INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEETING
January 26, 1987
Additional Data for Agenda Items
Agenda Item No:
2. Distribution of Revised Environmental Report Schedule
Distribution of Outline for Scoping Meeting
Distribution of Final Draft of Notice of Intent Sent to FHWA.
3. Distribution of Draft of Legal Notice of Seoping Meeting
4. Distribution of Selected Crossections Showing Effect of 35 to 40 mph Design Speed in the Lower Canyon.
Distribution of Figure Showing Retaining Wall Conceptual Plan.
Distribution of Revised Matrix of Component and Alternative Development Dated January 26, 1987.
SLC-STAN/14
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U.S. 89 LOGAN CANYON
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT SCHEDULE
(Revised January 26, 1987)
Task Due Date
Notice of Intent for EIS to FHWA January 8, 1987
Scoping Meeting Legal Notices to Media January 28, 1987
Preliminary Alternatives Technical Memo February 2, 1987
Official Notices to Government Agencies Inviting Participation in Scoping Meetings February 2, 1987
News Release to Media February 9, 1987
Fact Sheet to Media and Complete Mailing List February 10, 1987
Scoping Meeting - Logan March 3, 1987
Scoping Meeting - Logan and Garden City March 4, 1987
Technical Memo Drafts (to UDOT & ID Team) March 23, 1987
Complete Review of Tech Memos April 20, 1987
Preliminary Draft EIS (To UDOT & ID Team) April 27, 1987
Complete Review of Preliminary Draft EIS May 26, 1987
Draft EIS Submittal to UDOT for distribution to FHWA & USFS June 8, 1987
SLC-STN/16a
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OUTLINE FOR SCOPING MEETING U.S. 89 - LOGAN CANYON EIS
I. Introduction
A. Welcome to UDOT-FHWA-USFS Scoping Meeting on U.S. 89 Logan Canyon EIS
B. Introduction of speaker (others?)
C. Purpose of meeting - formal scoping meeting in accordance with NEPA - NEPA requires scoping meeting to be held after publishing notice of intent, before preparing EIS
1. Share results of study to present, project alternatives developed
2. Obtain input on issues that should be considered
in the EIS and suggestions for
project alternatives
3. Answer questions on the alternatives and the EIS process
D. UDOT contracted with CH2M HILL to carry out three major study efforts
1. Analysis of traffic constraints and needs
2. Development of transportation plan (alternatives)
3. Preparation of environmental document (EIS)
E. Previous public information meetings have been held from which input will be used for scoping EIS, along with this input; this meeting will
1. Quickly recap results of study to present
2. Explain project alternatives developed to the present
3. Receive comments and suggestions, perhaps more specific to alternatives
II. Project Setting and Objectives
A. Relation of U.S. 89 to Region
1. Most of project area lies within Cache National Forest, therefore, USFS and FHWA are cooperating agencies on EIS
2. Logan Canyon is scenic and recreational resource
3. U.S. 89 serves traffic
a. Utilizing canyon for recreation
b. From regional communities accessing the regional trade center of Logan or recreational opportunities around Bear Lake
c. Through traffic from the accessing recreational areas of Yellowstone and Teton National Parks
4. U.S. 89 classified as a "rural minor arterial"
5. · Classifications carry standards to be met; U.S. 89 does not presently conform to standards of a rural minor arterial
6. Primary objective of study is to achieve compromise between "rural minor arterial" standards and scenic and recreational resources of canyon
a. Resources of canyon and population increase will increase the traffic volume on U.S. 89 in future
b. Cross-section elements of road are significantly substandard throughout most of project area; gradient and curves add to problems
c. Frequency of accidents is significantly greater in 16 areas than the average for the Canyon
d. Explain level of service - quality measure of operating conditions
e. At present volumes, road falls into Level of Service D
f. By 2000, the level of service will drop to E in some places, by 2005 will generally be E throughout project area
2
7. Results of traffic needs study presented at previous meetings; fact sheet is available
III. Alternatives Development
A. Study area can be divided into three sections based on terrain and road design characteristics
1. Right Fork to 1.8 miles above Ricks Spring
2. 1.8 miles above Ricks Spring to Bear Lake Summit
3. Bear Lake Summit to Garden City
B. Different alternatives are appropriate to each section
C. Alternatives not yet final; may be increased/decreased as a result of input from scoping meetings
D. Alternatives generally cover wide range of options to provide good comparison of pros and cons of each
E. Section 1 - ·Right Fork to 1.8 miles above Ricks Springs
1. No action - maintain existing road
2. Spot improvements - replace bridges; slow vehicle turnouts; recreational turnouts and parking; signing and marking improvements
3. Widen along existing alignment - widen lanes, shoulders, and ditches, raise grade in potential flood areas, plus other spot improvements
4. Widen and improve existing alignment to design speed of 35 mph to 40 mph - improve (straighten) alignment; passing lanes; particularly in areas of sustained grades; improvements listed in 2 and 3
F. Section 2 - 1.8 miles above Ricks Spring to Bear Lake Summit
1. No action - maintain existing road
