Published in the Tahlequah Daily Press on September 30, 2018 Federal Highway Administration Tribal Transportation Program 12300 W. Dakota Ave Lakewood, CO 80228 PUBLIC INVITED TO COMMENT ON IMPACTS TO COOKSON HILLS WILDLIFE REFUGE FROM THE MALLOY HOLLOW ROAD PROJECT The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Tribal Transportation Program, in partnership with The Cherokee Nation is proposing to improve 5.06 miles of the Malloy Hollow Road, from State Highway 100 (0.5 miles east of Cherokee/Adair County line) to the intersection of Bunch Road (approximately 1 mile south of Cave Springs School). Cookson Hills Wildlife Refuge located adjacent to the west side of the Malloy Hollow Road qualifies as a Section 4(f) resource under the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966. Because impacts to the Refuge, from the proposed reconstruction of the Malloy Hollow Road, are believed to be minor in nature, the FHWA intends to make a finding of de minimis impact for the Section 4(f) resource. A de minimis finding may be made when uses of Section 4(f) land will not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities qualifying the property for protection under Section 4(f), in this case, recreation. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC NOTICE IS TO ALLOW AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON PROJECT EFFECTS TO COOKSON WILDLIFE REFUGE. The only identified impact to the Refuge is a small permanent easement along the east boundary of the park. The permanent easement averages about 140 feet inside the existing Refuge boundary fence for a total easement of approximately 17.40 acres (see attached map showing location of east Refuge boundary). This portion of the Refuge is used infrequently and is not identified as important for recreational purposes. Therefore, the FHWA believes that the project will not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities qualifying the Refuge for protection under Section 4(f). PLEASE SEND ANY COMMENTS REGARDING PROJECT IMPACTS TO THE COOKSON WILDLIFE REFUGE TO DAVID CREMER AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS OR BY EMAIL TO david.cremer@dot.gov BY OCTOBER 19, 2018. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL (202) 236-7613. Display Ad