NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Finding
[28 Pa.B. 4001]
Washington County Pursuant to the provisions of 71 P. S. Section 2002(b), the Secretary of Transportation makes the following finding:
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plans to construct the Southern Beltway Project between PA Route 60 in Findlay Township, Allegheny County and U.S. Route 22 in Robinson Township, Washington County.
The project consists of the construction of a six-mile, four-lane, tolled expressway on new location that begins at the existing Pittsburgh International Airport Interchange on PA Route 60 in Findlay Township, Allegheny County, and extends in a southwesterly direction to a new interchange with U.S. Route 22 midway between the Route 980 and Bavington Interchanges in Robinson Township, Washington County. Intermediate interchanges will be located at the junction of Bald Knob Road, Ridge Road, and Burgettstown Road just north of the Washington County line, and at U.S. Route 30. U.S. Route 30 is to be widened at the interchange to include a turning lane and, if necessary, traffic signals.
The proposed project would not use land from any recreation area, wildlife and/or waterfowl refuge, historic site, State forest land, State game land, wilderness area, or public park.
The proposed project right-of-way will involve the filling of 3.26 hectares (8 acres) of wetlands, and may impact habitat for several transient and migratory bird species, including the Pennsylvania-listed endangered short-eared owl, the northern harrier, blue grosbeak, and Henslow's sparrow. Impacts to wetlands will be mitigated through replacement. Wetland replacement sites will be identified in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Wetland replacement areas will be designed and constructed to replace wetland functions lost.
The Turnpike Commission has developed measures to minimize impacts to the habitat for not only the short-eared owl, but also other grassland bird species. These minimization and mitigation measures are clearly detailed in the Record of Decision for the project.
Effects on streams and floodplains will be addressed through the requirements of PADEP's Chapter 105 and Chapter 106 regulations and Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management). Chapter 105 and Section 404 permits will be obtained prior to construction, and a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit application will be developed and approved. All property acquisition will be handled in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 as amended and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Additional waste site investigations as outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be completed during final design of the project. If necessary, clean up, removal, and disposal will be carried out in accordance with appropriate State and Federal regulations and in cooperation with PADEP and USEPA.
I have considered the environmental, economic, social, and other effects of the proposed project as enumerated in Section 2002 of the Administrative Code, and have concluded that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the project as designed, and all reasonable steps have been taken to minimize harm.
No adverse environmental effect is likely to result from the construction of this project.
BRADLEY L. MALLORY,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1327. Filed for public inspection August 14, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]
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