Public Involvement Plan & Agency Coordination · 1/31/2011 · High Speed Rail Empire Corridor...

Federal Railroad AdministrationNew York State Department of Transportation

High Speed Rail Empire Corridor Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement

Public Involvement Plan & Agency Coordination Final Draft

Prepared by

January 2011

PublicInvolvementPlan&AgencyCoordination

HighSpeedRailEmpireCorridorProject January2011NewYorkStateDepartmentofTransportation Page2

CONTENTS

1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................................3

1.1 ProjectContext...........................................................................................................................................................3

2. Purpose..............................................................................................................................................................................6

2.1 Goals..........................................................................................................................................................................8

2.2 PublicInvolvementprocess.............................................................................................................................8

2.3 SAFETEA‐LU6002CoordinationPlan.........................................................................................................9

3. Stakeholders(ACollaborativeApproach).........................................................................................................11

4. KeyProjectIssues........................................................................................................................................................12

5. PublicInvolvementActivities.................................................................................................................................13

5.1 PublicMeetings...................................................................................................................................................13

5.2 PublicOfficialsInformationalMeetings....................................................................................................14

5.3 EmpireProjectAdvisoryCommittee(EPAC).........................................................................................15

5.4 CoordinationwithEnvironmentalJusticeCommunities...................................................................17

5.5 EducationalOpportunities.............................................................................................................................18

6. PublicInvolvementCommunicationMethods.................................................................................................18

6.1 Brand/Logo...........................................................................................................................................................18

6.2 StakeholderDatabase.......................................................................................................................................18

6.3 Newsletters...........................................................................................................................................................19

6.4 MediaOutreach...................................................................................................................................................20

6.5 WebPage...............................................................................................................................................................20

6.6 MailContact..........................................................................................................................................................21

6.7 Others......................................................................................................................................................................21

7. MonitoringandUpdatingthePublicInvolvementPlan...............................................................................21

A. AppendixA:ListofKeyStakeholders..................................................................................................................23

B. AppendixB:SAFETEA‐LU6002CoordinationPlan......................................................................................25



1. INTRODUCTION

OnJanuary28,2010,theadministrationannouncedawardsfortheHighSpeedIntercityPassengerRail(HSIPR)Program.NewYorkStatewastherecipientof$151millionforsevenprojects.InadditiontoadvancingitsHighSpeedRailcapitalprogram,theFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA)andtheNewYorkStateDepartmentofTransportation(NYSDOT)arejointlypreparingatieredEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)thatwillevaluateproposedsystemimprovementstointercitypassengerrailservicesalongthe463‐mileHighSpeedRailEmpireCorridorProject(HSRProject),connectingPennStationinNewYorkCitywithNiagaraFalls,NewYork(NiagaraCounty).

ThepurposeoftheHSRProjectistoimprovepassengerrailservicealongthecorridortoattractadditionalpassengersandbemorecompetitivewithotherintercitytransportationmodes.

ATier1EISandServiceDevelopmentPlan(includingthesupportingMarketAssessment,OperationalPlan,andBaseline&ProposedServiceSimulation)willbedevelopedaspartoftheProject.TheTier1EISwillevaluatealternativesandmakecorridor‐leveldecisionsregardingthelevelofintercitypassengerrailserviceprovidedinthecorridor,includingvariationsinon‐timeperformance,triptime,andtrainfrequency.FRAandNYSDOTareservingasco‐leadagenciesforthepreparationoftheHSRProjectTier1EIS.Tier2environmentaldocumentswillanalyzetheindividualcapitalimprovementsthathaveindependentutilitynecessarytoimplementtheTier1servicelevels.

1.1 PROJECTCONTEXT

The463‐mileEmpireCorridorbeginsatPennStationinNewYorkCityandproceedsnorthtoYonkersandCroton‐Harmon(WestchesterCounty),Poughkeepsie(DutchessCounty)andAlbany‐Rensselaer(RensselaerCounty),whereitgenerallyfollowstheHudsonRiver.ItthenturnswesttoSchenectady(SchenectadyCounty),Utica(OneidaCounty),Syracuse(OnondagaCounty),Rochester(MonroeCounty),Buffalo(ErieCounty),andterminatesatNiagaraFalls(NiagaraCounty).BetweenAlbanyandNiagaraFallstheEmpireCorridorparallelstheNewYorkStateThruway(Interstate‐90andInterstate87)(RefertoFigure1).TheEmpireCorridorisgenerallydividedintothefollowingsegments:

New York Pennsylvania Station to Albany‐Rensselaer Station (Hudson Line or EmpireCorridorSouth):142miles

Albany‐Rensselaer Station to Buffalo‐Depew Station (Chicago Line or Empire CorridorWest):292miles

Buffalo‐DepewtoNiagaraFalls(NiagaraBranch):29miles

ThecorridorservesseveralmajormetroareasincludingNewYorkCity,MidHudsonRegion,Albany‐Rensselaer,Schenectady,Utica,Rome,Syracuse,Rochester,andBuffalo/NiagaraFalls.TheeasternendofthecorridorpassesthroughadivideintheuplandareasoftheCatskillandAdirondackmountains,the“NaturalCorridor,”andprovidesoneoftheonlylow‐graderoutes(knownhistoricallyastheNewYorkCentralRailroad’s“WaterLevelRoute”)fromtheeasternseaboardtowestoftheAppalachianMountains.Alongthisroute,thecorridorpassesthroughalargelyruralagriculturallandscapeincludinganumberofsmalllocaltownsandlargercities.SeveralmajorhighwaysalsofollowtheEmpireCorridorrouteincludingtheNewYorkState



Thruway(I‐87andI‐90)thatparallelstheentirelengthofthecorridor.TheEmpireCorridorconnectstotheNortheastCorridoratPennStationinNewYorkCityandalsomakesconnectionsto:Boston,MassachusettsatAlbanyRensselaer;Rutland,VermontandMontreal,QuebecatSchenectady;Toronto,OntarioatNiagaraFalls(US)andChicago,IllinoisinBuffalo.

Ascurrentusersand/orownersoftheright‐of‐way,Amtrak,CSX,andMetro‐NorthRailroadarekeystakeholdersfortheEmpireCorridor:

AmtrakprovidesservicesintheEmpireCorridorbetweenNewYorkCityandNiagaraFalls,withanannualridershipof1.5millionpassengersservicing16EmpireCorridorpassengerrailstations.Amtrakserviceincludes13round‐triptrainsbetweenAlbany‐RensselaerandNewYorkCityandfourroundtriptrainsbetweenAlbany‐RensselaerandwesternNewYork.SomeoftheEmpireCorridortrainscontinueontoToronto,Boston,andChicago.Additionalservice(one‐roundtripperday)issubsidizedbytheStateofNewYorkfromAlbanytoMontreal;VermontsubsidizesoneroundtripperdayfromAlbanytoRutland.

CSXisamajorrailfreightcarrierandhasthelargestmarketshareinNewYorkState.Itoperates1,292routemileswithintheState’sbordersandhandles847,000carloadsannuallyandemploys2,100people.TheCSXlinebetweenHoffman’s(10mileswestofSchenectady),BuffaloandSouthofLakeErieistheirmajorcorridorservingNewYork,thePortofNewYork,andNewEngland.CSXowns377ofthe463routemileswithintheEmpireStatePassengerCorridor.Itisestimatedthattheycurrentlyoperate60throughtrainsperdayinthiscorridor.

AsubsidiaryofMetropolitanTransportationAuthority,Metro‐NorthRailroad(MNR)operatesanextensivecommuternetworkontheHudsonDivisionbetweenGrandCentralTerminalandPoughkeepsie.WithintheEISstudyarea,MNRterritoryisbetweenSpuytenDuyvilandPoughkeepsieStationadistanceof61miles.MNRoperates28weekdayroundtriptrainsbetweenPoughkeepsieandCrotonHarmononadoubletracksystem.BetweenCrotonHarmonandGrandCentraltheweekdayroundtripfrequenciesincreaseto70trainsperdayonafourtracksystem.Ofthe29stationsontheMNR’sHudsonDivisionbetweenGrandCentralandPoughkeepsie,23arewithintheEISprojectlimits.HudsonDivisionridershipisapproximately70,000passengersperdayandMNRhasalongtermleaseontheline.


HighSpeedRailEmpireCorridorProject January2011 NewYorkStateDepartmentofTransportation Page5

Figure1:ProjectOverviewMap



2. PURPOSE

FRA’scompliancewithNEPAisoutlinedintheagency’sProceduresforConsideringEnvironmentalImpacts(64Fed.Reg.28545(May26,1999))andtheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality’s(CEQ)NEPAimplementingregulation(40C.F.R.§§1500‐08).NEPArequiresthatappropriateenvironmentaldocumentationbeavailabletopublicofficialsandcitizensbeforedecisionsaremadeandactionsaretaken.Theavailableinformationshouldberelevanttothedecisiontobemadeatanyparticularstageofprojectdevelopment.CEQfurtherencouragesagenciestouseprogramEIS’sforplanningdecisionsandtheuseoftieredstatementsfrombroaderscope(Tier1)tothoseofnarrowerscope(Tier2forspecificactions).Publicandresourceagencyinvolvementisanimportantcomponentoftheenvironmentalassessmentprocess.DuringtheEISprocesstherearespecificrequirementsforascopingprocess,formalcirculationofdraftandfinaldocuments,andpublichearingsandmeetings.ThemajorstepsoftheNEPAprocessaredepictedinFigure2.

