1. Appendix G
is appendix provides information about the Record of Public and Stakeholder Correspondence and
Coordination.
June 2010 Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project Environmental Impact Statement
1

2. Appendix G Contents
Initial Notices pg. 3
Newsletter and Newspaper Inserts pg. 15
Speakers Bureau pg. 61
Community Workshops – Station Design pg. 91
Public Hearing Materials pg. 111
Scoping Reports pg. 275
2

3. Appendix F
Initial Notices
June 2010 Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project Environmental Impact Statement
3

4. Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 234 / Wednesday, December 7, 2005 / Notices 72871
throughout the development of the EIS. interagency input on the purpose and 5335 Kapolei Parkway on December 14,
In addition, a public hearing will be needs to be addressed by the project, the 2005 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
held. Public notice will be given of the alternatives to be considered, and the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The
time and place of the meetings and scope of the EIS for the corridor, FTA contact is Ms. Donna Turchie,
hearing. The draft EIS will be available including the alternatives and the Federal Transit Administration, Region
for public and agency review and environmental and community impacts IX, 201 Mission Street, Room 2210, San
comment prior to the public hearing. to be evaluated. Francisco, CA 94105. Phone: (415) 744–
To ensure that the full range of issues DATES: Scoping Comments Due Date: 2737. Fax: (415) 744–2726.
related to this proposed action are Written comments on the scope of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
addressed and all significant issues NEPA review, including the alternatives
identified, comments and suggestions I. Scoping
to be considered and the related impacts
are invited from all interested parties. to be assessed, should be sent to DTS by The FTA and DTS invite all interested
Comments or questions concerning this January 9, 2006. See ADDRESSES below. individuals and organizations, and
proposed action and the EIS should be Federal, State, and local agencies, to
directed to the FHWA at the address Scoping Meetings: Meetings to accept
comments on the proposed alternatives, comment on the purpose and need,
provided above. project alternatives, and scope of the
scope of the EIS, and purpose of and
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance needs to be addressed by the EIS. During the scoping process,
Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning comments should focus on the purpose
alternatives will be held on December
and Construction. The regulations and need for a project, identifying
implementing Executive Order 12372 13 and 14, 2005 at the locations given
in ADDRESSES below. On December 13, specific transportation problems to be
regarding intergovernmental consultation on
2005, the public scoping meeting will evaluated, or on proposing
Federal programs and activities apply to this
program.) begin at 5 p.m. and continue until 8 transportation alternatives that may be
p.m. or until all who wish to provide less costly, more effective, or have fewer
Issued on: December 1, 2005. environmental impacts while improving
oral comments have been given the
Walter Boyd, mobility in the corridor. At this time,
opportunity. The meeting on December
Field Operations Team Leader, Nashville, comments should not focus on a
14, 2005 will begin at 7 p.m. and
Tennessee. preference for a particular alternative.
continue until 9 p.m. or until all who
FR Doc. 05–23703 Filed 12–6–05; 8:45 am] The opportunity for that type of input
wish to provide oral comments have
BILLING CODE 4910–22–M
been given the opportunity. The will be after the release of the AA final
locations are accessible to people with report, which will compare various
disabilities. A court reporter will record alternatives.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Following the public scoping process,
oral comments. Forms will be provided
on which to provide written comments. public outreach activities with
Federal Transit Administration interested parties or groups throughout
Project staff will be available at the
Preparation of an Environmental meeting to informally discuss the EIS the duration of work on the EIS will
Impact Statement for High-Capacity scope and the proposed project. occur. The project Web site, http://
Transit Improvements in the Southern Governmental agencies are also invited www.honolulutransit.org, will be
Corridor of Honolulu, HI to a separate scoping meeting to be held updated periodically to reflect the status
on December 13 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. of the project. Additional opportunities
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, Further information will be available at for public participation will be
DOT. the scoping meeting and may also be announced through mailings, notices,
ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an obtained by calling (808) 566–2299, by advertisements, and press releases.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). downloading from http:// Those wishing to be placed on the
www.honolulutransit.org, or by e- project mailing list may do so by
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit registering on the Web site at http://
mailing info@honolulutransit.org.
Administration (FTA) and the City and www.honolulutransit.org, or by calling
County of Honolulu, Department of ADDRESSES: Written comments on the (808) 566–2299.
Transportation Services (DTS) intend to scope of the EIS, including the
prepare an EIS (and Alternative alternatives to be considered and the II. Description of Study Area
Analysis (AA)) on a proposal by the City related impacts to be assessed, should The proposed project study area is the
and County of Honolulu to implement be sent to both the Department of travel corridor between Kapolei and the
transit improvements that potentially Transportation Services, City and University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH
include high-capacity transit service in County of Honolulu, 650 South King Manoa) and Waikiki. This narrow,
a 25-mile travel corridor between Street, 3rd Floor, Honolulu, HI, 96813, linear corridor is confined by the
Kapolei and the University of Hawaii at Attention: Honolulu High-Capacity Waianae and Koolau mountain ranges to
Manoa and Waikiki. Alternatives Transit Corridor Project, or by the the north (mauka direction) and the
proposed to be considered in the AA Internet at http:// ocean to the south (makai direction).
