Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Link Union Station Project, Los Angeles, CA, 58108-58110 [2020-20520]
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58108
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 181 / Thursday, September 17, 2020 / Notices
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for Europe (UNECE) R46 rev 06—
Devices for Indirect Vision.
FMCSA acknowledges the concerns of
the two individual commenters
regarding use of the CV Digital Mirror
System. The FMCSRs impose several
operational controls that will help
ensure that the CV Digital Mirror
System is functioning properly at all
times. Section 396.7 of the FMCSRs,
‘‘Unsafe operations forbidden,’’
prohibits any vehicle from being
operated in such a condition as to likely
cause an accident or breakdown of the
vehicle. Section 392.7(a) requires each
CMV driver to satisfy himself/herself
that a vehicle is in safe condition before
operating the vehicle, which would
include ensuring that the rear-vision
mirrors are (or in this case, that the CV
Digital Mirror System is) in good
working order. Similarly, section
396.13(a) of the FMCSRs requires that,
before driving a vehicle, a driver must
be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe
operating condition. If the CV Digital
Mirror System (effectively functioning
as the rear vision mirrors) fails during
operation, the driver must complete a
driver vehicle inspection report at the
completion of the work day as required
by section 396.11 of the FMCSRs, and
the motor carrier must ensure that the
defect is corrected.
Terms and Conditions for the
Exemption
The Agency hereby grants the
exemption for a 5-year period,
beginning September 17, 2020 and
ending September 17, 2025. During the
temporary exemption period, motor
carriers operating CMVs may utilize the
Bosch and Mekra Lang CV Digital
Mirror System installed in lieu of the
two rear-vision mirrors required by
section 393.80 of the FMCSRs. FMCSA
emphasizes that this exemption is
limited to the Bosch and Mekra Lang CV
Digital Mirror System, and does not
apply to any other camera-based mirror
replacement system/technology. Section
396.7 of the FMCSRs, ‘‘Unsafe
operations forbidden,’’ prohibits any
vehicle from being operated in such a
condition as to likely cause an accident
or a breakdown of the vehicle. If the
camera or monitor system fails during
normal vehicle operation on the
highway, continued operation of the
vehicle shall be forbidden until (1) the
CV Digital Mirror system can be
repaired, or (2) conventional rear-vision
mirrors that are compliant with section
393.80 are installed on the vehicle.
The exemption will be valid for 5
years unless rescinded earlier by
FMCSA. The exemption will be
rescinded if: (1) Motor carriers and/or
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CMVs fail to comply with the terms and
conditions of the exemption; (2) the
exemption has resulted in a lower level
of safety than was maintained before it
was granted; or (3) continuation of the
exemption would not be consistent with
the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C.
31136(e) and 31315(b).
Interested parties possessing
information that would demonstrate
that motor carriers operating CMVs
utilizing the Bosch and Mekra Lang CV
Digital Mirror System installed as an
alternative to two rear-vision mirrors are
not achieving the requisite statutory
level of safety should immediately
notify FMCSA. The Agency will
evaluate any such information and, if
safety is being compromised or if the
continuation of the exemption is not
consistent with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315(b), will take immediate steps to
revoke the exemption.
Preemption
In accordance with 49 U.S.C.
31313(d), as implemented by 49 CFR
381.600, during the period this
exemption is in effect, no State shall
enforce any law or regulation applicable
to interstate commerce that conflicts
with or is inconsistent with this
exemption with respect to a firm or
person operating under the exemption.
States may, but are not required to,
adopt the same exemption with respect
to operations in intrastate commerce.
James W. Deck,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020–20470 Filed 9–16–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Link Union Station Project, Los
Angeles, CA
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), on behalf of the
California High-Speed Rail Authority
(Authority), as the federal lead agency
under National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) Assignment is issuing this
notice to advise other Federal, state,
local, and tribal agencies and the public
that the Authority intends to revise the
scope of the analysis of the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Link Union Station Project (Link
SUMMARY:
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US Project) in the cities of Los Angeles
and Vernon, California, compliance
with relevant state and federal laws, in
particular NEPA.
DATES: Written comments on the scope
of the Link US Project EIS should be
provided to the Authority or Metro
starting on September 18, 2020, and
must be received by the Authority or
Metro on or before October 19, 2020, as
noted below. In response to COVID–19,
a virtual public scoping meeting is
scheduled to occur on October 8, 2020,
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Pacific Time.
Prior to the scoping meeting date and
time noted above, information regarding
how to participate in the virtual meeting
will be provided at the following
location: https://www.metro.net/
projects/link-us/. Additionally, further
information can be obtained by calling
213–922–2524. Spanish, Chinese
(Simplified), and Japanese translation
will be provided. You may call 213–
922–2499 at least 72 hours in advance
of the meeting to request ADA
accommodations or other translation
services. The scoping presentation and
all materials presented during the
virtual scoping meeting will be made
available on Metro’s website referenced
above.
ADDRESSES: Questions or written
comments on the scope of the Link US
Project EIS should be sent to Mark A.
McLoughlin, Director, Environmental
Services Branch, ATTN: Link US
Project, California High-Speed Rail
Authority, 770 L Street, Suite 620,
Sacramento, CA 95814 or via email with
the subject line ‘‘Link US Project’’ to
Mark.McLoughlin@hsr.ca.gov or to
Vincent Chio, Metro, Director of
Program Management, Regional Rail,
Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority, One Gateway
Plaza (Mail Stop 99–17–2, Los Angeles,
CA 90012 or via email with the subject
line ‘‘Link US Project’’ to:
linkunionstation@metro.net). Comments
may also be provided during the virtual
public scoping meeting described above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
the Authority: Mark A. McLoughlin,
Director of Environmental Services,
California High-Speed Rail Authority,
(telephone: 916–403–6934; email:
mark.mcloughlin@hsr.ca.gov). For the
FRA: Stephanie B. Perez-Arrieta,
Regional Lead, Environmental
Protection Specialist, Federal Railroad
Administration (telephone: 202–493–
0388; email: s.perez-arrieta@dot.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Los
Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro) is a
joint-lead agency under NEPA and the
local project sponsor for the Link US
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 181 / Thursday, September 17, 2020 / Notices
Project. Since the publication of the
notice of intent (NOI), the Authority and
Metro have identified the proposed offsite improvements to BNSF’s Malabar
Yard in the City of Vernon as a
necessary component of the Link US
Project. These improvements are located
primarily on 46th Street and 49th Street,
south of Vernon Avenue, in the
northwestern portion of the City of
Vernon. This Revised NOI is being
issued to solicit additional public and
agency input into the development of
the scope of the EIS for the Link US
Project with respect to the proposed offsite improvements. Public input
received during outreach activities
conducted by the Authority, Metro, and
its representatives will be considered in
the preparation of the EIS. FRA and
Metro previously conducted scoping for
the Link US Project joint EIS/
environmental impact report (EIR) in
the spring of 2016. FRA published an
NOI in the Federal Register on May 31,
2016 (81 FR 34429). FRA and Metro
held a scoping meeting on June 2, 2016,
at Metro’s headquarters (One Gateway
Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90012) to
receive agency and public input on the
Link US Project. In addition to formal
scoping meetings, Metro has maintained
ongoing outreach to public agencies and
consistently engaged the public
throughout project development to
provide input since spring of 2016.
At the time of project scoping, FRA
and Metro intended to prepare a joint
EIS/EIR pursuant to NEPA and the
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA). In 2018, Metro proceeded with
the preparation of a stand-alone EIR to
comply with CEQA and released a Draft
EIR for public comment on January 17,
2019. Following consideration of the
comments received on the Draft EIR,
Metro certified a Final EIR for the Link
US Project on June 27, 2019.
FRA and the State of California
executed a MOU, pursuant to 23 U.S.C.
327, dated July 23, 2019 through which
the State of California, acting through
the California State Transportation
Agency and the Authority, has assumed
FRA’s responsibilities under NEPA and
other federal environmental laws for
projects necessary for the design,
construction, and operation of the
California HSR System, and for other
railroad projects directly connected to
stations on the California HSR System,
including the Link US Project.
Accordingly, the Authority is the lead
federal agency for complying with
NEPA and other federal environmental
laws for the Link US Project. Metro is
the local project sponsor for the Link US
project.
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As described in the 2016 NOI, the
Link US Project is centered at Los
Angeles Union Station (LAUS).
