[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 237 (Friday, December 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 65833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29189]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Wayne and Oakland Counties, MI

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability (NOA) of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) for the Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal (DIFT) and 
Section 4(f) Evaluation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Section 4(f) Evaluation for 
the DIFT. This action is pursuant to the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq, as amended and the Council 
on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). The FEIS 
identifies the Preferred Alternative to enhance the intermodal freight 
terminal at the Livernois-Junction Yard in Detroit, Michigan; describes 
the environmental impacts of the proposed project and proposed 
mitigation; and addresses comments received on the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation issued in April 15, 2005.

DATES: Any comments must be received on or before January 29, 2010. The 
FEIS waiting period ends 49 days after the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes the DIFT's NOA in the Federal Register 
(currently scheduled to be published on December 11th).

ADDRESSES: 
    1. Document Availability: Copies of the FEIS are available for 
public inspection and review at the following locations:

 Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI.
 Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, 
MI.
 Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI.
 Bowen Branch of the Detroit Public Library, 3648 W. Vernor, 
Detroit, MI.
 MDOT Detroit Transportation Service Center, 1400 Howard St., 
Detroit, MI.
 MDOT Oakland Transportation Service Center, 2300 Dixie Hwy., 
Waterford, MI.
 MDOT Region Office, 18101 W. Nine Mile Rd., Southfield, MI.
 MDOT Bureau of Transportation Planning, 425 Ottawa St., 
Lansing, MI.

    The document also may be viewed and commented on at http://
www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9621_11058_26215_,00.html.
    Copies of the FEIS may be requested from Bob Parsons (Public 
Involvement and Hearings Officer) at the Michigan Department of 
Transportation, 425 W. Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 48909 
or by calling (517) 373-9534.
    2. Comments: Send any comments on the FEIS to the Michigan 
Department of Transportation, c/o Bob Parsons (Public Involvement and 
Hearings Officer), 425 W. Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 
48909; Fax: (517) 373-9255; or e-mail: [email protected]. 
Information regarding this proposed action is available in alternative 
formats upon request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Cameron, Planning & Program 
Development Manager, at FHWA Michigan Division, 315 W. Allegan Street, 
Room 201; Lansing, MI 48933; by phone at (517) 702-1826, or e-mail at 
[email protected]. David Williams, Environmental Program Manager, 
FHWA Michigan Division, 315 W. Allegan Street, Room 201; Lansing, MI 
48933; by phone at (517) 702-1820; or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS for the DIFT was approved in April 
2005. Since more than three years has passed since the signing of the 
DEIS, a re-evaluation of the DIES was done in accordance with 23 CFR 
771.129. This FEIS reflect the comments received during the public 
hearing process and updated data in all critical areas.
    The goal of the project is to provide and/or improve regional 
intermodal facilities, owned and/or operated by the one or more of the 
DIFT Rail Related participants--Grand Trunk Western Railroad, Inc. 
(CN); Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CP); CSX Transportation, Inc. 
(CSX); Norfolk Southern Railway company (NS); and the Michigan 
Department of Transportation (MDOT)--with sufficient capacity and 
interconnectivity to provide for existing and future intermodal demand 
and to reduce time, monetary costs, and congestion to the support the 
economic competitiveness of Southeastern Michigan. This will be done by 
providing necessary intermodal terminal capacity and improving the 
related rail and highway infrastructure within Wayne and Oakland 
counties.
    The Detroit Intermodal Freight terminal Project Pre-Development 
Plan Agreement was established to further refine the understandings and 
intentions of the DIFT Rail Related Participants.
    Purpose and Need for the Project: The purpose of the DIFT is to 
enhance intermodal operations and economic competitiveness of Southeast 
Michigan by improving freight transportation opportunities and 
efficiencies for business, industry, and the military. The need to 
enhance intermodal operations results from Detroit's need for greater 
intermodal capacity and improved connectivity.
    Preferred Alternative: The Preferred Alternative involves 
consolidating intermodal operations of the CSX, NS, and CP railroads at 
the Livernois-Junction Yard in Southwest Detroit and improving external 
connectors to benefit all Class I railroads, including CN.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq, as amended and the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) 23 CFR 
771.117; and 23 U.S.C. 139(1)(1).

    Issued on: December 1, 2009.
James J. Steele,
Division Administrator, Lansing, Michigan.
[FR Doc. E9-29189 Filed 12-10-09; 8:45 am]
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