and draft EIS include No Build, www.honolulutransit.org and Ms. Donna The corridor includes the majority of
Transportation System Management, Turchie, Federal Transit housing and employment on Oahu. The
Managed Lanes, and Fixed Guideway Administration, Region IX, 201 Mission 2000 census indicates that 876,200
Transit. Other transit alternatives may Street, Suite 2210, San Francisco, CA people live on Oahu. Of this number,
be identified during the scoping 94105 or by e-mail: over 552,000 people, or 63 percent, live
process. Donna.Turchie@fta.dot.gov. within the corridor between Kapolei
The EIS will be prepared to satisfy the The scoping meetings will be held at and Manoa/Waikiki. This area is
requirements of the National the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Pikake projected to absorb 69 percent of the
Environmental Policy of 1969 (NEPA) Room, at 77 Ward Avenue on December population growth projected to occur on
and its implementing regulations. The 13, 2005 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at Oahu between 2000 and 2030, resulting
FTA and DTS request public and Kapolei Middle School Cafeteria, at 91– in an expected corridor population of
4
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5. 72872 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 234 / Wednesday, December 7, 2005 / Notices
776,000 by 2030.Over the next twenty- that identified the best reasonable Honolulu, Kakaako, Ala Moana Center,
five years, the Ewa/Kapolei area is alternatives from the range of possible and Moiliili.
projected to have the highest rate of alternatives. At a minimum, FTA and • Ft. Weaver Road/Farrington
housing and employment growth on DTS propose to consider the following Highway/Kamehameha Highway/
Oahu. The Ewa/Kapolei area is alternatives: Dillingham Boulevard/Kaaahi Street/
developing as a ‘‘second city’’ to 1. No Build Alternative, which would Beretania Street/King Street/Kaialiu
complement downtown Honolulu. The include existing transit and highway Street Alignment, which would serve
housing and employment growth in Ewa facilities and planned transportation various communities and activity
is identified in the General Plan for the projects to the year 2030. centers between Kapolei and UH
City and County of Honolulu. 2. Transportation System Manoa, including Kalaeloa, Ewa
III. Purpose and Need Management (TSM) Alternative, which Villages, Waipahu, Pearlridge, Aloha
would provide an enhanced bus system Stadium, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu
Existing transportation infrastructure based on a hub-and-spoke route International Airport, Kalihi Kai,
in this corridor is overburdened network, community bus circulators, Downtown Honolulu, Thomas Square,
handling current levels of travel conversion of the present morning peak and Moiliili.
demand. Travelers experience hour only zipper lane to both a morning
substantial traffic congestion and delay • North-South Road/Farrington
and afternoon peak hour zipper lane Highway/Kamehameha Highway/
at most times of the day, both on configuration, and relatively low-cost
weekdays and on weekends. Airport/Dillingham Boulevard/Hotel
capital improvements on selected Street/Kapiolani Boulevard with a
Automobile and transit users on Oahu roadway facilities to give priority to
currently experience 42,000 daily Waikiki Spur Alignment, which would
buses. These capital improvements may serve various communities and activity
vehicle-hours of delay. By 2030, this is
include: Transportation system centers between Kapolei and UH
projected to increase nearly seven-fold
upgrades such as intersection Manoa, including Kalaeloa, UH West
to 326,000 daily vehicle-hours of delay.
improvements, minor road widening, Oahu, Waipahu, Pearlridge, Aloha
Because the bus system primarily
traffic engineering actions, bus route Stadium, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu
operates in mixed traffic, transit users
restructuring, shortened bus headways, International Airport, Kalihi Kai,
experience the same level of delay as
expanded use of articulated buses, Downtown Honolulu, Kakaako, Ala
automobile drivers. Current morning
express and limited-stop service, Moana Center, Moiliili, and Waikiki.
peak-period travel times for motorists
signalization improvements, and timed-
from Kapolei to downtown average After appropriate public involvement
transfer operations.
between 40 and 60 minutes. By 2030 the and interagency coordination, other
3. Managed Lanes Alternatives, which
travel times are projected to more than alternatives suggested during scoping
would include construction of a two-
double. Within the urban core most may be added if they are found to be
lane grade-separated guideway between
major arterial streets will experience environmentally acceptable, financially
Waipahu and Downtown Honolulu for
increasing peak congestion, including feasible, and consistent with the
use by buses high-occupancy vehicles
Ala Moana Boulevard, Dillingham purpose of and need for major
(HOVs), and toll-paying single-occupant
Boulevard, Kalakaua Avenue, Kapiolani transportation improvements in the
vehicles. The lanes would be managed
Boulevard, King Street and Nimitz corridor.
by setting the minimum occupancy for
Highway. Expansion of the roadway
HOVs and the tolls for single-occupant V. Probable Effects
system between Kapolei and UH Manoa
vehicles at levels that would preserve
study corridor is constrained by The EIS will evaluate and fully
free-flow speeds on the facility.
physical barriers and by dense urban disclose the environmental
neighborhoods that abut many existing 4. Fixed-Guideway Alternatives,
which would include the construction consequences of the construction and
roadways. operation of an expanded transit system
Numerous lower-income and minority and operation of a fixed transit
guideway between Kapolei and UH on Oahu. The EIS will evaluate the
workers live in the corridor outside of
Manoa and Waikiki on one of several impacts of all reasonable alternatives on
the urban core and commute to work in
possible alignments. Alignment land use, zoning, displacements,
the primary urban center. Many of these
alternatives to be considered include, parklands, economic development,
workers rely on public transit because
but are not limited to: community disruptions, environmental
they are not able to afford the cost of
• Kamokila Boulevard/Salt Lake justice, aesthetics, air quality, noise and
vehicle ownership, operation, and
Boulevard/King Street/Hotel Street/ vibration, wildlife, vegetation,
parking.
