Notice2025-09288
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in Virginia
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 23, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Highway Administration
Abstract
The FHWA, on behalf of the State Department of Transportation (Virginia DOT, or VDOT), is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to solicit comment and advise the public, agencies, and stakeholders that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared to evaluate potential transportation improvements for the Nimmo Parkway Phase VII-B Project (the Project; EISX--XVA-1727438866) in the Sandbridge community and surrounding areas within the City of Virginia Beach. Transportation improvements are being considered to extend Nimmo Parkway or improve existing Sandbridge Road to provide reliable access and connectivity to the Sandbridge community.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 99 (Friday, May 23, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 99 (Friday, May 23, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22152-22156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09288]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[Docket No. FHWA-2025-0008]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in
Virginia
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the State Department of Transportation
(Virginia DOT, or VDOT), is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to
solicit comment and advise the public, agencies, and stakeholders that
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared to evaluate
potential transportation improvements for the Nimmo Parkway Phase VII-B
Project (the Project; EISX--XVA-1727438866) in the Sandbridge community
and surrounding areas within the City of Virginia Beach. Transportation
improvements are being considered to extend Nimmo Parkway or improve
existing Sandbridge Road to provide reliable access and connectivity to
the Sandbridge community.
DATES: Comments on this NOI and the Additional Project Information
Document are to be received by the FHWA at the address below by June
23, 2025.
ADDRESSES: This NOI and the Additional Project Information Document are
available in the docket referenced above at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>
and on the project website located at <a href="https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy">https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy</a>. The Additional Project
Information Document also will be mailed upon request. Interested
parties are invited to submit comments by any of the following methods:
Website: For access to the documents, go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal located at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> or the Project website
located at <a href="https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy">https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy</a>. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mailing address of hand delivery or courier: Federal Highway
Administration, 400 North 8th Street, Suite 750, Richmond, Virginia,
23219.
Email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#20614d414e44410e684541544860444f540e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d7c505c53595c1375585c49557d595249135a524b">[email protected]</span></a>.
All submissions should include the agency name and the docket
number that appears in the heading of this Notice. All comments
received will be posted without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> or
the Project website, <a href="https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy">https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy</a>, including any personal information provided. A
summary of the comments received will be included in the Draft EIS, and
all comments received will be included in an appendix to the Draft EIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FHWA: Amanda Heath, Environmental
Protection Specialist, Federal Highway Administration--Virginia
Division, 400 North 8th Street, Suite 650, Richmond, VA 23219-4825;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d495b9b5bab0b5fa9cb1b5a0bc94b0bba0fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="39785458575d5817715c584d51795d564d175e564f">[email protected]</span></a>; 804-775-3342. VDOT: Andrew Pike, NEPA
Project Manager/Environmental Division, Virginia Department of
Transportation, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA, 23219; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2746494355425009574e4c42675143485309514e55404e494e4609404851"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d2c23293f283a633d2426280d3b292239633b243f2a2423242c632a223b">[email protected]</span></a>; 804-786-2360. Persons interested in
receiving Project information can contact
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c18fa8acacae91a0b3aab6a0b884889281b7a5aeb5efb7a8b3a6a8afa8a0efa6aeb7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6e8cfcbcbc9f6c7d4cdd1c7dfe3eff5e6d0c2c9d288d0cfd4c1cfc8cfc788c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a> to be added to the Project mailing
list.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review of transportation
improvement alternatives for the Nimmo Parkway Phase VII-B Project
area, the Sandbridge community, and surrounding areas within the City
of Virginia Beach will be conducted in accordance with the requirements
of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42
U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), 23 U.S.C. 139, FHWA regulations implementing
NEPA (23 CFR part 771) and all other applicable Federal, State, and
local laws and regulations. The NEPA process is anticipated to be
completed by a combined Final EIS and Record of Decision within two
years of issuance of this NOI.
The project subject to this notice is:
Project Location: The project limits include the existing east-west
Nimmo Parkway/Nimmo Trail right-of-way, which extends approximately 1.9
miles between Albuquerque Drive and Sandbridge Road east of McClannan's
Curve, and approximately 3.4 miles of Sandbridge Road between Entrada
Drive to just east of McClannan's Curve.
