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Environmental Matters > Key Cases
Alaska Railroad -
Port MacKenzie Rail Extension
- DM & E Links
- Enola Branch
- Bayport Loop
- Conrail
- Tonque River
- Alaska Railroad - Northern Rail Extension
- Northern Columbia Basin Railroad
- Southwest Gulf Railroad in Medina, Texas
- Canadian National Railway Company/EJ&E West Company
Alaska Railroad - Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Abstract
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) plans to file a petition with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502 for authority to construct and operate approximately 30 to 45 miles of new rail line connecting the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s Port MacKenzie (or Port) in south-central Alaska to a point on the ARRC main line between Wasilla and north of Willow, Alaska.
The proposed Port MacKenzie Rail Extension (or Project) would provide freight services between the Port and Interior Alaska and would support the Port’s continuing development as an intermodal and bulk material resources export and import facility. The Port is owned by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) and MSB is a co-sponsor of the Project.
Because the construction and operation of this Project has the potential to result in significant environmental impacts, the Board’s Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) has determined that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is appropriate pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Accordingly, SEA issued a Notice of Intent on February 12, 2008 to notify individuals and agencies interested in or affected by the proposed Project of the decision to prepare an EIS.
SEA will hold public scoping meetings as part of the NEPA process associated with the development of the EIS. Additionally, as part of the scoping process, SEA has developed a draft Scope of Study for the EIS for review and comment. The link below provides access to the full text of the Notice of Intent and draft Scope of Study, and provides information on the dates and locations of the public scoping meetings.
February 12, 2008 Notice of Intent and Draft Scope of Study
For further information about the STB’s environmental review process and the EIS, you may visit the STB’s project website at www.stbportmacraileis.com or call the project’s toll free hotline at 1-888-257-7560.
