Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study, Virginia, 49600-49603 [2013-19623]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
49600
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 14, 2013 / Notices
aeronautical uses at existing airports or
commercial space launch sites.
Paragraph 5–6.5b (formerly 311b)
adds clarification that this applies to
establishment of jet routes as they are
one type of federal airway.
Paragraph 5–6.5c (formerly 311c) adds
the example ‘‘reduction in times of use
(e.g., from continuous to intermittent, or
use by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)’’
to the list of ‘‘such as’’ actions. This
clarifies that actions to return all or part
of special use airspace (SUA) to the
National Airspace System (NAS)
includes reduction in times of use.
Paragraph 5–6.5g (formerly 311g) is
slightly modified to include ‘‘Required
Navigation Performance’’ (RNP). It also
specifies that a Noise Screening Tool or
other FAA-approved environmental
screening methodology should be used.
Paragraph 5–6.5h (formerly 311h) is
slightly modified to include
‘‘modification’’ of helicopter routes to
clarify that establishment of helicopter
routes also includes modification of
these routes as long as they channel
helicopter activity over major
thoroughfares.
Paragraph 5–6.5i (formerly 311i)
updates reference to a Noise Screening
Tool (NST) or other FAA approved
environmental screening methodology.
Paragraph 5–6.6b is modified to
provide clarity that the categorical
exclusion applies to an aerobatic
practice area containing one aerobatic
practice box in accordance with 1050.1E
Guidance Memo #5, Clarification of
FAA Order 1050.1E CATEX 312b to
Aerobatic Actions.
Change 18 revises the discussion of
EA format and process to streamline the
explanation of each element and clarify
that an EA should be concise and
focused and should not be as detailed as
an EIS (see Paragraph 6–2). Since this
section has been reduced in detail, there
are cross-references to the
corresponding EIS sections for
environmental assessments that may
need to be more substantial.
Change 19 revises the language in
notices soliciting public comment on
draft EAs and draft EISs, stating that
personal information provided by
commenters (e.g., addresses, phone
numbers, and email addresses) may be
made publicly available (see Paragraphs
6–2.2.e and 7–1.2.d(1)(a)).
Change 20 adds a new paragraph to
explain the conditions under which the
FAA may choose to terminate
preparation of an EIS and clarifies what
steps the FAA should take when this
situation occurs (see Paragraph 7–1.3).
Change 21 adds a discussion of FAA
policy with respect to consideration of
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:16 Aug 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
transboundary impacts resulting from
FAA actions (see Paragraph 8–3).
Change 22 updates the discussion of
international actions to be consistent
with DOT Order 5610.1, including
guidance on coordination within the
FAA/DOT and U.S. State Department
when communication with foreign
governments is needed (see Paragraph
8–4).
Change 23 clarifies the alternative
process to consider environmental
impacts before taking emergency actions
necessary to protect the lives and safety
of the public in emergency
circumstances. These alternative
arrangements are limited to actions
necessary to control the immediate
impacts of an emergency. Order 1050.1F
expands this section to provide for
emergency procedures when a CATEX
or EA would be the appropriate level of
NEPA review (see Paragraph 8–5).
Change 24 clarifies and expands on
requirements relating to FAA adoption
of other agencies’ NEPA documents (see
Paragraph 8–7). Clarifies requirements
for legal sufficiency review of adopted
documents and when this review is
required (see Paragraph 8–7.d). Also
adds a discussion of recirculation
requirements for EISs to highlight that
there are some circumstances in which
adopted documents must be recirculated (see Paragraph 8–7.f).
Change 25 clarifies that there is no
specified format for written reevaluations. It also adds a statement to
explain that written re-evaluations may
be prepared even when they are not
required. In addition, this section also
adds a discussion of combining decision
documents with written re-evaluations
(i.e., a ‘‘WR/ROD’’) (see Paragraph 9–2).
Change 26 streamlines, consolidates,
and clarifies provisions relating to
review, approval, and signature
authority for FAA NEPA documents (see
Chapter 10).
Change 27 revises text in Paragraph
11–2 to clarify the authority of various
parties and to be consistent with other
FAA Orders (see Paragraph 11–2).
Change 28 clarifies provisions relating
to explanatory guidance (see Paragraph
11–4).
