOT and announced a 
minimum of 15 days in advance of the meetings. VDOT will provide 
information for the public meetings, including date, time and location 
through a variety of means including their Web site (https://www.virginiadot.org/default_noflash.asp) and by newspaper 
advertisement. In addition to the draft SEIS public involvement 
opportunities, the USACE will issue a public notice for a 30-day 
comment period following receipt of a complete application.

[[Page 76190]]

    4. Issues: Based on coordination between FHWA, USACE, and VDOT, the 
issues to be analyzed in the SEIS will include, but are not limited to, 
alternatives based on the updated effects to aquatic resources 
including wetland and stream impacts, threatened and endangered 
species, relocations, cultural resources, and cost.
    5. Additional Review and Consultation: The SEIS will comply with 
other Federal and State requirements including, but not limited to, the 
State water quality certification under Section 401 of the CWA; 
protection of water quality under the Virginia/National Pollutant 
Discharge Elimination System; consideration of minority and low income 
populations under Executive Oder 12898; protection of endangered and 
threatened species under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act; and 
protection of cultural resources under Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48; 33 CFR Part 325.

(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 by: December 10, 2013.
Edward Sundra,
Director of Program Development, Federal Highway Administration, 
Virginia Division.
[FR Doc. 2013-29836 Filed 12-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
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