Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project in the Portland, OR Metropolitan Area, 20741-20743 [E8-8189]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 16, 2008 / Notices
Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of any written
communications and comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (Volume
65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78).
Issued in Washington, DC on April 9, 2008.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E8–8103 Filed 4–15–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Safety Advisory 2008–01
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory;
damage to intermediate air hose elbow
connection on certain freight cars
equipped with end-of-car cushion
devices.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: FRA’s Office of Safety
Assurance and Compliance Motive
Power and Equipment (MP&E) Division
has been notified that certain freight
cars equipped with end-of-car
cushioning (EOCC) devices may have
damage to a 90-degree elbow connected
to the trainline angle cock.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Blankenship, Mechanical Engineer,
MP&E Division (RRS–14); FRA Office of
Safety Assurance and Compliance, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC 20590, telephone: (202) 493–6446.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On newly
constructed freight cars, the air brake
trainline must pass the Association of
American Railroads (AAR) Standard S–
471, Brake Pipe Restriction Test. This
requirement is used to verify the clear
and open path of air to adequately
operate the train air brake system. The
Brake Pipe Restriction Test requires that
a 1-inch round nylon ball be transmitted
through the trainline under air pressure
of 80 psi.
The intermediate air hose
arrangement, as shown in Rule 4, Figure
22 of the Field Manual of the AAR
Interchange Rules, shows a 90-degree
swivel elbow connected to the angle
cock. The intermediate air hose (located
between the angle cock and the standard
air brake hose) has this 90-degree elbow
attached to the air hose end of the angle
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:19 Apr 15, 2008
Jkt 214001
cock. When cars are uncoupled while
charged with air, the glad hand on the
standard air brake hose can (if not
properly restrained) whip back and
strike the 90-degree elbow. The violent
impact of the glad hand striking this
elbow causes the elbow to bend or
flatten and subsequently restrict the air
flow. This bending or flattening of the
90-degree elbow, if uncorrected, can
cause sticking brakes, wheel tread
buildup, and diminished capacity of the
train air brake system. Freight cars with
bent or flattened 90-degree elbows are in
violation of Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) section 232.205(c)(3),
which states in part, ‘‘air hoses shall be
properly coupled and shall not kink,
bind, or foul or be in any other
condition that restricts air flow.’’
FRA has found damage to the
intermediate air hose arrangement 90degree elbow on ATSF 621000–, ATSF
622000–, and BNSF 534000-series cars
owned by BNSF Railway (BNSF). BNSF
has implemented an aggressive program
to address this issue on cars in their
ownership by fleet inspection and repair
of cars found with damage to the 90degree elbow.
Additional cars that have been
observed with this type of defect
include LW 42000-series box cars and
TBOX 660000-series box cars.
Recommended Action: Recognizing
the need to ensure safety, FRA
recommends that railroads and car
owners that operate freight cars
equipped with EOCC devices having
intermediate air hoses with 90-degree
elbows subject to the damage described
above initiate an inspection and repair
program to ensure cars are maintained
in accordance with AAR Interchange
Rule 4, Figure 22, and that the trainline
is not obstructed or restricted.
FRA may modify this Safety Advisory
2008–01, issue additional safety
advisories, or take other appropriate
action necessary to ensure the highest
level of safety on the Nation’s railroads.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 9,
2008.