Proposed Project Action
Background. The City of Virginia Beach has studied a direct
connection to the Sandbridge community since 1968. An east-west
corridor to the community was included in the City's Master
Transportation Plan in 1971, the 1979 and 1985 Comprehensive Plans. In
1999, a corridor study completed by the City of Virginia Beach
recommended the Nimmo Parkway Corridor, with a bridge over Ashville
Bridge Creek, as the preferred alternative in linking General Booth
Boulevard/Princess Anne Road with the Sandbridge community. In 2003,
planning studies were conducted on the Nimmo Parkway Corridor which
determined that, when compared to other corridor improvement projects
for the area, the Nimmo Parkway Corridor alternative was preferred. In
subsequent years, additional improvements have been made along Nimmo
Parkway and Sandbridge Road, with the construction of existing Nimmo
Parkway occurring in four phases over a 30-year period.
In May 2022, FHWA approved an Environmental Assessment (EA) for
public availability for the EA for this proposed Project included a
study area limited to an east-west corridor of approximately 1.85 miles
between the end of existing Nimmo Parkway to the west at Albuquerque
Drive and Sandbridge Road approximately 0.2 miles past McClannan's
Curve, as well as the Sandbridge Road corridor, approximately 3.4
miles, from Entrada Drive to approximately 0.2 miles past McClannan's
Curve in the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
[[Page 22153]]
The Nimmo Parkway Phase VII-B EA evaluated two alternatives, the No
Build and Build. The No Build Alternative was retained to serve as a
baseline for comparison. The single Build Alternative was a 1.8-mile-
long two-lane undivided roadway extending from Albuquerque Drive to
Sandbridge Road with an 800-foot proposed bridge over Ashville Bridge
Creek.
A public hearing on the EA was held on June 8, 2022. Based on
public and agency comments on the EA, in September 2023, FHWA
determined that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required for
the Project (23 CFR 771.119(i)). Federal agency comments on the EA
stated a need to analyze an additional alternative, specifically
improvements to existing Sandbridge Road within the City of Virginia
Beach. This alternative had been considered in the EA but was not
retained for detailed evaluation, because improvements to existing
Sandbridge Road would have higher right-of-way, environmental impacts
and costs than the Build Alternative (see Section 2.2.1 of the EA for
more details). Agency coordination on the EIS began in April 2024 with
an understanding among FHWA, VDOT, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) that the Build Alternative from the EA and
improvements to existing Sandbridge Road would be further evaluated as
standalone alternatives.
More information regarding the following sections is included in
the Additional Project Information Document.
The Preliminary Purpose and Need for the Proposed Agency Action.
Based upon the unreliable conditions of Sandbridge Road and the
increasing risk of flooding, the preliminary purpose and need of the
Nimmo Parkway Phase VII-B proposed Project is to provide reliable
access and connectivity to the Sandbridge community. Flooding, roadway
deficiencies, and crashes and other obstructions are needs that have
been identified that limit reliable access and connectivity.
Sandbridge Road is currently the only public access in and out of
the Sandbridge community connecting it to the rest of the City of
Virginia Beach. However, the existing conditions of Sandbridge Road
cause the roadway to be impassable due to flooding, accidents, and
other obstructions.
The preliminary Purpose and Need was developed with agency
coordination and public input, as described in this NOI; see the
Additional Project Information Document for details on the development
of the Purpose and Need. Agencies and the public are invited to comment
on the preliminary Purpose and Need. The preliminary Purpose and Need
may be revised based on comments received during the comment period on
this notice. The Purpose and Need statement and supporting
documentation, including data and public input summary, will be
available in the Draft EIS. The preliminary Purpose and Need has been
discussed with Cooperating and Participating agencies, including
information contained in the Additional Project Information Document.
A Preliminary Description of the Proposed Action and Alternatives
the Environmental Impact Statement Will Consider. The preliminary
proposed action includes transportation improvements in the Sandbridge
community and surrounding areas within the City of Virginia Beach.
