The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is preparing a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the U.S. 50 corridor from Pueblo to the Kansas state line, reports the Lamar Ledger.

The document provides a description of the proposed highway improvements and the anticipated effects associated with each alternative. Publishing this document is part of the process that enables highway projects to be eligible for federal funding. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires agencies to prepare environmental impact statements for major actions that affect the quality of the human and natural environment.

Issues and factors (resources) studied include economic and agricultural factors, cultural and historic resources, social considerations, potential effects to the natural environment, and more. The project team has partnered with communities along the corridor, federal and state agencies, and with corridor residents and business owners to gather and analyze the information.

The DEIS will be available for public review in 2010. The formal review period lasts 45-days, during which public meetings will be held to gather comments regarding the document. Comments will be accepted in person, and also via phone, U.S. mail, e-mail and the project Web site. CDOT will announce the document’s availability before its release.

Read the entire article at the Lamar Ledger.