81 FR 60774 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project, Multnomah and Washington Counties, Oregon
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 171 (September 2, 2016)
Federal Transit Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 171 (September 2, 2016)
| Page Range | 60774-60777 | |
| FR Document | 2016-21160 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 171 (Friday, September 2, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 60774-60777] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-21160] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project, Multnomah and Washington Counties, Oregon AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Metro (the regional government and metropolitan planning organization that serves the cities and counties of the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area) and the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the benefits and impacts of the proposed Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project (Project). The Project would improve public transportation between and through southwest Portland, Tigard and Tualatin. FTA may provide funding for the Project through its Capital Investment Grant program. FTA, Metro and TriMet will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FTA environmental regulations, and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). This Notice initiates formal scoping for the EIS, provides [[Page 60775]] information on the nature of the proposed transit Project, invites participation in the EIS process, and identifies potential environmental effects to be considered. It also invites comments from interested members of the public, tribes, and agencies on the scope of the EIS and announces upcoming public scoping meetings. Comments should address (1) feasible alternatives that may better achieve the Project's need and purposes with fewer adverse impacts and (2) any significant environmental impacts relating to the alternatives. DATES: The public scoping period will begin on the date of publication of this Notice and will continue through September 30, 2016 or 30 days from the date of publication, whichever is later. Please send written comments on the scope of the EIS, including the preliminary statement of the purpose of and need for the Project, the alternatives to be considered in the EIS, the environmental and community impacts to be evaluated, and any other Project-related issues, to the address below. Public scoping meetings will be held at the times and locations indicated in ADDRESSES below. FTA, Metro and TriMet will take oral and written comments at the scoping meeting. FTA, Metro and TriMet have also scheduled a meeting to collect comments of tribes and agencies with an interest in the proposed Project. ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS must be received by September 30, 2016 or 30 days from the publication date of this Notice, whichever is later. Please send them to Chris Ford, Investment Areas Project Manager, Metro, 600 NE Grand Avenue, Portland Oregon 97232 or to [email protected] . Comments may also be offered at the public scoping meeting, which will be held at:Wilson High School, 1151 SW. Vermont Street, Portland, Oregon, on September 22, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m. A scoping meeting for interested tribes and Federal and non-Federal agencies will be at: TriMet, 1800 SW 1st Ave, 3rd Floor, Columbia Conference Room, Portland, Oregon on September 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. All meeting places are accessible to persons with disabilities. Any individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, or any individual who requires translation or interpretation services, must contact Yuliya Kharitonova at (503) 813-7535 at least 48 hours before the meeting. A scoping information packet will be available before the meetings on the Project Web site or by calling Yuliya Kharitonova at (503) 813-7535; copies will also be available at the public scoping meeting. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Witmer, FTA Community Planner, [email protected], phone: (206) 220-7954. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background. NEPA ``scoping'' (40 CFR 1501.7) has specific and fairly limited objectives, one of which is to identify the alternatives' significant issues that will be examined in detail in the EIS, while simultaneously limiting consideration and development of issues that are not truly significant. The NEPA scoping process should identify potentially significant environmental impacts caused by the Project and that give rise to the need to prepare an EIS; impacts that are deemed not to be significant need not be developed extensively in the context of the impact statement. The EIS must be focused on impacts of consequence consistent with the ultimate objectives of the NEPA implementing regulations--``to make the environmental impact statement process more useful to decision makers and the public; and to reduce paperwork and the accumulation of extraneous background data, in order to emphasize the need to focus on real environmental issues and alternatives. . . [by requiring] impact statements to be concise, clear, and to the point, and supported by evidence that agencies have made the necessary environmental analyses.'' Executive Order 11991, of May 24, 1977. Transit projects may also generate