Introduction: 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Federal Railroad Administration 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMP ACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park 

City of West Memphis, Arkansas 

September 2014 

The City of West Memphis, Arkansas (City) requested funds for the International Rail Port 

Logistics Park (IRPLP) Project (Project) through the FY 2012 TIGER Discretionary Grant program 

administered by the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) through the Federal Railroad 

Administration (FRA). FRA concluded that lending federal funds to implement the Project is a major 

federal action within the meaning of Section 4(b) of FRA' s Procedures for Considering Environmental 

Impacts (FRA Environmental Procedures).1 This Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared for FRA 

consistent with Section 10 of the FRA Environmental Procedures. 

The improvements in this Project include the upgrade of existing track in the IRPLP in West 

Memphis, Arkansas, to support the handling of heavier rail carloads of manifest and unit trains within the 

IRPLP and the construction of approximately 13,500 ft of a new rail leading to the base of the St. Francis 

levee. These improvements will facilitate the connection to and construction of a new transload facility on 

private lands adjacent to the IRPLP through an agreement with the City and a private developer. This 

will add the capability for handling bulk commodities from truck and rail to the Mississippi navigational 

transportation system. 

FRA must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 19692 

as the Federal 

agency providing grant funding for the Project. This Finding ofNo Significant Impact (FONSI) is made 

1 64 FR 28545 (May 26, 1999) 2 42 usc§ 4321 

~-- U.S. Department ofTransportation 

~elf Federal Railroad Administration 
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~~ Federal Railroad Administration 

by FRA based on the information in the EA prepared by the City to comply with NEP A, FRA 

Environmental Procedures, and other related laws. 

Statement of Purpose and Need: 

The identification of the purpose and need is significant in determining the reasonable range of 

alternatives to consider for the Project. The need defmes the key problems to be addressed and explains 

their underlying causes. The purpose states clearly why the Project is being proposed and identifies 

potential anticipated outcomes. 

Purpose: Expand IRPLP rail capacity and operations within the existing IRPP facility, 

specifically unit train capacity, to enhance the rail network for future growth and development 

while minimizing disruption to existing IRPLP tenants and businesses; and relieve congestion, 

·improve operational efficiencies, and ensure continued safe rail operations as rail traffic grows in 

and around the IRPLP, and along the existing Burlington Northern San Francisco (BNSF) northsouth and east-west main lines. 

Need: The need for the Project is based on the IRPLP's existing rail infrastructure's insufficient 

capacity to meet the current and future industrial needs of the City of West Memphis and eastern 

Arkansas. Three elements contribute to this problem of inadequate capacity and are likely to 

cause the situation to worsen in the future: (1) the IRPLP's existing rail infrastructure does not 

allow for efficient construction of unit trains; (2) projected economic growth will increase 

demands on existing and future tenants for more efficient rail operations; and (3) projected 

increases in traffic along the BNSF and Union Pacific (UP) main line corridors will increase rail 

congestion within the general vicinity, further reducing service capabilities. 

Study Area: 

The Project study area covers a 4.924 mile rail corridor in Crittendon County, Arkansas along the UP 

mainline located on the south side of the City at the north terminus and extends via a rail loop to the 

proposed location of the Louis Dreyfus (LD) transload facility and port at the south terminus. The Project 

is located west of the St. Francis Levee with the northern portion on property owned by the City and the 

south portion of the Project on property owned by American Energy Partners (AEP). 

Alternatives: 

FRA evaluated the following alternatives in the EA: (1) the No-Build Alternative; and (2) the Build 

Alternative. 

The Build Alternative provides for nine main components: 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 2 
~~ U.S. Department ofTransportation 

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• Rehabilitation and upgrade of approximately 13,500 feet of existing track on the Friday-Graham 

spur to 136lb rail (new or recycled) to support the handling of manifest and unit trains of286,000 

lb rail cars within the IRPLP; 

• Construction of 1,500 feet of new track to extend Track #859 into the IRPLP; 

• Proposed construction of approximately 1,000 feet of new track on a 20 acre site on Port Road for 

access to a future industrial facility; 

• Construction of approximately 21,000 feet of new track to connect the existing rail facilities 

within the IRPLP with the new transload facility adjacent to the St. Francis Levee along the 

Mississippi River; 

• Construction of a bridge over Ditch 17 and culverts over other drainages; 

• Constniction of a transload facility connecting to the rail lead track at the St. Francis Levee 

constructed in the Federal Subproject in a cooperative agreement; 

• The transload facility will include a six acre tract of land with silos, elevators, hoppers, conveyors 

and continuous batch weigher. 

