80 FR 68380 - Environmental Impact Statement for the Washington Union Station Expansion Project
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 213 (November 4, 2015)
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 213 (November 4, 2015)
| Page Range | 68380-68382 | |
| FR Document | 2015-28079 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 213 (Wednesday, November 4, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 68380-68382] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-28079] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Environmental Impact Statement for the Washington Union Station Expansion Project AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that FRA will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential impacts to the human and natural environment of the Washington Union Station Expansion Project (Project) proposed by the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) in coordination with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). The Project includes expanding and modernizing the multimodal transportation facilities at Washington Union Station, while preserving the historically significant station building. FRA is preparing this EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). FRA will evaluate reasonable alternatives for the proposed Project, including a No Action (No Build) Alternative. FRA is issuing this notice to solicit public and agency input into the scope of the EIS and to advise the public that outreach activities conducted by FRA, USRC, and its representatives will be considered in the preparation of the EIS. To ensure all significant issues are identified and considered, the public is invited to comment on the scope of the EIS, including the purpose and need, alternatives to be considered, impacts to be evaluated, and methodologies to be used in the evaluation. DATES: FRA invites the public, governmental agencies, and all other interested parties to comment on the scope of the EIS. All such comments should be provided to FRA, via mail or email, by January 4, 2016, to the addresses listed below. Comments may also be provided orally or in writing at the public scoping meeting for the Project, scheduled for December 7, 2015 in the Presidential Room at Union Station located at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20002. The meeting will be an open-house format for discussions with the project team from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with two brief identical presentations; one at 4:30 p.m. and the second at 7:00 p.m. to provide a thorough project description. Information on the project and the scoping meeting is available on the FRA Web site at www.fra.dot.gov. ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS may be mailed or emailed by January 4, 2016 to Michelle Fishburne, Office of Railroad Policy and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, or [email protected]. The December 7, 2015 Public Scoping Meeting will be held in the Presidential Room at Union Station located at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20002. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Fishburne, Office of Railroad Policy and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, [email protected]. Information and documents regarding the EIS process will also be made available through the FRA Web site at www.fra.dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Washington Union Station Expansion Project would expand and modernize Washington Union Station. The Project includes reconstructing and relocating tracks, developing new concourse facilities, maintaining multi-modal transportation services, and improving and expanding infrastructure and other supporting facilities. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts of an expanded multi-modal transportation facility at Union Station. Environmental Review Process FRA as the lead federal agency will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts (64 FR 28545, May 26, 1999, and 78 FR 2713, Jan. 14, 2013). In addition to NEPA, the EIS will address other applicable statutes, regulations and executive orders, [[Page 68381]] including the 1980 Clean Air Act Amendments, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act, the Endangered Species Act, and Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice. Alternatives considered in the EIS may involve Columbus Circle and other properties adjacent to Washington Union Station. The EIS will provide the FRA, reviewing and cooperating agencies, and the public with information to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of Project alternatives, and to identify potential avoidance/mitigation measures as appropriate. The Project may affect historic properties and will be subject to the requirements of Section 106 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 306108). In accordance with regulations issued by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR part 800), FRA may coordinate compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA with the preparation of the EIS, beginning with the identification of consulting parties through the scoping process, in a manner consistent with the standards set out in 36 CFR 800.8. Project Background In 2012, Amtrak prepared a Union Station Master Plan in coordination with USRC and other stakeholders, including regional transportation agencies and a real estate development company, Akridge, who owns development rights above the rail terminal. Akridge purchased the right to develop above the Amtrak property between Union Station and K Street NE from the U.S. General Services Administration in 2006. In June 2011, the Akridge property was rezoned ``USN'' by the DC Zoning Commission, which allows for a three million square foot-plus mixed use development, referred to as Burnham Place, to be constructed on a concrete deck over the Amtrak rail terminal. The 2012 Master Plan addressed future rail capacity needs, including additional tracks, a new train shed, and passenger concourses, and it provided a concept envisioning improved rail services at Washington Union Station in coordination with the Burnham Place development. The Amtrak 2012 Master Plan is the starting point and framework for the 2nd Century Plan for Washington Union Station being planned by USRC and Amtrak, in partnership with Akridge (collectively referred to as the Partners). The Partner's 2nd Century Plan will serve to coordinate multiple near-term and long-term public and private projects at Washington Union Station as those