environmental benefits, which should also be highlighted; the EIS process should draw attention to positive impacts, not just negative impacts. FTA, Metro and TriMet are considering two alternatives for the Project: (1) A No-Build Alternative, as required by NEPA, that reflects the existing transportation system plus the future transportation improvements included in the Metro Regional Transportation Plan, but not including the Project; and (2) a Light Rail Transit (LRT) Alternative (Build Alternative) that would extend the existing TriMet MAX system 12 miles from the Transit Mall in downtown Portland to Bridgeport Village in Tualatin, generally running along the SW Barbur Boulevard/Interstate 5 corridor through Southwest Portland, the Tigard Triangle and downtown Tigard. The Build Alternative has design options in several locations. Metro and TriMet developed the proposed Build Alternative through an early scoping process and an analysis of a wide range of potential alternatives. FTA and Metro published notice of the early scoping process in the Federal Register on Sept. 29, 2011. Please see the Project Web site (http://www.swcorridorplan.org) for information about the early scoping and other planning activities, the analysis of alternatives, the decisions of the Project steering committee, and background technical reports. The Southwest Corridor is a fast-growing part of the Portland metropolitan region. Its major transportation facilities, including Interstate 5 (I-5), Oregon State Highway 217, and Oregon State Highway 99W, are congested and unreliable. As more people and employers locate in the corridor, worsening traffic conditions will impact economic development and livability. The corridor ranked as the highest priority corridor in Metro's 2009 High Capacity Transit System Plan, and in May 2016 the Project's steering committee chose light rail as the preferred mode to provide high capacity transit (HCT) service. Preliminary purpose of and need for the Project: The Project's purpose is to directly connect Tualatin, downtown Tigard, Southwest Portland, and the region's central city with light rail, other high- quality transit, and appropriate community investments to improve mobility and create the conditions that will allow communities in the corridor to achieve their land use vision. Specifically, within the Southwest Corridor, the Project aims to: Provide light rail transit service that is cost-effective to build and operate, and that can serve existing and anticipated demand in the corridor; Improve transit reliability, frequency, and travel times, and connect to Westside Express Service (WES) commuter rail and other existing and future transit networks; Support adopted regional and local plans including the 2040 Growth Concept, the Barbur Concept Plan, the Tigard Triangle Strategic Plan and the Tigard Downtown Vision; Create multimodal transportation networks to provide safe and convenient access to transit and adjacent land uses; Advance active transportation and encourage physical activity; Provide travel options that reduce overall transportation costs; Improve multimodal access to existing jobs, housing and educational opportunities and foster opportunities for commercial development and a [[Page 60776]] range of housing types adjacent to transit; Ensure that benefits and impacts promote community equity; and Advance transportation projects that are sensitive to the environment, improve water and air quality, and help achieve the sustainability goals in applicable plans. The Project is needed because: Transit service to important destinations in the corridor is limited, and unmet demand for transit is increasing due to growth; Limited street connectivity and gaps in pedestrian and bicycle networks create barriers and unsafe conditions for transit access and active transportation; Travel is slow and unreliable on congested roadways; The corridor has a limited supply and range of housing options with good access to multimodal transportation networks, and has inadequate transportation between residences, employment, and services; Regional and local plans call for High Capacity Transit in the corridor to meet land use goals; and State, regional and local goals require investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Proposed alternatives: NEPA requires the Draft EIS to analyze a No- Build Alternative as a baseline against which to assess the impacts of the proposed project. The proposed Project in this case is the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Alternative. The Project steering committee chose light rail as the preferred mode because of its greater long-term carrying capacity and superior projected transit performance compared to other modes, ability to integrate into the existing light rail system and higher level of public support. The alignment and design options proposed for the Draft EIS resulted from several years of planning, technical analysis, public engagement, and input from affected jurisdictions. The LRT Alternative travels generally southwest from the south end of the Downtown Portland Transit Mall through southwest Portland and Tigard to Bridgeport Village in Tualatin. The route is about 12 miles long. FTA, Metro and TriMet propose to consider several design options for the LRT Alternative. The scoping materials (at http://www.swcorridorplan.org) describe the primary alignment and the possible options in detail. For