• Construction of a connector road from Port Road to the transload facility; and 

• Construction of storm water retention ponds in current wetlands. 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County. Arkansas 

September 2014 

-- Louis Dreyfus Transload Facility 

Notes 

LD Proposed Rail 

Rehab Existing Rail 

Bridge 

Culvert 

1. lmager; Sour<:& ESR! \Vorld fmagery 

2. Map Projec!<on. NAD 1003 Slate Plane Arkansas North Feet 

0 1.000 2,000 4,000 ,...._.___ I Feet 
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~~ Federal Railroad Administration 

The land in the Project study area is dominated by "rural" land consisting of crop land, pastureland, 

grasslands, limited forested land, and open fields. In addition, a number of small industrial facilities are 

located in the Project study area. The Project study area is located in the central portion of Crittendon 

County. The Project will cross two irrigation ditches- Ditch 17 and Ditch 19 as well as wetlands on the 

north end of Fletcher Lake. The Project requires approximately 37.2 acres of additional ROW and 

construction easements to accommodate construction of new siding track, reconstruction of the existing 

UPRR mainline track, and reconfiguration and realignment of at-grade roadway crossings. 

Selected Alternative: 

FRA has selected the Build Alternative for the Project. The major components of the Build 

Alternative are the rehabilitation of 13,500 feet of existing line and construction of approximately 21,000 

feet of new track and the development of a grain trans load facility. 

The No-Build Alternative was not selected because it would not meet the purpose and need of the 

Project. The No-Build Alternative would not enhance capacity to meet the current and future industrial 

needs of the City and eastern Arkansas. The No-Build Alternative would also not provide the transload 

facility needed to transport grain from the rail line to the port. 

Benefits of the Selected Alternative: 

Implementation of the Build Alternative would be of immediate benefit to the rail freight shippers 

using this line today, as well as the future use of this line by industrial users. The Build Alternative 

would improve stability of the current line by increasing the load capacity for current and future rail 

users at the IRPLP. The new siding track and 20 acre parcel would provide a site for new growth 

anticipated within the IRPLP. The siding track would also improve the efficiency of the railroad by 

allowing for train meets and sorting of cars for freight trains as well as an area for storing trains 

during maintenance incidents. The new rail loop, siding tracks and transload facility would provide 

capacity needed for the shipping of commodities in the eastern Arkansas area. The new facility would 

provide a diversion option for a significant portion of continental eastbound dry bulk material that 

currently crosses the Mississippi River via rail and road to river vessels; provide sufficient off-loading 

and barge-loading capacity to meet commodities shipping demands; and be a benefit to the 

environment, quality of life, and regional economy in an economically distressed area. 

Environmental Consequences: 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 4 
--~ U.S. Department ofTronsportation 

,..., Federal Railroad Administration 

Based upon the EA, included by reference with its appendices in this FONSI in its entirety, FRA 

has concluded that the Selected Alternative, including the mitigation measures for unavoidable impacts, 

would have no foreseeable significant impact on the quality of the natural and human environments. 

FRA finds the Selected Alternative is best able to achieve the Project purpose and need without 

significant environmental impacts and by minimizing Project costs. 

This FONSI focuses only on those resources that have a reasonable likelihood to be affected by 

the Project. The following potential impact areas are not located within the Project study area or would 

otherwise not be affected by the Project, and are not addressed in this FONSI: noise and vibration; 

geology and soils; ecological resources; threatened and endangered species; cultural and historical 

resources; socioeconomic resources; environmental justice; land use, zoning and recreational areas; visual 

resources; Section 4(f) properties; and hazardous materials and solid waste. These resource areas are 

referenced in the EA. 

The potential of the Project to result in an environmental impact is summarized in the following 

sections. 

