81_FR_70453 81 FR 70257 - Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service: Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties, CA

81 FR 70257 - Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service: Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties, CA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 196 (October 11, 2016)

Page Range70257-70260
FR Document2016-24597

Through this NOI, FRA announces it will prepare a Programmatic EIS and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) jointly with the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service (Project). FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will develop the Programmatic EIS/EIR in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). FRA invites the public and Federal, state, and local agencies to provide input into the scope of the EIS/ EIR and will consider all information from outreach activities when preparing the EIS/EIR. The Project will study options for providing intercity passenger rail service between the cities of Los Angeles and Indio, California also known as the Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio Pass Corridor (the Corridor).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70257-70260]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24597]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Coachella 
Valley--San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service: Riverside, San 
Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Through this NOI, FRA announces it will prepare a Programmatic 
EIS and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) jointly with the Riverside 
County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and the California Department 
of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio 
Pass Rail Corridor Service (Project). FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will 
develop the Programmatic EIS/EIR in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and the California 
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). FRA invites the public and Federal, 
state, and local agencies to provide input into the scope of the EIS/
EIR and will consider all information from outreach activities when 
preparing the EIS/EIR. The Project will study options for providing 
intercity passenger rail service between the cities of Los Angeles and 
Indio, California also known as the Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio Pass 
Corridor (the Corridor).

DATES: Persons interested in providing written comments on the scope of 
the Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio Pass

[[Page 70258]]

Rail Corridor Service Project must do so by November 10, 2016.
    Three public scoping meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, October 
12, 2016; Thursday, October 13, 2016; and Monday, October 17, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should send written comments to FRA's 
Office of Program Delivery, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. (Mail Stop 20), 
Washington, DC 20590, or Riverside County Transportation Commission 
(RCTC), 4080 Lemon Street, 3rd Floor, Riverside, California 92501, or 
via email to Robert Yates, Multimodal Services Director, 
[email protected]. Comments should include 
``Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service--NOI 
Scoping Comments'' in the subject line.
    Interested persons may also provide comments orally or in writing 
at the following scoping meetings:
     Springbrook Club House at Reid Park: 1101 N. Orange Street 
Riverside, CA 92501, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.;
     Indio Senior Center: 45-700 Aladdin Street, Indio, CA 
92201, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and
     Metro Headquarters, Plaza Level: One Gateway Plaza, Los 
Angeles, California 90012, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
    All scoping meeting locations are Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990 (ADA) accessible. Spanish language translators will be present. 
You may call (909) 627-2974 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting 
to request other accommodations or translation services.

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 
Robert Yates, Multimodal Services Director, at 
[email protected].
    Scoping materials and information concerning the scoping meeting is 
available through RCTC's Web site: http://rctc.org/projects/rail-projects/coachella-valley-san-gorgonio-pass-corridor-rail-service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA is an operating administration of DOT 
and is responsible for overseeing the safety of railroad operations, 
including the safety of any proposed rail transportation system. FRA 
also provides financial assistance for intercity passenger rail capital 
investments.
    FRA is the lead agency under NEPA for the Project. FRA will prepare 
the Programmatic EIS/EIR consistent with NEPA, the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), and FRA's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts (64 
FR 28545, May 26, 1999; 78 FR 2713, Jan. 14, 2013) (Environmental 
Procedures). FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will prepare the EIS consistent 
with 23 U.S.C. 139 (titled ``Efficient environmental reviews for 
project decision making''). RCTC and Caltrans will ensure the EIR is 
consistent with CEQA. After release and circulation of a Draft 
Programmatic EIS/EIR for public comment, FRA will issue a single 
document consisting of the Final Programmatic EIS and a Record of 
Decision under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L. 
114-94, section 1304(n)(2)) unless it determines that statutory 
criteria or practicability considerations prelude issuing a combined 
document.
    The EIS will also document FRA's compliance with other applicable 
Federal, state, and local laws including, Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act, Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation Act of 1966, the conformity requirements of the Clean 
Air Act, and Executive Order 12898 and U.S. DOT Order 5610.2(a) on 
Environmental Justice. FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will use a tiered NEPA 
process (e.g. Programmatic EIS/EIR) to complete the environmental 
review of the Project, under 40 CFR 1508.28 (titled ``Tiering'') and 
FRA's Environmental Procedures.
    ``Tiering'' is a staged environmental review process often applied 
to environmental review for complex transportation projects. When used, 
the initial phase of a tiered process addresses broad questions and 
likely environmental effects for the Corridor including, but not 
limited to, the type of service(s) being proposed, major infrastructure 
components, and identification of major facility capacity constraints. 
Based on the decisions made in the Programmatic EIS/EIR, future site-
specific proposals would be analyzed at a greater level of detail and 
addressed in subsequent phases or tiered (e.g. Project-level NEPA and 
CEQA) environmental documents.

Project Description and Background

    The Project would extend from an eastern terminus in Indio, 
California to the western terminus at Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS), 
and is approximately 141 miles long. In 1991, RCTC completed the first 
in a series of studies evaluating the feasibility of operating one or 
two daily intercity rail round trips between Los Angeles and Indio. 
From 1991 to 2013, RCTC completed additional feasibility studies on the 
Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service. In July 
2016, RCTC, in coordination with Caltrans and FRA, prepared and 
completed the Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service 
Study Alternatives Analysis Final Report that evaluated a reasonable 
range of alternatives for a new intercity rail service between Los 
Angeles and Indio. The purpose of the Alternatives Analysis was to 
identify an alternative(s) for more detailed evaluation in a subsequent 
Service Development Plan and Programmatic EIS/EIR.

