Notice2025-11897
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry Terminal Project, King County, Washington
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Published
June 27, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Transit Administration
Abstract
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as Federal lead agency, and Kitsap 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 Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry Terminal Project (Project) located in the City of Seattle, King County, Washington. The Project would construct a new fast ferry terminal on the downtown Seattle waterfront in order to expand passenger-only ferry (POF) terminal facility capacity.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 122 (Friday, June 27, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 122 (Friday, June 27, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27752-27754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11897]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry Terminal Project, King County, Washington
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as Federal lead
agency, and Kitsap 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 Kitsap Transit Fast
Ferry Terminal Project (Project) located in the City of Seattle, King
County, Washington. The Project would construct a new fast ferry
terminal on the downtown Seattle waterfront in order to expand
passenger-only ferry (POF) terminal facility capacity.
DATES: Comments related to the scope of the EIS for this Project must
be received on or before August 11, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the scope of the EIS should be directed to:
Steffani Lillie, Kitsap Transit Service and Capital Development
Director, 60 Washington Avenue, Suite 200, Bremerton, WA 98337; by
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f544b4f535e51515651587f54564b4c5e4f4b4d5e514c564b115c5052"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="513a25213d303f3f383f36113a38252230212523303f2238257f323e3c">[email protected]</span></a>, by Project website at <a href="https://www.kitsaptransit.com/seattle-fast-ferry-terminal-project">https://www.kitsaptransit.com/seattle-fast-ferry-terminal-project</a>; or by
telephone at (360) 478-6931. Requests for alternative formats: (360)
479-4348.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For FTA: Barney Remington, FTA
Environmental Protection Specialist, Region 10,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#317765701f65637e00011f745f4758435e5f5c545f45505d71555e451f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="632537224d37312c52534d260d150a110c0d0e060d17020f23070c174d040c15">[email protected]</span></a>, (206) 220-7966. For Kitsap Transit:
Steffani Lillie, Kitsap Transit Service and Capital Development
Director, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#375c43475b5659595e5950775c5e4344564743455659445e431954585a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c9a2bdb9a5a8a7a7a0a7ae89a2a0bdbaa8b9bdbba8a7baa0bde7aaa6a4">[email protected]</span></a>, (360) 478-6931.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FTA and Kitsap Transit conducted early
scoping during the Project's site screening and alternatives
development phase. Early scoping is an optional step in the NEPA
process that invites input from stakeholder agencies, tribes, members
of the public, and other interested parties early in project planning.
Early scoping was also conducted under the Washington State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) rules regarding expanded scoping
(Washington Administrative Code 197-11-410). Kitsap Transit is the lead
agency under SEPA. During early scoping, FTA and Kitsap Transit
published a notice (87 FR 29212) to advise stakeholder agencies,
tribes, and the public about the Project and invited comments on:
<bullet> The Project's proposed purpose and need statement
developed for the Early Scoping Notice.
<bullet> The refined list of screening criteria developed through
early public outreach as provided in the Early Scoping Information
Report in May 2022.
<bullet> The potential impacts and benefits of the Project.
<bullet> Other considerations relevant to the evaluation of
alternatives (e.g., other planned future development projects in the
study area).
The comment period closed on June 13, 2022, and a total of 57
comments were received. These comments were summarized in an Early
Scoping Summary report in August 2022. Kitsap Transit subsequently
conducted preliminary site screening using the criteria refined through
early scoping to identify reasonable alternatives. The results of this
screening are detailed in the Preliminary Screening and Site Evaluation
Report in July 2023. The reports, along with other Project information,
are available on the project website: <a href="https://www.kitsaptransit.com/seattle-fast-ferry-terminal-project">https://www.kitsaptransit.com/seattle-fast-ferry-terminal-project</a>, by contacting the project email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#69021d190508070700070e2902001d1a08191d1b08071a001d470a0604"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fe958a8e929f9090979099be95978a8d9f8e8a8c9f908d978ad09d9193">[email protected]</span></a> or the project phone line at (360) 478-
6931.
FTA has identified federal, state and local agencies that will be
invited to be involved in the EIS process as cooperating or
participating agencies, as well as tribes that will be invited to be
involved as participating agencies.
