THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY 0. Summary ..................................................................................................................1 0.1. Background .....................................................................................................................1 0.2. Purpose and Need...........................................................................................................2 0.3. Methodology of Tier 1 Programmatic EIS, Environmental Streamlining..........................3 0.4. Alternatives Considered ..................................................................................................4 0.5. Environmental Effects......................................................................................................4 0.6. Evaluation of Alternatives ................................................................................................5 0.7. Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................................6 0.8. Coordination, Consultation, and Comments....................................................................6 0.9. Issues to be Resolved .....................................................................................................6 0.10. Tier 1 Decisions.............................................................................................................6 0.10.1. Agreement on further study in Tier 2 ................................................................................. 8 0.11. Draft PEIS Conclusions, Commitments, and Recommendations..................................9 1. Planning Context and Purpose and Need ........................................................... 10 1.1. Planning Context and Relevant Planning Results .........................................................10 1.1.1. Relation to FTA New Starts Process ................................................................................. 10 1.1.2. Prior Studies ...................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.3. Study Area Description...................................................................................................... 14 1.2. Purpose and Need for Transportation Improvements....................................................19 1.2.1. Transportation Demand..................................................................................................... 19 1.2.2. Federal, State, or Local Government Authority ................................................................. 44 1.2.3. Social Demands and Economic Development .................................................................. 45 1.3. Goals and Objectives ....................................................................................................61 2. Alternatives Considered ....................................................................................... 63 2.1. Screening and Scoping of Alternatives..........................................................................63 2.2. Alternatives Development..............................................................................................66 2.2.1. Alignments ......................................................................................................................... 66 2.2.2. Modal Technologies........................................................................................................... 66 2.2.3. Alternatives Considered but not Advanced in Tier 1 ......................................................... 69 2.2.4. Service Markets and Segments......................................................................................... 71 2.2.5. Service Segment 1 – West Palm Beach North.................................................................. 79 2.2.6. Service Segment 2 – North Palm Beach County............................................................... 81 2.2.7. Service Segment 3 – West Palm Beach South ................................................................. 83 2.2.8. Service Segment 4 – East Broward County ...................................................................... 85 2.2.9. Service Segment 5 – Fort Lauderdale-Miami.................................................................... 87 SFECCTA – Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement i 2.2.10. Service Segment 6 – Miami Northeast ............................................................................ 89 2.3. Definition of Alternatives................................................................................................91 2.3.1. No-Build (No Action) Alternative........................................................................................ 91 2.3.2. Transportation System Management (TSM)/Baseline Alternative .................................... 91 2.3.3. Build Alternatives ............................................................................................................... 92 2.3.4. Initial Station Suitability and Location Screening............................................................... 93 2.3.5. Land Use Suitability ...........................................................................................................96 2.4. Economic and Market Analysis ...................................................................................101 2.4.1. Key Findings ....................................................................................................................102 2.4.2. Operations & Maintenance Facilities ...............................................................................107 2.5. Cost Estimates ............................................................................................................108 2.5.1. Capital Costs....................................................................................................................108 2.5.2. Operating & Maintenance Costs......................................................................................113 2.6. Preliminary Assessment of Potential Funding Sources...............................................114 2.6.1. Public Sector Grants and Loans......................................................................................114 2.6.2. Federal.............................................................................................................................115 2.6.3. State.................................................................................................................................116 2.6.4. Constitutional and Home Rule Authority..........................................................................116 2.6.5. Local Option Taxes..........................................................................................................117 2.6.6. Private Sector Participation .............................................................................................118 2.6.7. Real Estate Related.........................................................................................................118 2.6.8. Ancillary Revenues ..........................................................................................................118 2.6.9. User Fees ........................................................................................................................119 2.6.10. Financial Analysis Process............................................................................................119 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences.............................. 124 3.1. Neighborhoods and Communities ...............................................................................126 3.1.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................................................126 3.1.2. Environmental Consequences.........................................................................................128 3.2. Land Use, Zoning, and Economic Development .........................................................131 3.2.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................................................131 3.2.2. Environmental Consequences.........................................................................................134 3.3. Land Acquisition, Displacements and Relocation of Existing Land Uses....................135 3.3.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................................................135 3.3.2. Environmental Consequences.........................................................................................138 3.4. Historic, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources........................................................140 3.4.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................................................140 SFECCTA – Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement ii 3.4.2. Environmental Consequences.........................................................................................141 3.5. Visual and Aesthetic Qualities .....................................................................................144 3.5.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................................................144 3.5.2. Environmental Consequences.........................................................................................144 3.6. Parklands and Recreation