Printable VersionWhat is an EIS?
In June 2006, RTD FasTracks began a comprehensive planning study of transit alternatives between Northwest Denver, Arvada and Wheat Ridge. The finished product of this study, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008. The Gold Line EIS will select a recommended alternative, identify the impacts that may be caused by its implementation and recommend ways of mitigating these impacts.
NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, requires that federal agencies prepare detailed analyses of any of their actions that significantly affect the quality of the environment. Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) are the result of this requirement.
Since 1969, EISs have been produced on virtually every type of activity, such as oil and gas development, scientific research in Antarctica, protection of wildlife habitat, and construction of light rail and commuter rail lines. NEPA requires that an EIS include:
- A community involvement process
- A clear statement of the transportation needs within the corridor
- An analysis of all reasonable transportation alternatives that address these needs
- Study and full disclosure of impacts on communities and environmental resources
Project Scoping
During this phase, the Gold Line team will meet with community members to provide information on the project. Scoping will help RTD FasTracks to identify community issues and values that may influence the alternatives being considered in the corridor's EIS. In addition, it will establish the defined Purpose and Need of the project that will serve as the benchmark from which all alternatives will be evaluated.
Evaluation of Remaining Alternatives
In order to narrow the field of transit options for the corridor, RTD FasTracks will evaluate transportation alternatives to meet the project's Purpose and Need. NEPA requires each alternative to be evaluated on potential environmental issues in twenty categories, including land use, economics, wetlands, air quality, traffic, etc. If environmental impacts exceed allowable limits, mitigation measures must be evaluated to determine how much the negative impacts can be minimized or eliminated.
After completing detailed evaluation and considering public input, RTD will determine the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Gold Line. The LPA is the alternative that receives high levels of public support, provides the highest projected ridership of all rail alternatives, results in fewer community impacts and is within the corridor budget set by RTD.
Preliminary Engineering Studies of the LPA
After selecting the LPA, RTD FasTracks will begin preliminary engineering studies of the recommended alternative. These detailed studies will determine exact details about the likely impacts of the LPA and recommend mitigation measures to address them.
Draft EIS and Final EIS
NEPA requires that RTD FasTracks publish a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), documenting the entire process and clearly detailing its recommendations. Publication of the Draft EIS begins a 45-day public comment period where the public can review the report and submit comments that RTD must address. Two public hearings will highlight the comment period. The DEIS is scheduled for release in summer 2008.
RTD FasTracks must respond to every comment in the Final EIS. The Final EIS is the formal document submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for its review. After reviewing the Final EIS, FTA will issue a Record of Decision either approving or declining RTD FasTracks' request to complete final design and construction of the recommended alternative.