purposes of this Notice, the Project can be generally described as follows: In South Portland, the alignment runs along either SW Barbur Boulevard or SW Naito Parkway. Between SW 13th Avenue and SW 60th Avenue, the alignment could run either in the center of SW Barbur, crossing I-5 at-grade at SW Capitol Highway, or next to I-5, crossing I-5 and SW Capitol Highway with an above-grade structure. Near the Portland-Tigard city limits the alignment would turn south over I-5 into the Tigard Triangle on a new structure and then proceed south and west to SW 70th Avenue. There are two options from SW 70th Avenue: (1) Through-Routed LRT and (2) Branched LRT. Through-Routed LRT would extend south from the Portland Transit Mall to downtown Tigard following one of two routes--crossing Highway 217 on a new structure extending from SW Clinton Street to SW Hall Boulevard, or extending from SW Beveland Street to SW Ash Street--and then traveling to Bridgeport Village following one of two routes, either generally next to I-5 or generally next to the existing WES and freight rail line. Branched LRT would diverge at the Tigard Triangle, with one branch turning west to terminate in downtown Tigard following one of three routes--crossing Highway 217 on a new structure extending from SW Clinton Street to SW Hall Boulevard, from SW Beveland Street to SW Ash Street, or from SW Beveland Street to SW Wall Street--and one branch continuing south on a separate crossing of Highway 217 to terminate at Bridgeport Village without traveling through downtown Tigard. Under any of the options, the Project would include stations at these locations: Between SW Gibbs Street and SW Grover Street (on SW Barbur or SW Naito) Between SW Custer Street and SW 13th Avenue (on SW Barbur or adjacent to I-5) At the Barbur Transit Center with a modified or expanded park-and-ride At SW 53rd Avenue with a new park-and-ride (on SW Barbur or adjacent to I-5) On SW 70th Avenue between SW Atlanta Street and SW Baylor Street (could include a new park-and-ride) At SW Bonita Road (adjacent to freight rail or adjacent to I-5) (at location next to I-5, could include a new park-and-ride) At SW Upper Boones Ferry Road (adjacent to freight rail or adjacent to I-5) (could include a park-and-ride) Bridgeport Village (could include an expanded park-and- ride) In addition, depending on the option, there would be stations at these locations: SW Capitol Hill Road and SW Barbur Boulevard SW 19th Avenue and SW Barbur Boulevard SW 26th or SW 30th Avenue and SW Barbur Boulevard SW Spring Garden Street and adjacent to I-5 SW 26th Avenue and adjacent to I-5 On SW Beveland Street near SW 70th Avenue, Adjacent to the WES commuter rail tracks near the existing Tigard Transit Center, (could include an expanded park-and-ride) On SW Ash Street near SW Commercial Street (could include an expanded park-and-ride for the nearby Tigard Transit Center) Near SW Wall Street and SW Hunziker Street (could include a new park-and-ride) The LRT Alternative will include a light rail maintenance facility. This could be a new facility, either near SW Wall Street and the WES Commuter Rail line, or just west of I-5 north of SW Bonita Road, or an expansion of the existing Ruby Junction maintenance facility in Gresham. The LRT Alternative also includes associated roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects that may be eligible for federal funding and could be constructed together with the transit Project, thereby meriting joint environmental analysis. Among the most notable are mechanized bike/ped connections to Marquam Hill (Oregon Health Sciences University) and Mt. Sylvania (Portland Community College); new opportunities for bicycles and pedestrians to cross I-405; new and upgraded sidewalks, bike lanes, and safe crossings on SW Barbur Boulevard from SW 3rd Avenue to SW 60th Avenue, including reconstruction of the Vermont and Newbury viaducts; and both major and minor roadway improvements along the alignment, including possible revisions to the west end of the Ross Island Bridge, crossings of I-5, and crossings of Highway 217. Please refer to the scoping materials for detailed information about these and many other potential improvements. Public and agency input received during scoping will help FTA, Metro and TriMet select a range of reasonable alternatives and options to evaluate in the Draft EIS. FTA, Metro and TriMet also invite comment on potential Joint Development opportunities along the alignment. Possible adverse effects: Consistent with NEPA, FTA, Metro and TriMet will evaluate, with input from the public and tribes and agencies, the potential impacts of the alternatives on the physical, human, and natural [[Page 60777]] environment. Likely areas of investigation include effects on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, property acquisition and displacements, ecosystems (including threatened and endangered species), community livability, energy use, environmental justice, geology and soils, hazardous materials, historic and cultural resources, land use and economic effects, noise and vibration, parks and recreation, safety and security, transportation, utilities and public services, visual and aesthetic qualities, water quality and hydrology, and wetlands. Significant impacts prior to the development of mitigation measures may occur in the areas of property acquisition and displacements, historic and cultural resources, noise and