USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home
                        Rail Network Development
                        Environment
                        Environmental Reviews


            
            In This Section
        Environment Overview
                Environmental Division Updates
                Historic Preservation
                Rail Climate Considerations
                FRA Legislation & Regulations
                FRA & NEPA Documentation
                Additional Information on Categorical Exclusions
                Additional Information on Section 4(f) and Programmatic Evaluations
                Environmental Reviews
                Noise & Vibration
                Final Section 106 Program Comment for Rail Rights-of-Way
                FRA Rail Program Delivery Webinar Series: Environment
                FRA Recommended Trainings & Environmental Resources
                
                Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project
    

    
    
          The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) selected the City of Kalispell, Montana, (City) to receive a Fiscal Year 2015 grant award under its Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The USDOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is administering the TIGER grant.

The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project (Project) consists of the following two phases:

Phase I: Construction and operation of the new Glacier Rail Park (Rail Park), which will include 10,000 linear feet of new rail to serve industrial users in the Rail Park and provide a new rail turnaround adjacent to the Rail Park allowing for the removal of the original track in Kalispell; improvements to access roads on the north and east sides of the new Rail Park, traffic signal and road improvements for truck access to Montana Highway 2, and utilities to each lot in the Rail Park to provide access to City water and sewer, power, gas, and fiber optics. The new Rail Park will improve the efficiency of existing freight rail operations by relocating operations to a dedicated facility and eliminating the need for the rail line to bisect the community.

Phase II: A rail-to-trail component known as the Kalispell Trail, which will include the removal of nearly two miles of existing BNSF rail line from milepost 1225.19 to the west side of Meridian Street at milepost 1226.79, conversion of the existing rail bridge to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian use, and construction of a public use recreational trail in the abandoned railroad right-of-way, and the construction of up to three complete street connections in the Kalispell Core Area. Phase II construction will not begin until construction of the Rail Park has been completed and is operational, the existing rail line has been abandoned, and freight rail traffic has been moved off the rail line.

**Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact**

FRA and the City of Kalispell prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the Project on the human and natural environment. The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 USC 4321 et seq.); the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508); and FRA’s *Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts* (64 FR 28545, [May 26, 1999] and 78 FR 2713 [January 14, 2013]).

FRA and the City made the draft EA available for a 30-day public review and comment period from May 19, 2017, to June 17, 2017.

FRA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on July 18, 2017.

Supporting Documents:

Environmental Assessment for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project
	Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Section 4(f) Determination
	Appendix A - 4(f) Correspondence
	Appendix C - EA Public Comments
	Appendix D - Executed Section 106 MOASupplemental Environmental Assessment

FRA and the City of Kalispell prepared a Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) to address the City's proposed changes to Phase II, or the trail portion, of the Project. The SEA analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the following: additional options for the locations of up to three complete streets to provide connectivity in the Core Area; a potential realignment of a small segment of the Kalispell Trail (approximately 345 feet) between 4th Avenue WN and 5th Avenue WN; and a potential connection of the northeast trailhead (approximately 300 feet) to adjacent public right-of-way at the Flathead Drive/US Highway 2 intersection.

FRA and the City made the SEA available for a 30-day public review and comment period from October 21, 2019, to November 19, 2019.

FRA issued a FONSI for the SEA on August 14, 2020. The SEA, as well as information about the Project, is available on the City's Project webpage.

Supporting Documents:

Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project  Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA)
	Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project, Phase II, Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
              
      
    
          Last updated: Monday, August 24, 2020 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards