Environmental Impact Statement; Lone Star Regional Rail Project, Williamson, Travis, Bastrop, Hays, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, and Bexar Counties, TX, 60232-60233 [2014-23711]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 193 / Monday, October 6, 2014 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement; Lone
Star Regional Rail Project, Williamson,
Travis, Bastrop, Hays, Caldwell,
Comal, Guadalupe, and Bexar
Counties, TX
Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to 40 CFR 1508.22
and 43 TAC § 2.5(e)(2), the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA),
Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT), and the Lone Star Rail District
(LSRD) are issuing this notice to advise
the public that an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a
proposed transportation project to
construct and operate a regional
passenger rail service system along the
IH–35 corridor connecting the greater
Austin and San Antonio metropolitan
areas. A required letter of initiation
pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 139 was
completed as well. As the project
proponent, the LSRD intends to apply
for Transportation Infrastructure
Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA)
program funding and seek to retain
federal funding eligibility for this
proposed project. The proposed project
would provide for implementation of
passenger rail service within the
existing Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR)
corridor that extends from Williamson
County to Bexar County, Texas. FHWA
as the lead federal agency will
coordinate closely with the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) and the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA),
to perform the analyses required to
evaluate reasonable alternatives for the
proposed action. The EIS may include a
potential alternative that would include
development and operation of a new
freight bypass to carry some of the
existing freight rail traffic between
Taylor and San Antonio to allow the
addition of passenger service along the
existing UPRR line.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Salvador Deocampo, District Engineer,
Federal Highway Administration, Texas
Division, 300 East 8th Street, Room 826,
Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone 512–
536–5950.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The LSRD
(formed in 2003 with authorization of
the State of Texas) is an independent
and accountable public agency focused
on providing regional passenger rail
service. As the project proponent, the
LSRD has conducted numerous
planning, environmental, and
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:17 Oct 03, 2014
Jkt 235001
alternatives analyses over the past 10
years to evaluate feasible options for
development of passenger rail service
along the IH–35 corridor between the
metropolitan areas of Austin and San
Antonio. Through these efforts, the
LSRD has worked closely with the
UPRR, as a major stakeholder, to
evaluate operational scenarios for joint
freight and passenger operations within
UPRR’s existing system. A potential
alternative to be evaluated in the EIS
includes development and operation of
passenger rail service within the
abandoned MoKan railroad right-of-way
between Georgetown and Round Rock,
and along the existing UPRR corridor
between Round Rock and San Antonio.
A branch route providing passenger rail
service between Round Rock and Taylor
along the existing UPRR corridor could
also be evaluated.
A potential alternative could include
development of a freight bypass to
accommodate some existing freight rail
traffic that could be displaced by the
proposed passenger rail operations. The
proposed freight rail bypass could
extend from the UPRR Austin
Subdivision near Taylor and follow a
greenfield alignment (new location) to
Seguin. From Seguin, the proposed
freight rail bypass could follow existing
UPRR right-of-way through the San
Antonio area and terminate at Tower
105 near downtown San Antonio.
The need for the proposed project
stems from the rapid growth occurring
in Central and South Texas. Congestion
within the IH–35 corridor has resulted
in decreased mobility and travel time
reliability for both travelers and freight
transporters. The deficiencies of the
existing transportation network,
including lack of modal transportation
options and limited roadway capacity,
contribute to decreased regional air
quality, increased crash rates, and
diminished quality of life for residents
living in close proximity to IH–35.
The Lone Star Regional Rail Project
would provide regional passenger rail
service connecting communities along
the IH–35 corridor between the
metropolitan areas of Austin and San
Antonio. As currently envisioned, the
project would span approximately 120
miles across Williamson, Travis,
Bastrop, Hays, Caldwell, Comal,
Guadalupe, and Bexar counties. Based
upon previous studies, the purpose of
the proposed project is to improve
mobility, accessibility, transportation
reliability, modal choice, safety, and
facilitate economic development along
the IH–35 corridor in Central and South
Texas.
The EIS will be prepared in
accordance with the National
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), the Council on Environmental
Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing
NEPA, and FHWA regulations. The EIS
will evaluate the reasonable alternatives
and the No Action (the no-build
alternative), Transportation System
Management (TSM)/Transportation
Demand Management (TDM), and other
transit, rail, and roadway alternatives
incorporated by reference from other
applicable studies. Federal Surface
Transportation Program-Metropolitan
Mobility (STP–MM) funds were used to
conduct the previous studies and are
funding the current EIS.