Project Need

    The Corridor currently faces significant mobility challenges that 
are likely to continue as growth in population, employment, and tourism 
activity is expected to increase travel demand. An effective rail 
system will help meet the future mobility needs of residents, 
businesses, and visitors. The Corridor faces continuing transportation 
challenges as evidenced by the following:
    Constrained Travel Options--While a transportation system that 
includes air, highway, and rail modes, serves the Corridor, access and 
capacity are presently constrained along certain segments and may be 
unable to meet future travel demand. Air access is limited for many 
residents due to distance from major airports, frequency, and high cost 
of flights between the Coachella Valley region and Los Angeles. 
Interstate 10 is the only major highway that serves the eastern portion 
of the Corridor. Amtrak offers limited long distance passenger train 
service three times a week with a stop in Palm Springs late at night.
    Significant Highway Congestion--While travel by car is expected to 
meet the majority of future travel demand, increased use will result in 
additional congestion. Congestion along certain highway segments of the 
Corridor is likely to worsen, making travel times unreliable. 
Interstate 10 follows the entirety of the Corridor and experiences 
regular congestion and travel delays. In addition, geographic 
constraints limit the potential expansion of the existing highway 
system.
    Constrained Rail System Capacity--Existing corridor rail service 
could accommodate an increasing portion of projected travel demand 
growth by providing an alternative mode to car travel. However, rail 
service is currently constrained and existing infrastructure would need 
to be upgraded to provide adequate main track capacity for additional 
passenger trains.

[[Page 70259]]

    Increase Travel Capacity Without Impacting Air Quality and Natural 
Resources - Highway capacity improvements can have negative impacts on 
regional and local air quality as well as the efficient use of natural 
resources. Rail system improvements offer the opportunity to achieve 
air quality benefits with fewer potential impacts on natural resources.

Project Purpose and Objectives

    The overall purpose of the Project is to provide a safe, reliable, 
and convenient intercity passenger rail service that would meet the 
future mobility needs of residents, businesses, and visitors within the 
Corridor. The Project would achieve the following objectives:
     Provide travelers between the Coachella Valley and the Los 
Angeles Basin with a public transportation service that offers more 
convenient and competitive trip times, better station access, and more 
frequency, than currently-available public transportation services;
     Provide travelers between the Coachella Valley and the Los 
Angeles Basin with an alternative to driving that offers reliable 
travel schedules;
     Provide travelers between the Coachella Valley and the Los 
Angeles Basin with a transportation service that is affordable;
     Serve a range of trip purposes traveling between the 
Coachella Valley and the Los Angeles Basin, particularly including 
business, social, medical, leisure, and recreational trips;
     Improve regional travel opportunities between the 
Coachella Valley and the Los Angeles Basin for transit dependent 
people;
     Serve the expected population growth in the Coachella 
Valley and the Los Angeles Basin; and
     Not preclude, by choice of alignment or technology, a 
possible future Corridor expansion between the Coachella Valley and 
Phoenix.
    The Project would provide enhanced passenger rail service and is 
consistent with State and regional efforts to reduce mobile source 
emissions associated with highway and truck traffic on parallel 
highways from Los Angeles to Indio. These efforts are anticipated to 
help the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and RCTC 
meet the air pollution and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets 
mandated by California Assembly Bill 32, known as the Global Warming 
Solutions Act of 2006, as amended, and California Senate Bill 375, 
known as the California's Sustainable Communities and Climate 
Protection Act of 2008. These two laws establish the basis for SCAG and 
RCTC to accommodate regional growth through increased and more frequent 
access to alternative modes of transit for local communities.

Proposed Project Alternatives

    In the Programmatic EIS/EIR FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will evaluate 
and analyze a No Build Alternative and at least one Build Alternative 
consisting of multiple improvements between Indio and Los Angeles.
    No Build Alternative--The No Build Alternative provides a baseline 
for comparison to the Build Alternative. This alternative represents 
the existing California transportation system (highway, air, and rail) 
as it would exist after completion of programs or projects currently 
funded or being implemented. The No Build Alternative would draw upon 
the following sources of information:
     State Transportation Improvement Program (2016);
     Regional Transportation Plans for all modes of travel;
     Airport plans; and
     Passenger rail plans.
    Build Alternative--The Build Alternative would include the 
necessary infrastructure improvements to meet the Project's purpose and 
need. The Build Alternative is made up of two components, a route 
alignment and station alternatives.
    FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will consider the July 2016 Alternatives 
Analysis Final Report when identifying the Build Alternative(s) for 
detailed analysis in the Programmatic EIS/EIS. However, additional 
reasonable build alternatives meeting the proposed purpose and need but 
not considered in the July 2016 Alternatives Analysis Final Report may 
be developed during the scoping process. This may also involve refining 
the Build Alternative as more information comes available based on the 
environmental analysis and coordination with stakeholders and the 
public. Additionally, the proposed purpose and need may be updated and/
or refined based on coordination with stakeholders and the public.

