Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Operations and Maintenance Facility South Project, King County, Washington, 46371-46373 [2023-15251]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / Notices FRA maintains the authority to approve, approve with conditions, or deny these railroads’ joint RFA to their PTCSPs at FRA’s sole discretion. Privacy Act Notice In accordance with 49 CFR 211.3, FRA solicits comments from the public to better inform its decisions. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to https:// www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See https://www.regulations.gov/ privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. To facilitate comment tracking, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of their organization; however, submission of names is completely optional. If you wish to provide comments containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact FRA for alternate submission instructions. Issued in Washington, DC. Carolyn R. Hayward-Williams, Director, Office of Railroad Systems and Technology. [FR Doc. 2023–15231 Filed 7–18–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2011–0071] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter dated August 29, 2022, Canadian National Railway Company (CN) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 236 (Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train Control Systems, Devices, and Appliances). The relevant Docket Number is FRA–2011–0071. Specifically, CN requested an extension of relief from § 236.377, Approach locking; § 236.378, Time locking; § 236.379, Route locking; § 236.380, Indication locking; and § 236.281, Traffic locking, to extend the periodic testing schedules from ‘‘at least once every 2 years’’ to ‘‘at least once every 4 years’’ after initial testing has been performed. The relief would apply VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:36 Jul 19, 2023 Jkt 259001 at interlocking control points and other signal locations controlled by solid-state microprocessor-based equipment, all future purchases of microprocessorcontrolled interlocking locations, and all interlocking sites upgraded to microprocessor control. A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov. Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request. All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the appropriate docket number and may be submitted at https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Communications received by September 18, 2023 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable. Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) solicits comments from the public to better inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/ privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2023–15294 Filed 7–18–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P PO 00000 Frm 00245 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46371 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Operations and Maintenance Facility South Project, King County, Washington Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS). AGENCY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as lead Federal agency, and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit), as local project sponsor and joint lead agency, intend to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the benefits and impacts of the proposed Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) South project in King County, Washington. DATES: Comments should be submitted by August 18, 2023. FTA will consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable. FTA will consider all comments received during this NEPA scoping period and those previously submitted during the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) scoping process. Commenters who previously provided SEPA scoping comments do not need to resubmit those same comments for consideration under NEPA, but may elect to do so. ADDRESSES: Comments related to the NEPA review of this project must be sent to: OMF South Project, (c/o Erin Green, South Corridor Environmental Manager) Sound Transit, 401 S Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104–2826, or by email to OMFSouthScoping@ soundtransit.org. SUMMARY: For FTA: Justin Zweifel, FTA Environmental Protection Specialist, (206) 220–7538 or Justin.Zweifel@ dot.gov. For Sound Transit: Erin Green, Sound Transit Environmental Manager, South Corridor, (206) 398–5464 or Erin.Green@soundtransit.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background. In 2016, voters approved funding for Sound Transit 3 (ST3), Sound Transit’s regional system plan that includes 62 new miles of light rail that would contribute to a 116-mile regional system in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. The OMF South project would provide a facility in the South Corridor of the system to receive, test, commission, store, maintain, and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM 19JYN1 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 46372 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / Notices deploy vehicles for the system-wide light rail expansion. The project would support the addition of light rail vehicles (LRVs) as part of the ST3 system expansion by providing needed maintenance and storage capacity. FTA has determined that the project will be evaluated as a major project as defined in 23 U.S.C. 139(a)(7). FTA and Sound Transit (the Agencies) will prepare the EIS in accordance with NEPA, FTA environmental regulations, and SEPA. Sound Transit has evaluated alternatives and environmental impacts and has proposed mitigation measures in a 2021 SEPA Draft EIS. In anticipation of federalizing the project, Sound Transit considered the relevant Federal statutes that are required for NEPA compliance, and the SEPA Draft EIS included environmental analysis in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and executive orders. Sound Transit also conducted an extensive public engagement process under SEPA, including early scoping in 2018, an extended scoping period in 2019, and an extended Draft EIS public comment period in 2021. Pursuant to 23 CFR 771.111 (Early coordination, public involvement, and project development), the information and results produced by or in support of the transportation planning process may be incorporated into environmental review documents in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139(f), 40 CFR 1500–1508, or 23 CFR 450, as applicable. Pursuant to these provisions, Federal agencies are required to reduce duplication to the maximum extent practicable between