The EIS will analyze potential direct,
indirect, and cumulative impacts from
the proposed construction and
operation of the reasonable alternatives
considered including, but not limited to
the following: regional transportation
system impacts (including all modes
and effects on congestion); air quality
impacts; noise and vibration impacts (in
accordance with FRA/FTA guidelines);
impacts to water quality and water
resources including surface and
groundwater, wetlands, rivers, and
streams, and floodplains; impacts to
historic, archaeological, and cultural
resources; impacts to threatened and
endangered species and protected
habitats; impacts on farm and range
lands; socioeconomic impacts including
environmental justice communities;
impacts on land use and potential
displacements; hazardous materials; and
impacts to aesthetic and visual
resources.
Public involvement is a critical
component of the NEPA process and
will occur throughout this study.
Scoping letters describing the proposed
action and a request for comments will
be sent to federal, state, and local
agencies as well as stakeholders,
community groups, and citizens who
previously expressed an interest in the
proposed project. Agency and public
scoping meetings are planned for the
fall of 2014. The purpose of agency and
public scoping is to identify relevant
and potentially significant issues related
to the Lone Star Regional Rail Project as
part of the NEPA process. Scoping
meetings, conducted pursuant to 23
U.S.C. 139, will provide opportunities
for cooperating agencies, participating
agencies, and the public to be involved
in review and comment on the Draft
Project Coordination Plan, defining the
need and purpose for the proposed
action, determining the range of
reasonable alternatives to be considered
in the EIS and the appropriate
methodologies to be used, and the level
of detail required in the analysis of
alternatives. Federal agencies with
E:\FR\FM\06OCN1.SGM
06OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 193 / Monday, October 6, 2014 / Notices
jurisdiction by law or special expertise
with respect to potential environmental
issues (such as FRA and FTA) will be
requested to act as Cooperating
Agencies in accordance with 40 CFR
1501.16. Agencies and the public will
be notified of the dates, times, and
locations of the scoping meetings at a
later date. Additional public meetings
will also be held on dates to be
determined at a later time. In addition
to public meetings, public hearings will
also be held. Public notice will be given
of the times and places for the public
meetings and public hearings. Because
of the geographic scope of the project,
public meetings and public hearings
may be conducted at multiple locations.
Opportunities for public participation
will also be announced through
mailings, notices, advertisements, and
on the EIS Web page https://
www.LoneStarRail.com.
To ensure that the full range of issues
related to this proposed action is
addressed and all significant issues are
identified, comments and suggestions
are invited from all interested parties.
Such comments or questions concerning
this proposed action should be directed
to the FHWA at the address provided
above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Number 20.205, Highway, Planning,
and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372
regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this
program.)
Issued on: September 29, 2014.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2014–23711 Filed 10–3–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2014–0090]
Notice of Buy America Waiver
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Correction to Notice of Buy
America Waiver
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
On September 16, 2014,
NHTSA published a Notice of Buy
America Waiver that provided findings
to requests from the Michigan Office of
Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) to
waive the requirements of Buy America.
The Notice stated an effective date of
October 16, 2014. However, that date
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:17 Oct 03, 2014
Jkt 235001
did not correctly reflect NHTSA’s
intentions for the effective date. Also,
the Notice did not accurately cite the
appropriate section of the United States
Code for motorcyclist safety grant funds,
23 U.S.C. 405(f). This document corrects
those errors.
DATES: The effective date of this
correction is the date of publication
October 6, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
program issues, contact Barbara Sauers,
Office of Regional Operations and
Program Delivery, NHTSA (phone: 202–
366–0144). For legal issues, contact
Andrew DiMarsico, Office of Chief
Counsel, NHTSA (phone: 202–366–
5263). You may send mail to these
officials at National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
September 16, 2014, NHTSA published
a Notice of Buy America Waiver that
provided findings in regards to five
requests from the Michigan Office of
Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) to
waive the requirements of Buy America.
In summary, NHTSA found the
following:
• A waiver of the Buy America
requirements, 23 U.S.C. 313, was
appropriate for OHSP to purchase a
portable data projector, wireless remote
control presenter, DVDs, high-visibility
motorcycle vests and twenty training
motorcycles.
• A non-availability waiver of the
Buy America requirements was
inappropriate for OHSP to lease a
copy/printer/fax machine.
Need for Correction
The Notice of Buy America Waiver
stated the waiver was effective on
October 16, 2014. This date did not
correctly state NHTSA’s intentions. On
September 16, 2014, at 79 FR 55529,
NHTSA intended the waiver to be
effective on an earlier date in order to
allow the grantee an opportunity to
purchase the items requested. Also, the
Notice did not accurately cite the
appropriate section of the United States
Code for motorcyclist safety grant funds.
