Environmental Impact Statement: Los Angeles County, California

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 is issuing this notice to advise the pubic that an

environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway

project in Los Angeles County, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

C. Glenn Clinton, Chief, District Operations--South, Federal Highway

Administration, 980-9th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814-2724

Telephone: (916) 498-5037.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the California

Department of Transportation and the City of Santa Clarita, will

prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to

construct the extension of Magic Mountain Parkway (State Route 126)

from west of San Fernando Road to Via Princessa (2.5 miles) and to

construct the extension of Via Princessa from Magic Mountain Parkway to

Rainbow Glen Drive (1.7 miles). The proposed project includes

constructing a 120-foot wide roadway, an interchange on Magic Mountain

Parkway with San Fernando Road including a structure over the Los

Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Railroad, and

widening the existing bridge over the South Fork of the Santa Clara

River.

The new roadway will be approximately 4.5 miles in length. These

improvements are intended to serve as a major east-west corridor to

accommodate the substantial increases in traffic volumes associated

with several large existing and planned developments in the area.

Alternatives under consideration include (1) Taking no action; (2)

constructing an interchange and a six-lane, uncontrolled access

arterial on new location; and (3) alignment variations as appropriate

to minimize environmental effects of the project. Within the limits of

the study area for this project, various environmental resources and

issues are know to exist and include but are not limited to: cultural

resources, wetlands, floodway and floodplain, wildlife habitat, growth

inducement, economic, business relocation, noise, changes to vehicle

traffic patterns, regional air quality, seismic exposure, land use

planning, hazardous waste, and irrigation/drain systems.

Per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a Notice of

Preparation on an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for this project

was published on February 12, 1997, and a 45-day public comment period

followed from February 12, 1997, to March 31, 1997, including a Public

Scoping Meeting held on March 5, 1997. In addition to the comment

period and scoping meeting, three public meetings were conducted by the

City of Santa Clarita in November 1996. The public and review agencies

have had the opportunity to comment on the scope and content of the

project. Thus, this Notice serves as additional public notification of

the preparation of an EIS. The public and agencies will have further

opportunity to comment on the project when the draft EIS has been

completed.

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. At least one public meeting

will be held in the City of Santa Clarita to solicit input from the

local citizens on alternatives. In addition, a public hearing will be

held. Public Notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings

and hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency

review and comment prior to the public hearing.

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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.

(Catalog of Federal Document 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 on: February 10, 1998.

C. Glenn Clinton,

Chief, District Operations--South Sacramento, California.

[FR Doc. 98-4675 Filed 2-23-98; 8:45 am]

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