Action
Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Amended Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Summary
The FTA and the FHWA, in cooperation with Portland Metro and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), (hereinafter "agencies") published a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (hereinafter "SDEIS") in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (hereinafter "NEPA") in December 2002 for transit improvements in the South/North Transit Corridor (hereinafter the "South Corridor Project") of the Portland, Oregon metropolitan region. The North Corridor Interstate MAX FEIS was published and the project is under construction. Conditions have changed since the South/North DEIS and the South Corridor Project SDEIS were published. The agencies now intend to prepare an amendment to that SDEIS for transit improvements in the downtown Portland segment only. The purpose of this new Notice of Intent is to re-notify interested parties of the intent to prepare an Amendment to the SDEIS (hereinafter referred to as "ASDEIS") and invite participation in the study. This study will focus on the impacts of adding the downtown Portland Transit Mall LRT alignment to the I-205 Light Rail Transit Project, a part of the South Corridor Project. The I-205 Light Rail Transit Project proposes to implement a major high capacity transit improvement in the South Corridor part of the South/North Corridor, that maintains livability in the metropolitan region, supports land use goals, optimizes the transportation system, is environmentally sensitive, reflects community values and is fiscally responsive. Three transit alternatives (described below) will be evaluated in the ASDEIS. Meeting Dates: Agency Coordination Meeting: an agency coordination meeting will be held on April 22 at 1 pm, at the Portland Building Room C, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Public Information Meeting: a public information meeting will be held on April 22 from 4 to 7 pm at the Portland Building Room C, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon. The Portland Building is accessible to persons with disabilities. Any individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, should contact Kristin Hull at (503) 797- 1864, at least 48-hours in advance of the meeting in order for Metro to make necessary arrangements.