Environmental Impact Statement: Denton and Collin Counties, Texas, 78969-78971 [2024-22011]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 187 / Thursday, September 26, 2024 / Notices
County, Pa. Application for renewal of
surface water withdrawal of up to 2.000
mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20190912).
Located in an Environmental Justice
area.
Projects Tabled
1. Project Sponsor: New Enterprise
Stone & Lime Co., Inc. Project Facility:
Roaring Spring Quarry (Halter Creek 2),
Taylor Township, Blair County, Pa.
Applications for renewal of
consumptive use of up to 0.380 mgd
(peak day) and surface water
withdrawal of up to 0.288 mgd (peak
day) (Docket No. 19940705 and
Certificate of Registration No. GF–
202204215).
2. Project Sponsor and Facility:
Strasburg Lancaster County Borough
Authority, Strasburg Township,
Lancaster County, Pa. Application for
renewal of groundwater withdrawal of
up to 0.275 mgd (30-day average) from
the Fisher Well (Docket No. 19890107).
Service area is located in an
Environmental Justice area.
Authority: Public Law 91–575, 84
Stat. 1509 et seq., 18 CFR parts 806, 807,
and 808.
Dated: September 18, 2024.
Jason E. Oyler,
General Counsel and Secretary to the
Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024–21698 Filed 9–25–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7040–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement:
Denton and Collin Counties, Texas
Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), Department of
Transportation.
ACTION: Federal notice of intent to
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS).
AGENCY:
Pursuant to applicable
Federal regulations, FHWA, on behalf of
TxDOT, is issuing this notice to advise
the public that an EIS will be prepared
for a proposed transportation project
CSJ 0918–46–341, to construct a six-lane
freeway primarily on new location
connecting Interstate 35 (I–35) in
Denton County, Texas with the Dallas
North Tollway (DNT) in Collin County,
Texas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Liang Ding, P.E., Project Manager,
TxDOT Dallas District, 4777 East
Highway 80, Mesquite, Texas 75150;
Phone (214) 320–6625; email:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:11 Sep 25, 2024
Jkt 262001
Liang.Ding@txdot.gov. TxDOT’s normal
business hours are 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
(central time), Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
environmental review, consultation, and
other actions required by applicable
Federal environmental laws for this
project are being, or have been, carried
out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327
and a Memorandum of Understanding
dated December 9, 2019, and executed
by FHWA and TxDOT.
The purpose of the proposed action is
to address population and travel
demand growth and support safe and
resilient east-west mobility and
connectivity across Denton County. The
need for the proposed action is driven
by (a) rapid population growth and
increasing traffic volumes that are
contributing to congestion, (b) higher
crash rates along Study Area roadways
compared to the statewide average, and
(c) limited mobility due to the lack of
contiguous east-west arterials.
The proposed six-lane accesscontrolled freeway with one-way
frontage roads on each side would be
constructed within an anticipated
typical right-of-way footprint 500 feet
wide and extend about 23 miles across
northern Denton County connecting I–
35 to the DNT in Collin County, CSJ
0918–46–341. In addition to the build
alternatives, project alternatives to be
considered include the No-Build
Alternative, transit and other
transportation modes, and
transportation system management.
In May 2024, Denton County
concluded the Denton County Outer
Loop Feasibility Study that
recommended two general end-to-end
alignments for the construction of the
proposed freeway connecting I–35 and
the DNT. This EIS will evaluate four
build alternatives and the No-Build
Alternative. The following five segments
from the recommended feasibility study
alignments combine to form the four
build alternatives under consideration:
Segment A connects I–35 on the west
along a primarily new location
alignment to Farm-to-Market (FM) Road
428 near FM 2153. Segment A follows
a section of Rector Rd. from I–35 to
Trietsch Rd.
Segment B also connects I–35 on the
west on a primarily new location
alignment to FM 428 near FM 2153.
Segment B follows a portion of Milam
Rd. from I–35 to FM 2164.
Segment C is the common segment for
all four build alternatives considered,
extending along the existing alignment
of FM 428 between FM 2153 and
Wildcat Rd. which crosses the Elm Fork
Trinity River and the Ray Roberts Lake
PO 00000
Frm 00129
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
78969
State Park Greenbelt in the center of the
Study Area.
Segment D connects Wildcat Rd. on
the west to the DNT on the east in Collin
County. Segment D is primarily on new
location except where it follows
sections of FM 428 between FM 1385
and the DNT.