The intent of the proposed Alakea Street/Kapiolani Boulevard threatened and endangered species,
alternatives is to provide improved Alignment, which would serve various farmland, water quality, wetlands,
person-mobility in this highly congested communities and activity centers waterways, floodplains, enemy,
east-west corridor. A high-capacity between Kapolei and UH Manoa, hazardous materials, and cultural,
improvement project would support the including UH West Oahu, Waipahu, historic, and archaeological resources.
goals of the regional transportation plan Pearlridge, Aloha Stadium, Salt Lake, Impacts to parklands and historic
by serving areas designated for urban Kalihi, Downtown Honolulu, Kakaako, resources covered by Section 4(f) of the
growth, provide an alternative to private Ala Moana Center, and Moiliili. 1966 U.S. Department of Transportation
automobile travel and improve linkages • North-South Road/Camp Catlin Act also will be addressed.
between Kapolei, Honolulu’s Urban Road/King Street/Queen Street/ To ensure that all significant issues
Center, UH Manoa, Waikiki, and urban Kapiolani Boulevard Alignment, which related to this proposed action are
areas between these points. would serve various communities and identified and addressed, scoping
activity centers between Kapolei and comments and suggestions are invited
IV. Alternatives UH Manoa, including UH West Oahu, from all interested parties. Comments
The alternatives proposed for Waipahu, Pearlridge, Aloha Stadium, and questions should be directed to the
evaluation in the AA and draft EIS were Pearl Harbor, Honolulu International DTS as noted in the ADDRESSES section
developed through a screening process Airport, Salt Lake, Kalihi, Downtown above.
5
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6. Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 234 / Wednesday, December 7, 2005 / Notices 72873
VI. FTA Procedures Issued on: November 29, 2005. Voyage Reports to MARAD after
Leslie T. Rogers, completion of a cargo preference
The EIS is being prepared in Regional Administrator. voyage.
accordance with: the National Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 740
[FR Doc. 05–23678 Filed 12–6–05; 8:45 am]
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 hours.
BILLING CODE 4910–57–M
(NEPA), as amended, and its Addressee: Send comments to the
implementing regulations by the Office of Information and Regulatory
Council on Environmental Quality DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Affairs, Office of Management and
(CEQ) regulations (40 CFR parts 1500– Budget, 725 17th Street, Northwest,
1508); the FTA/Federal Highway Maritime Administration Washington, DC 20503, Attention
Administration’s ‘‘Environmental MARAD Desk Officer.
Impact and Related Procedures’’ Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Comments are invited on: Whether
regulations (23 CFR part 771); and Requirements; Agency Information the proposed collection of information
Federal transit law (49 U.S.C. 5300) and Collection Activity under OMB Review is necessary for the proper performance
its implementing regulations for major AGENCY:
Maritime Administration, DOT. of the functions of the agency, including
capital improvements (49 CFR 611). In whether the information will have
ACTION:
Notice and request for
accordance with FTA policy, the NEPA practical utility; the accuracy of the
comments.
process will also address the agency’s estimate of the burden of the
requirements of other applicable SUMMARY: In compliance with the proposed information collection; ways
environmental laws, regulations, and Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 to enhance the quality, utility and
executive orders, such as the National U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice clarity of the information to be
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as announces that the Information collected; and ways to minimize the
amended, Section 4(f) of the 1966 U.S. Collection abstracted below has been burden of the collection of information
Department of Transportation Act, the forwarded to the Office of Management on respondents, including the use of
Executive Orders on Environmental and Budget (OMB) for review and automated collection techniques or
Stewardship and Transportation approval. The nature of the information other forms of information technology.
Infrastructure Project Reviews, collection is described as well as its A comment to OMB is best assured of
Environmental Justice, Floodplain expected burden. The Federal Register having its full effect if OMB receives it
Management, and Protection of Notice with a 60-day comment period within 30 days of publication.
Wetlands. soliciting comments on the following
Authority: 49 CFR 1.66.
collection of information was published
The first step in preparation of the EIS Issued in Washington, DC on November 30,
on September 9, 2005, and comments
will be an AA that will be consistent 2005.
were due by November 8, 2005. No
with both the requirements of NEPA for Joel C. Richard,
comments were received.
evaluation of a range of reasonable Secretary, Maritime Administration.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
alternatives and the requirements of [FR Doc. E5–6918 Filed 12–6–05; 8:45 am]
or before January 6, 2006.
Federal transit law for consideration of
alternatives during the development of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
major capital investment projects Thomas Olsen, Maritime
proposed for Federal funding. Upon Administration, 400 Seventh Street,
Southwest, Washington, DC 20590. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
completion, the AA final report will be
available to the public and agencies for Telephone: 202–366–2313; FAX: 202–
Maritime Administration
review and comment, and public 366–9580; or E-mail:
hearings on the AA will be held at Thomas.olsen@dot.gov. Copies of this Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping
collection also can be obtained from that Requirements; Agency Information
advertised locations within the study
office. Collection Activity Under OMB Review
area. Based on the AA and public and
agency comments received, the City and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Maritime
Administration (MARAD). AGENCY:
Maritime Administration, DOT.
County of Honolulu will identify, a ACTION:
Notice and request for
Title: Determination of Fair and
locally preferred alternative (LPA). The comments.