Jo Strang,
Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. E8–8104 Filed 4–15–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
PO 00000
Frm 00134
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
20741
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Intent To Prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement for the Lake Oswego
to Portland Transit Project in the
Portland, OR Metropolitan Area
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) and Metro (the
regional government that serves the 25
cities and three counties of the Portland,
Oregon metropolitan area), in
cooperation with the cities of Lake
Oswego and Portland, Clackamas and
Multnomah counties; Oregon
Department of Transportation (ODOT)
and the Tri-County Metropolitan
Transportation District of Oregon
(TriMet), will prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the
benefits and impacts of proposed transit
improvements. Three alternatives are
proposed: (1) A No-Build alternative
that includes everything in the Metro
Regional Transportation Plan, not
including the proposed project, and
with a continuation of present day bus
service policies in place of the project;
(2) a streetcar alternative that would
extend the existing Portland Streetcar
system approximately 1.2 miles to a
short terminus in Johns Landing, or 5.7
miles to a terminus in downtown Lake
Oswego, with connecting bus service in
the corridor, and (3) an enhanced bus
alternative with capital improvements
between downtown Portland and Lake
Oswego and connecting bus service to
the rest of the corridor. FTA and Metro
will prepare the EIS in accordance with
FTA regulations (23 CFR 771 et seq.)
implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and
with the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This
Notice alerts interested parties of the
intent to prepare the EIS, provides
information on the nature of the
proposed transit project, invites
participation in the EIS process
(including comments on the scope of
the EIS proposed in this notice), and
announces an upcoming public scoping
meeting.
DATES: Comment due date: Written
comments on the scope of the EIS,
including the preliminary purpose and
need for transit improvements in the
corridor, the alternatives to be
considered, the environmental and
E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM
16APN1
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
20742
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 16, 2008 / Notices
community impacts to be evaluated, and
any other project-related issues, should
be sent to the Lake Oswego to Portland
Transit Project, at the address below, by
July 18, 2008. Scoping meeting date: A
public scoping meeting will be held on
April 21, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the location
indicated in ADDRESSES below. Oral and
written comments may be given at the
scoping meeting. An agency scoping
meeting was held on September 26,
2007, to collect comments of local, State
and federal agencies with an interest in
the proposed project.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the
scope of the EIS should be sent to Lake
Oswego to Portland Transit Project,
Metro, 600 NE Grand Avenue, Portland
Oregon 97232. Comments may also be
offered at the public scoping meeting.
The public scoping meeting will be at:
Community Room, Lakewood Center for
the Arts, 368 S. State Street, Lake
Oswego, OR 97034. This meeting place
is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Any individual with a disability who
requires special assistance, such as a
sign language interpreter, may contact
Karen Withrow at (503) 797–1932 at
least 48 hours before the meeting. A
scoping information packet will be
available before the meeting on the
Metro Web site (www.metro-region.org)
or by calling Karen Withrow at (503)
797–1932; copies will also be available
at the public scoping meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Witmer, Community Planner, Federal
Transit Administration, Region 10, (206)
220–7954.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scoping:
FTA and Metro invite all interested
individuals and organizations, public
agencies and Native American Tribes to
comment on the scope of the EIS,
including the project’s proposed
purpose and need, the proposed
alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS
and the proposed impacts to be
evaluated. Each is described below.
Background: The Lake Oswego to
Portland corridor is environmentally,
topographically and physically
constrained. Future roadway expansion
is not anticipated and probably not
feasible, and previous planning studies
have concluded that a high capacity
transit improvement is needed to
provide additional corridor capacity. In
1988, a consortium of seven government
agencies purchased the Willamette
Shore Line right-of-way connecting Lake
Oswego to Portland for the purpose of
preserving the rail right-of-way for
future rail transit service. The 2004
Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
identified the need for a corridor
refinement plan for a high capacity
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:19 Apr 15, 2008
Jkt 214001
transit option for this corridor. Metro
led a broad-based alternatives analysis
that published its results in June 2007.
After public review and comment, the
Metro Council adopted Resolution No.
07–3887A, advancing three alternatives
into an EIS. Public comment is
summarized in a comment report dated
January 2008.
Preliminary statement of purpose of
and need for the project. The project is
needed because mobility and traffic
conditions in this corridor are projected
to worsen as population and
employment projections for Portland
and Clackamas County continue to
grow, especially on the west side of the
Willamette River. The corridor already
experiences long traffic queues, poor
levels of service and significant capacity
constraints at key locations. Travel
times in the corridor for traffic and bus
transit are unreliable due to congestion
on Highway 43.
