Notice2021-23910
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Last Chance Grade Permanent Restoration Project on Interstate 101, in Del Norte County, California
Primary source
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Published
November 3, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Highway Administration
Abstract
The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft EIS will be prepared for the Last Chance Grade Permanent Restoration Project (Project), a proposed roadway improvement project on I-101, in Del Norte County, California. A separate Notice of Preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) has been issued by Caltrans to meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 210 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 210 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60734-60735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23910]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for the Last Chance Grade Permanent Restoration Project on
Interstate 101, in Del Norte County, California
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (Draft EIS) for the Last Chance Grade Restoration Project on
Interstate 101 (I-101).
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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 a Draft EIS will be prepared for the Last Chance Grade Permanent
Restoration Project (Project), a proposed roadway improvement project
on I-101, in Del Norte County, California. A separate Notice of
Preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) has
been issued by Caltrans to meet the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
DATES: This notice will be accompanied by a 30-day public scoping
comment period from November 5, 2021 to December 6, 2021. The deadline
for public comments is 5:00 p.m. (PST) on December 6, 2021. The Virtual
scoping meeting will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PST on
Thursday, November 18, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Project information is available on the internet at
<a href="http://lastchancegrade.com">lastchancegrade.com</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Caltrans: Contact Steve Croteau,
Senior Environmental Planner, Caltrans District 1, 1656 Union Street,
Eureka, CA 95501, telephone 707-572-7149, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b5e6d6dac5dcdbd2f6dad8d8d0dbc1c6f589d495ddc7d0d388" http: lastchancegrade.com">lastchancegrade.com</a>">ScopingComments@<a href="http://lastchancegrade.com">lastchancegrade.com</a></a>.
For FHWA, contact David Tedrick, telephone (916) 498-5024, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5034312639347e2435342239333b10343f247e373f26"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f79396819e93d9839293859e949cb7939883d9909881">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective July 1, 2007, the FHWA assigned,
and Caltrans assumed, environmental responsibilities for this project
pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans as the assigned National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) agency and CEQA lead
[[Page 60735]]
agency, will prepare a joint EIR/EIS on a proposal for improvements
along a portion of I-101 known as ``Last Chance Grade'' in Del Norte
County, California.
Last Chance Grade is the 3.5-mile-long section of I-101 (post mile
[PM] 12.0 to 15.5) that runs between Wilson Creek to about 9 miles
south of Crescent City. The Project area is almost entirely within
portions of Redwood National and State Parks.
The Project would realign the highway in response to landslide and
roadway failures which have caused damage for decades. The purpose of
the project is to:
<bullet> Provide a more reliable connection
<bullet> Reduce maintenance costs
<bullet> Protect the economy, natural resources, and cultural resources
A geologic study in 2000 conducted for Caltrans by the California
Geological Survey mapped over 200 historical and active landslides
(both deep-seated and shallow) within the corridor between Wilson Creek
and Crescent City. Over the years, Caltrans has conducted a
considerable number of construction projects and maintenance activities
in the Last Chance Grade area to keep the roadway open. Since 1997,
landslide mitigation efforts, including retaining walls, drainage
improvements, and roadway repairs have cost over $85 million. A long-
term sustainable solution at Last Chance Grade is needed to address:
<bullet> Economic ramifications of a long-term failure and closure
<bullet> Risk of delay/detour to traveling public
<bullet> Increasing maintenance and emergency project costs
<bullet> Increase in frequency and severity of large storm events
caused by climate change
Over the past several years, Caltrans has considered multiple
alignment alternatives with input from numerous project partners in
seeking a long-term feasible and sustainable solution suitable for the
unique geologic and natural features of the project area. As a result
of these past alternatives screening processes, Caltrans has elected to
move forward with the environmental review of two action alternatives,
Alternatives X and F.
Alternative X would involve reengineering the existing roadway.
Within a portion of Alternative X, the roadway would retreat inland (to
the east) by approximately 130 feet to improve geotechnical stability
and longevity. Alternative X would involve constructing a series of
retaining walls (single and terraced) to minimize the potential for
landslides on the roadway. Depending on feasibility, drainage
improvements might also be included for this alternative.
Alternative F would construct an approximately 10,000-foot-long
tunnel that would diverge from the existing roadway near PM 14.06 and
reconnect to US 101 near PM 15.5, thereby avoiding the surface portion
of existing roadway most prone to landslides and geologic instability.
The Draft EIR/EIS will also study a No Project Alternative, which
would entail no new long-term feasible and sustainable solution for
Last Chance Grade but would instead be a continuation of ongoing
maintenance and repair activities needed to enable ongoing roadway
operations.
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, Participating Agencies, Tribal
governments, and local agencies, and to private organizations and
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in
this proposal. The Scoping period to submit comments is from November
5, 2021 to December 6, 2021. A public scoping meeting will be held
virtually from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PST on November 18, 2021 from
link at <a href="http://lastchancegrade.com">lastchancegrade.com</a>. Comments on the NOI may be submitted by
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f6a59599869f9891b5999b9b93988285b6ca97d69e849390cb" http: lastchancegrade.com">lastchancegrade.com</a>">ScopingComments@<a href="http://lastchancegrade.com">lastchancegrade.com</a></a>; or letter to 1656 Union
Street, Eureka, CA 95501 with Attention to Steve Croteau, Senior
Environmental Planner. In addition, a public hearing will be held once
the Draft EIR/EIS is completed. Public notice will be given with the
time and place of the meeting and 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.)
Issued on: October 28, 2021.
Rodney Whitfield,
Director, Financial Services, Federal Highway Administration,
California Division.
[FR Doc. 2021-23910 Filed 11-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-RY-P
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