Environmental Matters > Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project

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Key Cases: Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project Abstract

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) are conducting an environmental review for a proposed rail construction project called the Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project. The project is located in the Moses Lake area of Grant County, Washington. The STB and WSDOT are co-lead agencies for this review under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Washington State Environmental Policy Act.

The purpose of the Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project is to attract new rail-dependent businesses to the Moses Lake area and to encourage the continued use and preservation of rail in the region. The three components of the proposed project include:

•	Building a new rail line from the area known as Wheeler to the area known as Parker Horn;
•	Improving the existing track between Parker Horn and the Grant County International Airport; and
•	Extending the existing Columbia Basin Railroad track to the industrial areas just south of the airport.

The STB’s Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) and WSDOT have completed the initial phase of their environmental analysis of the proposed rail project. On May 7, 2007, SEA and WSDOT visited the project site in Moses Lake and, based on current information, concluded that there do not appear to be significant environmental issues related to this project. Accordingly, an Environmental Assessment (EA) is being prepared.

SEA and WSDOT will hold a Public Open House on Thursday, July 19, 2007, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Grant County International Airport, located at 7810 Andrews Street, N.E., Moses Lake, Washington. The Open House will provide interested parties with the opportunity to learn about the proposed project, view maps of the study area, meet with representatives from SEA and WSDOT, and provide input on potential environmental impacts and the alternatives to be evaluated in the EA.

After the EA is prepared, SEA and WSDOT will make the document available for public review and comment. Once the comment period has concluded, SEA and WSDOT will prepare a subsequent environmental document that discusses any comments received, appropriate modifications, and additional analysis that may be necessary. That document will also set forth the final recommended mitigation measures. If the EA process discloses unanticipated environmental impacts that are significant, we will require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement at that time.

For further information concerning the proposed Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project, please contact: Christa Dean, Attorney and SEA Project Manager, at 202-245-0299, christa.dean@stb.dot.gov, or Elizabeth Phinney, WSDOT Rail Environmental Manager, at 360-705-7902, phinnee@wsdot.wa.gov.

Information is also available at the project web site: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Rail/Freight/WheelerToSoapLakeRailEngineering

Moses Lake flier for July 19th meeting