Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed BNSF Cajon Subdivision Third Main Track Project Keenbrook to Summit, San Bernardino County, CA, 16296-16297 [06-3143]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
• Engineers Corps

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 62 (Friday, March 31, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16296-16297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3143]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed BNSF Cajon 
Subdivision Third Main Track Project Keenbrook to Summit, San 
Bernardino County, CA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District intends to prepare a joint 
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) to 
analyze the environmental effects of, and support the permit decision 
related to, the proposed construction of a third main track through a 
15.9 mile section of the Cajon Subdivision, between Keenbrook (the 
southerly entrance to Cajon Pass) and Summit. The third track would be 
constructed on either the east or the west side of the existing tracks, 
depending on constraints at any given location, and would parallel the 
western/northern track alignment (Main Track 1), between Cajon and 
Summit. The purpose of the EIS/EIR is to evaluate alternative 
approaches to increase sustainable daily capacity of train movement 
along the portion of the mainline through Cajon Pass to meet demand for 
freight movement for the present and the future. The benefits of the 
additional third main track include increasing operational flexibility, 
increasing operational efficiency, reducing severe congestion during 
peak travel periods, and allowing for sufficiently frequent movements 
of trains and goods through the Cajon Pass. Alternatives include the 
addition of a third main track adjacent to the existing BNSF Main 1 
through Cajon Pass with the installation of retaining walls and 
improvements to culverts and wildlife linkages; construction of a third 
main track within the existing BNSF right-of-way without 
environmentally sensitive design features; and the No Action/No Federal 
Action Alternative. The EIS/EIR will analyze the potential direct, 
indirect and cumulative impacts of the environmental range of 
alternatives, including the proposed project.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 1, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Susan A. Meyer, Senior Project Manager, Regulatory 
Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, P.O. Box 
532711, Los Angeles, CA 90053-2325.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan A. Meyer, (213) 452-3412; or 
e-mail: susan.a.meyer@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intends to 
prepare a joint EIS/EIR to assess the environmental effects associated 
with the proposed BNSF Cajon Subdivision Third Main Track project 
Keenbrook to Summit, San Bernardino County, CA. Pursuant to the 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the County of San 
Bernardino is the state lead agency for the EIR pursuant to the 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
    1. Project Description. The applicant, BNSF, now maintains two 
tracks that travel northerly from Keenbrook through Cajon Pass towards 
Barstow (Cajon Subdivision). The proposed third main track would be 
installed from Keenbrook to Summit, a distance of approximately 15.9 
miles. Presently, there are three main tracks at Keenbrook and south 
the BNSF rail yards in San Bernardino. There are three main tracks at 
Summit and north for approximately 14,671 feet, or 2.77 miles. The 
applicant, BNSF, proposes to install the new track from Keenbrook to 
Summit on a 15-foot center (15 feet from the center line of the 
existing track to the center line of the new track), except for 
alignments on bridges. At bridges, the centerline would be set 25 feet 
from the centerline of the adjacent track. Most of the new track would 
be installed on either side of the existing tracks, depending on the 
existing right-of-way (ROW) and topographic constraints. Crossover 
points would be installed at Keenbrook, Cajon, Alray, and Silverwood/
Summit. Most of the realignment would occur within the existing BNSF 
right-of-way on previously disturbed areas. The proposed project has 
been designed to minimize the footprint and minimize or avoid potential 
impacts to floodplains and wetlands, by using retaining wall structures 
along portions of the rail embankment.
    Most of the new track alignment would follow existing cleared areas 
and maintenance roads. A new access road would be built adjacent to the 
new track for maintenance activities and to protect the track against 
rock fall and erosion. Existing maintenance roads would be maintained 
in areas where construction does not impact the current road, 
reestablished adjacent to the new track in impacted areas where 
possible, or eliminated where topography limits the footprint.
    2. Corps Action. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received an 
application from BNSF for a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water 
Act. The proposed project includes activities (to widen existing 
culverts and some bridges), which are expected to result in the 
discharge of fill material into waters of the U.S. There are 
approximately 67 crossings subject to Section 404 jurisdiction included 
in the proposed project area. A number of these crossings are along 
Cajon Creek, which is a tributary to Lytle Creek, and which is a 
tributary to the Santa Ana River.
    3. Alternatives. Three alternatives including the ``No Action/No 
Federal Action'' are currently being considered. The alternatives 
initially being considered for the proposed project include:
    a. Alternative 1 (Environmental Optimal). Alternative 1 would be 
constructed from Summit (Milepost 55.82) to Keenbrook (Milepost 69.4), 
a distance of approximately 15.9 miles. BNSF is proposing to install 
the new track on a 15-foot center. The new track would be installed on 
either side of the existing Main Track 1 (west or east), depending upon 
the availability of the existing ROW and topographic constraints, 
including the 2.2% grade. Most of the realignment would occur within 
the existing BNSF ROW on previously disturbed areas. Retaining wall 
structures would be places in environmentally sensitive areas to reduce 
the footprint of disturbance to biological resources, including 
jurisdictional waters of the U.S. In addition, design features would be 
installed to enhance existing drainage structures for increased 
wildlife movement through existing linkages.
    b. Alternative 2 (Engineering Optimal). The Engineering Optimal 
alternative would be similar in configuration to Alternative 1. 
However, optimal rail engineering and design methods would be utilized 
that do not include the more extensive, complex, and environmentally 
sensitive design features that are proposed with Alternative 1. 
Construction of the Engineering Optimal alternative would be less 
expensive and less difficult to implement than the Proposed Project, 
but would increase impacts to wetlands, floodplains, and other 
sensitive environmental resources. Alternative 2

