Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Assessment for the I-20 East Transit Initiative in the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County, GA, 52128-52131 [2012-21222]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 52128 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 167 / Tuesday, August 28, 2012 / Notices have already been addressed in the chapters in which the requirements are described. Some commenters asked that FTA be consistent between what is described in the chapter and what is provided in the appendices; we have taken a very careful look and made sure that the information is consistent. A couple of commenters suggested that FTA include a fictitious agency’s Title VI Program in the appendix; we have included examples of almost every item in a Title VI Program, and we believe the information we have provided should be very beneficial to recipients as they put their Title VI Programs together. To begin, in Appendix A we added checklists for the elements recipients must include in their Title VI Programs. Recipients can literally ‘‘check the box’’ as they assemble the elements of their Title VI Program. Appendices B, C and D contain sample procedures and forms that recipients may use as provided, or that they may modify. Appendix B contains a sample Title VI Notice to the public. Appendix C contains a sample Title VI complaint procedure, and Appendix D contains a sample Title VI Complaint Form. All of these documents are ‘‘vital documents’’ for LEP purposes, and each appendix provides information about providing the information in other languages as appropriate. Appendix E provides a sample form recipients may use for tracking transitrelated Title VI investigations, lawsuits and complaints. Appendix F contains a sample table depicting the racial breakdown of the membership of various non-elected bodies, the membership of which is selected by the recipient. Appendix G contains samples for reporting service standards (vehicle load, vehicle headway, on-time performance, service availability) and Appendix H contains samples for reporting service policies (vehicle assignment and transit amenities). For the service standards for vehicle load and vehicle headway, we have provided two methods of expressing the standard: In writing and in table format. Recipients should provide both the written description and the table when they submit the information in their Title VI Program. The service standards for on-time performance and service availability, as well as the service policies, require a written explanation only. Appendix I provides sample demographic and service profile maps and charts. Appendix J provides information on reporting the requirement to monitor transit service. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:39 Aug 27, 2012 Jkt 226001 The appendix provides tables and maps as examples of how to assess the performance of service on minority and non-minority transit routes for each of the recipient’s service standards and service policies. The appendix provides sample tables and written explanations for each of the service standards and policies. These tables are examples of what recipients should submit with their Title VI Programs. Unless requested to verify the information, FTA does not need the raw data generated through the monitoring process. Appendix K provides checklists for a major service change policy, disparate impact policy, the considerations for a service equity analysis, and considerations for a fare equity analysis. Use of these checklists will assist transit providers in ensuring they have met the requirements of analyzing major service changes and fare changes. Appendix L provides information on the various types of recipients and the reporting requirements for each type of recipient. There are five flow charts that provide a pictorial representation of the reporting requirements. Finally, Appendix M contains the same content as Appendix D in the current Circular. This appendix provides technical assistance resources for Title VI and Limited English Proficiency. Issued in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of August, 2012. Peter Rogoff, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2012–21167 Filed 8–27–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Assessment for the I–20 East Transit Initiative in the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County, GA Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Assessment (EA). AGENCY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for MARTA’s I–20 East Transit Initiative project, which would extend the existing east-west rail line from the Indian Creek Station to the Mall at Stonecrest in eastern DeKalb County and an Environmental Assessment (EA) SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00164 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 for a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along I–20 between downtown Atlanta and a new station at Wesley Chapel Road, east of I–285 in DeKalb County. The EIS and EA will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU), and will also address the requirements of other federal and state environmental laws. The extension of the existing MARTA east-west rail line and the new BRT service along I–20 were selected as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) based on a two year Detailed Corridor Analysis (DCA) completed in April 2012. The DCA revisited the analysis and conclusions of the I–20 East Corridor Study Alternatives Analysis (AA) completed in 2004 and complied with FTA’s New Starts project development process. The purpose of this Notice of Intent (NOI) is to advise interested agencies and the public regarding the plan to prepare the EIS and EA, to provide information on the nature of the proposed transit project, to invite participation in the NEPA process, including comments on the scope of the EIS and EA proposed in this notice, and to announce where and when public scoping meetings will be conducted. Scoping meetings are an opportunity for government agencies, affected stakeholders, and the general public to provide input and feedback on the project Purpose and Need, the alternatives to be studied, as well as to identify any significant physical, cultural, natural, and social environmental issues within the study area. DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of the EIS and EA must be sent to Janide Sidifall, Project Manager, MARTA by October 15, 2012. Scoping Meetings: Public scoping meetings will be held on September 10, 11, and 13 at locations within the study area. These meetings will be the fourth round of public outreach meetings held for the I–20 East Transit Initiative, and are an opportunity for MARTA to present the I–20 East LPA to the public. The times and locations of these meetings are indicated under ADDRESSES below. Interagency scoping meetings will be held in September, 2012. ADDRESSES: Written Comments: Written comments on the scope of the EIS and EA, including the project’s Purpose and Need, the impacts to be evaluated, and methodologies to be used in