[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44381-44382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19153]


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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 
that includes two new alternatives.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Spokane 
Transit Authority (STA) 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), but 
transitioned to an Environmental Impact Statement as a result of a 
second scoping meeting held on June 4, 2002. Because of the recent 
demonstrated need to study two additional lower cost build 
alternatives, an additional scoping meeting will be required.
    The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to notify interested 
parties of the intent to prepare an EIS with two additional build 
alternatives and to invite participation in the study. The project 
proposes to implement a major high capacity 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. In addition to the original alternatives, two new 
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 September 18, 2003, 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 by sending an electronic request 
through the ``Contact Us'' section of the project Web site, 
www.spokanelightrail.com. A Public Open House/Scoping Meeting will be 
held on Thursday, September 4, 2003 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. PDT, at the 
Kress Gallery on the third floor of the Riverpark Square Mall, located 
at 808 West Main Avenue, Spokane, WA 99206. An Agency Scoping Meeting 
will be held at 1:30 p.m. PDT on Thursday, September 4, 2003, at the 
Spokane

[[Page 44382]]

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 e-mail 
[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 Lesley Sutton, Project Executive Assistant at 
(509) 325-6056 or e-mail: [email protected]. The STA Public 
Information contact is Molly Myers, Project Communications Manager at 
(509) 325-6090 or e-mail [email protected]. The STA TDD number 
is (509) 456-4327. Written comments should be sent to: Spokane ``South 
Valley Corridor'' Project Manager, Spokane Transit Authority, 1230 West 
Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.
    The Federal agency contact is John Witmer, Federal Transit 
Administration, 915 Second Avenue, Suite 3142, Jackson Federal 
Building, Seattle, WA 98174. Phone (206) 220-7964.

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 new high-capacity transit build alternatives 
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, the City of 
Spokane Valley, 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

    The three original alternatives are as follows: (1) 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). (2) The 
Separate Rail Alignment Alternative includes a light rail transit line 
running from downtown Spokane to Liberty Lake on an exclusive 
alignment. (3) The Shared Rail Alignment includes a light rail 
line from downtown Spokane to Liberty Lake 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.
    The two new alternatives are as follows: (4) The Rail 
Minimum Operable Segment (MOS) Rail alternative is similar to the 
Shared Rail Alignment alternative except the rail portion of the 
alignment has an eastern terminus at University City. The rail segment 
assumes the use of Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) vehicles and a possible 
interface with a separate project that includes a Downtown Spokane 
streetcar system. The rest of the east-west corridor from University 
City to Liberty Lake will be served by a low-cost transit segment that 
will utilize Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) strategies and rubber-tired BRT 
vehicles on existing roadways. The second new alternative (5) 
serves the entire corridor with low-cost Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) 
strategies using rubber-tired BRT vehicles on existing roadways.

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.

    Issued on July 16, 2003.
Linda M. Gehrke,
Acting Regional Administrator, FTA Region 10.
[FR Doc. 03-19153 Filed 7-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P