Notice2024-24585
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Ballard Link Extension Project, King County, Washington
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Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 24, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Transit Administration
Abstract
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as lead Federal agency, and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit), as local project sponsor and joint lead agency, issue this notice to advise the public that they intend to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Ballard Link Extension Project (Project) located in the City of Seattle, King County, Washington.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85001-85003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24585]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Ballard Link Extension Project, King County, Washington
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement
(EIS).
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as lead Federal
agency, and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound
Transit), as local project sponsor and joint lead agency, issue this
notice to advise the public that they intend to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Ballard Link Extension Project
(Project) located in the City of Seattle, King County, Washington.
DATES: Comments related to the NEPA review of this project must be
received on or before December 9, 2024. FTA will consider comments
received after that date to the extent practicable. FTA will consider
all comments received during this NEPA scoping period and those
previously submitted during the Washington State Environmental Policy
Act (SEPA) scoping process. Commenters who previously provided SEPA
scoping comments do not need to resubmit those same comments for
consideration under NEPA, but may elect to do so.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the scope of the EIS should be directed to:
Lauren Swift, Central Corridor Environmental Manager, 401 South Jackson
Street, Seattle, WA 98104, by email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2a464b5f584f4404595d434c5e6a59455f444e5e584b4459435e0445584d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="127e736760777c3c61657b746652617d677c766660737c617b663c7d6075">[email protected]</span></a>,
or by phone at 206-398-5301.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For FTA: Erin Littauer,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d6b3a4bfb8f8babfa2a2b7a3b3a496b2b9a2f8b1b9a0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c1a4b3a8afefada8b5b5a0b4a4b381a5aeb5efa6aeb7">[email protected]</span></a>, 206-220-7521. For Sound Transit: Lauren Swift,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f636e7a7d6a61217c7866697b4f7c607a616b7b7d6e617c667b21607d68"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="513d302423343f7f222638372511223e243f352523303f2238257f3e2336">[email protected]</span></a>, 206-398-5301.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Project would extend existing light rail
service along a 7.7-mile corridor through downtown Seattle, from SODO
to Ballard, and include a new 3.3-mile light rail-only tunnel from
south of the Chinatown-International District to South Lake Union and
Seattle Center/Uptown. Stations would serve the following areas:
Chinatown-International District, Midtown, Westlake, Denny, South Lake
Union, Seattle Center, Smith Cove, Interbay, and Ballard. FTA has
created the following ``Unique Identification Number'' that will be
included on all environmental documents for this project: EISX-021-36-
R10-1728553542.
FTA, as NEPA Federal lead agency, and Sound Transit, as joint lead
agency for NEPA and lead agency under the Washington State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), issued a Notice of Intent/Scoping
Notice in February 2019 and later published a combined NEPA/SEPA Draft
EIS in January 2022 that evaluated both the West Seattle Link Extension
and the Ballard Link Extension together as a single project: the West
Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Project (WSBLE). The extensions
were evaluated together in the WSBLE Draft EIS because of their
location, schedule, and review efficiencies for partner agencies.
In July 2022, the Sound Transit Board directed Sound Transit staff
to prepare further studies evaluating additional station options and
other refinements for the Ballard Link Extension (BLE). Some of these
project options and refinements required additional conceptual
engineering and environmental review. Rather than delay completion of
the environmental review process for the West Seattle Link Extension
while additional review was conducted for BLE, Sound Transit and FTA
decided to move forward under separate environmental reviews for each
extension. As described in the WSBLE Draft EIS, the two extensions will
operate as separate lines, and the extensions are stand-alone projects
with independent utility.
Because the environmental review processes are now separated for
the two extensions, Sound Transit is preparing a SEPA Supplemental
Draft EIS that evaluates the new station options and refinements for
the BLE. FTA has determined that a new NEPA Draft EIS be prepared for
the BLE, because it is now being evaluated independently from the West
Seattle extension. The NEPA process requires that project scoping be
repeated with a 30-day public comment period. Scoping for BLE has been
extended with a 45-day public comment period. The scoping process and
Draft EIS for the BLE will build on the analysis completed for the
WSBLE Draft EIS.
Comments made during the previous scoping process (February 19
through April 2, 2019) will be carried forward and considered, as will
all of the relevant analysis of alternatives and environmental impacts
included in the 2022 Draft EIS. At the conclusion of the NEPA scoping
process, FTA and Sound Transit anticipate issuing the Draft NEPA EIS
and SEPA Supplemental Draft EIS, including the new information and
analysis.
FTA has determined that the project will not be evaluated as a
major project as defined in 23 U.S.C. 139(a)(7).
I. Purpose and Need for the Project
The purpose of the project is to expand the Sound Transit Link
light rail system from SODO to Ballard, to make appropriate community
investments to improve mobility, and to increase capacity and
connectivity for regional connections in order to achieve the
following:
<bullet> Provide rapid, reliable, and efficient light rail transit
service to communities in the project corridor as defined through the
local planning process and reflected in the regional transit system
plan, Sound Transit 3 Plan (<a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/documents-reports/sound-transit-3">https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/documents-reports/sound-transit-3</a>).