Air Quality: 

The Project may result in impacts to air quality during demolition of any building and construction 

ofnew facilities. Locomotive emissions and ambient diesel particulate matter concentration increases are 

anticipated, but would be below recognized thresholds for significance and emissions related to 

transportation of commodities over time would decrease as more efficient locomotives replace trucks. 

During demolition of any building, the City would retain certified inspectors to identify all material in the 

buildings, and remove asbestos-containing material before building demolition begins. All construction 

equipment would satisfy EPA emission standards for non-road engines. 

Transportation: 

The Project would result in minor train, vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle transportation disruptions 

during construction and would increase the number of daily train trips through a non-congested area. 

Following construction a decrease in train delays and rail traffic congestion on BNSF/UP main line would 

occur. Realignment of several internal IRPLP roads would be required during construction, but no longFINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 
--"""\ U.S. Deportment of Transportation 

{e.? Federal Railroad Administration 

term road closures would be experienced. No impact to pedestrians/bicycles would be expected following 

construction as the IRPLP is located away from any residential populations. 

Water Quality and Water Resources: 

The Project would result in temporary construction impacts to waterways and water quality 

resulting from the installation of culverts and the disturbance of more than one acre of land. Based on this 

amount of land disturbance, a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) will be required. These 

impacts would occur from in-stream bank work and construction activity. A small amount of stream 

substrate may be permanently removed to accommodate the culvert replacements at four intermittent 

stream locations in the Project study area. Impact minimization would be provided through the use and 

enforcement of Arkansas Department of Transportation (ADOT) Erosion and Sediment Control Policy, 

and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits that employs Best Management 

Practices (BMPs) (e.g., silt fences, check dams, and appropriately sized sediment basins). 

Permanent BMPs installed following construction (e.g., storm water pond at the trans load facility 

and permanent seeding and use of native vegetation) would further reduce Project impacts. The Project 

would not have any impact on groundwater resources, such as existing wells or borings. The BNSF or UP 

trains would not transport any freight that may be a potential contaminant of groundwater resources with 

the exception of the on-board fuel and other petroleum based products. Both BNSF and UP have a spill 

prevention, control, and countermeasure plan to address any potential spill from a locomotive. 

FRA finds the construction and operation of the Project would not adversely impact water quality 

or water resources based on the use ofBMPs, as well as permitting by Arkansas state agencies. 

Agriculture: 

The Project would convert 44 acres of agricultural land to a developed land use. Proposed rightof-way (ROW) to be acquired would ~e narrow strips of land that are parallel to the mainline tracks and 

would not create severed, landlocked, or uneconomical remnant farms. 

Based on coordination with the NRCS and in accordance with the Farmland Protection Act, the 

Project's total score was 163 and, less than the defined threshold used to determine significant impacts to 

prime farmland. Therefore the FRA finds the conversion of agricultural land to transportation and 

developed use along the corridor does not represent a significant impact. 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 
~~ U.S. Department ofTranspartation 

{e.f Federal Railroad Administration 

Wetlands and Waters ofthe U.S.: 

The assessment of potential wetland impacts from the Project is based upon direct and indirect 

impacts related to the placement of fill for new bridge abutments or piers and embankment for new track 

during construction within the proposed ROW and environmental survey limits. Wetland impacts related to 

construction would include vegetation removal, placement of clean fill, and changes to the wetland 

hydrologic regime. Permanent wetland loss (6.48 acres) will be mitigated on AEP property south of the 

wetland location, while 0.2 acre of permanent wetland loss will be mitigated on City property (6.68 acres 

total). 

Construction effects to wetland and upland buffers (14.19 acres) would be temporary and result in 

a short-term loss of wetland functions. BMPs will be used to eliminate or minimize effects of erosion, 

sedimentation, and accidental fuel or oil tank leaks. Stormwater treatment will be provided at the transload 

facility location by construction of a storm water retention pond. Temporarily impacted wetlands will be 

restored to pre-existing conditions following construction. 

The wetland sites and "Waters of the United States" (WOUS), as defined by the CWA, come 

under jurisdiction of the Memphis District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This includes, 

but is not limited to, the approval of a Section 404 permit from the USACE, Section 401 Water Quality 

Certification from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), or other permits that may 

be required. Two separate 404 permits were approved for this Project; a nationwide permit (Nationwide 

Permit 14) for the 0.2 acres of wetland impacts on City property and an individual permit for the 6.48 

acres of permanently impacted wetlands on AEP property. Mitigation for both permits was designed on 

adjoining wetlands. Mitigation will be monitored in accordance with the conditions of each permit. 

