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Chapter 26: Glossary and Acronyms

This chapter provides all of the abbreviations and acronyms used in this document. This chapter 

also includes glossary entries, which explain terminology used throughout the EIS and Draft 

Section 4(f) Evaluation. Entries are listed alphabetically. 

A 

ACHP - Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

AC - alternating current

ACM - asbestos-containing material

Action Alternative - An alternative that must be rigorously explored and objectively evaluated under 

consideration in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). An alternative that proposes some 

Federal action in contrast to the No Action Alternative. See also No Action Alternative. 

ACS - American Community Survey (US Census Bureau)

ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; Federal regulation establishing legal requirements 

for accessibility for persons with disabilities. Codified at 42 USC 12101 et seq.

ADF - Air Discharge Facilities Index

ACFM - actual cubic feet per minute

ADP - Amended Drainage Plan

Adverse Effect - (1) National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)—an effect that may cause

unfavorable or undesirable outcomes to the natural or human environment. (2) National Historic

Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA)—the diminishment of a historic property’s integrity, with respect to 

its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, or association. The term is applied by 

federal agency officials, in consultation with the State (or Tribal) Historic Preservation Office, as part 

of the Section 106 process. See also Historic Property. 

A/E - Architect/Engineer of Record; The professional engineer or architect licensed in the State in 

good standing who is designated by the owner, acting reasonably, as the engineer responsible for 

the preparation, signing, dating, sealing and issuing of the engineering documents relating to all 

of the project work based on the owner’s determined project delivery method.

AERMOD - American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulated Model

Affected Environment - The existing environment, resource conditions, and trends that may be affected

by the Alternatives of the Proposed Action. Can include the physical, biological, social, and economic 

setting potentially affected by alternatives under consideration. 

Affected Environment Existing Conditions - represents current or Existing Conditions as of 2019

Affected Environment Future Conditions - represents the addition of ongoing and reasonably 

anticipated to occur private development, but not transportation projects to Affected Environment 

Existing Conditions
June 2021 26-2 

AHV - after hours variance

Amtrak - National Railroad Passenger Corporation; joint Project Sponsor

ANSI - American National Standards Institute, Inc. (A private, non-profit organization that 

administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system.) 

Anthropogenic - Relating to, or resulting from the influence of, human beings on nature.

APE - Area of Potential Effect(s) for historic resources; the geographic area or areas within which 

a project may directly or indirectly cause alterations in the character or use of historic properties, 

if such properties exist (i.e., the Study Area)

APTA - American Public Transit Association (A nonprofit group of approximately 1,500 public and 

private sector member organizations that promotes and advocates for the interests of the public 

transportation industry in the United States.) 

Aquifer - Subsurface geologic unit (rock or sediment) that contains and transmits groundwater.

Archaeological Site - A place (or group of physical sites) in which physical remains of past human 

activity that are at least 50 years old are preserved, and which has been, or may be, investigated 

using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record. The 

archaeological record consists of artifacts, features, and ecological evidence along with their 

preserved positions in or on the earth.

ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE represents a profession that plans, designs, 

constructs, and operates the built environment, while protecting and restoring the natural 

environment. ASCE is an authoritative source for codes and standards that protect the public.) 

ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials

ATR - automated traffic recorder

AVE - Area of Visual Effect

A‐Weighted Sound Level - A measure of sound intensity, expressed in decibel notation as dBA, 

which is weighted to approximate the response of the human ear; describes the way sound will 

affect people near a noise source. 

B 

BAT - best available technology

BCP - Brownfield Cleanup Program

Beneficial effect - Potential to cause positive outcomes to the natural or human environment.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) - Methods designed to minimize adverse effects to the 

environment. Examples of BMPs include practices for erosion and sedimentation controls, 

watering for dust control, perimeter silt fences, rice straw bales, and sediment basins. 

BFE - Base Flood Elevation

BOD - Basis of Design Report; A report developed by the A/E based on owner’s project 

requirements to describe the Technical Approach planned for the project, as well as the PDC to 

be used. 

BPIP - Building Profile Input Program

BPIPRM - Building Profile Input Program for the PRIME model

BTU - British thermal unit
Chapter 26: Glossary and Acronyms

26-3 June 2021

Bulb-out - A sidewalk extension, typically into the parking lane, used to narrow the roadway and 

provide additional pedestrian space at key locations; they can be used at corners and at mid-block

locations. 

C 

CAA - Clean Air Act of 1970 (Federal); The Federal law that defines the United States 

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) responsibilities for protecting and improving the 

nation's air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer. The CAA protects the public from exposure 

to airborne contaminants that are known to be hazardous to human health and requires that the 

EPA rate Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). Codified at 42 USC 7401 et seq.

CAPCOA - California Air Pollution Control Officers Association

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - A colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere, 

produced by burning carbon and organic compounds, and by respiration. Fossil fuel combustion 

emits significant quantities of CO2. 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) - A colorless, odorless, toxic, and flammable gas formed by the incomplete 

combustion of carbon. CO gas generated in the urban environment is primarily due to the 

incomplete combustion of fossil fuels in motor vehicles.