the E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 167 / Tuesday, August 28, 2012 / Notices evaluations, must be sent to Janide Sidifall, Project Manager, MARTA, 2424 Piedmont Road NE., Atlanta, GA 30324– 3330. Comments may also be offered at the public scoping meetings. Written comments should be submitted within two weeks of the final scoping meeting or 30 days within the publication of the final NOI, whichever is later. Scoping Meetings: The dates, times, and locations for the public scoping meetings are: Meeting 1: Monday, September 10, 2012, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Trees Atlanta 225 Chester Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316 Meeting 2: Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30034 Meeting 3: Thursday, September 13, 2012, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia, GA 30058 The appropriate federal, state, and local agencies will be notified individually about the time and location of the interagency scoping meeting. The locations of the public scoping meetings are accessible to persons with disabilities. If translation, signing services, or other special accommodations are needed, please contact Jen Price at (404) 377–9147 or for hearing impaired TTY 404–848– 5665 at least 48 hours before the meeting. A scoping information booklet will be available one week prior to the meetings on the project web site at: https://www.itsmarta.com/120-eastcorr.aspx. Copies will also be available at the scoping meetings. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian C. Smart, Environmental Protection Specialist, Federal Transit Administration—Region IV, 230 Peachtree Street, NW—Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Telephone: (404) 865–5607; Facsimile: (404) 865–5490; Email: brian.smart@dot.gov; or Janide Sidifall, Office of Transit Systems Planning, MARTA, 2424 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324–3330, Telephone: (404) 848–5828; Facsimile (404) 848–5132; Email: jsidifall@itsmarta.com. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Scoping FTA and MARTA will undertake a scoping process that will allow the public and interested agencies to comment on the scope of the environmental review process. Scoping is the process of determining the scope, focus, and content of the EIS and EA. NEPA scoping has specific objectives, identifying the significant issues that will be examined in detail during the VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:39 Aug 27, 2012 Jkt 226001 EIS and EA, while simultaneously limiting consideration and development of issues that are not truly significant. FTA and MARTA invite all interested individuals and organizations, public agencies, and Native American tribes to comment on the scope of the EIS and EA. To facilitate public and agency comment, a Scoping Information Packet will be prepared for review. Included in this packet will be descriptions of: the Purpose and Need for the project; the alternatives to be studied; the impacts to be assessed; and the draft public outreach and agency coordination plan. Description of Proposed Projects and Study Areas The first phase of the I–20 East Transit Initiative was a two year long DCA. This DCA built upon the transit studies previously completed in the corridor and conformed with FTA’s New Starts project development process. The DCA identified and evaluated transit improvements in the I– 20 East Corridor from downtown Atlanta to the Mall at Stonecrest, in eastern DeKalb County. The result of the DCA was an LPA which includes the extension of the existing east-west heavy rail transit (HRT) line from the Indian Creek Station to the Mall at Stonecrest in eastern DeKalb County and a new BRT service along I–20 between downtown Atlanta and a new station at Wesley Chapel Road, east of I–285 in DeKalb County. The EIS, which will focus on the HRT extension, has a study area that extends from the MARTA Indian Creek Station south for 3.5 miles along I–285, then east for approximately 8.5 miles to the Mall at Stonecrest. The EA, which will focus on the new BRT service, has a study area that extends from the MARTA Five Points Station in downtown Atlanta, south along surface streets to I–20, then east along I–20 for approximately 11.5 miles to Wesley Chapel Road in DeKalb County. Both study areas will extend up to 1⁄2 mile on each side of the alignment in order to evaluate the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with the implementation of transit in the corridor. Project Purpose and Need The purpose of the proposed project is to enhance east-west mobility and improve transit accessibility to residential areas and employment centers within the corridor. The existing and future roadway congestion in the I– 20 East corridor will have an increasingly detrimental effect on automobile and bus transit travel in the corridor. The proposed transit PO 00000 Frm 00165 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52129 investments are intended to improve travel times and travel reliability by providing a rapid transit service for commuters traveling to and from central Atlanta. The need for the proposed project is based on the following considerations of the I–20 East Corridor. There is a need for improved mobility and accessibility in the corridor, as traffic congestion causes delay and slow travel times and there is inadequate access to downtown Atlanta and other employment centers; there is a need for additional travel options in the corridor, which has limited east-west roadways, making I– 20 the primary choice for east-west travel in the corridor, and only a limited number of roadway transportation projects or capacity improvements are planned in the corridor to accommodate growth; there is a need for improved transit service in the corridor, which is insufficient for a growing demand, as it consists primarily of local and express buses operating in normal traffic, and which provides limited transportation options for traditionally underserved populations such as minority, low income, transit dependent, and elderly populations; and finally, there is a need to support land use and land and economic development goals within the corridor, areas of which are in need of revitalization. Study Alternatives MARTA recently completed a two year long DCA that evaluated potential alignments and transit technologies for transit improvements in the I–20 East Corridor. From multiple alignment and transit technology alternatives, an LPA was selected and adopted by the MARTA Board of Directors in April 2012. The EIS and EA will evaluate vertical and horizontal alternatives of the adopted LPA as well as a No-Build alternative. These LPA and No-Build alternatives are described as follows: 1. No Build Alternative: This alternative reflects the existing transportation system plus any committed transportation projects. This alternative does not include a major transit investment in the I–20 East Corridor as proposed in the LPA. The No Build Alternative includes only existing or committed MARTA and GRTA local and express bus service in the corridor and any other transportation investment included in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) long-range transportation plan. ARC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Atlanta urbanized area. NEPA requires the consideration of a No Build Alternative as a means of comparing and evaluating E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1 srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 52130 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 167 / Tuesday, August 28, 2012 / Notices the impacts and benefits of the Build Alternative. 2. Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA): The LPA, as adopted by the MARTA Board of Directors, includes two projects: a. (1) The extension of the existing east-west heavy rail transit (HRT) line from the Indian Creek Station to the Mall at Stonecrest in southeast DeKalb County and b. (2) New BRT service along I–20 between downtown Atlanta and a new BRT station at Wesley Chapel Road, east of I–285 in DeKalb County. While the HRT and BRT portions of the LPA both address the need for improved mobility and transit service in the I–20 East Corridor, they represent significantly different transit investments and modes. For this reason, the HRT extension will be evaluated as the Build Alternative in the EIS and the BRT service will be evaluated as the Build Alternative in the EA. However, since the adopted LPA is a combination of both HRT and BRT, the EIS and EA will be undertaken concurrently with all public outreach presenting information and analysis for both. The Build Alternative to be evaluated in the EIS is the extension of the existing MARTA east-west HRT line from the Indian Creek Station, south parallel to I–285, then east parallel to I– 20 to the Mall at Stonecrest in eastern DeKalb County. The HRT service would include new stations at Covington Highway, Wesley Chapel Road, Panola Road, Lithonia Industrial Blvd., and the Mall at Stonecrest. The HRT alignment would generally be located adjacent to the interstate and would utilize Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) right-of-way wherever possible. The Build Alternative to be evaluated in the EA is a new BRT service between downtown Atlanta and Wesley Chapel Road, operating in HOV lanes on I–20 as much as possible and utilizing surface streets within downtown Atlanta. The BRT service would be a fixed-route, branded, high frequency, all day service utilizing transit stations rather than typical bus stops. From east to west, the BRT service would start at the proposed Wesley Chapel Road HRT/ BRT station and utilize the HOV lanes and transit/HOV interchanges to access stations at Candler Road and Gresham Road, then serve stations at Glenwood Avenue, Moreland Avenue, and Bill Kennedy Way/Atlanta BeltLine before terminating at the Five Points Station in downtown Atlanta. The service would utilize arterial BRT enhancements such as Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and queue jumper lanes to maximize the VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:39 Aug 27, 2012 Jkt 226001 efficiency of surface street operations where necessary. Scope of Environmental Analysis FTA and MARTA will evaluate both project-specific and secondary and cumulative effects to the physical, cultural, natural, and social environment in the I–20 East Corridor. The permanent, long-term effects to the region could include effects to traffic and transportation; land use and socioeconomics; visual character and aesthetics; noise and vibration; historical and archaeological resources; community impacts; and natural resources. Temporary impacts during construction of the project could include effects to air quality; noise and vibration; natural resources; and contaminated and hazardous materials. 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, 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), and 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) and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (23 CFR 771.135)), the regulation implementing Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (50 CFR part 402) Executive Orders 12898 regarding minority and low-income populations, 11988 on floodplain management, and 11990 on wetlands, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act of 1970, along with other applicable Federal and State regulations. Opportunities for comment on the potential effects to be studied will be provided to the public, and comments received will be considered in the development of the final scope and content of the environmental documents. Procedures The regulations implementing NEPA, as well as provisions of SAFETEA–LU, call for public involvement in the NEPA process. In accordance with Section 6002 of SAFETEA–LU, FTA and MARTA will: (1) Extend an invitation to other Federal and non-Federal agencies and Native American Tribes that may PO 00000 Frm 00166 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 have an interest in the proposed project to become ‘‘participating agencies’’ (any interested party that does not receive an invitation to become a participating agency can notify any of the contact persons listed earlier in this NOI); (2) Provide opportunity for involvement by participating agencies and the public to help define the Purpose and Need for the proposed project, as well as the range of alternatives for consideration in the EIS and EA; and (3) Establish a plan for coordinating public and agency participation in, and comment on, the environmental review process. It is possible that we may not be able to identify all Federal and non-federal agencies and Indian tribes that may have an interest in the proposed project. 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 Public Involvement Plan and an Agency Coordination Plan will be developed outlining public and agency involvement for the project. These will be available on the project Web site or through written request. Opportunities for comment will be provided throughout the NEPA process, including public and agency meetings, the project Web site https://www.itsmarta.com/120east-corr.aspx, a mailing address (identified above under ADDRESSES), and project newsletters. Comments received from any of these sources will be considered in the development of the final scope and content of the environmental documents. With the publication of this NOI, the scoping process for the project begins. After the publication of the Draft Scoping Document, a public comment period will begin, allowing the public to offer input on the scope of the EIS and EA until October 15, 2012. Public comments will be received through those methods explained earlier in this NOI and will be incorporated into a Final Scoping Document. This document will detail the scope of the EIS and EA as well as the potential environmental effects that will be considered during the study period. After the completion of the Draft EIS and EA, another public commenting period will allow for input on the EIS and EA, and these comments will be incorporated into the Final EIS and EA/ Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) reports before publication. FTA