Final EIS/EIR Available For Download

The FTA and Metro have prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement /Environmental Impact Report (Final EIS/EIR) for the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project. The review period begins on Friday, January 20, 2012 and lasts for 30 days, ending on Monday, February 20, 2012.The document  is available for viewing and download online at www.metro.net/regionalconnector .

The Regional Connector Transit Corridor Study commenced in 2007 with the development of the Alternatives Analysis , which looked at over 30 potential alternatives.  In 2009, the Metro Board of Directors approved the initiation of the Draft EIS/EIR  to analyze four alternatives.  In late 2010, a fifth alternative was added to the study.  This fifth alternative was identified as the “Locally Preferred Alternative” (LPA) in October 2010.  The LPA was then further refined to address community comments regarding potential construction impacts.  Portions of the Draft EA/EIR  were recirculated during the summer of 2011.

The Final EIS/EIR  document is the culmination of in-depth technical analysis, extensive community and stakeholder input as well as geotechnical work completed by field experts.  Responses to the thousands of individual comments submitted by the community-at-large, organizations, agencies, and elected officials are included in the document.

You are encouraged to attend the open houses scheduled for early February.  The purpose of the open houses is to make staff available to answer questions that you might have about the document.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Colburn School of Music
200 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90012

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Japanese American National Museum
369 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

What’s Next
The Metro Board of Directors will meet twice to discuss this document. You are encouraged to attend and to consider speaking on the topic. Due to time constraints, you are encouraged to bring a written statement that you can read from, and then hand deliver to the Board – should you run out of time.

Each meeting will take place at Metro Headquarters, located at One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.  Click here for directions.

February 15, 2012
Planning and Programming Committee
Staff will present the findings of the Final EIS/EIR, and the Committee will make a recommendation to the Metro Board of Directors to consider.

February 23, 2012
Metro Board of Directors
Staff will again present the findings of the Final EIS/EIR, and the Metro Board of Directors will make the final recommendation regarding the project’s next steps.

We would like to thank you for your contribution, time and efforts during this process.  Please refer to the text below for more information about the document. However, please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

The Regional Connector Project Team

Contact information:
Phone: 213.922.7277
Email: regionalconnector@metro.net

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I find the MMRP or the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan?
A: The entire MMRP is contained in Chapter 8

Q: Where can I find the comment I submitted during the comment period?
A: If you submitted a comment or question during the initial or recirculated comment period, you can find the response to your comments in the Appendix .  In most cases, responses to comments are included in a different chapter.

Q: What is different between the Draft EIS/EIR and the Final EIS/EIR?
A: Generally, the Final EIS/EIR includes responses to questions, comments, and concerns submitted to Metro during the initial or recirculated comment period. In the case of this Final EIS/EIR, Metro has included the description of the project refinements, and the results of the additional technical activity (including additional Noise and Vibration analysis)

Q: How can I tell where the document has been updated?
A: There are vertical lines in the margin of the document denote updated text.

Q: Is there someone who can help me find something in the document?
A: Yes, email your questions to regionalconnector@metro.net .

Q: Regarding the project’s next steps, what will the Metro Board of Directors meet to decide?
A: The Board will be asked to consider approving the Final EIS/EIR.  If they do approve the environmental document, the decision will be forwarded to the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) for a Record of Decision (ROD).  Once the ROD is in hand, Metro can begin the next step in station area and station design, along with the final design of the alignment.  Additionally, Metro can initiate activities related to the MMRP and begin discussions regarding real estate, easements, and utility relocation needs.

Q: Can I get a CD copy of the document?
A: Yes!  Please email us your mailing address and we will send you a CD in the mail.