the evaluation of alternatives under NEPA and the environmental review process carried out under state law. Additionally, Federal agencies may, to the maximum extent practicable, adopt or incorporate by reference studies, analyses, and decisions resulting from metropolitan or statewide transportation planning under 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304, respectively. Consistent with these provisions, as well as the provisions in 23 U.S.C. 139(f) and 23 CFR 450.318, FTA will incorporate or use, as appropriate, planning products or the results from transportation planning studies, including the purpose and need for the action, the range of reasonable alternatives, environmental analyses, and proposed mitigation actions resulting from metropolitan or statewide transportation planning. The Agencies will coordinate to issue a joint NEPA Draft EIS and SEPA Supplemental Draft EIS. After receiving and considering public comments, the Agencies will complete a joint NEPA and SEPA Final EIS. VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:36 Jul 19, 2023 Jkt 259001 This Notice initiates formal scoping for the EIS under NEPA, provides information on the nature of the proposed transit project, invites participation in the EIS process, provides information about the purpose and need for the proposed project, includes general information on the range of alternatives being considered for evaluation in the EIS, and identifies potential environmental effects to be considered. FTA has determined that the project is sufficiently developed to allow for meaningful public comment and requires an EIS. The scoping period is available for the public to provide comments on the alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action. Information about the proposed project is available on the project website at https:// www.soundtransit.org/systemexpansion/operations-maintenancefacility-south, or by contacting the project line at (206) 398–5453. The Proposed Project. Sound Transit is proposing to construct a light rail operations and maintenance facility in the South Corridor of its Link light rail system to support the expansion of light rail transit. The OMF South project is part of the ST3 Plan of regional transit system investments, funding for which voters approved in the region in 2016. The ST3 Plan is available on Sound Transit’s website at: https:// www.soundtransit3.org/documentlibrary. Purpose of and Need for the Project. The Purpose and Need statement establishes the basis for developing and evaluating a range of reasonable alternatives for environmental review and assists with the identification of a Preferred Alternative. The OMF South project supports Sound Transit’s Link light rail system expansion and the related increase in its light rail vehicle fleet and daily operations. The project includes measures to preserve and promote a healthy and sustainable environment by minimizing adverse impacts to people and the natural and built environments. The purpose of the project is to: • Provide a facility with the capacity to store, maintain, and deploy vehicles associated with system-wide light rail expansion. • Support efficient and reliable light rail service that minimizes system operating costs. • Support and connect efficiently to the regional system and be technically and financially feasible to build, operate, and maintain, consistent with Sound Transit’s ST3 Plan and its Regional Transit Long-Range Plan. The project is needed because: PO 00000 Frm 00246 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • The current regional system lacks a facility with sufficient capacity and suitable location to support the efficient and reliable long-term operations for system-wide light rail expansion, including the next phase of expansion in King and Pierce counties. • New light rail maintenance and storage capacity needs to be available with sufficient time to accept delivery of and commission new vehicles to meet fleet expansion needs and to store existing vehicles while the new vehicles are tested and prepared. Proposed Alternatives. Alternatives being evaluated include a No-Build alternative and three build alternatives to develop an OMF in the South Corridor of Sound Transit’s Link light rail system. The no-build alternative serves as a baseline against which to assess the impacts of the build alternatives and includes the existing transportation system plus the transportation improvements included in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Transportation Improvement Program. The build alternatives were developed through a local planning process including a Regional Transit LongRange Plan, a regional system plan of transit investments (ST3), a SEPA early scoping and alternatives development process, a SEPA scoping process, and a SEPA Draft EIS. Through that process, Sound Transit narrowed the build alternatives from 24 to 3, and, following the public comment period for the SEPA Draft EIS, the Sound Transit Board identified the South 336th Street Alternative as the preferred alternative. The three build alternatives and the nobuild alternative will continue to be evaluated under NEPA and SEPA. Results of the local planning process and other background technical reports are available at Sound Transit’s office located at 401 S Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104–2826, on the project website: https://www.soundtransit.org/systemexpansion/operations-maintenancefacility-south, or by contacting the project line at (206) 398–5453. The build alternatives include an OMF building, maintenance of way building, Link system-wide storage building, storage tracks, parking, training tracks, and yard areas. Each alternative also includes lead track to allow for light rail vehicles to access the mainline tracks. • South 336th Street Alternative: The Preferred Alternative under the SEPA is an approximately 65-acre site in the city of Federal Way mainly between S 336th Street and S 341st Place and between I– 5 and SR 99. It includes approximately 1.4 miles of mainline tracks connecting it to the Federal Way Link Extension E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM 19JYN1 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / Notices terminus. These tracks would serve as future mainline for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension (TDLE) project that would extend light rail south to Tacoma. The Preferred Alternative also includes a test track to prepare new vehicles for service that would run parallel and on the east side of the mainline tracks. • South 344th Street Alternative: The South 344th Street Alternative is an approximately 