may identify a locally preferred alternative in the DEIS when made available for public and agency comments. Public hearings on the DEIS E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 167 / Tuesday, August 28, 2012 / Notices will be held in DeKalb County. On the basis of the DEIS and the public and agency comments received, FTA will identify the locally preferred alternative in the FEIS. The FEIS will serve as the basis for Federal and State environmental findings and determinations needed to conclude the environmental review process. Issued on: August 15, 2012. Yvette G. Taylor, Regional Administrator. [FR Doc. 2012–21222 Filed 8–27–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration FY 2012 Discretionary Funding Opportunity: Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Availability: Solicitation of Project Proposals AGENCY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $12 million in Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program (Transit in Parks Program) discretionary funds in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. FTA announced the allocation of $13.5 million in FY 2012 Transit in Parks Program funds in the Federal Register on February 3, 2012. This notice solicits proposals to compete for program funds that have been appropriated since that date and may include additional funds made available after this notice is published. The Transit in Parks Program was established by Section 3021 of SAFETEA–LU, as amended (49 U.S.C. 5320), and was repealed, effective October 1, 2012, by the most recent transportation authorization, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP–21). This announcement solicits proposals for the final allocation of program funding, as defined above. The program is administered by FTA in partnership with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. The Transit in Parks Program funds capital and planning expenses for alternative transportation systems such as buses, trams and non-motorized trails in federally managed parks and public lands. Federal land management agencies, as well as State, tribal and local governments, acting with the consent of a Federal land management agency, are eligible to apply. DOI, after consultation with and in cooperation srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:39 Aug 27, 2012 Jkt 226001 with FTA, will determine the final selection and funding of projects. Geographic diversity will be considered when allocating funds. This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: https:// www.fta.dot.gov. FTA will announce final selections on the Web site and in the Federal Register. A synopsis of this funding opportunity will be posted in the FIND module of the governmentwide electronic grants Web site at https://www.grants.gov. DATES: Complete proposals must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 28, 2012. ADDRESSES: Project proposals originating from State, Tribal or local government entities must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV Web site. Project proposals originating from units of Federal land management agencies must be submitted directly to their agency points of contact, as listed at the end of this notice, or to specific regional agency coordinators as directed by each agency. Federal land management agency units may propose projects in cooperation with other eligible funding recipients, including projects where an eligible partner is the intended funding recipient. Applicants required to use GRANTS.GOV must be properly registered prior to submitting an application, and should initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately to ensure completion of registration before the deadline for submission. GRANTS.GOV applicants should receive two confirmation emails. The first will confirm that the application was received and a subsequent email will be sent within 24–48 hours indicating whether the application was validated or rejected by the system. If interested parties experience difficulties at any point during the registration or application process, please call the GRANTS.GOV Customer Support Hotline at 1–800–518–4726, Monday– Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. The required electronic project proposal template as well as guidance on completing a proposal can be found on GRANTS.GOV or on the program Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov/ transitinparks. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The appropriate FTA Regional Office (https://fta.dot.gov/12317_1119.html) or the appropriate land management agency (Appendix A) for proposalspecific information. For general program information, contact Adam Schildge, Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in PO 00000 Frm 00167 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52131 Parks Program, at (202) 366–0778, Adam.Schildge@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1–800–877–8339 (TDD/ FIRS). For technical assistance or general inquiries regarding alternative transportation in federal lands, contact the Transit in Parks Technical Assistance Center at https:// www.triptac.org, (877) 704–5292, or helpdesk@triptac.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Table of Contents I. Overview II. Program Purpose III. Program Information A. Eligible Applicants B. Eligible Projects C. Financial Limitations and Cost Sharing D. Application Content E. Evaluation Criteria IV. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information Appendix A Land Management Agency Contacts I. Overview Section 3021 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA–LU), as amended, established the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program (Transit in Parks Program) (49 U.S.C. 5320). On July 7, 2012, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP–21) was enacted, repealing the Transit in Parks Program effective on October 1, 2012. This notice solicits project proposals for the allocation of approximately $12 million in remaining program funding. The program is administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in partnership with the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. Congestion in and around our national parks and public lands causes traffic delays, creates pollution, and can detract from the visitor experience and the protection of sensitive natural and cultural resources. Since 2006, the Transit in Parks Program has allocated approximately $160 million to competitively selected alternative transportation projects that provide improved mobility and accessibility within our public lands, reduce the environmental impacts of automobile traffic congestion, improve the safety and recreational experience of visitors, and provide sustainable and costefficient solutions for transportation challenges on our nation’s parks, refuges, forests and other public lands. As with other types of transportation infrastructure, alternative transportation systems on public lands require continued capital investment. In addition, planning studies funded E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1

