April 1, 2011 FR Notice (60-Day)

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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 63 / Friday, April 1, 2011 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Receipt of Noise Compatibility
Program and Request for Review;
Kissimmee Gateway Airport,
Kissimmee, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:

The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) announces that it
is reviewing a proposed Noise
Compatibility Program that was
submitted for Kissimmee Gateway
Airport under the provisions of 49
U.S.C. 47504 et seq. (the Aviation Safety
and Noise Abatement Act hereinafter
referred to as ‘‘the Act’’) and 14 CFR Part
150 by the City of Kissimmee. This
program was submitted subsequent to a
determination by FAA that the
associated Noise Exposure Maps
submitted under 14 CFR Part 150 for
Kissimmee Gateway Airport were in
compliance with applicable
requirements effective 12/11/09, and
was published in the Federal Register
on 12/29/09. The proposed Noise
Compatibility Program will be approved
or disapproved on or before September
27, 2011.
DATES: Effective Date: The effective date
of the start of FAA’s review of the
associated Noise Compatibility Program
is April 1, 2011. The public comment
period ends May 30, 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Allan Nagy, Federal Aviation
Administration, Orlando Airports
District Office, 5950 Hazeltine National
Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida
32822, 407–812–6331. Comments on the
proposed Noise Compatibility Program
should also be submitted to the above
office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice announces that the FAA is
reviewing a proposed Noise
Compatibility Program for Kissimmee
Gateway Airport which will be
approved or disapproved on or before
September 27, 2011. This notice also
announces the availability of this
program for public review and
comment.
An airport operator who has
submitted Noise Exposure Maps that are
found by FAA to be in compliance with
the requirements of Title 14 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 150, may
submit a Noise Compatibility Program
for FAA approval which sets forth the
measures the operator has taken or
proposes to reduce existing noncompatible uses and prevent the

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SUMMARY:

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introduction of additional noncompatible uses.
The FAA has formally received the
Noise Compatibility Program for
Kissimmee Gateway Airport, effective
on April 1, 2011. The airport operator
has requested that the FAA review this
material and that the noise mitigation
measures, to be implemented jointly by
the airport and surrounding
communities, be approved as a Noise
Compatibility Program under Section
47504 of the Act. Preliminary review of
the submitted material indicates that it
conforms to the requirements for the
submittal of Noise Compatibility
Programs, but that further review will be
necessary prior to approval or
disapproval of the program. The formal
review period, limited by law to a
maximum of 180 days, will be
completed on or before September 27,
2011.
The FAA’s detailed evaluation will be
conducted under the provisions of 14
CFR Part 150, § 150.33. The primary
considerations in the evaluation process
are whether the proposed measures may
reduce the level of aviation safety or
create an undue burden on interstate or
foreign commerce, and whether they are
reasonably consistent with obtaining the
goal of reducing existing noncompatible land uses and preventing the
introduction of additional noncompatible land uses.
Interested persons are invited to
comment on the proposed program with
specific reference to these factors. All
comments relating to these factors, other
than those properly addressed to local
land use authorities, will be considered
by the FAA to the extent practicable.
Copies of the Noise Exposure Maps, the
FAA’s evaluation of the maps, and the
proposed Noise Compatibility Program
are available for examination at the
following locations: Federal Aviation
Administration, Orlando Airports
District Office, 5950 Hazeltine National
Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida
32822.
Questions may be directed to the
individual named above under the
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
Issued in Orlando, Florida, on March 28,
2011.
Bart Vernace,
Acting Manager, Orlando Airports District
Office.
[FR Doc. 2011–7813 Filed 3–31–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA 2011–001–N–4]

Proposed Agency Information
Collection Activities; Comment
Request
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:

