PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED SECTION 4(f) DE MINIMIS USE 

AT MORRISON PARK IN NOBLE COUNTY

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is proposing improvements to U.S. Highway 64 (US-64) starting from US-177 extending west through the town of Morrison to the Cimarron Turnpike, a distance of approximately 4.6 miles, in Noble County. The proposed improvements involve resurfacing, adding shoulders and a third travel lane in each direction, and adding sidewalks through Morrison on both sides of the road. As part of the project, a 0.05-acre utility easement is required at the northeast corner of Morrison Park property. The easement is required for the relocation of a water line, gravity sewer line with manholes, natural gas, and underground communication cable. There will be ground disturbance during construction activities for the utility relocations. This will be a utility easement and not a permanent right-of-way use. This use will not affect the trees planted in the park along US-64 or any of the ball fields, walking trails, water spray park, playground, basketball court, or picnic facilities within the park. Once the construction is complete, the area will still be usable as parkland.

Due to the proposed transportation use of this recreational area located within the Morrison Park property boundaries, 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 historic sites. ODOT has coordinated with the Town of Morrison with regard to avoidance, minimization, and mitigation of impacts of the project on the Morrison Park property. As mitigation, sidewalks would be included on both sides of US-64 through Morrison to provide safe access to the park for all users.

Based on the avoidance, minimization, and mitigation of impacts to the Morrison Park property as described above, 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. ODOT welcomes your comments on the effects of this project on the projected activities, features, and attributes of the Morrison Park property (the Section 4(f) resource). 

Please mail or email any comments you have by September 3, 2021 to:

Environmental Programs Division Engineer
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
200 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

environment@odot.org