Reasonable Rates for Carriage of
second step in preparation of the EIS
Agriculture Cargoes on U.S.-flag
will be the development of a Draft EIS SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Commercial Vessels.
to add further detail about the LPA and Omb Control Number: 2133–0514. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
its impacts. Based on the findings in the Type Of Request: Extension of U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice
Draft EIS and comments from the public currently approved collection. announces that the Information
and agencies, the City and County of Affected Public: U.S. citizens who Collection abstracted below has been
Honolulu may decide to request that the own and operate U.S.-flag vessels. forwarded to the Office of Management
LPA enter preliminary engineering (PE) Forms: MA–1025, MA–1026 and MA– and Budget (OMB) for review and
of the LPA. FTA requires that the LPA 172. approval. The nature of the information
be adopted and/or confirmed in the Abstract: This collection of collection is described as well as its
conforming Regional Transportation information requires U.S.-flag operators expected burden. The Federal Register
Plan (RTP) for Oahu as a condition for to submit annual vessel operating costs Notice with a 60-day comment period
initiation of PE. With adoption into the and capital costs data to MARAD soliciting comments on the following
RTP, and if the LPA meets the officials. The information is used by collection of information was published
evaluation criteria identified in Federal MARAD in determining fair and on August 29, 2005, and comments were
law, FTA will approved the project into reasonable guideline rates for the due by October 28, 2005. No comments
PE, which will include the carriage of preference cargoes on U.S.- were received.
simultaneous preparation of the Final flag vessels. In addition, U.S.-flag vessel DATES: Comments must be submitted on
EIS. operators are required to submit Post or before January 6, 2006.
6
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7. The
Environmental
Notice
A SEMI-MONTHLY BULLETIN (UNDER SECTION 343-3, HRS) OF THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL
DECEMBER 8, 2005
‘Ewa-UH Transit Corridor Scoping Meetings
The City Dept. of Transportation Services is holding two scoping meetings at the
following times and places.
December 13, 2005, 5 – 8 p.m. December 14, 2005, 7 – 9 p.m.
Neal Blaisdell Center Pikake Room Kapolei Middle School Cafeteria
777 Ward Ave., Honolulu 91-5335 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei
LINDA LINGLE For further information contact Faith Miyamoto at 527-6976. Project information is
currently online at:
GOVERNOR http://www.honolulutransit.org/project_overview/
OFFICE OF Planning and Project Development Process
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL (OEQC),
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Systems Planning Alternatives ! NOI and Scoping
GENEVIEVE SALMONSON Analysis
DIRECTOR, OEQC
tice
- Select LPA ! DEIS
l No t s o f
enta ac ! Public Hearing
ronm l i m p ‘i!
Envi i r o n m e n t a i
The env Hawa
the ed in
r e view ts p ropos
p ro j e c FTA Decision
on Entry into PE
Other Resources available . . . ! Final EIS
• June 2004 Guidebook for
! Record of Decision
Hawai‘i's Environmental Pro-
Preliminary Engineering
cess (now, Online!)
• Environmental Assessments in
FTA Decision on
Adobe Acrobat PDF Format
Entry in Final Design
(1990-2004) and Study Re-
source Library
• Environmental Council Annual Since the proposed action would use State or County of Honolulu funds and
Reports (now, Online!) property, it must undergo environmental review in accordance with Hawaii Revised
Statutes (HRS) Chapter 343 (the State EIS Law). Federal funds are also likely to be used,
OEQC so the proposed action must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
235 SOUTH BERETANIA STREET as well
LEIOPAPA A KAMEHAMEHA The public is therefore invited to comment on the purpose and need to be ad-
SUITE 702
dressed by the project, the alternatives, the modes and technologies to be evaluated,
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I 96813
Telephone (808) 586-4185 the alignments and termination points to be considered, and the environmental, social,
Facsimile (808) 586-4186 and economic impacts to the analyzed. Written comments on the project alternatives,
email address: oeqc@doh.hawaii.gov
scope of the EIS, and purpose and need to be addressed by the project, should be
Moloka‘i/Lana‘i: 1-800-468-4644 ext.64185
Kaua‘i: 274-3141 ext. 64185 forwarded to: Department of Transportation Services, City and County of Honolulu, 650
Maui: 984-2400 ext. 64185 South King Street, 3rd Floor, Honolulu, HI, 96813, Attention: Honolulu High-Capacity
Hawai‘i: 974-4000 ext. 64185
Transit Corridor Project or by the internet at www.honolulutransit.org. For more infor-
mation see page 6.
The Environmental Notice Office of Environmental Quality Control Page 1
7

8. Table of Contents
DECEMBER 8, 2005
O‘ahu Notices Conservation District Notices
Liljestrand Single-Family Residence, Tantalus (HRS 343 DEA) ....... 4 Conservations District Use Permit .................................................. 17
Koolau Property Consolidation & Re-Subdivision (HRS 343 FEA- Papipi Road Improvements .............................................................. 17
FONSI) ........................................................................................... 5 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway Widening Project, Phase I ............... 17
Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HRS 343 FEA-
EISPN) ............................................................................................ 6
Environmental Tip
4D Impact Analysis (Second in a series) ....................................... 18
Maui Notices
Kaupakalua Well Site Storage Tank (HRS 343 DEA) ........................ 7
Nahiku Road Improvements (HRS 343 FEA-FONSI) ......................... 8 Federal Notices
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Bottomfish Multi-
Species Stock Complex ............................................................... 18
Hawai‘i Notices
Cohen Single-Family Dwelling, North Kohala (HRS 343 DEA) ......... 9
Subscription Renewal Form
YES…I WANT TO REMAIN ON YOUR MAILING LIST ..................... 19
Kaua‘i Notices
Ahukini to Lydgate Park Bicycle/Pedestrian Path (HRS 343 DEA) . 10
Alexander Dam Irrigation Ditch Restoration, Koloa (HRS 343 DEA)11
Moloa‘a Bay Ranch (HRS 343 FEA-FONSI) .................................... 12
Shoreline Notices
Shoreline Certification Applications ................................................ 13
Shoreline Certifications and Rejections .......................................... 14
Environmental Council Notices
Seasons Greetings from the Environmental Council ...................... 14
Coastal Zone News
Special Management Area (SMA) Minor Permits ............................ 15
Pollution Control Permit Applications
Department of Health Permits .......................................................... 16
Clean Air Branch ............................................................................. 16
We provide access to our activities without regard to race, color, national origin (including language), age, sex, religion, or disability.