Change 29 adds definitions of ‘‘NEPA
lead’’ and ‘‘special purpose laws and
requirements.’’ It deletes the definition
of ‘‘Environmental Due Diligence
Audit’’ because this term is no longer
used in FAA Order 1050.1F. Definitions
of ‘‘environmental studies’’, ‘‘approving
official’’, and ‘‘decisionmaker’’ are
revised to reflect current practice. The
definition of ‘‘launch facility’’ is
changed to ‘‘commercial space launch
site’’ to be consistent with 14 CFR part
420. The definition of ‘‘noise sensitive
PO 00000
Frm 00157
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
area’’ is revised to include a reference to
Table 1 of 14 CFR part 150 rather than
Appendix A of FAA Order 1050.1E, to
provide context in light of the removal
of Appendix A from proposed Order
1050.1F. (See Paragraph 11–5.b).
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 9,
2013.
Lourdes Q. Maurice,
Executive Director, Office of Environment and
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013–19734 Filed 8–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Virginia Beach Transit Extension
Study, Virginia
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) and Hampton
Roads Transit (HRT) are planning to
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Virginia Beach
Transit Extension Study (VBTES). The
VBTES will examine extending transit
service from the eastern terminus of
Norfolk’s existing Light Rail Transit
(LRT) system, ‘‘The Tide,’’ at Newtown
Road to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
either along the former Norfolk
Southern Railroad right-of-way (NSRR
ROW) that runs from Newtown Road to
Birdneck Road or along the NSRR ROW
to Laskin Road then onto Birdneck
Road. From Birdneck Road, both
alignments would extend onto 19th
Street terminating at the Virginia Beach
Oceanfront.
In 2000, FTA and HRT prepared the
Norfolk-Virginia Beach East/West Light
Rail Transit System Final EIS. This
document looked at an 18-mile transit
system connecting downtown Norfolk to
the Pavilion area of Virginia Beach. In
2009, FTA and HRT began a
Supplemental EIS for the VBTES that
intended to evaluate changes in the
project corridor since the 2000 EIS. As
the Supplemental EIS progressed, FTA
and HRT began studying an additional
alternative alignment along Laskin
Road. This alternative alignment and
the additional amount of time that
elapsed since work began on the
Supplemental EIS led FTA to determine
that a Supplemental EIS was no longer
appropriate for the VBTES and instead
a new EIS should be prepared. Pursuant
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM
14AUN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 14, 2013 / Notices
to 23 CFR 771.123(a), FTA and HRT
now issue this Notice of Intent (NOI) for
an EIS for the VBTES. Although the
VBTES has been under consideration in
some form since the 1980’s, and was
included in the 2000 Final EIS, this EIS
will specifically rely on relevant
information that has been developed
over the last several years since the 2009
Supplemental EIS was proposed.
The EIS for the VBTES will be
prepared in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). This NOI initiates formal
scoping for the EIS, invites interested
parties to participate in the process,
provides information about the purpose
and need for the study, includes the
alternatives being considered for
evaluation in the EIS, and identifies
potential environmental effects to be
considered.
HRT began its VBTES public
involvement process in 2009. It held
frequent public meetings in 2010, 2012,
and 2013, and continues to receive
public comments on the study today.
HRT plans additional public meetings
for September 2013 and November
2013. These continued opportunities for
public involvement in the VBTES
means no formal public scoping
meetings are planned to be held for this
EIS.
In 2009 and 2013, HRT, in
coordination with FTA, contacted
interested party agencies for the VBTES.
As such, agencies that have previously
responded to invitations to engage in
the VBTES process will remain as
interested parties on the study and are
not required to formally respond to this
notice.
DATES: Written comments on the scope
of reasonable alternatives and impacts
to be considered in the EIS must be sent
to HRT as indicated below. Written
comments must be received no later
than September 13, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be sent to Ms. Marie Arnt, Public
Outreach Coordinator, Hampton Roads
Transit, 509 E. 18th Street, Norfolk, VA
23504, by email to marnt@hrtransit.org,
or through HRT’s Web site at
www.gohrt.com/about/development/
vbtes.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Ryan Long, FTA Community Planner,
phone: (215) 656–7051.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Proposed Project: HRT is
proposing to extend transit service from
the eastern terminus of Norfolk’s
existing LRT system, ‘‘The Tide,’’ at
Newtown Road to the Virginia Beach
Oceanfront. The service extension will
operate as a fixed guideway transit
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:16 Aug 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
system within the primary east-west
transportation corridor in the City of
Virginia Beach, Virginia. A fixed
guideway transit system operates on a
separate right-of-way that is exclusive
for transit or other high-occupancy
vehicles. The VBTES will evaluate
alternatives for this service extension,
including LRT and Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT). The final alignment, number of
stations and their locations, and specific
eastern and western termini will be
determined through the EIS process.
