Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 18, 2013 / Notices 57447

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION and Tracy, from July 22 to will address the ACEforward Program. If July 30, 2013. The program’s purpose the ultimate-build concept is to be Federal Railroad Administration and need and the description of implemented in the future, it would be alternatives under consideration for the the subject of a separate environmental Environmental Impact Statement for proposed action were presented at these review process. the ACEforward Program From meetings. Scoping materials and As of June 2013, the SJRRC is now Merced, Modesto and Stockton to San information concerning the scoping advancing the ACEforward Program. Jose, California meetings is available through the ACEforward is consistent with the Metropolitan Transportation AGENCY: Federal Railroad SJRRC’s Internet site: http:// Administration (FRA) U.S. Department www.acerail.com/About/Public- Commission Bay Area Regional Rail of Transportation (DOT). Projects/ACEforward. Plan, which identified the Altamont ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Corridor as a key future northern ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an California regional rail route. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). scope of the ACEforward Program EIR/ EIS, including the program’s purpose ACEforward will build upon the Bay SUMMARY: FRA is issuing this notice to and need, the alternatives to be Area Regional Rail Plan and the prior advise other agencies and the public considered, the impacts to be evaluated planning for the ACRP. ACEforward is that FRA and the San Joaquin Regional and the methodologies to be used in the also consistent with the CHSRA 2012 Rail Commission (SJRRC) will jointly evaluations, should be provided to the Business Plan in relation to providing prepare an Environmental Impact FRA and/or SJRRC within thirty (30) an opportunity to connect existing Statement (EIS) and Environmental days of the publication of this notice. intercity and services to Impact Report (EIR) for the Altamont Written comments may be sent to Mr. future HST service. Corridor Express (ACE) program also Dan Leavitt, Manager of Regional Purpose and Need of the Proposed known as the ACEforward Program in Initiatives, ATTN: ACEforward Program Program compliance with the National EIR/EIS, 949 East Channel Street, The purpose of the ACEforward Environmental Policy Act of 1969 Stockton, CA 95202, or via email with Program is to implement a suite of (NEPA) and the California the Subject Line ‘‘ACEforward Program improvements to reduce travel time, Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). EIR/EIS’’ to: [email protected]. increase service reliability and The EIS will analyze potential Comments may also be sent to Ms. flexibility, improve passenger facilities impacts of the proposed action of Stephanie Perez, Environmental and extend the ACE rail system to improving and expanding existing Protection Specialist, Office of Railroad downtown Modesto and downtown corridor rail service between Stockton Policy and Development, Federal Merced. and San Jose, California and extending Railroad Administration, 1200 New The need for the ACEforward Program new rail service to Modesto and Merced, Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC is to enhance intercity rail services in California. FRA has responsibility for 20590, telephone (202) 493–0388. the northern San Joaquin Valley of the overseeing the safety of railroad SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ACE corridor connecting the Southern operations and may need to take certain Bay area with the Tri-Valley and the San Past Planning Efforts regulatory action prior to operation of Joaquin Valley. This need stems from the new or expanded service. FRA is SJRRC and the California High Speed the social and economic ties and travel authorized to provide Federal funding Rail Authority (CHSRA) conducted demand that bind together the Northern for intercity passenger rail capital planning for the Altamont Corridor Rail San Joaquin Valley, the Tri-Valley and investments and may provide financial Project (ACRP) from 2009 to 2012 to the Southern Bay area, as well as high assistance for the program, including develop a dedicated regional rail levels of existing and anticipated grant funding. FRA will serve as the corridor from Stockton and Modesto to growth, travel demand, and congestion federal lead agency for the preparation San Jose through the . that will likely cause environmental of the EIS. SJRRC will serve as the state This planning for commuter and degradation and higher safety risks, if lead agency for the preparation of the intercity passenger rail service to not addressed. This need cannot be met EIR. The Federal Transit Administration accommodate electric powered by the existing ACE service or (FTA) has responsibility for providing passenger trains. The ACRP would infrastructure, which has significant Federal funding for intra-city commuter service regional transportation needs operating limitations, such as limited rail capital investments and has funded and would provide an opportunity to capacity single track for much of the improvements in this corridor in the link to