CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED TRAIN UPDATE
 
The California High Speed Rail Authority wanted to let you know that the 45-day public comment period has begun on the “Bay Area to Central Valley Revised Draft Program Environmental Impact Report” (which is available at www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/library), as part of the environmental review process for California’s high-speed train project.
 
The California High-Speed Rail Authority in 2007 released the Bay Area to Central Valley High-Speed Train Program Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/S) thatexamined the environmental impacts of the proposed high-speed train system connecting the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley regions, within the broad corridor between and including the Altamont Pass and Pacheco Pass. The Authority certified the Final Program EIR in July 2008 and selected the Pacheco Pass Alignment Alternative serving San Francisco via San Jose as the preferred network alternative to connect the high-speed train between the Bay Area and the Central Valley. The Authority also selected preferred alignments and station locations to advance for further study in second-tier, project EIR/EISs.
 
A legal challenge filed in August 2008 resulted in a ruling by a California Superior Court that the Authority’s Final Program EIR was sufficient in most respects, however corrective work was necessary in certain areas. The Authority set aside its July 2008 decision and is now taking steps to comply with the court’s ruling. The Authority conducted additional analysis and prepared necessary revisions to the Final Program EIR in accordance with the court’s ruling.
 
How You Can Comment
The revised material is being circulated for public and agency comment for 45 days beginning March 11, 2010 and ending at 5 p.m. April 26, 2010. In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the Authority requests that reviewers limit the scope of their comments to the revised materials contained in the Revised Draft Program EIR.
 
Comments on the Revised Draft Program EIR Material can be sent to the California High-Speed Rail Authority in three ways under the subject line “Bay Area to Central Valley Revised Draft Program-Level EIR Material Comments”:
 

1. U.S. Mail: 925 L Street, Suite 1425 Sacramento, CA  95814, Attention: Dan Leavitt
2. Email: comments@hsr.ca.gov
3. Fax: 916-322-0827

 
Public Meetings
The Authority will host two public meetings to accept comment on the Revised Draft Program EIR:
 
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
·        10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Sheriff’s Auditorium
55 West Younger Street, San Jose, CA 95110
·        5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Board of Supervisors Chambers
70 West Hedding Street, San Jose CA 95113
 
Visit the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Web Site www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov to:
·         View and download the Revised Draft Program EIR.
·         Request a printed copy of the Revised Draft Program EIR.
·         Locate a library near you to review a copy of the Revised Draft Program EIR.
 
Please call the Authority at (916) 324-1541, or check the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Web Site www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov for more information.