FRA finds that no significant impacts to wetlands and waterways would occur based on 

implementation of the SWPPP and the mitigation of wetlands in coordination with the USACE and state 

agencies. 

Floodplains: 

The Project would require five culvert and two bridge crossings to allow existing surface drainage 

swales to drain on either side of or below the new rail line. All seven crossings are located in rural areas, 

dominated by agricultural uses. The intermittent streams that are crossed by the Project are not within the 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 
~"""\ U.S. Deportment ofTronsportation 

{e.f Federal Railroad Administration 

FEMA mapped 1 00-year floodplain, while the bridge crossings over Ditch 17 and Ditch 19 (See Section 

4.5 of the EA) are within the FEMA mapped 100-year floodplain. None of the intermittent stream 

crossings require bridges in the Project study area. The Project would not impact any 100-year 

floodplains. All proposed improvements would be outside of or over the 100-year floodplain limits and 

would not interfere with water flow during a 1 00-year flood event. 

FRA finds that the construction and operation of the Project would not impact floodplains based 

on the lack of resource impacts and use of BMPs as well as permitting by USACE and Arkansas state 

agencies for water quality and water resources. 

Public Health and Safety: 

The Project would not impact public health and safety because there would be no permanent 

change in the existing traffic flow patterns due to the proposed improvements. The Project would have a 

potential temporary impact on emergency response times from delays at crossings and temporary closures 

due to construction at grade crossings. All measures would be taken during the construction phase to 

coordinate with emergency service providers in order to mitigate any potential impacts due to construction 

activity conflicts. There would also be a minor short-term risk to public safety during demolition and 

construction activities. 

The design improvements at the at-grade crossings would have a positive safety impact by 

reducing public safety concerns for vehicular traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists at crossings. FRA finds 

that the Project would not result in significant impacts to public health and safety. 

Construction Impacts: 

Impacts associated with construction of the improvements would be local and temporary and 

include noise, vibration, dust, and traffic disruptions. There is also the potential for impacts to intermittent 

streams and wetlands. 

These temporary impacts would occur from operation of equipment for the construction of an 

additional siding track, construction of the existing mainline track, installation of new crossing gates and 

signal devices and equipment, reconfiguration and realignment of at-grade roadway crossings and 

construction of the transload facility. Normal traffic may be flagged at various times to allow entry and 

exit of construction equipment to the Project sites using adjacent or nearby rail/highway grade crossings. 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 20 !4 
~~ U.S. Deportment ofTronsportotion 

~~ Federal Railroad Administration 

Such occurrences may be viewed by motorists as an inconvenience. However, these impacts would be 

temporary, and existing vehicular travel would be restored after construction has been completed. 

The Project may require periodic reduction in the operating speed of trains that pass through 

construction zones, even though the current speed limit is 10 mph. Also, there may be a need to adjust the 

schedule of rail operations if activities require temporary shutdown of selected track sections. Such 

schedule and/or operations adjustments would be necessary when there is a potential safety risk due to the 

proximity of moving trains and construction activities that are incompatible with ongoing train traffic. 

Such delays or disruptions may be similar to normal maintenance activities under existing conditions. 

Construction could cause temporary impacts to wetlands, streams, and surrounding stream banks 

as the track improvements are made. In the section where the new track is being constructed, culverts or 

bridge structures would be constructed. These culverts and bridges will be designed and constructed to 

allow for the passage of 1 00-year flood events. 

ADOT will minimize potential impacts by requiring contractors to: 1) avoid wetlands during the 

establishment of construction staging areas and other construction activities; and 2) employ erosion 

control, sediment control and bank stabilization practices at or near waterways or water crossings. 

Construction of the proposed Project will comply with BMPs for dust and noise suppression. Debris and 

spoil disposal, if generated, would be removed according to state and local regulations. 

FRA finds that based on the evaluation, the construction impacts and construction traffic would cease 

following completion of the Project, and the construction or operation of the Project would not adversely 

impact overall rail or motor vehicle transportation. 