projects are further developed and implemented. USRC in coordination with Amtrak propose the Project to expand Washington Union Station, the main project within the 2nd Century Plan. The Project is anticipated to require federal funding and approval. The EIS for the Project will address the reconstruction and expansion of the rail terminal (track and platforms), construction of new concourses, changed and improved access, and associated improvements to modernize the multi-modal services and facilities of the station. Purpose and Need Union Station is the second busiest station on the Northeast Corridor with its capacity expected to double, while the volume of non- railroad pedestrians through the station is expected to increase threefold, by 2030. The station supports upwards of 100,000 rail and transit passenger trips daily utilizing intercity rail, commuter rail and Metro rail, commuter, local and tour buses, taxis, private cars, rental cars, limousine services, bicycles, foot traffic and, in the near future, streetcar. As a rail station, the facilities are inadequate for current and future operations and cannot provide the rail capacity needed to meet the future demands for Amtrak Acela, future High Speed Rail, commuter rail, Metrorail, and other rail services. The existing Station does not provide adequate or efficient capacity, access, and connections for different transportation modes, such as taxi and car services, Metrorail, intercity bus, or rental cars and parking facilities. In addition, Washington Union Station is not integrated with its surrounding neighbors and land uses. The station limits movement and flow among neighborhoods and between neighborhoods and destinations. As the demographic profile of station users and visitors changes and grows to include diverse local populations and new residents in addition to commuters and long distance travelers, the transportation infrastructure, amenities, and services at Washington Union Station need to be expanded to meet these multimodal demands. The purpose of the Project is to expand and modernize Washington Union Station as the National Capitol Region's principal intermodal transportation hub in order to provide a positive customer experience; support current and future rail service and operational needs; facilitate intermodal travel; sustain its economic viability and continued preservation; and enhance integration with the adjacent businesses, neighborhoods, and future development. Specific elements of this broad purpose include: Increasing station capacity to accommodate growth in passenger traffic and railroad operations; achieving compliance with the 2006 U.S. Department of Transportation Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Standards for Transportation Facilities providing connectivity among transportation modes; providing access to and among surrounding neighborhoods; and maintaining financial self-sufficiency of station maintenance and operations. The Project will protect and preserve the main historic station building, consistent with USRC's 2015 Historic Preservation Plan. Scoping and Public Involvement FRA encourages broad participation in the EIS process during scoping and review of the resulting environmental documents. Comments are invited from all interested agencies and the public to ensure the full range of issues related to the Project are addressed, reasonable alternatives are considered, and significant issues are identified. In particular, FRA is interested in identifying areas of environmental concern where there might be a potential for significant impacts. Public agencies with jurisdiction are requested to advise FRA of the applicable permit and environmental review requirements of each agency, and the scope and content of the environmental information that is germane to the agency's statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed Project. Public agencies are requested to advise FRA if they anticipate taking a major action in connection with the proposed Project and if they wish to cooperate in the preparation of the EIS in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.16. The public scoping meeting described above is an important component of the scoping process for Federal environmental review. FRA seeks participation and input of interested Federal, State, and local agencies, Native American groups, and other concerned private organizations and individuals on the scope of the EIS. Opportunities for public participation in the EIS process will be announced through mailings, notices, advertisements, press releases, and the FRA Web site at www.fra.dot.gov. Comments or questions concerning the Proposed Project and the scope of [[Page 68382]] the EIS are invited from all interested parties and should be directed to the FRA at the address provided above. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 30, 2015. David Valenstein, Division Chief, Environment and Corridor Planning. [FR Doc. 2015-28079 Filed 11-3-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
![68380 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 213 / Wednesday, November 4, 2015 / Notices
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION The number assigned to this disaster addresses listed below. Comments may
for physical damage is 14522 5 and for also be provided orally or in writing at
[Disaster Declaration #14522 and #14523]
economic injury is 14523 0. the public scoping meeting for the
Washington Disaster #WA–00059 The State which received an EIDL Project, scheduled for December 7, 2015
Declaration # is WASHINGTON. in the Presidential Room at Union
AGENCY: U.S. Small Business (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Station located at 50 Massachusetts
Administration. Numbers 59008) Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20002.
ACTION: Notice. The meeting will be an open-house
Dated: October 28, 2015.
format for discussions with the project
SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Maria Contreras-Sweet,
team from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with two
Administrative declaration of a disaster Administrator. brief identical presentations; one at 4:30
for the State of WASHINGTON dated [FR Doc. 2015–28042 Filed 11–3–15; 8:45 am] p.m. and the second at 7:00 p.m. to
10/28/2015. BILLING CODE 8025–01–P provide a thorough project description.
Incident: Wildfires, Information on the project and the
Incident Period: 08/09/2015 through scoping meeting is available on the FRA
09/10/2015, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Web site at www.fra.dot.gov.