<bullet> Improve regional mobility by increasing connectivity and
capacity through Downtown Seattle to meet the projected transit demand.
<bullet> Connect regional centers as described in adopted regional
and local land use, transportation, and economic development plans and
Sound Transit's Regional Transit Long-Range Plan (<a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2015123_lrpupdate.pdf">https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2015123_lrpupdate.pdf</a>).
<bullet> Implement a system that is technically and financially
feasible to build, operate, and maintain.
<bullet> Expand mobility for the corridor and the region's
residents, which include transit-dependent residents, low-income
people, and communities of color.
<bullet> Encourage equitable and sustainable urban growth in
station areas through support of transit-oriented development and
multi-modal integration in a manner that is consistent with local land
use plans and policies, including Sound Transit's Equitable Transit-
Oriented Development Policy (<a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/creating-vibrant-stations/transit-oriented-development">https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/creating-vibrant-stations/transit-oriented-development</a>) and
Sustainability Plan (https://
[[Page 85002]]
www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/documents-reports/2019-
sustainability-plan).
<bullet> Encourage convenient and safe non-motorized access to
stations, such as bicycle and pedestrian connections, consistent with
Sound Transit's System Access Policy (<a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/creating-vibrant-stations/connecting-to-stations">https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/creating-vibrant-stations/connecting-to-stations</a>).
<bullet> Preserve and promote a healthy environment and economy by
minimizing adverse impacts on the natural, built, and social
environments through sustainable practices.
The need for the project is as follows:
<bullet> When measured using national standards, existing transit
routes between SODO and Ballard currently operate with poor
reliability. Roadway congestion in the project corridor will continue
to degrade transit performance and reliability as the city is expected
to add approximately 287,000 people and approximately 214,000 jobs
between 2018 and 2050 (Puget Sound Regional Council 2023).
<bullet> Increased ridership from regional population and
employment growth will increase operational frequency in the existing
Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, requiring additional tunnel capacity.
<bullet> Puget Sound Regional Council (the regional metropolitan
planning organization) and local plans call for high-capacity transit
in the corridor consistent with VISION 2050 (<a href="https://www.psrc.org/planning-2050/vision-2050">https://www.psrc.org/planning-2050/vision-2050</a>) and the Regional Transit Long-Range Plan
(<a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2015123_lrpupdate.pdf">https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2015123_lrpupdate.pdf</a>).
<bullet> The region's residents and communities, including transit-
dependent people, low-income people, and communities of color, need
long-term regional mobility and multi-modal connectivity as called for
in the Washington State Growth Management Act (Revised Code of
Washington 36.70A.108).
<bullet> Regional and local plans call for increased residential
and/or employment density at and around high-capacity transit stations,
and increased options for multi-modal access. VISION 2050 has a goal
for 65 percent of the region's population and 75 percent of the
region's employment to occur in regional growth centers and within
walking distance of transit.
<bullet> Environmental and sustainability goals of the State and
region, as established in Washington State law and embodied in Puget
Sound Regional Council's VISION 2050 (2020) and 2022-2050 Regional
Transportation Plan (2022), include reducing greenhouse gas emissions
by prioritizing transportation investments that decrease vehicle miles
traveled.
II. Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives
Each light rail extension build alternative is approximately 7.7
miles long and includes up to nine stations that serve the following
areas: Chinatown-International District, Midtown, Westlake, Denny,
South Lake Union, Seattle Center, Smith Cove, Interbay, and Ballard.
FTA and Sound Transit may also examine several design options and
potential minimal operable segments for the proposed alternatives.
Information about the proposed project, the alternatives development
process, scoping, and the EIS process are available on the project
website: <a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/ballard-link-extension">https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/ballard-link-extension</a>, by contacting the project sponsor at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9dfffcf1f1fceff9f1f4f3f6ddeef2e8f3f9e9effcf3eef4e9b3f2effa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c2a0a3aeaea3b0a6aeabaca982b1adb7aca6b6b0a3acb1abb6ecadb0a5">[email protected]</span></a>, or the project phone line at (206) 903-
7223. For purposes of this notice, the proposed build alternatives can
be generally described as follows:
A new downtown tunnel would begin in the vicinity of the Stadium
station in SODO, head north with alignments between 4th Avenue S and
6th Avenue S through the Chinatown-International District, then travel
northwest below 4th Avenue, 5th Avenue or 6th Avenue through Midtown
and Westlake. The alternatives would continue in a tunnel configuration
along Westlake Avenue N to South Lake Union with a station near Denny
Way before turning northwest with a station near Aurora Avenue N
between Harrison and Roy streets. The alternatives would continue in a
tunnel towards Seattle Center with a station on either Republican or
Mercer Streets. The alternatives then turn north and begin to
transition to elevated or retained cut configurations to serve a Smith
Cove station along Elliott Avenue W. From the Smith Cove station, the
alternatives either continue in an elevated configuration along 15th
Avenue W or transition to a retained cut along the east side of the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway tracks to an elevated or
retained cut station in Interbay near W Dravus Street. From the
Interbay station, alternatives transition to the east of 15th Avenue W
and cross Salmon Bay in a tunnel or on a high-level fixed bridge. One
alternative would continue in an elevated alignment along 15th Avenue W
and cross Salmon Bay on the west side of 15th Avenue W on a movable
bridge. Station options in Ballard include elevated and tunnel stations
near NW Market Street on 15th Avenue NW or 14th Avenue NW.