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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52128-52131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21222]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Environmental Assessment for the I-20 East Transit Initiative in the 
City of Atlanta and DeKalb County, GA

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) and Environmental Assessment (EA).

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metropolitan 
Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) intend to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for MARTA's I-20 East Transit 
Initiative project, which would extend the existing east-west rail line 
from the Indian Creek Station to the Mall at Stonecrest in eastern 
DeKalb County and an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a new Bus Rapid 
Transit (BRT) service along I-20 between downtown Atlanta and a new 
station at Wesley Chapel Road, east of I-285 in DeKalb County. The EIS 
and EA will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), 
and will also address the requirements of other federal and state 
environmental laws. The extension of the existing MARTA east-west rail 
line and the new BRT service along I-20 were selected as the Locally 
Preferred Alternative (LPA) based on a two year Detailed Corridor 
Analysis (DCA) completed in April 2012. The DCA revisited the analysis 
and conclusions of the I-20 East Corridor Study Alternatives Analysis 
(AA) completed in 2004 and complied with FTA's New Starts project 
development process.
    The purpose of this Notice of Intent (NOI) is to advise interested 
agencies and the public regarding the plan to prepare the EIS and EA, 
to provide information on the nature of the proposed transit project, 
to invite participation in the NEPA process, including comments on the 
scope of the EIS and EA proposed in this notice, and to announce where 
and when public scoping meetings will be conducted. Scoping meetings 
are an opportunity for government agencies, affected stakeholders, and 
the general public to provide input and feedback on the project Purpose 
and Need, the alternatives to be studied, as well as to identify any 
significant physical, cultural, natural, and social environmental 
issues within the study area.

DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of the EIS and 
EA must be sent to Janide Sidifall, Project Manager, MARTA by October 
15, 2012.
    Scoping Meetings: Public scoping meetings will be held on September 
10, 11, and 13 at locations within the study area. These meetings will 
be the fourth round of public outreach meetings held for the I-20 East 
Transit Initiative, and are an opportunity for MARTA to present the I-
20 East LPA to the public. The times and locations of these meetings 
are indicated under ADDRESSES below. Interagency scoping meetings will 
be held in September, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written Comments: Written comments on the scope of the EIS 
and EA, including the project's Purpose and Need, the impacts to be 
evaluated, and methodologies to be used in the

[[Page 52129]]

evaluations, must be sent to Janide Sidifall, Project Manager, MARTA, 
2424 Piedmont Road NE., Atlanta, GA 30324-3330. Comments may also be 
offered at the public scoping meetings. Written comments should be 
submitted within two weeks of the final scoping meeting or 30 days 
within the publication of the final NOI, whichever is later.
    Scoping Meetings: The dates, times, and locations for the public 
scoping meetings are:
    Meeting 1: Monday, September 10, 2012, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Trees 
Atlanta 225 Chester Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316
    Meeting 2: Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Porter 
Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur, 
Georgia 30034
    Meeting 3: Thursday, September 13, 2012, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Lou 
Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia, GA 30058
    The appropriate federal, state, and local agencies will be notified 
individually about the time and location of the interagency scoping 
meeting.
    The locations of the public scoping meetings are accessible to 
persons with disabilities. If translation, signing services, or other 
special accommodations are needed, please contact Jen Price at (404) 
377-9147 or for hearing impaired TTY 404-848-5665 at least 48 hours 
before the meeting. A scoping information booklet will be available one 
week prior to the meetings on the project web site at: https://www.itsmarta.com/120-east-corr.aspx. Copies will also be available at 
the scoping meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian C. Smart, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Transit Administration--Region IV, 230 
Peachtree Street, NW--Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Telephone: (404) 
865-5607; Facsimile: (404) 865-5490; Email: brian.smart@dot.gov; or 
Janide Sidifall, Office of Transit Systems Planning, MARTA, 2424 
Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324-3330, Telephone: (404) 848-5828; 
Facsimile (404) 848-5132; Email: jsidifall@itsmarta.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Scoping

    FTA and MARTA will undertake a scoping process that will allow the 
public and interested agencies to comment on the scope of the 
environmental review process. Scoping is the process of determining the 
scope, focus, and content of the EIS and EA. NEPA scoping has specific 
objectives, identifying the significant issues that will be examined in 
detail during the EIS and EA, while simultaneously limiting 
consideration and development of issues that are not truly significant. 
FTA and MARTA invite all interested individuals and organizations, 
public agencies, and Native American tribes to comment on the scope of 
the EIS and EA. To facilitate public and agency comment, a Scoping 
Information Packet will be prepared for review. Included in this packet 
will be descriptions of: the Purpose and Need for the project; the 
alternatives to be studied; the impacts to be assessed; and the draft 
public outreach and agency coordination plan.

Description of Proposed Projects and Study Areas

    The first phase of the I-20 East Transit Initiative was a two year 
long DCA. This DCA built upon the transit studies previously completed 
in the corridor and conformed with FTA's New Starts project development 
process. The DCA identified and evaluated transit improvements in the 
I-20 East Corridor from downtown Atlanta to the Mall at Stonecrest, in 
eastern DeKalb County. The result of the DCA was an LPA which includes 
the extension of the existing east-west heavy rail transit (HRT) line 
from the Indian Creek Station to the Mall at Stonecrest in eastern 
DeKalb County and a new BRT service along I-20 between downtown Atlanta 
and a new station at Wesley Chapel Road, east of I-285 in DeKalb 
County.
    The EIS, which will focus on the HRT extension, has a study area 
that extends from the MARTA Indian Creek Station south for 3.5 miles 
along I-285, then east for approximately 8.5 miles to the Mall at 
Stonecrest. The EA, which will focus on the new BRT service, has a 
study area that extends from the MARTA Five Points Station in downtown 
Atlanta, south along surface streets to I-20, then east along I-20 for 
approximately 11.5 miles to Wesley Chapel Road in DeKalb County. Both 
study areas will extend up to \1/2\ mile on each side of the alignment 
in order to evaluate the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts 
associated with the implementation of transit in the corridor.