vibration, parks and recreation, transportation, visual and aesthetic qualities, water quality and hydrology, and wetlands. Significant beneficial impacts could occur in the areas of air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, environmental justice, safety and security, and transportation. The EIS will evaluate short-term construction impacts and long-term operating impacts and will also consider indirect and cumulative impacts. The EIS will propose measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts. In accordance with FTA policy and regulations, FTA, Metro and TriMet will comply with all Federal environmental laws, regulations, and executive orders applicable to the proposed project during the environmental review process. Roles of Agencies and the Public: NEPA, and FTA's regulations for implementing NEPA, call for broad involvement in the EIS process. FTA, Metro and TriMet therefore invite Federal and non-Federal agencies and Indian tribes to participate in the NEPA process. Any agency or tribe interested in the Project that does not receive such an invitation should promptly notify the Metro Investment Area Project Manager identified above under ADDRESSES. Interested parties may review a draft Coordination Plan for public and agency involvement at the Project Web site. It identifies the Project's coordination approach and structure, details the major milestones for agency and public involvement, and includes an initial list of interested agencies and organizations. Combined FEIS and Record of Decision: Under 23 U.S.C. 139, FTA should combine the Final EIS and Record of Decision if it is practicable. FTA invites interested parties to comment on a combined FEIS/ROD for the Project to help FTA decide whether combining the FEIS/ ROD is practicable. Paperwork Reduction. The Paperwork Reduction Act seeks, in part, to minimize the cost to the taxpayer of the creation, collection, maintenance, use, dissemination, and disposition of information. Consistent with this goal and with principles of economy and efficiency in government, FTA tries to limit insofar as possible distribution of complete printed sets of NEPA documents. Accordingly, unless a specific request for a complete printed set of the NEPA document is received before the document is printed, FTA, Metro and TriMet will distribute only electronic copies of the NEPA document. A complete printed set of the environmental document will be available for review at Metro's offices; an electronic copy of the complete environmental document will be available on the Project Web site. Other: Metro and TriMet may seek funding for the proposed Project under FTA's Capital Investment Grant Program, 49 U.S.C. 5309, and would therefore be subject to New Starts regulations (49 CFR part 611). The New Starts regulations also require the submission of certain project- justification information to support a request to initiate preliminary engineering. This information is normally developed in conjunction with the NEPA process. The EIS will include pertinent New Starts evaluation criteria. Dated: August 25, 2016. Kenneth A. Feldman, Deputy Regional Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Region 10, Seattle, WA. [FR Doc. 2016-21160 Filed 9-1-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![60774 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 171 / Friday, September 2, 2016 / Notices
Orlando, FL 32822. Written comments 0061 and may be submitted by any of Privacy Act Notice
on the Sponsor’s request must be the following methods: Anyone can search the electronic
delivered or mailed to: Stephen Wilson, • Web site: http:// form of any written communications
Program Manager, Orlando Airports www.regulations.gov. Follow the online and comments received into any of our
District Office, 5950 Hazeltine National instructions for submitting comments. dockets by the name of the individual
Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32822– • Fax: 202–493–2251. submitting the comment (or signing the
5024. • Mail: Docket Operations Facility, document, if submitted on behalf of an
In addition, a copy of any comments U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 association, business, labor union, etc.).
submitted to the FAA must be mailed or New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140, In accordance with 49 CFR 211.3, FRA
delivered to Mr. Eric Menger, Airport Washington, DC 20590. solicits comments from the public to
Director, Vero Beach Regional Airport,
• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey better inform its decisions. DOT posts
P.O. Box 1389, 3400 Cherokee Drive, these comments, without edit, including
Avenue SE., Room W12–140,
Vero Beach, FL 32961–1389. any personal information the
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, commenter provides, to
Stephen Wilson, Program Manager, except Federal Holidays. www.regulations.gov, as described in
Orlando Airports District Office, 5950 the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–
Hazeltine National Drive, Suite 400, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
14 FDMS), which you can review at
Orlando, FL 32822–5024. Mark Hartong, Senior Scientific
www.dot.gov/privacy. See https://
Technical Advisor, at (202) 493–1332,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for
Mark.Hartong@dot.gov; or Mr. David
125 of The Wendell H. Ford Aviation the privacy notice of regulations.gov.