HRT is intending to seek Capital
Investment Grant (CIG) program funding
from FTA for one or more of the
alternatives that will be examined in the
EIS. The CIG program, more commonly
known as the New Starts, Small Starts,
and Core Capacity program, involves a
multi-year, multi-step process that
project sponsors must complete before a
project is eligible for funding. The steps
in the process and the basic
requirements of the program can be
found on FTA’s Web site at
www.fta.dot.gov.
Purposes of and Need for the Project:
The purpose of the VBTES is to provide
an efficient, integrated, and multimodal
system of public transit that:
• Provides an efficient transportation
option independent of traffic
congestion;
• Supports a dynamic local and
regional economy by responding to
existing and future travel needs;
• Maintains or enhances livable
communities within the project study
corridor; and
• Complements planned local growth
initiatives and strategies.
The City of Virginia Beach and the
region need VBTES to improve personal
mobility and to reduce traffic congestion
in ways that are safe and reliable and
that support future planned growth.
Four decades of significant growth in
population, employment, and tourism
in the City of Virginia Beach has led to
increased traffic and congestion on
existing roadways serving the study
area. Daily and commute trips by
motorists and transit users have grown
longer resulting in congestion and
delays in both morning and evening
peak periods in the primary east-west
transportation corridor through the City
of Virginia Beach. This corridor is
defined by I–264, Virginia Beach
Boulevard, Laskin Road, and the former
NSRR ROW.
The area within the corridor is largely
developed. There are limited transit
opportunities with the existing bus
system which shares these congested
roadways. In addition, the Virginia
Beach Oceanfront resort area is a
primary vacation destination for the
PO 00000
Frm 00158
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
49601
entire Commonwealth of Virginia and
the mid-Atlantic region. Non-work trips
to access the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
area during the period of May through
September lead to increased congestion
and travel delays for visitors as well as
for residents making work and nonwork trips. These recreational trips
originate from both within and outside
the region.
Numerous transportation system
planning studies have been completed
for the Hampton Roads Region and the
City of Virginia Beach that have
examined the feasibility of providing
additional transit service in the eastwest corridor. These studies were
conducted with full public
participation. Each study identified the
need to provide an efficient, safe,
economical, and balanced
transportation system (with auto,
transit, and non-motorized modes of
travel) that would minimize the impact
to the environment and would
complement the community’s
development patterns. Development of a
fixed-guideway transit system through
Virginia Beach’s east-west corridor is
discussed in the following studies:
HRT/Hampton Roads Regional
Planning District Commission Plans:
• HRTPO Hampton Roads 2034 Long
Range Transportation Plan (2012)
• Hampton Roads Regional Transit
Vision Plan (2011)
• HRPDC Hampton Roads 2030 Long
Range Transportation Plan (2006)
• Norfolk to Virginia Beach Light Rail
Transit Final EIS (2000)
• Virginia Beach Corridor Major
Investment Study (1995)
• The Rail Systems Analysis and Fixed
Guideway Service Plan (1991)
• Planning for Restoration of Rail
Passenger Service (1988)
• Study of the Cost Effectiveness of
Restoring Rail Passenger Service
(1986)
City of Virginia Beach Plans:
• Hilltop Strategic Growth Area (SGA)
Master Plan (2012)
• Lynnhaven SGA Master Plan (2012)
• Rosemont SGA Master Plan (2011)
• Newtown SGA Master Plan (2010)
• Pembroke SGA Implementation Plan
(2009)
• Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plan
(2009)
• Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort
Area Plan (2005)
• Virginia Beach Central Business
District Final Master Plan (1991)
The HRT/Hampton Roads Regional
Planning District Commission longrange plans are available for review at
the HRT Web site (www.gohrt.com) and
the Hampton Roads Planning District
E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM
14AUN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
49602
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 14, 2013 / Notices
Commission Web site (www.hrpdc.org).
The City of Virginia Beach’s plans are
available on its Web site
(www.vbgov.com).
Alternatives: The EIS will consider
build and no-build alternatives to
determine which would best serve the
study area. The EIS will also include
descriptions of alternatives considered
for evaluation but which were
determined not to be reasonable and
therefore will not be carried forward for
evaluation in detail in the EIS. The
build alternatives being carried into the
EIS will include LRT and BRT
technologies.
In the VBTES, the fixed guideway
alignment options for the build
alternative(s) are:
• Newtown Road to the Rosemont
area;
• Newtown Road to the Oceanfront
along the former NSRR ROW; and
• Newtown Road to the Oceanfront
partially along Laskin and Birdneck
Roads.