The purpose of the Portland to Lake
Oswego Transit Project is to develop
transit that meets future travel demand,
supports local and regional land use
plans, and garners public acceptance
and community support; and which
will:
• Increase the mobility and
accessibility within the geographically
constrained Highway 43 Corridor,
connecting from the Portland Central
City through the Lake Oswego Town
Center.
• Minimize traffic and parkingrelated impacts to neighborhoods.
• Support and enhance existing
neighborhood character in an
environmentally sensitive manner.
• Cost-effectively increase corridor
and system-wide transit ridership.
• Support transit-oriented economic
development in Portland and Lake
Oswego.
• Improve transportation access to
and connectivity among significant
destinations and activity centers.
• Increase transportation choices in
the corridor, and access for persons with
disabilities.
• Integrate effectively with other
transportation modes.
• Anticipate future needs and
impacts and not preclude future
expansion opportunities.
The project’s purpose and need
statement will be finalized, using
agency and public review and comment.
The environmental process: In
accordance with NEPA, SAFETEA–LU
Section 6002, and FTA’s Section 5309
New Starts requirements, the project’s
environmental process has been divided
into three general phases: Scoping;
Alternatives Analysis/Draft EIS and
PO 00000
Frm 00135
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
selection of the Locally Preferred
Alternative (LPA); and Final EIS.
(1) Scoping: Metro and FTA will use
the scoping process to identify
participating agencies, and to develop,
with the review and comment of
participating agencies and the public:
(a) The project’s purpose and need, (b)
the range of alternatives to be studied in
the Alternatives Analysis/Draft EIS, and
(c) the evaluation methodology,
including a determination of the scope
of the environmental analysis to be
conducted for the EIS. The scoping
process will include a public process
that will include a variety of public and
agency meetings, workshops, open
houses, and comment opportunities.
Metro will create and implement a
comprehensive public involvement
program and a public and agency
involvement Coordination and
Communication Plan. The coordination
plan will be posted on the project Web
site at the end of the scoping process.
The public involvement program will
include: outreach to local and county
officials and community and civic
groups; periodic meetings with various
local agencies, organizations, and
committees; a public hearing after
release of the Draft EIS; and distribution
of project newsletters and other
information pieces.
(2) Alternatives Analysis/Draft EIS:
During this phase, Metro and FTA will
analyze and document the
environmental benefits, costs, and
impacts of the alternatives that were
selected for further study as a result of
the scoping process. This will build on
the 2005–07 Lake Oswego to Portland
Transit and Trail Study alternatives
analysis to the extent appropriate. Also,
the Alternatives Analysis FTA requires
for New Starts and Small Starts projects
will be completed. Metro and FTA will
publish a Draft EIS documenting the
alternatives analysis, evaluation of
alternatives and the environmental
evaluations required by NEPA during
this phase. Following a formal public
hearing on the Alternatives Analysis/
Draft EIS and consideration of the
comments received, this phase will
conclude with selection of the locally
preferred alternative, with public and
participating agency input, by the Metro
Council; the cities of Lake Oswego and
Portland; Clackamas and Multnomah
counties; ODOT; and TriMet.
(3) Final EIS: In preparing the Final
EIS, further study necessary to respond
to comments on the Draft EIS will be
conducted, responses to all comments
received will be prepared, and feasible
and prudent mitigation identified in the
Draft EIS for all adverse environmental
E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM
16APN1
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 16, 2008 / Notices
and community impacts will be further
designed and committed to.
