[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11740]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]


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INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION
[Docket No. AB-213 (Sub-No. 4)]

 

Canadian Pacific Limited--Abandonment--Between Skinner and 
Vanceboro, Maine

AGENCY: Interstate Commerce Commission.

ACTION: Notice of final scope of study for environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the final scope of study prepared in 
response to written comments, as well as oral comments given at public 
meetings, for the environmental impact statement to be prepared for the 
above proceeding. Written comments on the final scope are requested.

DATES: Written comments on the final scope of work are due June 13, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: Phillis Johnson-Ball, Interstate Commerce Commission, 
Section of Environmental Analysis, Room 3221, 12th and Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20423.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phillis Johnson-Ball (202) 927-6213 or 
Vicki Dettmar (202) 927-6211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Canadian Pacific Limited has filed an 
application with the Commission seeking authority to discontinue and 
abandon all freight and passenger rail operations over 201.2 miles of 
rail line between Skinner and Vanceboro (The Skinner-Vanceboro Line) in 
the Maine counties of Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, 
Aroostook, and Washington. The proposed abandonment activities would 
include the discontinuance of rail service over the entire line; the 
diversion of traffic to motor carriers or other railroads; and the 
salvage of all rails, ties, railroad-related appurtenances, and 
standing structures.
    We believe that if the Commission approves the abandonment, this 
action would constitute a major Federal action having the potential to 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, 
we will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS). A notice of 
intent to prepare an EIS and to hold public scoping meetings for this 
proceeding was published on February 22, 1994. The notice requested 
comments in writing or orally at public scoping meetings that were held 
in Woodland, Maine and Bangor, Maine on March 15 and March 16, 1994, 
respectively. Over 50 parties provided comment and/or attended the 
scoping meetings. In accordance with the Commission's environmental 
rules at 49 CFR 1105, the final scope of study is summarized below.

SUMMARY OF THE SCOPE OF STUDY: Abandonment and salvage activities may 
significantly affect the environment in the project area. Based on the 
comments and our initial evaluation, the proposed abandonment may 
result in a number of environmental impacts. These impacts include:

Land Use Impacts
Transportation Impacts
Energy Impacts
Air Quality Impacts
Noise Impacts
Impacts to Public Health and Safety
Impacts to Biological Resources
Impacts to Water Resources
Socioeconomic Impacts from Physical Environmental Changes
Impacts to Historic and Cultural Resources
Impacts to Recreational Resources

    We want to make it clear here that the EIS will only analyze the 
environmental effects that relate to this abandonment proposal. The 
environmental review process is not the proper forum for analyzing the 
``need'' for or the economic merits of a proposed project. It is 
through the development of a separate evidentiary record that addresses 
the merits of the proposed abandonment that the Commission considers 
issues of economic impact and the impacts to rural and community 
development as required by 49 U.S.C. 10903 (a) (2).
    Copies of the complete scope of study have been served on all the 
parties to this proceeding. A copy of the scoping document may be 
obtained by contacting Phillis Johnson-Ball at (202) 927-6213 or Vicki 
Dettmar at (202) 927-6211.
    A notice of availability of the draft EIS will be announced in the 
Federal Register and served on parties to the proceeding.

    By the Commission, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of 
Environmental Analysis.
Sidney L. Strickland, Jr.
Secretary.

Scope of Environmental Impact Statement; Docket No. AB-213 (Sub-No. 4); 
Canadian Pacific Limited--Abandonment--Between--Skinner and Vanceboro, 
Maine; Executive Summary; Description of Proposed Action and 
Alternatives

1. Summary of the existing rail line
2. Description of the proposed action
3. Description of alternatives
    a. Partial abandonment
    b. Discontinuance of service without abandonment
    c. No action (denial of the proposal)

Description of Existing Environment

    Specific description including existing land use, transportation, 
physiography and soil, water resources, biological resources, air 
quality, noise, socioeconomic setting, historic and cultural resources, 
and recreational resources in the project area.

Environmental Analysis of Proposed Action and Alternatives

A. Land Use Impacts

    1. Analysis of impacts from increased land development following 
abandonment of the right-of-way (ROW).
    2. Evaluation of the change in existing land use of the ROW, 
railroad yards, and stations.
    3. Assessment of disturbances to adjacent properties during salvage 
activities.
    4. Concerns regarding unauthorized recreational vehicle use along 
the abandoned ROW.
    5. Need for disposal requirements for salvaging debris.
    6. Possibility of unauthorized waste and debris disposal along the 
ROW.
    7. Native American concerns regarding impacts to land use 
activities of the Indian Township and Pleasant Point reservations of 
the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Penobscot Nation at Indian Island.

