Re: Here is a fun site to dig through...

I am not trying to start something, but I think it very strange that Arkansas seems to be weaved into all of this... including Presidential candidates...

Look at the candidates running... where do most of them come from? How many "upgrade" projects are being currently conducted on "linking" existing highways?

From the EPA site...

Notice the date, 2001...

And this quote...

"This segment will accommodate the overall purpose of the national I-69 Corridor, a much larger transcontinental project identified as a ``high priority corridor'' on the National Highway System that would provide a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) transportation corridor of national significance from Canada to Mexico."

But then it is nothing new... New York Times 1913...


http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C02E1DB113BE633A25754C1A96...


Only the scope...

It floors me when I read or hear national media state things like this...

"A Newsweek story critical of Rep. Ron Paul and labeling the NAFTA Superhighway a baseless Conspiracy theory"

http://www.newsweek.com/id/73372

http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2001/December/Day-07/i30329.htm

Environmental Impact Statement: Desha, Chicot, Ashley, Drew, Union, Bradley, Calhoun, Ouachita, and Columbia Counties, AR

[Federal Register: December 7, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 236)]
[Notices]
[Page 63583]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07de01-75]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement: Desha, Chicot, Ashley, Drew,
Union, Bradley, Calhoun, Ouachita, and Columbia Counties, AR

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway
project in the Arkansas Counties of Desha, Chicot, Ashley, Drew, Union,
Bradley, Calhoun, Ouachita, and Columbia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randal Looney, Environmental
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, Room 3130 Federal Building,
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-3298, telephone: (501) 324-6430; or Dale
Loe, Consultant Coordinator, Assistant Chief Engineer, Arkansas State
Highway and Transportation Department, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock,
Arkansas 72203, telephone: (501) 569-2301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Arkansas
State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD), will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a segment of the proposed
Interstate 69 corridor in Arkansas.
This approximately 85-mile segment of I-69 will connect the
Mississippi River crossing of I-69 to U.S. 167 near El Dorado and will
improve regional travel, safety, intermodal connectivity and will
enhance the economic vitality of the project area. This segment will
accommodate the overall purpose of the national I-69 Corridor, a much
larger transcontinental project identified as a ``high priority
corridor'' on the National Highway System that would provide a North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) transportation corridor of
national significance from Canada to Mexico. I-69 is also a
transportation recommendation of the Delta Initiative aimed at the
revitalization and economic development of the Lower Mississippi Delta.
I-69 is proposed to be a fully controlled access facility located
on a new alignment. Several alternatives and locations will be
considered, including the ``no-action'' alternative. The western
terminus of the project will connect to U.S. 167 near El Dorado,
Arkansas and the eastern terminus will connect to U.S. 65 near McGehee,
Arkansas.
The FHWA and AHTD are seeking input as part of the scoping process
to assist in determining and clarifying important issues relative to
this project. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting
comments have been sent to appropriate Federal, state, and local
agencies, Native American Tribes, and to private organizations and
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest
in this project. Formal scoping meetings with Federal, state, and local
agencies, NativeAmerican Tribes, and other interested parties will be
held in the near future. A series of public meetings will also be held
in the study area beginning in early 2002, with on-going public
involvement activities. The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to a
formal public hearing. Public notice will be given of the time and
place for all meetings and hearings.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this project are
addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and
suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
questions concerning this 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 Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this proposed action.)

Issued on: December 3, 2001.
Derrell Turner,
Assistant Division Administrator, FHWA, Little Rock, Arkansas.
[FR Doc. 01-30329 Filed 12-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M