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 Department of Transportation (Department) in the preparation of a program level environmental impact statement (EIS) and program environmental impact report (EIR) for passenger rail improvements to the Los Angeles to San Diego (LOSSAN) rail corridor. 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 Department and its representatives will be considered in the preparation of the EIR/EIS. Alternatives to be evaluated and analyzed in the Program EIR/EIS include (1) take no action (No-Project or No-Build); (2) construction of passenger rail improvements in the LOSSAN rail corridor; and (3) modal alternatives that would include a combination of air and highway 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 along the rail corridor or at airports and along highways; traffic impacts associated with stations or airports; 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.