Project Purpose and Need

    The purpose of the proposed project is to enhance east-west 
mobility and improve transit accessibility to residential areas and 
employment centers within the corridor. The existing and future roadway 
congestion in the I-20 East corridor will have an increasingly 
detrimental effect on automobile and bus transit travel in the 
corridor. The proposed transit investments are intended to improve 
travel times and travel reliability by providing a rapid transit 
service for commuters traveling to and from central Atlanta.
    The need for the proposed project is based on the following 
considerations of the I-20 East Corridor. There is a need for improved 
mobility and accessibility in the corridor, as traffic congestion 
causes delay and slow travel times and there is inadequate access to 
downtown Atlanta and other employment centers; there is a need for 
additional travel options in the corridor, which has limited east-west 
roadways, making I-20 the primary choice for east-west travel in the 
corridor, and only a limited number of roadway transportation projects 
or capacity improvements are planned in the corridor to accommodate 
growth; there is a need for improved transit service in the corridor, 
which is insufficient for a growing demand, as it consists primarily of 
local and express buses operating in normal traffic, and which provides 
limited transportation options for traditionally underserved 
populations such as minority, low income, transit dependent, and 
elderly populations; and finally, there is a need to support land use 
and land and economic development goals within the corridor, areas of 
which are in need of revitalization.

Study Alternatives

    MARTA recently completed a two year long DCA that evaluated 
potential alignments and transit technologies for transit improvements 
in the I-20 East Corridor. From multiple alignment and transit 
technology alternatives, an LPA was selected and adopted by the MARTA 
Board of Directors in April 2012. The EIS and EA will evaluate vertical 
and horizontal alternatives of the adopted LPA as well as a No-Build 
alternative. These LPA and No-Build alternatives are described as 
follows:
    1. No Build Alternative: This alternative reflects the existing 
transportation system plus any committed transportation projects. This 
alternative does not include a major transit investment in the I-20 
East Corridor as proposed in the LPA. The No Build Alternative includes 
only existing or committed MARTA and GRTA local and express bus service 
in the corridor and any other transportation investment included in the 
Atlanta Regional Commission's (ARC) long-range transportation plan. ARC 
is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Atlanta 
urbanized area. NEPA requires the consideration of a No Build 
Alternative as a means of comparing and evaluating

[[Page 52130]]

the impacts and benefits of the Build Alternative.
    2. Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA): The LPA, as adopted by the 
MARTA Board of Directors, includes two projects:
    a. (1) The extension of the existing east-west heavy rail transit 
(HRT) line from the Indian Creek Station to the Mall at Stonecrest in 
southeast DeKalb County and
    b. (2) New BRT service along I-20 between downtown Atlanta and a 
new BRT station at Wesley Chapel Road, east of I-285 in DeKalb County. 
While the HRT and BRT portions of the LPA both address the need for 
improved mobility and transit service in the I-20 East Corridor, they 
represent significantly different transit investments and modes.
    For this reason, the HRT extension will be evaluated as the Build 
Alternative in the EIS and the BRT service will be evaluated as the 
Build Alternative in the EA. However, since the adopted LPA is a 
combination of both HRT and BRT, the EIS and EA will be undertaken 
concurrently with all public outreach presenting information and 
analysis for both.
    The Build Alternative to be evaluated in the EIS is the extension 
of the existing MARTA east-west HRT line from the Indian Creek Station, 
south parallel to I-285, then east parallel to I-20 to the Mall at 
Stonecrest in eastern DeKalb County. The HRT service would include new 
stations at Covington Highway, Wesley Chapel Road, Panola Road, 
Lithonia Industrial Blvd., and the Mall at Stonecrest. The HRT 
alignment would generally be located adjacent to the interstate and 
would utilize Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) right-of-way 
wherever possible.
    The Build Alternative to be evaluated in the EA is a new BRT 
service between downtown Atlanta and Wesley Chapel Road, operating in 
HOV lanes on I-20 as much as possible and utilizing surface streets 
within downtown Atlanta. The BRT service would be a fixed-route, 
branded, high frequency, all day service utilizing transit stations 
rather than typical bus stops. From east to west, the BRT service would 
start at the proposed Wesley Chapel Road HRT/BRT station and utilize 
the HOV lanes and transit/HOV interchanges to access stations at 
Candler Road and Gresham Road, then serve stations at Glenwood Avenue, 
Moreland Avenue, and Bill Kennedy Way/Atlanta BeltLine before 
terminating at the Five Points Station in downtown Atlanta. The service 
would utilize arterial BRT enhancements such as Transit Signal Priority 
(TSP) and queue jumper lanes to maximize the efficiency of surface 
street operations where necessary.