Blackmore, Staff Director, Positive Train
Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Issued in Washington, DC, on August 29,
Control Division, at (312) 835–3903,
Century (AIR–21) requires the FAA to 2016.
David.Blackmore@dot.gov.
provide an opportunity for public notice Patrick T. Warren,
and comment prior to the ‘‘waiver’’ or SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In its
Acting Associate Administrator for Railroad
modification’’ of a sponsor’s Federal PTCSP, UP asserts that the I–ETMS Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
obligation to use certain airport land for system it is implementing is designed as
[FR Doc. 2016–21139 Filed 9–1–16; 8:45 am]
non-aeronautical purposes. a vital overlay PTC system as defined in
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
49 CFR 236.1015(e)(2). The PTCSP
Issued in Orlando, FL, on August 23, 2016.
describes UP’s I–ETMS implementation
Bart Vernace,
and the associated I–ETMS safety DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Manager, Orlando Airports District Office, processes, safety analyses, and test,
Southern Region.
validation, and verification processes Federal Transit Administration
[FR Doc. 2016–21225 Filed 9–1–16; 8:45 am] used during development of I–ETMS.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P The PTCSP also contains UP’s Notice of Intent To Prepare an
operational and support requirements Environmental Impact Statement for
and procedures. the Southwest Corridor Light Rail
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Project, Multnomah and Washington
UP’s PTCSP and the accompanying
request for approval and system Counties, Oregon
Federal Railroad Administration
certification are available for review AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration
[Docket No. FRA–2010–0061] online at www.regulations.gov (Docket (FTA), DOT.
No. FRA–2010–0061) and in person at
Union Pacific Railroad’s Request for ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Positive Train Control Safety Plan environmental impact statement.
(DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200
Approval and System Certification
New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140, SUMMARY: The Federal Transit
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Administration (FTA), Metro (the
Administration (FRA), U.S. Department Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m. regional government and metropolitan
of Transportation (DOT). to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, planning organization that serves the
ACTION: Notice of availability and except Federal Holidays. cities and counties of the Portland,
request for comments. Interested parties are invited to Oregon metropolitan area) and the Tri-
comment on the PTCSP by submitting County Metropolitan Transportation
SUMMARY: This document provides the written comments or data. See 49 CFR District of Oregon (TriMet) intend to
public with notice that the Union 236.1011(e). During its review of the prepare an Environmental Impact
Pacific Railroad (UP) submitted to FRA PTCSP, FRA will consider any Statement (EIS) to evaluate the benefits
its Positive Train Control (PTC) Safety comments or data submitted. However, and impacts of the proposed Southwest
Plan (PTCSP) Version 1.0, dated June 1, FRA may elect not to respond to any Corridor Light Rail Project (Project). The
2016. UP requests that FRA approve its particular comment and, under 49 CFR Project would improve public
PTCSP and issue a PTC System 236.1009(d)(3), FRA maintains the transportation between and through
Certification for UP’s Interoperable authority to approve or disapprove the southwest Portland, Tigard and
Electronic Train Management System PTCSP at its sole discretion. FRA does Tualatin. FTA may provide funding for
(I–ETMS). not anticipate scheduling a public the Project through its Capital
DATES: FRA will consider hearing regarding UP’s PTCSP because Investment Grant program. FTA, Metro
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
communications received by October 3, the circumstances do not appear to and TriMet will prepare the EIS in
2016 before taking final action on the warrant a hearing. If any interested accordance with the National
PTCSP. FRA will consider comments party desires an opportunity for oral Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FTA
received after that date if practicable. comment, the party should notify FRA environmental regulations, and the
ADDRESSES: All communications in writing before the end of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation
concerning this proceeding should comment period and specify the basis Act (FAST Act). This Notice initiates
identify Docket Number FRA–2010– for his or her request. formal scoping for the EIS, provides
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information on the nature of the scoping information packet will be Metro and TriMet developed the
proposed transit Project, invites available before the meetings on the proposed Build Alternative through an
participation in the EIS process, and Project Web site or by calling Yuliya early scoping process and an analysis of
identifies potential environmental Kharitonova at (503) 813–7535; copies a wide range of potential alternatives.
