IDENTIFICATION_INFORMATION

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: West Virginia Department of Highways

Publication_Date: December 1999

Title: King Coal Highway

Edition: Final

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Charleston, WV

Publisher: Michael Baker Jr., Inc.

Other_Citation_Details:

Online_Linkage:

Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Michael Baker Jr., Inc.

Publication_Date: December 1999

Title: King Coal Highway EIS

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Charleston, WV

Publisher: Michael Baker Jr., Inc.

Online_Linkage:

Description:

Abstract:

The Preferred Alternative (PA) was selected on the basis of

its' ability to best facilitate the projects Purpose and

Need while minimizing impacts to the natural, physical, and

social environments. The Build Alternatives identified in

this Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) were all

initially considered candidates for the PA. Of the six

alternatives under consideration, Alternative 2D was

selected as the PA. Selection of the PA came after careful

consideration and assessment of the potential environmental

impacts, (social, natural, and physical), and evaluation of

public comments received stemming from public workshops

held in May 1998. Identification of the Preferred

Alternative in the DEIS is consistent with Federal Highway

Administration (FHWA) and Council of Environmental Quality

(CEQ) guidelines and regulations (FHWA Technical Advisory

T. 6640.8A; 40 CFR 1502).

Purpose:

The King Coal Highway Purpose and Need Study (WVDOT, 1994)

was prepared in accordance with FHWA's Technical Advisory

T6640.8A (USDOT, 1987), Guidance for Preparing and

Processing Environmental and Section 4(f) Documents, and

FHWA's memorandum entitled, Purpose and Need in

Environmental Documents (USDOT, 1990).

The King Coal Highway Purpose and Need Study (WVDOT, 1994)

identifies the deficiencies of the study route (US 52) and

in turn represents the need for some form of transportation

involvement in the study area. By identifying and

evaluating the transportation needs in the study area, the

purpose of the King Coal Highway project becomes evident.

The following is a summary of the project purpose and need

detailed in the Purpose and Need Study (WVDOT, 1994).

Supplemental_Information:

The study area for the King Coal Highway involves the West

Virginia counties of Mingo, Logan, McDowell, Wyoming, and

Mercer; and Tazewell County, Virginia; and is situated in

the Appalachian Mountains of southern West Virginia and

western Virginia (Exhibit I-1). The terrain is steep and

difficult to develop. Most of the area has historically

developed around the coal industry. The influence of the

coal industry has been so great that it has affected land

use, population characteristics, community services,

housing development, economy, and transportation

opportunities.

Over the last two decades, portions of the study area have

experienced a decline in the economy and population due to

changes in the coal industry. As a result, the study area

has relatively high unemployment and relatively high state

and federal income supplements.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1994

Ending_Date: 1999

Currentness_Reference: Up to date subject to change

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Unknown

SPATIAL_REFERENCE_INFORMATION

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: degrees

Longitude_Resolution: degrees

Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal Degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: WGS84

Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80

Semi-major_Axis: 6,378,137

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -82.3151

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -81.1257

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.7789

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.2723

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Theme_Keyword: Alignment, Corridor

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Access_Constraints:

Use_Constraints:

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: West Virginia DOT - Division of Highways, Engineering Division

Contact_Person: Jim Colby

Contact_Position: Project Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: State Capitol Complex, Building Five

City: Charleston

State_or_Province: West Virginia

Postal_Code: 25305

Country: United States

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (304) 558-28850

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:

Hours_of_Service:

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

ArcView version 3.1 shapefile format

h:\proj\king coal\environmental\arcview\shapefiles\prefkc.shp