65-acre site in the city of Federal Way between S 336th Street and S 344th Street and between I–5 and 18th Place S. It includes approximately 1.8 miles of mainline track connecting it to Federal Way Link Extension terminus. These tracks would serve as future mainline for the TDLE project that would extend light rail south to Tacoma. The South 344th Street Alternative also includes a test track to prepare new vehicles for service that would run parallel and on the east side of the mainline tracks. • Midway Landfill Alternative: The Midway Landfill Alternative is an approximately 68-acre site in the city of Kent between S 246th Street and S 252nd Street and between I–5 and SR 99. Due to its location along the Federal Way Link Extension line, the Midway Landfill does not include mainline tracks or a test track. Summary of Expected Impacts. Areas of investigation are documented in the OMF South SEPA Draft EIS and include transportation, land use and consistency with applicable plans, land acquisition and displacements, socioeconomic impacts, park and recreation resources, historic and cultural resources, environmental justice, visual and aesthetic qualities, air quality, noise and vibration, hazardous materials, energy use, water resources, floodplains, and ecosystems, including threatened and endangered species. The SEPA Draft EIS also evaluated the impacts of short-term construction, long-term operations, and indirect and cumulative conditions and proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate significant adverse impacts. These environmental impacts, considerations, and mitigation proposals (including avoidance and minimization) will be carried forward in NEPA. Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations. In accordance with FTA policy and regulations, the Agencies will comply with all Federal environmental laws, regulations, and executive orders applicable to the proposed project during the environmental review process. In anticipation of federalizing the project, the SEPA Draft EIS contains an appendix that addresses Federal VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:36 Jul 19, 2023 Jkt 259001 requirements usually integrated with FTA NEPA reviews, such as the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 4(f) requirements. The Agencies anticipate the following Federal approvals, permits, decisions, consultations, and reviews by other agencies necessary to implement the project: • Environmental Protection Agency approval under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. • Federal Highway Administration approval of air space lease and use of interstate right-of-way. • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. • Bonneville Power Administration NEPA decision for reconfiguration of towers and power lines. • Federal Highway Administration NEPA decision for air space lease and use of right-of-way. • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. • Washington State Historic Preservation Officer consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. • Environmental Protection Agency NEPA review under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The Agencies will prepare a Coordination Plan for agency, Tribe, and public involvement that reflects the coordination to date and defines next steps for the remainder of the environmental review. Interested parties will be able to review the Coordination Plan at the project website: https:// www.soundtransit.org/systemexpansion/operations-maintenancefacility-south. It will identify the project’s coordination approach and structure, detail the major milestones for agency and public involvement, and include a list of interested Tribes and agencies. Schedule for Decision-Making Process and Description of the Scoping Process. The Agencies intend to complete the EIS for the project within two years, measured from the date of the issuance of this notice to the date a record of decision (ROD) is signed. As described above under Dates, FTA will accept comments on the NEPA review of the EIS through August 18, 2023. The Environmental Protection Agency will announce the availability of a NEPA Draft EIS in the Federal Register and via other outlets, such as the project website (https://www.soundtransit.org/systemexpansion/operations-maintenance- PO 00000 Frm 00247 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46373 facility-south). The Agencies anticipate the NEPA Draft EIS will be available for a 45-day public comment period by Fall 2023. The Agencies will consider substantive comments timely submitted during the public comment period and then anticipate publishing a Final EIS by Spring 2024. The Sound Transit Board will consider the Final EIS and comments received, and then select the project to be built. The Agencies anticipate that all Federal environmental authorization decisions for the construction of the project will be completed within a reasonable period following issuance of the ROD. Under 23 U.S.C. 139, FTA is required to combine the Final EIS and ROD if practicable. The Agencies have determined that a combined FEIS/ROD is not practicable for this project because SEPA requires a waiting period between the FEIS and decisions about the project per Washington Administrative Code 197–11–460(5). Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and Analyses. The Agencies invite all State, Tribal, local governments, and the public to comment on potential alternatives, information, and analyses to be considered in the EIS. Susan Fletcher, Acting Regional Administrator, FTA Region X. [FR Doc. 2023–15251 Filed 7–18–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–57–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. ACTION: Notice of a new matching program. AGENCY: Pursuant to section 552a(e)(12) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs, notice is hereby given of the conduct of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Loss Prevention Computer Matching Program. DATES: Comments on this matching notice must be received no later than 30 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. If no public comments are received during the period allowed for comment, the re-established agreement will be effective September 24, 2023, provided it is a minimum of 30 days after the publication date. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM 19JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46371-46373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15251]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Operations and Maintenance Facility South Project, King County, 
Washington

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS).

