4.4. SR 03-15-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4.4 Alternatives Definition . The Contractor will summarize all alternatives-considered for the corridor. The No-Build and the Build Alternative, (commuter rail service) wiII be defined. The Transportation Management Alternative wiII not be included in the EIS, but wiII be defined-forthe'requiredcompariscrmrinthe New Starts criteria evaluation. 4.4.1 Alternatives Considered But Rejected The Contractor wiII describe the screening and evaluation process that eliminated any of the alternatives from further consideration during Phase I of the MIS and the Scoping process. The criteria and rationale for eliminating alternatives wiII be provided by the Contractor, including a matrix of advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. The description of the screening process wiII define the public and agency participation in defining the alternatives and the local decison-maker actions that led to the selection of the final definition of alternatives serving as the focus of the DEIS. 4.4.2 Alternatives Consideredfor Additional Study The Contractor wiII describe and illustrate elements of the No-Build alternative and the Commuter Rail alternative, the alternatives carried forward and subject to environmental evaluation. No-Build Alternative. According to FfA guidelines, the No-Build alternative consists of the existing transportation system (transit, roadways and highways) and those committed (funded) projects identified in the Transportation Improvement Programs for St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. The committed projects will include the funded highway component. . Commuter Rail Alternative. All facilities associated with the construction and operations of the commuter rail line, including right-of-way, structures, track, stations, park-and-ride lots, storage and maintenance facilities as well as the respective rail and bus operating plans wiII be elements of the alternative. The Commuter Rail alternative will also incorporate the elements of the No- Build alternative and will modify the region's bus network that would eliminate duplicate service and structure routes and service frequencies to feed commuter rail stations. 4.5 Draft EIS The impact areas to be assessed in the DEIS are organized as follows: - 4.5.1.. Social./mpact Assessment 4.5.1.1 Land Use Land use data for the study area will be collected from counties and cities affected by the proposed project and verified by field surveys. Appropriate local planning agencies will be contacted for information on local zoning regulations, area growth trends, proposed new developments, and future land use plans. Data collected will be sufficient to prepare existing and . Work Program for Northstar Corridor MIS and EIS For the Proposed Commuter Rail Service February 25, 1999 ~- ...~~ 12 Work Program