Environmental scoping document released for Los Angeles to Anaheim high-speed section

Credit: www.hsr.ca.gov

Progress is continuing for Southern California’s high-speed rail network, with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) issuing a Revised Notice of Preparation (NOP) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and a Revised Notice of Intent (NOI) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for the 30-mile Los Angeles to Anaheim Project Section. The releases kick off a one-month formal scoping period to solicit input on additional facilities in the cities of Colton and Barstow needed for project construction and operation.

As planned, the Los Angeles to Anaheim project section will travel along the BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) owned rail corridor between Los Angeles and Fullerton, which serves BNSF Railway’s Hobart and Commerce Intermodal Facilities. The corridor runs through an urban environment, with other existing rail operators – Amtrak, Metrolink and BNSF – in the area.

In order to accommodate future high-speed rail service, and to do so in a manner that protects the ability of the current operators to make full use of the corridor during high-speed rail construction and operations, a portion of BNSF’s rail freight service will need to be relocated away from the Los Angeles to the Fullerton corridor. This will be accomplished with the environmental clearance and provision of new freight facilities in San Bernardino County, consisting of a new intermodal facility in Colton and staging tracks in Lenwood, an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County near Barstow.

In conjunction with the public review period for the document, the Authority invites the public to participate by attending virtual public scoping meetings. The meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to hear about the Revised NOP/NOI and provide comment. Comments received will be reviewed and responded to as required by law. Written comments on the scope of the Los Angeles to Anaheim Project Section Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement should be provided to the Authority by 24 Sept 2020. Due to public health and safety requirements concerning COVID-19, the Los Angeles to Anaheim project section public scoping meetings will occur online and/or as teleconference meetings only.