Probable Effects

    The Programmatic EIS/EIR will consider the potential environmental 
effects of the Project Alternatives. FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will 
analyze the following environmental issue areas in the Programmatic 
EIS/EIR: Agricultural Lands; Air Quality and Global Climate Change; 
Biological and Wetland Resources; Cultural and Historic Resources; 
Economic and Fiscal Impacts; Energy; Environmental Justice; 
Floodplains, Hydrology, and Water Quality; Geology, Soils, and 
Seismicity; Hazardous Waste and Materials; Land Use, Planning, and 
Communities; Noise and Vibration; Parklands, Community Services, and 
Other Public Facilities; Safety and Security; Section 4(f) and 6(f) 
Resources; Transportation; and Visual Quality and Aesthetics.

Scoping and Comments

    FRA encourages broad participation in the EIS process during 
scoping and review of the resulting environmental documents. FRA 
invites all interested agencies, Native American Tribes, and the public 
at large to participate in the scoping process to ensure the 
Programmatic EIS/EIR addresses the full range of issues related to the 
proposed action, reasonable alternatives are addressed, and all 
significant issues are identified. FRA requests any public agency 
having jurisdiction over an aspect of the Project identify the agency's 
permit or environmental review requirements and the scope and content 
of the environmental information germane to the agency's jurisdiction 
over the Project. FRA requests public agencies 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 
Programmatic EIS/EIR.
    FRA will coordinate with participating agencies during development 
of the Draft Programmatic EIS under 23 U.S.C. 139. FRA will invite all 
Federal and non-Federal agencies and Native American Tribes that may 
have an interest in the Project to become participating agencies for 
the EIS. If an agency or Tribe is not invited and would like to 
participate, please contact FRA at the contact information listed 
above. FRA will develop a Coordination Plan summarizing how it will 
engage the public, agencies, and Tribes in the process. The 
Coordination Plan will be posted to the Project Web site http://rctc.org/projects/rail-projects/coachella-valley-san-gorgonio-pass-corridor-rail-service and to FRA's Web site fra.dot.gov. At various 
milestones during the development of the Programmatic EIS/EIR, FRA, 
RCTC, and Caltrans will provide additional opportunities for public and 
interested party input.
    FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans have scheduled three public scoping 
meetings as an important component of the scoping process for both the 
state and Federal environmental review. The scoping meetings described 
in the ADDRESSES section will also be advertised locally and included 
in

[[Page 70260]]

additional public notification. The format of the meeting will consist 
of a presentation describing the proposed Coachella Valley--San 
Gorgonio Pass Corridor Service Project, objectives, and existing 
conditions. Following the presentation, scoping meeting attendees will 
be able to participate in an open house format that encourages 
questions and comments on the Project from the public.

Felicia Young,
Acting Director, Office of Program Delivery.
[FR Doc. 2016-24597 Filed 10-6-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P



                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2016 / Notices                                                                  70257

                                                                                                                                               Total annual                Average time per                     Total annual burden
                                                                         Section                           Respondent universe                  responses                     response                                 hours

                                                    Tank Car Owner Notification to All Parties             20 Tank Car Owners            100 notices ................   2 hours .......................     200
                                                      under Contract to Car Owner, including                 (100 Lessees/Sub-
                                                      Lessees and/or sub-Lessees, using tank                 Lessees).
                                                      cars subject to the Terms of this Directive.
                                                    Report of Inspection , Test, and Repair Infor-         20 Tank Car Owners            14,000 reports ............    20 min. per car/report.             4,667
                                                      mation stipulated in paragraph 2(g) of Di-             (100 Lessees/Sub-
                                                      rective to FRA.                                        Lessees).
                                                    Repairs: 15% of Relevant Tank Fleet of                 10 Tank Car Facility          2,100 car reports/             16 hours .....................      33,600
                                                      14,000 cars— Record and Report of Re-                  Operators.                    records.
                                                      pairs to Tank Car Owners.
                                                    Tank Car Facility Request to Tank Car                  10 Tank Car Facility          20 requests + 20 writ-         10 min. + 10 min .......            7
                                                      Owner for Written Permission and Ap-                   Operators.                    ten permissions.
                                                      proval of Qualification and Maintenance
                                                      Program It Will Use Consistent with Ap-
                                                      pendices D, R, and W of the Tank Car
                                                      Manual and 49 CFR 180.513 Prior to Initi-
                                                      ating Any Repairs.
                                                    Tank Car Facility Report of All Work Per-              10 Tank Car Facility          Burden Included Di-            N/A .............................   N/A
                                                      formed to Tank Car Owner.                              Operators.                    rectly Above.



