[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11740]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]
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INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION
[Docket No. AB-213 (Sub-No. 4)]
Canadian Pacific Limited--Abandonment--Between Skinner and
Vanceboro, Maine
AGENCY: Interstate Commerce Commission.
ACTION: Notice of final scope of study for environmental impact
statement.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the final scope of study prepared in
response to written comments, as well as oral comments given at public
meetings, for the environmental impact statement to be prepared for the
above proceeding. Written comments on the final scope are requested.
DATES: Written comments on the final scope of work are due June 13,
1994.
ADDRESSES: Phillis Johnson-Ball, Interstate Commerce Commission,
Section of Environmental Analysis, Room 3221, 12th and Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20423.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phillis Johnson-Ball (202) 927-6213 or
Vicki Dettmar (202) 927-6211.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Canadian Pacific Limited has filed an
application with the Commission seeking authority to discontinue and
abandon all freight and passenger rail operations over 201.2 miles of
rail line between Skinner and Vanceboro (The Skinner-Vanceboro Line) in
the Maine counties of Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot,
Aroostook, and Washington. The proposed abandonment activities would
include the discontinuance of rail service over the entire line; the
diversion of traffic to motor carriers or other railroads; and the
salvage of all rails, ties, railroad-related appurtenances, and
standing structures.
We believe that if the Commission approves the abandonment, this
action would constitute a major Federal action having the potential to
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore,
we will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS). A notice of
intent to prepare an EIS and to hold public scoping meetings for this
proceeding was published on February 22, 1994. The notice requested
comments in writing or orally at public scoping meetings that were held
in Woodland, Maine and Bangor, Maine on March 15 and March 16, 1994,
respectively. Over 50 parties provided comment and/or attended the
scoping meetings. In accordance with the Commission's environmental
rules at 49 CFR 1105, the final scope of study is summarized below.
SUMMARY OF THE SCOPE OF STUDY: Abandonment and salvage activities may
significantly affect the environment in the project area. Based on the
comments and our initial evaluation, the proposed abandonment may
result in a number of environmental impacts. These impacts include:
Land Use Impacts
Transportation Impacts
Energy Impacts
Air Quality Impacts
Noise Impacts
Impacts to Public Health and Safety
Impacts to Biological Resources
Impacts to Water Resources
Socioeconomic Impacts from Physical Environmental Changes
Impacts to Historic and Cultural Resources
Impacts to Recreational Resources
We want to make it clear here that the EIS will only analyze the
environmental effects that relate to this abandonment proposal. The
environmental review process is not the proper forum for analyzing the
``need'' for or the economic merits of a proposed project. It is
through the development of a separate evidentiary record that addresses
the merits of the proposed abandonment that the Commission considers
issues of economic impact and the impacts to rural and community
development as required by 49 U.S.C. 10903 (a) (2).
Copies of the complete scope of study have been served on all the
parties to this proceeding. A copy of the scoping document may be
obtained by contacting Phillis Johnson-Ball at (202) 927-6213 or Vicki
Dettmar at (202) 927-6211.
A notice of availability of the draft EIS will be announced in the
Federal Register and served on parties to the proceeding.
By the Commission, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of
Environmental Analysis.
Sidney L. Strickland, Jr.
Secretary.
Scope of Environmental Impact Statement; Docket No. AB-213 (Sub-No. 4);
Canadian Pacific Limited--Abandonment--Between--Skinner and Vanceboro,
Maine; Executive Summary; Description of Proposed Action and
Alternatives
1. Summary of the existing rail line
2. Description of the proposed action
3. Description of alternatives
a. Partial abandonment
b. Discontinuance of service without abandonment
c. No action (denial of the proposal)
Description of Existing Environment
Specific description including existing land use, transportation,
physiography and soil, water resources, biological resources, air
quality, noise, socioeconomic setting, historic and cultural resources,
and recreational resources in the project area.
Environmental Analysis of Proposed Action and Alternatives
A. Land Use Impacts
1. Analysis of impacts from increased land development following
abandonment of the right-of-way (ROW).
2. Evaluation of the change in existing land use of the ROW,
railroad yards, and stations.
3. Assessment of disturbances to adjacent properties during salvage
activities.
4. Concerns regarding unauthorized recreational vehicle use along
the abandoned ROW.