the planned California High route, slow average operating speeds, past, including intermodal stations and Speed Train (HST) system. service limitations, and lack of existing park-and-ride lots. Since FTA maintains The ultimate-build concept of the service to Modesto and Merced. an interest in transportation ACRP included a grade-separated, An expanded and improved ACE improvements in the corridor, it will be independently-owned right of way for would provide an alternative to a cooperating agency in accordance with electrified service from Stockton to San automobile transportation that would 40 CFR 1501.6. Jose. While the ultimate-build concept help lower greenhouse gas emissions, FRA is publishing this notice to of the ACRP remains a long-term improve air quality, and further regional solicit public and agency input into the potential, SJRRC has identified shorter land use and transportation planning development of the scope of the EIS and term goals to modernize the existing goals under Senate Bill (SB) 375 and to advise the public that outreach ACE service that would provide faster other local, regional, and state activities conducted by the FRA, SJRRC intercity and commuter train service sustainability initiatives. In addition to and their representatives will be and a connector link between Stockton, the environmental and mobility benefits considered in the preparation of the Merced, and San Jose as early as within of expanded intercity rail service with EIR/EIS. the next 10 years. The ACEforward downtown stations, an improved ACE DATES: Public scoping meetings were Program includes a new suite of would provide a catalyst for smart advertised locally and held in Santa improvements developed by SJRRC to growth in communities by revitalizing Clara, Fremont, Modesto, Livermore, deliver those present goals. The EIR/EIS city core areas and addressing traffic

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congestion issues in the cities of the identification and disclosure of related term improvements at a project level of northern Central Valley. The extensions environmental impacts. Improvements detail: to Modesto and Merced, while servicing analyzed at a Tier-1 level of review • Service expansion to Modesto by as existing intercity transportation needs, would subsequently be reviewed at a early as 2018: will also provide future opportunities to Tier-2 level before they can be approved Æ Service would be expanded using link to the expanding HST system. and constructed at a project level. The existing UPRR track, new track built SJRRC, along with other rail EIS/EIR for ACEforward will include within the UPRR ROW, new track providers, has partnered with the Union both a Tier-1 and Tier-2 analysis as outside the UPRR ROW, or some Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) in a discussed below. combination thereof. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Æ Potential new crossing of the to identify improvements needed to Programmatic (Tier-1) Analysis Stanislaus River increase ACE service, which are The analysis will describe impacts at Æ Up to six daily round trips included in the ACEforward Program. a conceptual level of detail focused on Æ New stations at downtown Manteca UPRR has agreed to validate previously the selection of corridors for new and downtown Modesto identified improvements associated service and general environmental • Improvements necessary to increase with the near-term increase of daily impacts associated with that selection. service between Stockton and San Jose round-trips as well as study additional The EIR/EIS will programmatically to 6 daily round trips by as early as improvements that may be required to analyze the following: 2018, including the following: Æ support further service expansion. • Stockton to San Jose Improvements Upgrade of the track and structures along the former Southern Pacific line Proposed Program Æ Increase of service to 10 trains or more in the future, including corridor through to accommodate ACEforward is a phased improvement improvements necessary to support freight traffic program to reduce travel time and Æ such increases. This will include New connections to the former improve service reliability and analysis of potential pinch points Southern Pacific line at Niles Junction passenger facilities along the existing identified by UPRR in Niles Canyon, and at Hearst Stockton to San Jose corridor, and to Æ between Newark and Alviso, and Upgrading of sidings (‘‘Radum’’ extend ACE rail service to Modesto and between Santa Clara and San Jose. siding in Livermore/Pleasanton and to Merced. This program would provide Æ Potential shift in service to a new Altamont and Midway sidings in the the foundation for the long term plan for Altamont Hills; ‘‘Wyche’’ siding in SJRRC intercity passenger rail services. passenger route along UPRR through downtown Tracy. This improvement Lathrop/Manteca). The program would improve the Æ New connection between the would allow for a downtown Tracy existing ACE service managed by SJRRC Oakland subdivision and the Fresno station with improved transit by delivering safety and operational subdivision in Lathrop/Manteca area connections and close to urban infill/ improvements that enable expansion of The EIR/EIS may also analyze the