effects to be considered. It also invites will also be available at the public FTA and Metro published notice of the
comments from interested members of scoping meeting. early scoping process in the Federal
the public, tribes, and agencies on the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Register on Sept. 29, 2011. Please see
scope of the EIS and announces Witmer, FTA Community Planner, the Project Web site (http://
upcoming public scoping meetings. John.Witmer@dot.gov, phone: (206) www.swcorridorplan.org) for
Comments should address (1) feasible 220–7954. information about the early scoping and
alternatives that may better achieve the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: other planning activities, the analysis of
Project’s need and purposes with fewer Background. NEPA ‘‘scoping’’ (40 alternatives, the decisions of the Project
adverse impacts and (2) any significant CFR 1501.7) has specific and fairly steering committee, and background
environmental impacts relating to the limited objectives, one of which is to technical reports.
alternatives. identify the alternatives’ significant The Southwest Corridor is a fast-
DATES: The public scoping period will issues that will be examined in detail in growing part of the Portland
begin on the date of publication of this the EIS, while simultaneously limiting metropolitan region. Its major
Notice and will continue through consideration and development of transportation facilities, including
September 30, 2016 or 30 days from the issues that are not truly significant. The Interstate 5 (I–5), Oregon State Highway
date of publication, whichever is later. NEPA scoping process should identify 217, and Oregon State Highway 99W,
Please send written comments on the potentially significant environmental are congested and unreliable. As more
scope of the EIS, including the impacts caused by the Project and that people and employers locate in the
preliminary statement of the purpose of give rise to the need to prepare an EIS; corridor, worsening traffic conditions
and need for the Project, the alternatives impacts that are deemed not to be will impact economic development and
to be considered in the EIS, the significant need not be developed livability. The corridor ranked as the
environmental and community impacts extensively in the context of the impact highest priority corridor in Metro’s 2009
to be evaluated, and any other Project- statement. The EIS must be focused on High Capacity Transit System Plan, and
related issues, to the address below. impacts of consequence consistent with in May 2016 the Project’s steering
Public scoping meetings will be held at the ultimate objectives of the NEPA committee chose light rail as the
the times and locations indicated in implementing regulations—‘‘to make preferred mode to provide high capacity
ADDRESSES below. FTA, Metro and the environmental impact statement transit (HCT) service.
TriMet will take oral and written process more useful to decision makers Preliminary purpose of and need for
comments at the scoping meeting. FTA, and the public; and to reduce the Project: The Project’s purpose is to
Metro and TriMet have also scheduled paperwork and the accumulation of directly connect Tualatin, downtown
a meeting to collect comments of tribes extraneous background data, in order to Tigard, Southwest Portland, and the
and agencies with an interest in the emphasize the need to focus on real region’s central city with light rail, other
proposed Project. environmental issues and high-quality transit, and appropriate
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the alternatives. . . [by requiring] impact community investments to improve
scope of the EIS must be received by statements to be concise, clear, and to mobility and create the conditions that
September 30, 2016 or 30 days from the the point, and supported by evidence will allow communities in the corridor
publication date of this Notice, that agencies have made the necessary to achieve their land use vision.
