CHSRA Releases Revised NOP, NOI for LA to Anaheim Project Section

Written by Andrew Corselli
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A CHSRA train. Photo via LinkedIn.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) issued a Revised Notice of Preparation (NOP) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and a Revised Notice of Intent (NOI) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for the 30-mile Los Angeles to Anaheim Project Section.

The releases kick off a one-month formal scoping period to solicit input on additional facilities in the Cities of Colton and Barstow needed for project construction and operation.

As planned, the Los Angeles to Anaheim project section will travel along the BNSF-owned rail corridor between Los Angeles and Fullerton, which serves BNSF’s Hobart and Commerce Intermodal Facilities. The corridor runs through an urban environment, with other existing rail operators—Amtrak, Metrolink and BNSF—in the area.

To accommodate future high-speed rail service, and to do so in a manner that protects the ability of the current operators to make full use of the corridor during high-speed rail construction and operations, a portion of BNSF’s freight rail service will need to be relocated away from the Los Angeles to the Fullerton corridor. This will be accomplished with the environmental clearance and provision of new freight facilities in San Bernardino County, consisting of a new intermodal facility in Colton and staging tracks in Lenwood, an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County near Barstow.

In conjunction with the public review period for the document, CHSRA invites the public to participate by attending virtual public scoping meetings. The meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to hear about the Revised NOP/NOI and provide comment. Comments received will be reviewed and responded to as required by law.

Written comments on the scope of the Los Angeles to Anaheim Project Section Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement should be provided to CHSRA by Sept. 24.

Due to public health and safety requirements concerning COVID-19, the Los Angeles to Anaheim Project Section public scoping meetings will occur as virtual meetings only. Check the CHSRA website for more information and to read the revised NOP/NOI. Public scoping meetings are scheduled for the following dates and times:

Virtual Scoping Meeting 1 is scheduled on:

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. PST; Spanish presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. PST.

Virtual Scoping Meeting 2 is scheduled on:

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PST; Spanish presentation starts at 11:30 a.m. PST.

There are several ways to submit a comment, including:

  • At the scoping meetings detailed above.
  • Call the Los Angeles to Anaheim hotline, 877-669-0494, and leave your comment on the voicemail.
  • Online via the CHSRA website.
  • Via email at [email protected] with the subject line “Los Angeles to Anaheim    Revised NOP/NOI Comment”
  • Via mail at the address below:

Attn: Los Angeles to Anaheim Revised NOP/NOI California High-Speed Rail Authority, 770 L Street, Suite 620, Sacramento, CA 95814

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