Agencies and the public are invited to comment on the Range of
Alternatives for the proposed action. The preliminary Range of
Alternatives has been discussed with Cooperating and Participating
agencies, including information contained in the Additional Project
Information Document. Additional information on the Range of
Alternatives is in the Additional Project Information Document. The
Range of Alternatives proposed to be considered in the EIS include:
No Build
The No Build Alternative will be retained for detailed study and
will serve as a benchmark for comparison with the build alternatives.
The No Build Alternative would maintain roadways in the current
configuration and includes existing planned improvements. Within the
Study Area, Sandbridge Road is currently a two-lane, undivided roadway
with no shoulders. Within the Study Area and at its intersection with
Albuquerque Drive, existing Nimmo Parkway is a two-lane, undivided
roadway with curb-and-gutter and a shared-use path. The No Build
Alternative includes existing maintenance and any current fiscally-
constrained projects. This alternative would not affect any social,
economic, cultural, or natural resources.
Nimmo Parkway
The Nimmo Parkway Alternative is approximately 1.8 miles long and
extends from Albuquerque Drive to Sandbridge Road at a point
approximately 0.8 miles west of its terminus at the Atlantic Ocean.
This alternative would include new alignment to extend existing Nimmo
Parkway to the east and connect to Sandbridge Road. This alternative
consists of a 2-lane undivided roadway, 12-foot travel lanes, 4-foot
on-road bike lane, and a 4-foot-wide paved shoulder in both directions.
Four-foot-wide graded shoulders are included along the paved shoulders.
A 10-foot-wide shared-use path would be included on one side of the
roadway with an 8-foot buffer. The Nimmo Parkway Alternative includes
spanning Ashville Bridge Creek via an 800-foot-long bridge.
Improvements to Existing Sandbridge Road
This Build Alternative would improve the existing Sandbridge Road
corridor between Entrada Drive to Sandbridge Road at a point
approximately 0.8 miles west of its terminus at the Atlantic Ocean.
This alternative would consist of the same dimensions as the Nimmo
Parkway Alternative. The improvements would also include elevating the
roadway to minimize the risk of flooding and improving the horizontal
curves on the roadway where necessary.
Concepts Considered but Proposed Not To Be Retained for Consideration
in the EIS
Transportation System Management (TSM)/Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) Improvements
TSM/TDM improvements are operational improvements that do not
necessarily involve physical changes to infrastructure but rather
maximize the efficiency of the current transportation system or reduce
the demand for travel on the system through the implementation of low-
cost improvements. Examples of TSM activities include the addition of
turn lanes, optimized signalization at intersections, and electronic
Intelligent Transportation Systems. Examples of TDM activities include
ride sharing, van and carpooling, installation of park and ride
facilities, and encouragement of teleworking.
Stand-alone TSM/TDM improvements are proposed to not be retained
because they would not provide reliable access and connectivity to the
Sandbridge community.
Transit-Only Improvements
Transit-only improvements considered include additional bus
services, such as new buses or lines to supplement the existing Hampton
Roads Transit (HRT) system which services the City of Virginia Beach.
Per the City of Virginia Beach Master Transportation Plan, an HRT line
currently accesses as
[[Page 22154]]
far as Upton Drive on Nimmo Parkway; there is no existing service to
the Sandbridge community. HRT performs market analysis reviews to
assess the demand for transit services by evaluating areas with high
concentration of potential transit users, commuters, jobs, and non-work
destinations, along with travel flow analysis. Per the HRT Fiscal Year
2018-2027 Transit Development Plan, the Project vicinity falls within
an area of low potential transit utilization and there are no plans to
expand service in this area of the city.
Stand-alone transit-only improvements are proposed to not be
retained because they would not provide reliable access and
connectivity to the Sandbridge community.
The alternatives to be retained will be finalized after the
consideration of public comments received during the comment period on
this Notice, and they will be documented in the Draft EIS. The
alternatives may be revised based on the consideration of public
comments. The alternatives not retained will also be documented in the
Draft EIS. See the Additional Project Information Document for a more
detailed description of the development of the preliminary Range of
Alternatives.