In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
its implementing regulations, the
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
hereby announces that it is seeking
renewal of the following currently
approved information collection
activities. Before submitting these
information collection requirements for
clearance by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting
public comment on specific aspects of
the activities identified below.
DATES: Comments must be received no
later than May 31, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
on any or all of the following proposed
activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert
Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and
Evaluation Division, RRS–21, Federal
Railroad Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 25,
Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Kimberly
Toone, Office of Information
Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave.,
SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC
20590. Commenters requesting FRA to
acknowledge receipt of their respective
comments must include a self-addressed
stamped postcard stating, ‘‘Comments
on OMB control number ll .’’
Alternatively, comments may be
transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493–
6216 or (202) 493–6479, or via e-mail to
Mr. Brogan at Robert.Brogan@dot.gov, or
to Ms. Toone at
Kimberly.Toone@dot.gov. Please refer to
the assigned OMB control number in
any correspondence submitted. FRA
will summarize comments received in
response to this notice in a subsequent
notice and include them in its
information collection submission to
OMB for approval.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and
Evaluation Division, RRS–21, Federal
Railroad Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 25,
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493–6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone,
Office of Information Technology, RAD–
SUMMARY:

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20, Federal Railroad Administration,
1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35,
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493–6139). (These telephone numbers
are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), Public Law 104–13, § 2, 109 Stat.
163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44
U.S.C. 3501–3520), and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, require Federal agencies to
provide 60 days’ notice to the public for
comment on information collection
activities before seeking approval for
reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1),
1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically,
FRA invites interested respondents to
comment on the following summary of
proposed information collection
activities regarding (i) whether the
information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute
its functions, including whether the
activities will have practical utility; (ii)
the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of the
burden of the information collection
activities, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used to
determine the estimates; (iii) ways for

FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information being
collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to
minimize the burden of information
collection activities on the public by
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology (e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)(I)–(iv); 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1)(i)–(iv). FRA believes that
soliciting public comment will promote
its efforts to reduce the administrative
and paperwork burdens associated with
the collection of information mandated
by Federal regulations. In summary,
FRA reasons that comments received
will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce
reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it
organizes information collection
requirements in a ‘‘user friendly’’ format
to improve the use of such information;
and (iii) accurately assess the resources
expended to retrieve and produce
information requested. See 44 U.S.C.
3501.
Below are brief summaries of three
currently approved information
collection activities that FRA will

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submit for clearance by OMB as
required under the PRA:
OMB Control Number: 2130–0035.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Abstract: The collection of
information is due to the railroad
operating rules set forth in 49 CFR part
217 which require Class I and Class II
railroads to file with FRA copies of their
operating rules, timetables, and
timetable special instructions, and
subsequent amendments thereto. Class
III railroads are required to retain copies
of these documents at their systems
headquarters. Also, 49 CFR 220.21(b)
prescribes the collection of information
which requires railroads to retain one
copy of their current operating rules
with respect to radio communications
and one copy of each subsequent
amendment thereto. These documents
must be made available to FRA upon
request. Through these rules, FRA
learns the condition of operating rules
and practices with respect to trains and
instructions provided by the railroad to
their employees in operating practices.
Reporting Burden:

CFR section

Respondent universe

Total annual responses

Average time per
response

217.7—Copy—FRA—Operating rules, timetables, Class I & II RRs.
—Amendments .............................................
—Copy of operating rules—Class III ............
—Amendments .............................................
217.9—Railroad and Railroad Testing Officer
Responsibilities.
—Records .....................................................
Copy—Prog. for Perf. of Operational Tests
—Records of Operational Tests/Inspections
—Amendments .............................................
—Quarterly Review of Accident/Incident
Data/Prior Op. Tests/Insp.
—Designated Officers & Conduct of 6 Mo.
Rev.
—Designated Officers & Conduct of Six
Month Review by Passenger/Commuter
Railroads.
—Records of Periodic Reviews ....................
—Annual Summary on Operational Tests/
Insp.
—FRA Disapproval of RR Program of Operational Tests/Insp. & Response by RR.
—Amended Prog. Docs. ...............................

1 new railroad ..............

1 submission ................

1 hour ...........................

1

55 railroads ..................
20 new railroads ..........
632 railroads ................
687 railroads ................

165 amendments .........
20 submissions ............
1,896 amendments ......
4,732 field trained officers/training sessions.
4,732 records ...............
20 Programs ................
9,180,000 records ........
165 amendments .........
148 reviews ..................

20 Minutes ...................
55 Minutes ...................
15 Minutes ...................
8 hours .........................

55
18
474
37,856

2 minutes .....................
9.92 hours ....................
5 minutes .....................
1.92 hours ....................
1 hour ...........................

158
198
765,000
317
148

37 designations + 74
reviews.
20 designations + 34
reviews.

5 seconds + 1 hour ......

74

5 seconds + 1 hour ......

