Action
Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
Summary
FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that FRA will join the California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) in the preparation of a programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) and programmatic environmental impact report (EIR) for the California High- Speed Train System. FRA is also issuing this notice to solicit public and agency input into the development of the scope of the EIR/EIS and to advise the public that outreach activities conducted by the Authority and its representatives will be considered in the preparation of the EIR/EIS. Alternatives to be evaluated and analyzed in the Programmatic EIR/EIS include (1) take no action (No-Project or No- Build); (2) construction of a steel-wheel-on-steel-rail or Maglev high- speed train system and stations; and (3) modal alternatives that would include a combination of air, highway, and conventional passenger rail improvements. Possible environmental impacts include displacement of commercial and residential properties; disproportionate impacts to minority and low-income populations; community and neighborhood disruption; increased noise and electro-magnetic interference along rail corridors; traffic impacts associated with stations; effects to historic properties or archaeological sites; impacts to parks and recreation resources; visual quality effects; exposure to seismic and flood hazards; impacts to water resources, wetlands, and sensitive biological species and habitat; land use compatibility impacts; energy use; and impacts to agricultural lands.