5. Need for disposal requirements for salvaging debris.
6. Possibility of unauthorized waste and debris disposal along the
ROW.
7. Native American concerns regarding impacts to land use
activities of the Indian Township and Pleasant Point reservations of
the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Penobscot Nation at Indian Island.
B. Transportation and Safety Impacts
1. Assessment of the transportation and safety impacts associated
with the loss of rail service to existing shippers.
2. Assessment of rail and motor carrier transportation alternatives
and anticipated impact of rerouted traffic on alternative rail lines
and/or roadways.
3. Evaluation of the impact of rerouted passenger traffic.
4. Evaluation of the impact of loss of this rail service on
transportation safety, including the occurrence of accidents and
release of hazardous materials.
C. Energy Impacts
1. Assessment of impacts on transportation of any energy resources.
2. Anticipated impacts on any recyclable commodities.
3. Impact on overall energy consumption and efficiency that would
result from increased use of trucks.
D. Water Resource Impacts
1. Possible water quality impacts from erosion and sedimentation
that would be associated with building and bridge removal and other
salvage activities.
2. Analysis of the disturbance of soil and vegetation in water
bodies, floodplains, and/or wetlands that could result during bridge
removal and other salvage activities.
3. Evaluation of the need for continued culvert maintenance to
minimize flooding and water quality impacts from beaver and ice dams.
4. Anticipated impacts from the possible failure or collapse of
bridge abutments.
5. Possible water quality degradation in recreational lakes that
could result from lakeside land development.
6. Water quality degradation that could result from accidental
releases of hazardous materials in motor carrier transportation.
7. Impacts from contaminated soil resulting from prior leaks,
derailments, and fueling that occurred along the ROW and possible need
for soil and groundwater sampling.
E. Impacts on Biological Resources
1. Assessment of the impact of salvage activities on any threatened
and endangered species in the vicinity of the ROW.
2. Discussion of concerns regarding disturbance of vegetation in
adjacent wetlands and floodplains during bridge removal and other
salvage activities.
3. Evaluation of the impact of erosion and sedimentation during
building and bridge removal and other salvage activities on aquatic
wildlife and habitat.
4. Analysis of changes in beaver populations and activities along
the ROW.
5. Concerns regarding the impact of increased traffic on wildlife
along Route 9 and at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.
6. Possibility of the need for continued culvert maintenance to
minimize wetland impacts from changes in hydrologic (i.e., water level)
conditions.
7. Assessment of the impact to wildlife following abandonment of
rail service.
8. Potential impacts to wildlife that could result from the
unauthorized uses of abandoned ROW.
F. Air Quality Impacts
1. Analysis of the elimination of current locomotive emissions
along the ROW following abandonment.
2. Effects of possible increased emissions due to rail line salvage
operations.
3. Explanation of increased air pollutant emissions that could
result from additional truck traffic, especially in current non-
attainment areas.
G. Noise Impacts
1. Analysis of the impact from noise that may be generated by
salvage equipment and post-abandonment maintenance equipment.
2. Concerns regarding the impact of abandonment on noise quality in
the vicinity of road crossings.
3. Impacts from noise that may be generated by increased vehicular
traffic on Route 9 and other roads.
H. Impacts on Socioeconomics
Evaluation of social and economic impacts resulting from changes in
the physical environment due to salvage activities or the diversion of
traffic.
I. Impacts on Historic and Cultural Resources
1. Impacts to structures (buildings and bridges) that may be
eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and
archaeological resources.
2. Potential need for a Memorandum of Agreement between the Maine
Historic Preservation Commission, Interstate Commerce Commission,
Advisory Council of Historic Preservation, and Canadian Pacific
Limited.
3. Assessment of impact of increased truck traffic on the Calais
Historic District.
J. Impacts on Recreational Resources
1. Effects of salvage activities and elimination of train noises
and intrusions on wildlife and other recreational resources.
2. Effects of abandonment on opportunities for hunting, fishing,
and bird watching.
3. Potential for use of the abandoned ROW as a multi-use
recreational trail.
4. Assessment of impact of bridge removal on recreational
opportunities along the ROW.
5. Impact of possible unauthorized recreational vehicle use and
increased human activity on existing wildlife and habitat conditions.
Proposed Mitigation
1. Necessary and appropriate mitigation.
[FR Doc. 94-11740 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7035-01-P
