About This Project : Timeline

• Scoping Meetings, week of June 18, 2007
  These meetings were conducted upon initiation of the EIS. Scoping meetings included meetings with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and the public to discuss the scope of the study. Information about the study area, descriptions of specific study activities and a study schedule wiere provided at these meetings. Comments were gathered at these meetings, and adjustments made as appropriate to the study process.
• Data Gathering
  Information and data about the proposed Southwest-to-Northeast Rail Corridor was developed by engineers and other project specialists. This information included the locations and existing conditions of the natural, historical, archaeological, and social environments through which the route passes, including areas where stations and other facilities are proposed.
• Public/Stakeholders Meetings, November, 2007
  Meetings of stakeholders and the public wiere held to confirm and add to the findings of the data gathering and review station concepts.
• Identifying Potential Impacts
  After the existing conditions are established, the environmental team work edto identify the potential impacts of the proposed project. Environmental analysis of the station site also took place. Possible ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate the impacts also were developed during this step.
• Public Meetings, February or March 2008
  At this third set of public meetings, the project team present edinitial information on impacts and potential mitigation measures, and the public was invited to provide comment.
• The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
  The results of all study findings and input were compiled into the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) document, which then was made available for the public to review.
• Public hearings on the DEIS -- Fall 2008
  Three formal public hearings about the DEIS were conducted.
• Responses to Comments
  The study team is preparing responses to comments received on the document and incorporating edits to the DEIS where appropriate.
• Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) -- 2010
  After the DEIS is edited and includes comments and responses, the document is considered a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), which can be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for approval to move the project forward.