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as lead Federal 
agency, and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound 
Transit), as local project sponsor and joint lead agency, intend to 
prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
to evaluate the benefits and impacts of the proposed Operations and 
Maintenance Facility (OMF) South project in King County, Washington.

DATES: Comments should be submitted by August 18, 2023. FTA will 
consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable. 
FTA will consider all comments received during this NEPA scoping period 
and those previously submitted during the Washington State 
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) scoping process. Commenters who 
previously provided SEPA scoping comments do not need to resubmit those 
same comments for consideration under NEPA, but may elect to do so.

ADDRESSES: Comments related to the NEPA review of this project must be 
sent to: OMF South Project, (c/o Erin Green, South Corridor 
Environmental Manager) Sound Transit, 401 S Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 
98104-2826, or by email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For FTA: Justin Zweifel, FTA 
Environmental Protection Specialist, (206) 220-7538 or 
[email protected]. For Sound Transit: Erin Green, Sound Transit 
Environmental Manager, South Corridor, (206) 398-5464 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background. In 2016, voters approved funding for Sound Transit 3 
(ST3), Sound Transit's regional system plan that includes 62 new miles 
of light rail that would contribute to a 116-mile regional system in 
King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. The OMF South project would 
provide a facility in the South Corridor of the system to receive, 
test, commission, store, maintain, and

[[Page 46372]]

deploy vehicles for the system-wide light rail expansion. The project 
would support the addition of light rail vehicles (LRVs) as part of the 
ST3 system expansion by providing needed maintenance and storage 
capacity.
    FTA has determined that the project will be evaluated as a major 
project as defined in 23 U.S.C. 139(a)(7). FTA and Sound Transit (the 
Agencies) will prepare the EIS in accordance with NEPA, FTA 
environmental regulations, and SEPA. Sound Transit has evaluated 
alternatives and environmental impacts and has proposed mitigation 
measures in a 2021 SEPA Draft EIS. In anticipation of federalizing the 
project, Sound Transit considered the relevant Federal statutes that 
are required for NEPA compliance, and the SEPA Draft EIS included 
environmental analysis in accordance with Federal statutes, 
regulations, and executive orders. Sound Transit also conducted an 
extensive public engagement process under SEPA, including early scoping 
in 2018, an extended scoping period in 2019, and an extended Draft EIS 
public comment period in 2021.
    Pursuant to 23 CFR 771.111 (Early coordination, public involvement, 
and project development), the information and results produced by or in 
support of the transportation planning process may be incorporated into 
environmental review documents in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139(f), 40 
CFR 1500-1508, or 23 CFR 450, as applicable. Pursuant to these 
provisions, Federal agencies are required to reduce duplication to the 
maximum extent practicable between the evaluation of alternatives under 
NEPA and the environmental review process carried out under state law. 
Additionally, Federal agencies may, to the maximum extent practicable, 
adopt or incorporate by reference studies, analyses, and decisions 
resulting from metropolitan or statewide transportation planning under 
49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304, respectively. Consistent with these 
provisions, as well as the provisions in 23 U.S.C. 139(f) and 23 CFR 
450.318, FTA will incorporate or use, as appropriate, planning products 
or the results from transportation planning studies, including the 
purpose and need for the action, the range of reasonable alternatives, 
environmental analyses, and proposed mitigation actions resulting from 
metropolitan or statewide transportation planning. The Agencies will 
coordinate to issue a joint NEPA Draft EIS and SEPA Supplemental Draft 
EIS. After receiving and considering public comments, the Agencies will 
complete a joint NEPA and SEPA Final EIS.
