NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Finding of No Significant Impact and Section 4(f) Determination Northern Lights Express Passenger Rail Project from Minneapolis to Duluth, Minnesota Counties: Hennepin, Anoka, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Carlton, and St. Louis of Minnesota and Douglas of Wisconsin January 2018 Northern Lights Express Passenger Rail Project from Minneapolis to Duluth, Minnesota Finding of No Significant Impact and Section 4(f) Determination Contents Contents 1. Background ...................................................................................... 1‐1 2. Statement of Purpose and Need ....................................................... 2‐1 2.1 Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 2‐1 2.2 Need ............................................................................................................................ 2‐1 3. Alternatives Evaluation .................................................................... 3‐1 3.1 No Build Alternative .................................................................................................... 3‐1 3.2 Build Alternative (Selected Alternative) ....................................................................... 3‐1 3.2.1 Track Infrastructure ................................................................................................ 3‐2 3.2.2 Stations ................................................................................................................... 3‐2 3.2.3 Maintenance and Layover Facilities ....................................................................... 3‐3 3.2.4 Bridges and Culverts ............................................................................................... 3‐4 3.2.5 Signal Systems ........................................................................................................ 3‐4 3.2.6 Roadways/Grade Crossings .................................................................................... 3‐4 3.3 Benefits of the Selected Alternative ............................................................................. 3‐5 4. Environmental Consequences and Mitigation ................................... 4‐1 4.1 Transportation ............................................................................................................. 4‐3 4.1.1 Freight and Passenger Rail Operations .................................................................. 4‐3 4.1.2 Transit ..................................................................................................................... 4‐4 4.1.3 Traffic Circulation in Station Communities ............................................................ 4‐5 4.1.4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities ............................................................................ 4‐5 4.1.5 Agency Finding ....................................................................................................... 4‐6 4.2 Right of Way ................................................................................................................ 4‐6 4.2.1 Summary of Impacts .............................................................................................. 4‐6 4.2.2 Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Commitments ....................................... 4‐7 | i | NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS Northern Lights Express Passenger Rail Project from Minneapolis to Duluth, Minnesota Finding of No Significant Impact and Section 4(f) Determination Contents 4.2.3 Agency Finding ....................................................................................................... 4‐7 4.3 Vegetation and Wildlife ............................................................................................... 4‐7 4.3.1 Native Prairie .......................................................................................................... 4‐7 4.3.2 Invasive Species ...................................................................................................... 4‐8 4.3.3 Wildlife Habitat ...................................................................................................... 4‐8 4.3.4 Animal Mortality and Movement........................................................................... 4‐9 4.3.5 Aquatic Habitats ................................................................................................... 4‐10 4.3.6 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐10 4.4 Threatened and Endangered Species ......................................................................... 4‐11 4.4.1 Summary of Impacts ............................................................................................ 4‐11 4.4.2 Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Commitments ..................................... 4‐12 4.4.3 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐13 4.5 Wetlands ................................................................................................................... 4‐14 4.5.1 Wetlands .............................................................................................................. 4‐14 4.5.2 MnDNR Public Waters .......................................................................................... 4‐15 4.5.3 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐16 4.6 Surface Water ............................................................................................................ 4‐17 4.6.1 Land Cover (Erosion and Sedimentation) ............................................................ 4‐17 4.6.2 Surface Waters ..................................................................................................... 4‐17 4.6.3 Floodplains ........................................................................................................... 4‐18 4.6.4 Shorelands ............................................................................................................ 4‐19 4.6.5 Coastal Zone Management Areas – Lake Superior .............................................. 4‐19 4.6.6 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐19 4.7 Groundwater ............................................................................................................. 4‐20 4.7.1 Wellhead Protection ............................................................................................ 4‐20 4.7.2 Shallow Groundwater .......................................................................................... 4‐20 4.7.3 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐21 4.8 Air Quality ................................................................................................................. 4‐21 | ii | NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS Northern Lights Express Passenger Rail Project from Minneapolis to Duluth, Minnesota Finding of No Significant Impact and Section 4(f) Determination Contents 4.8.2 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐22 4.9 Noise and Vibration ................................................................................................... 4‐22 4.9.2 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐26 4.10 Contaminated Properties and Regulated Waste ........................................................ 4‐26 4.10.1 Summary of Impacts ............................................................................................ 4‐26 4.10.2 Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Commitments ..................................... 4‐27 4.10.3 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐28 4.11 Cultural Resources ..................................................................................................... 4‐28 4.11.1 Summary of Impacts ............................................................................................ 4‐28 4.11.2 Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Commitments ..................................... 4‐29 4.11.3 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐29 4.12 Farmland and Soils ..................................................................................................... 4‐30 4.12.1 Farmland .............................................................................................................. 4‐30 4.12.2 Soils ...................................................................................................................... 4‐30 4.12.3 Agency Finding ..................................................................................................... 4‐30 4.13 Parks and Recreation Areas ....................................................................................... 4‐31 4.13.1 Parks and Recreation Areas ................................................................................. 4‐31 4.13.2 Trails ..................................................................................................................... 4‐31 4.13.3 Agency Finding ....................................................................................................