whichever is later. Please send them to environmental analyses.’’ Executive Specifically, within the Southwest
Chris Ford, Investment Areas Project Order 11991, of May 24, 1977. Transit Corridor, the Project aims to:
Manager, Metro, 600 NE Grand Avenue, projects may also generate • Provide light rail transit service that
Portland Oregon 97232 or to environmental benefits, which should is cost-effective to build and operate,
swclrt.scoping@oregonmetro.gov . also be highlighted; the EIS process and that can serve existing and
Comments may also be offered at the should draw attention to positive anticipated demand in the corridor;
public scoping meeting, which will be impacts, not just negative impacts. • Improve transit reliability,
held at: FTA, Metro and TriMet are frequency, and travel times, and connect
• Wilson High School, 1151 SW. considering two alternatives for the to Westside Express Service (WES)
Vermont Street, Portland, Oregon, on Project: (1) A No-Build Alternative, as commuter rail and other existing and
September 22, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m. required by NEPA, that reflects the future transit networks;
A scoping meeting for interested existing transportation system plus the • Support adopted regional and local
tribes and Federal and non-Federal future transportation improvements plans including the 2040 Growth
agencies will be at: included in the Metro Regional Concept, the Barbur Concept Plan, the
• TriMet, 1800 SW 1st Ave, 3rd Floor, Transportation Plan, but not including Tigard Triangle Strategic Plan and the
Columbia Conference Room, Portland, the Project; and (2) a Light Rail Transit Tigard Downtown Vision;
Oregon on September 20 from 1 to 3 (LRT) Alternative (Build Alternative) • Create multimodal transportation
p.m. that would extend the existing TriMet networks to provide safe and convenient
All meeting places are accessible to MAX system 12 miles from the Transit access to transit and adjacent land uses;
persons with disabilities. Any Mall in downtown Portland to • Advance active transportation and
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
individual with a disability who Bridgeport Village in Tualatin, generally encourage physical activity;
requires special assistance, such as a running along the SW Barbur • Provide travel options that reduce
sign language interpreter, or any Boulevard/Interstate 5 corridor through overall transportation costs;
individual who requires translation or Southwest Portland, the Tigard Triangle • Improve multimodal access to
interpretation services, must contact and downtown Tigard. The Build existing jobs, housing and educational
Yuliya Kharitonova at (503) 813–7535 at Alternative has design options in opportunities and foster opportunities
least 48 hours before the meeting. A several locations. for commercial development and a
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environment. Likely areas of Paperwork Reduction. The Paperwork from requiring an employee to work
investigation include effects on air Reduction Act seeks, in part, to during any mandatory meal or rest
quality and greenhouse gas emissions, minimize the cost to the taxpayer of the period.
property acquisition and displacements, creation, collection, maintenance, use, DATES: Comments received on or before
ecosystems (including threatened and dissemination, and disposition of October 17, 2016 and rebuttal comments
endangered species), community information. Consistent with this goal received on or before December 1, 2016
livability, energy use, environmental and with principles of economy and will be considered before an
justice, geology and soils, hazardous efficiency in government, FTA tries to administrative determination is issued
materials, historic and cultural limit insofar as possible distribution of by PHMSA’s Chief Counsel. Rebuttal
resources, land use and economic complete printed sets of NEPA comments may discuss only those
effects, noise and vibration, parks and documents. Accordingly, unless a
issues raised by comments received
recreation, safety and security, specific request for a complete printed
during the initial comment period and
transportation, utilities and public set of the NEPA document is received
may not discuss new issues.
services, visual and aesthetic qualities, before the document is printed, FTA,
water quality and hydrology, and ADDRESSES: The NTTC’s application and
Metro and TriMet will distribute only
wetlands. Significant impacts prior to electronic copies of the NEPA all comments received may be reviewed
the development of mitigation measures document. A complete printed set of the in the Docket Operations Facility (M–
may occur in the areas of property environmental document will be 30), U.S. Department of Transportation,
acquisition and displacements, historic available for review at Metro’s offices; West Building Ground Floor, Room
and cultural resources, noise and an electronic copy of the complete W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
vibration, parks and recreation, environmental document will be Washington, DC 20590. The application
transportation, visual and aesthetic available on the Project Web site. and all comments are available on the
qualities, water quality and hydrology, Other: Metro and TriMet may seek U.S. Government Regulations.gov Web
and wetlands. Significant beneficial funding for the proposed Project under site: http://www.regulations.gov.