    This Notice initiates formal scoping for the EIS under NEPA, 
provides information on the nature of the proposed transit project, 
invites participation in the EIS process, provides information about 
the purpose and need for the proposed project, includes general 
information on the range of alternatives being considered for 
evaluation in the EIS, and identifies potential environmental effects 
to be considered. FTA has determined that the project is sufficiently 
developed to allow for meaningful public comment and requires an EIS. 
The scoping period is available for the public to provide comments on 
the alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed 
action. Information about the proposed project is available on the 
project website at https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/operations-maintenance-facility-south, or by contacting the project 
line at (206) 398-5453.
    The Proposed Project. Sound Transit is proposing to construct a 
light rail operations and maintenance facility in the South Corridor of 
its Link light rail system to support the expansion of light rail 
transit. The OMF South project is part of the ST3 Plan of regional 
transit system investments, funding for which voters approved in the 
region in 2016. The ST3 Plan is available on Sound Transit's website 
at: https://www.soundtransit3.org/document-library.
    Purpose of and Need for the Project. The Purpose and Need statement 
establishes the basis for developing and evaluating a range of 
reasonable alternatives for environmental review and assists with the 
identification of a Preferred Alternative. The OMF South project 
supports Sound Transit's Link light rail system expansion and the 
related increase in its light rail vehicle fleet and daily operations. 
The project includes measures to preserve and promote a healthy and 
sustainable environment by minimizing adverse impacts to people and the 
natural and built environments.
    The purpose of the project is to:
     Provide a facility with the capacity to store, maintain, 
and deploy vehicles associated with system-wide light rail expansion.
     Support efficient and reliable light rail service that 
minimizes system operating costs.
     Support and connect efficiently to the regional system and 
be technically and financially feasible to build, operate, and 
maintain, consistent with Sound Transit's ST3 Plan and its Regional 
Transit Long-Range Plan.
    The project is needed because:
     The current regional system lacks a facility with 
sufficient capacity and suitable location to support the efficient and 
reliable long-term operations for system-wide light rail expansion, 
including the next phase of expansion in King and Pierce counties.
     New light rail maintenance and storage capacity needs to 
be available with sufficient time to accept delivery of and commission 
new vehicles to meet fleet expansion needs and to store existing 
vehicles while the new vehicles are tested and prepared.
    Proposed Alternatives. Alternatives being evaluated include a No-
Build alternative and three build alternatives to develop an OMF in the 
South Corridor of Sound Transit's Link light rail system. The no-build 
alternative serves as a baseline against which to assess the impacts of 
the build alternatives and includes the existing transportation system 
plus the transportation improvements included in the Puget Sound 
Regional Council's Transportation Improvement Program. The build 
alternatives were developed through a local planning process including 
a Regional Transit Long-Range Plan, a regional system plan of transit 
investments (ST3), a SEPA early scoping and alternatives development 
process, a SEPA scoping process, and a SEPA Draft EIS. Through that 
process, Sound Transit narrowed the build alternatives from 24 to 3, 
and, following the public comment period for the SEPA Draft EIS, the 
Sound Transit Board identified the South 336th Street Alternative as 
the preferred alternative. The three build alternatives and the no-
build alternative will continue to be evaluated under NEPA and SEPA. 
Results of the local planning process and other background technical 
reports are available at Sound Transit's office located at 401 S 
Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104-2826, on the project website: https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/operations-maintenance-facility-south, or by contacting the project line at (206) 398-5453.
    The build alternatives include an OMF building, maintenance of way 
building, Link system-wide storage building, storage tracks, parking, 
training tracks, and yard areas. Each alternative also includes lead 
track to allow for light rail vehicles to access the mainline tracks.
     South 336th Street Alternative: The Preferred Alternative 
under the SEPA is an approximately 65-acre site in the city of Federal 
Way mainly between S 336th Street and S 341st Place and between I-5 and 
SR 99. It includes approximately 1.4 miles of mainline tracks 
connecting it to the Federal Way Link Extension

[[Page 46373]]

terminus. These tracks would serve as future mainline for the Tacoma 
Dome Link Extension (TDLE) project that would extend light rail south 
to Tacoma. The Preferred Alternative also includes a test track to 
prepare new vehicles for service that would run parallel and on the 
east side of the mainline tracks.