Segment E also connects Wildcat Rd.
on the west to the DNT on the east in
Collin County. Segment E is primarily
on new location except where it follows
sections of Blackjack Rd. and FM 428
between FM 1385 and the DNT.
These segments, when linked end-toend connecting the logical termini of I–
35 and the DNT, result in the Red,
Purple, Blue, and Gold Alternatives
described below.
The Red Alternative is composed of
Segments A, C, and D for a length of
about 23.3 miles. The Red Alternative
begins at I–35 and Rector Rd. in Denton
County and travels east to FM 2164,
then curves north and back south to
connect to FM 428 near FM 2153. It
follows FM 428 over the Elm Fork
Trinity River to slightly west of the City
of Aubrey where it curves around the
north edge of Aubrey crossing US 377,
to continue east, then curving south to
connect to FM 428/Spring Hill Rd. west
of FM 1385, and continues east along
the general alignment of FM 428 to
connect to the DNT in Collin County.
Grade-separated interchanges would be
considered at I–35, US 377, the DNT,
and other major road crossings.
The Purple Alternative, about 22.7
miles long, is composed of Segments A,
C, and E. It begins at I–35 and Rector
Rd. in Denton County and travels east
to FM 2164, then curves north and back
south to connect to existing FM 428
near FM 2153. It follows FM 428 over
the Elm Fork Trinity River to slightly
west of the City of Aubrey where it
curves around the north edge of Aubrey
crossing US 377, tying into Blackjack
Rd. and following Blackjack Rd. to the
east and curving south to cross FM 2931
to follow the general alignment of FM
428/Spring Hill Rd. to the east to
connect to the DNT in Collin County.
Grade-separated interchanges would be
considered at I–35, US 377, the DNT,
and other major road crossings.
The Blue Alternative is composed of
Segments B, C, and E for a length of
about 22.4 miles. The Blue Alternative
begins at I–35 and Milam Rd. extending
east along Milam Rd. to FM 2164 where
it curves north and east to follow
Shepard Rd. and then curves south to
connect to FM 428 near FM 2153. It
follows FM 428 over the Elm Fork
Trinity River to slightly west of the City
of Aubrey where it curves around the
north edge of Aubrey crossing US 377,
E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM
26SEN1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
78970
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 187 / Thursday, September 26, 2024 / Notices
tying into Blackjack Rd. and following
Blackjack Rd. to the east and curving
south to cross FM 2931 to follow the
general alignment of FM 428/Spring Hill
Rd. to the east to connect to the DNT in
Collin County. Grade-separated
interchanges would be considered at I–
35, US 377, the DNT, and other major
road crossings.
The Gold Alternative, about 23.0
miles long, is composed of Segments B,
C, and D. It begins at I–35 and Milam
Rd. extending east along Milam Rd. to
FM 2164 where it curves north and east
to follow Shepard Rd. and then curves
south to connect to FM 428 near FM
2153. It follows FM 428 over the Elm
Fork Trinity River to slightly west of the
City of Aubrey where it curves around
the north edge of Aubrey crossing US
377, to continue east, then curving
south to connect to existing FM 428/
Spring Hill Rd. west of FM 1385, and
continues east along the general
alignment of FM 428 to connect to the
DNT in Collin County. Grade-separated
interchanges would be considered at I–
35, US 377, the DNT, and other major
road crossings.
The new location build alternatives
share common alignments with the
potential to result in wetland and waters
of the U.S. impacts, floodplain/
floodway encroachment and the need
for compensatory storage, encroachment
onto Federal conservation easements,
the use of public parkland (Section 4(f)),
loss of woodlands, conversion of
farmland to transportation use,
residential and business displacements,
impacts to potential hazardous material
sites, traffic noise, changes to the visual
environment, impacts to historic and
archeological resources, and induced
growth and cumulative effects.
The proposed action may require
issuance of an Individual or Nationwide
Permit under section 404 of the Clean
Water Act, an individual Section 401
Water Quality Certification, a Section
402/Texas Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Permit, and a
Section 408 Permit; conformance with
Executive Orders on Environmental
Justice (12898), Limited English
Proficiency (13166), Wetlands (11990),
Floodplain Management (11988),
Invasive Species (13112); and
compliance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act,
Section 7 of the Endangered Species
Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act,
section 4(f) of the DOT Act (49 U.S.C.
