[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 108 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30373-30374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14325]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Environmental Impact Statement on the Northstar Corridor Project 
Located Between Minneapolis and the St. Cloud Area, Minnesota

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration is issuing this notice to 
advise interested agencies and the public that a Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS) is being prepared for transit elements of the 
Northstar Corridor project located in the Trunk Highway 10/47 (TH 10/
47) corridor between Minneapolis and the St. Cloud area, Minnesota.

DATES: Interagency and public scoping and information meetings will be 
held on Thursday, July 29, 1999 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and from 
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on July 27, 28 and 29, respectively.

Interagency Scoping Meeting

Thursday, July 29, 1999 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Fridley City Hall, 
6431 University Avenue Northeast, Fridley, MN 55432

Public Scoping Meetings

Tuesday, July 27, 1999 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Whitney Senior 
Community Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303
Wednesday, July 28, 1999, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m, Sherburne County 
Courthouse, 13880 Highway 10, Elk River, MN 55330
Thursday, July 29, 1999 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Fridley City Hall, 
6431 University Avenue Northeast, Fridley, MN 55432

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of analysis and impacts to be 
considered should be sent by August 20, 1999 to: Mr. Tim Yantos, 
Project Director, Northstar Corridor Development Authority, 2100 Third 
Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Joel P. Ettinger, FTA Region 5, 
200 West Adams Street, Suite 2410, Chicago, IL 60606, Telephone: (312) 
353-2789.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 
(the federal lead agency) in cooperation with the Northstar Corridor 
Development Authority (NCDA), a joint powers board (local lead agency), 
will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Northstar 
Corridor project.

I. Scoping

    The FTA and the NCDA invite interested individuals, organizations 
and federal, state and local agencies to participate in defining the 
alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS; in identifying social, 
economic or environmental impacts to be evaluated; and suggesting 
alternatives that are less costly or have fewer environmental impacts 
while achieving similar transportation objectives. An information 
packet, referred to as the Scoping Booklet, will be circulated to all 
federal, state or local agencies having jurisdiction in the project, 
and all interested parties currently on the NCDA mailing list.
    Others may request this Scoping Booklet by contacting:

Stephanie Eiler, Anoka County, 1440 Bunker Lake Boulevard, Andover, MN 
55304, Phone: 612/862-4230, Fax: 612/862-4201, E-Mail: 
[email protected]

    Four public scoping meetings will be held in the study area. An 
interagency scoping meeting will be held on July 29, 1999 from 1:00 
p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Fridley City Hall, and three public scoping 
meetings will be held on July 27, 28 and 29, 1999 from 4:00 to 7:00 
p.m. at the Whitney Senior Community Center, the Sherburne County 
Courthouse and the Fridley City Hall, respectively. People with special 
needs should call Stephanie Eiler at 612-862-4230. The buildings are 
accessible to people with disabilities.
    Scoping comments may be made at the Public Scoping Meetings or in 
writing by August 20, 1999. Comments or questions should be directed to 
Mr. Tim Yantos at the address provided above.

II. Description of the Study Area and Transportation Needs

    The Northstar Corridor study area can be described as a long, 
narrow 70-mile transportation corridor that extends from downtown 
Minneapolis to the St. Cloud area along TH 10/47 and the Burlington 
Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad. The study area is bordered by the 
Mississippi River on the west and extends approximately 3 to 5 miles to 
the east of TH 10/47. The proposed Corridor would connect to the 
Hiawatha Light Rail Transit (LRT) in downtown Minneapolis. The Hiawatha 
LRT line would continue to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport and the 
Mall of America.
    The NCDA initiated a Major Investment Study (MIS) in May of 1998, 
pursuant to federal regulations, and conducted a feasibility study of 
commuter rail in the Corridor. Phase I of this process focused on 
identifying the purpose and need for transportation improvements in the 
Corridor, identifying and screening the alternative transportation 
solutions, and evaluating the feasibility of commuter rail service in 
the Corridor.
    During Phase I of the Study, the issues identified in the Northstar 
Corridor that relate to transportation include: a lack of coordination 
between transportation investments and land use development; a high 
accident rate along the TH 10/47 corridor; decreasing mobility on TH 
10/

[[Page 30374]]

47; a lack of corridor-wide transit service; and the lack of 
alternative transportation modes.
    A public involvement program was conducted during Phase I of the 
project to receive input from the public and stakeholders in the 
Corridor. Public outreach presentations were given to over 30 community 
groups. Communications to the public were via a newsletter and a 
monthly Project Update to the NCDA distribution list of approximately 
1000 names/addresses, a Web Site, and a series of three public 
information open houses.

