Federal Railroad Administration August 17, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that FRA and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will jointly prepare a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to study potential infrastructure investments along the Oregon portion of the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor (PNWRC). The objective of the Tier 1 EIS is to evaluate a reasonable range of alternatives and select a rail corridor as well as making decisions regarding the level of intercity passenger rail service provided in the corridor, including variations in train frequency, trip time, and on-time performance. Alternatives under consideration will include taking no action (No-Build Alternative), as well as multiple build alternatives between Eugene-Springfield and the Columbia River in Portland. The build alternatives may include infrastructure improvements to the existing rail corridor, the development of a new rail corridor, or a combination of both. FRA is also issuing this notice to solicit public and agency input in the development of the scope of the EIS and to advise the public that outreach activities conducted by FRA and ODOT will be considered in the preparation of the EIS.