303), section 6(f) of the Land and Water
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4601), title
VI of the Civil Rights Act, and other
applicable Federal and State
regulations.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:11 Sep 25, 2024
Jkt 262001
TxDOT anticipates completing the
study process for this proposed action
by September 2026. The Draft EIS
would be issued in February 2026, and
the combined Final EIS and Record of
Decision (ROD) would be issued in
September 2026.
The following entities have been
invited to be cooperating agencies for
this EIS: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Fort Worth District (USACE), Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD),
and the Texas Historical Commission
(THC).
The following entities have been
invited to be participating agencies for
this EIS: Commanche Nation of
Oklahoma; Delaware Nation; Federal
Aviation Administration; Federal
Railroad Administration; Federal
Transit Administration, Region 6; Jena
Band of Choctaw Indians; Kiowa Tribe;
Mescalero Apache Tribe; North Central
Texas Council of Governments; North
Texas Municipal Water District; North
Texas Tollway Authority; Public Utility
Commission of Texas; Shawnee Tribe;
Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality; Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs; Texas General
Land Office; Texas Railroad
Commission; Texas State Soil and Water
Conservation Board; The Lakes
Freshwater District; The Muskogee
Nation; Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma;
Upper Trinity Regional Water District;
U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service; U.S. Department
of Homeland Security, Federal
Emergency Management Agency; U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban
Development; U.S. Department of the
Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 6; Wichita and Affiliated Tribes;
Collin County; City of Aubrey; City of
Celina; City of Cross Roads; City of
Dallas Water Utilities; City of Denton;
City of Frisco; City of Krugerville; City
of Pilot Point; and City of Sanger.
TxDOT intends to coordinate
throughout the NEPA process with the
USACE to enable them to adopt the
Draft and Final EIS, or portions thereof,
to determine its overall sufficiency in
order to identify and substantiate the
USACE’s Preliminary Least
Environmentally Damaging Most
Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) and to
develop their own ROD to provide the
basis for future Division of the Army
permit and real estate decisions; the
TPWD under the 2021 Memorandum of
Understanding for the review and
coordination of transportation projects
codified under title 43, Texas
Administrative Code, part 1, chapter 2,
subchapter G, sections 2.201–2.207 and
PO 00000
Frm 00130
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
as an owner and manager of public
lands within the Study Area protected
by chapter 26 of the Parks and Wildlife
Code; and the THC under the Texas
Antiquities Code, section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act, and
Section 4(f) of the DOT Act for potential
unavoidable impacts to National
Register of Historic Places eligible
resources.
TxDOT will issue a single Final EIS
and ROD document pursuant to 23
U.S.C. 139(n)(2), unless TxDOT
determines statutory criteria or
practicability considerations preclude
the issuance of a combined document.
In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139,
cooperating agencies, participating
agencies, and the public will be given
an opportunity for continued input on
project development. An agency scoping
meeting was held with cooperating and
participating agencies on September 4,
2024, with comments requested by
September 20, 2024. Public scoping
meetings are planned for October 29,
2024, in Pilot Point and October 30,
2024, in Denton. The scoping meetings
provide an opportunity for the
cooperating and participating agencies
along with stakeholders and the public
to review and comment on the draft
coordination plan and schedule, the
project purpose and need, the range of
alternatives, and methodologies and
level of detail for analyzing alternatives.
They will also allow all parties an
opportunity to provide input on any
expected environmental impacts,
anticipated permits or other
authorizations, and any significant
issues that should be analyzed in depth
in the EIS. Notices will be published in
October 2024 announcing the time and
location of each public scoping meeting.
In addition to public scoping meetings,
other public meetings will be held
during the development of the Draft EIS
and public hearings will be held after
the Draft EIS is prepared. Public notice
will be given of the date, time, and
location of future meetings and
hearings.
The public meetings and hearings will
be conducted in English. If you need an
interpreter or document translator
because English is not your primary
language or you have difficulty
communicating effectively in English,
one will be provided to you. If you have
a disability and need assistance, special
arrangements can be made to
accommodate most needs. If you need
interpretation or translation services or
you are a person with a disability who
requires an accommodation to attend
and participate in the public meeting,
please contact Madeline Shepherd,
Denton County Outer Loop Project
E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM
26SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 187 / Thursday, September 26, 2024 / Notices
Team, info@
dentoncountyouterloop.com, by mail to
Burns & McDonnell, ATTN: Denton
County Outer Loop, 13737 Noel Road,
Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75240, or at
(469) 294–4502 no later than 4 p.m. CT,
on October 24, 2024. Please be aware
that advance notice is required as some
services and accommodations may
require time for the Texas Department of
Transportation to arrange.