34

687 railroads ................
687 railroads ................

589 review records ......
37 summary records ....

1 minute .......................
61 minutes ...................

10
38

687 railroads ................

20 supporting documents.
20 amended documents.
130,000 instr. employees.
20 Programs ................
220 amendments .........
98,000 records .............

1 hour ...........................

20

30 minutes ...................

10

8 hours .........................

1,040,000

8 hours .........................
55 minutes ...................
5 minutes .....................

160
202
8,167

687 railroads ................
20 new railroads ..........
687 railroads ................
55 railroads ..................
687 railroads ................
687 railroads ................
687 railroads ................

687 railroads ................

271.11—Instruction of Program Employees ........

687 railroads ................

—New RR & Copy of Program of Op. Tests
—Amendments to Op. Rules Instr. Program
218.95—Instruction, Training, Examination—
Records.
—Response to FRA Disapproval of Program.
—Programs Needing Amendment ...............
218.97—Written Procedures on Good Faith
Challenges by Employees Re: Actions.
—Employee Copy of Written Procedures ....

20 new railroads ..........
687 railroads ................
687 railroads ................

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687 railroads ................

Total annual
burden hours

1 hour ...........................

50

687 railroads ................
687 railroads ................

50 written/oral submissions.
20 amended programs
687 written procedures

30 minutes ...................
2 hours .........................

10
1,374

687 railroads ................

130,000 copies .............

6 minutes .....................

13,000

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18296

Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 63 / Friday, April 1, 2011 / Notices
Respondent universe

Total annual responses

Average time per
response

687 railroads ................
98,000 RR Employees
687 railroads ................
687 railroads ................

130,000 copies .............
15 challenges ...............
15 responses ...............
5 immediate reviews ....

3 minutes .....................
10 minutes ...................
5 minutes .....................
15 minutes ...................

687 railroads ................

5 explanations ..............

1 minute .......................

.08

687
687
687
687
687

10 written protests .......
10 protest copies .........
3 further reviews ..........
10 verification decisions
760 copies of procedures.
20 verification decision
copies.

15 minutes ...................
1 minute .......................
15 minutes ...................
10 minutes ...................
5 minutes .....................

3
.17
1
2
63 hours

5 minutes .....................

2

687 railroads ................
100,000 RR Employees

687 rule modifications ..
60,000 job briefings .....

1 hour ...........................
1 minute .......................

687
1,000

100,000 RR Employees

1 minute + 1 minute .....

2,920,000

100,000 RR Employees

87,600,000 determinations + 87,600,000
signals/instructions.
876,000 confirmations ..

1 minute .......................

14,600

100,000 RR Employees

876,000 determinations

1 minute .......................

14,600

6,000 RR Dispatchers ..

1 minute .......................

500

687 railroads ................

30,000 auth. movements.
41 written procedures ..

30 minutes ...................

21

687 railroads ................
687 railroads ................

41 track designations ...
687 amended op. rules

30 minutes ...................
30 minutes ...................

21
344

687 railroads ................

1 hour ...........................

687

687 railroads ................

687 modified operating
rules.
632 modified op. rules

30 minutes ...................

316

687 railroads ................

1,125,000 job briefings

1 minute .......................

18,750

687 railroads ................

60,000 job briefings .....

1 minute .......................

1,000

687 railroads ................

100,000 empl. reports + 1 minute + 1 minute .....
100,000 conveyances.

3,334

687 railroads ................

60,000 acknowledgment + 60,000 confirmations.
562,500 hours ..............

CFR section
—Employee Copy of Amended Procedures
—Good Faith Challenges by RR Employees
—RR Responses to Empl. Challenge ..........
—Immediate Review of Employee Challenge.
—RR Officer Explanation of Federal Law
Protection Against Retaliation.
—Documented Protest by RR Employee .....
—Copies of Protests ....................................
—Further Reviews ........................................
—Written Verification Decision to Employee
—Copy of Written Procedures at RR Hdtrs
—Copy of Verification Decision at RR
Headquarters & Division Headquarters.
218.99—Shoving or Pushing Movements:
—Operating Rule Modifications ....................
—Locomotive Engineer Job Briefing Before
Movement.
—Point Protection Determinations & Signals/Instructions to Control Movements.
—Remote Control Movements-Verbal Confirmation.
—Remote Control Determinations That
Zone Is Not Jointly Occupied/Track Clear.
—Dispatcher Authorized Train Movements