CBD - central business district

CBS - Chemical Bulk Storage

Census Block - A subdivision of a census block group (or, prior to 2000, a block numbering area); 

a block is the smallest geographic unit for which the U.S. Census Bureau tabulates 100‐percent 

data (data collected from all houses, rather than sample houses). In urban areas, many census 

blocks correspond to individual city blocks bounded by streets.

CEPP - Construction Environmental Protection Plan

CEQ - Council on Environmental Quality (Federal)

CEQR - New York City Environmental Quality Review

CERCLA - Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

CERCLIS - Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information 

System

CFR - Code of Federal Regulations

CH4 - methane

CHASP - Construction Health and Safety Plan

CMP - New York State Coastal Management Program

CLCPA - Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

CO - carbon monoxide

CO2 - carbon dioxide

CO2e - carbon dioxide equivalent

Con Edison - Consolidated Edison; a New York power utility

Consulting Party - Parties that have a consultative role in the Section 106 process. These may 

include the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO); Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian 
June 2021 26-4 

organizations; representatives of local governments; applicants for Federal assistance, permits, 

licenses, and other approvals; and individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest in 

the undertaking.

Cooperating Agency - Any agency invited by the lead Federal agency that has agreed to 

participate in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) process, and has legal 

jurisdiction over, or technical expertise regarding, environmental impacts associated with a 

proposed action. 

COVID-19 - coronavirus disease 2019 (public health emergency)

CP-29 - Commissioner Policy 29 (New York State); The New York State Department of 

Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) policy that provides guidance for incorporating 

environmental justice concerns into NYSDEC environmental permit review process and the DEC 

application of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

CPC - New York City Planning Commission

CREC - Controlled Recognized Environmental Condition(s) 

Criteria Pollutants - Pollutants for which Federal and state air quality standards have been 

established: carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), 

particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometer or less (PM10), particulate matter with a 

diameter of 2.5 micrometer or less (PM2.5), and lead (Pb).

CRIS - Cultural Resource Information System (New York State)

Critical Habitat - Designated areas that provide suitable habitat for Federally listed threatened or 

endangered species, and in which are the geographical locations and physical features essential 

to the conservation of a particular species.

CRRA - Community Risk and Resiliency Act (New York State)

CSD - Community School District

CSO - combined sewer outfalls

Cultural Resources - Resources related to the tangible and intangible aspects of cultural systems, 

living and dead, which are valued by a given culture or contain information about the culture. 

Cultural resources include, but are not limited to, sites, structures, buildings, districts, and objects 

associated with or representative of people, cultures, and human activities and events.

Cumulative Impact - (1) Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)—the result of two or more 

individual impacts that, when considered together, are considerable or that compound or increase 

other environmental impacts; (2) National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)—an impact 

on the environment that results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other 

past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions; (3) National Historic Preservation Act of 

1966 (NHPA)—the impact on the environment that results from the incremental impact of the 

action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless 

of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. 

CWA - Clean Water Act of 1972 (Federal); The primary Federal law protecting the quality of the 

nation’s surface waters, including wetlands. The CWA regulates discharges and spills of 

pollutants, including hazardous materials, to surface waters and groundwater. Codified at 33 USC 

1251 et seq.

CZMA - Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (Federal) 
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26-5 June 2021

D 

dB - decibel; A logarithmic measurement of noise intensity.

dBA - “A”-weighted sound level (see definition above)

DC - direct current

DEIS - Draft Environmental Impact Statement

De Minimis - A Latin term meaning pertaining to minimal things, too trivial or minor to merit 

consideration. 

De Minimis Impact –When conducting Section 4(f) analysis of historic sites, de minimis impact 

means that FRA has determined, in accordance with 36 CFR part 800, that no historic property is 

affected by the project or that the project will have "no adverse effect" on the historic site in 

question. For parks, recreation areas, and wildlife and waterfowl refuges, a de minimis impact is 

one that will not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities qualifying the property for 

protection under Section 4(f). For air quality, New York City has set de minimis criteria for certain 

air pollutants, if a project results in emissions below these limits, the project would have a de 

minimis impact on air quality, one that will have no adverse impact. 

DFE - Design Flood Elevation

DHS - U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Direct Effect - A consequence to the environment caused by a proposed project that occurs at the 

same time and place. 

DM-30 - Dual-Mode diesel-electric engines

DOE - Department of Education

DOI - U.S. Department of the Interior

DSNY - New York City Department of Sanitation

DU - dwelling units

E 

E1UBL - subtidal estuarine wetland habitat with an unconsolidated bottom 

EA - Environmental Assessment

(E) Designation (noise) - Noise (E) Designations, as listed in Appendix C of the New York City 

Zoning Resolution, are placed on zoning lots in areas with high ambient noise levels when they 

are rezoned by NYCDCP to allow a noise-sensitive use to be built on those sites. A Noise (E) 

Designation specifies a minimum level of facade noise attenuation as well as the provision of an 

alternate means of ventilation to allow for the maintenance of a closed-window condition. 

