81 FR 42392 - Environmental Impact Statement for the California High Speed Rail System San Francisco to San Jose Section, CA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 125 (June 29, 2016)

Page Range		42392-42393
FR Document		2016-15409

On May 9, 2016, FRA published a NOI announcing its intent to jointly prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) for the San Francisco to San Jose Section of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) System, Blended System Project (Blended System Project or Project) and requesting public comments. Through this notice, FRA is extending the comment period and inviting the public and all interested parties to provide comments on the scope of the EIR/EIS, including the proposed purpose and need, the alternatives to consider, potential environmental impacts of concern, and methodologies for analysis of impacts.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 125 (Wednesday, June 29, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42392-42393]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15409]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Environmental Impact Statement for the California High Speed Rail 
System San Francisco to San Jose Section, CA

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Extension of comment period for the Notice of Intent (NOI) to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: On May 9, 2016, FRA published a NOI announcing its intent to 
jointly prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) with the California High-Speed Rail Authority 
(Authority) for the San Francisco to San Jose Section of the California 
High-Speed Rail (HSR) System, Blended System Project (Blended System 
Project or Project) and requesting public comments. Through this 
notice, FRA is extending the comment period and inviting the public and 
all interested parties to provide comments on the scope of the EIR/EIS, 
including the proposed purpose and need, the alternatives to consider, 
potential environmental impacts of concern, and methodologies for 
analysis of impacts.

DATES: FRA must receive written comments by July 20, 2016. FRA may 
consider comments received after that date if it is practicable.

[[Page 42393]]


ADDRESSES: You can send written comments on the scope to Mr. Mark 
McLoughlin, Director of Environmental Services, Attention: San 
Francisco to San Jose Section EIR/EIS, California High-Speed Rail 
Authority, 770 L Street, Suite 1160, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via email 
with subject line ``San Francisco to San Jose Section EIR/EIS'' to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Stephanie Perez, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. (Mail Stop 20), Washington, 
DC 20590; Telephone: (202) 493-0388, email: [email protected], or 
Mr. Guy Preston, Regional Delivery Manager, California High Speed Rail 
Authority, 100 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113, Telephone: 
(408) 277-1091 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FRA and Authority are preparing an EIR/
EIS for the San Francisco to San Jose Project Section to comply with 
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Authority has decided to extend 
the comment period to July 20, 2016 to comply with CEQA. Following 
discussions with the Authority, FRA has decided to extend the NEPA 
scoping comment period for consistency with the Authority's extension 
and to give the public additional time to provide comments. FRA 
encourages broad participation in the EIS process during scoping and 
review of the resulting environmental documents. FRA invites Native 
American Tribes, interested agencies, and the public at large to 
participate in the scoping process to ensure the EIR/EIS addresses the 
full range of issues related to the proposed action and reasonable 
alternatives, and that all significant issues are identified. FRA 
requests that any public agency having jurisdiction over an aspect of 
the Project identify the applicable permit and environmental review 
requirements of the agency and the scope and content of the 
environmental information germane to the agency's jurisdiction over the 
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 participate as a cooperating agency for the San Francisco 
to San Jose Section EIR/EIS.
    FRA and the California High Speed Rail Authority held public 
scoping meetings in May 2016. Additional information about the project 
can be found at http://www.hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Statewide_Rail_Modernization/Project_Sections/sanfran_sanjose.html.

