DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utility Service
Daggett County: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA
ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) in connection with possible impacts related to a project proposed by Daggett County. The proposal is for construction of improvements for an asphalt paved trail along the north shoulder of SR-43. The Trail will continue along Stateline and Airport Road; however, this portion of the trail will share the existing roadway surface. Daggett County has applied to RUS to fund part of the project. The project includes funding from state agencies who are partnering on the project (UDOT, Parks and Recreation).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CON1l'ACT: Kevin Hacking, Area Specialist, USDA Rural Development,
80 North 500 West Vernal Utah 84078, phone:435-789-2100 x121, email:
Kevin.Hacking@usda.gov
SUPPLEMEN1l'ARY INFORMATION: The proposed project would consist of the following: The SR-43 Multi-Use Trail Project consists of constructing a 10-foot-wide asphalt paved trail along SR-43. The trail will continue along Stateline Road and Airport Road (utilizing the exiting roadway area) in Daggett County utilizing a "Share the Road" signage. The trail runs along the north side of SR-43 beginning at the west Manila Utah town border and continuing east to the Wyoming State line east of Manila and then southeasterly along Stateline Road (CR-556) until it connects with Airport Road (CR- 537/4301). The trail route then proceeds westerly along Airport Road to SR-43. Along SR-43, the trail will primarily be separated from the highway. Through downtown Manila from 50 West to 150 East, the trail will be on the shoulder of SR-43 along with sidewalks. The existing Stateline Road will be paved, and the roadway will be signed as "Share the Road" to accommodate the trail. "Share the Road" signage will be provided along Airport Road.
CIVCO Engineering, Inc., an engineering and environmental consultant, prepared an environmental assessment for RUS that describes the project, assesses the proposed project's environmental impacts, and summarizes as applicable any mitigation measures used to minimize environmental effects. RUS has conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental assessment and believes that it accurately assesses the impacts of the proposed project. The new separated trail portion of the project that runs along the north shoulder of SR- 43 will be constructed in the shoulder area within the highway right of way. It is expected that some cut/fill slopes could extend beyond the highway r/w line and may require easements. Affected property owners will be compensated for any right of way or real property required with the project, or easements required as part of the trail construction.
No significant impacts are expected for the following environmental resources:
Important Farmland (no effect)
Formally Classified Lands (no effect)
Floodplains (no effect)
Cultural resources (no effect)
Biological Resources (no effect)
Socioeconomic Resources (no effect)
Air Quality (no effect - dust control during construction)
Noise (no effect )
Anticipated impacts for the following environmental resources :
Wetlands - the project area contains approximately 2.5 acres of potential wet lands . The trail construction along SR- 43 will impact of fill about 0 . 988 acres of potential wetlands . Mitigation will be in accordance with USACE . Prior to construction, Daggett County will need a 404 permit from the USACE a nd a 401 Certification from the Utah Division of Environmental Quality . Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the address provided . RUS will accept questions and comments on the environmental assessment for [14 ) days from t he date of publication of this notice .
Any final action by RUS related to t he proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by 7 CFR Part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures .
A general location map of the proposal is shown below:
MAP