The implementation of a fixed
guideway alternative would require the
location and construction of stations
and park-and-ride facilities and may
require a vehicle storage and
maintenance facility. Stations would be
located at intervals that provide service
to key activity centers in the study
corridor. The EIS will consider
reasonable and feasible alternative
locations and configurations identified
for each of these facilities during the
study process.
The EIS will collect and assess
information for each alternative in order
to evaluate and compare potential
benefits and impacts. This will include
such information as:
• Station locations;
• Ridership Forecasts;
• Construction and Operation Costs
(including utility relocations);
• Impacts to natural resources
(including wetlands, protected species,
air quality); and
• Impacts to the community and
historic resources (including traffic,
noise, businesses, residences,
community resources).
No Build Alternative: The No-Build
Alternative serves as the NEPA baseline
against which environmental effects of
other alternatives, including the
proposed project once one is identified,
will be measured. The No-Build
Alternative will include roadway and
transit facility and service
improvements (other than the Build
Alternatives) planned, programmed and
included in the Financially Constrained
Regional Transportation Plan to be
implemented by the Year 2040. The No
Build Alternative will include minor
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:16 Aug 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
transit service expansions and/or
adjustments that reflect a continuation
of existing service policies as identified
by HRT.
Probable Effects/Potential Impacts for
Analysis: HRT anticipates the VBTES
will result in a preferred build
alternative with beneficial travel and
economic development effects but may
have some adverse environmental
effects. The proposed build alternative
would result in travel time savings for
existing transit patrons and gain new
transit users who switch from
automobiles, while offering a broader
range of transportation options for
Virginia Beach and the region. It will
also support economic development and
land use goals of the City of Virginia
Beach as identified in its
Comprehensive Plan and Strategic
Growth Area plans. The proposed build
alternative would also contribute to
goals of reducing growth in vehicle
miles traveled and emissions, including
greenhouse gases.
The purpose of the EIS is to explore
in a public setting the effects of the
proposed project and its alternatives on
the human and natural environment.
FTA and HRT will evaluate the
potential social, economic, and
environmental impacts of the
construction and operation of the
proposed project. Impact areas to be
addressed include: transportation; land
use, zoning, and economic
development; secondary development;
land acquisition, visual impacts,
displacements and relocations; cultural
resources, including impacts on
historical and archaeological resources
and parklands/recreation areas;
neighborhood compatibility and
environmental justice; natural resource
impacts including air quality, wetlands,
and water resources; noise and
vibration; energy use; safety and
security; and wildlife and ecosystems,
including endangered species.
Reasonable measures to avoid,
minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts
will be identified and evaluated.
Potential impacts are likely to be
limited primarily to social and
economic impacts associated with
development of a fixed guideway transit
project. These impacts include
enhanced development opportunities
and changes in zoning and local plans
related to station area development.
Such changes will be coordinated with
the City of Virginia Beach’s
comprehensive plan and Strategic
Growth Area plans. Property acquisition
and displacement may occur because of
the development of park-and-ride
facilities, alignments utilizing city street
rights-of-way, and/or placement of
PO 00000
Frm 00159
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
traction power substations (if needed).
Minimal, primarily short-term (e.g.,
construction), impacts may occur to
wetlands and/or surface waters.
Construction impacts may disrupt travel
and access to businesses and/or
residences on a short term basis.
Role of Agencies and the Public:
NEPA, and FTA’s regulations
implementing NEPA, calls for public
involvement in the EIS process. FTA
and HRT will continue to provide a
substantial level of public involvement
throughout the EIS process, including
open house meetings, newsletters, and
outreach to city civic leagues and
businesses. However, no formal public
meetings are planned for the scoping
period associated with this NOI due to
the extensive previous public meetings
hosted by HRT. Specifically related to
public and agency involvement, FTA
and HRT will (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 EIS; and (3)
establish a plan for coordinating public
and agency participation in, and
comment on, the environmental review
process.
A comprehensive public involvement
program has been developed for the
VBTES and is posted on the project Web
site at www.gohrt.com. The public
involvement program includes a full
range of involvement activities
including the project Web site; outreach
to local officials, community and civic
groups, and the public; and
development and distribution of project
newsletters. Specific mechanisms for
involvement are detailed in the public
involvement program.
The public and participating agencies
are invited to consider and comment on
this preliminary statement of the
purpose and need for the proposed
Virginia Beach alternatives. Suggestions
for modifications to the statement of
purpose and need for the proposed
project are welcome and will be given
serious consideration. Comments on
potential environmental impacts that
may be associated with the proposed
alternatives are also welcome. There
will be additional opportunities to
participate in the study process at future
public meetings.