NewYorkStateDepartmentofTransportation’spolicyisthatpublicinvolvementisanintegralpartoftheprojectdevelopmentprocess.The1998EnvironmentalInitiativeencourageddesignerstogobeyondprojectenvironmentalmitigationrequirements.Soonafterward,NYSDOTinstitutedContextSensitiveSolutions‐theplanning,designandconstructionoftransportationfacilitiesthatmeetserviceandsafetyneedswhileatthesametimemeetingenvironmental,naturalresource,culturalandcommunityneeds.

ThepurposeofthisPublicInvolvementPlan(PIP)isdevelopandimplementaspecificprocessbywhichthepublicandresourceagencieswillbeengagedinaccordancewithactivitiesrequiredbyNEPA,andtheFRA’sandNYSDOT’spublicinvolvementpolicies.ThePIPoutlinesthestakeholderoutreachactivitiesthatwillbefollowedduringtheproject.Stakeholdersforthisprojectwillincludeallinterestedparties,suchasthegeneralpublic,federalandstateagencies,Amtrak,CSX,Metro‐NorthRailroadandotherrailroads,transportationagencies/metropolitanplanningorganizations,electedofficials,corridormunicipalities,businessandinterestednon‐governmentalorganizations.

ThePIPisadynamicdocumentandwillbemodifiedasnecessarythroughouttheproject’sdevelopmentprocess.Figure3outlinestheprojectscheduleandrelationshipamongkeymilestonesandpublicinvolvementactivities.



Figure3:PublicInvolvementPlanSchedule



2.1 GOALS

Thegoalsofpublicinvolvementforthisprojectareto:

Betteridentifytheproblemtheproposedprojectisattemptingtoresolve Reducepossibleprojectdelays Exchangeknowledgewiththepublicandresourceagencies Helpcreaterealisticexpectationsofwhattheprojectcanaccomplish MeetFederalandStaterequirements

Thisplanwillaccomplishthesegoalsby:

Identifyingkeystakeholders,including:o GeneralPublico FederalAgencieso StateAgencieso Amtrak,CSX,Metro‐NorthRailroadandOtherRailroadso TransportationAgencies/MetropolitanPlanningOrganizationso ElectedOfficialso CorridorMunicipalitieso BusinessandInterestedNon‐GovernmentalOrganizations

Proactivelyanticipatingandcarefullyconsideringstakeholderissuesandconcerns Proactivelyobtainingearlyandongoinginputaboutprojectneedsandpreferences Strivingfortimelyconsensustohighspeedintercitypassengerrailissues

2.2 PUBLICINVOLVEMENTPROCESS

Informthestakeholders.Providesimple,user‐friendlyinformationalmaterialsothatstakeholderopinionisbasedonknowledgeandarealisticunderstandingofneeds,constraints,andopportunities.

Solicitinformedinputfromthestakeholders.Providemultiplemethods(webpage,e‐mail,mail,andmeetings)forthestakeholderstoprovideinputfortheprojectteam,asshowninFigure4.Allcommentswillbecapturedintheprojectdatabaseandeachpubliccommentwillbecategorizedbasedontopic(e.g.,technology,alternatives,environmentaletc.)toaiddecisionmakersinunderstandingtrends.TocommunicatethisinformationtoNYSDOTandtheprojectteam,commenttrackingreportswillbegeneratedandpresentedatprojectmanagementteammeetings.Finally,resourcespecificcommentswillbedistributedtotechnicalspecialiststoconsiderintheiranalysis.

Utilizetheprojectwebsitetoanswerstakeholdercomments/questions.Forexample,thefrequentlyaskedquestions(FAQ)pagewillbefrequentlyupdatedbasedonstakeholder



comments.TheFAQandadditionalwebsitecontentwillallowNYSDOTandtheprojectteamtoprovidefeedbackonthepublic’scommentsandtoreassurethattheirconcernsarebeingconsidered.

Builduponexistingpublicengagementandinterestabouthighspeedintercitypassengerrail,andbuildunderstandingonthecharacteristics,potentialimpactsandmitigationsassociatedwithimplementationoftheHSRProject.

Documentthepotentialbenefitsofthehighspeedintercitypassengerrail,aswellasallconcernsrelatedtoitsimplementation.

CoordinatewiththeMohawk‐ErieMultimodalTransportationCorridorStudyandassociatedregionalplanningstudies.

Providealinkbetweentheoutreacheffortsandtheprojectmilestones,including:o Scopingmeetingsandotheragencycoordinationactivitieso DevelopmentofPurposeandNeedandProjectGoalsandObjectiveso Identificationofthealternativestobeconsideredo Collaborationonimpactassessmentandalternatives’evaluationmethodologieso CompletionoftheDraftEISo IdentificationofthePreferredAlternativeandCompletionoftheFinalEISo CompletionofFRA’sRecordofDecision(ROD)andrecommendedSegmentsof

IndependentUtility ObtainstakeholderinputtoinformanFRAROD.

2.3 SAFETEA‐LU6002COORDINATIONPLAN

IncludedasAppendixBofthePIPistheSAFETEA‐LU6002CoordinationPlan,whichhasbeenpreparedasastandalonedocument.TheCoordinationPlanarticulatesthedecision‐makingroles,responsibilitiesandexpectationsfortheLead,CooperatingandParticipatingAgencies.AsummaryofthekeypointsoftheCoordinationPlanisincludedbelow.

TheLeadAgenciesfortheHSRProjectTier1EISaretheFRAandNYSDOT,theprojectsponsor.TheLeadAgenciesareresponsibleforpreparingtheTier1EISandformanagingandadvancingtheSAFETEA‐LUSection6002milestones.Inaddition,SAFETEA‐LUrequiresthattheLeadAgencies:

Identifyandinvolveparticipatingagencies; Developcoordinationplans; ProvideopportunitiesforpublicandparticipatingagencyinvolvementindefiningthePurpose

andNeed,determiningtherangeofalternatives,andthealternativesevaluationprocess;and Provideincreasedoversightinmanagingtheprocessandresolvingissues.

CooperatingAgencymeansanyFederalagency,otherthanaLeadAgency,thathasjurisdictionbylaworspecialexpertisewithrespecttoanyenvironmentalimpactinvolvedinaproposedprojectorprojectalternative.AStateorlocalagencyofsimilarqualificationsor,whentheeffectsareonlandsoftribalinterest,aNativeAmericantribe,may,byagreementwiththeLeadAgencies,alsobecomeaCooperatingAgency.CooperatingagenciesarealsoParticipatingAgencies,andallreferencestoParticipatingAgenciesinthisdocumentincludeCooperatingAgencies.AParticipatingAgencyisaFederal,State,tribal,orlocalgovernmentagencythatmayhaveaninterestintheproject.Table1,below,summarizestherolesandresponsibilitiesoftheinvitedCooperatingandParticipatingAgenciesthataredefinedintheCoordinationPlan.



Table1.SummaryofInvitedCooperatingandParticipatingAgenciesandResponsibilities1Agencies Responsibilities Milestone(ReviewTime) CooperatingAgencies2

Amtrak–NationalRailroadPassengerCorporation

Assume(onrequestoftheleadagency)responsibilityfordevelopinginformationandpreparingenvironmentalanalyses

Participateinmeetingsandfieldreviewsandprovidecommentswithin15daysofreceiptofinformation;

Providesupportstaffusingtheirownresourcesandfunds;

ProvideinputonPurposeandNeed,rangeofalternatives,andalternativesevaluationprocess;and

Identify,asearlyaspracticable,anyissuesorconcernsregardingtheproject’spotentialenvironmentalorsocioeconomicimpactsoranyissuesthatcoulddelayorpreventanagencyfromgrantingapermitorotherapproval.

SAFETEA‐LUCoordinationPlan(TwoWeeks)

Scoping(TwoWeeks) AlternativesScreening

(TwoWeeks) AdministrativeDEIS

(30Days) DraftEIS(45Days) PreferredAlternatives

forFutureProjects(TwoWeeks)

AdministrativeFinalEIS(30Days)

FinalEIS(45Days)

UnitedStates(U.S.)Fish&WildlifeServiceU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,RegionIIFederalHighwayAdministrationFederalTransitAdministrationU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersNationalMarineFisheriesServiceU.S.CoastGuardNewYorkState(NYS)DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationNYSDepartmentofStateNYSOfficeofParks,Recreation&HistoricPreservationNationalParkServiceNYSHistoricPreservationOffice

ParticipatingAgenciesFederalEmergencyManagementAgency

ParticipateintheNEPAprocessstartingattheearliestpossibletime;

ProvideinputonPurposeandNeed,rangeofalternatives,andalternativesevaluationprocess;and

Identify,asearlyaspracticable,anyissuesorconcernsregardingtheproject’spotentialenvironmentalorsocioeconomicimpactsoranyissuesthatcoulddelayorpreventanagencyfromgrantingapermitorotherapproval.

