NEPA

Documents reviewed at the public meeting held on November 19, 2009 Draft Purpose and Need – This document states the purpose and need for the project and is currently in draft form. Draft Coordination Plan – This document outlines how the Lead Agencies (FHWA, LaDOTD, and RPC) will solicit input from stakeholders during the EIS process. Initial Alternatives List – This document is this the list of potential alternatives developed during the initial part of the scoping process. This list will be refined as the evaluation process continues Map of Initial Alternatives – Graphic of the initial alternatives for reference. Initial Alternatives, September 2009, Airline Highway (US 61) to Interstate 10, Proposed Connector EIS Map with aerial photograph as background (57MB) Map without aerial (2MB)

Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Connector between Airline Highway (US61) and Interstate 10 in St. John the Baptist Parish, LA

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LADOTD) and the Regional Planning Commission for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes (RPC) is initiating an Environmental Impact Statement for proposed enhanced commercial interstate access in St. John the Baptist Parish, LA.

An Environmental Assessment was previously undertaken in order to address interstate access issues for the Port of South Louisiana. The Draft Environmental Assessment was completed in August 2004, followed by a public review period. As there were several major issues raised by agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers and US Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as concerns expressed by some residents and environmental groups, it was the agreement of the LADOTD, FHWA, and St. John the Baptist Parish that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be needed. This EIS will address access between Airline Highway and Interstate 10.The Study Limits of the EIS project extend from 1/4 mile to the east of US 51 on the east to 1/4 mile to the west of LA 3213/641 on the west, and from 1/4 mile north of I-10 on the north to 1/4 mile south of US 61 on the south. The purpose of the project, as currently defined, is to explore and propose methods for enhanced interstate access for St. John the Baptist Parish between Airline Highway ( US 61) and Interstate 10.

A second Public Scoping Meeting on the proposed interstate access enhancement in St. John the Baptist Parish was held November 19, 2009.

The purpose of this meeting was to obtain public input on (1) the draft purpose and need that has been prepared for the project and (2) the list of initial alternatives that have been developed.

All interested parties and their representatives were invited to be present at that meeting for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the project and providing comments and input.

Written statements or comments could be submitted at that meeting, or could be mailed to:
St. John the Baptist Airline to I-10 EIS, c/o N-Y Associates, Inc.
Attention: Bruce J. Richards
2750 Lake Villa Drive – Suite 100 Metairie LA 70002

EIS Underway on the Proposed Connector between Airline Highway (US 61) and I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish

Overview of the Project

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LADOTD) and the Regional Planning Commission for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes (RPC), is initiating an Environmental Impact Statement for proposed enhanced commercial interstate access in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana.

An Environmental Assessment was previously undertaken in order to address interstate access issues for the Port of South Louisiana. The Draft Environmental Assessment was completed in August 2004, followed by a public review period.

As there were several major issues raised by agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as concerns expressed by some residents and environmental groups, it was the agreement of the LADOTD, FHWA, Port of South Louisiana, and St. John the Baptist Parish that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be needed.

The project was then separated into two sections with independent utility: access between the Port of South Louisiana and Airline Highway; and access between Airline Highway and Interstate 10. This EIS will address access between Airline Highway and Interstate 10.

The study limits of the EIS project extend from ¼ mile to the east of US 51 on the east to ¼ mile to the west of LA 3213/641 on the west, and from ¼ mile north of I-10 on the north to ¼ mile south of US 61 on the south.

The purpose of the project, as currently defined, is to explore and propose methods for enhanced commercial interstate access for the Port of South Louisiana and St. John the Baptist Parish between Airline Highway (US 61) and Interstate 10.

For additional information contact: Bruce Richards, N-Y Associates; (504) 885-0500; brichards@n-yassociates.com.