Scope of Environmental Analysis

    FTA and MARTA will evaluate both project-specific and secondary and 
cumulative effects to the physical, cultural, natural, and social 
environment in the I-20 East Corridor. The permanent, long-term effects 
to the region could include effects to traffic and transportation; land 
use and socioeconomics; visual character and aesthetics; noise and 
vibration; historical and archaeological resources; community impacts; 
and natural resources. Temporary impacts during construction of the 
project could include effects to air quality; noise and vibration; 
natural resources; and contaminated and hazardous materials.
    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, 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), and 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) and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act 
(23 CFR 771.135)), the regulation implementing Section 7 of the 
Endangered Species Act (50 CFR part 402) Executive Orders 12898 
regarding minority and low-income populations, 11988 on floodplain 
management, and 11990 on wetlands, the Clean Water Act and the Clean 
Air Act of 1970, along with other applicable Federal and State 
regulations. Opportunities for comment on the potential effects to be 
studied will be provided to the public, and comments received will be 
considered in the development of the final scope and content of the 
environmental documents.

Procedures

    The regulations implementing NEPA, as well as provisions of 
SAFETEA-LU, call for public involvement in the NEPA process. In 
accordance with Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU, FTA and MARTA will: (1) 
Extend an invitation to other Federal and non-Federal agencies and 
Native American Tribes that may have an interest in the proposed 
project to become ``participating agencies'' (any interested party that 
does not receive an invitation to become a participating agency can 
notify any of the contact persons listed earlier in this NOI); (2) 
Provide opportunity for involvement by participating agencies and the 
public to help define the Purpose and Need for the proposed project, as 
well as the range of alternatives for consideration in the EIS and EA; 
and (3) Establish a plan for coordinating public and agency 
participation in, and comment on, the environmental review process.
    It is possible that we may not be able to identify all Federal and 
non-federal agencies and Indian tribes that may have an interest in the 
proposed project. 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 Public Involvement Plan and an Agency Coordination Plan will be 
developed outlining public and agency involvement for the project. 
These will be available on the project Web site or through written 
request. Opportunities for comment will be provided throughout the NEPA 
process, including public and agency meetings, the project Web site 
https://www.itsmarta.com/120-east-corr.aspx, a mailing address 
(identified above under ADDRESSES), and project newsletters. Comments 
received from any of these sources will be considered in the 
development of the final scope and content of the environmental 
documents.
    With the publication of this NOI, the scoping process for the 
project begins. After the publication of the Draft Scoping Document, a 
public comment period will begin, allowing the public to offer input on 
the scope of the EIS and EA until October 15, 2012. Public comments 
will be received through those methods explained earlier in this NOI 
and will be incorporated into a Final Scoping Document. This document 
will detail the scope of the EIS and EA as well as the potential 
environmental effects that will be considered during the study period. 
After the completion of the Draft EIS and EA, another public commenting 
period will allow for input on the EIS and EA, and these comments will 
be incorporated into the Final EIS and EA/Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) reports before publication.
    FTA may identify a locally preferred alternative in the DEIS when 
made available for public and agency comments. Public hearings on the 
DEIS

[[Page 52131]]

will be held in DeKalb County. On the basis of the DEIS and the public 
and agency comments received, FTA will identify the locally preferred 
alternative in the FEIS. The FEIS will serve as the basis for Federal 
and State environmental findings and determinations needed to conclude 
the environmental review process.

    Issued on: August 15, 2012.
Yvette G. Taylor,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-21222 Filed 8-27-12; 8:45 am]
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