The public is requested to provide
comments on alternatives or impacts
and on relevant information, studies, or
analyses with respect to this proposed
project. Comments may be provided in
writing to Madeline Shepherd, Denton
County Outer Loop Project Team, info@
dentoncountyouterloop.com or by mail
to Burns & McDonnell, ATTN: Denton
County Outer Loop, 13737 Noel Road,
Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75240.
Comments must be received by
November 29, 2024.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning
and Construction.)
Authority: 23 CFR 771.123(a).
Michael T. Leary,
Director, Planning and Program Development,
Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024–22011 Filed 9–25–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0332; FMCSA–
2014–0104; FMCSA–2014–0387; FMCSA–
2016–0002; FMCSA–2017–0058; FMCSA–
2017–0059; FMCSA–2017–0060; FMCSA–
2017–0061; FMCSA–2018–0135; FMCSA–
2020–0026; FMCSA–2020–0027; FMCSA–
2022–0035]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Hearing
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of renewal of
exemptions; request for comments.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces its
decision to renew exemptions for 23
individuals from the hearing
requirement in the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for
interstate commercial motor vehicle
(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable
these hard of hearing and deaf
individuals to continue to operate CMVs
in interstate commerce.
DATES: Each group of renewed
exemptions were applicable on the
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:11 Sep 25, 2024
Jkt 262001
dates stated in the discussions below
and will expire on the dates provided
below. Comments must be received on
or before October 28, 2024.
You may submit comments
identified by the Federal Docket
Management System Docket No.
FMCSA–2012–0332, Docket No.
FMCSA–2014–0104, Docket No.
FMCSA–2014–0387, Docket No.
FMCSA–2016–0002, Docket No.
FMCSA–2017–0058, Docket No.
FMCSA–2017–0059, Docket No.
FMCSA–2017–0060, Docket No.
FMCSA–2017–0061, Docket No.
FMCSA–2018–0135, Docket No.
FMCSA–2020–0026, Docket No.
FMCSA–2020–0027, or Docket No.
FMCSA–2022–0035 using any of the
following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov/, insert the docket
number (FMCSA–2012–0332, FMCSA–
2014–0104, FMCSA–2014–0387,
FMCSA–2016–0002, FMCSA–2017–
0058, FMCSA–2017–0059, FMCSA–
2017–0060, FMCSA–2017–0061,
FMCSA–2018–0135, FMCSA–2020–
0026, FMCSA–2020–0027, or FMCSA–
2022–0035 in the keyword box and click
‘‘Search.’’ Next, sort the results by
‘‘Posted (Newer-Older),’’ choose the first
notice listed, and click on the
‘‘Comment’’ button. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Dockets Operations; U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building
Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
• Hand Delivery: West Building
Ground Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday
through Friday, except Federal
Holidays.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
To avoid duplication, please use only
one of these four methods. See the
‘‘Public Participation’’ portion of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
instructions on submitting comments.
ADDRESSES:
Ms.
Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical
Programs Division, FMCSA, DOT, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64–224,
Washington, DC 20590–0001, (202) 366–
4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov. Office
hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
If you have questions regarding viewing
or submitting material to the docket,
contact Dockets Operations, (202) 366–
9826.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00131
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
78971
I. Public Participation
A. Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please
include the docket number for this
notice (Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0332,
Docket No. FMCSA–2014–0104, Docket
No. FMCSA–2014–0387, Docket No.
FMCSA–2016–0002, Docket No.
FMCSA–2017–0058, Docket No.
FMCSA–2017–0059, Docket No.
FMCSA–2017–0060, Docket No.
FMCSA–2017–0061, Docket No.
FMCSA–2018–0135, Docket No.
FMCSA–2020–0026, Docket No.
FMCSA–2020–0027, or Docket No.
