Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 1998 / Notices 30559 document will be mailed to affected the scoping process will also be and hazardous materials will also be federal, state, and local agencies, and considered. analyzed. The impacts will be evaluated will be provided upon request to The purpose of the MIS/DEIS process both for the construction period and for interested parties on record. The draft is, in coordination with a regional the long-term period of operation. Scoping Document may also be obtained framework of transportation studies, to Impacts to the markets outside the core from John D. Dean, Project Manager, thoroughly examine the short and long study area and the access corridors will Metropolitan Transportation Authority, term needs and available options for also be examined where it is appropriate 347 Madison Avenue, New York, New improving transportation access to (i.e. traffic and parking near suburban York 10017 or downloaded from the Lower , and to identify a rail stations). Measures to mitigate project website preferred investment strategy that will significant adverse impacts will be [www.lowermanhattan.com]. Scoping address the study area’s transportation considered. comments may be made verbally at the needs in a cost-effective, equitable, and IV. FTA Procedures public scoping meetings, or in writing. publicly acceptable manner. This study See the DATES section above for will consider the findings, conclusions, In accordance with Federal Transit locations and times. During the scoping and recommendations of other recent Laws and FTA regulations and policies, phase of the project, comments should and contemporary regional the MIS/DEIS will include an evaluation focus on identifying specific social, transportation studies and data of the social, economic, and economic, or environmental impacts to gathering efforts, and closely coordinate environmental impacts of the be evaluated, and suggesting with these ongoing studies. alternatives. After its publication, the MIS/DEIS will be available for public alternatives that are less costly or less III. Alternatives environmentally damaging while and agency review and comment, and a achieving similar transit objectives. Current Alternatives proposed for public hearing will be held. On the basis Scoping is not the appropriate forum in evaluation include: (1) No-Build, which of the MIS/DEIS and the public and which to indicate a preference for a involves no change to transportation agency comments received, the MTA particular alternative. Anyone wishing services or facilities in the study area will select a locally preferred alternative to be placed on the mailing list to beyond already committed projects; (2) for a major investment strategy. The receive further information should The Transportation System Management locally preferred alternative will then be contact John D. Dean of the MTA as (TSM) alternative, which consists of presented to the Metropolitan Planning previously described. low-to-medium cost improvements that Organization (MPO) for affirmation and address both short and long term needs; inclusion into the Regional II. Description of Study Area and (3) High Quality Shuttle Service from Transportation Plan (RTP) and Project Need Grand Central Terminal and/or Jamaica Transportation Improvement Program The core study area is Lower Station to using (TIP). Manhattan south of the following newly constructed and/or existing rights Issued on: May 29, 1998. of way, such as the BMT Line streets: beginning at the Hudson River, Letitia Thompson, east along Chambers Street, north along or the LIRR Atlantic Branch; (4) New Subway Service including potential Regional Administrator, Federal Transit West Broadway, east along , Administration. south along St. James Place, and east construction of the Second A