                                                       Total Estimated Responses: 44,293.                   reasonably likely to disrupt the                             DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                       Total Estimated Annual Burden:                       collection of information. Further, in
                                                    68,953 hours.                                           light of recent tank car accidents/                          Federal Railroad Administration
                                                       Status: Emergency Review.                            incidents carrying crude oil, FRA
                                                       Description:                                                                                                      Programmatic Environmental Impact
                                                                                                            believes safety is an overriding issue.
                                                       On September 30, 2016, FRA issued a                                                                               Statement for the Coachella Valley—
                                                                                                            The Directive took effect upon issuance.
                                                    Railworthiness Directive (Directive) to                                                                              San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor
                                                                                                            FRA cannot wait the normal 90 days of
                                                    all owners of DOT specification 111                                                                                  Service: Riverside, San Bernardino,
                                                                                                            public comment. Under the Directive,                         Orange, and Los Angeles Counties, CA
                                                    general purpose tank cars, which can be                 tank car owners must take immediate
                                                    found on FRA’s Web site at http://                      action to identify tank cars in their fleet                  AGENCY: Federal Railroad
                                                    www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L18383.                    subject to the Directive. Therefore, FRA                     Administration (FRA), U.S. Department
                                                    FRA issued the Directive based on its
                                                                                                            is requesting OMB approval of this                           of Transportation (DOT).
                                                    finding that as a result of non-
                                                                                                            collection of information 7 days after                       ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare
                                                    conforming welding practices, DOT–111
                                                                                                            publication of this Notice in the Federal                    a Programmatic Environmental Impact
                                                    tank cars built by American Railcar
                                                    Industries, Inc. (ARI) and ACF                          Register. Upon OMB approval of its                           Statement (EIS).
                                                    Industries, LLC (ACF) between 2009 and                  Emergency clearance request, FRA will
                                                    2015 to the ARI and ACF 300 stub sill                   follow the normal clearance procedures                       SUMMARY:   Through this NOI, FRA
                                                    design and equipped with a two-piece                    for the information collection associated                    announces it will prepare a
                                                    cast sump and bottom outlet valve                       with this Directive.                                         Programmatic EIS and Environmental
                                                    (BOV) skid may be in an unsafe                             Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR                         Impact Report (EIR) jointly with the
                                                    operating condition and could result in                 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs                     Riverside County Transportation
                                                    the release of hazardous materials. As a                                                                             Commission (RCTC) and the California
                                                                                                            all interested parties it may not conduct
                                                    result of the non-conforming welding                                                                                 Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
                                                                                                            or sponsor, and a respondent is not
                                                    practices, these cars may have                                                                                       for the Coachella Valley—San Gorgonio
                                                                                                            required to respond to, a collection of                      Pass Rail Corridor Service (Project).
                                                    substantial weld defects at the sump                    information unless it displays a
                                                    and BOV skid groove attachment welds,                                                                                FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will develop
                                                                                                            currently valid OMB control number.                          the Programmatic EIS/EIR in
                                                    potentially affecting each tank’s ability
                                                    to retain its contents during                             Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.                            compliance with the National
                                                    transportation. The Directive requires                    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 4,                    Environmental Policy Act of 1969
                                                    owners to: (1) Identify tank cars in their              2016.                                                        (NEPA), and the California
                                                    fleet covered by this Directive; and (2)                                                                             Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
                                                                                                            Amitabha Bose,
                                                    ensure appropriate inspection and                                                                                    FRA invites the public and Federal,
                                                                                                            Chief Counsel.                                               state, and local agencies to provide
                                                    testing of each tank car’s sump and BOV
                                                                                                            [FR Doc. 2016–24429 Filed 10–7–16; 8:45 am]                  input into the scope of the EIS/EIR and
                                                    skid groove attachment welds to ensure
                                                    no flaw exists which could result in the                BILLING CODE 4910–06–P                                       will consider all information from
                                                    loss of tank integrity.                                                                                              outreach activities when preparing the
                                                       As provided under 5 CFR 1320.13,                                                                                  EIS/EIR. The Project will study options
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Emergency Processing, DOT is                                                                                         for providing intercity passenger rail
                                                    requesting emergency processing for                                                                                  service between the cities of Los
                                                    this new collection of information as                                                                                Angeles and Indio, California also
                                                    specified in the PRA and its                                                                                         known as the Coachella Valley—San
                                                    implementing regulations. DOT cannot                                                                                 Gorgonio Pass Corridor (the Corridor).
                                                    reasonably comply with normal                                                                                        DATES: Persons interested in providing
                                                    clearance procedures because the use of                                                                              written comments on the scope of the
                                                    normal clearance procedures is                                                                                       Coachella Valley—San Gorgonio Pass


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:12 Oct 07, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00173   Fmt 4703    Sfmt 4703    E:\FR\FM\11OCN1.SGM          11OCN1


                                                    70258                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2016 / Notices