B. Transportation and Safety Impacts

    1. Assessment of the transportation and safety impacts associated 
with the loss of rail service to existing shippers.
    2. Assessment of rail and motor carrier transportation alternatives 
and anticipated impact of rerouted traffic on alternative rail lines 
and/or roadways.
    3. Evaluation of the impact of rerouted passenger traffic.
    4. Evaluation of the impact of loss of this rail service on 
transportation safety, including the occurrence of accidents and 
release of hazardous materials.

C. Energy Impacts

    1. Assessment of impacts on transportation of any energy resources.
    2. Anticipated impacts on any recyclable commodities.
    3. Impact on overall energy consumption and efficiency that would 
result from increased use of trucks.

D. Water Resource Impacts

    1. Possible water quality impacts from erosion and sedimentation 
that would be associated with building and bridge removal and other 
salvage activities.
    2. Analysis of the disturbance of soil and vegetation in water 
bodies, floodplains, and/or wetlands that could result during bridge 
removal and other salvage activities.
    3. Evaluation of the need for continued culvert maintenance to 
minimize flooding and water quality impacts from beaver and ice dams.
    4. Anticipated impacts from the possible failure or collapse of 
bridge abutments.
    5. Possible water quality degradation in recreational lakes that 
could result from lakeside land development.
    6. Water quality degradation that could result from accidental 
releases of hazardous materials in motor carrier transportation.
    7. Impacts from contaminated soil resulting from prior leaks, 
derailments, and fueling that occurred along the ROW and possible need 
for soil and groundwater sampling.

E. Impacts on Biological Resources

    1. Assessment of the impact of salvage activities on any threatened 
and endangered species in the vicinity of the ROW.
    2. Discussion of concerns regarding disturbance of vegetation in 
adjacent wetlands and floodplains during bridge removal and other 
salvage activities.
    3. Evaluation of the impact of erosion and sedimentation during 
building and bridge removal and other salvage activities on aquatic 
wildlife and habitat.
    4. Analysis of changes in beaver populations and activities along 
the ROW.
    5. Concerns regarding the impact of increased traffic on wildlife 
along Route 9 and at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.
    6. Possibility of the need for continued culvert maintenance to 
minimize wetland impacts from changes in hydrologic (i.e., water level) 
conditions.
    7. Assessment of the impact to wildlife following abandonment of 
rail service.
    8. Potential impacts to wildlife that could result from the 
unauthorized uses of abandoned ROW.

F. Air Quality Impacts

    1. Analysis of the elimination of current locomotive emissions 
along the ROW following abandonment.
    2. Effects of possible increased emissions due to rail line salvage 
operations.
    3. Explanation of increased air pollutant emissions that could 
result from additional truck traffic, especially in current non-
attainment areas.

G. Noise Impacts

    1. Analysis of the impact from noise that may be generated by 
salvage equipment and post-abandonment maintenance equipment.
    2. Concerns regarding the impact of abandonment on noise quality in 
the vicinity of road crossings.
    3. Impacts from noise that may be generated by increased vehicular 
traffic on Route 9 and other roads.

H. Impacts on Socioeconomics

    Evaluation of social and economic impacts resulting from changes in 
the physical environment due to salvage activities or the diversion of 
traffic.

I. Impacts on Historic and Cultural Resources

    1. Impacts to structures (buildings and bridges) that may be 
eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and 
archaeological resources.
    2. Potential need for a Memorandum of Agreement between the Maine 
Historic Preservation Commission, Interstate Commerce Commission, 
Advisory Council of Historic Preservation, and Canadian Pacific 
Limited.
    3. Assessment of impact of increased truck traffic on the Calais 
Historic District.

J. Impacts on Recreational Resources

    1. Effects of salvage activities and elimination of train noises 
and intrusions on wildlife and other recreational resources.
    2. Effects of abandonment on opportunities for hunting, fishing, 
and bird watching.
    3. Potential for use of the abandoned ROW as a multi-use 
recreational trail.
    4. Assessment of impact of bridge removal on recreational 
opportunities along the ROW.
    5. Impact of possible unauthorized recreational vehicle use and 
increased human activity on existing wildlife and habitat conditions.

Proposed Mitigation

    1. Necessary and appropriate mitigation.

[FR Doc. 94-11740 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7035-01-P