2. Widen and improve existing alignment to design speed of 55 to 60 mph, widen lanes, shoulders, and ditches, improve (straighten) alignment, provide passing lanes, particularly in areas of steep grades; raise grade in potential flood areas; bridge replacement; signing and
marking improvements
G. Section 3 - Bear Lake Summit to Garden City
1. No action - maintain existing road
2. Widen and improve along existing alignment to design speed of 35 to 40 mph - widen lanes, shoulders, and ditches; improve (straighten)
alignment; provide passing lanes, particularly in areas of steep grades, raise grade in potential flood areas; bridge replacement; signing and marking improvements
3. Construct road along new alignment to north
H. Use of alternate canyon for new road for through traffic has been suggested as alternative by many in the past. Has been determined economically infeasible. Therefore, must do best we can to balance local recreation/through traffic needs on existing U.S. 89
IV. Procedures to Submit Comments
1. Sign up
2. Step to microphone
3. Give name, representing what group
4. Want to give everyone chance to speak before allowing anyone second opportunity
5. Not looking for whether you favor project or not, but what issues should be examined in EIS, or other alternatives or mitigation that should be considered
6. Written comments will be accepted through Monday, April 6. Address is on hand-out at back of room.
LIST OF FIGURES FOR SLIDE PRESENTATION FOR SCOPING MEETING Slide No 1. US-89 - Logan Canyon
Environmental Impact Statement
Scoping Meeting
Utah Department of Transportation
In cooperation with United States Forest
Service and Federal Highway Administration
Consultant: CH2M HILL
2. Purpose of Scoping Meeting
o Comply with National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)
o Review study approach
o Review public involvement program
o Review results of study
o Review alternatives developed to date
o Obtain input on additional alternatives
3. Vicinity Map ( Figure 1 - T.M.)
4. Site Map (Figure 2 - T.M.)
5. Function of US-89 through Logan Canyon
o Recreational access within canyon
o Regional recreational traffic
o Regional business and service
o Serves interstate through traffic
o Classification "Rural Minor Arterial"
6. Roadway Characteristics
o Substandard cross-section
o Low design/travel speed
o Low level of service - delays
o Traffic volumes will increase
7. Study Area - Three Sections
Section Description
1 Right Fork to 1.8 miles above Ricks Spring
2 1.8 miles above Ricks Spring to Bear Lake Summit
3 Bear Lake Summit to Garden City
8. Site Map (Showing three sections)
9. Alternatives No Action
Maintain Existing Road
10. Alternatives
Spot Improvements
Replace bridges
Slow vehicle turnouts
Recreational turnouts and parking
Signing and pavement marking improvements
11. Alternatives
Widen Along Existing Alignment
Widen lanes and shoulders
Widen ditches - improve drainage
Replace bridges
Climbing lanes
Recreational turnouts and parking
Signing and pavement marking improvements
12. Alternatives
Widen and Improve existing alignment
Improve alignment - 35-40 mph
Improve alignment - 55-60 mph
Widen lanes and shoulders
Widen ditches - improve drainage
Replace bridges
Climbing lanes
Recreational turnouts and parking
Signing and pavement marking improvements
13. Alternatives Summary
Final Draft Sent by UDOT to FHWA on Dec 13th DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION --
Federal Highway Administration
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT; CACHE AND RICH COUNTIES, UTAH
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) , DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that at this time it is the intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed highway project in Cache/Rich Counties, Utah. If the study and analysis conclude that all appropriate FHWA/UDOT criteria for a Finding of No Significant Impact are met then the document may be converted from an EIS to a FONSI.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duncan Silver, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, P.O. Box 11563, Salt Lake City, Utah 84147, Telephone (801) 524-5143, or Dave Baumgartner, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 860 North 1200 East, Logan, Utah 84321, Telephone (801) 753-2772, or James Naegle, Utah Department of Transportation, 4501 South 2700 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119, Telephone (801) 965-416C. or Howard Richardson, Utah Department of Transportation, District One Office, P.O. Box 2747, Ogden, Utah 84404, Telephone (801) 399-5921.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action would improve U.S. Highway 89 through Logan Canyon, Utah, from Right Fork, about 9 miles east of Logan, to Garden City, a distance of approximately 28 miles. This road passes through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which provides scenic and recreational resources. Portions of the highway are a narrow two-lane road with numerous gradient. The highway is travelled by a significant number of
recreational and other large vehicles, which, along with the road constraints often result in delays of traffic. Improvements to be considered include widening of the roadway and shoulders; flattening of curves, replacing and widening bridges, adjustment of road gradient, improvement of signing, provision of additional recreational turn-outs, and/or constructing a new road along a new alignment in selected areas, etc.