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—Written Procedures to Determine Track
Occupancy.
—Track Location—Designation ....................
218.101—Operating Rule Re: Leaving Rolling &
On-Track MOW Equipment in the Clear.
218.103—Hand-Operated Switches—RR Operating Rule That Complies with 218.103.
—Specification of Minimum Job Briefing Requirements.
—Employee Operating or Verifying Position
of Hand-operated Switches: Job Briefings.
218.105—Additional Requirements for Hand Operated Main Track Switches—Job Briefing.
—Roadway Worker Report on Position of
Switches to Roadway Worker in Charge
(RWIC) or Designated Employee Conveying Information to RWIC.
—Dispatcher Acknowledgment of Switch
Position and Employee Confirmation to
Train Dispatcher.
218.109—Hand Operated Fixed Derails: Job
Briefings.

Total Estimated Responses:
188,794,835.
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
4,855,081 hours.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Roadway Worker Protection.
OMB Control Number: 2130–0539.
Abstract: This rule establishes
regulations governing the protection of
railroad employees working on or near
railroad tracks. The regulation requires

railroads
railroads
railroads
railroads
railroads

................
................
................
................
................

687 railroads ................

687 railroads ................

that each railroad devise and adopt a
program of on-track safety to provide
employees working along the railroad
with protection from the hazards of
being struck by a train or other on-track
equipment. Elements of this on-track
safety program include an on-track
safety manual; a clear delineation of
employers’ responsibilities, as well as
employees’ rights and responsibilities

30 seconds + 5 seconds.
30 seconds ...................

Respondent universe

Total annual responses

Average time per
response

Form FRA F 6180.119 .........................................
—RR Workplace Safety Violation Report
Form.
214303/309—On-Track Safety Programs.

350 Safety Inspectors ..

150 report forms ..........

4 hours .........................

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6,500
3
1
1

583
4,688

thereto; well- defined procedures for
communication and protection; and
annual on-track safety training. The
program adopted by each railroad is
subject to review and approval by FRA.
Form Number(s): FRA 6180.119.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Frequency of Submission: On
occasion.
Reporting Burden:

CFR section

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burden hours

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burden hours
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 63 / Friday, April 1, 2011 / Notices
CFR section

Respondent universe

—Amendments to Program ..........................
—Subsequent Years: New Programs ..........
214.313—Roadway Worker Challenge to Directive.
214.315/335—Supervision and Communication—Job Briefings.
214.321—Exclusive Track Occupancy: Written
Authorities.
214.325—Train Coordination: Roadway Worker
Communication with Train Crew.
214.327—Inaccessible Track: Establishment and
Direction by Roadway Worker in Charge.
214.337—On-Track Safety for Lone Workers .....
—Written Statement of On-Track Safety by
Lone Worker.
214.343/345347/349/351/353/355—Training ......
—Training Records .......................................
214.503—Good Faith Challenges—Notification ..
—Resolution Procedures ..............................
214.505—List of New/Designated Existing OnTrack Roadway Maintenance Machines Conforming with Paragraph (a) of This Section.
214.507—Built Light Weight Displayed on Each
New Roadway Maintenance Machine (RMM).
214.511—Clearly Identifiable Horn Triggering
Mechanism on Each New RMM.
214.513—Clearly Identifiable Horn Triggering
Mechanism on Each Existing RMM.
214.515—Overhead
Covers
for
Existing
RMMs—Requests and RR Responses.
214.517—Display of Light Weight on Existing
RMMs.
214.518—Safe and Secure Position on OnTrack RMMs—Clearly Identified.
214.523–Hi-Rail
Vehicles—Inspections
and
Records.
—Tagging and Reporting Non-compliant
Conditions.
214.527—On-Track RMMs—Tagging and Reporting of Non-complying Conditions.
214.533—Schedule of Repairs for Hi-Rail Vehicles and RMMs—Compliance Records.

Average time per
response

Total annual
burden hours

60 railroads + 584 railroads.
5 railroads ....................
20 railroads ..................

20 amended programs
20 hours; 4 hours .........
+ 584 amended prog..
5 safety programs ........ 250 hours .....................
80 challenges ............... 4 hours .........................