EFH - essential fish habitat; Includes all types of aquatic habitat—wetlands, coral reefs, 

seagrasses, rivers—where fish spawn, breed, feed, or grow to maturity.

EIA - Energy Information Administration (Federal)

EIS - Environmental Impact Statement; Documentation required by the National Environmental 

Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for certain actions “significantly affecting the quality of the human 

environment.” An EIS is a decision‐making tool that presents detailed analysis of a proposed 

action and alternatives to the proposed action. The EIS presents the project’s potential effects—
June 2021 26-6 

both beneficial and adverse—and any mitigation measures to reduce adverse effects. See also 

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Endangered Species - Any species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) as 

being in danger of or threatened with extinction throughout all or most of its range. See 

Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) - The ESA and subsequent amendments (Sections 7, 9, 

and 10) provide guidance for conserving Federally listed species and the ecosystems upon which 

they depend. Codified at 16 USC 1531 et seq.

Environmental Justice - The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of 

race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and 

enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Environmental Site Assessment - An analysis that identifies potential or existing environmental 

contamination liabilities. Phase I (ESA, see below) and Phase II (ESI, see below) investigations 

assess whether identified historic on‐site or off‐site hazardous uses have affected the soil or 

groundwater conditions beneath a property, as necessary. 

EMS - Emergency Medical Services 

EO - Executive Order

ERNS - Emergency Response Notification System

ESA - Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

ESB - Emergency Services Building

ESD - Empire State Development Corporation (a New York State Agency)

ESI - Phase II Environmental Site Investigation

F 

FacDB - Facilities Database (New York City Department of City Planning)

FAR - floor area ratio

FDNY - Fire Department of the City New York City

FEIS - Final Environmental Impact Statement

FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency

FGEIS - Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement

FHWA - Federal Highway Administration (USDOT)

FIRMs - Flood Insurance Rate Maps (Federal FEMA)

Floodplain - An area of land adjacent to a stream or river which stretches from the banks of its 

channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls, and which experiences flooding during periods 

of high discharge. 

100-year floodplain - Area in which a flood event has a 1% probability of occurring in any given 

year

500-year floodplain - Area in which a flood event has a 0.2% probability of occurring in any given 

year

FOIA - Freedom of Information Act (Federal)
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26-7 June 2021

FOIL - Freedom of Information Law (New York State)

FONSI - Finding of No Significant Impact (Federal)

FRA - Federal Railroad Administration (USDOT); Lead Federal Agency

FTA - Federal Transit Administration (USDOT)

G 

General Conformity - The requirement that Federal, state, tribal, and local governments in air 

quality nonattainment or maintenance areas ensure that Federal actions conform to the initiatives 

established in the applicable state implementation plan or tribal implementation plan. 

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) - A class of air pollutants believed to contribute to the greenhouse 

global warming effect, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon dioxide 

(CO2).

GIS - Geographic Information Systems

GREET - Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation

gpd - gallons per day

gsf - gross square feet

GWP - global warming potential

H 

HARBS/EA - Historic Architectural Resources Background Study and Effects Assessment

Hazardous Materials - Any material that, because of quantity, concentration, or physical or 

chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and 

safety, or the environment, if released.

Hazardous Waste - A hazardous material that is no longer of use and will be disposed of. 

Hazardous waste is regulated by EPA under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 

1976 (RCRA). See also RCRA. 

HC - hydrocarbon; Various organic compounds, including methane, emitted principally from the 

storage, handling, and combustion of fossil fuels. 

HEP - New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program 

HFC - hydrofluorocarbon

High Line - linear park on historic elevated structure

Historic Property - Any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in, 

or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The term includes 

properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian 

organization and that meet the National Register criteria. See also National Register of Historic 

Places and Traditional Cultural Properties.

HHS - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Federal)

hp - horsepower

HRE - Hudson Raritan Estuary

HREC - Historic Recognized Environmental Conditions
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HRPA - Hudson River Park Act

HRPT - Hudson River Park Trust

HUD - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Federal)

Hudson Yards - Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) John 

D. Caemmerer Yard

HVAC - heating, ventilating, and air condition

Hz - Hertz

I 

Impact - A change in the condition or function of an environmental resource or environmental value 

resulting from human activity. Synonym to Effect. 

Independent Third Party Consultant - Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.5(c), FRA selected AKRF, Inc. to 

assist FRA in conducting the environmental review and preparing the environmental 

documentation related to the Applicants’ Proposal (the Proposed Action). 

Indirect Impact - A reasonably foreseeable indirect consequence to the environment caused by a 

proposed project that would occur either in the future or near to, but not the same location as, the 

direct impacts associated with the project. Synonym to Secondary Impact.

Induced Growth - An indirect impact of a project triggering community growth (increases in 

population, development, etc.) that is influenced and stimulated by the Proposed Action. 