FTA and HRT will comply with all
applicable Federal environmental laws,
regulations, and executive orders during
the environmental review process.
E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM
14AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 14, 2013 / Notices
These requirements include, but are not
limited to, the regulations of the Council
on Environmental Quality
implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts
1500–1508) and FTA’s own NEPA
regulations (23 CFR part 771); the air
quality conformity regulations 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 regulations implementing
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (36 CFR part 800); the
regulations implementing Section 7 of
the Endangered Species Act (50 CFR
part 402); Section 4(f) of the Department
of Transportation Act (23 CFR part 774);
Executive Order 12898 on
Environmental Justice, 11988 on
floodplain management, and 11990 on
wetlands; and DOT Order 5610.2(a) on
Environmental Justice.
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
NEPA documents. Accordingly, unless a
specific request for a complete printed
set of the NEPA document is received
before the document is printed, FTA
and HRT will distribute only electronic
copies of the NEPA document. A
complete printed set of the
environmental document will be
available for review at HRT’s offices; an
electronic copy of the complete
environmental document will be
available on the HRT’s Web site
(www.gohrt.com).
Brigid Hynes-Cherin,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013–19623 Filed 8–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[USCG–2003–14294]
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Gulf Gateway Deepwater Port
Decommissioning and License
Termination
Maritime Administration, DOT.
Public Notice; Final Agency
Approval of the Gulf Gateway
Deepwater Port Decommissioning and
License Termination.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Maritime Administration
(MARAD) announces its final clearance
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:16 Aug 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
and authorization of the
decommissioning of the Gulf Gateway
Deepwater Port and termination of the
Gulf Gateway Deepwater Port License
(License), effective as of June 28, 2013.
Pursuant to Section 1503(h) of the
Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as
amended, a License may remain in
effect until such time as it is either
suspended or revoked by the Secretary
of Transportation or surrendered by the
licensee. For purposes of this agency
action, MARAD has granted as of June
28, 2013, final clearance of the
completed decommissioning of the Gulf
Gateway Deepwater Port facility, and
approved termination of the official
License and all other conditions and
obligations set forth by the License.
DATES: The date of termination of the
License and all actions related to this
action is effective as of June 28, 2013.
ADDRESSES: The Docket Management
Facility maintains the public docket for
this project. The docket may be viewed
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov under docket
number USCG–2003–14294, or in
person at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions about the Gulf
Gateway Deepwater Port project, contact
Ms. Tracey Ford, Acting Office Director,
Office of Deepwater Ports and Offshore
Activities at (202) 366–0321 or
Tracey.Ford@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By letter
dated February 21, 2011, Excelerate
Energy LP (Excelerate) notified MARAD
and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) of its
intention to decommission the Gulf
Gateway Deepwater Port, located 116
miles off the coast of Louisiana.
Excelerate’s decision to decommission
the Gulf Gateway Deepwater Port was
due primarily to declining pipeline
capacity issues, significant operational
challenges, and changes in the global
natural gas market. In accordance with
Article 20 of the License, Excelerate is
required to decommission its deepwater
port in compliance with the
decommissioning plans approved by the
Maritime Administrator and in
accordance with applicable Federal
regulations and guidelines in place at
the time of decommissioning. The
License further requires that MARAD
approval be granted in concurrence with
other relevant Federal agencies. This
requirement was satisfied on April 14,
2012, and Excelerate was granted
authorization by MARAD to proceed
with its planned decommissioning
PO 00000
Frm 00160
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
49603
activities. Excelerate completed the final
decommissioning process on March 14,
2013. At the end of the
decommissioning process, all
components of the Gulf Gateway facility
were removed and the connecting
pipelines were decommissioned inplace, in accordance with applicable
Federal regulations.
As of the date of this notice, MARAD
concurred that all decommissioning
activities for the Gulf Gateway
Deepwater Port have been completed,
and approved termination of the official
License and other related License
obligations.
This Federal Register Notice
completes the final close-out and
termination procedures for the Gulf
Gateway Deepwater Port and License.
No further action will be undertaken by
MARAD.
Additional information pertaining to
the Gulf Gateway Deepwater Port
project may be found in the public
docket at www.regulations.gov under
docket number USCG–2003–14294.
Authority: 49 CFR 1.66
By order of the Maritime Administrator
Dated: August 8, 2013.