Proposed alternatives: Metro expects
to analyze a no-build alternative and
two build alternatives. Prior to
beginning formal EIS analysis, a Johns
Landing refinement plan will be
undertaken to define alignments for
streetcar in the John’s Landing area of
the City of Portland, using all or parts
of the Willamette Shore Line right-ofway, SW Macadam Avenue, Johns
Landing Master Plan alignment or
combinations thereof. As defined by the
Metro Council in Resolution No. 07–
3887a adopted December 2007, the
build alternatives are as follows: (1) A
Streetcar mode, because among transit
alternatives studied to date, Streetcar
operation in a significant percentage of
exclusive right-of-way (the Willamette
Shore Line) has the highest forecast
ridership, significantly faster travel
times between key corridor destinations,
and greater reliability. In peak travel
periods, the Streetcar would provide
faster travel times than autos between
downtown and Lake Oswego. Faster
travel time and higher reliability is
gained through operation of streetcar in
a significant percentage of exclusive
right of way on the Willamette Shore
Line. Streetcar would also have the
lowest operating and maintenance costs
of any alternative, including the NoBuild. Streetcar development could
leverage up to 3.3 million square feet of
total new transit supportive
development in Lake Oswego and Johns
Landing. Streetcar would operate as an
extension of the existing streetcar line
that operates between NW 23rd Avenue
and the South Waterfront. (2) Enhanced
Bus Mode, because this would avoid the
property impacts of the previously
studied Bus Rapid Transit alternative
while still providing improved service,
bus pullouts, and better shelters and
lighting at stations. Enhanced bus
would operate in mixed traffic, which
has implications for travel time,
reliability and long-term efficiency of
the line. Enhanced bus would serve as
the base case for comparison of Streetcar
alternatives in the EIS. The EIS will also
include a no-build alternative. Metro
will consider any additional reasonable
transit alternatives identified during
scoping that provide similar
transportation benefits while reducing
or avoiding adverse impacts.
Probable effects: NEPA requires Metro
and FTA to evaluate, in a public setting,
the significant impacts of the
alternatives selected for study in the
Draft EIS. Areas of investigation
include, but are not limited to, land use,
development potential, land acquisition
and displacements, historic resources,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:19 Apr 15, 2008
Jkt 214001
visual and aesthetic qualities, air
quality, noise and vibration, energy use,
safety and security, and ecosystems,
including threatened and endangered
species. The impacts will be evaluated
for both the construction period and for
the long-term period of operation.
Measures to mitigate adverse impacts
will be developed. Comments on
potentially significant environmental
impacts that may be associated with the
proposed project and alternatives are
welcomed.
In accordance with FTA policy and
regulations, Metro and FTA will comply
with all Federal environmental laws,
regulations, and executive orders
applicable to the proposed project
during the environmental review
process to the maximum extent
practicable. These requirements
include, but are not limited to, the
regulations of the Council on
Environmental Quality and FTA
implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts
1500–1508, and 23 CFR Part 771), the
project-level air quality conformity
regulation of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) (40 CFR part
93), the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines of
EPA (40 CFR part 230), the regulation
implementing Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (36
CFR Part 800), the regulation
implementing section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act (50 CFR part
402), Section 4(f) of the DOT Act (23
CFR 771.135), and Executive Orders
12898 on environmental justice, 11988
on floodplain management, and 11990
on wetlands.
R.F. Krochalis,
Regional Administrator, Region 10, Federal
Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. E8–8189 Filed 4–15–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–57–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
Reports, Forms and Record Keeping
Requirements; Agency Information
Collection Activity Under OMB Review
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Request for public comment on
proposed collection of information.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice
announces that the Information
Collection Request (ICR) abstracted
below will be forwarded to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
PO 00000
Frm 00136
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
20743
review and comment. The ICR describes
the nature of a previously approved
information collection and its expected
burden. The Federal Register Notice
with a 60-day comment period was
published on January 22, 2008 [73 FR
3800–3801].
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before May 16, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Walter Culbreath at the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Office of the Chief Information Officer,
Room W51–204, 1200 New Jersey Ave.,
SW., Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
Title: Generic Clearance for Customer
Surveys.
