Environmental statements; notice of intent: Hawaii County, HI,

[Federal Register: July 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 133)]

[Notices]

[Page 37827]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr13jy99-133]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement; Hawaii, HI

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway project in Hawaii County, Hawaii.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abraham Y. Wong, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Office Address: 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Rm #3202, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; Mailing Address: Box 50206, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850. Telephone: (808) 541-2700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Hawaii Department of Transportation will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a new arterial connector in the North Kona and South Kohala Districts, of the island of Hawaii. The proposed highway will extend for approximately 12 miles, from the Queen Kaahumanu Highway (State Highway 19) to the junction of Mamalahoa Highway (State Highway 190) and Saddle Road (State Highway 200).

The primary purpose of the project is to provide a more direct inter-regional route for motorists traveling between East and West Hawaii, on the existing Saddle Road. Secondary and supporting purposes to this primary goal are to: (1) Improve the efficiency and operational level of traffic movement between East Hawaii and West Hawaii in general; (2) improve safety; and (3) support special traffic needs, including commercial truck traffic and military traffic utilizing Saddle Road. In addition to various alternative alignments, alternatives being considered include the ``no project'' alternative, and the widening of Waikoloa Road.

A notice describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and to private organizations and individuals who have expressed an interest in the project. Several interagency scoping meetings have also been scheduled. A public hearing will be held after publication of the Draft EIS. A public notice will be placed in a daily newspaper to announce the date, time and place of the hearing and the availability of the Draft EIS for public and agency review and copying.

To ensure that the full range of issues relating to the proposed action are identified and addressed, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning the proposed action should be directed to the FHWA 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) Abraham Y. Wong, Division Administrator, Hawaii.

[FR Doc. 99-17764Filed7-12-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-22-M