IPAC - Information, Planning, and Conservation System (Federal)

IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (United Nations)

ISR - In-Stack Ratio

J, K

KWH - kilowatt hours

L 

Ldn - Day-night average sound level; the average noise level over a 24-hour period.

Leq, dBA - Equivalent Sound Level; a method to describe sound levels that vary over time, resulting 

in a decibel value that considers the total sound energy over a given period of time.

Leq(h), dBA - Equivalent or average noise level for the noisiest hour, expressed in A‐weighted 

decibels.

Lead (Pb) - A stable element that can have toxic effects and that persists and accumulates in the 

environment, humans, or animals.

Lead Agency - The Federal agency that has the principal responsibility for carrying out or 

approving a project or action and is responsible for preparing environmental review documents in 

compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the National Historic 

Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA).

LBP - lead-based paint

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

LEP - Limited English Proficiency
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26-9 June 2021

LIRR - Long Island Rail Road (New York State - MTA)

LGBT - lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender

LOR - Letter of Resolution

LOS - level of service; A rating using qualitative measures to characterize operational conditions 

within a traffic stream and their perception by motorists and passengers. 

LPC - New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission

LTANKS - Database of leaking underground storage tanks

LTCP - Long Term Control Plan

LWRP - Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

LZ - littoral zone

M 

MBTA - Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Mesoscale - Describes an air quality analysis at the regional level.

mgd - million gallons per day

Microscale - Describes an air quality analysis for a localized area such as an intersection. 

Minimization Measures - Measures developed during the planning and Project Development 

phase of a project to reduce proposed impacts to a resource. Minimization measures could include

construction commitments, implementing control measures to limit exposure paths of 

contaminated materials, dust control measures during construction, etc.

Mitigation - An action or measure undertaken to minimize, reduce, eliminate, or avoid adverse 

impacts of a project, action, or activity. 

MHHW - Mean Higher High Water

MLLW - Mean Lower Low Water

MLW - mean low water

MOA - Memorandum of Agreement

MOE - margin of error

MOSF - Major Oil Storage Facilities

MOVES - Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator

mph - miles per hour

MPO - Metropolitan Planning Organization

MPT - Maintenance and Protection of Traffic

MS4 - Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems

MTA - Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York State)

MTS - marine transfer station

N 

NAA - non-attainment areas
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NAAQS - National Ambient Air Quality Standards; Federal standards stipulating the allowable 

ambient concentrations of specific criteria pollutants.

NAVD88 - North American Vertical Datum of 1988

NEC - Northeast Corridor (railroad line from Boston to Washington D.C.)

NEPA - National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; Federal law that establishes national policies 

and goals for the protection of the environment and requires Federal agencies to consider the 

environmental impacts of major Federal projects or decisions; share information with the public; 

identify and assess reasonable alternatives; identify appropriate measures to mitigate potential 

impacts; and coordinate efforts with other planning and environmental reviews taking place. 

Codified at 42 USC 4331 et seq.

NESHAPS - National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants

NFPA - National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

NFPA 14 - Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems

NFPA 110 - Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems

NFPA 130 - Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems

NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code

NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

NFRAP - No Further Remedial Action Planned

NGVD29 - National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929

NHL - National Historic Landmark

NHPA - National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; Federal law intended to preserve the nation’s 

historic properties. The act created the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP), the list of 

National Historic Landmarks (NHL), and the State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO). Codified 

at 54 USC 300101 et seq. See also Section 106 of the NHPA, National Register of Historic Places, 

and National Historic Landmarks.

NMFS - National Marine Fisheries Service

N2O - nitrous oxide

NO - nitric oxide

NO2 - nitrogen dioxide

NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) - A class of pollutant compounds that include nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 

nitric oxide (NO), which are emitted by the combustion of fossil fuels, including motor vehicles. 

See Criteria Pollutants. 

No Action Alternative - An alternative under which no action would be taken (for example, the 

Project would not be built). Evaluation of a No Action Alternative is required under NEPA, as an 

example of a reasonable alternative outside the jurisdiction of the lead agency. This analysis 

provides a benchmark, enabling decision makers to compare the magnitude of environmental 

effects of the Proposed Action and any other alternatives. 

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Federal)
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No Action Alternative - Project alternative representing the decision not to take any action to 

address the Project purpose and need

No Action Alternative Conditions - includes Affected Environment Future Conditions adding 

planned transportation projects as of 2030

NOI - Notice of Intent; Formal notice published in the Federal Register by the Federal lead agency 

stating that an EIS will be prepared for a proposed project or action.

NORAC- Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee

NPCC - New York City Panel on Climate Change

NPL - National Priority List (Superfund List); A Federal list of sites that have been identified as 

posing an immediate public health hazard and where an immediate response is necessary. 

NR or NRHP - National Register of Historic Places; Official list of the Nation's historic places worthy 

of preservation, maintained and approved by the National Park Service (NPS). Codified at 54 USC 

302101 et seq. For a property to be eligible for listing in the NRHP, it must meet the NPS National 

Register Criteria for Evaluation. See also Historic Property. 