Indirect and Cumulative Impacts: 

Indirect impacts can be associated with the consequences of land use change and development that 

would be indirectly supported by changes in local access or mobility. Indirect impacts differ from those 

directly associated with the construction and operation of a project itself and are often caused by what is 

commonly referred to as "induced development." Induced development includes a variety of alterations 

such as changes in land use, economic vitality, property values and/or population density. The potential 

for secondary impacts to occur is determined in part by local land-use and development-planning 

objectives and the physical location ofthe Project. 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 
~~ U.S. Deportment ofTronsportation 

{e.f' Federal Railroad Administration 

The expansion of the IRPLP will provide a direct impact through the addition of jobs to the area. 

As new permanent jobs are establish additional jobs are created to support the people employed at the 

transload facility and by the railroad. This induced development is a positive indirect impact resulting 

from the project. These new permanent jobs require construction of new homes, increase in supply of 

goods and services and growth in the community. As with any new construction, there would be 

additional energy expended as a result of the Project that would contribute to the cumulative impact. 

The Project would provide some beneficial contributions to cumulative impacts. The proposed 

improved operability of freight rail service by the construction of enhanced and new rail is expected to 

provide an overall benefit to the region. The improvements to the grade crossing would benefit the safety 

of motorists crossing the railroad. Benefits of the Project include long-term economic growth and an 

increase in jobs for the community. There is a slight chance for negative indirect impacts to wetlands from 

vegetation removal, introduction of invasive species, and accidental spills. 

FRA finds that the Project would not result in any significant adverse indirect or cumulative 

impacts. 

Public Comments on the Environmental Assessment: 

Coordination efforts began in the early stages of the Project and were designed to maintain 

consistent communication with residents, public officials, businesses, property owners, stakeholders, and 

regulatory agencies during the environmental process. On July 21, 2014 the EA was released for a 30-day 

public review and comment period. The document was on display on the City and FRA websites and at 

the public library in the City. The availability of the EA was advertised at the public library and in the 

West Memphis Times in the Public Notices section on July 22, 2014. The public comment period ended 

August 19, 2014. No comments were received from the public. 

Commitments and Mitigation Measures: 

The Project sponsors will be required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local permitting 

requirements during the implementation of the Project, which will include: 

• Public Law 95-217, Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 USC§ 1251-1376 

• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 16 USC§ 470 

• Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (CWA), 33 USC § 1344 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 10 
~~ U.S. Deportment ofTronsportation 

{e;r' Federal Railroad Administration 

• Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, 

42 USC§ 4601 et. seq 

• Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, 42 FR 26961, signed May 24, 1977 

• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USC Chapter 126, and 47 USC Chapter 5 

The following commitments and mitigation measures have been identified to further reduce impacts of 

the Project. Additional measures may also be implemented as necessary and as identified. 

• Water Quality and Water Resources: Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, Water Quality Certification 

from the ADEQ is required. Since the Project has the potential to disturb more than one acre, it may 

be subject to the requirement for a NPDES permit for stormwater discharges from the construction 

site. Permit coverage would be obtained, should it be necessary, under the ADEQ General Permit for 

Stormwater Discharges from Construction Site Activities (33 U.S.C. § 1344) under Section 402 of the 

CWA. 

o A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan will be prepared and implemented, in accordance 

with requirements under the NPDES permit. BMPs such as silt fences, check dams, and 

appropriately sized sediment basins would be utilized during construction. Following 

construction, to further reduce impacts permanent BMPs would be installed such as 

permanent seeding and the use of native vegetation incorporated into the final landscape 

design. 

• Wetlands: Further efforts would be made in future phases of work to avoid and minimize additional 

wetland impacts. Avoidance and minimization may be accomplished by narrowing the railroad crosssection with the use of retaining walls, steeper embankments, and bridging critical wetland resources. 

A voiding and minimizing impacts to wetland resources may be constrained by other critical resources 

and local issues. Additionally, the proposal requires action in regard to Executive Order 11990, which 

covers wetland coordination, including any mitigation and permit requirements for Federal agencies. 