Implementation of common
infrastructure designed to accommodate
both regional/intercity trains and future
HSR trains would result in the
permanent loss of storage track capacity
at the BNSF West Bank Yard, south of
US–101, in the vicinity of First Street.
Since FRA published the 2016 NOI, the
Authority and Metro have identified offsite improvements to the BNSF Malabar
Yard in the City of Vernon that are
needed to restore and offset the loss of
storage track capacity at the BNSF West
Bank Yard. The Authority is issuing this
Revised NOI to solicit additional public
and agency input into the development
of the scope of the Link US Project EIS
with respect to the off-site
improvements to the BNSF Malabar
Yard proposed in the City of Vernon.
The Link US Project EIS will be used
by the Authority to address the
requirements of NEPA, as well as other
applicable statutes, regulations, and
executive orders, including (but not
limited to) the Clean Air Act, Clean
Water Act, Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966
(NHPA), Section 4(f) of the Department
of Transportation Act of 1966, the
Endangered Species Act, and Executive
Order 12898 (Federal Actions to
Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations).
Implementation of the Link US
Project is a Federal undertaking with the
potential to affect historic properties. As
such, it is subject to the requirements of
Section 106 of the NHPA. In accordance
with regulations issued by the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation, 36
CFR part 800, the Authority intends to
coordinate compliance with Section 106
of the NHPA with the preparation of the
Link US Project EIS, beginning with the
identification of consulting parties in a
manner consistent with the standards
set out in 36 CFR 800.8. Public
comment is sought with respect to the
evaluation of potential effects on
historic properties.
The EIS will describe site-specific
environmental effects and will identify
measures to avoid, minimize, or
mitigate for potential adverse
environmental effects. The Authority
will assess the site characteristics, size,
nature, and timing of proposed sitespecific improvements to determine
whether the effects are potentially
adverse and whether impacts can be
avoided or mitigated. Information and
documents regarding this environmental
review process will be made available
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58109
through Metro’s internet site: https://
www.metro.net/projects/link-us/.
Purpose and Need
Consistent with the 2016 NOI, the
purpose of the proposed action is to
increase the regional and intercity rail
service capacity of LAUS and to
improve schedule reliability at LAUS
through the implementation of a runthrough tracks configuration and
elimination of the current stub-end
tracks configuration while preserving
current levels of freight rail operations,
accommodating the planned HSR
system in Southern California,
increasing the passenger/pedestrian
capacity and enhancing the safety of
LAUS through the implementation of a
new passenger concourse, meeting the
multi-modal transportation demands at
LAUS.
Consistent with the 2016 NOI, the
need for the proposed action is
generated by the forecasted increase in
regional population and employment;
implementation of federal, state, and
regional transportation plans that
provide for increased operational
frequency for regional and intercity
trains and introduction of the planned
HSR system in Southern California.
Localized operational, safety, and
accessibility upgrades in and around
LAUS will be required to meet existing
demand and future growth.
Alternatives
As described in the 2016 NOI, the
Link US Project EIS will include an
evaluation of one or more Build
Alternatives (Proposed Action), as well
as a No Action Alternative.
No Action Alternative
The No Action Alternative is defined
to serve as the baseline for assessment
of the proposed action. The No Action
Alternative represents the region’s
transportation system (highway, air, and
conventional rail) as it currently exists,
and as it would exist after completion
of programs or projects currently
planned for funding and
implementation by 2040.
Proposed Action (Link US Project Build
Alternatives)
The Proposed Action consists of two
build alternatives that address proposed
infrastructure in the vicinity of LAUS,
in conjunction with off-site
improvements into the BNSF Malabar
Yard in the City of Vernon. The build
alternatives would result in enhanced
operational capacity from control point
(CP) Chavez in the north (near North
Main Street) to CP Olympic in the south
(near the Interstate 10/State Route 60/
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58110
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 181 / Thursday, September 17, 2020 / Notices
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U.S.–101 interchange), which serve as
the northern and southern project
termini. Major components of the build
alternatives are described below.
• Throat and Elevated Rail Yard—The
build alternatives would include
subgrade, signal, and structural
improvements in the throat segment to
increase the elevation of the tracks
leading to the rail yard in the concourse
segment at LAUS. The throat would be
reconstructed with up to seven lead
tracks north of LAUS. The build
alternatives would also include new
passenger platforms with canopies
above the elevated rail yard.