FMCSA–2022–0035), indicate the
specific section of this document to
which each comment applies, and
provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation. You may submit your
comments and material online or by fax,
mail, or hand delivery, but please use
only one of these means. FMCSA
recommends that you include your
name and a mailing address, an email
address, or a phone number in the body
of your document so that FMCSA can
contact you if there are questions
regarding your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to
www.regulations.gov/, insert the docket
number (FMCSA–2012–0332, FMCSA–
2014–0104, FMCSA–2014–0387,
FMCSA–2016–0002, FMCSA–2017–
0058, FMCSA–2017–0059, FMCSA–
2017–0060, FMCSA–2017–0061,
FMCSA–2018–0135, FMCSA–2020–
0026, FMCSA–2020–0027, or FMCSA–
2022–0035) in the keyword box and
click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, sort the results by
‘‘Posted (Newer-Older),’’ choose the first
notice listed, click the ‘‘Comment’’
button, and type your comment into the
text box on the following screen. Choose
whether you are submitting your
comment as an individual or on behalf
of a third party and then submit.
If you submit your comments by mail
or hand delivery, submit them in an
unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by
11 inches, suitable for copying and
electronic filing. FMCSA will consider
all comments and material received
during the comment period.
B. Viewing Comments
To view comments go to
www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket
number (FMCSA–2012–0332, FMCSA–
2014–0104, FMCSA–2014–0387,
FMCSA–2016–0002, FMCSA–2017–
0058, FMCSA–2017–0059, FMCSA–
2017–0060, FMCSA–2017–0061,
FMCSA–2018–0135, FMCSA–2020–
0026, FMCSA–2020–0027, or FMCSA–
2022–0035) in the keyword box and
click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, sort the results by
‘‘Posted (Newer-Older),’’ choose the first
E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM
26SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78969-78971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22011]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Denton and Collin Counties, Texas
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of
Transportation.
ACTION: Federal notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to applicable Federal regulations, FHWA, on behalf of
TxDOT, is issuing this notice to advise the public that an EIS will be
prepared for a proposed transportation project CSJ 0918-46-341, to
construct a six-lane freeway primarily on new location connecting
Interstate 35 (I-35) in Denton County, Texas with the Dallas North
Tollway (DNT) in Collin County, Texas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Liang Ding, P.E., Project Manager,
TxDOT Dallas District, 4777 East Highway 80, Mesquite, Texas 75150;
Phone (214) 320-6625; email: [email protected]. TxDOT's normal
business hours are 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (central time), Monday through
Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review, consultation, and
other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for
this project are being, or have been, carried out by TxDOT pursuant to
23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9, 2019,
and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
The purpose of the proposed action is to address population and
travel demand growth and support safe and resilient east-west mobility
and connectivity across Denton County. The need for the proposed action
is driven by (a) rapid population growth and increasing traffic volumes
that are contributing to congestion, (b) higher crash rates along Study
Area roadways compared to the statewide average, and (c) limited
mobility due to the lack of contiguous east-west arterials.
The proposed six-lane access-controlled freeway with one-way
frontage roads on each side would be constructed within an anticipated
typical right-of-way footprint 500 feet wide and extend about 23 miles
across northern Denton County connecting I-35 to the DNT in Collin
County, CSJ 0918-46-341. In addition to the build alternatives, project
alternatives to be considered include the No-Build Alternative, transit
and other transportation modes, and transportation system management.
In May 2024, Denton County concluded the Denton County Outer Loop
Feasibility Study that recommended two general end-to-end alignments
for the construction of the proposed freeway connecting I-35 and the
DNT. This EIS will evaluate four build alternatives and the No-Build
Alternative. The following five segments from the recommended
feasibility study alignments combine to form the four build
alternatives under consideration:
Segment A connects I-35 on the west along a primarily new location
alignment to Farm-to-Market (FM) Road 428 near FM 2153. Segment A
follows a section of Rector Rd. from I-35 to Trietsch Rd.
Segment B also connects I-35 on the west on a primarily new
location alignment to FM 428 near FM 2153. Segment B follows a portion
of Milam Rd. from I-35 to FM 2164.
Segment C is the common segment for all four build alternatives
considered, extending along the existing alignment of FM 428 between FM
2153 and Wildcat Rd. which crosses the Elm Fork Trinity River and the
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Greenbelt in the center of the Study Area.
Segment D connects Wildcat Rd. on the west to the DNT on the east
in Collin County. Segment D is primarily on new location except where
it follows sections of FM 428 between FM 1385 and the DNT.
