Environmental Impact Statement: Talbot and Caroline Counties, Maryland

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement: Talbot and Caroline Counties,

Maryland

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an

Enviromental Impact Statement/Section 4(f) Evaluation (EIS/4(f)) will

be prepared for a proposed bridge project in Talbot and Caroline

Counties, Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Renee Sigel, Planning, Research

and Environmental Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration. The

Rotunda--Suite 220, 711 West 40th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the U.S. Coast

Guard, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Maryland State

Highway Administration, will prepare an EIS/4(f) on a proposal to

improve the MD 331 crossing of the Choptank River connecting Talbot and

Caroline Counties, Maryland.

The purpose of this project is to provide a dependable crossing of

the river which will safely accommodate both vehicular and marine

traffic. The existing structure (Bridge No. 20023) is an historically

significant swing span bridge which provides the only crossing of the

river for thirteen miles. This crossing serves as a vital economic link

between the towns of Easton and Preston and is also essential for

providing rapid response for fire equipment and emergency services.

From a maritime perspective, the bridge controls access to and from the

upper twenty miles of the Choptank River, and provides the only access

to Tuckahoe Creek.

The alternatives under consideration include the No-Build

Alternate, rehabilitation of the existing bridge, several high level

fixed span structures on new alignment both north and south of the

existing bridge, and a Dual Bridge Alternate utilizing both a new high

level fixed span structure and the existing bridge.

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 an interest in this proposal. A public informational

meeting will be held in the Spring of 1998, followed by a public

hearing in the Summer. Public notice will be given of the time and

place of both the meeting and hearing. The draft EIS/4(f) will be

available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public

hearing.

An informal scoping meeting for this project was held in November

of 1997. The scoping process includes on-going coordination with a

number of agencies and the public including local marinas and the

Marine Trade Association as well as presenting at interagency meetings.

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 EIS should be directed to

the FHWA at the address provided above. In addition, the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers is reviewing the proposal for a Department of the

Army Section 404 Clean Water Act and Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act

permit decision. Any questions or concerns regarding the aquatic

environment can be forwarded to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

Baltimore District, CE NAB-OP-RX, Attn: Keith A. Harris, Chief Special

Projects, Permit Section, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,

Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations

implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental

consultation of Federal programs and activities apply to this

program).

Issued: April 1, 1998.

Renee Sigel,

Planning, Research and Environment Team Leader, Baltimore, Maryland.

[FR Doc. 98-9362 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]

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