mixed use development in the City. service to six daily round trips between following operational and safety Æ Potential new stations at River Stockton and San Jose and extending improvements at the project level: ACE service to Modesto, which could Islands in Lathrop and downtown • Grade-crossing improvements at occur as early as 2018. Following that, Tracy. A new station in Lathrop would existing at-grade crossings (four the program would extend ACE service allow for increased ridership potential. quadrant gates, signals, etc.) to Merced and service frequency from Relocation of the would • Grade-separations at several high- Stockton to San Jose would increase to allow the benefits noted above. Æ priority locations between Stockton and 10 or more daily round trips, perhaps as Potential improved connection to San Jose soon as 2022. (BART) service • Improvements within the existing The ACEforward EIR/EIS will include in the Tri-Valley area that would right of way at Niles Junction in development of preliminary engineering increase connectivity. Fremont/Union City and at the Hearst • designs and assessment of New extension to Merced siding in Pleasanton Æ environmental effects associated with Expansion of service to Merced • Addition of a parking structure at the construction, operation, and using existing UPRR track, new track the maintenance of rail improvements, built within the UPRR right-of-way, new including new track corridors, track outside the UPRR right-of-way, or Alternatives additional track, track realignments, some combination thereof. The EIR/EIS will consider a range of ancillary facilities, new stations, and Æ Up to 10 or more daily round trip reasonable and feasible alternatives that station improvements along the trains and new downtown stations in meet the purpose and need. The EIR/EIS Altamont Corridor. Turlock and Merced. Additional will also consider a No Action or No The FRA and SJRRC will use a tiered connections and stations would increase Project alternative as required under process for the environmental review, as ridership and allow greater NEPA and CEQA. FRA and SJRRC will provided for in 40 CFR 1508.28 and in opportunities for alternatives to vehicle consider scoping comments and accordance with FRA Guidance. Tiering travel for San Joaquin Valley residents. potential environmental impacts in is a staged environmental review • The programmatic analysis will also determining the reasonable alternatives process. Tier-1 (or programmatic) address all project elements included in to be considered in the EIR/EIS. analysis comprehensively reviews the the project level or Tier-2 Analysis as Conceptual alternatives for meeting the environmental, impacts of a program of described below. purpose and need are described below. improvements at a broad conceptual level of analysis including cumulative Project Level (Tier-2) Analysis No Action Alternative impacts. Tier-2 (or project) analysis is Component projects identified for The No Action (No Project or No conducted for specific improvements Tier-2 analysis will also be included in Build) alternative serves as the baseline that are sufficiently designed to allow the evaluation at the Tier-1 level. The for assessment of alternatives. The No for a detailed analysis of site-specific EIR/EIS will assess the environmental Action alternative represents the compenent projects and alternatives and effects of at least the following near- region’s transportation system (highway,

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air, and conventional rail) as it exists at displacements, and relocations; cultural FRA and SJRRC of the applicable permit the time of the EIR/EIS preparation, and resource impacts, including impacts on and environmental review requirements as it would exist in the future without historical and archaeological resources of each agency, and the scope and completion of the improvements and parklands/recreation areas; content of the environmental included in the program description. community disruption and information that is germane to the The No Action alternative defines the environmental justice; natural resource agency’s statutory responsibilities in existing and future intercity impacts including air quality, wetlands, connection with the proposed program. transportation system for the Altamont water resources, noise, vibration, Agencies are requested to advise the Corridor and Northern San Joaquin energy, wildlife and ecosystems, FRA if they anticipate taking a major Valley based on programmed and including endangered species and action in connection with the proposed funded improvements to the intercity temporary construction impacts. program and if they wish to cooperate transportation system, according to the FRA will comply with all applicable in the preparation of the EIR/EIS. following sources of information: The Federal environmental laws, regulations Issued in Washington, DC, on September State Transportation Improvement and executive orders during the 13, 2013. Program, Regional Transportation Plans environmental review process. These Renee Cooper, requirements include, but are not for all modes of travel, airport plans, Staff Director, Office of Passenger and Freight and intercity passenger rail plans. limited to, the regulations