Final Environmental Impact Statement for Extension of F-Line Streetcar Service to Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA, 9960 [2012-3959]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 9960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3959]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-1103-8840; 2051-P580-579]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for Extension of F-Line 
Streetcar Service to Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Extension of F-Line Streetcar Service to Fort Mason 
Center, San Francisco, California.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces availability of 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the extension 
of the historic streetcar F-line from Fisherman's Wharf to the Fort 
Mason Center, in San Francisco, California.

DATES: The National Park Service (NPS) will execute a Record of 
Decision (ROD) not sooner than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its notice of 
filing of the Final EIS.

ADDRESSES: The Final EIS is available for public inspection as follows: 
at the Office of the Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area (Bldg. 201 Fort Mason, San Francisco, California), and at local 
public libraries as noted on the Project Web site https://parkplanning.np.gov/goga. An electronic version may also be accessed at 
the Project Web site. For further information, please contact Mr. Steve 
Ortega, Bldg. 201 Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123-0022 (415) 561-
2841 or steve_ortega@nps.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action would extend the 
historic streetcar F-line from Fisherman's Wharf to the San Francisco 
Maritime National Historical Park (SF Maritime NHP) and to the Fort 
Mason Center in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The 
intended effect of the proposed action is to provide park visitors and 
transit-dependent residents with high-quality rail transit that 
improves transportation access and mobility between existing streetcar 
service at Fisherman's Wharf and SF Maritime NHP and the Fort Mason 
Center in GGNRA, with connection to the regional transit rail services. 
The Final EIS evaluates potential environmental consequences of 
implementing the alternatives. Impact topics include the cultural, 
natural, and socioeconomic environments.
    The proposed action is the culmination of a cooperative effort by 
the National Park Service, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation 
Agency (SFMTA), and the Federal Transit Administration. Studies from 
these agencies identified a need for improved regional and local 
transit connectivity between the identified urban national parks and 
existing transit infrastructure. Transit improvements between these 
parks would help accommodate existing and future visitor demand and 
enhance operational effectiveness. Based on the agency studies, 
conceptual approaches to address alternative transportation needs were 
identified and evaluated against the purpose and need of the project, 
park management objectives, and operability constraints.
    Through an intensive public review process, two action alternatives 
were identified in addition to the No Action Alternative (Alternative 
1)--the Preferred Action Alternative has two options for the track 
turnaround configuration (Alternatives 2A and 2B). Common elements of 
the Preferred Action Alternatives include the extension of 
approximately 0.85 mile of new rail track; associated features such as 
signals, crossings, wires and poles; approximately 8-9 new platforms; 
new designated stops; retrofitting of the historic State Belt Railroad 
tunnelFort Mason Tunnel: tunnel (Fort Mason Tunnel). The primary 
difference between Alternatives 2A and 2B involves the location in 
which the streetcar would turn around at the terminus of the proposed 
track extension. Under Alternative 2A, the streetcar would turn around 
via a loop in the Fort Mason Center parking lot (North Loop). Under 
Alternative 2B, the streetcar would turn around via a loop in the Great 
Meadow (South Loop).
    The Draft EIS was made available for public review for 60 days 
(March 18-May 23, 2011); the full text and graphics were also posted on 
the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment Web site. A public 
open house on the proposed action was held on April 20, 2011, and 
attended by a total of 81 people, during which the Project team 
collected oral and written comments. In addition, throughout the review 
period, NPS received a total of 98 comment letters on the proposed 
action. The majority of those that commented on the Draft EIS supported 
the proposed action. The public's primary concerns about the preferred 
alternative included mitigating the loss of parking, displacement of 
street artist sales spaces, increased traffic congestion, noise and 
congestion near the Marina neighborhood, conflicts with other planned 
projects, and mitigating impacts to National Historic Landmark 
resources. Many also suggested various design ideas and other measures 
to help reduce these impacts.
    In coordination with other affected agencies, and after considering 
all oral and written comments, the NPS prepared the Final EIS. The 
analysis revealed Alternative 1 (No Action) to be the Environmentally 
Preferred Alternative. Alternative 2 was found to be the superior 
alternative with Alternative 2A (North Loop) the preferred option for 
the Turnaround, and thus NPS's Final Preferred Action Alternative.
    Decision Process: The NPS will prepare a Record of Decision no 
sooner than 30 days following EPA's notice in the Federal Register of 
filing of the Final EIS. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible 
for approval of the extension of F-Line streetcar service from 
Fisherman's Wharf to the Fort Mason Center is the Regional Director; 
subsequently the officials responsible for implementation will the 
Superintendents of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and 
Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

    Dated: December 6, 2012.
Martha J. Lee,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-3959 Filed 2-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FN-P