PUBLIC NOTICE
BRIDGE & APPROACHES PROJECT ON SH-3 OVER KIAMICHI RIVER
PUSHMATAHA COUNTY JP: 28007(07)
SECTION 4(F) DE MINIMIS IMPACTS TO HUGO LAKE
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), in coordination with and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is proposing to replace a bridge on SH-3 over Kiamichi river, located 8 miles east of Antlers in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. The purpose of the ODOT project is to correct a narrow truss bridge that is structurally deficient. The proposed bridge will be replaced to provide a 40-foot clear roadway on an offset alignment to the north. The north side was selected to avoid the environmental and right-of-way impacts associated with the boat dock on south side of the bridge at Rattan Landing. The approaches will consist of two (2)- 12-foot-wide paved driving lanes with 8-foot-wide paved shoulders (40-foot clear roadway). The road will remain open during construction. New right-of-way will be acquired for this project. The project is currently scheduled for construction by ODOT in Year 2022.
Right-of-way within U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) held lands associated with Hugo Lake will be required to replace the bridge. The Hugo Lake Project was authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1946 and 1962 for flood control, water supply, fish and wildlife management and recreation. Due to the proposed conversion of recreational property to transportation use for the property located within USACE lands, Section 4(f) regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 apply to the project. Section 4(f) affords protection to publicly owned recreation areas including city, state, and national parks, wildlife refuges and management areas and historic sites.
ODOT has coordinated with the USACE Hugo Lake regarding avoidance and minimization of impacts due to the bridge and approaches project on Hugo Lake and the USACE is supportive of these measures. The mitigation plan which is being used to minimize impacts to the recreational features of the USACE properties includes the following:
- Continuing through traffic on SH-3 during construction at all times
- To minimize impacts to the USACE lands the design offset to the north was reduced from 50 feet to 25 feet
- The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation leased property and the Rattan Landing property have be avoided
- Maintaining traffic access at Rattan Landing during construction
The required additional right-of-way has been minimized as much as possible. A minimal offset has been implemented to reduce additional right-of-way. This allows for minimal use of property located within Hugo Lake and accommodates local traffic. ODOT is proposing to obtain approximately 1 acre by easement of the 27,958-acre Hugo Lake Reservoir, which constitutes less than 0.01 percent of the Lake area. The use of appropriate best management practices including storm water, erosion, dust control, and chemical/fuel handling will be conscientiously implemented.
Based on the avoidance and minimization of impacts to USACE held lands for Hugo Lake as described above, and the need for no additional mitigation measures, the ODOT, in coordination with FHWA, are proposing a de minimis impact finding with regard to Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act (1966). ODOT welcomes your comments on the effects of this project on the projected activities, features, and attributes of USACE land associated with Hugo Lake (the Section 4(f) resource). Please mail or e-mail any comments you have by November 27, 2020 to:
Environmental Programs Division Engineer
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
200 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
