Action
Notice of intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as Federal lead agency, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) intend to prepare a Re-Evaluation Major Investment Study (MIS) and a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) on a proposal by MTA to provide additional transit service to the Eastside communities within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. In addition to NEPA, the proposed project is subject to compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); therefore, a joint SEIS/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) will be prepared. The Re-Evaluation MIS and the SEIS/SEIR will consider the following alternatives: (1) Exclusive busway alternatives between Union Station and Whittier/Atlantic via 1st St., Lorena, Whittier or other alternative arterial roadways that would be at-grade or elevated. (2) Light rail alternatives between Union Station and Whittier/Atlantic via 1st St., Lorena, Whittier or other alternative arterial roadways that would be at-grade or elevated. (3) A Heavy Rail alternative from Union Station to Chevaz/Soto without a Little Toyko station. (4) The Heavy Rail LPA initial operating segment (IOS-2, 3.7 miles) from Union Station to 1st/Lorena as identified in the Los Angeles Eastside Corridor Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIS/FEIR), May 1994 and the FTA Record of Decision, December 1994 and is the currently suspended Locally Preferred Alternative project. (5) The Heavy Rail Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) from Union Station to Whittier/Atlantic. This 6.8-mile alternative consists of a heavy rail subway that would follow the alignment identified in the 1994 FEIS/FEIR and the FTA Record of Decision, December 1994. (6) A Transportation Demand Management (TDM)/ Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative. (7) A No Build Alternative, which involves no change to transportation services or facilities in the corridor beyond already committed projects. Potential new feasible alternatives generated through the scoping process will also be considered. The results of the Re-Evaluation MIS process is intended to narrow the alternatives to be evaluated in detail in the SEIS/SEIR. Scoping will be accomplished through correspondence with interested persons, organizations, and Federal, State, and local agencies; three public scoping meetings; and one-inter-agency scoping meeting.