The Notice cited to 23 U.S.C. 405(g), but
NHTSA intended to cite 23 U.S.C. 405(f)
for motorcyclist safety grant funds.
In FR Doc. 2014–0090 appearing on
page 55529 of the Federal Register of
Tuesday, September 16, 2014, the
following corrections are made:
In the DATES section in the left
column, revise the paragraph to read as
follows:
‘‘The effective date of this waiver is
the date of publication.’’
In the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section in the middle column, revise the
PO 00000
Frm 00108
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
60233
first and second paragraph to cite the
following provision: ‘‘23 U.S.C. 405(f).’’
Issued in Washington, DC, on September
30, 2014, under authority delegated in 49
CFR part 1.95.
O. Kevin Vincent,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2014–23822 Filed 10–3–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. AB 55 (Sub-No. 736X; Docket
No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 368X]
CSX Transportation, Inc.—
Abandonment Exemption—in
Knoxville, Knox County, Tenn.; Norfolk
Southern Railway Company—
Discontinuance of Service
Exemption—in Knoxville, Knox
County, Tenn.
CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) and
Norfolk Southern Railway Company
(NSR) (collectively, applicants) have
jointly filed a verified notice of
exemption under 49 CFR part 1152
subpart F–Exempt Abandonments and
Discontinuances of Service for CSXT to
abandon, and for NSR to discontinue
service over, approximately 1.18 miles
of rail line on CSXT’s Second Creek
Spur on CSXT’s Central Region,
Huntington Division, KD Subdivision
between milepost 0KS 275.09
(Valuation Station 15304+87) at the end
of the track and milepost 0KS 276.27
(Valuation Station 15368+89 near West
Baxter Avenue in Knoxville, Knox
County, Tenn. (the Line). The Line
traverses United States Postal Service
Zip Code 37921 and includes no
stations.
Applicants have certified that: (1) No
local traffic has moved over the Line for
at least two years; (2) any overhead
traffic on the Line can be rerouted over
other lines; (3) no formal complaint has
been filed by a user of rail service on the
Line (or by a state or local government
entity acting on behalf of such user)
regarding cessation of service over the
Line, and no such complaint is either
pending with the Surface
Transportation Board (Board) or with
any U.S. District Court or has been
decided in favor of a complainant
within the two-year period; and (4) the
requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7(c)
(environmental report), 49 CFR 1105.11
(transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12
(newspaper publication), and 49 CFR
1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental
agencies) have been met.
As a condition to these exemptions,
any employee adversely affected by the
E:\FR\FM\06OCN1.SGM
06OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 193 (Monday, October 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60232-60233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23711]
[[Page 60232]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement; Lone Star Regional Rail Project,
Williamson, Travis, Bastrop, Hays, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, and
Bexar Counties, TX
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 40 CFR 1508.22 and 43 TAC Sec. 2.5(e)(2), the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT), and the Lone Star Rail District (LSRD) are
issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed transportation project
to construct and operate a regional passenger rail service system along
the IH-35 corridor connecting the greater Austin and San Antonio
metropolitan areas. A required letter of initiation pursuant to 23
U.S.C. 139 was completed as well. As the project proponent, the LSRD
intends to apply for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act (TIFIA) program funding and seek to retain federal
funding eligibility for this proposed project. The proposed project
would provide for implementation of passenger rail service within the
existing Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) corridor that extends from
Williamson County to Bexar County, Texas. FHWA as the lead federal
agency will coordinate closely with the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), to perform the
analyses required to evaluate reasonable alternatives for the proposed
action. The EIS may include a potential alternative that would include
development and operation of a new freight bypass to carry some of the
existing freight rail traffic between Taylor and San Antonio to allow
the addition of passenger service along the existing UPRR line.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Salvador Deocampo, District
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Texas Division, 300 East 8th
Street, Room 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone 512-536-5950.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The LSRD (formed in 2003 with authorization
of the State of Texas) is an independent and accountable public agency
focused on providing regional passenger rail service. As the project
proponent, the LSRD has conducted numerous planning, environmental, and
alternatives analyses over the past 10 years to evaluate feasible
options for development of passenger rail service along the IH-35
corridor between the metropolitan areas of Austin and San Antonio.