NRCC - Northeast Regional Climate Center

NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service (Federal - U.S. Department of Agriculture)

NRT - North River Tunnel; New York Improvements and Tunnel Extension of the Pennsylvania 

Railroad

NWI - National Wetland Inventory

NYCACS - New York City Administration for Children’s Services’ 

NYCEDC - New York City Economic Development Corporation

NYC Parks - New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

NYCDCP - New York City Department of City Planning

NYCDDC - New York City Department of Design and Construction

NYCDEP - New York City Department of Environmental Protection

NYCDOB - New York City Department of Buildings

NYCDOT - New York City Department of Transportation

NYCHA - New York City Housing Authority

NYCL - New York City Landmark

NYCNCC - New York City Noise Control Code

NYCOER - New York City Office of Environmental Remediation

NYCT - New York City Transit (New York State - MTA)

NYNHP - New York Natural Heritage Program

NYMA - New York Metropolitan Area

NYMTC - New York Metropolitan Transportation Council

NYPD - New York Police Department

NYPL - New York Public Library
June 2021 26-12

NYSDEC - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

NYSDOS - New York State Department of State

NYSDOT - New York State Department of Transportation

NYSERDA - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

NYSHPO - New York State Historic Preservation Office

NYSM - New York State Museum

O 

O3 (Ozone) - A photochemical oxidant that is a major cause of lung and eye irritation in urban 

environments.

O&M - operation and maintenance

OCMC - Office of Construction Mitigation and Coordination

OneNYC - One New York: The Plan for a Strong and Just City; a comprehensive plan developed 

by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability

Operational Conditions - No Action Alternative and Proposed Action in 2030

OPRHP - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation

OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Federal - U.S. Department of Labor)

OPR - Owner’s Project Requirements; A document that establishes the goals for the project. The 

OPR is considered a “living” document during the design phase of the project, and as such is 

subject to change as the design progresses. 

P 

PA (Programmatic Agreement) - An agreement between agencies that specifies the terms of 

compliance with one or more Federal laws. A project-specific PA describes the actions that will be 

taken by the parties to meet their environmental compliance responsibilities for a specific project. 

A procedural PA establishes a process through which the parties will meet their compliance 

responsibilities for an agency program, a category of projects, or a particular type of resource.

PABT - Port Authority Bus Terminal

PAH - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PANYNJ - Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Participating Agency - Federal, state, or local agencies or Federally recognized tribal 

governmental organizations that is invited by the lead agency to participate in the environmental 

review process for a project with an interest in the Project. 

Particulate Pollution - Air pollution such as dust, soot, and smoke that is irritating but usually not 

poisonous. Particulate pollution can also include bits of highly toxic solid or liquid substances. Of 

particular concern are particulate matter smaller than, or equal to, 10 micrometers (PM10) or 2.5 

micrometers (PM2.5) in size. See PM, PM10, and PM2.5.. 

PATH - Port Authority Trans-Hudson

PBS - Petroleum Bulk Storage

PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) - Chemicals used in electrical transformers, hydraulic 

equipment, capacitors, and similar equipment.
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26-13 June 2021

PCE - Passenger Car Equivalent

Peak Construction Conditions - No Action Alternative and Proposed Action

PFC - perfluorocarbon

PlaNYC - PlaNYC: A Greener, Greater New York; plan of sustainability and resiliency initiatives 

by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability.

PM - particulate matter

PM10 - particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 10 micrometers

PM2.5 - particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers

Point Source Pollution - Pollution that can be traced to a single source (for example, a smokestack 

at a factory).

POPS - publicly owned private space

ppb - parts per billion

ppm - parts per million

Preferred Alternative - Alternative identified as the Build Alternative recommended for 

advancement by the lead agency or project proponent (the applicant’s preferred alternative); 

Proposed Action. 

Project Sponsor - The entity that will advance the Project through final design and construction, 

including compliance with mitigation measures. WRY Tenant LLC and Amtrak are partnering in a 

joint venture and are collectively identified as the Project Sponsor in this EIS. 

PS/IS - elementary/intermediate public school

PVMRM - Plume Volume No Further Remedial Action Planned Molar Ratio Method

Q, R

RCRA - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (Federal); Federal law that creates the 

framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. The law 

describes the waste management program mandated by Congress that gave the United States 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to develop the RCRA program. Codified at 42 

USC 6901 et seq.

RAP - Remedial Action Plan

RD - Restrictive Declaration

REC - Recognized Environmental Condition(s) 

RFP - request for proposals

RGGI - Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

rms - root mean square

ROD - Record of Decision; The final step in the EIS process under NEPA. The ROD explains the 

agency’s decision, describes the alternatives the agency considered, and discusses the agency’s 

plans for mitigation and monitoring, if necessary.

ROW (right-of-way) - legal right of passage over a defined area of real property. In transit usage, 

the corridor along a roadway or railway that is controlled by a transit or transportation agency or 

authority.
June 2021 26-14

RRIF - Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing

RSCO - Remedial Soil Cleanup Objectives

RWCDS - Reasonable Worst-Case Development Scenario

Runoff - The draining away of water and substances carried in it from the surface of an area of 

land, a building, or structure.