SAFETEA‐LUCoordinationPlan(TwoWeeks)

Scoping(TwoWeeks) AlternativesScreening

(TwoWeeks) DraftEIS(45Days) PreferredAlternatives

forFutureProjects(TwoWeeks)

FinalEIS(45Days)

Metro‐NorthRailroadNYSCanalCorporationCapitalDistrictTransportationCommitteeGeneseeTransportationCouncilGreaterBuffalo–NiagaraRegionalTransportationCouncilHerkimer–OneidaCountiesTransportationStudyOrangeCountyTransportationCouncilNewYorkMetropolitanTransportationCouncilPoughkeepsie–DutchessCountyTransportationCouncilSyracuseMetropolitanTransportationCouncilUlsterCountyTransportationCouncilCapitalDistrictTransportationAuthority(CDTA)MetropolitanTransitAuthority(MTA)NiagaraFrontierTransportationAuthority(NFTA)CentralNewYorkRegionalTransportationAuthority(CENTRO)Rochester‐GeneseeRegionalTransportationAuthority(RGRTA)



3. STAKEHOLDERS(ACOLLABORATIVEAPPROACH)

GiventhephysicalsizeanddiversityoftheProjectArea,therewillbemanydiverse,publicandprivatestakeholdersinterestedandinvolvedintheproject.Inordertoeffectively,andcollaborativelycommunicatewithallstakeholders,theHRSProjectTeamhascreatedamulti‐tieredapproach(Figure5).Asdepictedinthefigure,commentsfromthestakeholdersandEPACflowuptotheHSRProjectTeamandNYSDOT.Simultaneously,NYSDOTandtheHSRProjectTeamprovideprojectinformationtotheEPACandStakeholdersviathewebsite,newsletters,publicmeetingsandotherpublicinvolvementtools.

Figure5:Multi‐TieredStakeholderParticipants

HighSpeedRailPlanningBoard:CreatedbytheGovernorandStateLegislature,thisboardwillfunctionwithintheNYSDOTtoadvisetheDepartmentontheimplementationofhighspeedintercitypassengerrail,anddevelopaplantofinanceandoperatesuchasystem.

ErieCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentandPlanningNYCMayor’sOfficeofEnvironmentalCoordinationNYCParksandRecreationNYCDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionNotes1ThisisalistofinvitedCooperatingandParticipatingAgenciesandthelistwillbefinalizedaftercoordinationwiththeagencies.2CooperatingAgenciesarealsoParticipatingAgencies,andallreferencestoParticipatingAgenciesincludeCooperatingAgencies.



BoardmembersincludetheCommissionerofNYSDOTandthePresidentofMetro‐NorthRailroad.

HSRProjectTeam:TheteamiscomprisedofNYSDOTandaconsultantgroupofprofessionalsledbyHNTB,whowillmanagethedaytodayissuesrelatedtotheproject.

EmpireProjectAdvisoryCommittee(EPAC):TheEPACwillconsistofrepresentativesfromkeyfederal/stateagencies,keyrailroads,andstatewideorganizationsrepresentingregionalgovernments.TheEPACwillreceiveupdatesfromtheHSRProjectTeamatkeymilestonesandwillserveasacommunicationconduitfortheirconstituents(seeSection5.3,EmpireProjectAdvisoryCommittee).TheEPAC’sroleisadvisoryandnotdecision‐making.ThecommunicationchartforthiscommitteeisdocumentedinFigure6.SeeSection5.3foralistofpotentialEPACmembers.

Stakeholders:TheprojectwillalsoprovideupdatestootherStakeholdersrepresentinglocalgovernments,businesses,organizationsandthegeneralpublicwithaparticularinterestinenhancingmobilityandeconomicdevelopment.DialoguebetweentheEPACandtheStakeholdersisencouraged.AlistofpotentialStakeholdersisincludedinAppendixA,whichisconsidereda“livingdocument”thatwillberefinedandupdatedduringtheproject,asnecessary.

Figure6:EPACOrganizationalChart

4. KEYPROJECTISSUES

InaccordancewithSection2.2oftheDepartment’sPublicInvolvementManual,outreachtoidentifyconcernswillbeginearlyintheprojectprocessinordertohaveameaningfuleffectonthedevelopmentofthePurposeandNeedandtheproject.Concernsidentifiedduringthescopingprocessandadditionaloutreachmeetingswillbeconsideredintheprojectdevelopmentphase.



Concernsandquestionsonsuchalong,diversecorridorcouldbenumerous,evenforaprojectwherethereisstatewidesupportfromstakeholders’statewiderepresentatives.KeyissuescanbegroupedintosubjectareassimilartothoserequiredforEIStechnicalevaluation,suchas:

TransportationEffects LandUse,SocialandSocioeconomicConditions CulturalandVisualResources NaturalandWaterResources AirQuality,GreenhouseGasesandEnergy NoiseandVibration ConstructionandConstructionImpacts SafetyandSecurity

Inaddition,potentialconcernsincludehowhighspeedintercitypassengerrailwillbefundedandoperated.

5. PUBLICINVOLVEMENTACTIVITIES

Thepublicinvolvementoutreachactivitieswillgivetheprojectteamanopportunitytocommunicatewiththestakeholdersandtoreceivefeedbackonkeyissues.Subjecttoagency/consultantresourcesandconsistencywiththeoverallpurposeoftheTier1EIS,suchoutreachactivitiescouldinclude:

Publicmeetings Publicofficialsinformationalmeetings EmpireProjectAdvisoryCommittee CoordinationwithEnvironmentalJusticecommunities EducationalOpportunities

5.1 PUBLICMEETINGS

Thepurposeofthepublicmeetingsistopresentprojectinformationatkeymilestonesandreceivefeedbackontheproject.

Tasks/Deliverables: ScopingMeeting(heldatuptosixlocations)/Associatedmeetingannouncements,handouts,presentations,boards,andmeetingnotes.

o Acoordinationpacketwillbepreparedthatincludesaprojectoverview,copyoftheNoticeofIntent(NOI),draftPurposeandNeedelements,arangeofalternativestobeconsideredandasummaryofenvironmentalconsiderationstobeaddressedintheEIS

o Optionalcommentcardsandwebfeedbackoptions

o Clipboardssothatteamrepresentatives



canrecordcommentsmadeatthestationstheyaremanning

o ProjectTeamwillassistNYSDOTwiththedevelopmentanddistributionofmediapackets.

DraftEISPublicHearing(heldatuptosixlocationsacrossthecorridor,roughlycorrespondingtomajormarketsandmetropolitanplanningorganizationcatchmentareas)/PublicHearingLogincludinglegalnoticesandhearingannouncement(inlocalnewspapersanddistributedtolocalgovernments,agenciesandthegeneralpublic),noticedistributionlist,displayads,hearingpresentation,hearingexhibits,transcripts(oneoriginalandthreecopies)andacommentandresponsematrix

Schedule: InformationalMeetingwiththeMohawk‐ErieStudy‐LateSummer2010

ScopingMeeting‐Fall2010 DraftEISPublicHearing‐Fall2011

LeadResponsibility: HNTBSupportingResponsibility:

CHAandPinyon

5.2 PUBLICOFFICIALSINFORMATIONALMEETINGS

Thepurposeofthepublicofficialsinformationalmeetingistocoordinatewithkeypublicofficialsthroughouttheprocess.AlistofkeypublicofficialswillbedevelopedduringtheScopingprocessinconjunctionwithNYSDOTPIOandregionaloffices.Theinitialcontactwithlocalofficialswillbeviaaletter,introducingtheprojectandtheEISprocess.Duringtheproject,allrequestsformeetingswillbecoordinatedwithNYSDOTandthelistofkeypublicofficialswillbeupdated,asnecessary.Whenneededand/orrequested,theformalmeetingswithpublicofficialswillbesupplementedwithsmallgroupmeetings.

Tasks/Deliverables: Upto20publicofficialsinformationalmeetingswithaminimumoftwo‐personconsultantteams,withmultipleteamsdeployedasneededforefficiencyandtimelinessofcoverage.Smallergroupmeetingswillsupplementtheseformalmeetings,asnecessary.

Associatedmeetingannouncements,handouts,presentations,boards,andmeetingnotes,asapplicable.

Schedule: Ongoing(asneeded)LeadResponsibility:

HNTB

SupportingResponsibility:

CHAandPinyon



5.3 EMPIREPROJECTADVISORYCOMMITTEE(EPAC)

ThepurposeoftheEPACistoconductinformationalmeetingswithkeyagencies,statewidegovernmentalorganizationsandmajorrailroads.Acoordinationletterinvitingpotentialmemberstojoinwillbedevelopedandwillbesenttothisinitialdistributionlist.Duringtheprojectthelistofkeyrepresentativeswillbeupdated,asnecessary.

SomeofthesememberswillalsobeCooperatingAgenciesandwillbegiventheopportunitytoreviewandcommentontheadministrativeDraftEISandFinalEISandwillbenotifiedofthecompletionofFRA’sROD.

ThreeEPACmeetingswillbeheld,andweb‐basedvideolinkswillbeusedtofacilitateremoteparticipationbytheparticipants,whereverpossible.Thethreemeetingsare:

Meeting#1‐ScopingMeetingo ReviewoftheNoticeofIntentandadditionalscopingactivitieso DevelopmentofPurposeandNeedo Identificationofrangeofalternativeso Acoordinationpacketwillbepreparedthatincludesaprojectoverview,copyofthe

NOI,draftPurposeandNeedelements,arangeofalternativestobeconsideredandasummaryofenvironmentalconsiderationstobeaddressedintheEIS.