                                                    Rail Corridor Service Project must do so                Programmatic EIS/EIR consistent with                  completed additional feasibility studies
                                                    by November 10, 2016.                                   NEPA, the Council on Environmental                    on the Coachella Valley—San Gorgonio
                                                       Three public scoping meetings are                    Quality regulations implementing NEPA                 Pass Rail Corridor Service. In July 2016,
                                                    scheduled for Wednesday, October 12,                    (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and FRA’s                   RCTC, in coordination with Caltrans
                                                    2016; Thursday, October 13, 2016; and                   Procedures for Considering                            and FRA, prepared and completed the
                                                    Monday, October 17, 2016.                               Environmental Impacts (64 FR 28545,                   Coachella Valley—San Gorgonio Pass
                                                    ADDRESSES: Interested persons should                    May 26, 1999; 78 FR 2713, Jan. 14, 2013)              Rail Corridor Service Study Alternatives
                                                    send written comments to FRA’s Office                   (Environmental Procedures). FRA,                      Analysis Final Report that evaluated a
                                                    of Program Delivery, 1200 New Jersey                    RCTC, and Caltrans will prepare the EIS               reasonable range of alternatives for a
                                                    Avenue SE. (Mail Stop 20), Washington,                  consistent with 23 U.S.C. 139 (titled                 new intercity rail service between Los
                                                    DC 20590, or Riverside County                           ‘‘Efficient environmental reviews for                 Angeles and Indio. The purpose of the
                                                    Transportation Commission (RCTC),                       project decision making’’). RCTC and                  Alternatives Analysis was to identify an
                                                    4080 Lemon Street, 3rd Floor, Riverside,                Caltrans will ensure the EIR is                       alternative(s) for more detailed
                                                    California 92501, or via email to Robert                consistent with CEQA. After release and               evaluation in a subsequent Service
                                                    Yates, Multimodal Services Director,                    circulation of a Draft Programmatic EIS/              Development Plan and Programmatic
                                                    CoachellaValleyRail@                                    EIR for public comment, FRA will issue                EIS/EIR.
                                                    ArellanoAssociates.com. Comments                        a single document consisting of the
                                                                                                                                                                  Project Need
                                                    should include ‘‘Coachella Valley—San                   Final Programmatic EIS and a Record of
                                                    Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service—                    Decision under the Fixing America’s                      The Corridor currently faces
                                                    NOI Scoping Comments’’ in the subject                   Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L.                   significant mobility challenges that are
                                                    line.                                                   114–94, section 1304(n)(2)) unless it                 likely to continue as growth in
                                                       Interested persons may also provide                  determines that statutory criteria or                 population, employment, and tourism
                                                    comments orally or in writing at the                    practicability considerations prelude                 activity is expected to increase travel
                                                    following scoping meetings:                             issuing a combined document.                          demand. An effective rail system will
                                                       • Springbrook Club House at Reid                        The EIS will also document FRA’s                   help meet the future mobility needs of
                                                    Park: 1101 N. Orange Street Riverside,                  compliance with other applicable                      residents, businesses, and visitors. The
                                                    CA 92501, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00                    Federal, state, and local laws including,             Corridor faces continuing transportation
                                                    p.m.;                                                   Section 106 of the National Historic                  challenges as evidenced by the
                                                       • Indio Senior Center: 45–700                        Preservation Act, Section 4(f) of the U.S.            following:
                                                    Aladdin Street, Indio, CA 92201,                        Department of Transportation Act of                      Constrained Travel Options—While a
                                                    between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and                    1966, the conformity requirements of                  transportation system that includes air,
                                                       • Metro Headquarters, Plaza Level:                   the Clean Air Act, and Executive Order                highway, and rail modes, serves the
                                                    One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles,                         12898 and U.S. DOT Order 5610.2(a) on                 Corridor, access and capacity are
                                                    California 90012, between 5:00 p.m. and                 Environmental Justice. FRA, RCTC, and                 presently constrained along certain