S 

SBS - Select Bus Service

SCA - New York City School Construction Authority

SCO - Soil Cleanup Objectives

Scoping - A process used under NEPA to determine the range of issues to be addressed and for 

identifying the significant issues related to the proposed action or project to be addressed in an 

EIS. 

SEA - supplemental environmental assessment

Section 4(f) of the United States Department of Transportation Act of 1966 - Legislation codified 

at 23 USC 138 and 49 USC 303 that governs the use of land from publicly owned parks, recreation 

areas, and wildlife and waterfowl refuges and publicly or privately owned significant historic sites 

that may be affected by projects approved or funded by USDOT. Section 4(f) addresses the 

potential for conflicts between transportation needs and the protection of land for recreational use 

and resource conservation by providing protection for publicly owned parkland, recreation areas, 

and historic sites from use. Specifically, the provisions prohibit the Secretary of Transportation 

from approving any program or project that would require the use of any publicly owned land from 

a public park, recreation area, wildlife or waterfowl refuge, or land of an historic site of national 

significance as determined by the Official with Jurisdiction over these lands unless there are no 

feasible and prudent alternatives to the use of these lands.

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) - The section of the NHPA 

that requires Federal agencies to account for the effects of their undertakings on historic properties 

and to provide the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) with a reasonable 

opportunity to comment. In addition, Federal agencies are required to consult on the Section 106 

process with State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), Tribal Historic Preservation Offices 

(THPOs), Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). The Section 106 process 

(54 USC § 306108) is defined in 36 CFR 800, Protection of Historic Properties. 

SEQRA - New York State Environmental Quality Review Act

sf - square feet

SF6 - sulfur hexafluoride

SF/P - square feet per pedestrian

SHPA - New York State Historic Preservation Act

SHWS - State Hazardous Waste Sites

SIP - State Implementation Plan; Statewide plan for complying with the Clean Air Act of 1970 

(CAA). The SIP consists of guidance, rules, and agreements that the state will use to clean up 

polluted areas.

SO2 - sulfur dioxide
Chapter 26: Glossary and Acronyms

26-15 June 2021

SOx - sulfur oxides; Sulfur‐oxygen compounds that include the important criteria pollutants sulfur 

dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3).

SOE - Support of Excavation

SPDES - State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

SSURGO - Soil Survey Geographic Database

Study Area - A defined area or distance established to determine potential effects associated with 

the Proposed Action. Study areas vary in size and distance depending on the resource category 

and type of effects being considered. 

STV - significant threshold values

SVOC - semi-volatile organic compound

SWF - Solid Waste Facilities

SWMP - Solid Waste Management Plan

SWPPP - stormwater pollution prevention plan; A plan that specifies site management activities 

to be implemented during site development, including construction stormwater best management 

practices, erosion and sedimentation controls, dewatering (nuisance water removal), runoff 

controls, and construction equipment maintenance. 

T 

TAGM - Technical and Administrative Guidance Memorandum

TBTA - Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

TDF - Transportation Demand Forecasting

Third Party Consultant - AKRF, Inc. (see Independent Third Party Consultant), selected by FRA 

pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.5(c). 

Threatened and Endangered Species - Any species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 

1973 as being in danger of or threatened with extinction throughout all or most of its range.

THPO - Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

TIMS - Traffic Information Management System

TIP - Transportation Improvement Program

Tremie Method - The most common and expeditious way to place large volumes of concrete to 

considerable thickness under water.

TRIS - Toxic Chemical Release Inventory System

TSA - Transportation Security Administration (Federal - DHS)

U 

UC - under construction

ULSD - ultra-low sulfur diesel

ULURP - Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (New York City)

UST - Underground Storage Tank
June 2021 26-16

Underpinning - A process in which the existing structural support of a building or structure is 

stabilized or reinforced from below to permit construction underneath.

Undertaking - A project, activity, or program funded in whole or in part by a Federal agency, 

including those carried out by or on behalf of a Federal agency, those carried out with Federal 

financial assistance, and those requiring a Federal permit, license, or approval.

USDA - U.S. Department of Agriculture

USDOT - U.S. Department of Transportation

USEPA - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

V 

V/C Ratio - volume/capacity ratio; Describes the relationship between the amount of traffic a 

roadway was designed to carry and the amount of traffic it actually carries. Related to the Level of 

Service (LOS) the roadway can provide. See also Level of Service. 

VCP - Voluntary Cleanup Program

VdB - velocity in decibels; A logarithmic measurement of vibration intensity (see Vibration).

Vessel - A 16-story metal structure composed of interlocking staircases and viewing platforms in 

Eastern Rail Yard. 

VOC - volatile organic compound; Colorless gaseous compounds originating, in part, from the 

evaporation and incomplete combustion of fuels. In the presence of sunlight, VOCs react to form 

ozone (O3), a pollutant regulated by the Clean Air Act of 1970 (CAA) and its amendments.