III. Alternatives

    Phase I of the MIS process defined and evaluated eight transit 
technologies for the Northstar Corridor: bus, commuter rail, light rail 
transit (LRT), diesel multiple unit (DMU), heavy rail, monorail, 
automated guideway transit (AGT), and personal rapid transit (PRT). 
Each of these transit technologies was reviewed based on the following 
evaluation parameters: capital cost, proven technology, operating 
environment, ability to accommodate at-grade station access, optimal 
station spacing distance, environmental impacts, and other 
considerations such as ridership potential and implementation. Based on 
this transit technology screening analysis, the following transit 
technologies have been recommended for further analysis: Bus, LRT and 
Commuter Rail. The scoping process will review the full range of modal 
technologies considered and the evaluation process followed.
    The alternatives proposed for consideration in the Northstar 
Corridor DEIS include:
    1. No-Build Alternative--No change to transportation services or 
facilities in the Corridor beyond already committed projects. This 
includes only those roadway and transit improvements defined in the 
appropriate agencies' Long Range Transportation Plans and Transit 
Development Plans for which funding has been committed.
    2. Transportation Systems Management Alternative--Low cost 
infrastructure and bus transit improvements, Intelligent Transportation 
Systems (ITS), Travel Demand Management, bus operations, and 
Transportation Systems Management improvements will be included in this 
alternative.
    3. Commuter Rail Alternative--A commuter rail line on the existing 
BNSF rail line to include all facilities associated with the 
construction and operations of the commuter rail line, including right-
of-way, structures, track, stations, park-and-ride lots, storage and 
maintenance facilities as well as the respective rail and bus operating 
plans will be elements of the alternative. The extension of the 
Hiawatha Corridor LRT service to the commuter rail line will be 
included in this alternative. The Commuter Rail Alternative will also 
incorporate the elements of the No-Build Alternative and will include 
feeder bus improvements to provide access from local and regional land 
uses to the commuter rail connection.

IV. Probable Effects/Potential Impacts for Analysis

    The FTA and the NCDA will evaluate significant environmental, 
social and economic impacts of the alternatives analyzed in the EIS. 
Primary environmental issues include: land use, historic and 
archeological resources, traffic and parking, noise and vibration, 
neighborhoods and environmental justice, floodplain encroachment, 
coordination with ongoing related transportation and economic 
development projects, and construction impacts. Other issues the EIS 
will address include natural areas, rare and endangered species, air 
and water quality, groundwater, energy, potentially contaminated sites, 
displacements and relocations, ecosystems, water resources, hazardous 
waste, parklands, and energy impacts. The impacts will be evaluated 
both for the construction period and for the long-term period of 
operation of each alternative. In addition, cumulative effects of the 
proposed project and any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of 
resources will be identified. Measures to avoid or mitigate any 
significant adverse impacts will be developed.

V. Procedures

    In accordance with the regulations and guidance established by the 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), as well as 23 CFR 450 and 23 
CFR 771 of the FHWA/FTA planning and environmental regulations and 
policies, the DEIS will include an evaluation of the social, economic 
and environmental impact of the alternatives. The EIS will also comply 
with the requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) 
and with the Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice. The EIS 
will also meet the requirements of the US Environmental Protection 
Agency's transportation conformity regulations (40 CFR 93 and 23 CFR 
450.322(b)(8)). After its publication, the DEIS will be available for 
public and agency review and comment. Public hearings will be held on 
the DEIS.
    The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) will consider the 
public and agency comments received during the public and agency 
circulation of the DEIS and the NCDA will select the preferred 
alternative. Then the NCDA, with FTA as federal lead agency, will 
continue with the preparation of the FEIS. Opportunity for additional 
public comment will be provided throughout all phases of project 
development.

    Issued on: June 1, 1999.
Donald Gismondi,
Deputy Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-14325 Filed 6-4-99; 8:45 am]
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