• Passenger Concourse—The build
alternatives would include: (1) An
expanded passageway; or (2) an at-grade
passenger concourse. The expanded
passageway or at-grade passenger
concourse would be constructed below
the elevated rail yard.
• Run-Through Tracks—The build
alternatives would include up to 10 new
run-through tracks (including the
possibility of a loop track) south of
LAUS to facilitate connections for
regional/intercity rail trains and future
HSR trains to the main line tracks on the
west bank of the Los Angeles River.
• BNSF Malabar Yard Off-Site
Improvements—The build alternatives
also require off-site improvements to
BNSF’s Malabar Yard in the City of
Vernon, California, primarily on 46th
Street and 49th Street. The off-site
improvements are proposed to restore
and offset the permanent loss of storage
track capacity at the BNSF West Bank
Yard.
The proposed action would also
require modifications to US–101 and
local streets (including potential street
closures and geometric modifications);
railroad signal, positive train control,
and communications-related
improvements; modifications to the
Gold Line light rail platform and tracks;
modifications to the main line tracks on
the west bank of the Los Angeles River;
modifications to Keller Yard and the
Amtrak lead track; permanent removal
of storage tracks and partial relocation
of the BNSF West Bank Yard; new
access roadways to the railroad right-ofway; additional right-of-way; new
utilities; utility relocations,
replacements, and abandonments; and
new drainage facilities/water quality
improvements.
Probable Effects
The EIS will include an evaluation of
all environmental, social, and economic
impacts of the construction and
operation of the proposed action in
detail. Impact areas to be addressed in
the EIS include: Transportation; air
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quality and greenhouse gases; noise and
vibration; public utilities and energy;
biological and wetland resources;
floodplains, hydrology and water
quality; geology, soils, seismicity;
hazardous waste and materials; safety
and security; socioeconomics and
communities; land use and planning;
visual quality and aesthetics; historic,
cultural and paleontological resources;
regional growth; and environmental
justice. Measures to avoid, minimize,
and mitigate adverse effects will be
identified and evaluated.
Scoping and Comments
FRA and Metro have previously
carried out scoping for the Link US
Project EIS. Since publication of the
2016 NOI, the Authority and Metro have
identified the BNSF Malabar Yard offsite improvements as a necessary
component of the Link US Project. FRA,
on behalf of the Authority, is issuing
this Revised NOI to solicit additional
public and agency input into the
development of the scope of the EIS for
the Link US Project with respect to the
BNSF Malabar Yard off-site
improvements and to advise the public
that outreach activities conducted by
the Authority and Metro and its
representatives will be considered in the
preparation of the EIS. Comments and
suggestions on the additional project
elements described in this Revised NOI
are invited from all interested agencies,
Native American Tribes, and the public
to ensure the full range of issues related
to the proposed action and all
reasonable build alternatives are
addressed and all significant issues are
identified. In particular, the Authority
and Metro are interested in determining
whether there are areas of
environmental concern where there
might be a potential for adverse effects.
In response to this Revised NOI,
public agencies with jurisdiction are
requested to advise the Authority and
Metro of the applicable permit and
environmental review requirements of
each agency, and the scope and content
of the environmental information that is
germane to the agency’s statutory
responsibilities in connection with the
proposed action. Public agencies are
requested to advise the Authority and
Metro if they anticipate taking a major
action in connection with the proposed
project and if they wish to cooperate in
the preparation of the EIS. To date,
Caltrans, District 7 has expressed its
intention to participate as a cooperating
agency in the preparation of the EIS.
The virtual public scoping meeting has
been scheduled as an important
component of the scoping process for
the Federal environmental review. The
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virtual public scoping meeting
described above in this Revised NOI
will also be advertised locally and
included in additional public
notification.
The environmental review,
consultation, and other actions required
by applicable Federal environmental
laws for this project are being or have
been carried out by the State of
California pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and
a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) dated July 23, 2019, and
executed by the FRA and the State of
California.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Jamie P. Rennert,
Director, Office of Infrastructure Investment.
[FR Doc. 2020–20520 Filed 9–16–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
Proposed Collection; Comment
Request for Form 5330
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
The Internal Revenue Service
(IRS), as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, invites the general public and
other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on information
collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The
IRS is soliciting comments concerning
Return of Excise Taxes Related to
Employee Benefit Plans.