OMB Number: 2127–0579.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: Executive Order 12862
mandates that agencies survey their
customers to identify the kind and
quality of services they want and their
level of satisfaction with existing
services. Other requirements include the
Governmental Performance and Results
Act (GPRA) of 1993 which promotes a
new focus on results, service quality,
and customer satisfaction. NHTSA will
use surveys of the public and other
external stakeholders to gather data as
one input to decision-making on how to
better meet the goal of improving safety
on the nation’s highways. The data
gathered on public expectations,
NHTSA’s products and services, along
with specific information on motor
vehicle crash related issues, will be
used by the agency to better structure its
processes and products, forecast safety
trends and achieve the agency’s goals.
Affected Public: Individuals or
households are primary survey
respondents. Businesses or other forprofit organizations, not-for-profit
institutions, Federal agencies, and State,
local or tribal governments are other
possible survey respondents.
Estimated Total Annual Burden:
13,468.
Addresses: Send comments, within 30
days, to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, 725 17th
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503,
Attention: NHTSA Desk Officer.
Comments are Invited On: Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the Department,
including whether the information will
have practical utility; the accuracy of
E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM
16APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20741-20743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8189]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake
Oswego to Portland Transit Project in the Portland, OR Metropolitan
Area
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Metro (the
regional government that serves the 25 cities and three counties of the
Portland, Oregon metropolitan area), in cooperation with the cities of
Lake Oswego and Portland, Clackamas and Multnomah counties; Oregon
Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Tri-County Metropolitan
Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the benefits and
impacts of proposed transit improvements. Three alternatives are
proposed: (1) A No-Build alternative that includes everything in the
Metro Regional Transportation Plan, not including the proposed project,
and with a continuation of present day bus service policies in place of
the project; (2) a streetcar alternative that would extend the existing
Portland Streetcar system approximately 1.2 miles to a short terminus
in Johns Landing, or 5.7 miles to a terminus in downtown Lake Oswego,
with connecting bus service in the corridor, and (3) an enhanced bus
alternative with capital improvements between downtown Portland and
Lake Oswego and connecting bus service to the rest of the corridor. FTA
and Metro will prepare the EIS in accordance with FTA regulations (23
CFR 771 et seq.) implementing the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), and with the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This Notice
alerts interested parties of the intent to prepare the EIS, provides
information on the nature of the proposed transit project, invites
participation in the EIS process (including comments on the scope of
the EIS proposed in this notice), and announces an upcoming public
scoping meeting.
DATES: Comment due date: Written comments on the scope of the EIS,
including the preliminary purpose and need for transit improvements in
the corridor, the alternatives to be considered, the environmental and
[[Page 20742]]
community impacts to be evaluated, and any other project-related
issues, should be sent to the Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project,
at the address below, by July 18, 2008. Scoping meeting date: A public
scoping meeting will be held on April 21, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the
location indicated in ADDRESSES below. Oral and written comments may be
given at the scoping meeting. An agency scoping meeting was held on
September 26, 2007, to collect comments of local, State and federal
agencies with an interest in the proposed project.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS should be sent to
Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project, Metro, 600 NE Grand Avenue,
Portland Oregon 97232. Comments may also be offered at the public
scoping meeting. The public scoping meeting will be at: Community Room,
Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street, Lake Oswego, OR
97034. This meeting place is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Any individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such
as a sign language interpreter, may contact Karen Withrow at (503) 797-
1932 at least 48 hours before the meeting. A scoping information packet
will be available before the meeting on the Metro Web site (www.metro-
region.org) or by calling Karen Withrow at (503) 797-1932; copies will
also be available at the public scoping meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Witmer, Community Planner,
Federal Transit Administration, Region 10, (206) 220-7954.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scoping: FTA and Metro invite all interested
individuals and organizations, public agencies and Native American
Tribes to comment on the scope of the EIS, including the project's
proposed purpose and need, the proposed alternatives to be analyzed in
the EIS and the proposed impacts to be evaluated. Each is described
below.