Brief Summary of Expected Effects. The EIS will evaluate the
potential social, economic, and environmental effects resulting from
the implementation of the build alternatives and the No Build
Alternative. FHWA and VDOT will seek input from the public and agencies
during the EIS development process regarding the effects of the
Project. FHWA and VDOT will evaluate effects to environmental and
community resources in accordance with their NEPA guidance and
procedures. The following resources are the most sensitive resources in
the Project area and will be evaluated closely by FHWA and VDOT:
<bullet> Wetlands and other Waters of the U.S.: Both build
alternatives would require fill and removal from Waters of the U.S. and
impacts to wetlands considered to be jurisdictional which will require
a permit from the USACE for the discharge of dredged or fill material
into Waters of the U.S., including wetlands.
<bullet> Section 4(f): Both build alternatives are located adjacent
to lands included in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which is
managed by the USFWS. There is the potential for impacts to the Refuge,
which is a Section 4(f) property. Potential impacts to this Section
4(f) property will be analyzed and coordinated in accordance with 23
CFR part 774.
<bullet> Wildlife and wildlife habitat: Both build alternatives
have the potential to impact wildlife and wildlife habitat. Such
impacts would be assessed to consider footprint impacts, the effects of
noise and visual disturbance from construction and operations,
potential wildlife-vehicle collisions, and habitat connectivity. This
would also be included in the assessment of effects on the function and
purpose of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge as part of the Section
4(f) analysis.
<bullet> Section 7: Both build alternatives would include tree
removal and potential impacts to the federally-endangered northern
long-eared bat and the proposed endangered tricolored bat.
<bullet> Flood plains: Portions of both build alternatives are
within the 100-year flood plain, or base flood plain, so there is the
potential for encroachments on flood plains.
<bullet> Community impacts: The improvements to existing Sandbridge
Road alternative have the potential for right-of-way impacts and
relocations. The Nimmo Parkway alternative is within right-of-way owned
by the Project sponsor, the City of Virginia Beach, so right-of-way
acquisition and relocations are not anticipated.
<bullet> Safety: Roadway safety would also be considered in the
analysis of alternatives, including the potential for wildlife-vehicle
collisions.
The EIS will evaluate the expected impacts and benefits to the
known resources above, as well as the following resources: Land use and
right-of-way, farmland, social and community resources, economics, air
quality, transportation, traffic noise, ecosystem resources (wildlife
and threatened and endangered species), historic and cultural
resources, hazardous waste sites, and visual resources. The level of
review of the identified resources for the EIS will be commensurate
with the anticipated effects to each resource from the proposed Project
and will be governed by the statutory or regulatory requirements
protecting those resources.
The analyses and evaluations conducted for the EIS will identify
the potential for effects; avoidance measures; whether the anticipated
effects would be adverse; and the appropriate environmental mitigation
measures. Additional information on the expected impacts is provided in
the Additional Project Information Document available for review in the
docket established for this proposed Project and on the project website
as noted in the ADDRESSES section.
Agencies, stakeholders, and the public are invited to comment on
the expected impacts. The environmental impact analysis will not begin
until the Purpose and Need, Range of Alternatives, and impact
categories are finalized based on public comment on this notice. The
identification of impacts may be revised due to the consideration of
public comments. See the Additional Project Information Document for a
more detailed description of the Summary of Expected Impacts. The
studies to identify the impacts, as well as the analyses of impacts
from the retained alternatives, will be presented in the Draft EIS.
Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations. A Clean Water Act
Section 404 permit decision from the USACE is anticipated on August 31,
2027. Other likely Federal and State authorizations include the
Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VRMC) Subaqueous Bottoms and
Tidal Wetlands Permit on March 31, 2027, a Virginia Department of
Environmental Quality (VDEQ) Individual Permit on April 30, 2027, and a
Coastal Zone Consistency Determination on June 1, 2027. Per U.S.C.
139(d)(10), the aforementioned permits and authorizations should be
completed by no later than 90 days after the issuance of the Record of
Decision. The Project sponsor, the City of Virginia Beach, has
committed to obtaining permits within 90 days of the issuance of the
Record of Decision.
Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act is expected
to be concluded on January 1, 2026, and Section 106 consultation under
the National Historic Preservation Act is anticipated to be concluded
on June 1, 2026. See the Additional Project Information Document for
more detail on the anticipated permits and other authorizations.
A Schedule for the Decision-Making Process. The Project schedule
follows the requirements of the environmental review process under 23
U.S.C. 139, which requires that environmental reviews for major
projects occur within agency average of 2 years (from the date of
publication of the NOI) to the date of issuance of the ROD. Cooperating
and Participating Agencies have reviewed the schedule and agencies with
permitting or other authorizations, including USACE, VMRC, VDEQ, USFWS,
and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, have confirmed the
schedule is appropriate. Per 23 U.S.C. 139(d)(10), permits and
authorizations should be completed by no later than 90 days after the
issuance of the Record of Decision. The Project
[[Page 22155]]
sponsor, the City of Virginia Beach, has committed to obtaining permits
within 90 days of the issuance of the Record of Decision. Following the
issuance of this notice, FHWA and VDOT will coordinate with the
Participating, Cooperating, and Cooperating/Concurring Agencies to
develop study documentation and the Draft EIS.
<bullet> The Draft EIS is anticipated to be issued in September
2025.
<bullet> The combined Final EIS and Record of Decision is
anticipated in May 2027.
<bullet> A Section 404 permit decision from the USACE is expected
in August 2027.
See the Additional Project Information Document for additional
schedule details.
Description of the Public Scoping Process, Including Scoping Meetings
Outreach Conducted During Development of the EA
In September 2018, the City of Virginia Beach held a Citizen
Information Meeting (CIM) to seek feedback from the public on the
Project. More than 100 members of the public attended the CIM, and more
than 600 people completed a project survey online or via hard copy at
the CIM.
In Spring 2019, the City of Virginia Beach held a scoping meeting
and send scoping letters to Federal and State agencies to request
relevant information and identify any key issues regarding potential
environmental impacts. Six agencies provided comments.
In May 2022, the City of Virginia Beach held a public hearing to
present the preliminary Project design and the findings of the EA. More
than 300 public comments were received on the EA.
Agency Scoping
In March 2024, as part of initial NEPA scoping to determine the
class of action, VDOT and FHWA identified agencies who would likely
serve as Cooperating and Participating Agencies for the EIS. These
agencies are largely the same entities involved in the preparation of
the Nimmo Parkway Phase VII-B EA.
Beginning in April 2024, VDOT and FHWA began to brief the likely
Cooperating and Participating Agencies on initial NEPA scoping
activities to support the development of the EIS.
Agency coordination up to this point has been conducted primarily
through VDOT's monthly NEPA Agency Coordination Meeting. All likely
Cooperating and Participating Agencies are invited to attend the
monthly agency coordination meeting. A brief summary of agency
coordination is included below.
April 2024
<bullet> Introduction of the Project, including Project history
<bullet> Discussion of resource methodologies and preliminary
purpose and need and range of alternatives
May 2024
<bullet> Discussion of agency comments on resource methodologies
<bullet> Discussion of preliminary purpose and need
June 2024
<bullet> Discussion of preliminary purpose and need and range of
alternatives
July 2024
<bullet> Discussion of preliminary range of alternatives and future
permitting activities
August 2024
<bullet> Discussion of preliminary range of alternatives
September 2024
<bullet> Preliminary concurrence from agencies on preliminary
purpose and need and discussion of preliminary range of alternatives
October 2024
<bullet> Discussion of preliminary range of alternatives
November 2024
<bullet> Preliminary concurrence from agencies on preliminary range
of alternatives
In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139, an Agency Coordination Plan is
being developed and will be finalized within 90 days of the issuance of
this NOI; the Agency Coordination Plan establishes a framework for
coordination among the Federal, State, local agencies participating and
the public in the development of the EIS.
Public Review
A 30-day comment period is being held in association with this NOI.