DATES: Written comments should be
received on or before November 16,
2020 to be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
to Kinna Brewington, Internal Revenue
Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the form and instructions
should be directed to Martha R. Brinson,
at (202)317–5753, or at Internal Revenue
Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224, or
through the internet at
Martha.R.Brinson@irs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Return of Excise Taxes Related
to Employee Benefit Plans.
OMB Number: 1545–0575.
Form Number: 5330.
Abstract: Internal Revenue Code
sections 4971, 4972, 4973(a)(3), 4975,
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 181 (Thursday, September 17, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58108-58110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20520]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for the Link Union Station Project, Los Angeles, CA
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), on behalf of the
California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), as the federal lead
agency under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assignment is
issuing this notice to advise other Federal, state, local, and tribal
agencies and the public that the Authority intends to revise the scope
of the analysis of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the
Link Union Station Project (Link US Project) in the cities of Los
Angeles and Vernon, California, compliance with relevant state and
federal laws, in particular NEPA.
DATES: Written comments on the scope of the Link US Project EIS should
be provided to the Authority or Metro starting on September 18, 2020,
and must be received by the Authority or Metro on or before October 19,
2020, as noted below. In response to COVID-19, a virtual public scoping
meeting is scheduled to occur on October 8, 2020, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m., Pacific Time. Prior to the scoping meeting date and time noted
above, information regarding how to participate in the virtual meeting
will be provided at the following location: https://www.metro.net/projects/link-us/. Additionally, further information can be obtained by
calling 213-922-2524. Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), and Japanese
translation will be provided. You may call 213-922-2499 at least 72
hours in advance of the meeting to request ADA accommodations or other
translation services. The scoping presentation and all materials
presented during the virtual scoping meeting will be made available on
Metro's website referenced above.
ADDRESSES: Questions or written comments on the scope of the Link US
Project EIS should be sent to Mark A. McLoughlin, Director,
Environmental Services Branch, ATTN: Link US Project, California High-
Speed Rail Authority, 770 L Street, Suite 620, Sacramento, CA 95814 or
via email with the subject line ``Link US Project'' to
[email protected] or to Vincent Chio, Metro, Director of
Program Management, Regional Rail, Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority, One Gateway Plaza (Mail Stop 99-17-2, Los
Angeles, CA 90012 or via email with the subject line ``Link US
Project'' to: [email protected]). Comments may also be
provided during the virtual public scoping meeting described above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the Authority: Mark A. McLoughlin,
Director of Environmental Services, California High-Speed Rail
Authority, (telephone: 916-403-6934; email:
[email protected]). For the FRA: Stephanie B. Perez-Arrieta,
Regional Lead, Environmental Protection Specialist, Federal Railroad
Administration (telephone: 202-493-0388; email: [email protected]).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro) is a joint-lead agency under NEPA and
the local project sponsor for the Link US
[[Page 58109]]
Project. Since the publication of the notice of intent (NOI), the
Authority and Metro have identified the proposed off-site improvements
to BNSF's Malabar Yard in the City of Vernon as a necessary component
of the Link US Project. These improvements are located primarily on
46th Street and 49th Street, south of Vernon Avenue, in the
northwestern portion of the City of Vernon. This Revised NOI is being
issued to solicit additional public and agency input into the
development of the scope of the EIS for the Link US Project with
respect to the proposed off-site improvements. Public input received
during outreach activities conducted by the Authority, Metro, and its
representatives will be considered in the preparation of the EIS. FRA
and Metro previously conducted scoping for the Link US Project joint
EIS/environmental impact report (EIR) in the spring of 2016. FRA
published an NOI in the Federal Register on May 31, 2016 (81 FR 34429).
FRA and Metro held a scoping meeting on June 2, 2016, at Metro's
headquarters (One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90012) to
receive agency and public input on the Link US Project. In addition to
formal scoping meetings, Metro has maintained ongoing outreach to
public agencies and consistently engaged the public throughout project
development to provide input since spring of 2016.
At the time of project scoping, FRA and Metro intended to prepare a
joint EIS/EIR pursuant to NEPA and the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA). In 2018, Metro proceeded with the preparation of a stand-
alone EIR to comply with CEQA and released a Draft EIR for public
comment on January 17, 2019. Following consideration of the comments
received on the Draft EIR, Metro certified a Final EIR for the Link US
Project on June 27, 2019.