Background: The Lake Oswego to Portland corridor is
environmentally, topographically and physically constrained. Future
roadway expansion is not anticipated and probably not feasible, and
previous planning studies have concluded that a high capacity transit
improvement is needed to provide additional corridor capacity. In 1988,
a consortium of seven government agencies purchased the Willamette
Shore Line right-of-way connecting Lake Oswego to Portland for the
purpose of preserving the rail right-of-way for future rail transit
service. The 2004 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) identified the
need for a corridor refinement plan for a high capacity transit option
for this corridor. Metro led a broad-based alternatives analysis that
published its results in June 2007. After public review and comment,
the Metro Council adopted Resolution No. 07-3887A, advancing three
alternatives into an EIS. Public comment is summarized in a comment
report dated January 2008.
Preliminary statement of purpose of and need for the project. The
project is needed because mobility and traffic conditions in this
corridor are projected to worsen as population and employment
projections for Portland and Clackamas County continue to grow,
especially on the west side of the Willamette River. The corridor
already experiences long traffic queues, poor levels of service and
significant capacity constraints at key locations. Travel times in the
corridor for traffic and bus transit are unreliable due to congestion
on Highway 43.
The purpose of the Portland to Lake Oswego Transit Project is to
develop transit that meets future travel demand, supports local and
regional land use plans, and garners public acceptance and community
support; and which will:
Increase the mobility and accessibility within the
geographically constrained Highway 43 Corridor, connecting from the
Portland Central City through the Lake Oswego Town Center.
Minimize traffic and parking-related impacts to
neighborhoods.
Support and enhance existing neighborhood character in an
environmentally sensitive manner.
Cost-effectively increase corridor and system-wide transit
ridership.
Support transit-oriented economic development in Portland
and Lake Oswego.
Improve transportation access to and connectivity among
significant destinations and activity centers.
Increase transportation choices in the corridor, and
access for persons with disabilities.
Integrate effectively with other transportation modes.
Anticipate future needs and impacts and not preclude
future expansion opportunities.
The project's purpose and need statement will be finalized, using
agency and public review and comment.
The environmental process: In accordance with NEPA, SAFETEA-LU
Section 6002, and FTA's Section 5309 New Starts requirements, the
project's environmental process has been divided into three general
phases: Scoping; Alternatives Analysis/Draft EIS and selection of the
Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA); and Final EIS.
(1) Scoping: Metro and FTA will use the scoping process to identify
participating agencies, and to develop, with the review and comment of
participating agencies and the public: (a) The project's purpose and
need, (b) the range of alternatives to be studied in the Alternatives
Analysis/Draft EIS, and (c) the evaluation methodology, including a
determination of the scope of the environmental analysis to be
conducted for the EIS. The scoping process will include a public
process that will include a variety of public and agency meetings,
workshops, open houses, and comment opportunities. Metro will create
and implement a comprehensive public involvement program and a public
and agency involvement Coordination and Communication Plan. The
coordination plan will be posted on the project Web site at the end of
the scoping process. The public involvement program will include:
outreach to local and county officials and community and civic groups;
periodic meetings with various local agencies, organizations, and
committees; a public hearing after release of the Draft EIS; and
distribution of project newsletters and other information pieces.
(2) Alternatives Analysis/Draft EIS: During this phase, Metro and
FTA will analyze and document the environmental benefits, costs, and
impacts of the alternatives that were selected for further study as a
result of the scoping process. This will build on the 2005-07 Lake
Oswego to Portland Transit and Trail Study alternatives analysis to the
extent appropriate. Also, the Alternatives Analysis FTA requires for
New Starts and Small Starts projects will be completed. Metro and FTA
will publish a Draft EIS documenting the alternatives analysis,
evaluation of alternatives and the environmental evaluations required
by NEPA during this phase. Following a formal public hearing on the
Alternatives Analysis/Draft EIS and consideration of the comments
received, this phase will conclude with selection of the locally
preferred alternative, with public and participating agency input, by
the Metro Council; the cities of Lake Oswego and Portland; Clackamas
and Multnomah counties; ODOT; and TriMet.