50,000 Roadway Workers.
8,583 Employees/Roadway Workers.
50,000 Roadway Workers.
703 railroads ................

16,350,000 briefings ....

2 minutes .....................

545,000

700,739 written authorities.
36,500 communications

1 minute .......................

11,679

15 seconds ...................

152

50,000 occurrences .....

10 minutes ...................

8,333

703 railroads ................

2,080,000 statements ..

30 seconds ...................

17,333

50,000 Roadway Workers.
50,000 Roadway Workers.
50,000 Roadway Workers.
644 railroads ................
644 railroads ................

50,000 trained employees.
50,000 records .............

4.50 hours ....................

225,000

2 minutes .....................

1,667

125 notifications ...........

10 minutes ...................

21

10 procedures ..............
9 lists ............................

2 hours .........................
1 hour ...........................

20
9

644 railroads ................

1,000 stickers/stencils ..

5 minutes .....................

83

644 railroads ................

3,700 identified mechanisms.
200 identified mechanisms.
500 employee requests
+ 500 RR responses.
500 stencils/displays ....

5 minutes .....................

308

5 minutes .....................

17

10 minutes + 20 minutes.
5 minutes .....................

250

5 minutes .....................

83

1 hour ...........................

2,000
208
184
63

703 railroads ................
644 railroads ................
644 railroads ................
644 railroads ................

644 railroads ................

1,000 stencils/marks/
notices.
2,000 inspections/
records.
500 tags + 500 reports

644 railroads ................

550 tags + 550 reports

10 minutes + 15 minutes.
5 minutes + 15 minutes

644 railroads ................

250 records ..................

15 minutes ...................

644 railroads ................

Affected Public: Businesses.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Abstract: The collection of
information is used by FRA to promote
rail safety and the health of railroad
workers by ensuring that all locomotive
crew members have access to toilet/
sanitary facilities—on as needed basis—
which are functioning and hygienic.

Total Estimated Responses:
19,329,972.
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
817,358 hours.
Status: Regular Review.
OMB Control Number: 2130–0552.
Title: Locomotive Cab Sanitation
Standards.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved collection.

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Total annual responses

18297

2,736
1,250
320

42

Also, the collection of information is
used by FRA to ensure that railroads
repair defective locomotive toilet/
sanitary facilities within 10 calendar
days of the date on which these units
becomes defective.
Frequency of Submission: On
occasion.
Reporting Burden:

CFR section

Respondent universe

Total annual responses

Average time per
response

229.137(d)—Defective Locomotive Toilet Facility—Tagging.
229.137(e) Defective But Sanitary Locomotive
Toilet Facility—Tagging.
229.137(f) Switching or Transfer Service—Defective Locomotive Toilet Facility—Notation on
Daily Inspection Report.

744 railroads ................

11,700 tags/notices ......

90 seconds ...................

293

744 railroads ................

7,956 tags/notices ........

90 seconds ...................

199

744 railroads ................

93,600 notations ..........

30 seconds ...................

780

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Total annual
burden hours

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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 63 / Friday, April 1, 2011 / Notices

Total Estimated Responses: 113,256.
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
1,272 hours.
Status: Regular Review.
Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5
CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA
informs all interested parties that it may
not conduct or sponsor, and a
respondent is not required to respond
to, a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.
Issued in Washington, DC on March 25,
2011.
Kimberly Coronel,
Director, Office of Financial Management,
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011–7463 Filed 3–31–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Notice of Availability of a Final
Environmental Impact Statement for
the DesertXpress High-Speed
Passenger Train Project
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), United States
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:

FRA is issuing this notice to
advise the public that a Final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
is being published for the DesertXpress
High-Speed Passenger Train Project
(DesertXpress project). FRA is the Lead
Agency for the environmental review
process and has prepared the Final EIS
consistent with the provisions of
Section 102(2)(c) of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the
Counsel of Environmental Quality
(CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA
(40 CFR parts 1500 et seq.), and FRA’s
Procedures for Considering
Environmental Impacts (64 FR 28545,
May 26, 1999). The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), Surface
Transportation Board (STB), Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), and
the National Park Service (NPS)
coordinated with the FRA as
Cooperating Agencies for the
DesertXpress project environmental
review process.
DesertXpress Enterprises Inc., the
DesertXpress project proponent or
Applicant, proposes to construct and
operate a fully grade-separated,
dedicated double-track, passenger-only
railroad along an approximately 200mile corridor, from Victorville,