FRA and the State of California executed a MOU, pursuant to 23
U.S.C. 327, dated July 23, 2019 through which the State of California,
acting through the California State Transportation Agency and the
Authority, has assumed FRA's responsibilities under NEPA and other
federal environmental laws for projects necessary for the design,
construction, and operation of the California HSR System, and for other
railroad projects directly connected to stations on the California HSR
System, including the Link US Project. Accordingly, the Authority is
the lead federal agency for complying with NEPA and other federal
environmental laws for the Link US Project. Metro is the local project
sponsor for the Link US project.
As described in the 2016 NOI, the Link US Project is centered at
Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS). Implementation of common
infrastructure designed to accommodate both regional/intercity trains
and future HSR trains would result in the permanent loss of storage
track capacity at the BNSF West Bank Yard, south of US-101, in the
vicinity of First Street. Since FRA published the 2016 NOI, the
Authority and Metro have identified off-site improvements to the BNSF
Malabar Yard in the City of Vernon that are needed to restore and
offset the loss of storage track capacity at the BNSF West Bank Yard.
The Authority is issuing this Revised NOI to solicit additional public
and agency input into the development of the scope of the Link US
Project EIS with respect to the off-site improvements to the BNSF
Malabar Yard proposed in the City of Vernon.
The Link US Project EIS will be used by the Authority to address
the requirements of NEPA, as well as other applicable statutes,
regulations, and executive orders, including (but not limited to) the
Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), Section 4(f) of the Department of
Transportation Act of 1966, the Endangered Species Act, and Executive
Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).
Implementation of the Link US Project is a Federal undertaking with
the potential to affect historic properties. As such, it is subject to
the requirements of Section 106 of the NHPA. In accordance with
regulations issued by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 36
CFR part 800, the Authority intends to coordinate compliance with
Section 106 of the NHPA with the preparation of the Link US Project
EIS, beginning with the identification of consulting parties in a
manner consistent with the standards set out in 36 CFR 800.8. Public
comment is sought with respect to the evaluation of potential effects
on historic properties.
The EIS will describe site-specific environmental effects and will
identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate for potential adverse
environmental effects. The Authority will assess the site
characteristics, size, nature, and timing of proposed site-specific
improvements to determine whether the effects are potentially adverse
and whether impacts can be avoided or mitigated. Information and
documents regarding this environmental review process will be made
available through Metro's internet site: https://www.metro.net/projects/link-us/.
Purpose and Need
Consistent with the 2016 NOI, the purpose of the proposed action is
to increase the regional and intercity rail service capacity of LAUS
and to improve schedule reliability at LAUS through the implementation
of a run-through tracks configuration and elimination of the current
stub-end tracks configuration while preserving current levels of
freight rail operations, accommodating the planned HSR system in
Southern California, increasing the passenger/pedestrian capacity and
enhancing the safety of LAUS through the implementation of a new
passenger concourse, meeting the multi-modal transportation demands at
LAUS.
Consistent with the 2016 NOI, the need for the proposed action is
generated by the forecasted increase in regional population and
employment; implementation of federal, state, and regional
transportation plans that provide for increased operational frequency
for regional and intercity trains and introduction of the planned HSR
system in Southern California. Localized operational, safety, and
accessibility upgrades in and around LAUS will be required to meet
existing demand and future growth.
Alternatives
As described in the 2016 NOI, the Link US Project EIS will include
an evaluation of one or more Build Alternatives (Proposed Action), as
well as a No Action Alternative.
No Action Alternative
The No Action Alternative is defined to serve as the baseline for
assessment of the proposed action. The No Action Alternative represents
the region's transportation system (highway, air, and conventional
rail) as it currently exists, and as it would exist after completion of
programs or projects currently planned for funding and implementation
by 2040.
Proposed Action (Link US Project Build Alternatives)
The Proposed Action consists of two build alternatives that address
proposed infrastructure in the vicinity of LAUS, in conjunction with
off-site improvements into the BNSF Malabar Yard in the City of Vernon.
The build alternatives would result in enhanced operational capacity
from control point (CP) Chavez in the north (near North Main Street) to
CP Olympic in the south (near the Interstate 10/State Route 60/
[[Page 58110]]
U.S.-101 interchange), which serve as the northern and southern project
termini. Major components of the build alternatives are described
below.