Write or call OEQC or our departmental Affirmative Action Officer at Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801-3378 or at (808) 586-4616 (voice/tty)
within 180 days of a problem. OEQC intends to make the information in this bulletin accessible to everyone. Individuals that require this
material in a different format (such as large type or braille), should contact our office for assistance.
The Environmental Notice Office of Environmental Quality Control Page 2
8

9. O‘ahu Notices
DECEMBER 8, 2005
Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HRS 343 FEA-EISPN)
District: ‘Ewa, Honolulu versity of Hawai‘i at Manoa (UH Manoa). The neighborhoods
TMK: Various traversed include Kapolei, ‘Ewa, Waipahu, Pearl City, Aiea, Salt
Applicant: C & C, Department of Transportation Services Lake, Kalihi, Downtown and Manoa.
650 S King St., 3rd Flr., Honolulu, HI 96813
Contact: Kenneth Hamayasu (527-6978) The purpose of the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corri-
Accepting dor Project is to provide improved person-mobility in the highly
Authority:: Governor of Hawai‘i, c/o OEQC congested east-west corridor between Kapolei and the Univer-
235 S Beretania St., #702, Honolulu, HI 96813 sity of Hawai‘i at Manoa. The project would support the goals of
Consultant: Parsons Brinckerhoff the regional transportation plan by serving areas designated for
1001 Bishop St., Ste. 2400, Honolulu, HI 96813 urban growth. The project would also provide an alternative to
Contact: Mark Sheibe (566-2227) private automobile travel and improve linkages between Kapolei,
Status: Final environmental assessment (FEA) and Honolulu’s urban center, UH Manoa, Waikiki and the urban area
Environmental Impact Statement Preparation in between.
Notice (EISPN), pending 30-day public com-
ment and requests to become a consulted party Implementation of this project triggers the State Environ-
in the preparation of the upcoming draft envi- mental Impact Statement (EIS) law (Chapter 343 of the Hawai‘i
ronmental impact statement (DEIS). Address Revised Statutes) because of the proposed use of County funds
public comments on the FEA and/or requests and property. Prior studies of transit systems in O‘ahu’s primary
to become a consulted party to the applicant transportation corridor have identified from implementing such a
with copies to the applicant, consultant and system, including possible impacts to air quality, noise and vi-
OEQC. bration, flora and fauna, parks and recreation areas, historic re-
Public Comment sources, and visual and aesthetic resources.
Deadline: January 9, 2006
Permits
Required: Section 404 of the Clean Water Act & Section
10 of the Rivers & Harbors Act; EPA Section
1424(e); Modifications within Limits of Inter-
******
state Hwy; Alter Stream Channels permit;
Noise; NPDES; Building; Grubbing, Grading,
Excavation & Stockpiling permit; Street Usage
permit; SMA; Special Design District Permit, Project Site
etc.
The City and County of Ho-
nolulu Department of Transporta-
tion Services (DTS), in cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Trans-
portation Federal Transit Admin-
istration (FTA), will be preparing
an Environmental Federal State-
ment to evaluate various alterna-
tives with the potential to provide
high-capacity transit service in a
corridor from Kapolei to the Uni-
Page 6 Office of Environmental Quality Control The Environmental Notice
9

10. 12254 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 50 / Thursday, March 15, 2007 / Notices
sensitive to and protective of Station location options were selected EIS process during scoping and review
California’s unique natural resources. by the Authority and FRA with the of the resulting environmental
Alternatives: The Palmdale-Los statewide program EIR/EIS considering documents. Comments and suggestions
Angeles HST EIR/EIS will consider a No travel time, train speed, cost, local are invited from all interested agencies
Action or No Project Alternative and access times, potential connections with and the public at large to insure the full
HST Alternatives for the Palmdale to other modes of transportation, ridership range of issues related to the proposed
Los Angeles corridor. potential and the distribution of action and all reasonable alternatives
No Action Alternative: The take no population and major destinations along are addressed and all significant issues
action (No Project or No Build) the route, and local planning are identified. In particular, FRA is
alternative is defined to serve as the constraints/conditions. Alternative interested in determining whether there
baseline for assessment of the HST station sites at the selected general are areas of environmental concern
Alternative. The No Build Alternative station locations will be identified and where there might be a potential for
represents the region’s transportation evaluated in this project level EIR/EIS. significant impacts identifiable at a
system (highway, air, and conventional Station area development policies to project level. Public agencies with
rail) as it existed in 2006, and as it encourage transit-friendly development jurisdiction are requested to advise FRA
would exist after completion of near and around HST stations that and the Authority of the applicable
programs or projects currently planned would have the potential to promote permit and environmental review
for funding and implementation by higher density, mixed-use, pedestrian- requirements of each agency, and the
2030. The No Build Alternative defines oriented development around the scope and content of the environmental
the existing and future intercity stations will be prepared in information that is germane to the
transportation system for the Palmdale coordination with local and regional agency’s statutory responsibilities in
to Los Angeles corridor based on planning agencies. Potential station connection with the proposed project.