                                                    7:00 p.m.                                               Caltrans will use a tiered NEPA process               segments and may be unable to meet
                                                       All scoping meeting locations are                    (e.g. Programmatic EIS/EIR) to complete               future travel demand. Air access is
                                                    Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990                 the environmental review of the Project,              limited for many residents due to
                                                    (ADA) accessible. Spanish language                      under 40 CFR 1508.28 (titled ‘‘Tiering’’)             distance from major airports, frequency,
                                                    translators will be present. You may call               and FRA’s Environmental Procedures.                   and high cost of flights between the
                                                    (909) 627–2974 at least 72 hours in                        ‘‘Tiering’’ is a staged environmental              Coachella Valley region and Los
                                                    advance of the meeting to request other                 review process often applied to                       Angeles. Interstate 10 is the only major
                                                    accommodations or translation services.                 environmental review for complex                      highway that serves the eastern portion
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.                    transportation projects. When used, the               of the Corridor. Amtrak offers limited
                                                    Stephanie Perez, Environmental                          initial phase of a tiered process                     long distance passenger train service
                                                    Protection Specialist, Office of Program                addresses broad questions and likely                  three times a week with a stop in Palm
                                                    Delivery, Federal Railroad                              environmental effects for the Corridor                Springs late at night.
                                                    Administration, 1200 New Jersey                         including, but not limited to, the type of               Significant Highway Congestion—
                                                    Avenue SE. (Mail Stop 20), Washington,                  service(s) being proposed, major                      While travel by car is expected to meet
                                                    DC 20590; Telephone: (202) 493–0388,                    infrastructure components, and                        the majority of future travel demand,
                                                    email: stephanie.perez@dot.gov, or                      identification of major facility capacity             increased use will result in additional
                                                    Robert Yates, Multimodal Services                       constraints. Based on the decisions                   congestion. Congestion along certain
                                                    Director, at CoachellaValleyRail@                       made in the Programmatic EIS/EIR,                     highway segments of the Corridor is
                                                    ArellanoAssociates.com.                                 future site-specific proposals would be               likely to worsen, making travel times
                                                       Scoping materials and information                    analyzed at a greater level of detail and             unreliable. Interstate 10 follows the
                                                    concerning the scoping meeting is                       addressed in subsequent phases or                     entirety of the Corridor and experiences
                                                    available through RCTC’s Web site:                      tiered (e.g. Project-level NEPA and                   regular congestion and travel delays. In
                                                    http://rctc.org/projects/rail-projects/                 CEQA) environmental documents.                        addition, geographic constraints limit
                                                    coachella-valley-san-gorgonio-pass-                                                                           the potential expansion of the existing
                                                    corridor-rail-service.                                  Project Description and Background                    highway system.
                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA is an                      The Project would extend from an                       Constrained Rail System Capacity—
                                                                                                            eastern terminus in Indio, California to              Existing corridor rail service could
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                                                    operating administration of DOT and is
                                                    responsible for overseeing the safety of                the western terminus at Los Angeles                   accommodate an increasing portion of
                                                    railroad operations, including the safety               Union Station (LAUS), and is                          projected travel demand growth by
                                                    of any proposed rail transportation                     approximately 141 miles long. In 1991,                providing an alternative mode to car
                                                    system. FRA also provides financial                     RCTC completed the first in a series of               travel. However, rail service is currently
                                                    assistance for intercity passenger rail                 studies evaluating the feasibility of                 constrained and existing infrastructure
                                                    capital investments.                                    operating one or two daily intercity rail             would need to be upgraded to provide
                                                       FRA is the lead agency under NEPA                    round trips between Los Angeles and                   adequate main track capacity for
                                                    for the Project. FRA will prepare the                   Indio. From 1991 to 2013, RCTC                        additional passenger trains.