Effective Date: 10/28/2015,
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the
Physical Loan Application Deadline Federal Railroad Administration
Date: 12/28/2015, scope of the EIS may be mailed or
Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Environmental Impact Statement for emailed by January 4, 2016 to Michelle
Application Deadline Date: 07/28/2016. the Washington Union Station Fishburne, Office of Railroad Policy and
Expansion Project Development, Federal Railroad
ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan
Administration, 1200 New Jersey
applications to: U.S. Small Business
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, or
Administration, Processing and
Administration (FRA), Department of Michelle.Fishburne@dot.gov. The
Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport
Transportation (DOT). December 7, 2015 Public Scoping
Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Meeting will be held in the Presidential
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A. Room at Union Station located at 50
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance, Massachusetts Avenue NE.,
U.S. Small Business Administration, SUMMARY:FRA is issuing this notice to Washington, DC 20002.
409 3rd Street SW., Suite 6050, advise the public that FRA will prepare FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Washington, DC 20416. an Environmental Impact Statement Michelle Fishburne, Office of Railroad
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is (EIS) to evaluate the potential impacts to Policy and Development, Federal
hereby given that as a result of the the human and natural environment of Railroad Administration, 1200 New
Administrator’s disaster declaration, the Washington Union Station Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC
applications for disaster loans may be Expansion Project (Project) proposed by 20590, Michelle.Fishburne@dot.gov.
filed at the address listed above or other the Union Station Redevelopment Information and documents regarding
locally announced locations. Corporation (USRC) in coordination the EIS process will also be made
The following areas have been with the National Railroad Passenger available through the FRA Web site at
determined to be adversely affected by Corporation (Amtrak). The Project www.fra.dot.gov.
the disaster: includes expanding and modernizing SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Primary Counties: Chelan, Okanogan. the multimodal transportation facilities Washington Union Station Expansion
Contiguous Counties: at Washington Union Station, while Project would expand and modernize
Washington: Douglas, Ferry, Grant, preserving the historically significant Washington Union Station. The Project
King, Kittitas, Lincoln, Skagit, station building. FRA is preparing this includes reconstructing and relocating
Snohomish, Whatcom. EIS in accordance with the National tracks, developing new concourse
The Interest Rates are: Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). FRA facilities, maintaining multi-modal
will evaluate reasonable alternatives for transportation services, and improving
Percent the proposed Project, including a No and expanding infrastructure and other
Action (No Build) Alternative. FRA is supporting facilities. The EIS will
For Physical Damage:
issuing this notice to solicit public and evaluate the potential environmental
Homeowners With Credit Avail-
able Elsewhere ...................... 3.750 agency input into the scope of the EIS impacts of an expanded multi-modal
Homeowners Without Credit and to advise the public that outreach transportation facility at Union Station.
Available Elsewhere .............. 1.875 activities conducted by FRA, USRC, and
Businesses With Credit Avail- its representatives will be considered in Environmental Review Process
able Elsewhere ...................... 6.000 the preparation of the EIS. To ensure all FRA as the lead federal agency will
Businesses Without Credit significant issues are identified and prepare the EIS in accordance with the
Available Elsewhere .............. 4.000 considered, the public is invited to National Environmental Policy Act
Non-Profit Organizations With comment on the scope of the EIS,
Credit Available Elsewhere ... 2.625
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the
including the purpose and need, Council on Environmental Quality
Non-Profit Organizations With-
alternatives to be considered, impacts to (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
out Credit Available Else-
where ..................................... 2.625 be evaluated, and methodologies to be (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and the
For Economic Injury: used in the evaluation. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Businesses & Small Agricultural DATES: FRA invites the public, Procedures for Considering
Cooperatives Without Credit governmental agencies, and all other Environmental Impacts (64 FR 28545,
Available Elsewhere .............. 4.000 interested parties to comment on the May 26, 1999, and 78 FR 2713, Jan. 14,
Non-Profit Organizations With- scope of the EIS. All such comments 2013). In addition to NEPA, the EIS will
out Credit Available Else-
where ..................................... 2.625
should be provided to FRA, via mail or address other applicable statutes,
email, by January 4, 2016, to the regulations and executive orders,
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![68382 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 213 / Wednesday, November 4, 2015 / Notices
the EIS are invited from all interested 3. Mail: U.S. Department of Respondents: Bus manufacturers and
parties and should be directed to the Transportation, 1200 New Jersey FTA grantees.
FRA at the address provided above. Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30, Estimated Annual Burden on
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room Respondents: 28 partial testing
2015. W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. determination requests at 1.71 hours
David Valenstein,
4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of each and 18 test requests at 9 hours
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey each.
Division Chief, Environment and Corridor
Planning.
Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30, Estimated Total Time to Complete
West Building, Ground Floor, Room New Bus Model Testing Application: 45
[FR Doc. 2015–28079 Filed 11–3–15; 8:45 am]
W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 mins.
