The Central Federal Lands Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as administrator of Public Lands Highway Program funds and lead agency for highway projects initiated under this program, in cooperation with CALTRANS, the U. S. Forest Service (USFS), and Alpine County, California, is proposing to improve California Forest Highway (FH) 134, Blue Lakes Road. Also proposed is a realignment of Blue Lakes Road at the SH 88 junction and construction of a turnaround loop for winter traffic. The FHWA is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Dean Ryan is responsible for public/interagency meetings and coordination, environmental studies and obtaining all permits necessary for the performance of this task order.
Historic and Archeological Survey and Traditional Cultural Properties Survey. Performing inventory, National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) evaluation, documentation of cultural resources, and report preparation in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Reviewed Historic Context including literature review of published and unpublished documents for both prehistoric and historic periods and archival and record searches for historic periods
Traffic Studies include measurement of vehicles; conducting manual turning movement counts and evaluating both the existing and proposed roadway alignment to determine its suitability for use by vehicles, including trucks, of varying lengths and preparation of future traffic volumes on Blue Lakes Road.
Traditional Cultural Properties Study identifies traditional cultural properties within or adjacent to the proposed study area. Conducting approprate historic and ethnographic background research in the study area; contact and interview knowledgeable individuals, groups, and organizations; and conduct filed work in consultation with these groups to inspect and record significant traditiuonal cultural properties in accordance with 36 CFR 60.4 and step-by-step procedures outlined in National Register Bulletin #38, pp.11-16.
Historic and Archeological Field Surveys/Inventory includes securing a special use permit from the Toiyabe National Forest for surveys on public lands. Dean Ryan is responsible for a 100-percent coverage survey in the corridors of the project in order to locate and evaluate all cultural resources; site recordation; site mapping; National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) evaluations and laboratory analysis.
Land Use, Recreation Resources, Forest Resources Report: Identified State, County and Forest Service land use plans and pliicies in the area which may be impacted by the proposed project and identify current devlopment trends in Alpine County and in the communities of Woodfords and Markleeville.
Socioeconomic Impacts: Assessed benefitial and adverse primary and secondary social and economic impacts to the nearby rural residents and the communities of Woodfords and Markleeville. Assessed projected traffic volume impacts and any projected chanfes in traffic patterns and usage.
Air Quality: Prepared reports describing the existing air quality conditions, the type of area (urban, rural, etc.) in which the proposal is located, and the air basin, if appropriate, in which the proposal is loacated. This description shall concentrate mainly on the air quality conditions caused by the current condition of the road and the air quality conditions associated with the construciton period.