Julie P. Agarwal,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013–19687 Filed 8–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 347X)]
Norfolk Southern Railway Company—
Abandonment Exemption—in Marengo
County, Ala
Norfolk Southern Railway Company
(NSR) has filed a verified notice of
exemption under 49 CFR part 1152
subpart F—Exempt Abandonments to
abandon approximately 0.8 miles of rail
line between milepost 241.3 N (east of
the line’s crossing of the mouth of
Devil’s Run Slough where the slough
joins the Black Warrior River) and
milepost 242.1 N (near the intersection
of Nash Ave. and E. Franklin St., in
Demopolis), in Marengo County, Ala.1
The line traverses United States Postal
Service Zip Code 36925.
NSR has certified that: (1) No local
traffic has moved over the line for at
least two years; (2) no overhead traffic
1 NSR states that it is seeking abandonment to
permit the removal of the remaining portion of the
railroad bridge over the mouth of Devil’s Run
Slough at the request of the United States Coast
Guard (USCG), because USCG views the bridge
structure as an impediment to waterway navigation.
E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM
14AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 14, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49600-49603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19623]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study, Virginia
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Hampton Roads
Transit (HRT) are planning to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES). The VBTES
will examine extending transit service from the eastern terminus of
Norfolk's existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, ``The Tide,'' at
Newtown Road to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront either along the former
Norfolk Southern Railroad right-of-way (NSRR ROW) that runs from
Newtown Road to Birdneck Road or along the NSRR ROW to Laskin Road then
onto Birdneck Road. From Birdneck Road, both alignments would extend
onto 19th Street terminating at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
In 2000, FTA and HRT prepared the Norfolk-Virginia Beach East/West
Light Rail Transit System Final EIS. This document looked at an 18-mile
transit system connecting downtown Norfolk to the Pavilion area of
Virginia Beach. In 2009, FTA and HRT began a Supplemental EIS for the
VBTES that intended to evaluate changes in the project corridor since
the 2000 EIS. As the Supplemental EIS progressed, FTA and HRT began
studying an additional alternative alignment along Laskin Road. This
alternative alignment and the additional amount of time that elapsed
since work began on the Supplemental EIS led FTA to determine that a
Supplemental EIS was no longer appropriate for the VBTES and instead a
new EIS should be prepared. Pursuant
[[Page 49601]]
to 23 CFR 771.123(a), FTA and HRT now issue this Notice of Intent (NOI)
for an EIS for the VBTES. Although the VBTES has been under
consideration in some form since the 1980's, and was included in the
2000 Final EIS, this EIS will specifically rely on relevant information
that has been developed over the last several years since the 2009
Supplemental EIS was proposed.
The EIS for the VBTES will be prepared in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This NOI initiates formal
scoping for the EIS, invites interested parties to participate in the
process, provides information about the purpose and need for the study,
includes the alternatives being considered for evaluation in the EIS,
and identifies potential environmental effects to be considered.
HRT began its VBTES public involvement process in 2009. It held
frequent public meetings in 2010, 2012, and 2013, and continues to
receive public comments on the study today. HRT plans additional public
meetings for September 2013 and November 2013. These continued
opportunities for public involvement in the VBTES means no formal
public scoping meetings are planned to be held for this EIS.
In 2009 and 2013, HRT, in coordination with FTA, contacted
interested party agencies for the VBTES. As such, agencies that have
previously responded to invitations to engage in the VBTES process will
remain as interested parties on the study and are not required to
formally respond to this notice.
DATES: Written comments on the scope of reasonable alternatives and
impacts to be considered in the EIS must be sent to HRT as indicated
below. Written comments must be received no later than September 13,
2013.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Ms. Marie Arnt, Public
Outreach Coordinator, Hampton Roads Transit, 509 E. 18th Street,
Norfolk, VA 23504, by email to marnt@hrtransit.org, or through HRT's
Web site at www.gohrt.com/about/development/vbtes.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ryan Long, FTA Community Planner,
phone: (215) 656-7051.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Proposed Project: HRT is proposing to extend transit service
from the eastern terminus of Norfolk's existing LRT system, ``The
Tide,'' at Newtown Road to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The service
extension will operate as a fixed guideway transit system within the
primary east-west transportation corridor in the City of Virginia
Beach, Virginia. A fixed guideway transit system operates on a separate
right-of-way that is exclusive for transit or other high-occupancy
vehicles. The VBTES will evaluate alternatives for this service
extension, including LRT and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The final
alignment, number of stations and their locations, and specific eastern
and western termini will be determined through the EIS process.
HRT is intending to seek Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program
funding from FTA for one or more of the alternatives that will be
examined in the EIS. The CIG program, more commonly known as the New
Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity program, involves a multi-year,
multi-step process that project sponsors must complete before a project
is eligible for funding. The steps in the process and the basic
requirements of the program can be found on FTA's Web site at
www.fta.dot.gov.