Meeting#2‐AlternativesScreeningMeeting o IdentificationoffeasiblealternativestobefullyevaluatedintheDraftEISo Collaborationonscreeningandenvironmentalassessmentmethodologies

Meeting#3‐SelectionofPreferredAlternativeforFutureProjectMeetingo Identificationofthepreferredcorridorsandthelevelofdesigndetail

PotentialMembers:: 1. FederalAgenciesa. FederalRailroadAdministration(FRA)b. FederalHighwayAdministration

(FHWA)c. UnitedStates(US)Environmental

ProtectionAgency(EPA)d. USArmyCorpsofEngineers(USACE)e. FederalTransitAdministration(FTA)f. NationalParksService(NPS)g. NationalMarineFisheriesService

(NMFS)h. USFish&WildlifeService(FWS)i. USDepartmentofInterior(DOI)j. USCoastGuardk. FederalEmergencyManagement

Agency(FEMA)2. StateAgencies

a. NYSDepartmentofTransportation(NYSDOT)

b. NYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation(NYSDEC)

c. NYSDepartmentofState(NYSDOS)



d. NYSEmpireStateDevelopmentCorporation(NYSESD)

e. NYSOfficeofParks,Recreation&HistoricPreservation

f. StateofNewYork,OfficeoftheGovernor

g. NYSThruwayAuthorityh. NYSCanalCorporationi. NYSHistoricPreservationOffice

(SHPO)3. LocalAgencies

a. ErieCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentandPlanning

b. NYCMayorsOfficeofEnvironmentalCoordination

c. NYCDepartmentofParksandRecreation

d. NYCDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection

4. TransportationAgencies/MetropolitanPlanningOrganizations

a. NYSMetropolitanPlanningOrganizations(NYSMPO)

b. MetropolitanTransitAuthority(MTA)c. CapitalDistrictTransportation

Committee(CDTC)d. GeneseeTransportationCouncil(GTC)e. GreaterBuffalo–NiagaraRegional

TransportationCouncil(GBNRTC)f. Herkimer–OneidaCounties

TransportationStudy(HOCTS)g. OrangeCountyTransportationCouncil

(OCTC)h. NewYorkMetropolitanTransportation

Council(MTC)i. Poughkeepsie–DutchessCounty

TransportationCouncil(PDCTC)j. SyracuseMetropolitanTransportation

Council(SMTC)k. UlsterCountyTransportationCouncil

(UCTC)l. CapitalDistrictTransportation

Authority(CDTA)m. NiagaraFrontierTransportation

Authority(NFTA)n. RochesterGeneseeRegional

TransportationAuthority(RGRTA)o. CentralNewYorkRegional

TransportationAuthority(CENTRO)5. Railroads



a. CSXb. Amtrak(NationalRailroadPassenger

Corporation)c. Metro‐NorthRailroad(MNR)d. CanadianPacificRailway(CPRail)e. FingerLakesRailroad

6. Groupsa. HighSpeedRailCoalitionb. EmpireStatePassengerAssociation

(ESPA)c. RailroadsofNewYork(RONY)

Tasks/Deliverables: EPACcoordinationletterinvitingtheparticipantstoanEPACScopingMeeting

Meeting#1‐ScopingMeeting Meeting#2‐AlternativesScreeningMeeting Meeting#3‐SelectionofPreferredCorridorsfor

FutureProject(Tier2)StudiesMeeting Associatedmeetingannouncements/invitation

letters,handouts,presentations,boards,andmeetingnotes,asapplicable.

Schedule: Meeting#1‐Fall2010 Meeting#2‐Winter2011 Meeting#3‐Fall2011


CHAandPinyon

5.4 COORDINATIONWITHENVIRONMENTALJUSTICECOMMUNITIES

ThepurposeoftheEnvironmentalJusticeoutreachactivitiesistoreachcommunitymembersnottraditionallyinvolvedorunderrepresentedinthetransportationdecision‐makingprocess,and/orhavedifficultyaccessingmeetingssopotentialimpactscanbeevaluatedinappropriatedetailinfutureTier2studies.TheteamwillconductresearchusingcorridordemographicdatatoidentifytheEnvironmentalJusticeandLimitedEnglishProficiencyCommunitiesduringtheScopingphase.Communityissuesandcommunityleaderswillthenbeidentifiedinordertodevelopastrategyforcommunicatingwiththesecommunitiesandtheteamwillmeetwiththesestakeholders.Asappropriate,effortswillincludedevelopingmulti‐lingualmaterials,selectingalternativemeetinglocations(e.g.,localchurches,etc.)inlocationsaccessiblebytransit,whereverfeasible.

Tasks/Deliverables: TobedeterminedbasedoninitialoutreachSchedule: OngoingLeadResponsibility: PinyonSupportingResponsibility:

HNTBandCHA



5.5 EDUCATIONALOPPORTUNITIES

Duringthecourseoftheprojectotherpublicoutreachactivitiesmaybeused,asappropriate.Othereffectivemeetingsmayinclude:

Educationalprogramforclassroomexerciseswithprivatesector/not‐for‐profitassistance.Studentscandoclassroomexerciseswithhomeworkthatallowstheparents/guardianstoparticipateinthehighspeedintercitypassengerraileducationprocess.

OntheRailToursprovidinganopportunitytoexposethemediaandstakeholderstotheexistingconditions(bottlenecks,etc.)andanopportunitytoeducatepeopleaboutpotentialsolutions.

6. PUBLICINVOLVEMENTCOMMUNICATIONMETHODS

Thepublicinvolvementcommunicationmethodswillallowtheprojectteamtoinformthestakeholdersaboutprojectinformation,andwillallowthestakeholderstocommunicateconcernsbacktotheprojectteam.Themethodswillinclude:

Brand/Logo Stakeholderdatabase Newsletters Mediaoutreach Webpage Mailcontact Others

6.1 BRAND/LOGO

AlogowillbedevelopedtoprovideauniqueidentityfortheprojectandalsotobeconsistentwithotherrelevantprojectssuchastheMohawk‐ErieStudy.Thelogowillbeusedonallwrittenandelectronicinformationandprominentlydisplayedatpublicactivities.

Deliverable: LogoSchedule: Summer2010LeadResponsibility: HNTBSupportingResponsibility:

CHAandPinyon

6.2 STAKEHOLDERDATABASE

Thepurposeofthestakeholderdatabaseistwofold.First,itwilleffectivelycapturecontactinformationandcontactrecordsfortheprojectandwillbeusedasamailinglist.Second,itwilltrackkeyissues.

Themailinglistwillestablishandmaintainadatabaseofelectedofficials,publicofficials,agencystaff,andkeypublicstakeholders,asappropriate.Themailinglistwillbeusedtoprovidethestakeholderswithinformationconcerningprogressontheprojectandfornotifyingthe



stakeholdersofmeetingsandworkshops.TheprojectteamwillcoordinatewiththeNYSDOTPublicInformationOfficer(PIO)forinputonlocal/communityleaders.Themailinglistwillinclude:

Stakeholderswhoattendmeetingsorwithwhomtheprojectteaminteracts Contactsobtainedfromkeypublicagencies Publicofficials,whowillalsobeaskedtoprovidecommunityleadernamesduringinitial

telephonecontact Civicandsocialserviceagencies Individuals,whowillbeabletoselfregisterforthedatabaseontheprojectwebpage(see

Section6.5,WebPage

Keyinformationincludedinthedatabasewillbe:

Name(personaland/orbusiness) Contactinformation Interactionhistory(e.g.,mailingssent,phonecallsmade/received,meetings,etc.)

Thedatabasewillbeusedtotrackstakeholderissuesandconcerns.Itwillincludeallcommentsreceived,andcommentswillbecategorizedbasedontheissueinordertoanalyzeandevaluatestakeholderopinion.Thedateandmethodbywhicheachcommentisreceivedandrespondedtowillbeincluded,alongwithresponses.Thedatabasewillbeupdatedaftereachoutreachactivityoratleastmonthly.

Deliverables: FinalStakeholderDatabase(mailinglistincludingcomments)

Monthlycommenttrackingreports(monthlylogs)Schedule: InitialversionofthedatabasetoNYSDOTduringthe

Summer2010withongoingmaintenanceLeadResponsibility: HNTBSupportingResponsibility:

Pinyon

6.3 NEWSLETTERS

Thepurposeofthenewslettersistoeffectivelycommunicatekeyprojectinformationwiththestakeholders.Theywillbedistributedelectronically(thepreferreddistributionmethod)andinhardcopy.

Deliverables: Newsletter#1‐Introductoryeducationalnewslettertoraisepublicawarenessoftheproject’sPurposeandNeed,alternatives,EnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)processandtoannouncetheInformational&Scopingmeetings

Newsletter#2‐DiscussalternativedevelopmentandannouncetheavailabilityoftheDraftEISandtheDraftEISpublichearings

Newsletter#3‐AnnouncetheselectionofthePreferredAlternativeandreleaseoftheFinalEIS.