[[Page 16297]]

would not include improvements to drainage structures or wildlife 
linkages.
    c. Alternative 3 (No Action/No Federal Action). With the No Action/
No Federal Action alternative a new third main track through Cajon Pass 
would not be constructed and present railroad operations in the region 
would continue. The No Federal Action (i.e., no 404 permits issued) 
would require construction of a third main track that would avoid the 
discharge of fill material in approximately 67 jurisdictional 
waterways/drainages. However, the placement and design of the third 
main track is necessarily limited by the narrow width of the existing 
ROW. As well, the area available for new track is constrained by 
terrain, changes in elevation, and jurisdictional waterways, including 
floodplains and wetlands. Lands immediately outside the BNSF ROW are 
owned by the U.S. Government, under the management of the U.S. Forest 
Service. Because of these limiting conditions, neither the existing 
Main Track 1 nor the proposed third main track can avoid impacting the 
approximate 67 jurisdictional waterways/drainages throughout the length 
of the project area. Therefore, if no Federal action is taken (i.e., no 
Section 404 permit is issued), then the third main track could not be 
built in the Cajon Pass.
    4. Scoping. a. Potential impacts associated with the proposed 
action will be fully evaluated. Resource categories that will be 
analyzed are: Biology, air quality, hydrology, water quality, noise, 
vibration, cultural resources, paleontological resources, geology, land 
use, recreational resources, public services, hazards and hazardous 
materials, public health and safety, and socioeconomics (environmental 
justice).
    b. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not intend to hold a 
public scoping meeting for the EIS/EIR, however, scoping will be 
conducted prior to preparing an EIS/EIR to aid in the determination of 
significant environmental issues associated with the proposed project. 
The public, as well as Federal, State, and local agencies are 
encouraged to participate in the scoping process by submitting data, 
information, and comments identifying relevant environmental and 
socioeconomic issues to be addressed in the environmental analysis. 
Useful information includes other environmental studies, published and 
unpublished data, alternatives that could be addressed in the analysis, 
and potential mitigation measures associated with the proposed project.
    c. Individual and agencies may offer information or data relevant 
to the environmental or socioeconomic impacts by submitting comments, 
suggestions, and requests to be placed on the mailing list for 
announcements to (see ADDRESSES) or the following e-mail address: 
susan.a.meyer@usace.army.mil.
    5. Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR: The Draft EIS/EIR is 
scheduled to be published and circulated in July 2006. Pursuant to 
CEQA, a public hearing on the EIS/EIR will be held by the County of San 
Bernardino following its publication.

    Dated: March 23, 2006.
David J. Castanon,
Chief, Regulatory Branch.
[FR Doc. 06-3143 Filed 3-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-KF-M