     South 344th Street Alternative: The South 344th Street 
Alternative is an approximately 65-acre site in the city of Federal Way 
between S 336th Street and S 344th Street and between I-5 and 18th 
Place S. It includes approximately 1.8 miles of mainline track 
connecting it to Federal Way Link Extension terminus. These tracks 
would serve as future mainline for the TDLE project that would extend 
light rail south to Tacoma. The South 344th Street Alternative also 
includes a test track to prepare new vehicles for service that would 
run parallel and on the east side of the mainline tracks.
     Midway Landfill Alternative: The Midway Landfill 
Alternative is an approximately 68-acre site in the city of Kent 
between S 246th Street and S 252nd Street and between I-5 and SR 99. 
Due to its location along the Federal Way Link Extension line, the 
Midway Landfill does not include mainline tracks or a test track.
    Summary of Expected Impacts. Areas of investigation are documented 
in the OMF South SEPA Draft EIS and include transportation, land use 
and consistency with applicable plans, land acquisition and 
displacements, socioeconomic impacts, park and recreation resources, 
historic and cultural resources, environmental justice, visual and 
aesthetic qualities, air quality, noise and vibration, hazardous 
materials, energy use, water resources, floodplains, and ecosystems, 
including threatened and endangered species. The SEPA Draft EIS also 
evaluated the impacts of short-term construction, long-term operations, 
and indirect and cumulative conditions and proposed measures to avoid, 
minimize, or mitigate significant adverse impacts. These environmental 
impacts, considerations, and mitigation proposals (including avoidance 
and minimization) will be carried forward in NEPA.
    Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations. In accordance with 
FTA policy and regulations, the Agencies will comply with all Federal 
environmental laws, regulations, and executive orders applicable to the 
proposed project during the environmental review process. In 
anticipation of federalizing the project, the SEPA Draft EIS contains 
an appendix that addresses Federal requirements usually integrated with 
FTA NEPA reviews, such as the National Historic Preservation Act and 
Section 4(f) requirements.
    The Agencies anticipate the following Federal approvals, permits, 
decisions, consultations, and reviews by other agencies necessary to 
implement the project:
     Environmental Protection Agency approval under Section 401 
of the Clean Water Act.
     Federal Highway Administration approval of air space lease 
and use of interstate right-of-way.
     U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit under Section 404 of 
the Clean Water Act.
     Bonneville Power Administration NEPA decision for 
reconfiguration of towers and power lines.
     Federal Highway Administration NEPA decision for air space 
lease and use of right-of-way.
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration consultation under Section 7 of the 
Endangered Species Act.
     Washington State Historic Preservation Officer 
consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act.
     Environmental Protection Agency NEPA review under the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
    The Agencies will prepare a Coordination Plan for agency, Tribe, 
and public involvement that reflects the coordination to date and 
defines next steps for the remainder of the environmental review. 
Interested parties will be able to review the Coordination Plan at the 
project website: https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/operations-maintenance-facility-south. It will identify the project's 
coordination approach and structure, detail the major milestones for 
agency and public involvement, and include a list of interested Tribes 
and agencies.
    Schedule for Decision-Making Process and Description of the Scoping 
Process. The Agencies intend to complete the EIS for the project within 
two years, measured from the date of the issuance of this notice to the 
date a record of decision (ROD) is signed. As described above under 
Dates, FTA will accept comments on the NEPA review of the EIS through 
August 18, 2023. The Environmental Protection Agency will announce the 
availability of a NEPA Draft EIS in the Federal Register and via other 
outlets, such as the project website (https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/operations-maintenance-facility-south). The Agencies 
anticipate the NEPA Draft EIS will be available for a 45-day public 
comment period by Fall 2023. The Agencies will consider substantive 
comments timely submitted during the public comment period and then 
anticipate publishing a Final EIS by Spring 2024. The Sound Transit 
Board will consider the Final EIS and comments received, and then 
select the project to be built. The Agencies anticipate that all 
Federal environmental authorization decisions for the construction of 
the project will be completed within a reasonable period following 
issuance of the ROD.
    Under 23 U.S.C. 139, FTA is required to combine the Final EIS and 
ROD if practicable. The Agencies have determined that a combined FEIS/
ROD is not practicable for this project because SEPA requires a waiting 
period between the FEIS and decisions about the project per Washington 
Administrative Code 197-11-460(5).
    Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, 
and Analyses. The Agencies invite all State, Tribal, local governments, 
and the public to comment on potential alternatives, information, and 
analyses to be considered in the EIS.

Susan Fletcher,
Acting Regional Administrator, FTA Region X.
[FR Doc. 2023-15251 Filed 7-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.