Schedule: Newsletter#1‐Summer2010



Newsletter#2‐Summer2011 Newsletter#3‐Winter2012

LeadResponsibility: PinyonSupportingResponsibility:

HNTBandCHA

6.4 MEDIAOUTREACH

Thepurposesofmediaoutreachistoeffectivelycommunicateprojectinformationwithlocalmedia(printandbroadcast)andtoencouragestakeholderparticipationincludingpreparingforandattendingeditorialboardbriefings,andpressreleasesandmeetingreleases.EarlyintheprojecttheNYSDOT’sPIOwillidentifythekeymediarepresentatives.Mediacoordinationwillbecompletedfrequently,especiallybeforekeymilestones.AllrequestsfromthemediaregardingtheprojectwillbedirectedtoDeborahRauschoftheNYSDOTPublicAffairsOffice([email protected]),andtheConsultantTeamwillfunctioninasupportroletoNYSDOT.Toolsthatmaybeemployedinclude:

Pressreleasesandadsofupcomingmeetings Editorialboardbriefings Noticesonprojectwebpage E‐mailblaststostakeholders Freeradiointerviewsduringcommuterrushhourstomentionupcomingoutreachevents

Inaddition,tomonitorlocalandregionalnewspapersandtelevisionnews,aclippingprocesswilltakeplacetosummarizeandrecordstoriespertainingtotheproject.

Deliverables: Newsreleasesandothermediamaterials Mediacontactlist

Schedule: OngoingLeadResponsibility: HNTBSupportingResponsibility:

CHAandPinyon

6.5 WEBPAGE

Thepurposesoftheprojectwebpagearetoprovidestakeholdersbothfulltimeaccesstoprojectinformationandtheabilitytoprovideinputintothedecisionmakingprocessattheirconvenience.TheWebPagewillbeupdatedandrefreshedonaregularbasistoreflectcurrencyandaccuracyofinformation.NYSDOTwillhosttheprojectwebpageathttps://www.nysdot.gov/empire‐corridorandtheconsultantteamwillpreparethecontentandlayoutfortheprojectwebpageinconsultationwiththeNYSDOTPIOandNYSDOTProjectTeam.NYSDOTwillberesponsiblefordevelopingresponsestopostedcomments.Thekeyhighlightsofthewebpagewillinclude:

Introduction/projectoverviewpage Keyprojectreportsandgraphics(e.g.,technicalreports,maps,DraftEIS,meeting

presentations,meetingboards,meetinghandouts,asappropriate)



Communicationmaterials(e.g.,newsletters,projectbrochures,HighSpeedIntercityPassengerRailEISProcessPrimertoexplainEISprocess,andfactsheets)

Calendarofevents FrequentlyAskedQuestions Commentsubmittalform(electronicandviamail) Stakeholderdatabaseregistrationandtoreceivee‐mailalerts

Deliverables: WebpagecontentSchedule: Summer2010launchandongoing

maintenance/updates,especiallyatkeymilestonesLeadResponsibility: PinyonSupportingResponsibility:

HNTBandCHA

6.6 MAILCONTACT

Thepurposeofmailcontactistoprovidetheprojectteamanothertooltocommunicatewiththestakeholders.Duetosizeofprojectareaandtheprojectteam’sabilitytoeffectivelyandeconomicallycommunicatewiththestakeholders,electroniccommunicationswillbetheprimarytool.However,theprojectteamunderstandsthatnotallstakeholdershaveaccesstocomputersandthereforemailwouldalsoberequired.StandardformletterswillbeusedtothegreatestextentpossibleandallletterswillbeapprovedbyNYSDOT.

Deliverables: Allcontactrecordswillbeincludedinthestakeholderdatabase

Schedule: Ongoing(startingpriortoScopingandcontinuingthroughFRA’sROD)


CHAandPinyon

6.7 OTHERS

Duringthecourseoftheprojectotherpublicinvolvementcommunicationmethodsmaybeused,asappropriate.Othereffectivetoolsmayinclude:

Provideinformationalhandoutsatestablishedtravelerinformationcentersacrossthestate(e.g.,informationalkiosksatThruwayserviceareas,trainstations,andregionalstateoffices).

7. MONITORINGANDUPDATINGTHEPUBLICINVOLVEMENTPLAN

InordertobeeffectivethepublicinvolvementactivitieswillbemonitoredduringtheprocessandthePIPwillbeupdated,asnecessary.TheNYSDOTandconsultantpublicinvolvementteamwillmeetmonthlyinpersonorbyteleconferencetodebriefonrecentpublicinvolvementactivitiesandtodiscussongoingandupcomingactivities.Aspartofthiseffort,theteamwillcoordinatewiththe



Mohawk‐Eriestudy,anongoingstudywithoverlappingcorridorboundaries.ThesescheduledmeetingswillallowtheteamtocontinuallyevaluateandrefinethePIPsothat:

Therightstakeholdersarebeingreachedandthetoolsbeingusedareappropriate Theprojectandtheissuesarebeingadequatelyexplained Peopleareparticipatinginthepublicoutreach Peoplefeelthattheirconcernsarebeingconsideredandcanaffectdecisionmaking Environmentalandproceduraldocumentationrequirementsarebeingsatisfied Potentialnewissuesarebeingidentifiedandconsidered

Theseactivitieswillallowthefocustoremainonmeaningfulcommunicationwithprojectstakeholders.ThesePIPactivitieswillbedocumentedthroughouttheprojectdevelopmentprocessinorderto:

ComplywithfederalandNewYorkStateregulatoryrequirements Fullydocumentfortheprojectrecordhowandwhydecisionsweremade



A. APPENDIXA:LISTOFKEYSTAKEHOLDERS

Thefollowing,isaworkingdraftlistofkeystakeholdersfortheEmpireCorridorasofOctober1,2010.Thelistwillcontinuetoberefined,updatedandexpandedinpartnershipwithNYSDOTduringtheScopingprocess.

1. FederalAgenciesa. USDepartmentofHousing&UrbanDevelopment(HUD)b. USDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)c. FederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)d. USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity

2. StateAgenciesa. NYStateAssemblyandSenateRepresentativesb. NYSDepartmentofLawc. NYSDivisionoftheBudgetd. NYSDepartmentofAgriculture&Marketse. NYSDepartmentofHealth(NYSDOH)f. NYSBureauofWaterSupply,QualityandProtectiong. NYSEducationDepartment(NYSED)h. NYSHistoricPreservationOffice(SHPO)i. NYSThruwayAuthorityj. NYSCanalCorporationk. NYSTribalHistoricPreservationOfficeandinterestedtribesl. MoynihanStationRedevelopmentCorporation

3. TransportationAgencies/MetropolitanPlanningOrganizationsa. Adirondack–GlensFallsTransportationCouncil(A/GFTC)b. BinghamtonMetropolitanTransportationStudy(BMTS)c. CapitalDistrictTransportationCommittee(CDTC)d. Elmira–ChemungTransportationCouncil(ECTC)e. Ithaca–TompkinsCountyTransportationCouncil(ITCTC)

4. Railroadsa. Buffalo&PittsburghRailroad,Inc.b. CanadianNationalRailwayc. FingerLakesRailwayd. NorfolkSouthernCorporatione. FallsRoadRailroadf. NewYork,SusquehannaandWesternRailwayg. OntarioMidlandRailroadCorporationh. Railex

5. Organizationsa. TheBusinessCouncilofNewYorkStateb. HighSpeedRailCoalitionc. ScenicHudsond. NYCRegionalPlanningAssociation(RPA)e. BuffaloNiagaraPartnershipf. GreaterRochesterEnterprise(GRE)g. CenterforEconomicGrowth(CEG)



h. Plattsburgh–NorthCountryChamberofCommercei. RochesterBusinessAlliance(RBA)j. GreaterSyracuseChamberofCommercek. MohawkValleyChamberofCommercel. MetropolitanDevelopmentAssociation(MDA)ofSyracuseandCentralNewYorkm. ManufacturersAssociationofCentralNewYork(MACNY)n. EastofHudsonTaskForceo. DutchessChamberofCommercep. ColumbiaCountyChamberofCommerce

6. Publicstakeholdersthroughoutthecorridorwillbeengagedduringtheprojectandwouldincludebothlocalresidents,currentandpotentialtransitusersandlocalelectedofficials.Itisimportantfortheteamtounderstandthatsomepublicstakeholdersmayhaveagreatdealofcorridorknowledgewhileothersarenewtotheproject,withlimitedtonocorridorknowledge.

SAFETEA‐LU6002CoordinationPlan


B. APPENDIXB:SAFETEA‐LU6002COORDINATIONPLAN

1. INTRODUCTIONANDCORRIDOROVERVIEW

1.1 PURPOSEOFTHECOORDINATIONPLAN

Inanefforttoprovidemoreefficientenvironmentalreviewsforprojectdecision‐making,Section6002ofPublicLaw104‐59“SafeAccountableFlexibleEfficientTransportationEquityAct:ALegacyforUsers(SAFETEA‐LU),”enactedAugust10,2005,requiresthatacoordinationplanbepreparedandimplementedforthoseprojectsforwhichanEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)isprepared,inaccordancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969(NEPA).AlthoughnotrequiredbytheFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA),thisplanhasbeenpreparedtofosterparticipationandcooperationamongfederal,stateandlocalagenciesduringtheenvironmentalreviewprocessoftheEmpireCorridorTier1EIS.

1.2 PROJECTSUMMARY

TheFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA)andtheNewYorkStateDepartmentofTransportation(NYSDOT)arejointlypreparingatieredEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)thatwillevaluateproposedsystemimprovementstointercitypassengerrailservicesalongthe463‐mileHighSpeedRailEmpireCorridorProject(HSRProject),connectingPennStationinNewYorkCitywithNiagaraFalls,NewYork(NiagaraCounty).

ThepurposeoftheHRSProjectistoimprovepassengerrailservicealongthecorridortoattractadditionalpassengersandbemorecompetitivewithotherintercitytransportationmodes.

ATier1EISandServiceDevelopmentPlan(includingthesupportingMarketAssessment,OperationalPlan,andBaseline&ProposedServiceSimulation)willbedevelopedaspartoftheProject.TheTier1EISwillevaluatealternativesandmakecorridor‐leveldecisionsregardingthelevelofintercitypassengerrailserviceprovidedinthecorridor,includingvariationsinon‐timeperformance,triptime,andtrainfrequency.FRAandNYSDOTareservingasco‐leadagenciesforthepreparationoftheHRSprojectTier1EIS.Tier2environmentaldocumentswillanalyzetheindividualcapitalimprovementsthathaveindependentutilitynecessarytoimplementtheTier1servicelevels.

The463‐mileEmpireCorridorbeginsatPennStationinNewYorkCityandproceedsnorthtoYonkersandCroton‐Harmon(WestchesterCounty),Poughkeepsie(DutchessCounty)andAlbany‐Rensselaer(RensselaerCounty),whereitgenerallyfollowstheHudsonRiver.ItthenturnswesttoSchenectady(SchenectadyCounty),Utica(OneidaCounty),Syracuse(OnondagaCounty),Rochester(MonroeCounty),Buffalo(ErieCounty),andterminatesatNiagaraFalls(NiagaraCounty).BetweenAlbanyandNiagaraFallstheEmpireCorridorparallelstheNewYorkStateThruway(Interstate‐90andInterstate87)(RefertoFigure1).



Figure1:ProjectOverviewMap



1.3 PROJECTHISTORY

SincethereleaseoftheHorizonsRailPassengerDemandForecastingProject,byNYSDOTin1989,publicandprivateentities,politicalleadersandindustryexpertshavecollaborativelyworkedtowardsthegoalofenhancingEmpireCorridorpassengerrailservicetofosteranimprovedtransportationmodehighlycompetitivewithairandautotravel.The1994NewYorkStateHighSpeedSurfaceTransportationStudyassessedpotentialrights‐of‐way,ridership,energyandenvironmentalimpacts;economicbenefits;capitaloperatingandmaintenancecosts;andfinancialviabilitywithrespecttoincrementalrailimprovement(IRI)totheexistingrail,veryhigh‐speedrail(VHSR)(maximumspeedsaround120milesperhour[mph]),andMaglevintheEmpireCorridor.Thiswasfollowedupbythe1995MovingTowardthe21stCentury:AProposalforHighSpeedGroundTransportationintheStateofNewYorkstudy,whichproposedtoupgradeexistingrailservicetoattainmaximumpossiblespeedandconveniencewithinfivetosevenyearsandaMaglevsystemwithin10to15years.ThedesireforreducingtriptimesbetweenNewYorkCityandAlbanywasagaindocumentedinthe2000IntercityPassengerRailPlan:Travelintothe21stCenturyontheEmpireService,whichdocumentedwaystoreducetraveltimeandincreaseridershipintheEmpireCorridor.

TheNewYorkStateSenateHighSpeedRailTaskForceActionProgram“ConnectingNewYork’sFuture”wasreleasedin2005.Similartopreviousstudies,theProgramsetshort‐termgoals(onetothreeyears),andalongertermphasedprogramofincrementalserviceupgrades,capitalimprovements,andnewoperationalandinstitutionalarrangements.In2008theEmpireCorridorWestRailroadTransportationPlanStudyprovidedarailnetworkmodeling,operationssimulationanalysisandinfrastructureimprovementfeasibilityassessmentcapacitystudyoftheEmpireCorridorfromRensselaertoNiagaraFalls,proposingrecommendationsforimprovingpassengerandfreightoperationsontheEmpireCorridor.Mostrecently,theStrategiesforaNewAge:NewYorkStateRailPlan(2009)setforthvariousmobility,sustainability,andeconomicgoalsanddetailsthe“ThirdTrackInitiative,”toexpand,enhance,andsupportcapacitygrowthforintercitypassengerandfreightrailserviceintheAlbany‐BuffaloportionoftheEmpireCorridor.

OnJanuary28,2010,theadministrationannouncedawardsfortheHighSpeedIntercityPassengerRail(HSIPR)Program.NewYorkStatewastherecipientof$151millionforsevenprojects.InadditiontoadvancingitsHighSpeedRailcapitalprogram,NYSDOThasinitiatedaTier1NEPAEISfortheproposedNewYorkStateEmpireCorridorRailSystem.

1.4 PURPOSEANDNEED

NewYorkState’sfutureeconomicvitalityincludeslinkingitsmajorcities—downtowntodowntown—withhigh‐speedpassengertrains,muchasthesecitieswereconnectedbyrailinthe19thand20thcenturiesandwhentheNewYorkStateThruwaywasbuiltover50yearsago,enablinghigh‐speedautomobiletravel.However,theexistingEmpireCorridorpassengerservicetoandfrompointswestofAlbany‐RensselaerinitsexistingconditioncannoteffectivelycompetewithothermodesoftravelandserviceandassociatedridershipontheexistingEmpireCorridorisnegativelyaffectedbyseveralfactors.

ThepurposeoftheHSRProjectistoimprovepassengerrailservicealongthecorridortoattractadditionalpassengersandbemorecompetitivewithotherintercitytransportationmodesby



improving1)reliability,2)traveltimes,and3)frequencyofservice.ImprovedservicealongtheEmpireCorridor,alongwithenhancedconnectionstoNortheastCorridorservicebetweenNewYork,PhiladelphiaandWashington,willbetterconnectwesternNewYorkStatewithAlbany‐RensselaerandNewYorkCity,providingtimesensitiveandefficientservicefromdowntowntodowntown.

Projectneedsarerelatedtotwodeficiencies:ServiceParametersandInfrastructureConstraints.Serviceparametersthataffectmodechoiceincludeservicereliability,trainfrequency,andtraveltime.Infrastructureconstraints,suchascapacityandspeed,affecttheserviceparameters.

Aproject’sgoalsandobjectivesarethefoundationofitspurposeandneedunderNEPAandtheyareusedasthebasisfordevelopingthecriteriaandscreeningmethodologyforevaluatingtheprojectalternatives.ToaddressthepurposeoftheHSRProject,i.e.,toimprovepassengerrailservicealongthecorridortoattractadditionalpassengersandbemorecompetitivewithotherintercitytransportationmodes,fourgoalshavebeenarticulated:

Goal1:ImprovehighspeedpassengerrailserviceintheEmpireCorridor Goal2:PreserveandenhancefreightrailserviceandopportunitiesintheEmpireCorridor Goal3:PreserveandenhanceMetro‐NorthcommuterserviceintheEmpireCorridor Goal4:Minimizeimpactsonthesurroundingenvironment

1.5 ALTERNATIVES

Aspartoftheproject,NoBuildandBuildalternativeswillbeevaluated.TheNoBuildAlternativeassumesthatnoimprovements,otherthanthosealreadyplanned,wouldbecompleted.Thisalternativeassumesamaximumspeedof79mphbetweenHoffman’sandNiagaraFalls.TheBuildAlternativeisdividedintotwoseparatesections.TheNewYorkCitytoAlbanysectionisbasedonthe2005HudsonLineCorridorTransportationPlan.FromAlbanytoNiagaraFallstherearetwoscenariosfortheBuildAlternative.

Majorimprovementsandrehabilitationoftheexistinginfrastructurewithinthecurrentrightofway(90mph)

Newraillinealternativesonexisting/additionalrightofway(110mph)

Eachalternativeevaluationwillinclude: Analysisofpotentialmarketandridershipestimates,sensitivityoffarestructure; Simulationofrailroadfreightandpassengeroperations Evaluationofequipmentrequirementsandstationimprovementstoprovideinfrastructure

andorderofmagnitudecapitalcost;and Assessmentofenvironmentalconditionandconsequences.



2. LEAD/COOPERATING/PARTICIPATINGAGENCIES

SAFETEA‐LUrequirestheidentificationofLead,Participating,andCooperatingAgenciesinthedevelopmentofanEIS.Thesectionsbelowdefinetheagenciesinvitedtoparticipateineachgroupandtheirrespectiveresponsibilities.

2.2 LEADAGENCIES

TheLeadAgenciesfortheHSRProjectTier1EISaretheFRAandNYSDOT,theprojectsponsor.