Segment E also connects Wildcat Rd. on the west to the DNT on the
east in Collin County. Segment E is primarily on new location except
where it follows sections of Blackjack Rd. and FM 428 between FM 1385
and the DNT.
These segments, when linked end-to-end connecting the logical
termini of I-35 and the DNT, result in the Red, Purple, Blue, and Gold
Alternatives described below.
The Red Alternative is composed of Segments A, C, and D for a
length of about 23.3 miles. The Red Alternative begins at I-35 and
Rector Rd. in Denton County and travels east to FM 2164, then curves
north and back south to connect to FM 428 near FM 2153. It follows FM
428 over the Elm Fork Trinity River to slightly west of the City of
Aubrey where it curves around the north edge of Aubrey crossing US 377,
to continue east, then curving south to connect to FM 428/Spring Hill
Rd. west of FM 1385, and continues east along the general alignment of
FM 428 to connect to the DNT in Collin County. Grade-separated
interchanges would be considered at I-35, US 377, the DNT, and other
major road crossings.
The Purple Alternative, about 22.7 miles long, is composed of
Segments A, C, and E. It begins at I-35 and Rector Rd. in Denton County
and travels east to FM 2164, then curves north and back south to
connect to existing FM 428 near FM 2153. It follows FM 428 over the Elm
Fork Trinity River to slightly west of the City of Aubrey where it
curves around the north edge of Aubrey crossing US 377, tying into
Blackjack Rd. and following Blackjack Rd. to the east and curving south
to cross FM 2931 to follow the general alignment of FM 428/Spring Hill
Rd. to the east to connect to the DNT in Collin County. Grade-separated
interchanges would be considered at I-35, US 377, the DNT, and other
major road crossings.
The Blue Alternative is composed of Segments B, C, and E for a
length of about 22.4 miles. The Blue Alternative begins at I-35 and
Milam Rd. extending east along Milam Rd. to FM 2164 where it curves
north and east to follow Shepard Rd. and then curves south to connect
to FM 428 near FM 2153. It follows FM 428 over the Elm Fork Trinity
River to slightly west of the City of Aubrey where it curves around the
north edge of Aubrey crossing US 377,
[[Page 78970]]
tying into Blackjack Rd. and following Blackjack Rd. to the east and
curving south to cross FM 2931 to follow the general alignment of FM
428/Spring Hill Rd. to the east to connect to the DNT in Collin County.
Grade-separated interchanges would be considered at I-35, US 377, the
DNT, and other major road crossings.
The Gold Alternative, about 23.0 miles long, is composed of
Segments B, C, and D. It begins at I-35 and Milam Rd. extending east
along Milam Rd. to FM 2164 where it curves north and east to follow
Shepard Rd. and then curves south to connect to FM 428 near FM 2153. It
follows FM 428 over the Elm Fork Trinity River to slightly west of the
City of Aubrey where it curves around the north edge of Aubrey crossing
US 377, to continue east, then curving south to connect to existing FM
428/Spring Hill Rd. west of FM 1385, and continues east along the
general alignment of FM 428 to connect to the DNT in Collin County.
Grade-separated interchanges would be considered at I-35, US 377, the
DNT, and other major road crossings.
The new location build alternatives share common alignments with
the potential to result in wetland and waters of the U.S. impacts,
floodplain/floodway encroachment and the need for compensatory storage,
encroachment onto Federal conservation easements, the use of public
parkland (Section 4(f)), loss of woodlands, conversion of farmland to
transportation use, residential and business displacements, impacts to
potential hazardous material sites, traffic noise, changes to the
visual environment, impacts to historic and archeological resources,
and induced growth and cumulative effects.
The proposed action may require issuance of an Individual or
Nationwide Permit under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, an
individual Section 401 Water Quality Certification, a Section 402/Texas
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, and a Section 408
Permit; conformance with Executive Orders on Environmental Justice
(12898), Limited English Proficiency (13166), Wetlands (11990),
Floodplain Management (11988), Invasive Species (13112); and compliance
with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, section
4(f) of the DOT Act (49 U.S.C. 303), section 6(f) of the Land and Water
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4601), title VI of the Civil Rights Act,
and other applicable Federal and State regulations.
TxDOT anticipates completing the study process for this proposed
action by September 2026. The Draft EIS would be issued in February
2026, and the combined Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD) would be
issued in September 2026.