Throat and Elevated Rail Yard--The build alternatives
would include subgrade, signal, and structural improvements in the
throat segment to increase the elevation of the tracks leading to the
rail yard in the concourse segment at LAUS. The throat would be
reconstructed with up to seven lead tracks north of LAUS. The build
alternatives would also include new passenger platforms with canopies
above the elevated rail yard.
Passenger Concourse--The build alternatives would include:
(1) An expanded passageway; or (2) an at-grade passenger concourse. The
expanded passageway or at-grade passenger concourse would be
constructed below the elevated rail yard.
Run-Through Tracks--The build alternatives would include
up to 10 new run-through tracks (including the possibility of a loop
track) south of LAUS to facilitate connections for regional/intercity
rail trains and future HSR trains to the main line tracks on the west
bank of the Los Angeles River.
BNSF Malabar Yard Off-Site Improvements--The build
alternatives also require off-site improvements to BNSF's Malabar Yard
in the City of Vernon, California, primarily on 46th Street and 49th
Street. The off-site improvements are proposed to restore and offset
the permanent loss of storage track capacity at the BNSF West Bank
Yard.
The proposed action would also require modifications to US-101 and
local streets (including potential street closures and geometric
modifications); railroad signal, positive train control, and
communications-related improvements; modifications to the Gold Line
light rail platform and tracks; modifications to the main line tracks
on the west bank of the Los Angeles River; modifications to Keller Yard
and the Amtrak lead track; permanent removal of storage tracks and
partial relocation of the BNSF West Bank Yard; new access roadways to
the railroad right-of-way; additional right-of-way; new utilities;
utility relocations, replacements, and abandonments; and new drainage
facilities/water quality improvements.
Probable Effects
The EIS will include an evaluation of all environmental, social,
and economic impacts of the construction and operation of the proposed
action in detail. Impact areas to be addressed in the EIS include:
Transportation; air quality and greenhouse gases; noise and vibration;
public utilities and energy; biological and wetland resources;
floodplains, hydrology and water quality; geology, soils, seismicity;
hazardous waste and materials; safety and security; socioeconomics and
communities; land use and planning; visual quality and aesthetics;
historic, cultural and paleontological resources; regional growth; and
environmental justice. Measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate
adverse effects will be identified and evaluated.
Scoping and Comments
FRA and Metro have previously carried out scoping for the Link US
Project EIS. Since publication of the 2016 NOI, the Authority and Metro
have identified the BNSF Malabar Yard off-site improvements as a
necessary component of the Link US Project. FRA, on behalf of the
Authority, is issuing this Revised NOI to solicit additional public and
agency input into the development of the scope of the EIS for the Link
US Project with respect to the BNSF Malabar Yard off-site improvements
and to advise the public that outreach activities conducted by the
Authority and Metro and its representatives will be considered in the
preparation of the EIS. Comments and suggestions on the additional
project elements described in this Revised NOI are invited from all
interested agencies, Native American Tribes, and the public to ensure
the full range of issues related to the proposed action and all
reasonable build alternatives are addressed and all significant issues
are identified. In particular, the Authority and Metro are interested
in determining whether there are areas of environmental concern where
there might be a potential for adverse effects.
In response to this Revised NOI, public agencies with jurisdiction
are requested to advise the Authority and Metro of the applicable
permit and environmental review requirements of each agency, and the
scope and content of the environmental information that is germane to
the agency's statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed
action. Public agencies are requested to advise the Authority and Metro
if they anticipate taking a major action in connection with the
proposed project and if they wish to cooperate in the preparation of
the EIS. To date, Caltrans, District 7 has expressed its intention to
participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS. The
virtual public scoping meeting has been scheduled as an important
component of the scoping process for the Federal environmental review.
The virtual public scoping meeting described above in this Revised NOI
will also be advertised locally and included in additional public
notification.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required
by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being or
have been carried out by the State of California pursuant to 23 U.S.C.
327 and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated July 23, 2019, and
executed by the FRA and the State of California.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Jamie P. Rennert,
Director, Office of Infrastructure Investment.
[FR Doc. 2020-20520 Filed 9-16-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