2.2.1 RESPONSIBILITIES

TheLeadAgenciesareresponsibleforpreparingtheTier1EISandformanagingandadvancingtheSAFETEA‐LUSection6002milestones.Inaddition,SAFETEA‐LUrequiresthattheLeadAgencies:

Identifyandinvolveparticipatingagencies; Developcoordinationplans; ProvideopportunitiesforpublicandparticipatingagencyinvolvementindefiningthePurpose

andNeedanddeterminingtherangeofalternatives; Collaboratewithparticipatingagenciesindeterminingthemethodologiesandlevelofdetailfor

theanalysisofalternatives;and Provideincreasedoversightinmanagingtheprocessandresolvingissues.

2.3 COOPERATINGAGENCIES

AccordingtotheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality(CEQ)regulations(40CFR1508.5),“CooperatingAgency”meansanyFederalagency,otherthanaLeadAgency,thathasjurisdictionbylaworspecialexpertisewithrespecttoanyenvironmentalimpactinvolvedinaproposedprojectorprojectalternative.AStateorlocalagencyofsimilarqualificationsor,whentheeffectsareonlandsoftribalinterest,aNativeAmericantribe,may,byagreementwiththeLeadAgencies,alsobecomeaCooperatingAgency.CooperatingagenciesarealsoParticipatingAgencies,andallreferencestoParticipatingAgenciesinthisdocumentincludeCooperatingAgencies.

2.3.1 HSRPROJECTCOOPERATINGAGENCIES

Table1liststheagenciesthathavebeeninvitedtobeinvolvedintheSAFETEA‐LUSection6002process.

Table1.HSRProjectCooperatingAgenciesAgencyName ReasonforInvolvement ContactAmtrak–NationalRailroadPassengerCorporation

OperatespassengerservicealongtheEmpireCorridor.

William Hollister Principle Officer

Policy & Development Amtrak General Offices

525 East Street Rensselaer, NY 12144

518-462-5760



Table1.HSRProjectCooperatingAgenciesAgencyName ReasonforInvolvement Contact

[email protected](U.S.)Fish&WildlifeService

ConsultationregardingeffectsonaquaticandterrestrialwildlifeaswellascoordinationwiththreatenedandendangeredspeciesunderSection7oftheEndangeredSpeciesAct.

Anne Secord Wetlands, Northeast Region

3817 Luker Road Cortland, NY 13045

607-753-9334 [email protected]

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,RegionII

RegulatoryconcernsincludeTransportationConformityundertheCleanAirActandSection404oftheCleanWaterAct.

LingardKnutsonNEPA Transportation Liaison

290 Broadway 25th Floor New York, NY 10007-1866


FederalHighwayAdministration

OversightoftheFederalHighwaysystemintheU.S.

MariaChauStatewidePlanner,Research/T2

Leo W. O’Brien Federal Bldg. Room 719

Clinton Avenue & North Pearl Street Albany, NY 12207 518-431-4125x251

[email protected]

OversightofpassengerrailroadsintheU.S.

AnthonyLee1 Bowling Green, Room 429 New York, NY 10004-1415

212‐668‐[email protected]

U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers

PermittingresponsibilityunderSection404oftheCleanWaterActandpermittingresponsibilityunderSection10oftheRiversandHarborsAct.

TheresaHudsonDirectorofRegulatoryOperations

Buffalo District 1776 Niagara Street Buffalo, NY 14207


AndLeonardHouston

ChiefofEnvironmentalAnalysisNew York District

U.S. Army Engineers 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2109

New York, NY 10278 917-790-8702

[email protected]

Consultationregardingproposedalternativesrelativetoecologicaleffectsoncoastalwaters.

Peter Colosi Regional Administrator

Northeast Regional Office 55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930 997‐828‐19332



Table1.HSRProjectCooperatingAgenciesAgencyName ReasonforInvolvement Contact

[email protected] Permittingadministrationof

Section9oftheRiversandHarborsAct.

GaryKassofCommander,District1BatteryParkBuilding

1SouthStreetNewYork,NY10004


NewYorkState(NYS)DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation

PermittingresponsibilityunderSection401WaterQualityCertification,Article24freshwaterwetlandsregulatoryprogramandArticle15protectionofwatersregulatoryprogram

JohnFergusonDivisionofEnvironmentalPermits

625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-5500


NYSDepartmentofState

ConsistencywiththeState’sCoastalZoneManagementPlan

KevinMillingtonOfficeofCoastal,LocalGovernment

andCommunitySustainabilityAttn: Consistency Review Unit 1 Commerce Plaza, Suite 1010

Albany, NY 12231 518-473-2479

[email protected]

ResponsibleforoversightofNationalParks.

DennisReidenbachRegionalDirector,NortheastRegion

200ChestnutSt.5thFloorPhiladelphia,PA19106


NYSHistoricPreservationOffice

CoordinatingeffectsdeterminationforSection106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationAct.

RuthPierpontDirector

PeeblesIsland,P.O.Box189Waterford,NY12188


Note:Asnotedabove,CooperatingAgenciesarealsoParticipatingAgencies




TheresponsibilitiesofCooperatingAgenciesinclude:

Assume(onrequestoftheleadagency)responsibilityfordevelopinginformationandpreparingenvironmentalanalysesincludingportionsoftheenvironmentalimpactstatementconcerningwhichtheyhavespecialexpertise;

Participateinmeetingsandfieldreviewsandprovidecommentswithin15daysofreceiptofinformation;

Makesupportstaffavailableusingtheirownresourcesandfunds; ProvideinputonPurposeandNeed,rangeofalternatives,methodologiesandlevelofdetail

tobeusedintheanalysisofalternatives; Provideinputonhowthealternativeswillbeevaluatedandonhowtheimpactswillbe

assessed; Identify,asearlyaspracticable,anyissuesorconcernsregardingtheproject’spotential

environmentalorsocioeconomicimpactsoranyissuesthatcouldsubstantiallydelayorpreventanagencyfromgrantingapermitorotherapprovalneededfortheproject;and

ReviewtheAdministrativeDraftEIS(DEIS)andAdministrativeFinalEIS(FEIS)andprovidecommentswithin30daysofreceiptofthedocuments.

2.4 PARTICIPATINGAGENCIES

Section6002ofSAFETEA‐LUidentifiedanewcategoryofagenciesforparticipationintheenvironmentalreviewprocessforanEIS.AParticipatingAgencyisaFederal,State,tribal,orlocalgovernmentagencythatmayhaveaninterestintheproject.

2.4.1 HSRPROJECTPARTICIPATINGAGENCIES

Table2liststheagenciesthathavebeeninvitedtobeinvolvedintheSAFETEA‐LUSection6002process.

Table2.HSRProjectParticipatingAgenciesAgencyName ReasonforInvolvement ContactFederalEmergencyManagementAgency

Consultationregardingfloodplainsandmodificationstoexistingfloodplains.

MatthewBehnkeNYSRepresentative

500cStreetSW,Suite713WashingtonD.C.20472

202‐646‐4211Matthew.behnke.dhs.gov

Metro‐NorthRailroad

Majorrailroadowner/operatorintheEmpireCorridor.

DavidFogelDeputyDirector

345MadisonAvenue,3rdFloorNewYork,NY10017


NYSCanalCorporation

Responsiblefortheoperationofcanalsystem.

CarmellaMantelloDirector



Table2.HSRProjectParticipatingAgenciesAgencyName ReasonforInvolvement Contact

200SouthernBoulevardP.O.Box189

Albany,NY12201518‐436‐3055

Carmella.mantello@canals.state.ny.usCapitalDistrictTransportationCommittee

TransportationplanningorganizationfortheAlbany‐Schenectady‐Troymetropolitanarea.

David Jukins Deputy Director One Park Place

Albany, NY 12205 518‐458‐2161

[email protected]

TransportationplanningorganizationfortheGenesee‐FingerLakesRegion.

Richard Perrin Executive Director

City Place, 50 West Main Street, Suite 8112

Rochester, NY 14614 585‐232‐6240

[email protected]–NiagaraRegionalTransportationCouncil

TransportationplanningorganizationfortheErieandNiagaracounties.

Hal Morse Executive Director

438 Main Street, Suite 503 Buffalo, NY 14202


Herkimer–OneidaCountiesTransportationStudy

TransportationplanningorganizationfortheHerkimerandOneidaCounties.

Harry J. Miller Program Manager

Boehlert Center at Union Station 321 Main Street

Utica, NY 13501 315‐798‐5710

[email protected]

TransportationplanningorganizationforOrangeCounty.

John Czamanske Planning Assistant

124 Main Street Goshen, NY 10924


NewYorkMetropolitanTransportationCouncil

TransportationplanningorganizationforNewYorkCity,LongIslandandthelowerHudsonValley.

Joel Ettinger Executive Director

199 Water Street, 22nd Floor New York, NY 10038


Poughkeepsie–DutchessCountyTransportationCouncil

TransportationplanningorganizationfortheDutchessCounty.

Eoin Wrafter Transportation Program Administrator

27 High Street, 2nd Floor Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

845‐486‐3600



Table2.HSRProjectParticipatingAgenciesAgencyName ReasonforInvolvement Contact

mdebald@co.dutchess.ny.usSyracuseMetropolitanTransportationCouncil

TransportationplanningorganizationforOnondagaCountyandsmallportionsofMadisonandOswegoCounties.

