| |
Environmental Process
Environmental review of the proposed project is proceeding in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. An environmental assessment has been released for public review for all three phases. The Assessment evaluates the environmental impacts of the proposed project and provides information and analysis of project alternatives.
The Assessment also provides an opportunity to inform the public and decision makers about the project and alternatives. After the public comment period, all comments will be considered and the Federal Highway Administration, the lead agency, will make a decision on the environmental clearance and project approval. The project phases will either be approved or subject to additional environmental review.
The environmental assessment was released on April 1. To obtain a copy call Lezley Buford at 916-808-5935 or view the assessment here.
Environmental Process Q&As
What is an environmental assessment?
An environmental assessment is a review document required by the National Environmental Policy Act. An assessment reviews and determines the significance of a project’s environmental impacts.
An environmental assessment:
- Describes a proposed project’s purpose and need
- Describes any alternatives to the proposed action
- Evaluates environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives
- Identifies the agencies and persons consulted
Technical reports are prepared for issues such as air quality, transportation, natural environment, historical/archeological resources, noise and other pertinent resource topics. These are the background studies for the assessment analyses. The lead federal agency decides whether or not the project has significant impacts, if it can be constructed, whether it requires additional review or whether or not it should proceed.
What is a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)?
A FONSI is prepared if the environmental assessment determines impacts can be avoided, minimized or mitigated. The FONSI will identify measures that will be taken to reduce potentially significant impacts.
What is the public’s role during preparation and review of an EA?
For the SITF project, the public can attend the community meeting on April 22 (see box for more details) and/or submit comments directly to Lezley Buford at lbuford@CityofSacramento.org. All comments will be considered. |
The environmental process will be the means to assess impacts of proposed projects. In addition, it serves as the forum to inform the public and decision makers on the project options. This process enables the selection of the most feasible alternative that best meets a project’s purpose and need.
Federal Environmental Review
Federal clearance, under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), is required due to the use of U.S. Department of Transportation funding from various federal highway, transit and railroad programs.
The Federal Highways Administration will serve as the lead federal agency on the project, and the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration will be cooperating agencies. The federal reviews will include:
- Phase 1: Track Relocation – studied at a project-specific level
- Phase 2: Sacramento Valley Station Improvements – studied at a project-specific level
- Phase 3: Intermodal Transportation Facility – studied at a programmatic level; options to be evaluated include moving the depot, not moving the depot and no build.
Note: Phase 1 and Phase 2 are not dependent on whether or not the station is moved
State Environmental Review
Similar to federal environmental review, state environmental review in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is required because the project is using various state and local funding sources. The CEQA reviews include:
- Phase 1: Track Relocation – received project-level CEQA clearance in 2007
- Phase 2: Sacramento Valley Station Improvements – project-specific CEQA clearance
- Phase 3: Intermodal Transportation Facility – programmatic clearance
What’s next?
At the end of the public review period, all comments will be considered in the preferred alternative selection. A final determination about the environmental impacts will be issued in accordance with respective federal and state requirements. Check back for updates.
Intermodal Options under Consideration
Three alternatives for the Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility are under study:
- Don’t Move the Depot
- Move the Depot
- No build
|
Intermodal Alternatives Study Also Available
Parallel to the environmental assessment process, the Intermodal Alternatives Study considers how the alternatives - move the depot or don’t move the depot - fit the community. It also compares how transportation needs are addressed, how each would fit into an urban setting and how each alternative works for users and operators. An evaluation of phasing strategies, cost estimates and risks associated with each alternative is also included.
The study and related reports are available here.
Next Steps
In late May 2009, it is anticipated that the Intermodal Alternatives Study will be brought before the City Council for consideration.
Questions?
Contact Hinda Chandler at hchandler@CityofSacramento.org. |
|
|