programmed and funded improvements locations to be evaluated in the Public agencies are requested to advise
to the intercity transportation system Palmdale-Los Angeles HST EIR/EIS FRA if they anticipate taking a major
through 2030, according to the include: City of Palmdale, Palmdale action in connection with the proposed
following sources of information: State Transportation Center; City of Sylmar, project and if they wish to cooperate in
Transportation Improvement Program Sylmar Metrolink station; and City of the preparation of the project level EIR/
(STIP), Regional Transportation Plans Burbank, Burbank Metrolink station. EIS. Public scoping meetings have been
(RTPs) for all modes of travel, airport The HST station at Los Angeles Union scheduled as an important component
plans, and intercity passenger rail plans. Station is being evaluated in the project of the scoping process for both the State
level Los Angeles-Orange HST EIR/EIS and Federal environmental review. The
HST Alternative: The Authority
and will not be considered in the scoping meetings described in this
proposes to construct, operate and
Palmdale-Los Angeles HST EIR/EIS Notice will also be advertised locally
maintain an electric-powered steel-
process. In addition, potential sites for and included in additional public
wheel-on-steel-rail HST system, over
turnback/layover train storage facilities notification.
700-mile long (1,126-kilometer long), and a main HST repair and heavy
capable of speeds in excess of 200 miles maintenance facility will be evaluated Issued in Washington, DC, on March 9,
per hour (mph) (320 kilometers per hour in the Palmdale-Los Angeles HST EIR/ 2007.
[km/h]) on dedicated, fully grade- EIS. Mark E. Yachmetz,
separated tracks, with state-of-the-art Probable Effects: The purpose of the Associate Administrator for Railroad
safety, signaling, and automated train EIR/EIS process is to explore in a public Development.
control systems. The Palmdale to Los setting the effects of the proposed [FR Doc. E7–4711 Filed 3–14–07; 8:45 am]
Angeles HST corridor that was selected project on the physical, human, and BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
by the Authority and FRA with the natural environment. The FRA and the
statewide program EIR/EIS follows SR– Authority will continue the tiered
58/Soledad Canyon from the City of evaluation of all significant DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Palmdale to Sylmar and then along the environmental, social, and economic
Metrolink Railroad line to Los Angeles impacts of the construction and Federal Transit Administration
Union Station. The corridor is relatively operation of the HST system. Impact
wide in the area that includes both the Intent To Prepare an Environmental
areas to be addressed include:
SR–14 and Union Pacific Railroad Impact Statement for High-Capacity
transportation impacts; safety and
alignments between the Antelope Valley Transit Improvements in the Leeward
security; land use, and zoning;
and Santa Clarita. Further engineering Corridor of Honolulu, HI
secondary development; land
studies to be undertaken as a part of this acquisition, displacements, and AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration,
EIR/EIS process will examine and refine relocations; cultural resource impacts, DOT.
alignments in the selected corridor, including impacts on historical and ACTION:Notice of Intent to prepare an
including sections from the Palmdale to archaeological resources and parklands/ Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Santa Clarita and from the Burbank recreation areas; neighborhood
Metrolink Station to Los Angeles Union compatibility and environmental SUMMARY: The Federal Transit
Station. An alignment option that justice; natural resource impacts Administration (FTA) and the City and
closely follows the SR–14 through including air quality, wetlands, water County of Honolulu, Department of
Soledad Canyon will be considered as resources, noise, vibration, energy, Transportation Services (DTS) intend to
well as an alignment option through wildlife and ecosystems, including prepare an EIS on a proposal by the City
Soledad Canyon along the Santa Clara endangered species. Measures to avoid, and County of Honolulu to implement
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River. Alignments along San Fernando minimize, and mitigate all adverse a fixed-guideway transit system in the
Road adjacent to Taylor Yard and along impacts will be identified and corridor between Kapolei and the
the existing Metrolink right-of-way evaluated. ¯
University of Hawai1i at Manoa with a
around the Taylor Yard area will be Scoping and Comments: FRA ¯ ¯
branch to Waikıkı. Alternatives
considered. encourages broad participation in the proposed to be considered in the draft
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11. Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 50 / Thursday, March 15, 2007 / Notices 12255
EIS include No Build and two Fixed King Street, Honolulu, HI 9814 on and were not previously studied and
Guideway Transit alternatives. March 29, 2007 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. eliminated for good cause. At this time,
The EIS will be prepared to satisfy the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. comments should focus on the scope of
requirements of the National Donna Turchie, Federal Transit the NEPA review and should not state
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 Administration, Region IX, 201 Mission a preference for a particular alternative.
(NEPA) and its implementing Street, Room 1650, San Francisco, CA The best opportunity for that type of
regulations. The FTA and DTS request 94105, Phone: (415) 744–2737, Fax: input will be after the release of the
public and interagency input on the (415) 744–2726. draft EIS.
purpose and need to be addressed by Following the scoping process, public
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
the project, the alternatives to be outreach activities with interested
considered in the EIS, and the I. Background parties or groups will continue
environmental and community impacts throughout the duration of work on the
On December 7, 2005, FTA and DTS
to be evaluated. EIS. The project Web site, http://
issued a notice of intent to prepare an
www.honolulutransit.org, will be
DATES: Scoping Comments Due Date: Alternatives analysis followed by a
updated periodically to reflect the status
Written comments on the scope of the separate EIS. The TS has now
of the project. Additional Opportunities
NEPA review, including the project’s completed the planning alternatives
for public participation will be
purpose and need, the alternatives to be analysis and, together with FTA, is
announced through mailings, notices,
considered, and the related impacts to proceeding with the NEPA review advertisements, and press releases.