Agencies and the public are invited to comment on the Environmental
Analysis Methodologies, Purpose and Need, and Range of Alternatives for
the proposed action. Comments may be submitted according to the
instructions in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. Interested
persons can sign up to receive email announcements, notifications, and
newsletters on the above Project website. The scoping process for this
EIS will conclude at the end of the 30-day comment period after the
publication of the NOI. During the 30-day comment period, VDOT will
present information in the NOI and receive public comments. The public
will also be able to submit comments by completing an online survey,
email, telephone, and mail. VDOT will post public materials on the EIS
website, including a brochure and narrated video presentation, in
addition to contacting by mail local property owners.
Public hearings will be held during the development of the EIS, as
described below. Generally, the locations, dates, and times for each
public hearing will be publicized through the EIS website <a href="https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy">https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy</a> and in
newspapers with local and regional circulation, including The
Virginian-Pilot. Materials will be available at the meetings in English
and Spanish and oral and written comments will be solicited.
Public Hearing on a Recommended Preferred Alternative
A public hearing on VDOT's Recommended Preferred Alternative (RPA)
is required by the Code of Virginia to inform the Virginia Commonwealth
Transportation Board (CTB), which is authorized by the Code of Virginia
to make location decisions for highway projects, including as part of
NEPA studies.
Several media outlets will be used to advertise the public hearing
on the RPA, including but not limited to newspaper advertisements,
postcards sent to each property within the Study Area, a social media
campaign, email, and continued updates to the project website.
Public Hearing on the Draft EIS
Notice of availability of the Draft EIS for public and agency
review will be published in the Federal Register and through other
methods which will identify where interested parties can go to review a
copy of the Draft EIS. The public hearing will be conducted by VDOT and
announced a minimum of 30 days in advance. VDOT will provide
information for the public hearing, including the location, date, and
time for the meeting through a variety of means including the EIS
website <a href="https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy">https://pw.virginiabeach.gov/roads/transportation-projects/nimmo-pkwy</a> and by newspaper advertisement.
Request for Comment on Alternatives and Effects, as well as on
Relevant Information, Studies, or Analyses with Respect to the Proposed
Action. To ensure that a full range of issues related to the Project
are addressed in the EIS and all potential issues are identified, FHWA
and VDOT invite comments and suggestions from all interested parties.
FHWA and VDOT request comments and suggestions on the purpose and need,
potential alternatives and impacts, and the identification of any
relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning
impacts affecting the quality of the human and natural
[[Page 22156]]
environment. Any information presented herein, including the
preliminary purpose and need, preliminary range of alternatives and
identification of impacts may be revised after consideration of the
comments. The purpose of this request is to bring relevant comments,
information, and analyses to FHWA's and VDOT's attention, as early in
the process as possible, to enable the agencies to make maximum use of
this information in decision making. Comments may be submitted
according to the instructions in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
Identification of Cooperating and Participating Agencies, and
Information That Such Agencies Require in the Notice. FHWA and VDOT
have invited the following Federal, State, regional, and local agencies
to participate in the development of the EIS. Beginning in April 2024,
VDOT has convened Cooperating and Participating Agencies at a monthly
coordination meeting to discuss the development of the EIS, including
the preliminary Purpose and Need, preliminary Range of Alternatives,
draft NOI and Additional Project Information Document. At the August
14, 2024, VDOT NEPA Programs Agency Coordination Meeting, VDOT
described the new NOI requirement included in 40 CFR 1502.4(e)(9) and
asked Cooperating and Participating Agencies for input. No agencies
have requested information to be included in the NOI.
<bullet> Cooperating Agencies: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Navy.
<bullet> Participating Agencies: Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation, City of Virginia Beach, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Federal Rail Administration, Federal Transit Administration,
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, Hampton Roads
Transportation Planning Organization, National Park Service, National
Resources Conservation Service, U.S Department of the Interior, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Virginia Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Department of Conservation
and Recreation, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Forestry,
Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Housing and
Community Development, Virginia Department of Historic Resources,
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Virginia
Department of Wildlife Resources, Virginia Energy, Virginia Marine
Resources Commission, Virginia State Police
Unique Identification Number. All environmental documents prepared
for the proposed action will reference the following unique
identification number: EISX--XVA-1727438866.
(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.)
Edward Ofori-Abebresse,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-09288 Filed 5-22-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-RY-P
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