[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34753-34754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12122]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Environmental Impact Statement for the Spokane Regional Light 
Rail (South Valley Corridor) Project in Spokane, Washington 
Metropolitan Area

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), Spokane Transit 
Authority (STA), and the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) 
intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for transit 
improvements in Spokane County, between downtown Spokane and Liberty 
Lake. The EIS will be prepared to satisfy both NEPA and the Washington 
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). This project was originally 
scoped as an Environmental Assessment (EA), with one build Alternative. 
Recently, conditions have changed with an additional build alternative 
being considered. Therefore, it has been determined that an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is more suitable for the project.
    The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to notify interested 
parties of the intent to prepare an EIS, the addition of a second build 
alternative for consideration and to invite participation in the study. 
The project proposes to implement a major high capacity rail transit 
improvement in the Spokane Metropolitan area that maintains livability, 
manages growth and provides a balanced transportation system. The 
Proposed Action is intended to contribute to implementation of a series 
of state, regional, and local planning policies that address air 
quality, sprawl, and growth. Three alternatives (described below) will 
be evaluated in the EIS.

DATES: The public is welcome to make comments on the scope of the 
proposed project. Written comments should be sent to the Spokane 
Transit Authority within 30 days from the date of publication of this 
notice in the local newspaper or June 18, 2002, whichever is later. A 
packet on the proposed project, project alternatives and the scoping 
process may be obtained from the Spokane Transit Authority. The 
information may also be obtained through a public website for the 
project, www.spokanelightrail.com. A Public Open House/Scoping Meeting 
will be held on Tuesday June 4, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. PDT, at the Spokane 
County Valley Library, 12004 East Main Avenue, Spokane, WA 99206. An 
Agency Scoping Meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, June 
4, 2002, at the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Board Room, 1230 West 
Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201. Both meeting locations are accessible 
to persons with disabilities. Any individual with a disability who 
requires special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, 
should contact Geralyn Garberg at (509) 325-6000, ext. 196 or email 
[email protected], at least 48-hours in advance of the 
meeting in order for STA to make necessary arrangements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Spokane Transit Authority Agency 
Coordination contact is Greg Northcutt, Project Director at (509) 325-
6056 or e-mail [email protected]. The STA Public 
Information contact is Molly Myers, Public Involvement Manager at (509) 
325-6090 or e-mail [email protected]. The STA TDD number is 
(509) 456-4327. Written comments should be sent to Greg Northcutt, 
Project Director, Spokane Transit Authority, 1230 West Boone Ave., 
Spokane, WA 99201.
    The Federal agency contact is F. William Fort, Federal Transit 
Administration, 915 Second Avenue, Suite 3142 Jackson Federal Building, 
915 Second Avenue, and Seattle, WA 98174. Phone (206) 220-4461.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Notice of Intent

    This Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS is being published to 
notify interested parties. The Spokane South Valley Corridor Project is 
examining two high capacity rail transit build alternatives and a no-
build alternative in the south valley portion of the Spokane 
metropolitan area. Because the study is a transit alternatives study, 
FTA regulations and guidance will be used for the analysis and 
preparation of the South Valley Corridor Project EIS.

2. Study Area

    The South Valley Corridor includes an area roughly parallel to I-90 
running east through downtown Spokane, southeast Spokane, 
unincorporated urban Spokane County, and into the City of Liberty Lake. 
The proposed alternatives primarily utilize existing right-of-ways 
along operational and former railroad corridors and roadways.

3. Alternatives

    Three alternatives will be evaluated in the EIS. The No-Build 
Alternative will provide the basis for comparison of the build 
alternatives. The No-Build Alternative includes the existing 
transportation system plus projects listed in the Spokane Metropolitan 
Area Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Separate Rail 
Alignment Alternative includes a light rail transit line running from 
downtown Spokane to Liberty Lake on an exclusive alignment. The new 
Shared Rail Alignment includes a light rail line from downtown Spokane 
to Liberty Lake

[[Page 34754]]

sharing existing rail lines with the Union Pacific Railroad along 
portions of the alignment. This alternative would use operating time 
restrictions to separate light rail traffic from heavy rail traffic. 
Between the two termini there would be intermediate stations and 
associated local parking. Both the separate rail alignment and shared 
rail alignment Build Alternatives may use either electrified or diesel 
multiple unit (DMU) vehicle technology. These alternatives will also 
incorporate in-street operations along Riverside Avenue, between Post 
Street and Division Street. The rail options will utilize the former 
Milwaukee Road rail corridor, east of University Road.

4. Probable Effects

    FTA and Spokane Transit Authority will evaluate the environmental, 
social and economic impacts of the alternatives and measures to 
mitigate any adverse impacts.

    Dated: May 9, 2002.
Blas M. Uribe,
Acting Regional Administrator, FTA Region 10.
[FR Doc. 02-12122 Filed 5-14-02; 8:45 am]
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