TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Title Page TABLE OF CONTENTS...........................................................................i LIST OF TABLES....................................................................................iv LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................iv 1.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ..................................1-1 1.1 Introduction..................................................................................1-1 1.2 Proposed Improvements...............................................................1-6 1.3 References.................................................................................. 1-10 2.0 NEED.......................................................................................................2-1 2.1 Goals and Objectives ...................................................................2-1 2.2 Purpose and Need ........................................................................2-3 2.2.1 Regional Connectivity .....................................................2-3 2.2.2 Plan Consistency..............................................................2-4 2.2.3 Future Population and Employment Growth in area .......2-4 2.2.4 Future Traffic/Travel Demand.........................................2-5 2.2.5 Safety ...............................................................................2-5 2.2.6 Access to Intermodal Facilities and Freight Activity Centers .............................................................................2-6 2.2.7 Bikeways and Sidewalks..................................................2-6 2.3 References....................................................................................2-7 3.0 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ....3-1 3.1 Site Design Criteria......................................................................3-1 3.2 Site Analysis and Selection..........................................................3-1 3.2.1 Feasibility Study Process .................................................3-1 3.2.2 PD&E Study Process .......................................................3-3 3.3 Travel Demand Analysis..............................................................3-3 3.4 No-Build Alternative ...................................................................3-4 3.5 Build Alternatives........................................................................3-4 3.5.1 Proposed Concept Plans...................................................3-5 3.6 Cost Estimates..............................................................................3-7 3.7 References....................................................................................3-9 4.0 IMPACTS ................................................................................................4-1 4.1 Social Impacts..............................................................................4-1 4.1.1 Land Use..........................................................................4-1 4.1.2 Plan Consistency..............................................................4-6 4.1.3 Community Cohesion......................................................4-6 i Tampa Bay Intermodal PD&E Study Environmental Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.) Section Title Page 4.1.4 Relocation Potential.........................................................4-6 4.1.5 Community Services........................................................4-8 4.1.6 Environmental Justice and Titles VI And VIII Considerations..................................................................4-9 4.1.7 Controversy Potential..................................................... 4-10 4.1.8 Pedestrian/Bicycle Facilities.......................................... 4-11 4.1.9 Visual/Aesthetics ........................................................... 4-11 4.1.10 Utilities and Railroads.................................................... 4-11 4.1.11 Social and Economic Impacts........................................ 4-12 4.1.12 Safety and Security ........................................................ 4-13 4.1.13 Secondary and Cumulative Effects................................ 4-13 4.2 Cultural Impacts......................................................................... 4-13 4.2.1 Historical and Archaeological Resources ...................... 4-13 4.2.2 Section 106.....................................................................4-15 4.2.3 Recreation Areas............................................................ 4-15 4.2.4 Section 4(f)..................................................................... 4-15 4.3 Natural Impacts.......................................................................... 4-16 4.3.1 Wetlands ........................................................................ 4-16 4.3.2 Aquatic Preserves........................................................... 4-17 4.3.3 Water Quality................................................................. 4-17 4.3.4 Outstanding Florida Waters ........................................... 4-17 4.3.5 Wild and Scenic Rivers.................................................. 4-17 4.3.6 Floodplains..................................................................... 4-18 4.3.7 Coastal Zone Consistency.............................................. 4-18 4.3.8 Wildlife and Habitat....................................................... 4-18 4.3.9 Farmlands....................................................................... 4-20 4.4 Physical Impacts ........................................................................ 4-20 4.4.1 Air Quality ..................................................................... 4-20 4.4.2 Noise .............................................................................. 4-21 4.4.3 Contamination................................................................ 4-22 4.4.4 Energy Requirements and Potential for Conservation... 4-24 4.4.5 Traffic Impacts............................................................... 4-24 4.4.6 Construction................................................................... 4-26 4.5 Summary.................................................................................... 4-26 4.6 References.................................................................................. 4-28 5.0 LIST OF AGENCIES AND PERSONS CONTACTED.........................5-1 5.1 Advance Notification...................................................................5-1 5.1.1 Agencies on Mailing List.................................................5-1 5.1.2 Summary of Comments and Responses...........................5-3 5.2 Elected Officials Kick-Off Notification.......................................5-3 ii Tampa Bay Intermodal PD&E Study Environmental Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.) Section Title Page 5.3 Coordination and Consultation ....................................................5-4 5.3.1 Federal Transit Administration-Lead Federal Agency ....5-4 5.3.2 Executive Transportation Team Meetings.......................5-5 5.3.3 Local Agency Meetings ...................................................5-5 5.3.4 Environmental Technical Advisory Team.......................5-7 5.4 Community Information Meetings ..............................................5-8 5.4.1 Public Notification...........................................................5-8 5.4.2 Summary of Community Information Meetings..............5-8 5.5 Public Hearing .............................................................................5-9 5.5.1 Public Notification...........................................................5-9 5.5.2 Document Availability.....................................................5-9 5.5.3 Public Hearing Proceedings.............................................5-9 5.5.4 Summary of Public Hearings......................................... 5-10 5.6 Local Civic Organization Meetings ........................................... 5-11 5.7 Other Public Outreach Activities............................................... 5-11 5.7.1 Website .......................................................................... 5-11 5.7.2 Distribution of Project Brochures .................................. 5-11 5.7.3 Miscellaneous Coordination .......................................... 5-12 5.8 References.................................................................................. 5-12 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMITMENTS ................................6-1 6.1 Recommendations........................................................................6-1 6.2 Commitments...............................................................................6-1 6.3 References....................................................................................6-3 APPENDIX A: Proposed Concept Plans iii Tampa Bay Intermodal PD&E Study Environmental Assessment LIST OF TABLES Table Number Title Page 3-1 Project Cost Summary Matrix .................................................................3-8 4-1 Impacts of the Proposed Sites................................................................ 4-27 5-1 Local Agency Meetings ...........................................................................5-6 5-2 Local Civic Organization Meetings ....................................................... 5-11 5-3 Other Public Outreach Efforts ............................................................... 5-12 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Number Title Page 1-1 Project Location Map...............................................................................1-2