The build alternatives could also include transit-related roadway,
bicycle, maritime, and pedestrian projects by Sound Transit or others.
These improvements may be eligible for Federal funding and could be
part of the transit project or constructed together with it as part of
a joint effort with agency partners, thereby meriting joint
environmental analysis. This could include access improvements around
station areas and over waterway crossings. Sound Transit would identify
these improvements and could include them as part of the project as it
works with partner agencies.
III. Summary of Expected Impacts
Consistent with NEPA, FTA and Sound Transit will evaluate, with
input from the public, Tribes, and agencies, the potential impacts of
the alternatives on the natural, built, and social environments. Likely
areas of investigation include, transportation (including navigable
waterways), land use and consistency with applicable plans, land
acquisition and displacements, socioeconomics, park and recreation
resources, historic and cultural resources, environmental justice,
visual and aesthetic qualities, air quality, noise and vibration,
energy use, safety and security, and ecosystems, including threatened
and endangered species and marine mammals. The EIS will evaluate short-
term construction impacts and long-term operational impacts. It will
also consider indirect and cumulative impacts. The EIS will also
propose measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate significant adverse
impacts.
FTA and Sound Transit will comply with all Federal environmental
laws, regulations, and executive orders applicable to the proposed
project during the environmental review process.
IV. Anticipated Federal Permits and Other Authorizations
Federal Transit Administration
NEPA Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision
National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Review
United States Department of Transportation Act of 1966, Section 4(f)
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, Section 6(f) (if needed)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Conditional Letter of Map Revision (if needed)
[[Page 85003]]
Letter of Map Revision (if needed)
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Clean Water Act, Section 404 (if needed) (including WA Department of
Ecology Water Quality Certification: Clean Water Act Section 401)
Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 10 (if needed)
United States Code Title 33 Section 408 Review (if needed)
United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard Bridge Permit (if needed)
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Endangered Species Review
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service
Federal Endangered Species Review
Essential Fish Habitat Review
Marine Mammal Take Incidental Harassment Authorization (if needed)
United States Department of the Interior
National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Review
United States Department of Transportation Act of 1966, Section 4(f)
V. Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
Below is a tentative schedule for the decision-making process,
including environmental review milestones:
Draft EIS publication: April 2025.
Confirmation or modification of the Preferred Alternative: July
2025.
Final EIS publication: May 2026.
Record of Decision: October 2026.
As noted in the tentative schedule, the Agencies intend to complete
the EIS for the Project within two years, measured from the date of the
publication of this notice to the date the record of decision (ROD) is
signed. The Agencies will accept public comments on the scope of the
EIS (i.e., the information presented in this notice and at <a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/ballard-link-extension">https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/ballard-link-extension</a>) until
December 9, 2024. The Agencies will then consider those comments as
they prepare the Draft EIS. The Agencies will announce the availability
of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register and via local media outlets.
Sound Transit expects the Draft EIS will be available for a minimum of
45 days for the public comment period in Spring 2025. The Draft EIS
will be distributed and available for public and agency review and
comment prior to a public hearing. The Agencies will consider
substantive comments timely submitted during the public comment period
and comments previously submitted for WSBLE and then anticipate
preparing a Final EIS in Spring 2026 and ROD in Fall 2026. The Final
EIS will identify a preferred alternative and any necessary mitigation
commitments. The Agencies expect that all Federal environmental
authorization decisions for the construction of the Project will be
completed within a reasonable period following issuance of the ROD.
Notices of public meetings, including hearings, have been, and will
continue to be, given through a variety of media providing the time and
place of the meeting along with other relevant information. Meeting
date, time, and location information can be found on the Project
website at <a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/ballard-link-extension">https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/ballard-link-extension</a>.
Public meeting locations will comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act. People requesting special accommodations should
contact Sound Transit via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f694979a9a9784929a9f989db6859983989282849798859f82d8998491"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ccaeada0a0adbea8a0a5a2a78cbfa3b9a2a8b8beada2bfa5b8e2a3beab">[email protected]</span></a>.
Susan K. Fletcher,
Regional Administrator, FTA Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2024-24585 Filed 10-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P
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