Through these efforts, the LSRD has worked closely with the UPRR, as a
major stakeholder, to evaluate operational scenarios for joint freight
and passenger operations within UPRR's existing system. A potential
alternative to be evaluated in the EIS includes development and
operation of passenger rail service within the abandoned MoKan railroad
right-of-way between Georgetown and Round Rock, and along the existing
UPRR corridor between Round Rock and San Antonio. A branch route
providing passenger rail service between Round Rock and Taylor along
the existing UPRR corridor could also be evaluated.
A potential alternative could include development of a freight
bypass to accommodate some existing freight rail traffic that could be
displaced by the proposed passenger rail operations. The proposed
freight rail bypass could extend from the UPRR Austin Subdivision near
Taylor and follow a greenfield alignment (new location) to Seguin. From
Seguin, the proposed freight rail bypass could follow existing UPRR
right-of-way through the San Antonio area and terminate at Tower 105
near downtown San Antonio.
The need for the proposed project stems from the rapid growth
occurring in Central and South Texas. Congestion within the IH-35
corridor has resulted in decreased mobility and travel time reliability
for both travelers and freight transporters. The deficiencies of the
existing transportation network, including lack of modal transportation
options and limited roadway capacity, contribute to decreased regional
air quality, increased crash rates, and diminished quality of life for
residents living in close proximity to IH-35.
The Lone Star Regional Rail Project would provide regional
passenger rail service connecting communities along the IH-35 corridor
between the metropolitan areas of Austin and San Antonio. As currently
envisioned, the project would span approximately 120 miles across
Williamson, Travis, Bastrop, Hays, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, and
Bexar counties. Based upon previous studies, the purpose of the
proposed project is to improve mobility, accessibility, transportation
reliability, modal choice, safety, and facilitate economic development
along the IH-35 corridor in Central and South Texas.
The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental
Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, and FHWA regulations. The
EIS will evaluate the reasonable alternatives and the No Action (the
no-build alternative), Transportation System Management (TSM)/
Transportation Demand Management (TDM), and other transit, rail, and
roadway alternatives incorporated by reference from other applicable
studies. Federal Surface Transportation Program-Metropolitan Mobility
(STP-MM) funds were used to conduct the previous studies and are
funding the current EIS.
The EIS will analyze potential direct, indirect, and cumulative
impacts from the proposed construction and operation of the reasonable
alternatives considered including, but not limited to the following:
regional transportation system impacts (including all modes and effects
on congestion); air quality impacts; noise and vibration impacts (in
accordance with FRA/FTA guidelines); impacts to water quality and water
resources including surface and groundwater, wetlands, rivers, and
streams, and floodplains; impacts to historic, archaeological, and
cultural resources; impacts to threatened and endangered species and
protected habitats; impacts on farm and range lands; socioeconomic
impacts including environmental justice communities; impacts on land
use and potential displacements; hazardous materials; and impacts to
aesthetic and visual resources.
Public involvement is a critical component of the NEPA process and
will occur throughout this study. Scoping letters describing the
proposed action and a request for comments will be sent to federal,
state, and local agencies as well as stakeholders, community groups,
and citizens who previously expressed an interest in the proposed
project. Agency and public scoping meetings are planned for the fall of
2014. The purpose of agency and public scoping is to identify relevant
and potentially significant issues related to the Lone Star Regional
Rail Project as part of the NEPA process. Scoping meetings, conducted
pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 139, will provide opportunities for cooperating
agencies, participating agencies, and the public to be involved in
review and comment on the Draft Project Coordination Plan, defining the
need and purpose for the proposed action, determining the range of
reasonable alternatives to be considered in the EIS and the appropriate
methodologies to be used, and the level of detail required in the
analysis of alternatives. Federal agencies with
[[Page 60233]]
jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to potential
environmental issues (such as FRA and FTA) will be requested to act as
Cooperating Agencies in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.16. Agencies and
the public will be notified of the dates, times, and locations of the
scoping meetings at a later date. Additional public meetings will also
be held on dates to be determined at a later time. In addition to
public meetings, public hearings will also be held. Public notice will
be given of the times and places for the public meetings and public
hearings. Because of the geographic scope of the project, public
meetings and public hearings may be conducted at multiple locations.
Opportunities for public participation will also be announced through
mailings, notices, advertisements, and on the EIS Web page https://www.LoneStarRail.com.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action is addressed and all significant issues are identified, comments
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Such comments
or questions concerning this proposed action should be directed to the
FHWA at the address provided above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway, Planning, and Construction. The regulations implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)
Issued on: September 29, 2014.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2014-23711 Filed 10-3-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
