Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Transit Improvements in the Mid-Coast Corridor of San Diego County, CA, 42762-42765 [2011-17975]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42762-42765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17975]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Transit 
Improvements in the Mid-Coast Corridor of San Diego County, CA

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FTA and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) 
intend to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 
for transit improvements for the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project in 
San Diego, California. The SEIS will be prepared in accordance with 
regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 
and all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and executive 
orders. The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to alert interested 
parties regarding the plan to prepare the SEIS, and to provide 
information on the nature of the proposed transit project, to invite

[[Page 42763]]

participation in the SEIS process, including comments on the scope of 
the SEIS proposed in this notice.

DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of the SEIS 
should be sent to Leslie Blanda, SANDAG New Starts/Environmental/
Planning Project Manager, by August 15, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the SEIS should be sent to 
Leslie Blanda, New Starts/Environmental/Planning Project Manager, San 
Diego Association of Governments, 401 B Street, Suite 800, San Diego, 
CA 92101, or e-mailed to her at midcoast@sandag.org. No additional 
scoping meetings are proposed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hymie Luden, Transportation Program 
Specialist, or Debra Jones, Environmental Protection Specialist, 
Federal Transit Administration, Region IX, 201 Mission Street, Room 
1650, San Francisco, CA 94105; telephone: (415) 744-3133; fax: (415) 
744-2726; e-mail hymie.luden@dot.gov or debra.jones@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Scoping

    The FTA, in cooperation with SANDAG, will examine improved transit 
service in the Mid-Coast Corridor. Located entirely within the City of 
San Diego (City), the Mid-Coast Corridor centers on Interstate 5 (I-5) 
and extends from Downtown San Diego on the south to University City on 
the north; it is bound by the Pacific Ocean on the west and I-805 and 
State Route 163 (SR 163) on the east. SANDAG and FTA invite interested 
individuals, organizations, Native American Tribes and Federal, state, 
and local agencies to participate in defining the purpose and need for, 
and refining the scope of the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project SEIS.
    SANDAG is the lead agency for compliance with the California 
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and a Subsequent Environmental Impact 
Report (SEIR) is being prepared jointly with the SEIS. During May 2010, 
SANDAG conducted scoping under CEQA to solicit public and agency 
comments on the project alternatives to be carried forward. All 
comments received during the CEQA scoping process will be considered 
during the preparation of the SEIS and do not need to be resubmitted. A 
copy of the scoping summary report is available on the SANDAG Web site 
at: https://www.sandag.org/midcoast. Additional comments should focus on 
identifying any significant social, economic, or environmental issues 
related to the proposed alternatives that have not previously been 
identified.

II. Description of Study Area and Project Need

    The study area is located entirely within the City of San Diego 
(City), centering on Interstate 5 (I-5) extending from Downtown San 
Diego on the south to University City on the north, bounded by the 
Pacific Ocean on the west and I-805 and State Route 163 (SR 163) on the 
east.
    Dense population and employment centers currently anchor both the 
northern and southern ends of the Mid-Coast Corridor, with existing, 
planned, or potential smart growth centers in between. The SANDAG 
Regional Comprehensive Plan (July 2004) and the 2030 Regional 
Transportation Plan (RTP) reference the regional growth forecast that 
estimates population, housing, land use, and economic growth. Increased 
density is forecast in Downtown San Diego and in the University of 
California, San Diego (UCSD) and University Towne Centre (UTC) areas. 
Increased population and employment will lead to increased travel 
demand in the corridor.
    The existing transit system in the Mid-Coast Corridor does not 
offer the level of service needed to meet the region's goals for 
mobility, accessibility, reliability, and efficiency. The COASTER 
commuter rail service passes through the corridor, but its stations are 
widely spaced and it does not have a station in close proximity to UCSD 
or UTC. The existing San Diego Trolley Blue Line currently terminates 
at the Old Town Transit Center (OTTC). While transit mobility and 
accessibility are provided by express and local buses, the speed and 
reliability of bus service are hindered by roadway congestion. With 
congestion projected to increase in the future, the level of service, 
reliability, and efficiency of the transit system will all decrease. To 
meet regional goals, the study area needs a transit system that focuses 
on key destinations and has the frequency, speed, and reliability to 
attract new riders.
    The purpose of the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project is to improve 
public transit services between University City and Old Town and 
Downtown San Diego and connect corridor residents with other Trolley 
lines serving Mission Valley, South County communities to the U.S.-
Mexico International Border, and East County communities to Santee, 
thereby enhancing direct public access to other regional activity 
centers. The project will improve travel options to employment, 
education, medical, and retail centers for corridor residents, 
commuters, and visitors.