    Issued in Washington, DC on June 24, 2016.
Jamie Rennert,
Director, Office of Program Delivery.
[FR Doc. 2016-15409 Filed 6-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

42392 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 125 / Wednesday, June 29, 2016 / Notices

conducted. The Agency must also of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV) and FMCSA Response and Decision
provide an opportunity for public all SDLAs on July 8, 2014 (79 FR
comment on the request. The FMCSA has evaluated Missouri
38645). This exemption is in effect
The Agency reviews the safety DOR’s application and, following
through July 8, 2016.
analyses and the public comments, and consideration of the comments
On March 16, 2016, FMCSA submitted to the docket, has decided to
determines whether granting the
published a notice of proposed grant the exemption from 49 CFR
exemption would likely achieve a level
rulemaking (NPRM) and request for 383.77(b)(1). FMCSA does not believe
of safety equivalent to, or greater than,
the level that would be achieved by the comments entitled ‘‘Commercial that the veterans’ driving skills would
current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). Driver’s License Requirements of the decrease during the additional months
The decision of the Agency must be Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st in which this exemption allows them to
published in the Federal Register (49 Century Act and the Military apply for a waiver of the CDL skills test.
CFR 381.315(b)) with the reason for the Commercial Driver’s License Act of This exemption only extends the period
grant or denial, and, if granted, the 2012’’ (81 FR 14052). This proposed during which application for the skills
specific person or class of persons rulemaking would extend the time test waiver may be made, and does not
receiving the exemption, and the period for applying for a skills test revise any other provisions of the
regulatory provision or provisions from waiver from 90 days to one year after regulations. FMCSA determined that the
which exemption is granted. The notice leaving a military position requiring the exemption would maintain a level of
must also specify the effective period operation of a CMV for all States. The safety equivalent to, or greater than, the
and explain the terms and conditions of comment period on this notice closed level achieved without the exemption
the exemption. The exemption may be on May 16, 2016. This proposed (49 CFR 381.305(a)).
renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)). rulemaking will not be finalized by July Issued on: June 16, 2016.
8, 2016, which is the VA DMV T.F. Scott Darling, III,
Request for Exemption exemption expiration date. Therefore,
Acting Administrator.
The Missouri DOR requested an this Missouri DOR exemption for all
exemption from 49 CFR 383.77(b)(1), [FR Doc. 2016–15287 Filed 6–28–16; 8:45 am]
SDLAs is needed to cover the time
which allows States to waive the skills between expiration of the Virginia BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
test described in § 383.113 for exemption and any rulemaking that
applicants regularly employed or would make the exemption(s) moot.
previously employed within the last 90 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
A copy of the Missouri DOR’s
days in a military position requiring
application for exemption is available Federal Railroad Administration
operation of a CMV. The Missouri DOR
for review in the docket for this notice.
proposed that it be allowed to extend Environmental Impact Statement for
the 90-day timeline to one year Public Comments the California High Speed Rail System
following the driver’s separation from San Francisco to San Jose Section, CA
military service. On April 11, 2016, FMCSA published
The Missouri DOR contended that the notice of the Missouri DOR’s AGENCY: Federal Railroad
90-day timeframe is too short for many application for exemption and requested Administration (FRA), Department of
of the qualified veterans to utilize while public comment (81 FR 21443). The Transportation (DOT).
reentering civilian life. They stated that Agency received three docket comments
the Department has utilized the military submitted, which were all filed in ACTION: Extension of comment period
waiver program for years and one of the support of the Missouri DOR request. for the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare
most common reasons the applicant is an Environmental Impact Statement
The American Association of Motor (EIS).
not eligible is because the application is Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)
beyond the 90-day timeframe. commented that on July 8, 2014, SUMMARY: On May 9, 2016, FRA
Furthermore, the industry need for new FMCSA had granted an extension to all published a NOI announcing its intent
drivers is continually growing each year SDLAs to extend the allowable to jointly prepare an Environmental
and providing additional flexibility in timeframe for a military skills test Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental
§ 383.77(b)(1) will help offset that need waiver for up to one year. AAMVA Impact Statement (EIS) with the
by transitioning fully-trained military applauded FMCSA for granting that California High-Speed Rail Authority
veterans into civilian employment. They exemption and proposing to make it a (Authority) for the San Francisco to San
further stated that it is their goal to permanent regulatory change in the Jose Section of the California High-
assure highway safety by licensing
Agency’s aforementioned NPRM. Speed Rail (HSR) System, Blended
qualified veterans seeking employment
According to AAMVA, as that NPRM System Project (Blended System Project
following discharge. A more accessible
may not become final before the current or Project) and requesting public
waiver period would assist in meeting
exemption’s [VA DMV] July 8, 2016 comments. Through this notice, FRA is
this goal and provide an opportunity to
expiration, they requested FMCSA extending the comment period and
veterans.
FMCSA has previously determined extend this important exemption for the inviting the public and all interested
that extending the 90-day skills test maximum extent allowable. parties to provide comments on the
waiver period to one year following the The Oregon Department of Motor scope of the EIR/EIS, including the
driver’s separation from military service Vehicles (OR DMV) commented that proposed purpose and need, the
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