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 Proposed Action
The purpose of the Project is to improve regional mobility through
the expanded passenger-only ferry (POF) terminal facilities on the
downtown Seattle waterfront to:
<bullet> Increase vessel docking capacity.
<bullet> Increase passenger staging capacity and improve rider
amenities, including restrooms and bicycle storage.
<bullet> Incorporate shoreside infrastructure and equipment to
support electric vessel charging.
<bullet> Increase integration of POF travel with other transit
modes.
<bullet> Maintain or improve rider accessibility to Seattle
business, employment, cultural, and retail destinations.
<bullet> Create opportunities for growth for regional POF routes
throughout the Puget Sound Region.
<bullet> Improve access to jobs and housing opportunities in
regional growth centers.
The need for the Project is as follows:
<bullet> The current POF terminal, Pier 50, is the only public
facility of its kind in downtown Seattle, and can only accommodate two
vessels at one time.
<bullet> The Pier 50 POF terminal facility does not have shoreside
space for equipment and infrastructure needed to
[[Page 27753]]
support future electric vessel charging, such as energy storage
systems.
<bullet> Kitsap Transit's POF service frequency cannot be increased
during peak commute periods due to the limited landing site capacity.
Current service is limited to 12 landings from the three Kitsap Transit
routes within the peak period.
<bullet> Terminal docking congestion leads to cascading departure
delays and schedule disruptions.
<bullet> Access between the more affordable housing on the Kitsap
peninsula and the downtown Seattle job center is constrained due to
limited frequency of the POF ferry service. Alternatives to POF ferry
service include auto/passenger ferry service provided by Washington
State Ferries, bus transit, or driving, all of which result in travel
times roughly twice as long as Kitsap Transit's POF service routes.
<bullet> The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) 2020 Puget Sound
Passenger-only Ferry Study identified the lack of landing site capacity
in downtown Seattle as a barrier to potential future routes or service
expansion.
II. Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives
Kitsap Transit launched the Project to expand POF terminal facility
capacity in downtown Seattle. Sites along the downtown Seattle
waterfront are limited and in demand for water-dependent uses, and
available space is constrained. Development of a new POF terminal
facility would improve reliability of this regional transit service by
addressing the current limited POF landing site capacity on the Seattle
waterfront at the current Pier 50 location.
Three build alternatives and a no-build alternative are anticipated
to be evaluated in the EIS, as described in the Preliminary Screening
and Site Evaluation Report (July 2023). Kitsap Transit has identified
the minimum physical and operational requirements of the Project, which
will be integrated into the design of all alternatives and described as
follows:
<bullet> Four operating slips for vessel operations, with
sufficient in-water space to allow simultaneous maneuvering of at least
two vessels.
<bullet> A high level of pedestrian and multi-modal connectivity to
provide riders with access to jobs, services, and connections to other
regional transit modes (such as light rail and bus service).
<bullet> The ability for queuing and disembarking of up to 700
passengers from all three Kitsap Transit routes simultaneously.
<bullet> Vehicle access for deliveries, passenger pick-up/drop-off
spaces, and storage/access for bikes and scooters.
<bullet> Restrooms and other passenger amenities, such as ticket
vending machines and electronic signage.
<bullet> Administrative office space, storage for supplies and
operating equipment, and maintenance vehicle parking.
Kitsap Transit anticipates that vessel electrification or use of
alternative fuels will be required for ferries to achieve state goals
for reduced or zero emissions. The new facility would include
additional upland and in-water space where infrastructure could be
added for future electric charging of vessels or to accommodate the
future adoption of other alternative fuels. Although future service
expansion or new routes are not planned at this time, the Project would
include sufficient additional space to not preclude future expansion of
existing service and/or new routes.
Kitsap Transit has identified the following three potential sites
on the Seattle waterfront where the Project could be sited: Pier 46
North Apron, Pier 48, and Pier 58. At each site alternative, the
Project would include construction of the following elements:
<bullet> Overwater structures, including vessel slips and passenger
ramps, with capacity for four passenger-only ferries.
<bullet> Shoreside electric charging equipment to support future
electric vessel operations.
<bullet> A terminal building constructed on an over-water pier with
passenger queuing and egress space on all three Kitsap Transit routes,
and associated crew and office spaces.