James D’Agostino Director

126 N. Salina Street, Suite 100 Syracuse, NY 13202


UlsterCountyTransportationCouncil

TransportationplanningorganizationfortheKingstonUrbanizedareaaswellasaportionofthePoughkeepsie‐NewburghUrbanizedTransportationManagementArea

Dennis Doyle Director

244 Fair Street Kingston, NY 12402


CapitalDistrictTransportationAuthority(CDTA)

ResponsiblefortransportationconnectionsintheAlbany‐Schenectady‐Troymetropolitanarea.

Carm Basile Executive Director

110 Watervliet Avenue Albany, NY 12206


MetropolitanTransitAuthority(MTA)

ResponsiblefortransportationconnectionsintheNewYorkCity,LongIslandandthelowerHudsonValley.

William Wheeler Director, Special Project Development

& Planning 347 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10017 212-878-7258

[email protected]

NiagaraFrontierTransportationAuthority(NFTA)

ResponsiblefortransportationconnectionsintheBuffaloNiagararegion.

Kimberley Minkel Executive Director 181 Ellicott Street

Buffalo, NY 14203 716-855-7470

kimberley_minkel@nfta.comCentralNewYorkRegionalTransportationAuthority(CENTRO)

ResponsiblefortransportationconnectionsinthecentralNewYorkcommunity.

Frank Kobliski Executive Director

P.O. Box 820 Syracuse NY 13205


Rochester‐GeneseeRegionalTransportationAuthority(RGRTA)

ResponsiblefortransportationconnectionsinMonroe,Genesee,Livingston,Orleans,Wayne,WyomingandSenecacounties.

Mark Aesch Chief Executive Officer

1372 East Main Street Rochester NY 14609


ErieCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentand

ResponsibleforenvironmentaloversightinErieCounty.

Kenneth Swanekamp Director, Business Assistance

Edward A. Rath County Office



Table2.HSRProjectParticipatingAgenciesAgencyName ReasonforInvolvement ContactPlanning Building

Buffalo NY 14202 716-858-6170

[email protected]’sOfficeofEnvironmentalCoordination

ResponsibleforenvironmentaloversightinNewYorkCity.

Robert Kulikowski Director, Environmental Coordination

253 Broadway, 14th Floor New York, NY 10007


NYCParksandRecreation

ResponsibleforparksandrecreationareasinNewYorkCity.

Daniel Grulich Interagency Coordinator

Olmsted Center, Room 24D Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

New York, NY 11368 718-760-6927

Daniel.grulich@parks.nyc.govNYCDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection

ResponsibleforenvironmentaloversightinNewYorkCity.

Ray Hodges 59-17 Junction Blvd., 9th Floor

Corona, NY 11368 212-863-6036

[email protected]


TheresponsibilitiesofParticipatingAgenciesinclude:

ParticipateintheNEPAprocessstartingattheearliestpossibletime; ProvideinputonPurposeandNeed,rangeofalternatives,methodologiesandlevelofdetail

tobeusedintheanalysisofalternatives; Provideinputonhowthealternativeswillbeevaluatedandonhowtheimpactswillbe

assessed; Identify,asearlyaspracticable,anyissuesorconcernsregardingtheproject’spotential

environmentalorsocioeconomicimpactsoranyissuesthatcouldsubstantiallydelayorpreventanagencyfromgrantingapermitorotherapprovalneededfortheproject;and

Providemeaningfulandtimelyinput(within15days)onallissues.

3. COORDINATIONPOINTSANDRESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 COORDINATIONPOINTS,INFORMATIONREQUIREMENTSANDRESPONSIBILITIES

BasedonNEPA,SAFETEA‐LU,andNYSDOTprocedures,milestoneshavebeenidentifiedaspartoftheenvironmentalreviewprocessforinvolvementandreviewopportunities.Table3summarizesthekeycoordinationpointsbetweenandamongtheLead,CooperatingandParticipatingAgencies.



Table3.CoordinationPointsandResponsibleAgenciesCoordinationPoint

Purpose Schedule ResponsibleAgency ReviewTimes1

SAFETEA‐LUCoordinationPlan

CommentsontheCoordinationPlanandconcurrenceonrolesandresponsibilities.

September2010

Lead,CooperatingandParticipatingAgencies

Twoweeks

Scoping ConductreviewofdraftPurposeandNeedandinitialrangeofalternatives.

October2010 CooperatingandParticipatingAgencies

Twoweeks

AlternativesScreening

ConductinitialreviewoffeasiblealternativestobefullyevaluatedintheDraftEISandscreeningandenvironmentalassessmentmethodologies.

Winter2011 CooperatingandParticipatingAgencies

Twoweeks

AdministrativeDraftEIS

ConductinitialreviewoftheadministrativeDraftEIS

Summer2011 CooperatingAgencies 30days

DraftEIS ReviewoftheDraftEIS Summer2011 CooperatingandParticipatingAgencies

45days

PreferredAlternativeforFutureProjects

Identificationofthepreferredcorridorsandthelevelofdesigndetail

Fall2011 CooperatingandParticipatingAgencies

Twoweeks

AdministrativeFinalEIS

ConductinitialreviewoftheadministrativeFinalEIS

Spring2012 CooperatingAgencies 30days

FinalEIS ReviewoftheFinalEIS Spring2012 CooperatingandParticipatingAgencies

45days

Note:1Reviewtimesarelistedincalendardays.

3.2 ISSUERESOLUTIONPROCESS

TheLead,Cooperating,andParticipatingAgencieswillworkcooperativelytoidentifyasearlyaspracticable,andresolveanyissuesofconcern.Theissuesofconcernincludeanymattersthatcouldsubstantiallydelaythecompletionoftheenvironmentalreview,orthosewhichcouldsubstantiallydelayorpreventissuanceofpermitsorapprovalsneededfortheprojectunderapplicablelaws.InordertoworkeffectivelytheEmpireCorridorprojectteamwillcommunicatewiththeagencies/entitiesearly,tomaximizemeetingparticipationandtohelptheagencies/entitiesprepareforreviewperiods.

Meetings:



o Timelynoticeofmeetingsandcoordinationschedules,tothegreatestextentpossible,willmaximizeparticipation.Agencies/entitieswillbenotifiedatleastthreeweekspriortoprojectmeetingsandapplicablehandoutswillbeprovidedatleastoneweekpriortothemeeting,ifapplicable.

o TheEmpireCorridorprojectteamrealizesthatsomemeetingdiscussionpointswillneedtobevettedwiththeirrespectiveagencies/entitiespriortoprovidingcomments.Itisexpectedthatparticipantswillconsultwiththeirrespectiveagencies/entitiesandprovidecommentswithintwoweeksofthemeeting.Lackofresponsewithinthedeadlinewillbeviewedasnotunsupportive.

o Draftminuteswillbeprovidedwithinthreeweeksoftheassociatedmeetingdateandagencieswillhaveoneweektoprovidecorrectionstotheminutes.Lackofresponsewithinthedeadlinewillconstituteacceptanceoftheminutes.Finalminutes,editedtoreflectcommentsmadebyagencies,willbeprovidedwithinoneweekofthecorrectionsdeadline.

ReviewPeriods:o Timelynoticeofreviewperiodswillhelptheagenciesmanageworkloadandmeet

thereviewtimeslistedinTable3.AgencieswillbenotifiedatleastthreeweekspriortothestartofreviewperiodsandtheEmpireCorridorprojectteamwillupdatetheagenciesofanydelays.

Thefollowingissueresolutionprocesswillbefollowed:

1. Meetingswillbeheld,asneeded,duringthecourseoftheNEPAprocesstodiscussandresolveissues.

2. Ifissuesarenotresolvedinatimelymannerthroughdirectmeetingsbetweenagencies,andtheissuemaydelaycompletionoftheenvironmentalrevieworcouldresultindenialofanyapprovalsneededfortheprojectunderapplicablelaws,then:

A. Anofficialissueresolutionmeetingwillbescheduledwiththehighestexecutivelevelofficialsfromtheresponsibleagencies.

B. Ifresolutioncannotbeachievedwithin30daysfollowingsuchameetingandadeterminationhasbeenmadebytheLeadAgenciesthatallinformationnecessarytoresolvetheissueshasbeenobtained,then:i. FRAwillnotifytheheadsofalltheCooperatingandParticipatingAgencies,

NYSDOT,theCommitteeonEnvironmentalandPublicWorksoftheUSSenate,theCommitteeonTransportationandInfrastructureoftheUSHouseofRepresentativesandtheCouncilofEnvironmentalQualityregardingthisissue,and

ii. FRAwillpublishsuchnoticeintheFederalRegister.

4. PROJECTSCHEDULE

TheHSRProjectTier1EISwilltakeapproximatelytwoyearstobecompleted.TheDraftEIS(DEIS)isscheduledforcompletioninthesummerof2011,followedbypublichearingsinthefallof2011.CommentsobtainedduringthepublichearingswillbeincorporatedintoaFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement(FEIS),whichisanticipatedtobecompletedinthespringof2012.FRAwillissueaRecordofDecision(ROD)andrecommendedsegmentsofindependentutilityinthesummerof



2012.TheRODandrecommendationswillincludespecificimprovementprojectsthatwillmoveintoTier2.Figure2graphicallyshowstheoverallprojectschedule.



Figure2:ProjectSchedule

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