would maintain a level of safety they are fully supportive of Missouri’s alternatives to consider, potential
equivalent to, or greater than, the level request for exemption from environmental impacts of concern, and
achieved without the exemption (49 § 383.77(b)(1). Another individual methodologies for analysis of impacts.
CFR 381.305(a)). An exemption commented that he was in favor of any DATES: FRA must receive written
extending the 90-day skills test waiver exemption that benefits both the comments by July 20, 2016. FRA may
period to one year was granted to the transportation industry and the consider comments received after that
Commonwealth of Virginia, Department veterans. date if it is practicable.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 125 / Wednesday, June 29, 2016 / Notices 42393

ADDRESSES: You can send written Programs/Statewide_Rail_ will die in an alcohol-impaired-driving
comments on the scope to Mr. Mark Modernization/Project_Sections/ crash and one person will die
McLoughlin, Director of Environmental sanfran_sanjose.html. unbuckled in a crash. In 2014, 9,967
Services, Attention: San Francisco to Issued in Washington, DC on June 24, people died in alcohol-impaired-driving
San Jose Section EIR/EIS, California 2016. crashes, an average of one alcohol-
High-Speed Rail Authority, 770 L Street, Jamie Rennert, impaired-driving death every 53
Suite 1160, Sacramento, CA 95814, or minutes. In the same year, 9,385 people
Director, Office of Program Delivery.
via email with subject line ‘‘San died in passenger vehicle crashes while
[FR Doc. 2016–15409 Filed 6–28–16; 8:45 am]
Francisco to San Jose Section EIR/EIS’’ not wearing a seat belt, an average of
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
to: san.francisco_san.jose@hsr.ca.gov. one person dying unbuckled every 56
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. minutes. To help decrease alcohol-
Stephanie Perez, Environmental DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION impaired-driving deaths and save more
Protection Specialist, Office of Program lives with seat belts, approval is
Delivery, Federal Railroad National Highway Traffic Safety requested to conduct a public
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Administration information collection to help evaluate
Avenue SE. (Mail Stop 20), Washington, the effectiveness of two traffic safety
DC 20590; Telephone: (202) 493–0388, Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping programs called Building Community
email: stephanie.perez@dot.gov, or Mr. Requirements Agency Information Support for Impaired Driving
Guy Preston, Regional Delivery Collection Activity Under OMB Review Enforcement and Building Community
Manager, California High Speed Rail Support for Seat Belt Enforcement. The
Authority, 100 Paseo de San Antonio, AGENCY: National Highway Traffic programs will use community-oriented
San Jose, CA 95113, Telephone: (408) Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. enforcement programs to increase
277–1091 or san.francisco_san.jose@ Department of Transportation (DOT). community involvement in and support
hsr.ca.gov. ACTION: Notice for alcohol-impaired-driving and seat
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FRA belt enforcement. The programs are
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
and Authority are preparing an EIR/EIS designed to create stronger community
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
for the San Francisco to San Jose Project norms surrounding the value of traffic
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice
Section to comply with the California enforcement and the importance of
announces that the Information
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and driving sober and being buckled. A key
Collection Request (ICR) abstracted
the National Environmental Policy Act to determining if these programs reach
below has been forwarded to the Office
(NEPA). The Authority has decided to their objective is to survey the public
of Management and Budget (OMB) for
extend the comment period to July 20, regarding exposure to the program and
review and comment. The ICR describes
2016 to comply with CEQA. Following support for enforcement.
the nature of the information collection
discussions with the Authority, FRA has Affected Public: The potential
and the expected burden. The Federal
decided to extend the NEPA scoping respondent universe is comprised of
Register Notice with a 60-day comment
comment period for consistency with licensed drivers aged 18 years and older
period was published on December 9,
