Maritime Administration July 8, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S Department of Transportation (DOT), Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Port of Long Beach (POLB or Port) Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility Project (Project) to support an application to DOT for Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) and potentially other federal funding programs. Publication of this notice begins a 45 day public comment period. A virtual public meeting will be held online and via teleconference. The public meeting will be preceded by a virtual informational open house. MARAD requests comments on the Project. Comments will inform our preparation of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The DEIS, supporting information, and comments will be available for viewing and download at https://www.regulations.gov under docket number MARAD-2019- 0109. The FEIS, when published, will be announced and available at this site as well. The Project is designed to address current traffic and cargo distribution bottlenecks into, out of, and within the POLB. The Project also includes consideration for anticipated future demand for cargo movement via on-dock rail; maximize on-dock intermodal operations to reach the long-term goal of 30 to 35 percent of cargo containers to be handled by on-dock rail; provide a facility that can accept and handle longer container trains; and provide a rail yard that is cost effective and fiscally prudent. The Port is applying to the RRIF Program, and potentially other federal funding programs, to support the Project.