Environmental Impact Statement on the Tampa Bay Regional Rail
System in Tampa, Florida
[Federal Register: April 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 64)]
[Notices]
[Page 16520-16522]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05ap99-137]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Environmental Impact Statement on the Tampa Bay Regional Rail
System in Tampa, Florida
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Hillsborough
Area Regional Transit Authority intend to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Tampa Bay Regional Rail project in the
City of Tampa and Hillsborough County, Florida. The EIS is being
prepared in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), and will also address the requirements of other federal and
state environmental laws. The FTA will be the lead federal agency. The
EIS will address the social, economic, and environmental effects of
selected transportation improvements identified in the ``Early Action
Plan'' identified as a result of the Alternatives for Mobility
Enhancement Major Investment Study (MIS) which was completed in April
of 1998. HART will perform this effort in coordination with the
following consulting agencies: the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT), the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO), Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa.
The EIS will evaluate selected transportation improvements in the
corridors between the central business district in Tampa and three
destinations: the University of South Florida to the north, Westshore/
Hillsborough Community College to the west, and Port Tampa to the
south. The EIS will evaluate the following transportation alternatives:
a No Build Alternative, a Transportation System Management (TSM)
Alternative, and Rail Transit Alternatives using Diesel Multiple Units.
The No Build Alternative will consist of improvements that are existing
or committed (i.e., funded). The TSM Alternative will consist of bus
improvements and other transportation system management approaches. The
Rail Transit Alternative Diesel Multiple Units are self-propelled rail
transit cars that do not require electrification of the right-of-way,
but can operate on tracks in streets or adjacent to freight rail
tracks. In addition, reasonable alternatives suggested during the
scoping process will be considered.
Scoping will be accomplished through correspondence with interested
persons, organizations, and federal, state and local agencies, as well
as through public meetings. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below for
details.
DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of alternatives
and impacts to be considered should be sent to HART by May 21, 1999.
See ADDRESSES below. Three Public Scoping Meetings and one Agency
Scoping Meeting will be held on the following dates and times: Agency
Scoping--April 13, 1999 at 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.; Public Scoping
Meetings--April 13, 19, and 20, 1999 at 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. See ADDRESSES
below.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Mr. Steve Carroll,
Project Manager, Hillsborough Area Regional
[[Page 16521]]
Transit Authority, 201 East Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1600, Tampa,
Florida, 33602. Phone: (813) 223-6831. The scoping meetings will be
held at the following locations:
1. April 13, 1999--9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. County Center, 601 E.
Kennedy Boulevard 26th Floor, Room A, Downtown Tampa, Florida (located
between Kennedy Blvd. and Jackson St., and Morgan St. and Pierce St.)
2. April 13, 1999--4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Marshall Center at the
University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, USF Campus, Tampa,
Florida (located on Fowler Ave. between 30th St. and 56th St.)
3. April 19, 1999--4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. TECO Hall in TECO Plaza,
702 N. Franklin Street, Downtown Tampa, Florida (located between Polk
St. and Zack St., and Franklin St. and Tampa St.)
4. April 20, 1999--4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Port Tampa Library, 4902
Commerce Street, Port Tampa City, Florida (located just south of the
apex at Interbay and Westshore Blvd. on Commerce St.)
Directions to meeting sites and information about special
accommodation (Spanish translation, signing for hearing impaired,
wheelchair access, etc.) is available from Vasti Amaro at HART at 201
East Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1600, Tampa, Florida 33602, or (813) 254-
4278.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Martin, Community
Planner, Federal Transit Administration Region 4. Phone (404) 562-3500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Scoping
FTA and HART invite interested individuals, organizations, and
businesses and federal, state and local agencies to participate in
defining the alternatives to be evaluated and identifying any
significant social, economic, or environmental issues related to the
alternatives. Comments on the appropriateness of the alternatives and
impact issues are encouraged. Specific suggestions on additional
alternatives to be examined and issues to be addressed are welcomed and
will be considered in the development of the final study scope.
Comments may be made orally at the meetings or in writing prior to May
21, 1999.
HART staff will be present at the scoping meetings to describe the
corridor alternatives, answer any questions, and receive comments.
Additional opportunities for public participation will be provided
throughout the EIS preparation to review findings and results and to
solicit comments. Interested persons will be notified of project
progress through ongoing community information distributed to the
project mailing list that will include all scoping participants.
Additional background information on the need for the project, the
EIS process, alternatives, and impact issues to be addressed by the EIS
is contained in a document entitled ``Project Scoping.'' Copies of the
document have been distributed to affected federal, state and local
agencies, and interested parties currently on the project mailing list.
