Action
Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Tampa Bay Regional Rail project in the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County, Florida. The EIS is being prepared in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and will also address the requirements of other federal and state environmental laws. The FTA will be the lead federal agency. The EIS will address the social, economic, and environmental effects of selected transportation improvements identified in the ``Early Action Plan'' identified as a result of the Alternatives for Mobility Enhancement Major Investment Study (MIS) which was completed in April of 1998. HART will perform this effort in coordination with the following consulting agencies: the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa. The EIS will evaluate selected transportation improvements in the corridors between the central business district in Tampa and three destinations: the University of South Florida to the north, Westshore/ Hillsborough Community College to the west, and Port Tampa to the south. The EIS will evaluate the following transportation alternatives: a No Build Alternative, a Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative, and Rail Transit Alternatives using Diesel Multiple Units. The No Build Alternative will consist of improvements that are existing or committed (i.e., funded). The TSM Alternative will consist of bus improvements and other transportation system management approaches. The Rail Transit Alternative Diesel Multiple Units are self-propelled rail transit cars that do not require electrification of the right-of-way, but can operate on tracks in streets or adjacent to freight rail tracks. In addition, reasonable alternatives suggested during the scoping process will be considered. Scoping will be accomplished through correspondence with interested persons, organizations, and federal, state and local agencies, as well as through public meetings. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below for details.