the Authority’s extension and to give visiting locations such as Department of
2015 (Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 236/
the public additional time to provide Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices in the
pp. 16613–16615).
comments. FRA encourages broad program and control (comparison) areas.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on The program and control areas for these
participation in the EIS process during or before July 29, 2016.
scoping and review of the resulting programs have not been selected as of
ADDRESSES: Send comments, within 30 the time of this request. The program
environmental documents. FRA invites
Native American Tribes, interested days, to the Office of Information and areas will be communities with a
agencies, and the public at large to Regulatory Affairs, Office of population between 75,000 and 200,000
participate in the scoping process to Management and Budget, 725 17th people, a local government and law
ensure the EIR/EIS addresses the full Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, enforcement agency interested in
range of issues related to the proposed Attention NHTSA Desk Officer. participation, alcohol-impaired-driving
action and reasonable alternatives, and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: crashes and fatalities above the national
that all significant issues are identified. Mary T. Byrd, 202–366–5595. average (alcohol-impaired-driving
FRA requests that any public agency SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: program only), seat belt use below the
having jurisdiction over an aspect of the Title: Evaluation of Community- national average, unrestrained fatalities
Project identify the applicable permit Oriented Enforcement Demonstrations. above the national average, and lower
and environmental review requirements Type of Request: New information levels of seat belt enforcement (seat belt
of the agency and the scope and content collection requirement. program only). The control areas will be
of the environmental information Abstract: NHTSA was established by demographically similar to the program
germane to the agency’s jurisdiction the Highway Safety Act of 1970 (23 areas and be in separate media markets.
over the Project. Public agencies are U.S.C. 101). Its Congressional mandate Estimated Total Annual Burden:
requested to advise FRA if they is to reduce the number of deaths, 2,168 hours (i.e., 21,216 total
anticipate taking a major action in injuries, and economic losses resulting participants including 16,416 taking an
connection with the proposed project from motor vehicle crashes on our average of 5 minutes to complete the
and if they wish to participate as a nation’s highways. To accomplish this screener survey and 4,800 taking an
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

cooperating agency for the San mission, NHTSA conducts research on average of 10 minutes to complete the
Francisco to San Jose Section EIR/EIS. driver behavior and traffic safety to full survey).
FRA and the California High Speed develop efficient and effective means of Comments are invited on the
Rail Authority held public scoping bringing about safety improvements. following:
meetings in May 2016. Additional This information collection supports (i) Whether the proposed collection of
information about the project can be NHTSA’s strategic goal of safety. Within information is necessary for the proper
found at http://www.hsr.ca.gov/ the next hour, an average of one person performance of the functions of the

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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:42:51
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:42:51

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		Extension of comment period for the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Dates		FRA must receive written comments by July 20, 2016. FRA may consider comments received after that date if it is practicable.
Contact		Ms. Stephanie Perez, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. (Mail Stop 20), Washington, DC 20590; Telephone: (202) 493-0388, email: [email protected], or Mr. Guy Preston, Regional Delivery Manager, California High Speed Rail Authority, 100 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113, Telephone: (408) 277-1091 or [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 42392

81 FR 42392 - Environmental Impact Statement for the California High Speed Rail System San Francisco to San Jose Section, CA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 125 (June 29, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration