Chicago to Iowa City Intercity Passenger Rail Service Project
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
The Illinois Department of Transportation (DOT) and Iowa DOT have evaluated alternatives for the reestablishment of passenger rail service between Chicago, Illinois, and Iowa City, Iowa (the Project), which is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI) . The DOTs, in conjunction with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), have determined that this part of the MWRRI will comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq. and the FRAs Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts (64 FR 28545) through two tiers of analysis: first, a Tier 1 Service Level analysis, and subsequently, Tier 2 Project Level analysis.
On November 16, 2011, based on the information presented in the Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment (EA) and Supplement to the Tier 1 Service Level EA, the FRA Administrator signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). As a result, all Federal environmental requirements have been satisfied for this project.