[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 147 (Tuesday, August 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18768]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 2, 1994]


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INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION
[Finance Docket No. 31989]

 

The Elk River Railroad, Inc.--Exemption--Construction and 
Operation of a Line of Railroad in Clay and Kanawha Counties, WV

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 August 29, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: Victoria J. Dettmar, Interstate Commerce Commission, Section 
of Environmental Analysis, Room 3221, 12th and Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20423.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Dalton (202) 927-6202 or 
Victoria Dettmar (202) 927-6211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Elk River Railroad (TERRI) has filed a 
petition for exemption with the Commission seeking authority to 
construct and operate a 30 mile line from Hartland to Falling Rock, 
West Virginia. The proposed line would connect TERRI's existing line 
with a Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) line near Blue Creek, 
West Virginia, thus allowing TERRI to interchange traffic with either 
CSXT or Conrail.
    We believe that if the Commission approves the construction and 
operation, 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 May 6, 
1994. The notice requested comments in writing or orally at public 
scoping meetings that were held in Clendenin, West Virginia and Clay, 
West Virginia on May 31 and June 1, 1994, respectively. Over 100 
parties provided comments 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: Construction and operation activities 
may significantly affect the environment in the project area. Based on 
the comments and our initial evaluation, the proposed construction and 
operation may result in a number of environmental impacts. These 
impacts may include:

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

    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 Michael Dalton at (202) 927-6202 or Victoria 
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.
Vernon A. Williams,
Acting Secretary.

Scope of Environmental Impact Statement

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. Proposed route
    b. 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. Present and future access to properties located along the right-of-
way.
2. Assessment of impacts to other land use, including encroachments on 
the right-of-way:
    a. playground located on the right-of-way.
    b. parking lots located on the right-of-way.
    c. sheds and other structures located on the right-of-way.
3. Assessment of the need for noxious weed control and use of 
herbicides.
4. Assessment of the project's effect on designed flood zones or 
floodplains.

B. Transportation and Safety Impacts

1. Effect of train operations on Clendenin and other communities.
2. Potential delays experienced by general vehicles, school buses, and 
emergency calls at rail/road crossings.
3. Evaluation of the need for warning signals or gates at grade 
crossings.
4. Access across rail line for emergency vehicles.
5. Degradation of area road systems.
6. Evaluation of the impact of rail service on transportation safety, 
including the occurrence of accidents and release of hazardous 
materials.
7. Potential for derailments and clean-up plans and procedures.
8. Concerns regarding children attempting to jump on trains passing 
through towns.

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 trains.

D. Water Resource Impacts

1. Possible water quality impacts from erosion and sedimentation that 
would be associated with bridge building, other construction 
activities, and rail operations.
2. Analysis of the disturbance of soil and vegetation in water bodies, 
floodplains, and/or wetlands that could result during bridge building, 
other construction activities, and rail operations.
3. Possible water quality degradation that could result from industrial 
development.
4. Water quality degradation that could result from accidental releases 
of hazardous materials in rail transportation.
5. Water quality degradation that could result if herbicides used to 
control vegetation wash into the Elk River.
6. Impacts from contaminated soil resulting from leaks, derailments, 
and fueling that may occur along the right-of-way.

E. Impacts on Biological Resources

1. Assessment of the impact of construction and operation activities on 
any threatened and endangered species in the vicinity of the right-of-
way.
2. Assessment of the impact of construction and operation activities on 
wildlife from conversion of habitat within the right-of-way to rail 
use.
3. Discussion of concerns regarding disturbance of vegetation in 
adjacent wetlands and floodplains during bridge building, other 
construction activities, and rail operations.
4. Evaluation of the impact of erosion and sedimentation during bridge 
building, other construction activities, and rail operations on aquatic 
wildlife and habitat.

F. Air Quality Impacts

1. Emissions from construction
    a. fugitive dust from wind erosion of surfaces stripped of 
vegetation calculated under EPA's PM-10 regulations.
    b. dust from scraper and dozer operations calculated under EPA's 
PM-10 regulations.
    c. emissions from combustion of diesel fuel by heavy equipment.
2. Air pollutants during operation
    a. combustion of diesel fuel by trains.
    b. coal dust from trains.
    c. calculation of emission rates for significant pollutants.

G. Noise Impacts

1. Construction-related noise due to use of heavy machinery.
2. Long-term noise impacts associated with operation of rail line
    a. calculation of Leq measurements of Ldn contours for rural 
communities and areas along the line.
    b. assessment of impact to sensitive receptors (e.g. schools, 
churches).

H. Impacts on Socioeconomics

1. Evaluation of social and economic impacts resulting from changes in 
the physical environment due to construction and operation of the 
proposed line.

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.
2. Impacts to archaeological resources.

J. Impacts on Recreational Resources

1. Effects of construction and operation on wildlife and other 
recreational resources, including the Elk River.
2. Effects of construction and operation on opportunities for hunting, 
fishing, and bird watching.

Proposed Mitigation

1. Necessary and appropriate mitigation.

[FR Doc. 94-18768 Filed 8-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7035-01-P