Vibration - A rapid linear motion of a particle or of an elastic solid about an equilibrium position.

W 

WESCS - wired emergency services communication system

WIT - width increment threshold

WRP - New York City Waterfront Revitalization Program

WRY - Western Rail Yard 

WRY Tenant LLC - an affiliate of The Related Companies, LP; joint Project Sponsor

WSS - Web Soil Survey

WWTP - wastewater treatment plant

X, Y, Z

zsf - zoning square feet; area of floors in a building, excluding mechanical space, cellar space, 

floor space in open balconies, elevators or stair bulkheads. 

26.1 ACRONYM AND TERMS LIST

This chapter also contains all of the acronyms and project terms in this EIS and Draft Section 4(f) 

Evaluation, alphabetized and categorized by the chapter in which they first appear.
Chapter 26: Glossary and Acronyms

26-17 June 2021

26.1.1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Amtrak National Railroad Passenger Corporation

Bureau Build America Bureau

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

CEQR City Environmental Quality Review

CPC New York City Planning Commission

DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement

EA Environmental Assessment

FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement

FONSI Findings of No Significant Impact

FRA Federal Railroad Administration

gsf gross square feet

Hudson Yards LIRR John D. Caemmerer Yard

IS intermediate school

LIRR Long Island Rail Road

MTA Metropolitan Transportation Authority

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

NOI Notice of Intent

NYSHPO New York State Historic Preservation Officer

Penn Station New York Penn Station

Platform a structured platform

Project Sponsor joint venture of WRY Tenant LLC and Amtrak

Proposed Action The Applicants’ Proposal

PS public school

RD Restrictive Declaration

RFP request for proposals

ROD Record of Decision

ROW right-of-way

RRIF Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing

SCA New York City School Construction Authority

SEA Supplemental EA

SEQRA New York State Environmental Quality Review Act

Tunnel Encasement a railroad right-of-way preservation Tunnel 

Encasement

ULURP Uniform Land Use Review Procedure

USDOT U.S. Department of Transportation

WRY Tenant LLC an affiliate of The Related Companies, LP

26.1.2 CHAPTER 2: PURPOSE AND NEED

EIS Environmental Impact Statement
June 2021 26-18

26.1.3 CHAPTER 3: ALTERNATIVES

A/E Engineer/Architect of Record

AHV after hours variance

ANSI National Fire Protection Association

APTA American Public Transit Association

ASCE ASCE

BOD Basis of Design

Con Edison Consolidated Edison

Convention Center Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

DHS United States Department of Homeland Security

DM-30 Dual Mode

NYCDOB New York City Department of Buildings

HVAC heating, ventilating, and air condition

MEP underdeck mechanical, electrical, and plumbing

MPT Maintenance and Protection of Traffic

NFPA National Fire Protection Association

NRT North River Tunnel

NYCDOT New York City Department of Transportation

NYCDEP New York City Department of Environmental Protection

NYCNCC New York City Noise Control Code

NYCT MTA New York City Transit

O&M operation and maintenance

OCMC Office of Construction Mitigation and Coordination

OPR Owner’s Project Requirements

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PDC Project Design Criteria

Preferred Alternative Proposed Action

SOE Support of Excavation

TBTA Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

TSA Transportation Security Agency

26.1.4 CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK

Farley Building James A. Farley Post Office Building

FTA Federal Transit Administration

NYCEDC New York City Economic Development Corporation

PATH Port Authority Trans-Hudson

26.1.5 CHAPTER 5: LAND USE, LAND PLANNING, AND PROPERTY

FAR floor area ratio

LWRP Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

NEC Northeast Corridor

NEC Master Plan Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Master Plan

NYCHA New York City Housing Authority

NYMTC New York Metropolitan Transportation Council

NYSDOS New York State Department of State

OneNYC

One New York: The Plan for a Strong and Just City; a comprehensive plan 

developed by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and 

Sustainability

PlaNYC

PlaNYC: A Greener, Greater New York; plan of sustainability and resiliency 

initiatives by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and 

Sustainability
Chapter 26: Glossary and Acronyms

26-19 June 2021

26.1.6 CHAPTER 6: TRANSPORTATION

BMP Best Management Practice

26.1.7 CHAPTER 7: AIR QUALITY, GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, 

AND RESILIENCE

BAT best available technology

BFE Base Flood Elevation

CAA Clean Air Act

CLCPA Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

CO carbon monoxide

DFE Design Flood Elevation

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map

GHG greenhouse gas

HC hydrocarbons

hp horsepower

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

NAA non-attainment areas

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards

NAVD88 North American Vertical Datum of 1988

NO2 nitrogen dioxide

NPCC New York City Panel on Climate Change

NRCC Northeast Regional Climate Center

NYSERDA New York State Energy Research and 

Development Authority

O3 ozone

PANYNJ Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

PM particulate matter

SIP State Implementation Plan

SO2 sulfur dioxide

SOx sulfur oxides

ULSD ultra-low sulfur diesel

USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

26.1.8 CHAPTER 8: NOISE AND VIBRATION

dBA A-weighted sound level

MD midday

mph miles per hour