Purposes of and Need for the Project: The purpose of the VBTES is
to provide an efficient, integrated, and multimodal system of public
transit that:
Provides an efficient transportation option independent of
traffic congestion;
Supports a dynamic local and regional economy by
responding to existing and future travel needs;
Maintains or enhances livable communities within the
project study corridor; and
Complements planned local growth initiatives and
strategies.
The City of Virginia Beach and the region need VBTES to improve
personal mobility and to reduce traffic congestion in ways that are
safe and reliable and that support future planned growth. Four decades
of significant growth in population, employment, and tourism in the
City of Virginia Beach has led to increased traffic and congestion on
existing roadways serving the study area. Daily and commute trips by
motorists and transit users have grown longer resulting in congestion
and delays in both morning and evening peak periods in the primary
east-west transportation corridor through the City of Virginia Beach.
This corridor is defined by I-264, Virginia Beach Boulevard, Laskin
Road, and the former NSRR ROW.
The area within the corridor is largely developed. There are
limited transit opportunities with the existing bus system which shares
these congested roadways. In addition, the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
resort area is a primary vacation destination for the entire
Commonwealth of Virginia and the mid-Atlantic region. Non-work trips to
access the Virginia Beach Oceanfront area during the period of May
through September lead to increased congestion and travel delays for
visitors as well as for residents making work and non-work trips. These
recreational trips originate from both within and outside the region.
Numerous transportation system planning studies have been completed
for the Hampton Roads Region and the City of Virginia Beach that have
examined the feasibility of providing additional transit service in the
east-west corridor. These studies were conducted with full public
participation. Each study identified the need to provide an efficient,
safe, economical, and balanced transportation system (with auto,
transit, and non-motorized modes of travel) that would minimize the
impact to the environment and would complement the community's
development patterns. Development of a fixed-guideway transit system
through Virginia Beach's east-west corridor is discussed in the
following studies:
HRT/Hampton Roads Regional Planning District Commission Plans:
HRTPO Hampton Roads 2034 Long Range Transportation Plan (2012)
Hampton Roads Regional Transit Vision Plan (2011)
HRPDC Hampton Roads 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (2006)
Norfolk to Virginia Beach Light Rail Transit Final EIS (2000)
Virginia Beach Corridor Major Investment Study (1995)
The Rail Systems Analysis and Fixed Guideway Service Plan
(1991)
Planning for Restoration of Rail Passenger Service (1988)
Study of the Cost Effectiveness of Restoring Rail Passenger
Service (1986)
City of Virginia Beach Plans:
Hilltop Strategic Growth Area (SGA) Master Plan (2012)
Lynnhaven SGA Master Plan (2012)
Rosemont SGA Master Plan (2011)
Newtown SGA Master Plan (2010)
Pembroke SGA Implementation Plan (2009)
Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plan (2009)
Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort Area Plan (2005)
Virginia Beach Central Business District Final Master Plan
(1991)
The HRT/Hampton Roads Regional Planning District Commission long-
range plans are available for review at the HRT Web site
(www.gohrt.com) and the Hampton Roads Planning District
[[Page 49602]]
Commission Web site (www.hrpdc.org). The City of Virginia Beach's plans
are available on its Web site (www.vbgov.com).
Alternatives: The EIS will consider build and no-build alternatives
to determine which would best serve the study area. The EIS will also
include descriptions of alternatives considered for evaluation but
which were determined not to be reasonable and therefore will not be
carried forward for evaluation in detail in the EIS. The build
alternatives being carried into the EIS will include LRT and BRT
technologies.
In the VBTES, the fixed guideway alignment options for the build
alternative(s) are:
Newtown Road to the Rosemont area;
Newtown Road to the Oceanfront along the former NSRR ROW;
and
Newtown Road to the Oceanfront partially along Laskin and
Birdneck Roads.
The implementation of a fixed guideway alternative would require
the location and construction of stations and park-and-ride facilities
and may require a vehicle storage and maintenance facility. Stations
would be located at intervals that provide service to key activity
centers in the study corridor. The EIS will consider reasonable and
feasible alternative locations and configurations identified for each
of these facilities during the study process.
The EIS will collect and assess information for each alternative in
order to evaluate and compare potential benefits and impacts. This will
include such information as:
Station locations;
Ridership Forecasts;
Construction and Operation Costs (including utility
relocations);
Impacts to natural resources (including wetlands,
protected species, air quality); and
Impacts to the community and historic resources (including
traffic, noise, businesses, residences, community resources).