The following entities have been invited to be cooperating agencies
for this EIS: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District
(USACE), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and the Texas
Historical Commission (THC).
The following entities have been invited to be participating
agencies for this EIS: Commanche Nation of Oklahoma; Delaware Nation;
Federal Aviation Administration; Federal Railroad Administration;
Federal Transit Administration, Region 6; Jena Band of Choctaw Indians;
Kiowa Tribe; Mescalero Apache Tribe; North Central Texas Council of
Governments; North Texas Municipal Water District; North Texas Tollway
Authority; Public Utility Commission of Texas; Shawnee Tribe; Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality; Texas Department of Housing and
Community Affairs; Texas General Land Office; Texas Railroad
Commission; Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board; The Lakes
Freshwater District; The Muskogee Nation; Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma;
Upper Trinity Regional Water District; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency;
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; U.S. Department of
the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 6; Wichita and Affiliated Tribes; Collin County; City of
Aubrey; City of Celina; City of Cross Roads; City of Dallas Water
Utilities; City of Denton; City of Frisco; City of Krugerville; City of
Pilot Point; and City of Sanger.
TxDOT intends to coordinate throughout the NEPA process with the
USACE to enable them to adopt the Draft and Final EIS, or portions
thereof, to determine its overall sufficiency in order to identify and
substantiate the USACE's Preliminary Least Environmentally Damaging
Most Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) and to develop their own ROD to
provide the basis for future Division of the Army permit and real
estate decisions; the TPWD under the 2021 Memorandum of Understanding
for the review and coordination of transportation projects codified
under title 43, Texas Administrative Code, part 1, chapter 2,
subchapter G, sections 2.201-2.207 and as an owner and manager of
public lands within the Study Area protected by chapter 26 of the Parks
and Wildlife Code; and the THC under the Texas Antiquities Code,
section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and Section 4(f)
of the DOT Act for potential unavoidable impacts to National Register
of Historic Places eligible resources.
TxDOT will issue a single Final EIS and ROD document pursuant to 23
U.S.C. 139(n)(2), unless TxDOT determines statutory criteria or
practicability considerations preclude the issuance of a combined
document.
In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139, cooperating agencies,
participating agencies, and the public will be given an opportunity for
continued input on project development. An agency scoping meeting was
held with cooperating and participating agencies on September 4, 2024,
with comments requested by September 20, 2024. Public scoping meetings
are planned for October 29, 2024, in Pilot Point and October 30, 2024,
in Denton. The scoping meetings provide an opportunity for the
cooperating and participating agencies along with stakeholders and the
public to review and comment on the draft coordination plan and
schedule, the project purpose and need, the range of alternatives, and
methodologies and level of detail for analyzing alternatives. They will
also allow all parties an opportunity to provide input on any expected
environmental impacts, anticipated permits or other authorizations, and
any significant issues that should be analyzed in depth in the EIS.
Notices will be published in October 2024 announcing the time and
location of each public scoping meeting. In addition to public scoping
meetings, other public meetings will be held during the development of
the Draft EIS and public hearings will be held after the Draft EIS is
prepared. Public notice will be given of the date, time, and location
of future meetings and hearings.
The public meetings and hearings will be conducted in English. If
you need an interpreter or document translator because English is not
your primary language or you have difficulty communicating effectively
in English, one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and
need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most
needs. If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a
person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and
participate in the public meeting, please contact Madeline Shepherd,
Denton County Outer Loop Project
[[Page 78971]]
Team, [email protected], by mail to Burns & McDonnell,
ATTN: Denton County Outer Loop, 13737 Noel Road, Suite 700, Dallas,
Texas 75240, or at (469) 294-4502 no later than 4 p.m. CT, on October
24, 2024. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some
services and accommodations may require time for the Texas Department
of Transportation to arrange.
The public is requested to provide comments on alternatives or
impacts and on relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect
to this proposed project. Comments may be provided in writing to
Madeline Shepherd, Denton County Outer Loop Project Team,
[email protected] or by mail to Burns & McDonnell, ATTN:
Denton County Outer Loop, 13737 Noel Road, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas
75240. Comments must be received by November 29, 2024.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Planning and Construction.)
Authority: 23 CFR 771.123(a).
Michael T. Leary,
Director, Planning and Program Development, Federal Highway
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-22011 Filed 9-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P