FDNY Fire Department of the City New York City

PCE Passenger Car Equivalent
June 2021 26-20

26.1.9 CHAPTER 9: CULTURAL RESOURCES

ACHP Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

APE area of potential effects

CEPP Construction Environmental Protection Plan

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

FGEIS Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement

HARBS Historic Architectural Resources Background Study

LOR Letter of Resolution

LPC Landmarks Preservation Commission

NRHP National Register of Historic Places

NYC Parks New York City Department of Parks and 

Recreation

OPRHP New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and 

Historic Preservation

THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

26.1.10 CHAPTER 10: PARKS AND RECREATION AREA

DOE Department of Education

ESD Empire State Development Corporation

HRPA Hudson River Park Act

HRPT Hudson River Park Trust

26.1.11 CHAPTER 11: AESTHETICS AND VISUAL QUALITY

AVE Area of Visual Effect

FHWA Federal Highway Administration

NYPD New York Police Department

SBS Select Bus Service
Chapter 26: Glossary and Acronyms

26-21 June 2021

26.1.12 CHAPTER 12: CONTAMINATED MATERIALS

AAI All Appropriate Inquiries

ACM asbestos-containing material

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

bgs below ground surface

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation, and Liability Act

CHASP Construction Health and Safety Plan

CRECs Controlled Recognized Environmental Conditions

DSNY NYC Department of Sanitation

ESA Environmental Site Assessment

ESI Environmental Site Investigation

HRECs Historic Recognized Environmental Conditions

LBA Louis Berger and Associates, P.C.

LBP lead-based paint

LTANKS Leaking Tanks

MGP manufactured gas plant

NYCOER New York City Office of Environmental 

Remediation

NFRAP No Further Remedial Action Planned

NYSDEC New York State Department of Environmental 

Conservation

PAHs polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PB Parsons Brinckerhoff

PBS Petroleum Bulk Storage

PCB polycholorinated biphenyls

ppb parts per billion

RAP Remedial Action Plan

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RECs Recognized Environmental Conditions

RSCOs Remedial Soil Cleanup Objectives

SHWS State Hazardous Waste Site

SVOCs semi-volatile organic compounds

TAGM Technical and Administrative Guidance 

Memorandum

UST underground storage tank

VOCs volatile organic compounds

26.1.13 CHAPTER 13: UTILITIES AND ENERGY

AC alternating current

ADP Amended Drainage Plan

CSO combined sewer overflow

DC direct current

gpd gallons per day

KWH kilowatt hours

mgd million gallons per day

MRF materials recovery facility

MS4 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems

MTS marine transfer station

SPDES State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

SWMP Solid Waste Management Plan

WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant
June 2021 26-22

26.1.14 CHAPTER 14:SOILS AND GEOLOGY

el. elevation

NGVD29 National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929

26.1.15 CHAPTER 15: WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES

E1UBL subtidal estuarine wetland habitat with an 

unconsolidated bottom

EFH essential fish habitat

HRE Hudson Raritan Estuary

IPaC Information, Planning, and Consultation System

LTCP Long-Term Control Plan

LZ littoral zone tidal wetlands

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

MLLW mean-lower-low-water

MLW mean low water

NJEIFP New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure 

Financing Program

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NWI National Wetland Inventory

SAV submerged aquatic vegetation

SWPPP stormwater pollution prevention plan

USA Use and Standards Attainment Program

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

26.1.16 CHAPTER 16: COASTAL ZONE CONSISTENCY

CMP Coastal Management Program

CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act

MHHW Mean higher high water

WRP Waterfront Revitalization Program

26.1.17 CHAPTER 17: SOCIOECONOMICS

ACS American Community Survey

ADA American Disabilities Act

CRIS Cultural Resource Information System

CSD 2 Community School District 2

EMS Emergency Medical Services

FacDB Facilities Database

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GIS Geographic Information Systems

IMPLAN IMpact analysis for PLANning

LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender

MOE margin of error

NYPL New York Public Library

26.1.18 CHAPTER 18: PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 26: Glossary and Acronyms

26-23 June 2021

26.1.19 CHAPTER 19: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

CP-29 Commissioner Policy 29

CPP Construction Protection Plan

EO Executive Order

HHS Department of Health and Human Services

26.1.20 CHAPTER 20: INDIRECT, CUMULATIVE, AND OTHER EFFECTS 

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

LOS level of service

NYCACS New York City Administration for Children’s 

Services

NYCDDC New York City Department of Design and 

Construction

RWCDS Reasonable Worst-Case Development Scenario

STV significant threshold values

26.1.21 CHAPTER 21: SECTION 4(F) EVALUATION

NYSDOT New York State Department of Transportation

26.1.22 CHAPTER 22: MITIGATION MEASURES AND PROJECT 

COMMITMENTS

26.1.23 CHAPTER 23: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AGENCY 

COORDINATION

FM-200 Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression

HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development

RIR Remedial Investigative Report

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

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