One week earlier than expected, Metro today released the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report (FEIS/R) for the Regional Connector project. A 30-day public review period begins next Friday, Jan. 20, and lasts for 30 days.
The document is available for viewing and download on the Regional Connector section of Metro.net. The first part of the Executive Summary is posted above. Parts two and three of the summary are posted after the jump.
The Metro Board of Directors are scheduled to vote on approving the document at their meeting on Feb. 23 on Metro headquarters adjacent to Union Station. The Board’s Planning Committee will also discuss the document at their Feb. 15 meeting.
The Regional Connector will connect the Blue Line, Expo Line and Gold Line in downtown Los Angeles so that light rail passengers can reach downtown destinations without having to transfer to the Red/Purple Line subway at the 7th/Metro Center station or Union Station. Studies for the project began in 2007.
Open houses for the public are scheduled for early February — Metro staff will be available to answer questions from the public about the document. The meetings are:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Colburn School of Music
200 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Japanese American National Museum
369 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
After the jump: Parts two and three of the Exec Summary of the FEIS/R and a FAQ from Metro staff on the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I find the MMRP or the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan?
A: The entire MMRP is contained in Chapter 8
Q: Where can I find the comment I submitted during the comment period?
A: If you submitted a comment or question during the initial or recirculated comment period, you can find the response to your comments in the Appendix . In most cases, responses to comments are included in a different chapter.
Q: What is different between the Draft EIS/EIR and the Final EIS/EIR?
A: Generally, the Final EIS/EIR includes responses to questions, comments, and concerns submitted to Metro during the initial or recirculated comment period. In the case of this Final EIS/EIR, Metro has included the description of the project refinements, and the results of the additional technical activity (including additional Noise and Vibration analysis)
Q: How can I tell where the document has been updated?
A: There are vertical lines in the margin of the document denote updated text.
Q: Is there someone who can help me find something in the document?
A: Yes, email your questions to regionalconnector@metro.net .
Q: Regarding the project’s next steps, what will the Metro Board of Directors meet to decide?
A: The Board will be asked to consider approving the Final EIS/EIR. If they do approve the environmental document, the decision will be forwarded to the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) for a Record of Decision (ROD). Once the ROD is in hand, Metro can begin the next step in station area and station design, along with the final design of the alignment. Additionally, Metro can initiate activities related to the MMRP and begin discussions regarding real estate, easements, and utility relocation needs.
Q: Can I get a CD copy of the document?
A: Yes! Please email us your mailing address and we will send you a CD in the mail.
Categories: Projects
I’ve been looking at the Final EIR online, and I have to say that I’m impressed.
Lots of people clearly support staying underground and I even saw people demand the Little Tokyo Station name. Good to see people stand up for Little Tokyo.
Figure ES-9 (shown above) is much closer to the smaller, more compact subway station entrance that I always felt that Metro Rail ought to have, as opposed to some of the Red Line plaza entrances. I can’t wait to see more details on what Little Tokyo’s station will look like.
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