Surface Transportation Board November 30, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 3, 2017, Palmetto Railways (Applicant) filed an exemption petition with the Board pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502 to construct and operate approximately 28 miles of new rail line between the Cross Subdivision of CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) rail network near the Santee Cooper Cross Generating Station and the Camp Hall Commerce Park in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Implementation of the proposed rail line would bring industrial rail service to the Volvo Cars facility, as well as areas being developed by Santee Cooper. FRA and the Coast Guard are cooperating agencies in the preparation of this Draft EA pursuant to CEQ NEPA implementing regulations (40 CFR 1501.6). The purpose of this Notice of Availability (NOA) is to notify individuals and agencies interested in or affected by the proposed action of the availability of the Draft EA for review and comment on November 30, 2018. The Draft EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives, including the no- action alternative. The Draft EA addresses environmental issues and concerns identified during the scoping process. It also contains OEA's preliminary recommendations for environmental mitigation measures, and Palmetto Railways' voluntary mitigation measures. The Draft EA will be available on November 30, 2018 through the Board's website at https://www.stb.gov by following the decisions link, through the project website at https://www.CampHallRailNEPA.com, and at all public libraries in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Next Steps: Following the close of the 30-day comment period on December 30, 2018 of the Draft EA, OEA, the Corps, and the cooperating agencies will issue a Final EA that considers comments on the Draft EA. The Board will then issue a final decision based on the Draft and Final EAs and all public and agency comments in the public record for this proceeding. The final decision will address the transportation merits of the proposed project and the entire environmental record. That final decision will take one of three actions: Approve the proposed project, deny it, or approve it with mitigation conditions, including environmental conditions. Written Comments: Any interested party may submit written comments on the Draft EA. The procedures for submitting written comments are outlined below: