[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56376-56377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24740]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Finance Docket 34075]


Six County Association of Governments--Construction and 
Operation--Rail Line Between Levan and Salina, UT

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

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

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SUMMARY: On July 30, 2001 the Six County Association of Governments 
(SCAOG) filed a Petition for Exemption with the Surface Transportation 
Board (Board) pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502 for authority for 
construction of a new rail line between Levan and Salina, Utah. The 
project would involve approximately 45 miles of new rail line and 
ancillary facilities. Because the construction and operation of this 
project has the potential to result in

[[Page 56377]]

significant environmental impacts, the Board's Section of Environmental 
Analysis (SEA) has determined that the preparation of an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) is appropriate. The purpose of this Notice of 
Intent is to notify individuals and agencies interested in or affected 
by the proposed project of the decision to require an EIS. SEA will 
hold public scoping meetings as part of the EIS process.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The proposed project, known as the Central Utah Rail 
Project, includes construction and operation of approximately 45 miles 
of new rail line connecting the existing Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) 
line near Levan, Utah to a proposed coal transfer terminal facility 
near Salina, Utah. Implementation of the proposed project would restore 
rail service to the Sevier Valley, providing a more direct connection 
to rail service for the coal industry (primarily the Southern Utah 
Fuels Company), provide rail service to other shippers in the Sevier 
Valley, and reduce the number of trucks on highways in the Sevier 
Valley. The EIS will analyze the potential impacts of the proposed 
route, the ``no-build'' alternative, and an alternative alignment.
    Environmental Review Process: The National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) process is intended to assist the Board and the public in 
identifying and assessing the potential environmental consequences of a 
proposed action before a decision on the proposed action is made. SEA 
is responsible for ensuring that the Board complies with NEPA and 
related environmental statutes. The first stage of the EIS process is 
scoping. Scoping is an open process for determining the scope of 
environmental issues to be addressed in the EIS. SEA will soon develop 
and make available a draft scope of study for the EIS and provide a 
period for the submission of written comments on it. Concurrently, 
scoping meetings will be held to provide further opportunities for 
public involvement and input into the scoping process. The dates, time 
and locations for the scoping meetings are as follows:

Wednesday, October 22, 2003, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., North Sevier High 
School, 350 West 400 North, Salina, Utah, School Office (435) 529-3717.

Thursday, October 23, 2003, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Gunnison City Hall, 38 
West Center Street, Gunnison, Utah, Office (435) 528-7969.

    Following the issuance of a draft scope and the comment period, SEA 
will issue a final scope of study for the EIS.
    After issuing the final scope of study, SEA will prepare a Draft 
EIS (DEIS) for the project. The DEIS will address those environmental 
issues and concerns identified during the scoping process. It will also 
contain SEA's preliminary recommendations for environmental mitigation 
measures. The DEIS will be made available upon its completion for 
public and agency review and comment. SEA will prepare a Final EIS 
(FEIS) that considers comments on the DEIS from the public and 
agencies. In reaching its decision in this case, the Board will take 
into account the DEIS, the FEIS, and all environmental comments that 
are received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phillis Johnson-Ball, Section of 
Environmental Analysis, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, at 1-202-565-1530. (TDD for the hearing 
impaired 1-800-877-8339). The website for the Surface Transportation 
Board is http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    By the Board, Victoria Rutson, Chief, Section of Environmental 
Analysis.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-24740 Filed 9-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P