III. Alternatives

    The transportation alternatives proposed for consideration in this 
study area include:
     No-Build Alternative--the No Build Alternative would 
include all of the highway and transit facility improvements identified 
in the Revenue Constrained Scenario of the SANDAG 2030 RTP except for 
the extension of the Trolley System to University City.
     Build Alternative--the Build Alternative includes the 
extension of the Trolley Blue Line from the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown 
San Diego to UTC, which will provide continuous service on the Trolley 
Blue Line from San Ysidro Transit Center at the U.S.-Mexico 
International Border to University City. The Locally Preferred 
Alternative (LPA) was approved by the SANDAG Board of Directors on July 
23, 2010.
    The Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project has been under study and in 
various phases of state and Federal environmental review since 1990. 
The project was originally to be developed in two sections. An EIS for 
the extension from the OTTC north to University City was completed in 
2001, and FTA issued the Record of Decision in August 2001.
    In April 2005, SANDAG recombined the Balboa Extension with the 
University City Extension into a single project, extending from the 
OTTC to University City. The FTA concurred with the SANDAG decision on 
July 24, 2006.
    During 2009 and 2010, SANDAG updated the prior studies and 
reconsidered a broad range of transit alternatives through a public 
process. This analysis is documented in the Comparative Evaluation of 
Alternatives Report (SANDAG, 2010). SANDAG conducted scoping under 
CEQA. All comments received during the CEQA scoping process will be 
considered during the preparation of this SEIS/SEIR. Following the 
conclusion of the CEQA scoping process, the SANDAG Board reconfirmed 
the LPA as an extension of the Trolley system from the OTTC to UTC on 
July 23, 2010.
    The 1995 AA/DEIS/DEIR and the 2010 Comparative Evaluation of 
Alternatives Report are available for public and agency review on the 
SANDAG Web site at https://www.sandag.org/midcoast. They are also 
available for inspection at the SANDAG office, or a CD may be requested 
by calling (619) 595-5620 or by e-mailing midcoast@sandag.org.

[[Page 42764]]

    Advanced Scoping Alternatives--As a result of the Alternatives 
Analysis and updated alternatives evaluation, the LPA includes:
     New double-track alignment extending from a point just 
south of the San Diego River and north of the existing OTTC to a 
terminus at the UTC Transit Center in University City, with three 
alignment variations along Voigt Drive in University City;
     Eight new LRT stations, located at Tecolote Road, 
Clairemont Drive, Balboa Avenue, Nobel Drive, UCSD West, UCSD East, 
Executive Drive, and the UTC Transit Center, and a possible additional 
station at the VA Medical Center; and
     Upgrades to existing systems (including traction power, 
signaling system, and crossovers) to accommodate all-day 7.5-minute 
Trolley Blue Line service within the existing right-of-way.
    No new maintenance facilities or expansion of existing maintenance 
facilities would be required to accommodate the new service.