(3) Final EIS: In preparing the Final EIS, further study necessary
to respond to comments on the Draft EIS will be conducted, responses to
all comments received will be prepared, and feasible and prudent
mitigation identified in the Draft EIS for all adverse environmental
[[Page 20743]]
and community impacts will be further designed and committed to.
Proposed alternatives: Metro expects to analyze a no-build
alternative and two build alternatives. Prior to beginning formal EIS
analysis, a Johns Landing refinement plan will be undertaken to define
alignments for streetcar in the John's Landing area of the City of
Portland, using all or parts of the Willamette Shore Line right-of-way,
SW Macadam Avenue, Johns Landing Master Plan alignment or combinations
thereof. As defined by the Metro Council in Resolution No. 07-3887a
adopted December 2007, the build alternatives are as follows: (1) A
Streetcar mode, because among transit alternatives studied to date,
Streetcar operation in a significant percentage of exclusive right-of-
way (the Willamette Shore Line) has the highest forecast ridership,
significantly faster travel times between key corridor destinations,
and greater reliability. In peak travel periods, the Streetcar would
provide faster travel times than autos between downtown and Lake
Oswego. Faster travel time and higher reliability is gained through
operation of streetcar in a significant percentage of exclusive right
of way on the Willamette Shore Line. Streetcar would also have the
lowest operating and maintenance costs of any alternative, including
the No-Build. Streetcar development could leverage up to 3.3 million
square feet of total new transit supportive development in Lake Oswego
and Johns Landing. Streetcar would operate as an extension of the
existing streetcar line that operates between NW 23rd Avenue and the
South Waterfront. (2) Enhanced Bus Mode, because this would avoid the
property impacts of the previously studied Bus Rapid Transit
alternative while still providing improved service, bus pullouts, and
better shelters and lighting at stations. Enhanced bus would operate in
mixed traffic, which has implications for travel time, reliability and
long-term efficiency of the line. Enhanced bus would serve as the base
case for comparison of Streetcar alternatives in the EIS. The EIS will
also include a no-build alternative. Metro will consider any additional
reasonable transit alternatives identified during scoping that provide
similar transportation benefits while reducing or avoiding adverse
impacts.
Probable effects: NEPA requires Metro and FTA to evaluate, in a
public setting, the significant impacts of the alternatives selected
for study in the Draft EIS. Areas of investigation include, but are not
limited to, land use, development potential, land acquisition and
displacements, historic resources, visual and aesthetic qualities, air
quality, noise and vibration, energy use, safety and security, and
ecosystems, including threatened and endangered species. The impacts
will be evaluated for both the construction period and for the long-
term period of operation. Measures to mitigate adverse impacts will be
developed. Comments on potentially significant environmental impacts
that may be associated with the proposed project and alternatives are
welcomed.
In accordance with FTA policy and regulations, Metro and FTA will
comply with all Federal environmental laws, regulations, and executive
orders applicable to the proposed project during the environmental
review process to the maximum extent practicable. These requirements
include, but are not limited to, the regulations of the Council on
Environmental Quality and FTA implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508, and 23 CFR Part 771), the project-level air quality conformity
regulation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (40 CFR
part 93), the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines of EPA (40 CFR part 230),
the regulation implementing Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (36 CFR Part 800), the regulation implementing section
7 of the Endangered Species Act (50 CFR part 402), Section 4(f) of the
DOT Act (23 CFR 771.135), and Executive Orders 12898 on environmental
justice, 11988 on floodplain management, and 11990 on wetlands.
R.F. Krochalis,
Regional Administrator, Region 10, Federal Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-8189 Filed 4-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P