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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2016 / Notices                                            70259

                                                      Increase Travel Capacity Without                      establish the basis for SCAG and RCTC                 Floodplains, Hydrology, and Water
                                                    Impacting Air Quality and Natural                       to accommodate regional growth                        Quality; Geology, Soils, and Seismicity;
                                                    Resources – Highway capacity                            through increased and more frequent                   Hazardous Waste and Materials; Land
                                                    improvements can have negative                          access to alternative modes of transit for            Use, Planning, and Communities; Noise
                                                    impacts on regional and local air quality               local communities.                                    and Vibration; Parklands, Community
                                                    as well as the efficient use of natural                                                                       Services, and Other Public Facilities;
                                                                                                            Proposed Project Alternatives                         Safety and Security; Section 4(f) and 6(f)
                                                    resources. Rail system improvements
                                                    offer the opportunity to achieve air                       In the Programmatic EIS/EIR FRA,                   Resources; Transportation; and Visual
                                                    quality benefits with fewer potential                   RCTC, and Caltrans will evaluate and                  Quality and Aesthetics.
                                                    impacts on natural resources.                           analyze a No Build Alternative and at
                                                                                                            least one Build Alternative consisting of             Scoping and Comments
                                                    Project Purpose and Objectives                          multiple improvements between Indio                      FRA encourages broad participation
                                                       The overall purpose of the Project is                and Los Angeles.                                      in the EIS process during scoping and
                                                    to provide a safe, reliable, and                           No Build Alternative—The No Build                  review of the resulting environmental
                                                    convenient intercity passenger rail                     Alternative provides a baseline for                   documents. FRA invites all interested
                                                    service that would meet the future                      comparison to the Build Alternative.                  agencies, Native American Tribes, and
                                                    mobility needs of residents, businesses,                This alternative represents the existing              the public at large to participate in the
                                                    and visitors within the Corridor. The                   California transportation system                      scoping process to ensure the
                                                    Project would achieve the following                     (highway, air, and rail) as it would exist            Programmatic EIS/EIR addresses the full
                                                    objectives:                                             after completion of programs or projects              range of issues related to the proposed
                                                       • Provide travelers between the                      currently funded or being implemented.                action, reasonable alternatives are
                                                    Coachella Valley and the Los Angeles                    The No Build Alternative would draw                   addressed, and all significant issues are
                                                    Basin with a public transportation                      upon the following sources of                         identified. FRA requests any public
                                                    service that offers more convenient and                 information:                                          agency having jurisdiction over an
                                                    competitive trip times, better station                     • State Transportation Improvement                 aspect of the Project identify the
                                                    access, and more frequency, than                        Program (2016);                                       agency’s permit or environmental
                                                    currently-available public transportation                  • Regional Transportation Plans for                review requirements and the scope and
                                                    services;                                               all modes of travel;                                  content of the environmental
                                                       • Provide travelers between the                         • Airport plans; and                               information germane to the agency’s
                                                    Coachella Valley and the Los Angeles                       • Passenger rail plans.                            jurisdiction over the Project. FRA
                                                    Basin with an alternative to driving that                  Build Alternative—The Build                        requests public agencies advise FRA if
                                                    offers reliable travel schedules;                       Alternative would include the necessary               they anticipate taking a major action in
                                                       • Provide travelers between the                      infrastructure improvements to meet the               connection with the proposed project
                                                    Coachella Valley and the Los Angeles                    Project’s purpose and need. The Build                 and if they wish to cooperate in the
                                                    Basin with a transportation service that                Alternative is made up of two                         preparation of the Programmatic EIS/
                                                    is affordable;                                          components, a route alignment and                     EIR.
                                                       • Serve a range of trip purposes                     station alternatives.                                    FRA will coordinate with
                                                    traveling between the Coachella Valley                     FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans will                       participating agencies during
                                                    and the Los Angeles Basin, particularly                 consider the July 2016 Alternatives                   development of the Draft Programmatic
                                                    including business, social, medical,                    Analysis Final Report when identifying                EIS under 23 U.S.C. 139. FRA will
                                                    leisure, and recreational trips;                        the Build Alternative(s) for detailed                 invite all Federal and non-Federal
                                                       • Improve regional travel                            analysis in the Programmatic EIS/EIS.                 agencies and Native American Tribes
                                                    opportunities between the Coachella                     However, additional reasonable build                  that may have an interest in the Project
                                                    Valley and the Los Angeles Basin for                    alternatives meeting the proposed                     to become participating agencies for the
                                                    transit dependent people;                               purpose and need but not considered in                EIS. If an agency or Tribe is not invited
                                                       • Serve the expected population                      the July 2016 Alternatives Analysis                   and would like to participate, please
                                                    growth in the Coachella Valley and the                  Final Report may be developed during                  contact FRA at the contact information
                                                    Los Angeles Basin; and                                  the scoping process. This may also                    listed above. FRA will develop a
                                                       • Not preclude, by choice of                         involve refining the Build Alternative as             Coordination Plan summarizing how it
                                                    alignment or technology, a possible                     more information comes available based                will engage the public, agencies, and
                                                    future Corridor expansion between the                   on the environmental analysis and                     Tribes in the process. The Coordination
                                                    Coachella Valley and Phoenix.                           coordination with stakeholders and the                Plan will be posted to the Project Web
                                                       The Project would provide enhanced                   public. Additionally, the proposed                    site http://rctc.org/projects/rail-projects/
                                                    passenger rail service and is consistent                purpose and need may be updated and/                  coachella-valley-san-gorgonio-pass-
                                                    with State and regional efforts to reduce               or refined based on coordination with                 corridor-rail-service and to FRA’s Web
                                                    mobile source emissions associated with                 stakeholders and the public.                          site fra.dot.gov. At various milestones
                                                    highway and truck traffic on parallel                                                                         during the development of the
                                                    highways from Los Angeles to Indio.                     Probable Effects                                      Programmatic EIS/EIR, FRA, RCTC, and
                                                    These efforts are anticipated to help the                  The Programmatic EIS/EIR will                      Caltrans will provide additional
                                                    Southern California Association of                      consider the potential environmental                  opportunities for public and interested
                                                    Governments (SCAG) and RCTC meet                        effects of the Project Alternatives. FRA,             party input.
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                                                    the air pollution and greenhouse gas                    RCTC, and Caltrans will analyze the                      FRA, RCTC, and Caltrans have
                                                    emission reduction targets mandated by                  following environmental issue areas in                scheduled three public scoping
                                                    California Assembly Bill 32, known as                   the Programmatic EIS/EIR: Agricultural                meetings as an important component of
                                                    the Global Warming Solutions Act of                     Lands; Air Quality and Global Climate                 the scoping process for both the state
                                                    2006, as amended, and California Senate                 Change; Biological and Wetland                        and Federal environmental review. The
                                                    Bill 375, known as the California’s                     Resources; Cultural and Historic                      scoping meetings described in the
                                                    Sustainable Communities and Climate                     Resources; Economic and Fiscal                        ADDRESSES section will also be
                                                    Protection Act of 2008. These two laws                  Impacts; Energy; Environmental Justice;               advertised locally and included in


