[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68135-68136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26948]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Los Angeles County, California
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public
that an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a proposed
highway project in Los Angeles County, California.
DATES: Public Scoping meetings will be held in early part of 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tami Podesta, California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), 100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012,
telephone (213) 897-0309 and [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective July 1, 2007, the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) assigned, and the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) assumed, environmental responsibilities fOr
this project pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans as the assigned
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) agency will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal for State Route 138 (SR-
138) Northwest Corridor Improvement project in Los Angeles County,
California. This project is located in northern Los Angeles County,
three miles south of the Kern County Line and passing within one-half
mile of the northernmost limits of the City of Lancaster. The project
extends from Interstate 5 (1-5) on the west to State Route 14 (SR-14)
on the east, a distance of approximately 36 miles. It is currently a
two-lane rural highway with no access control. SR-138 Northwest
Corridor Improvement Project proposes to improve the highway as a
freeway, expressway with access control and/or traffic system/multi-
modal facility. The SR-138 currently supports the regional
transportation needs of the local community, and serves as an alternate
route for east-west traffic in northern Los Angeles County.
Four alternatives are identified for the project corridor.
Alternative 1 is an expressway facility throughout the entire corridor.
Alternative 2 is a freeway/expressway facility throughout the entire
corridor. Alternative 3 is a traffic system/multi-modal facility
throughout the entire corridor. Alternative 4 is the No-Build
Alternative.
These alternatives may be refined, combined with various different
alternatives, or be removed from further consideration, as more
analysis is conducted on the project alternatives. Analysis supporting
the EIS will determine the type of facility necessary to meet the
existing and future
[[Page 68136]]
transportation needs in the corridor. Section 404 Permit may be
required from U.S. Army Corp of Engineers under the Clean Water Act. In
addition, Caltrans will coordinate with U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
under Section 7 of the Federal Endangered Species Act and request and
receive species lists, prepare the biological assessment, and conduct
the formal consultation.
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, Participating Agencies, local
agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously
expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. Public
Scoping meetings will be held in the early part of 2014. The public
outreach/information program will continue throughout the environmental
document phase for the proposed project. In addition, a public hearing
will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the
hearing. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be available for
public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing. To
ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed action
are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments, and
suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to Caltrans at the address provided 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.)
Matt Schmitz,
Director, Project Delivery, Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. 2013-26948 Filed 11-12-13; 8:45 am]
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