The project area can be divided into three sections based on the road design characteristics. These sections are: (1) Right Fork to 1.8 miles
above Ricks Spring; (2) 1.8 miles above Ricks Spring to Bear Lake Summit; Bear Lake Summit to Garden City. Alternatives currently being considered for the project include: (1) no action; (2) spot improvements; (3) widen along existing alignment; (4) Widen and improve existing alignment; (5) Construct road along new alignment. Different alternatives might be selected for each of the road sections.
Several public meetings discussing the project have already been held. Formal scoping meetings for the public will be held on March
3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mountain Fuel Supply Auditorium, 45 East 200 North in Logan, and on March 4, at 7:00 p.m. in Garden City Hall. A
meeting for governmental agencies and public officials will be held March 4, at 10:00 a.m. in the Logan City Hall. Other scoping
meetings will be held as determined necessary, and information on time and place will be provided through the local news media.
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 the proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to the FHWA at the address provided above. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Research Planning and Construction. The provisions of OMB Circular No. A-95 regarding state and local clearinghouse review of Federal and federally assisted programs and projects apply to this program.)
Issued on:
Daniel Dake
Division Administrator
Salt Lake City, Utah
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS
US-89 Logan Canyon
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U. S. Forest Service
(USFS), and Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)
will jointly hold public scoping meetings for the Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) being prepared for U.S. Highway
89 through Logan Canyon in Cache and Rich Counties, Utah,
on March 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mountain Fuel Supply Auditorium,
45 East 200 North in Logan, and on March 4, at 7:00
p.m. in Garden City Hall. A meeting for governmental agencies
and public officials will be held March 4, at 10:00 a.m. in
the Logan City Hall. The general public, interest groups,
and governmental agency personnel are invited to attend to
provide input regarding their concerns about impacts of road
improvements on the environment of the Canyon and issues
which should be addressed. Comments and suggestions are
invited from all interested parties.
UDOT has contracted with CH2M HILL, an environmental engineering
consulting firm in Salt Lake City, to analyze · transportation
needs in Logan Canyon, develop alternative plans
for improvements, and evaluate the impact · of those plans on
the environment in an EIS. The FHWA and the USFS will be
cooperating agencies on the EIS, which will· be developed in
conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) .
NEPA requires that a scoping process take place prior to the
conduct of an EIS. It is the purpose of the scoping meetings
to de·termine from the interested communi ty what are perceived
to be the sensitive resources of the pr6ject area and what
environmental factors should be studied most closely in the
EIS. Several public meetings discussing the project have
been held .previously. Other scoping meetings will be held
a~ determined necessary, and information on time and place
will be provided through the local news media. Public meetings
will also be held when the draft EIS is completed to
obtain comments on its contents.
The proposed action would improve US-89 through Logan Canyon
from Right Fork about 9 miles east of Logan, to Garden City,
a distance of approximately 28 miles. This road passes
through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which provides
scenic and recreational resources. Portions· of the highway
are a narrow two-lane road with numerous curves and considerable
gradient. The highway is traveled by a significant
number of recreational and other large vehicles, which,
along the the road constraints, often results in delays of
traffic. Improvements to be considered include widening of
the roadway and shoulders, flattening of curves, replacing
and widening of bridges, adjustment of road gradient, improvement
of signing, provision of additional recreational turn-
Highway 89