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                                                    70260                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2016 / Notices

                                                    additional public notification. The                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:      Ms.             1977 when NTD reporting began. While
                                                    format of the meeting will consist of a                 Amanda Murphy, Environmental                          the NTD has undergone numerous and
                                                    presentation describing the proposed                    Protection Specialist, Office of Railroad             substantial changes in the past 38 years,
                                                    Coachella Valley—San Gorgonio Pass                      Policy and Development, Federal                       the USOA was last updated for minor
                                                    Corridor Service Project, objectives, and               Railroad Administration, 1200 New                     changes in 1995. The notice described
                                                    existing conditions. Following the                      Jersey Avenue SE., (Mail Stop–20),                    various proposed changes to the USOA
                                                    presentation, scoping meeting attendees                 Washington, DC 20590; telephone: (202)                to better align with today’s NTD and
                                                    will be able to participate in an open                  493–0624.                                             accounting practices and to address
                                                    house format that encourages questions                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: More                       FTA data needs and common questions
                                                    and comments on the Project from the                    information about the Long Bridge                     among NTD reporters. In the initial
                                                    public.                                                 Project is available at http://                       notice, FTA proposed the following
                                                    Felicia Young,                                          longbridgeproject.com/.                               changes:
                                                    Acting Director, Office of Program Delivery.              Issued in Washington, DC, on October 5,             A. Separation of ‘‘Passenger-Paid Fares’’
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–24597 Filed 10–6–16; 4:15 pm]             2016.                                                      and ‘‘Organization-Paid Fares’’
                                                                                                            Felicia B. Young,                                     B. Separation of ‘‘Paid Absences’’ from
                                                    BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
                                                                                                            Acting Director, Office of Program Delivery.
                                                                                                                                                                       ‘‘Fringe Benefits’’
                                                                                                                                                                  C. Consolidation of ‘‘Casualty and
                                                                                                            [FR Doc. 2016–24522 Filed 10–7–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                                                                                       Liability Costs’’ under General
                                                                                                            BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
                                                                                                                                                                       Administration Function
                                                    Federal Railroad Administration                                                                               D. Expansion of Assets and Liabilities
                                                                                                                                                                       Object Classes (F–60)
                                                                                                            DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          E. Addition of ‘‘Voluntary Non-
                                                    Environmental Impact Statement for
                                                    the Long Bridge Project in                              Federal Transit Administration                             Exchange Transactions’’
                                                    Washington, DC                                                                                                F. Addition of ‘‘Sales and Disposals of
                                                                                                            [Docket No. FTA–2016–009]                                  Assets’’
                                                    AGENCY:  Federal Railroad                                                                                     G. Simplification of State Fund
                                                    Administration (FRA), U.S. Department                   Final Notice on Updates to the Uniform                     Reporting
                                                    of Transportation (DOT).                                System of Accounts (USOA) and                         H. Reorganization of B–30 Contractual
                                                    ACTION: Extension of agency and public                  Changes to the National Transit                            Relationship
                                                    scoping comment period, Long Bridge                     Database (NTD) Reporting
                                                    project.                                                Requirements                                             Additionally, the initial notice
                                                                                                                                                                  proposed changes to the NTD reporting
                                                    SUMMARY:    On August 26, 2016, FRA                     AGENCY:    Federal Transit Administration,            requirements that are not directly
                                                    published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to                   DOT.                                                  addressed in the updated USOA, which
                                                    prepare an Environmental Impact                         ACTION:   Notice, response to comments.               are as follows:
                                                    Statement (EIS) for the Long Bridge                                                                           I. Separation of Operators’ and Non-
                                                    Project jointly with the District of                    SUMMARY:   This Notice finalizes updates                   Operators’ Work Hours and Counts
                                                    Columbia Department of Transportation                   to the USOA and changes to NTD                        J. Enhanced Auditor’s Review
                                                    (DDOT) (81 FR 59036). The Proposed                      Automatic Passenger Counter                           K. Revised Automatic Passenger
                                                    Action consists of potential                            Certification requirements.                                Counter (APC) Certification Process
                                                    improvements to Long Bridge and                         DATES: Full implementation required in                   In the initial notice, FTA proposed
                                                    related railroad infrastructure located                 report year 2018.                                     that it would begin implementing the
                                                    between the Virginia Railway Express                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      proposed reporting requirements
                                                    (VRE) Crystal City Station in Arlington,                Maggie Schilling, National Transit                    beginning with the FY 2017 NTD
                                                    Virginia and Control Point (CP) Virginia                Database Deputy Program Manager, FTA                  reporting cycle.
                                                    in Washington, DC. In announcing its                    Office of Budget and Policy, (202) 366–
                                                    intent, FRA and DDOT established a 30-                  2054 or margaret.schilling@dot.gov.                   B. Response to Comments on Proposed
                                                    day public comment period that was                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                                  Updates to the USOA and Changes to
                                                    scheduled to end on September 26,                                                                             NTD Reporting Requirements
                                                    2016. In consideration of requests for                  Table of Contents
                                                                                                                                                                     The comment period for the initial
                                                    additional time to comment, FRA and                     A. Background                                         notice closed on April 4, 2016. The
                                                    DDOT are extending the scoping                          B. Response to Comments on Proposed                   following is a summary of the comments
                                                    comment period to October 14, 2016.                         Updates to the USOA and Changes to                from the initial notice related to the
                                                    The extension provides agencies and the                     NTD Reporting Requirements                        updates to the USOA and NTD reporting
                                                    public with 30 days to submit                           C. Response to Comments on the Revised
                                                                                                                APC Certification Process
                                                                                                                                                                  requirements.
                                                    comments following public and                                                                                    Comment: Three commenters raised a
                                                                                                            D. Overview of Final Updates to the USOA,
                                                    interagency scoping meetings held on                                                                          concern over the separation of
                                                                                                                NTD Reporting Requirements and APC
                                                    September 14, 2016.                                         Certification                                     ‘‘Passenger-Paid Fares’’ and
                                                    DATES: The scoping comment period for                                                                         ‘‘Organization-Paid Fares.’’ Commenters
                                                    the Long Bridge Project is extended to                  A. Background                                         opposed the separation of ‘‘Passenger-
                                                    October 14, 2016.                                          On February 3, 2016, FTA published                 Paid Fares’’ and ‘‘Organization-Paid
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                                                    ADDRESSES: Scoping comments can be                      a Federal Register notice (initial notice)            Fares’’ stating that the additional
                                                    mailed to the address identified under                  (Docket No. FTA–2016–009) for                         information will add little, if any, value
                                                    the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT                     comment on proposed updates to the                    to the NTD report. Commenters noted
                                                    caption below. Internet and email                       USOA and changes to NTD reporting                     that adding these additional reporting
                                                    correspondence may be submitted                         requirements. The USOA is the basic                   requirements will only increase the cost
                                                    through the Long Bridge Project Web                     reference document that describes how                 of compliance for reporting agencies.
                                                    site http://longbridgeproject.com/ or at                transit agencies are to report to the NTD.            One commenter specifically raised a
                                                    info@longbridgeproject.com.                             The USOA was originally published in                  concern stating that the proposed


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Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:34:17
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:34:17
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
DatesPersons interested in providing written comments on the scope of the Coachella Valley--San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service Project must do so by November 10, 2016.
ContactMs. 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 Robert Yates, Multimodal Services Director, at [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 70257 

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