Others may request the document from HART. See ADDRESSES above.
II. Description of Study Area and Project Need
The study area is located in the City of Tampa and Hillsborough
County. It extends approximately 28.5 miles between Downtown Tampa and
the University of South Florida (USF) to the north, Hillsborough Area
Community College to the west (Westshore), and Port Tampa to the south.
Between USF and Port Tampa, approximately 18.5 miles of Diesel Multiple
Unit rail transit facilities would generally follow the existing CSX
Railroad tracks, which currently have active freight service. Between
Downtown and Westshore/Hillsborough Community College, approximately 10
miles of Diesel Multiple Unit rail transit facilities would generally
follow the I-275 corridor. The area is currently served by HART bus
service, and there is no existing rail rapid transit or commuter
service in the study area.
The study area includes and connects the three largest employment/
activity centers in the Tampa Bay area: USF, Westshore, and Downtown.
Residential areas in between and adjacent to these destinations would
also be served. Availability of right-of-way in the study area is
constrained, and substantial increases in travel demand will exceed
existing and planned capacity of the roadway system. The adopted cost
affordable Long Range Transportation Plan for the region calls for a
combination of modal improvements, including widening of existing
roadways, improvements to the bus system, pedestrian and bicycle
facilities enhancement, application of technology to manage demand and
improve system efficiencies, and introduction of Diesel Multiple Unit
rail transit service.
In response to the study area needs, HART and the Hillsborough
County MPO conducted a Major Investment Study in the study area. The
results of the Major Investment Study, which was completed in April
1998, concluded with the selection of a Locally Preferred Strategy
including Diesel Multiple Unit rapid rail service between Downtown,
USF, Hillsborough Community College/Westshore and Port Tampa, and
substantial improvements to bus service. The transit improvements are
intended to increase the capacity of the transportation network,
improve accessibility and mobility, diversify transportation choices,
and help achieve regional air quality goals by providing alternatives
to the single-occupant vehicle and the opportunity to reduce vehicle
miles traveled.
Alternatives
The transportation alternatives proposed for consideration in this
project area include:
(1) No-Build Alternative, which involves no change to
transportation services or facilities in the Corridor beyond already
committed projects;
(2) A Transportation System Management Alternative which focuses on
operational and low to medium cost capital improvements to bus transit
routes and services in the project area; and
(3) Diesel Multiple Unit rail rapid transit alternatives ranging
from approximately 18.5 to approximately 28.5 miles of rail generally
located parallel to existing CSX railroad corridors from USF through
Downtown Tampa to Port Tampa, and the I-275 Corridor through Westshore.
Stations would be located to serve potential significant trip
generators and in areas where economic development efforts are planned
or underway. The locations of stations and resulting impacts will be an
important area of consideration during the study.
Potential Impacts for Analysis
The FTA and HART intend to evaluate significant social,
environmental, and economic impacts of the alternatives analyzed in the
EIS. Primary factors to be addressed include: land use, economic
development, traffic and parking, coordination with ongoing
transportation projects, grade crossing safety, noise and vibration,
community impacts, environmental justice, historic/archaeological
sites, water quality, air quality, contaminated materials and capital
and operating costs. Impacts on other factors including aesthetics,
parklands, ecosystems, threatened and endangered species, and energy
will also be assessed. Other potential impact issues may be added as a
result of scoping and agency coordination efforts. Mitigation measures
will be identified for significant environmental impacts.
[[Page 16522]]
The subjects and level of detail addressed in the EIS will be
consistent with the requirements of the joint FTA/FHWA environmental
regulations (23 CFR 771 and 40 CFR 1500-1508) and other related
regulations. The proposed impact assessment and evaluation will take
into account both positive and negative effects, direct and indirect
impacts, short-term (construction) and long-term impacts, and
cumulative effects.
FTA Procedures
In accordance with federal transportation planning regulations and
environmental procedures (40 CFR Part 1500-1508 and 23 CFR Part 771),
the EIS will be prepared to consider reasonable alternatives, assess
the potential impacts associated with reasonable alternatives, and
provide the public with the opportunity to comment. The EIS will be
prepared to address the components of the Locally Preferred Strategy
identified in the 1998 Major Investment Study in the corridor between
downtown Tampa and the University of South Florida, Hillsborough
Community College, and Port Tampa. The Draft EIS will be circulated to
solicit public and agency comments on the proposed action. Based on the
comments received on the Draft EIS, HART will prepare the Final EIS.
Opportunity for public comment will be provided throughout project
development process.
Issued On: March 30, 1999.
Susan E. Schruth,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-8197 Filed 4-2-99; 8:45 am]
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