Mr. Kolb

Page 1

December 21, 2009

December 21, 2009

Jeffrey W. Kolb,P.E., Division Administrator

Attn: John Burns, Area Engineer

Federal Highway Administration

Leo W. O’Brian Federal Building, Suite 719

Clinton Avenue & N. Pearl Street

Albany, New York 12207

Dear Mr. Kolb:

RE:Initiation Notice for SAFETEA-LU Section 6002 Environmental Review Process

PIN 9066.91- Route 17 Hale Eddy to Hancock, Delaware County

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is initiating the environmental review process as provided by SAFETEA-LU Section 6002 for theEnvironmental Impact Statementfor PIN 9066.91 (Route 17 Hale Eddy to Hancock). This project proposes to reconstruct and rehabilitate 7 miles of Route 17 between Reference Markers 17-9308-1030 to 17-9308-1100 near the hamlet of Hale Eddy in Delaware County. The purpose of the project is toprovide full control of access and meet FHWA’s Interstate Standards to improve the safety and allow for eventual designation as Interstate 86.

Pursuant to Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU, the Federal Highway Administration must serve as the lead Federal agency for this project. The NYSDOT will serve as a joint lead agency. The responsibilities of the lead agencies are to:

  • Develop a SAFETEA-LU 6002 compliant Coordination Plan and Schedule
  • Establish a list of potentially participating and cooperating agencies
  • Outreach to involve potentially participating agencies
  • Provide opportunities for the public and participating agencies involvement in Environmental Review Process.
  • Consult with participating agencies in determining assessment methodologies to evaluate potential impacts.

The NOI for this project was sent for publication in the Federal Register by Douglas Conlan on June 28, 2001. Since the NOI for this project was issued prior to the SAFETEA-LU effective date of August 10, 2005, the procedural steps of Section 6002 will apply to the project’s NEPA process from this point forward. The project’s purpose and need, and project alternatives remain valid and will not be reevaluated.

In addition to an Environmental Impact Statement,NYSDOT anticipates that this project will require a Section 404 individual permit from the USACE and approvals from the USEPA and USFWS.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss Project 9066.91 , please contact Michael Retzlaff at 607-721-8209 or by email at .

Sincerely,

Richard Lee, P.E.

Acting Deputy Chief Engineer

Office of Design

DD/BS/MVR

c:Design Quality Assurance Bureau, Main Office Project Liaison

Regional Design Office, Job Manager

Regional Design Office, Project Manager

Regional Design Office, Environmental Coordinator

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