[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 18461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06724]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2021-0100]
Notice of Availability of a Final General Conformity
Determination for the California High-Speed Rail System, San Jose to
Merced Section
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: FRA is providing this notice to advise the public that it is
issuing a Final General Conformity Determination (FCD) for the San Jose
to Merced Section of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) System.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andr[eacute]a Martin, Senior
Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Railroad Policy and
Development (RPD), telephone: (202) 493-6201, email:
[email protected]; or Marlys Osterhues, Chief Environment and
Project Engineering, RPD, telephone: (202) 493-0413, email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 (Section 327), the
California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA or Authority) has assumed
FRA's environmental review responsibilities under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). However, under
Section 327, FRA remains responsible for compliance with the Clean Air
Act General Conformity requirements. In compliance with NEPA and the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Authority published a
Final Environmental Impact Record/Final Environmental Impact Statement
(EIR/EIS) for the San Jose to Merced Section of the California High-
Speed Rail (HSR) System on February 25, 2022.
FRA prepared a Draft General Conformity Determination, pursuant to
40 CFR part 93, subpart B, which establishes the process for complying
with the General Conformity requirements of the Clean Air Act. FRA
published a notice in the Federal Register on November 26, 2021
advising the public of the availability of the Draft Conformity
Determination for a 30-day review and comment period. The Draft
Conformity Determination was published at http://www.regulations.gov,
Docket No. FRA-2021-0100. The comment period of the Draft Conformity
Determination closed on December 30, 2021. FRA received two comments
expressing support for the project and Draft General Conformity
Determination.
FRA prepared the Final General Conformity Determination pursuant to
40 CFR part 93 Subpart B, and based on the Authority's coordination
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bay Area Air
Quality Management District (BAAQMD), San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution
Control District (SJVAPCD), and the California Air Resources Board
(CARB). The analysis found that construction period emissions would
exceed the General Conformity de minimis threshold for Nitrogen Oxides
(NOX). However, operation of the Project would result in an
overall reduction of regional emissions of all applicable air
pollutants and would not cause a localized exceedance of an air quality
standard. Consistent with the General Conformity Rule, the Authority
will ensure all remaining emissions that exceed the de minimis
thresholds, after implementation of the impact avoidance and
minimization features and onsite mitigation measures, will be
completely mitigated to zero through agreements with the applicable air
districts. Based on this commitment, FRA determined the Project will
conform to the requirements in the approved State Implementation Plan.
The Final General Conformity Determination is available at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. FRA-2021-0100, and FRA's website at
https://railroads.dot.gov/environment/environmental-reviews/clean-air-act-california-general-conformity-determinations.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Jamie P. Rennert,
Director, Office of Infrastructure Investment.
[FR Doc. 2022-06724 Filed 3-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P