IV. The SEIS Process and the Role of Participating Agencies and the 
Public

    The purpose of the SEIS process is to explore in a public setting 
potentially significant effects of implementing the proposed action and 
alternatives on the physical, human, and natural environment. Areas of 
investigation include, but are not limited to, land use, residential 
and business displacements, parklands, economic development, community 
disruptions, environmental justice, aesthetics, noise, wildlife, 
vegetation, endangered species, air and water quality, energy, 
electromagnetic fields, wetlands, waterways, floodplains, hazardous 
waste and materials, and cultural, historic, and archaeological 
resources. The Draft SEIS will also consider practicable alternatives 
to proposed fill of Federal waters in accordance with the Clean Water 
Act and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations. At the conclusion of 
scoping, SANDAG and FTA will work together to prepare an annotated 
outline for the SEIS, based on information obtained during the scoping 
process.
    Measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any significant adverse 
impacts will be identified. Regulations implementing NEPA, as well as 
provisions of the recently enacted Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), 
call for public involvement in the EIS process. Section 6002 of 
SAFETEA-LU requires that FTA and SANDAG do the following: (1) Extend an 
invitation to other Federal and non-Federal agencies and Indian tribes 
that may have an interest in the proposed project to become 
``participating agencies,'' (2) provide an opportunity for involvement 
by participating agencies and the public in helping to define the 
purpose and need for a proposed project, as well as the range of 
alternatives for consideration in the impact statement, and (3) 
establish a plan for coordinating public and agency participation in 
and comment on the environmental review process. An invitation to 
become a participating agency, with the scoping information packet 
appended, will be extended to other Federal and non-Federal agencies 
and Indian tribes that may have an interest in the proposed project. It 
is possible that we may not be able to identify all Federal and non-
Federal agencies and Indian tribes that may have such an interest. Any 
Federal or non-Federal agency or Indian tribe interested in the 
proposed project that does not receive an invitation to become a 
participating agency should notify at the earliest opportunity the 
Project Manager identified above under ADDRESSES.
    A comprehensive public involvement program has been developed and a 
public and agency involvement Coordination Plan will be created. The 
program includes a project Web site (https://www.sandag.org/midcoast); 
establishment of a project working group and organizing periodic 
meetings with that committee; a public hearing on release of the Draft 
SEIS; and development and distribution of project newsletters. In 2010, 
SANDAG conducted scoping under CEQA to solicit public and agency 
comments on the project alternatives to be carried forward. All 
comments received during the CEQA scoping process will be considered 
during the preparation of the SEIS and do not need to be resubmitted.
    The purposes of and need for the proposed project have been 
preliminarily identified in this notice. We invite the public and 
participating agencies to consider the preliminary statement of 
purposes of and need for the proposed project, as well as the 
alternatives proposed for consideration. Suggestions for modifications 
to the statement of purposes of and need for the proposed project and 
any other alternatives that have not previously been identified and 
that meet the purposes of and need for the proposed project are 
welcomed and will be given serious consideration. Comments on 
potentially significant environmental impacts that may be associated 
with the proposed project and alternatives that have not previously 
been identified are also welcomed.
    SANDAG is seeking New Starts Funding for the proposed project under 
49 U.S.C. 5309 and will therefore be subject to New Starts regulations 
(49 CFR Part 611). The New Starts regulation requires the submission of 
specific information in support of a request to initiate preliminary 
engineering, and this information is normally developed in conjunction 
with the NEPA process. Pertinent New Start evaluation criteria will be 
included in the Final SEIS.

V. FTA Procedures

    In accordance with 23 CFR 771.105 (a) and 771.133, 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 (CEQ) 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) 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 the Executive Orders 12898 on environmental justice, 11988 on 
floodplain management, and 11990 on wetlands.

VI. Paperwork Reduction

    The Paperwork Reduction Act seeks, in part, to minimize the cost to 
the taxpayer of the creation, collection, maintenance, use, 
dissemination, and disposition of information. Consistent with this 
goal and with principles of economy and efficiency in government, it is 
FTA policy to limit insofar as possible distribution of complete 
printed sets of environmental documents. Accordingly, unless a specific 
request for a complete printed set of environmental documents is 
received (preferably at the conclusion of scoping), FTA and its 
grantees will distribute only the executive summary of the 
environmental document together with a Compact Disc of the complete 
environmental document. A complete printed set of the environmental 
document will be available for review at SANDAG's offices and 
elsewhere; an

[[Page 42765]]

electronic copy of the complete environmental document will also be 
available on SANDAG's Web site.

    Issued on: July 12, 2011.
Leslie T. Rogers,
Regional Administrator, Region IX, Federal Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-17975 Filed 7-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P