be assessed, should be sent to DTS by initiated through this scoping notice. those wishing to be placed on the
April 12, 2007. See ADDRESSES below. The planning Alternatives analysis, project mailing list may do so by
Scoping Meetings: Meetings to accept conducted in accordance with 49 registering on the Web site at http://
comments on the scope of the EIS will United States Code (U.S.C.) 5309 as www.honolulutransit.org, or by calling
be held on March 28 and 29, 2007 at the amended by the Safe, Accountable, (808) 566–2299.
locations given in ADDRESSES below. On Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity
Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU) III. Description of Study Area
March 28, 2007, the public scoping
meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and (Pub. L. 109–59, 119 Stat. 1144), The proposed project study area is the
continue until 9 p.m. or until all who evaluated transit alternatives in the travel corridor between Kapolei and the
wish to provide oral comments have corridor from Kapolei to the University ¯
University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (UH
been given the opportunity. The ¯
of Hawai‘i at Manoa and to Waikıkı.¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
Manoa) and Waikakı. this narrow, linear
meeting on March 29, 2007 will begin Four alternatives were studied, corridor is confined by the Wai‘anae
at 5 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. or including No build, Transportation and Ko‘olau mountain ranges to the
until all who wish to provide oral system Management, Bus operating in a north (mauka direction) and the ocean
comments have been given the Managed Lane, and Fixed Guideway to the south (makai direction). The
opportunity. The locations are Transit. Fixed Guideway Transit was corridor includes the majority of
accessible to people with disabilities. A selected as the Locally Preferred housing and employment on O‘ahu. The
court reporter will record oral Alternative. The planning Alternatives 2000 census indicates that 876,200
comments. Forms will be provided on Analysis is available on the project’s people live on O‘ahu. Of this number,
which to submit written comments. Web site at http:// over 552,000 people, or 63 percent, live
Project staff will be available at the www.honolulutransit.org. The Honolulu within the corridor between Kapolei
meeting to informally discuss the EIS City Council has established a fixed- ¯ ¯ ¯
and Manoa/Waikıkı. This area is
scope and the proposed project. guideway transit system connecting projected to absorb 69 percent of the
Governmental agencies will be invited Kapolei and University of Hawai‘i at population growth projected to occur on
to a separate scoping meeting to be held ¯ ¯ ¯
Manoa, with a branch to Waikıkı, as the O‘ahu between 2000 and 2030, resulting
during business hours. Further project locally preferred alternative. the O‘ahu in an expected corridor population of
information will be available at the Metropolitan Planning Organization 776,000 by 2030. Over the next twenty-
scoping meetings and may also be (OMPO) has included construction of three years, the ‘Ewa/Kapolei area is
obtained by calling (808) 566–2299, by rail transit system between Kapolei and projected to have the highest rate of
downloading from http:// ¯
the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and housing and employment growth on
www.honolulutransit.org, or by e- ¯ ¯
Waikıkı in the 2030 O‘ahu Regional O‘ahu. The ‘Ewa/Kapolei area is
mailing info@honolulutransit.gov. Transportation Plan, April 2006. developing as a ‘‘second city’’ to
II. Scoping complement downtown Honolulu. The
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the housing and employment growth in
scope of the EIS, including the project’s The FTA and DTS invite all interested ‘Ewa is identified in the General Plan
purpose and need, the alternatives to be individuals and organizations, and for the City and County of Honolulu.
considered, and the related impacts to Federal, State, and local governmental
be assessed, should be sent to the agencies and Native Hawaiian IV. Purpose and Need
Department of Transportation Services, organizations, to comment on the The purpose of the Honolulu High-
City and County of Honolulu, 650 South project’s purpose and need, the Capacity Transit Corridor Project is to
King Street, 3rd Floor, Honolulu, HI alternatives to be considered in the EIS, provide high-capacity, high-speed
96813, Attention: Honolulu High- and the impacts to be evaluated. During transit in the highly congested east-west
Capacity Transit Corridor Project, or by the scoping process, comments on the transportation corridor between Kapolei
the Internet at http:// proposed statement of purpose and need ¯
and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa,
www.honolulutransit.org. should address its completeness and as specified in the 2030 O‘ahu Regional
rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES
The scoping meetings will be held at adequacy. Comments on the alternatives Transportation Plan (ORTP). The project
Kapolei Hale at 1000 Uluohia Street, should propose alternatives that would is intended to provide faster, more
Kapolei, HI 96707 on March 28, 2007 satisfy the purpose and need at less cost reliable public transportation services in
from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and at or with greater effectiveness or less the corridor than those currently
McKinley High School at 1039 South environmental or community impact operating in mixed-flow traffic, to
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12. 12256 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 50 / Thursday, March 15, 2007 / Notices
provide basic mobility in areas of the corridor independent of current and capacity and reliability will serve all
corridor where people of limited income projected highway congestion. transportation system users, including
live, and to serve rapidly developing As roadways become more congested, moderate- and low-income populations.
areas of the corridor. The project would they become more susceptible to
substantial delays caused by incidents, V. Alternatives
also provide an alternative to provide
automobile travel and improve transit such as traffic accidents or heavy rain. The alternatives proposed for
linkages within the corridor. Even a single driver unexpectedly evaluation in the EIS were developed
Implementation of the project, in braking can have a ripple effect delaying through a planning Alternatives
conjunction with other improvements hundreds of cars. Because of the Analysis that resulted in selection of a
included in the ORTP, would moderate operating conditions in the study Fixed Guideway Transit Alternative as
anticipated traffic congestion in the corridor, current travel times are not the locally preferred alternative (LPA).
