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Online editor's note: The following is the text of a press release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, regarding the South Lawrence Trafficway.

Corps signs Record of Decision to approve permit application for South Lawrence Trafficway project in Lawrence

TOPEKA -- The Kansas City District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved the Record of Decision (ROD) for a permit application under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1344) and for a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the South Lawrence Trafficway project in southwest Lawrence, Kan.

The project proposed by Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is located in and near the city of Lawrence in Douglas County, Kan. It consists of construction of a new section of K-10 Highway, beginning in Douglas County at a location on the existing K-10 Highway alignment near the eastern edge of the city of Lawrence, and extending approximately six miles south and west to the existing K-10 Highway/US-59 Highway interchange in southwest Lawrence.

"I have reviewed and evaluated KDOT's permit application, in light of the overall public interest, the environmental, social, engineering and economic considerations, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," said District Commander Col. Donald R. Curtis. "It is my decision based on all available information, including a Final EIS, that issuance of a permit under authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to authorize the applicant's preferred alternative, to relocate approximately six miles of K-10 Highway on a route identified as 32nd Street Alignment B, is in compliance with Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines and is not contrary to the public interest. The Kansas City District's authorization will contain special conditions and mitigation requirements to avoid, minimize and mitigate project-related impacts."

The ROD will be published in the Federal Register.

Copies of the ROD will be available at:

? Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street, Lawrence, Kan.

? Kansas University, Anshutz Library, reference desk, 1301 Hoch Auditoria Dr., Lawrence, Kan.

? Baker University, Collins Library, 606 Eight St., Baldwin

? Desoto Public Library, 33145 W. 83rd Street

? Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, CIS Department, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave.

? Johnson County Library, 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park.

Inquiries regarding the ROD or the Final EIS should be submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District (Attn: Robert J. Smith, Project Manager), Rm. 706, 601 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106-2896.

For further information concerning this project, please contact the Public Affairs Office, Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (816) 983-3486.