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Community Awareness Rail Briefing. Canaveral Port Authority Thursday, May 22, 2014 Session 1 – 9:00 am Session 2 – 5:30 pm. Agenda. Introductions Why We are Here Project Overview Project Status and Timeline Environmental Considerations Economic Impact Questions. Why We are Here.
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Community AwarenessRail Briefing Canaveral Port Authority Thursday, May 22, 2014 Session 1 – 9:00 am Session 2 – 5:30 pm
Agenda Introductions Why We are Here Project Overview Project Status and Timeline Environmental Considerations Economic Impact Questions
Why We are Here The Canaveral Port Authority is considering connecting the Port to the Florida East Coast rail line through the Kennedy Space Center. We are meeting today to give an update of the project and discuss the next steps of the effort.
Project Overview A new rail line is proposed to tie Port Canaveral to the existing Florida East Coast Railway line. The new line would facilitate cargo movement from the Port to destinations throughout the Southeast United States. The project will be paid for through private funding.
Placeholder Route 11 miles of new single rail line connecting Port Canaveral to existing Kennedy Space Center rail line The Air Force side was ruled out for National Security reasons.
Project Status and Timeline Identify Federal Agency 2013 2015 2017 2018 2014 2016 2012 EIS CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS DESIGN
Project Status and Timeline Identify Federal Agency 2013 2015 2017 2018 2014 2016 2012 EIS CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS DESIGN Market and feasibility analysis performed
Project Status and Timeline A Federal Agency must first agree to lead the EIS effort Identify Federal Agency 2013 2015 2017 2018 2014 2016 2012 EIS CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS DESIGN
Project Status and Timeline Identify Federal Agency 2013 2015 2017 2018 2014 2016 2012 EIS CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS DESIGN The Environmental Impact Statement will then be developed to determine project alternatives, identify and analyze impacts, and identify the preferred route alignment with the least amount of impact.
Project Status and Timeline Identify Federal Agency 2013 2015 2017 2018 2014 2016 2012 EIS CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS DESIGN
Project Status and Timeline Identify Federal Agency 2013 2015 2017 2018 2014 2016 2012 EIS CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS DESIGN The 100% percent design process and final permitting will take approximately one year.
Project Status and Timeline Identify Federal Agency 2013 2015 2017 2018 2014 2016 2012 EIS CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS DESIGN Construction of the new rail line can begin upon completion of a favorable EIS, completion of design, issuance of all necessary permits, and a lease agreement with NASA.
Environmental Considerations The National Environmental Policy Act The NEPA process What is considered during the NEPA process? Public involvement
National Environmental Policy Act NEPA was developed “to declare national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment” Requires government agencies to prepare environmental statements for proposed federal agency actions
Three Levels of NEPA Categorical Exclusion – no action required Environmental Assessment – basic research to determine if an EIS is required Environmental Impact Statement – the most thorough analysis of environmental impacts
Environmental Impact Statement Considerations Accounted for in an EIS • Air Quality • Coastal Resources • Compatible Land Use • Construction Impacts • Department of Transportation Act: Section 4(f) • Farmlands • Fish , Wildlife, and Plants • Floodplains • Hazardous Materials, Pollution Prevention, and Solid Waste • Historical, Architectural, Archaeological and Cultural Resources • Light Emissions and Visual Impacts • Natural Resources, Energy Supply • Noise • Secondary (Induced) Impacts • Socioeconomics, Environmental Justice, & Children’s Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks • Water Quality • Wetlands • Wild & Scenic Rivers
Public Involvement Public involvement is key to the Environmental Impact Statement process Public scoping meetings will be listed on the public register and through the Port’s website The public comments and concerns will be strictly considered and addressed during the EIS process A website will be established for Q&A’s
Economic Impact 5,000 regional jobs within 5-7 years 10,000 to 15,000 jobs in 10-15 years
Barge Rail Project Estimated 2016 Completion 148 Total Jobs Night Operations