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Estimated Total Annual Burden: 210
Monday through Friday, except federal hours.
holidays. Frequency: On occasion.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Instructions: You must include the
agency name and docket number for this Matthew Crouch,
Federal Transit Administration Associate Administrator for Administration
notice at the beginning of your
[FTA Docket No. 2015–0031] comments. Submit two copies of your and Chief Information Officer.
comments if you submit them by mail. [FR Doc. 2015–28000 Filed 11–3–15; 8:45 am]
Notice of Request for the Extension of For confirmation that FTA has received BILLING CODE P
a Currently Approved Information your comments, include a self-
Collection addressed stamped postcard. Note that
all comments received, including any DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration,
DOT. personal information, will be posted
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
ACTION: Notice of request for comments. and will be available to Internet users,
Safety Administration
without change, to www.regulations.gov.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the You may review DOT’s complete [Docket No. PHMSA–2014–0003; PDA–
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 37(R)]
notice announces the intention of the Register published April 11, 2000, (65
FR 19477), or you may visit Hazardous Materials: New York City
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to
www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access Permit Requirements for
request the Office of Management and
to the docket to read background Transportation of Certain Hazardous
Budget (OMB) to renew the following
documents and comments received, go Materials
information collection:
to www.regulations.gov at any time. AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous
Bus Testing Program Background documents and comments Materials Safety Administration
OMB Control No.: 2132–0550. received may also be viewed at the U.S. (PHMSA), DOT.
The information to be collected for Department of Transportation, 1200 ACTION: Notice, and extension of
the Bus Testing Program is necessary to New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket comment period.
ensure that buses have been tested at the Operations, M–30, West Building,
Bus Testing Center for maintainability, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, SUMMARY: PHMSA is extending the
reliability, safety, performance Washington, DC 20590–0001 between period for comments on the American
(including breaking performance), 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday Trucking Associations, Inc.’s (ATA)
structural integrity, fuel economy, through Friday, except federal holidays. application for a preemption
emissions, and noise. Specifically, this FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: determination concerning the
notice invites comment on FTA’s Requests for additional information or a requirements of the New York City Fire
proposal to adopt new streamlined draft copy of the application for entry Department for a permit to transport
online procedures for accepting and into the New Bus Model Testing certain hazardous materials by motor
reviewing applications for entry into the Program should be directed to—Mr. vehicles through New York City, or for
New Bus Model Testing Program. Gregory Rymarz, Office of Research, transshipment from New York City, and
DATES: Comments must be submitted Demonstration and Innovation (202) the fee for the permit.
before January 4, 2016. 366–6410, or email: gregory.rymarz@ DATES: Comments received on or before
ADDRESSES: To ensure that your dot.gov. December 4, 2015 will be considered
comments are not entered more than SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested before an administrative determination
once into the docket, submit comments parties are invited to send comments is issued by PHMSA’s Chief Counsel.
identified by the docket number by only regarding any aspect of this information ADDRESSES: All documents in this
one of the following methods: collection, including: (1) The necessity proceeding, including the comments
1. Web site: www.regulations.gov. and utility of the information collection submitted by the New York City Fire
Follow the instructions for submitting for the proper performance of the Department (FDNY), may be reviewed
comments on the U.S. Government functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy in the Docket Operations Facility (M–
electronic docket site. (Note: The U.S. of the estimated burden; (3) ways to 30), U.S. Department of Transportation,
Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity West Building Ground Floor, Room
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
electronic docket is no longer accepting of the collected information; and (4) W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
electronic comments.) All electronic ways to minimize the collection burden Washington, DC 20590. All documents
submissions must be made to the U.S. without reducing the quality of the in this proceeding are also available on
Government electronic docket site at collected information. Comments the U.S. Government Regulations.gov
www.regulations.gov. Commenters submitted in response to this notice will Web site: http://www.regulations.gov.
should follow the directions below for be summarized and/or included in the Comments must refer to Docket No.
mailed and hand-delivered comments. request for OMB approval of this PHMSA–2014–0003 and may be
2. Fax: 202–493–2251. information collection. submitted to the docket in writing or
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Document Created: 2018-03-01 11:28:14
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 11:28:14
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). | |
| Dates | FRA invites the public, governmental agencies, and all other interested parties to comment on the scope of the EIS. All such comments should be provided to FRA, via mail or email, by January 4, | |
| Contact | Michelle Fishburne, Office of Railroad Policy and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, [email protected] Information and documents regarding the EIS process will also be made available through the FRA Web site at www.fra.dot.gov. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 68380 |
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