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SUMMARY:

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California, to Las Vegas, Nevada. The
Preferred Alternative rail alignment
would generally be immediately
adjacent to the Interstate 15 (I–15)
freeway travel lanes within the existing
Interstate 15 (I–15) right-of-way (ROW).
The Preferred Alternative also includes
passenger station and maintenance
facility sites in Victorville and greater
Las Vegas.
DATES: Written comments on the Final
EIS for the DesertXpress project will be
accepted until April 18, 2011. Written
comments on the Final EIS may be sent
to: Ms. Wendy Messenger, Attn:
DesertXpress EIS, Office of Railroad
Policy and Development, Federal
Railroad Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., MS–20,
Washington, DC 20590 or via e-mail at
Wendy.Messenger@dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Wendy Messenger, Environmental
Protection Specialist, Office of Railroad
Policy and Development, Federal
Railroad Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., MS–20,
Washington, DC 20590 or via e-mail at
Wendy.Messenger@dot.gov (telephone
202–493–6396).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
DesertXpress project would involve the
construction and operation of an
interstate high-speed passenger train
system between Victorville, California
and Las Vegas, Nevada, along an
approximately 200-mile corridor. The
purpose of the DesertXpress project is to
provide reliable and safe passenger rail
transportation between southern
California and Las Vegas using proven
high-speed rail technology that results
in a convenient alternative to
automobile or air travel that also adds
transportation capacity to the I–15
freeway corridor. The need for the
DesertXpress project stems from several
factors, including but not limited to
high and increasing travel demand on I–
15—the only major roadway linking
southern California to Las Vegas having
limited opportunities to increase
capacity. Other factors include
constraints on the expansion of air
travel from southern California and an
above-average automobile accident rate
on the I–15 freeway.
In March 2009, FRA, in coordination
with the Cooperating Agencies,
published a Draft EIS and circulated the
document for a 56-day public and
agency review and comment period.
The Draft EIS analyzed a No Action
Alternative and various Action
Alternatives for the construction and
operation of the DesertXpress high-

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speed passenger train. The Action
Alternatives included multiple options
for rail alignments, passenger stations,
maintenance facilities, and locomotive
technologies. The Draft EIS was
structured to allow the Lead and
Cooperating Agencies to compose a
Preferred Alternative from the various
options. FRA convened three public
hearings on the Draft EIS, held in Las
Vegas, Barstow, and Victorville on April
28, April 29, and April 30, 2009,
respectively.
Following publication of the Draft
EIS, the Applicant proposed several
modifications and additions to the
Action Alternatives presented in the
Draft EIS, based upon substantive
comments received during public and
agency review and to reduce or avoid
significant potential environmental
impacts. The project modifications and
additions included a new Victorville
passenger station site, a new rail
alignment through central Barstow
within the I–15 freeway corridor, a new
rail alignment through the Clark
Mountains, new sites for maintenance
facilities in unincorporated Clark
County, and minor shifts in the rail
alignment to avoid or reduce potential
environmental impacts or improve
operating characteristics.
After evaluating the proposed project
modifications and additions, FRA
determined, pursuant to 40 CFR 1502.9,
that it was necessary to prepare a
Supplemental Draft EIS to analyze the
potential environmental impacts of the
project modifications and additions.
The FRA and the Cooperating Agencies
published the Supplemental Draft EIS in
September 2010 and circulated the
document for a 46-day public and
agency review and comment period.
FRA convened two public hearings on
the Supplemental Draft EIS in the Las
Vegas and Barstow areas on October 13
and October 14, 2010, respectively.
The FRA and the Cooperating
Agencies considered the entire record
and compared the potential
environmental impacts of the action
alternatives as well as the no action
alternative to select the Preferred
Alternative. The Preferred Alternative
rail alignment would be almost entirely
located within the existing I–15
corridor, with tracks running alongside
freeway travel lanes. The Preferred
Alternative also identifies station and
maintenance facility sites and selects
Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) as the
preferred locomotive technology.
In accordance with regulations
implementing NEPA, the Final EIS
evaluates the environmental effects
associated with the Preferred
Alternative compared to the other

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