No Build Alternative: The No-Build Alternative serves as the NEPA
baseline against which environmental effects of other alternatives,
including the proposed project once one is identified, will be
measured. The No-Build Alternative will include roadway and transit
facility and service improvements (other than the Build Alternatives)
planned, programmed and included in the Financially Constrained
Regional Transportation Plan to be implemented by the Year 2040. The No
Build Alternative will include minor transit service expansions and/or
adjustments that reflect a continuation of existing service policies as
identified by HRT.
Probable Effects/Potential Impacts for Analysis: HRT anticipates
the VBTES will result in a preferred build alternative with beneficial
travel and economic development effects but may have some adverse
environmental effects. The proposed build alternative would result in
travel time savings for existing transit patrons and gain new transit
users who switch from automobiles, while offering a broader range of
transportation options for Virginia Beach and the region. It will also
support economic development and land use goals of the City of Virginia
Beach as identified in its Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Growth Area
plans. The proposed build alternative would also contribute to goals of
reducing growth in vehicle miles traveled and emissions, including
greenhouse gases.
The purpose of the EIS is to explore in a public setting the
effects of the proposed project and its alternatives on the human and
natural environment. FTA and HRT will evaluate the potential social,
economic, and environmental impacts of the construction and operation
of the proposed project. Impact areas to be addressed include:
transportation; land use, zoning, and economic development; secondary
development; land acquisition, visual impacts, displacements and
relocations; cultural resources, including impacts on historical and
archaeological resources and parklands/recreation areas; neighborhood
compatibility and environmental justice; natural resource impacts
including air quality, wetlands, and water resources; noise and
vibration; energy use; safety and security; and wildlife and
ecosystems, including endangered species. Reasonable measures to avoid,
minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts will be identified and
evaluated.
Potential impacts are likely to be limited primarily to social and
economic impacts associated with development of a fixed guideway
transit project. These impacts include enhanced development
opportunities and changes in zoning and local plans related to station
area development. Such changes will be coordinated with the City of
Virginia Beach's comprehensive plan and Strategic Growth Area plans.
Property acquisition and displacement may occur because of the
development of park-and-ride facilities, alignments utilizing city
street rights-of-way, and/or placement of traction power substations
(if needed). Minimal, primarily short-term (e.g., construction),
impacts may occur to wetlands and/or surface waters. Construction
impacts may disrupt travel and access to businesses and/or residences
on a short term basis.
Role of Agencies and the Public: NEPA, and FTA's regulations
implementing NEPA, calls for public involvement in the EIS process. FTA
and HRT will continue to provide a substantial level of public
involvement throughout the EIS process, including open house meetings,
newsletters, and outreach to city civic leagues and businesses.
However, no formal public meetings are planned for the scoping period
associated with this NOI due to the extensive previous public meetings
hosted by HRT. Specifically related to public and agency involvement,
FTA and HRT will (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 EIS; and (3)
establish a plan for coordinating public and agency participation in,
and comment on, the environmental review process.
A comprehensive public involvement program has been developed for
the VBTES and is posted on the project Web site at www.gohrt.com. The
public involvement program includes a full range of involvement
activities including the project Web site; outreach to local officials,
community and civic groups, and the public; and development and
distribution of project newsletters. Specific mechanisms for
involvement are detailed in the public involvement program.
The public and participating agencies are invited to consider and
comment on this preliminary statement of the purpose and need for the
proposed Virginia Beach alternatives. Suggestions for modifications to
the statement of purpose and need for the proposed project are welcome
and will be given serious consideration. Comments on potential
environmental impacts that may be associated with the proposed
alternatives are also welcome. There will be additional opportunities
to participate in the study process at future public meetings.
FTA and HRT will comply with all applicable Federal environmental
laws, regulations, and executive orders during the environmental review
process.
[[Page 49603]]
These requirements include, but are not limited to, the regulations of
the Council on Environmental Quality implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts
1500-1508) and FTA's own NEPA regulations (23 CFR part 771); the air
quality conformity regulations 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 regulations implementing Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR part 800); the regulations
implementing Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (50 CFR part 402);
Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (23 CFR part 774);
Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, 11988 on floodplain
management, and 11990 on wetlands; and DOT Order 5610.2(a) on
Environmental Justice.
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 NEPA documents. Accordingly,
unless a specific request for a complete printed set of the NEPA
document is received before the document is printed, FTA and HRT will
distribute only electronic copies of the NEPA document. A complete
printed set of the environmental document will be available for review
at HRT's offices; an electronic copy of the complete environmental
document will be available on the HRT's Web site (www.gohrt.com).
Brigid Hynes-Cherin,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-19623 Filed 8-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