impacts could occur in the areas of air FTA’s Capital Investment Grant Comments must refer to Docket No.
quality and greenhouse gas emissions, Program, 49 U.S.C. 5309, and would PHMSA–2016–0097 and may be
energy use, environmental justice, safety therefore be subject to New Starts submitted by any of the following
and security, and transportation. The regulations (49 CFR part 611). The New methods:
EIS will evaluate short-term Starts regulations also require the • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
construction impacts and long-term submission of certain project- http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
operating impacts and will also consider justification information to support a online instructions for submitting
indirect and cumulative impacts. The request to initiate preliminary comments.
EIS will propose measures to avoid, • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
engineering. This information is
minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts. • Mail: Docket Operations Facility
normally developed in conjunction with
In accordance with FTA policy and (M–30), U.S. Department of
the NEPA process. The EIS will include
regulations, FTA, Metro and TriMet will Transportation, West Building Ground
pertinent New Starts evaluation criteria.
comply with all Federal environmental Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Dated: August 25, 2016. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
laws, regulations, and executive orders
applicable to the proposed project Kenneth A. Feldman, • Hand Delivery: Docket Operations
during the environmental review Deputy Regional Administrator, Federal Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of
process. Transit Administration, Region 10, Seattle, Transportation, West Building Ground
Roles of Agencies and the Public: WA. Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
NEPA, and FTA’s regulations for [FR Doc. 2016–21160 Filed 9–1–16; 8:45 am] Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590,
implementing NEPA, call for broad BILLING CODE P between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.,
involvement in the EIS process. FTA, Monday through Friday, except Federal
Metro and TriMet therefore invite holidays.
Federal and non-Federal agencies and DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION A copy of each comment must also be
Indian tribes to participate in the NEPA sent to (1) Prasad Sharma, Esq.,
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson &
process. Any agency or tribe interested
Safety Administration Feary, 1850 M Street, NW., Suite 280,
in the Project that does not receive such
an invitation should promptly notify the [Docket No. PHMSA–2016–0097; PDA– Washington, DC 20036, and (2) Kamala
Metro Investment Area Project Manager 38(R)] D. Harris, Attorney General, Office of
identified above under ADDRESSES. the Attorney General, 1300 ‘‘I’’ Street,
Interested parties may review a draft Hazardous Materials: California Meal Sacramento, CA 95814–2919. A
Coordination Plan for public and agency and Rest Break Requirements certification that a copy has been sent to
involvement at the Project Web site. It AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous these persons must also be included
identifies the Project’s coordination Materials Safety Administration with the comment. (The following
approach and structure, details the (PHMSA), DOT. format is suggested: ‘‘I certify that
major milestones for agency and public ACTION: Public notice and invitation to copies of this comment have been sent
involvement, and includes an initial list comment. to Mr. Sharma and Ms. Harris at the
of interested agencies and organizations. addresses specified in the Federal
Combined FEIS and Record of SUMMARY: Interested parties are invited Register.’’)
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Decision: Under 23 U.S.C. 139, FTA to comment on an application by the Anyone is able to search the
should combine the Final EIS and National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. electronic form of all comments
Record of Decision if it is practicable. (NTTC) for an administrative received into any of our dockets by the
FTA invites interested parties to determination as to whether Federal name of the individual submitting the
comment on a combined FEIS/ROD for hazardous material transportation law comment (or signing a comment
the Project to help FTA decide whether preempts regulations of the State of submitted on behalf of an association,
combining the FEIS/ROD is practicable. California that prohibit an employer business, labor union, etc.). You may
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:25 Sep 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM 02SEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_60945/page/4.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:55:22
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:55:22
| 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. | |
| Dates | The public scoping period will begin on the date of publication of this Notice and will continue through September 30, 2016 or 30 days from the date of publication, whichever is later. Please send written comments on the scope of the EIS, including the preliminary statement of the purpose of and need for the Project, the alternatives to be considered in the EIS, the environmental and community impacts to be | |
| Contact | John Witmer, FTA Community Planner, [email protected], phone: (206) 220-7954. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 60774 |
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