of the CEQ Programs. implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts [FR Doc. 2013–22598 Filed 9–17–13; 8:45 am] Independent Right of Way Alternative 1500–1508), State CEQA Guidelines (14 Independent right of way adjacent to California Code of Regulations BILLING CODE 4910–06–P the UPRR right of way that would seek 15168(b)), and FRA’s Procedures for to maximize the provision of a separate Considering Environmental Impacts (64 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION right of way for future ACE service will FR 28545, May 26, 1999), project-level be considered in specific locations air quality conformity regulation of the Federal Railroad Administration including between Manteca and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Merced, and possibly over the Altamont (EPA) (40 CFR part 93(b)), Section Notice Rescinding a Notice of Intent To Pass. This alternative would reduce the 404(b)(1) guidelines of EPA (40 CFR part Prepare a Programmatic potential for scheduling and other 230), Executive Orders 11988, 11990 Environmental Impact Statement: High constraints from operating on shared and 12898 regarding floodplains, Speed Rail Corridor Las Vegas, tracks with freight operations. wetlands, and environmental justice, Nevada to Anaheim, California respectively, Section 106 of the National Shared Corridor Alternative Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR part AGENCY: Federal Railroad A second alternative that may be 800), Section 7 of the Endangered Administration (FRA), U.S. Department considered would be provision of a Species Act (50 CFR part 402), and of Transportation (DOT). dedicated passenger track within the Section 4(f) of the Department of ACTION: Notice rescinding intent to existing railroad right-of-way. Such a Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 303). prepare an Environmental Impact track could be utilized by passenger Measures to avoid, minimize, and Statement (EIS). trains or by freight trains, but would be mitigate all adverse impacts will be SUMMARY: The Federal Railroad developed primarily for passenger identified and evaluated. Administration (FRA) is issuing this The FRA and the SJRRC will assess traffic use. notice to advise the public that FRA is the site characteristics, size, nature, and rescinding the Notice of Intent (NOI) to Other Potential Alternatives timing of the improvements to prepare a programmatic environmental Other alternatives that could be determine whether the impacts are impact statement (PEIS) for the considered could vary proposed potentially significant and whether California-Nevada Interstate Maglev program elements. Such variations impacts can be avoided or mitigated. could include: (1) Other station The EIR/EIS will identify and evaluate Project in cooperation with the project locations as they arise through the reasonable and feasible alternatives, sponsor, the Nevada Department of project scoping process; (2) continued evaluate the impacts from construction, Transportation. FRA published the use of the existing route to the south of operation, and maintenance, and original NOI in the Federal Register on Tracy instead of a downtown alignment; identify mitigation measures. May 20, 2004. This rescission is due to (3) track variations, such as an elevated Information and documents regarding inactivity of this PEIS process for more or sub-grade track instead of an at-grade the ACEforward environmental review than five years. section; and (4) other variations in process will be made available through FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. alignment, track improvements, service the SJRRC’s Internet site: http:// Stephanie Perez-Arrieta, Environmental levels, and stations. www.acerail.com/sjrrc/ Protection Specialist, Federal Railroad capitalprojects.aspx. Administration, 1200 New Jersey The EIS Process and the Role of Avenue Southeast, (Mail Stop 20), Participating Agencies and the Public Scoping and Comments Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) The purpose of the EIR/EIS process is FRA encourages broad participation 493–0388. to assess the potentially significant in the EIS process during scoping and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the effects of implementing the proposed review of the resulting environmental 1990s and 2000s, the California-Nevada action on the physical, human, and document. Comments are invited from Super Speed Train Commission natural environment. Areas of all interested agencies, Native American (CNSSTC), a public agency chartered investigation will be developed during Tribes and the public to ensure the full within the State of Nevada, conducted the scoping process and may include, range of issues related to the proposed Federally sponsored studies to examine but not be limited to, transportation action and all reasonable alternatives the feasibility and the environmental impacts; safety and security; land use are addressed and that all significant impacts of linking the Las Vegas area and zoning; indirect and cumulative issues are identified. Public agencies with various points in the Los Angeles impacts; land acquisition, with jurisdiction are requested to advise region using a magnetic levitation

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