STB issues EIS for planned 20-mile Corman line
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefThe Surface Transportation Board announced Friday that its Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) has issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Pennsylvania Lines Inc. (RJCP) proposed construction of a 20-mile line between Wallaceton and Gorton, in Clearfield and Centre counties, Pa.
“The FEIS reflects OEA’s evaluation of six alternatives during the environmental review of Recap’s proposals,” said the STB. “These are: An alternative to the Proposed Action (known as the Modified Proposed Action); three ‘no-build’ alternatives; and a ‘no-action’ alternative. Based on consultation with federal, state, and local agencies, public input, and its own independent environmental analysis, OEA found that the Modified Proposed Action would be the environmentally preferable alternative and recommends that, should the Board authorize the project, it should authorize the Modified Proposed Action, subject to OEA’s final recommended environmental mitigation.”
The FEIS was prepared to address public and agency comments received in response to two prior draft documents. The Board now will decide whether or not to grant final approval to the proposal. In reaching a final decision ,the Board will take into consideration the DEIS, SDEIS, FEIS, and OEA’s final recommendations on environmental mitigation.