<bullet> Upland pedestrian and multi-modal pathways to connect
passengers with Alaskan Way and existing pedestrian connections.
<bullet> Vehicle access for deliveries, passenger pick-up/drop-off
spaces, and storage/access for bikes and scooters.
III. Summary of Expected Impacts
Consistent with NEPA, FTA and Kitsap Transit will evaluate, with
input from the public, tribes, and stakeholder agencies, the reasonably
foreseeable impacts of the alternatives on the natural, built, and
socioeconomic environments. Likely areas of investigation include
community facilities, transportation, land use and consistency with
applicable plans, land acquisition and displacements, socioeconomics,
parks and recreation resources, public services/safety/security,
utilities, historic and archaeological resources, visual and aesthetic
resources, air quality, noise and vibration, energy use, geology and
soils, hazardous materials, 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 reasonably foreseeable impacts. The EIS
will also propose measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate significant
adverse impacts.
FTA and Kitsap 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
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation:
National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 Review
Federal Transit Administration:
NEPA Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision
National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 Review
Section 4(f) Requirements
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
Conditional Letter of Map Revision (if needed)
Letter of Map Revision (if needed)
United States Army Corps of Engineers:
Clean Water Act, Section 404 Permit (if needed) (including WA
Department of Ecology Water)
Quality Certification: Clean Water Act (Section 401)
Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 10 Permit (if needed)
Clean Water Act, Section 408 Permit (if needed)
United States Coast Guard:
Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 10 Permit (if needed)
United States Fish and Wildlife Service:
Endangered Species Act Consultation
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Marine
Fisheries Service:
Endangered Species Act Consultation
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Essential
Fish Habitat Consultation
Marine Mammal Take Incidental Harassment Authorization (if needed)
United States Department of the Interior:
Section 4(f) Requirements
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, Section 6(f) (if needed)
V. Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
Below is a tentative schedule for the decision-making process,
including environmental review milestones:
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Draft EIS publication: June 2026.
Confirmation or modification of the Preferred Alternative:
September 2026.
Final EIS publication: May 2027.
Record of Decision: September 2027.
As noted in the tentative schedule, FTA and Kitsap Transit intend
to complete the EIS for the Project within two years, measured from the
date of the publication of this notice to issuance of the Final EIS.
FTA and Kitsap Transit will accept public comments on the scope of the
EIS (i.e., the information presented in this notice) at <a href="https://www.kitsaptransit.com/seattle-fast-ferry-terminal-project">https://www.kitsaptransit.com/seattle-fast-ferry-terminal-project</a> until August
11, 2025. FTA and Kitsap Transit will then consider those comments as
they prepare the Draft EIS, and will announce the availability of the
Draft EIS in the Federal Register and via local media outlets. Kitsap
Transit expects the Draft EIS will be available for a minimum of 30
days for the public comment period starting in June 2026. The Draft EIS
will be distributed and available for review and comment by stakeholder
agencies, tribes, the public and other interested parties prior to a
public hearing. FTA and Kitsap Transit will consider substantive
comments timely submitted during the public comment period and
anticipate issuing a Final EIS in May 2027 and issuing a record of
decision in September 2027. The Final EIS will identify a preferred
alternative and any necessary mitigation commitments. FTA and Kitsap
Transit expect that all Federal environmental authorization decisions
for the construction of the Project will be completed before or within
a reasonable period following issuance of the record of decision.
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(s) along with other relevant information. Meeting
date, time, and location information can be found on the Project
website at <a href="https://www.kitsaptransit.com/seattle-fast-ferry-terminal-project">https://www.kitsaptransit.com/seattle-fast-ferry-terminal-project</a>. Public meeting locations will comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act. People needing special accommodations should contact
Kitsap Transit via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dcb7a8acb0bdb2b2b5b2bb9cb7b5a8afbdaca8aebdb2afb5a8f2bfb3b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="18736c687479767671767f5873716c6b79686c6a79766b716c367b7775">[email protected]</span></a> or via
telephone at (360) 478-6931. People needing information on alternative
formats can call (360) 479-4348.
Susan K. Fletcher,
Regional Administrator, FTA Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2025-11897 Filed 6-26-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P
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