corridor. The project also supports the reliable for either transit or automobile FTA and DTS propose to consider the
goals of the O‘ahu General Plan and the trips. To get to their destination on time, following alternatives:
ORTP by serving areas designated for travelers must allow extra time in their • Future No Build Alternative, which
urban growth. schedules to account for the uncertainty would include existing transit and
The existing transportation in of travel time. This lack of predictability highway facilities and planned
infrastructure in the corridor between is inefficient and results in lost transportation projects (excluding the
¯
Kapolei and UH Manoa is overburdened productivity. Because the bus system proposed project) anticipated to be
handling current levels of travel primarily operates in mixed-traffic, operational by the year 2030. Bus
demand. Motorists and transit users transit users experience the same level service levels consistent with existing
experience substantial traffic congestion of travel time uncertainty as automobile transit service policies is assumed for all
and delay at most times of the day, both users. A need exists to reduce transit areas within the project corridor under
on weekdays and on weekends. Average travel times and provide a more reliable the Future No Build Alternative.
weekly peak-period speeds on the H–1 transit system. • Fixed Guideway Alternatives,
Freeway are currently less than 20 mph Consistent with the General Plan for which would include the construction
in many places and will degrade even the City and County of Honolulu, the and operation of a fixed guideway
further by 2030. Transit vehicles are highest population growth rates for the transit system in the corridor between
caught in the same congestion. Travelers island are projected in the ‘Ewa ¯
Kapolei and UH Manoa with a branch
on O‘ahu’s roadways currently Development Plan area (comprised of ¯ ¯
to Waikıkı. The draft EIS would
experience 51,000 vehicle hours of the ‘Ewa, Kapolei and Makakilo consider five distinct transit
delay, a measure of how much time is communities), which is expected to technologies: Light trail transit, rapid
lost daily by travelers stuck in traffic, on grow by 170 percent between 2000 and rail transit, rubber-tired guided vehicles,
a typical weekday. This measure of 2030. This growth represents nearly 50 a magnetic levitation system, and a
delay is projected to increase to more percent of the total growth projected for monorail system. Comments on
than 71,000 daily vehicle hours of delay the entire island. The more rural areas reducing the range of technologies
by 2030, assuming implementation of ¯
of Wai‘anae, Wahiawa, North Shore, under consideration are encouraged.
all the planned improvements listed in ¯
Waimanalo, and East Honolulu will The draft EIS also would consider two
the ORTP (except for a fixed guideway have lower population growth of alignment alternatives. Both alignment
system). Without these improvements, between zero and 16 percent if alternatives would operate, for the most
ORTP indicates that daily vehicle-hours infrastructure policies support the part, on a transit-guideway structure
of delay could increase to as much as planned growth in the ‘Ewa elevated above the roadway, with some
326,000 vehicle hours. Development Plan area. Kapolei, which sections at grade. Both alignment
Currently, motorists traveling from is developing as a ‘‘second city’’ to alternatives generally follow the route:
West O‘ahu to Downtown Honolulu Downtown Honolulu, is projected to North-South Road to Farrington
experience highly congested traffic grow by nearly 600 percent is 81,100 Highway/Kamehameha Highway to Salt
conditions during the a.m. peak period. people, the ‘Ewa neighborhhood by 100 Lake Boulevard to Dillingham
By 2030, after including all of the percent, and Makakilo by 125 percent Boulevard to Nimitz Highway/
planned roadway improvements in the between 2000 and 2030. Accessibility to Halekauwila Street. Both alignment
ORTP, the level of congestion and travel the overall ‘Ewa Development Plan area alternatives would have a future
time are projected to increase further. is currently severely impaired by the extension from downtown Honolulu to
Average bus speeds in the corridor have congested roadway network, which will ¯
UH Manoa with a future branch to
been decreasing steadily as congestion only get worse in the future. This area ¯ ¯
Waikıkı, and a future extension at the
has increased. ‘‘TheBus’’ travel times is less likely to develop as planned Waianae (western) end to Kalaeloa
are projected to increase substantially unless it is accessible to Downtown and Boulevard in Kapolei. The second
through 2030. Within the urban core, other parts of O‘ahu; therefore, the ‘Ewa, alignment alternative would have an
most major arterial streets will Kapolei, and Makakilo area needs additional loop created by a fork in the
experience increasing peak-period improved accessibility to support its alignment at Aloha Stadium to serve
congestion, including Ala Moana future growth as planned. Honolulu International Airport that
Boulevard, Dillingham Boulevard, Many lower-income and minority rejoins the main alignment in the
¯
Kalakaua Avenue, Kapi‘olani Boulevard, workers live in the corridor outside of vicinity of the Middle Street Transit
King Street, and Nimitz Highway. the urban core and commute to work in Center. The first construction phase for
Expansion of the roadway system the Primary Urban Center Development either of the Fixed Guideway
¯
between Kapolei and UH Manoa is Plan area. Many lower-income workers Alternatives is currently expected to
constrained by physical barriers and by also rely on transit because of its begin in the vicinity of the planned
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dense urban neighborhoods that abut affordability. In addition, daily parking University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu
many existing roadways. Given the costs in Downtown Honolulu are among campus and extend to Ala Moana Center
current and increasing levels of the highest in the United States, further via Salt Lake Boulevard. The Build
congestion, a need exists to offer an limiting this population’s access to alternatives also include the
alternative way to travel within the Downtown. Improvements to transit construction of a vehicle maintenance
12
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