Environmental Impact Statement: Bolivar, Sunflower, Coahoma, and
Tunica Counties, Mississippi
[Federal Register: May 9, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 90)]
[Notices]
[Page 23754-23755]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09my01-145]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Bolivar, Sunflower, Coahoma, and
Tunica Counties, Mississippi
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to
advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be
prepared for the I-69 Corridor Study in the above referenced counties
in Mississippi.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Cecil Vick, Realty Officer/
Environmental Coordinator, Federal Highway Administration, 666 North
Street, Suite 105, Jackson, MS 39202-3199, Telephone: (601) 965-4217.
Contacts at the State and local level, respectively are: Mr. Claiborne
Barnwell, Environmental/Location Division Engineer, Mississippi
Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1850, Jackson, MS 39215-1850,
telephone: (601) 359-7920; Mr. James Dickerson III, District 2
Engineer, Mississippi Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 660,
Batesville, MS 38606, telephone (662) 563-4541; and Mr. Walter Lyons,
District 3 Engineer, Mississippi Department of Transportation, P.O. Box
630, Yazoo City, MS, 39194, telephone (662) 746-2513.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the
Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a segment of the proposed
Interstate 69 corridor in Mississippi.
This segment of the proposed interstate would be located in one of
at least three identified corridor areas. It has logical termini at the
Great River Bridge crossing of the Mississippi River near Benoit,
Mississippi, and at Mississippi Highway 304 east of Robinsonville in
Tunica County, Mississippi.
This approximately 100-mile section of I-69 in Mississippi is a
part of the much larger transcontinental highway 69 project extending
from Canada to Mexico. The purpose of the I-69 project in Mississippi
is very similar to the national purpose of improving international and
interstate trade and facilitating economic development. I-69 is also a
transportation recommendation of the Delta Initiative. The Delta
Initiative is aimed at the revitalization and economic development of
the Lower Mississippi Delta. The I-69 corridor, after crossing the
Mississippi River, will enter Mississippi at its western termini in
Bolivar County and extend in a generally northerly direction through
several Mississippi Delta counties exiting Desoto County to Memphis,
Tennessee. The highway is a proposed full control of access facility,
and interchanges will be studied at various locations.
Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action and
(2) build alternatives.
[[Page 23755]]
The FHWA and MDOT are seeking input as a part of the scoping
process to assist in determining and clarifying issues relative to this
project. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments
will be sent to appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, and to
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are
known to have interest in this proposal. A formal scoping meeting with
federal, state, and local agencies, and other interested parties will
be held in the near future.
Coordination will be continued with appropriate federal, state, and
local agencies, tribes, and private organizations and citizens who have
previously expressed or are known to have an interest in this proposal.
Of paramount importance to this effort is the public participation
process. Several public involvement meetings will be held, a newsletter
will be developed, and a website will be created to keep the public
informed. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review
and comment prior to the official 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 the FHWA at the address provided above.
Andrew H. Hughes,
Division Administrator, Jackson, Mississippi.
[FR Doc. 01-11586 Filed 5-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M