ADEQ and USACE have established agreements for the corresponding replacement ratios for 

wetlands. Any permits required by the USACE or ADEQ would be secured prior to the start of 

construction. 

• Threatened and Endangered Species: Appropriate state or federal permits would be sought if 

previously unidentified endangered species are identified during construction of the Project. In 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMP ACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 II 
--~ U.S. Deportment ofTronsportotion 

{e.if Federal Railroad Administration 

addition, all activity in the immediate area would cease if previously unidentified endangered species 

are identified during construction. 

• Noise: To minimize or eliminate the effect of construction noise on these receptors, time restrictions 

would be used to limit the period of exposure to construction noise, with construction activity only 

occurring from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Adequate mufflers for all engines and engine driven construction 

equipment would also be required. 

• Vibration: Measures would be taken to mitigate vibration impacts by restricting the procedures and 

time permitted for vibration-intensive activities, such as pile-driving, and by requiring vibration 

monitoring to certify compliance with vibration limits. 

• Public Health and Safety: Measures would be taken during the construction phase to coordinate with 

emergency service providers in order to mitigate any potential impacts due to construction activity 

conflicts. 

• Hazardous Materials: Accidental spills of hazardous materials and wastes during construction or 

operation of the transportation system require special response measures. Such occurrences would be 

handled in accordance with local and state government response procedures. Refueling, storage of 

fuels, or maintenance of construction equipment would not be allowed within 100 feet of wetlands or 

water bodies to avoid accidental spills impacting these resources. 

o Further environmental studies would be conducted if the Project requires excavation, 

including subsurface utility relocation and a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) would be 

conducted prior to acquisition of any contaminated parcel, and/or required temporary or 

permanent easements if required. 

o Special waste. issues encountered during construction would be managed in accordance with 

local and state regulations, BNSF and UPRR standard specifications and special provisions or 

the "ADOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and Supplemental 

Specifications and Recurring Special Provisions." In the case of an emergency involving 

hazardous material, BNSF or UPRR would enact a hazardous materials emergency response 

plan and contact the appropriate state and local agencies. 

• Construction Impacts: Prior to construction, erosion control fencing would be placed at the limits of 

construction. Zones of fill, grading, compaction, or equipment movement would be restricted to areas 

outside the protective fencing. Impacts from silt and sedimentation would be minimized through 

adherence to erosion control measures outlined in ADOT's Standard Specification's for Highway 

Construction, 2003 and in accordance with the NPDES permit. BMPs for dust and noise suppression 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 12 
~-- U.S. Department ofTransportation {eif Federal Railroad Administration 

would be followed. Debris and spoil disposal, if generated, would be removed according to state and 

local regulations. BNSF and UPRR would ensure that all equipment will be in good working order 

and maintained, including the exhaust systems. 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 13 
~~ U.S. Department ofTransportation 

~e;; Federal Railroad Administration 

Conclusion: FRA finds that the IRPLP Project, as presented and assessed in the attached Environmental 

Assessment (EA), satisfies the requirements of FRA's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts 

(64 FR 28545, May 26, 1999) and NEPA (42 USC § 4321 et seq.), and the Project would have no 

foreseeable significant impact on the quality of the human or natural environment provided it is 

implemented in accordance with the commitments identified in this Finding of No Significant Impact 

(FONSI). As the Project sponsor, the City of West Memphis is responsible for ensuring all 

environmental commitments identified in this FONSI are fully implemented. The EA provides sufficient 

evidence and analysis for FRA to determine that an environmental impact statement is not required for the 

Project as presented. 

Administrator 

Federal Railroad Administration 

This document has been prepared in accordance with FRA's Procedures for Considering Environmental 

Impacts and NEPA by the FRA's Office of Program Delivery, with assistance from FRA's Office of 

Chief Counsel. This document was prepared in August 2014. For further information regarding this 

document contact: 

Catherine Dobbs_ 

Regional Manager, Central Region 

Federal Railroad Administration 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Phone: (202) 493-6201 

The following organization assisted the Office of Program Delivery in the preparation of the attached 

Environmental Assessment: 

Ward Wimbish 

City of West Memphis 

205 S. Redding 

West Memphis AR 72303 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

International Rail Port Logistics Park Project 

Crittendon County, Arkansas 

September 2014 13