7.4. SR 11-21-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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railroad clearance requirements, FT A level boarding guidance, and project cost constraints. The NPO has requested to meet with FTA staff knowledgeable about the level boarding issue the week of November 14, 2005 to discuss the options available. The NPO will provide a paper summarizing the options and selected strategy by the end of November 2005. FT A and Project staff also discussed environmental documentation of project changes. FTA's Planning and Environment Office in Washington requested a letter summarizing the Project's changes so that FT A can determine if the associated environmental documentation and record of decision amendment must be completed before approval can be granted to enter final design. That letter was sent to FT A on August 5, 2005 and a follow-up response to a request for more detailed information was sent September 2,2005. NPO suggested that these changes could be documented through the categorical exclusion process. In a phone conversation on September 7, 2005 Rhonda Reed of FTA's Region V office informed NPO staff that FTA will require an Environmental Assessment based on the project's high public profile, uncertainty about environmental issues surrounding BNSF's third main line from Interstate to Coon Creek, and project changes in the central business district of a major metropolitan area. NPO sent a request on September 23, 2005 for the FT A to evaluate if a leased trail being relocated as part of the third main line work would be a 4(f) impact. William Wheeler of the FT A responded on October 12, 2005 stating that a detailed 4(f) analysis is necessary. NPO is working on a draft of the Environmental Assessment including the 4(f) analysis of the trail. This will be completed and sent to FT A for review in November if information on the third main line is available as scheduled. Monthly Report October 2005 -8- Northstar Corridor Rail Project