ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE PORTLAND NORTH PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE EXTENSION PROJECT PORTLAND TO BRUNSWICK CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE PIN 09503.20 ME-90-X134 Prepared Pursuant to 23 CFR 771 and 23 USC 138 by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration and Maine Department of Transportation Jonathan McDade Date Judith Lindsey Division Administrator Bureau of Planning Federal Highway Administration Maine Department of Transportation Room 614 16 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04330 Augusta, Maine 04333-0016 (207) 622-8350 (207) 624-3300 Richard H. Doyle Date Regional Administrator Federal Transit Administration 55 Broadway, Suite 920 Cambridge, MA 02142-1093 (617) 494-2055 Comments on this Environmental Assessment are due by _____________________ and may be sent to the addresses above. Portland North Passenger Rail Service Extension Project Maine Department of Transportation PIN 09503.20 Environmental Assessment November 2004 Draft November 2004 Contents Tables................................................................................................................ iv Figures ............................................................................................................... v 1. Purpose and Need.................................1-Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.1 Project History .................................... 1-Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.2 Project Area ........................................ 1-Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.3 Project Purpose and Need.................. 1-Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4 Scope of this Environmental Analysis. 1-Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.5 Potential Permits................................. 1-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2. Alternatives............................................2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.1 Sensible Transportation Policy Act Analysis2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.2 No-Action Alternative .......................... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.3 Non-Build Alternatives ........................ 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.3.1 Bus Alternative........................ 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.3.2 TSM and TDM Alternatives..... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.4 Corridor Alternative Analysis.............. 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.4.1 Overview of Corridor Alternatives Analysis2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.4.2 Corridor Alternatives ............... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5 Elements of the Preferred Alternative. 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.1 Proposed Portland Wye.......... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.2 Park Avenue Bridge................ 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.3 Relocated Union Branch Alignment2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.4 Back Cove Bridge ................... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.5 Royal River Bridge.................. 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.6 Yarmouth Wye ........................ 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.7 Freeport Platform.................... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.8 Brunswick Layover Facility...... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.9 Brunswick Platform ................. 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5.10 Track Rehabilitation ................ 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.6 Potential Future Associated Actions ... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.7 Summary of Predicted Effects ............ 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.8 Description of the Preferred Alternative2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.8.1 Proposed Operation................ 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.9 Proposed Business Plan..................... 2-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3. Affected Environment .........................3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.1 Physical and Biological Environment.. 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.1.1 Surface Water Quality............. 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. i Portland North Passenger Rail Service Extension Project Maine Department of Transportation PIN 09503.20 Environmental Assessment November 2004 Draft November 2004 3.1.2 Water Bodies and Waterways. 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.1.3 Wetlands................................. 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.1.4 Coastal Fisheries .................... 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.2 Rail Transportation ............................. 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.2.1 Passenger Rail ....................... 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.2.2 Freight Rail ............................. 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3 Social Environment............................. 3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3.1 Land Use, Zoning, and Property3-Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3.2 Communities and NeighborhoodsError! Bookmark not defined. 3.3.3 Minorities and Disadvantaged PopulationsError! Bookmark not defined. 3.3.4 Cultural Resources .................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3.5 Park and Recreational Lands .... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4 Atmospheric Environment...................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4.1 Air Quality .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4.2 Noise.......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4.3 Vibration..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 4. Environmental Consequences and Mitigation4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.1 Physical and Biological Environment.. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.1.1 Surface Water Quality............. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.1.2 Water Bodies and Waterways. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.1.3 Wetlands................................. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.1.4 Coastal Fisheries .................... 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.2 Rail Transportation ............................. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.2.1 Passenger Rail ....................... 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.2.2 Freight Rail ............................. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.3 Social Environment............................. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.3.1 Land Use, Zoning, and Property4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.3.2 Communities and Neighborhoods4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.3.3 Minorities and Disadvantaged Populations4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.3.4 Cultural Resources ................. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.3.5 Public Parks and Recreation Lands4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.4 Atmospheric Environment................... 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.4.1 Air Quality ............................... 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.4.2 Noise....................................... 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.4.3 Vibration.................................. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.5 Temporary Construction Impacts........ 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.6 Secondary and Cumulative Impacts ... 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.6.1 Secondary Impacts ................. 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.6.2 Cumulative Impacts ................ 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.7 Summary of Study Commitments ....... 4-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5. Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation Replacement of the Park Avenue and Royal River Bridges5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.1 Proposed Action ................................. 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. ii Portland North Passenger Rail Service Extension Project Maine Department of Transportation PIN 09503.20 Environmental Assessment November 2004 Draft November 2004 5.2 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.3 Section 4(f) Resources ....................... 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.3.1 Park Avenue Bridge................ 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.3.2 Royal River Bridge.................. 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.4 Alternatives to Avoid Section 4(f) Resources5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.4.1 No Action Alternative .............. 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.4.2 Bus Alternative........................ 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.4.3 TDM/TSM Alternative.............. 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.4.4 Guilford Freight Main Line Corridor Alternative5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.5 Alternatives to Minimize Impacts ........ 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.5.1 Park Avenue Bridge................ 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.5.2 Royal River Bridge.................. 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.6 Measures to Minimize Harm ............... 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.7 Coordination ....................................... 5-Error! Bookmark not defined. 6. Coordination and Consultation .........6-Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.1 Federal, State, and Local Agency Coordination6-Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.1.1 Scoping................................... 6-Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.1.2 Interagency Coordination........ 6-Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.2 Public Involvement.............................. 6-Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.2.1 Public Information Meetings ... 6-Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.2.2 Coordination with Communities and Organizations6-Error! Bookmark not defined. 7. Preparers.................................................7-Error! Bookmark not defined. 8. Recipients...............................................8-Error! Bookmark not defined. 8.1 Federal Agencies................................ 8-Error! Bookmark not defined. 8.2 State Agencies.................................... 8-Error! Bookmark not defined. 8.3 Elected Officials .................................. 8-Error! Bookmark not defined. 8.4 Regional Agencies.............................. 8-Error! Bookmark not defined. 8.5 Local Communities