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


            
            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
                
                Brightline West - Las Vegas to Victor Valley (formally XpressWest)
    

    
    
    
      The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the lead federal agency for the environmental review of the DesertXpress High-Speed Passenger Train project, which was rebranded as the XpressWest project in 2012, and rebranded again in 2022 as the Brightline West – Las Vegas to Victor Valley Project. The Las Vegas to Victor Valley project is proposed by the project sponsor, Brightline West, to provide reliable and safe passenger rail transportation along an approximate 200-mile corridor between Southern California (Victorville) and Las Vegas, Nevada, as an alternative to automobile or air travel.

The project would use proven high-speed rail technology and be constructed as a grade-separated, dedicated passenger-only railroad predominantly in the median of or immediately alongside Interstate 15 (I-15), adding transportation capacity to the freeway corridor.

FRA, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Surface Transportation Board (STB), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the National Park Service (NPS), prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in March 2009, a Supplemental DEIS in August 2010, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in March 2011, and a Record of Decision (ROD) in July 2011. FRA most recently completed reevaluations of the FEIS and ROD in September 2020 and September 2023.

            Expand All
      Collapse All
        **Section 106**
        Since reinitiating the Project in 2019, in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Section 106), FRA has conducted cultural resources inventory, evaluation of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility of cultural resources, and assessment of effects caused by the undertaking to historic properties within the area of potential effects (APE). Those efforts have been documented in draft and final technical reports. They have also been communicated to Consulting Parties through letters, one-on-one meetings, and meetings of the Cultural Resources Working Group. FRA has received comments from Consulting Parties and considered those comments for revisions to technical reports and when making determinations of effects caused by the undertaking.

The nature of the Project’s anticipated design refinements requires an approach for ongoing compliance with Section 106. The Project also requires a process for avoiding, minimizing, and/or mitigating adverse effects to historic properties. As a result of these Project considerations, FRA negotiated a Programmatic Agreement (PA) to govern the approach for ongoing compliance with Section 106 and implementation of the resolution of adverse effects. The PA establishes a process for future identification, evaluation, assessment of effects, and consultations if needed based on changes in the APE or an inadvertent discovery of NRHP eligible cultural resources. The PA also establishes a process for resolution of adverse effects to historic properties. Beginning on December 20, 2022, FRA provided multiple drafts of the PA to Consulting Parties for review and comment. FRA considered all comments from Consulting Parties, held workshop meetings, and met with several Consulting Parties during consultation efforts on the PA. The PA was executed on August 15, 2023.

View Section 106 Programmatic Agreement Documents:

Las Vegas to Victor Valley High-Speed Rail Project PA
			AttachmentsBrightline West Las Vegas to Victor Valley High-Speed Rail Programmatic Agreement
			Available Upon Request:

			Attachment 1 – Area of Potential Effects (APE) and Project Description
				Attachment 2 – Section 106 Consultation Documentation
				Attachment 3 – Historic Properties in the APE
				Attachment 4 – List of Invited Section 106 Consulting Parties
				Attachment 5 – Historic Properties Treatment Plan
				Attachment 6 – Principal Contacts
  


      **NEPA Reevaluations**
        FRA completed reevaluations of the 2011 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the DesertXpress High-Speed Passenger Train Project. In 2019 and 2022, DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC submitted project modifications, including a refined alignment between Apple Valley and Las Vegas, modified station sites, and other changes to ancillary facilities. Based on the nature of the project modifications, FRA determined that reevaluations were appropriate.

FRA’s Environmental Procedures provide that:

“If major steps toward implementation of the proposed action have not occurred within the time frame, if any, set forth in the final EIS, or within five years from the date of approval of the final EIS, a written reevaluation of the adequacy, accuracy, and validity of the final EIS shall be prepared, and a new or supplemental EIS prepared, if necessary.”

FRA, in cooperation with BLM, STB, FHWA, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, with the added participation of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), analyzed whether changes in the environmental setting due to the passage of time or the proposed project modifications would result in new significant environmental impacts. This analysis is documented in the reevaluations.

View NEPA Reevaluation Documents:

NEPA Decision Memo Final: September 15, 2023
	Cover Page & Table of Contents
	Brightline West Reevaluation Summary
	Brightline West 4(f) Evaluation
	Attachment A: Project Changes
	Attachment B: USFWS Brightline West Concurrence
	Attachment C: Biological Resources Technical Report
	Attachment D: Mitigation Measure Summary
	NEPA Decision Memo Final: September 9, 2020
	Cover Page & Table of Contents
	XpressWest Reevaluation Summary
	Attachment A: Summary of Project Modifications
	Attachment B: Resource Impacts Analysis Report
	Attachment C: Traffic and Transportation Technical Report
	Attachment D: Cultural Resources Technical Report
	Attachment E: Hydrology and Water Quality Technical Report
	Attachment F: Air Quality Technical Report
	Attachment G: Noise and Vibration Technical Report
	Attachment H: Biological Resources Technical Report
	Attachment I: Mitigation Measure Summary
  


      **Record of Decision**
        FRA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on the DesertXpress High-Speed Passenger Train project on July 8, 2011. The ROD summarizes the environmental review process that FRA conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and FRA’s Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts. The ROD identifies the alternatives considered by FRA, addresses comments received during the NEPA process, and identifies the Selected Alternative. The ROD also includes a list of all measures to avoid and minimize environmental harm, including a monitoring and enforcement program to ensure adherence to these measures. Finally, the ROD presents the FRA decision, determinations, and findings regarding the Project, and identifies the factors that FRA considered to make its decision.

View the Record of Decision:

FRA Record of Decision
	Appendix A: Mitigation and Commitments
	Appendix B: Husing Review
	Appendix C: Final EIS Comments and Responses
	Appendix D: Biological Opinion
  


      **Final Environmental Impact Statement**
        The FEIS addresses any changes to the DesertXpress project DEIS and Supplemental DEIS that reflect public or agency comments. This FEIS also provides an evaluation of the environmental effects of the “Preferred Alternative,” which was selected by the Lead and Cooperating Agencies from the range of Action Alternatives presented in the DEIS and Supplemental DEIS. The “Preferred Alternative” is the option/alternative that the Lead and Cooperating Agencies believe would best fulfill each agency’s statutory mission and responsibilities, in consideration with economic, environmental, and technical factors.

The Preferred Alternative rail alignment would be almost entirely located within the existing I-15 corridor, with tracks running alongside freeway travel lanes. The Preferred Alternative also specifies station and maintenance facility sites and identifies Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) as the locomotive technology. The Final EIS compares the environmental effects of the Preferred Alternative to the other Action Alternatives and the No Build Alternative. Mitigation measures for the Preferred Alternative are included to reduce or eliminate adverse environmental effects of the Preferred Alternative.

View the Final Environmental Impact Statement:

FEIS TOC and Executive Summary
	FEIS Chapter 1
	FEIS Chapter 2
	FEIS Chapter 3
	FEIS Chapter 4
	FEIS Chapter 5
	FEIS Chapter 6Volume II (Appendices)

Appendix F-A Summary Reports for the Draft EIS and Supplemental Draft EIS Public Hearings
	Appendix F-B Highway Interface Manual
	Appendix F-C Plan and Profile Drawings of the Preferred Alternative
	Appendix F-D Ridership Forecast Review
	Appendix F-E Barstow Study – Economic Impact of DesertXpress
	Appendix F-F Predicted Employment and Economic Impact Analysis
	Appendix F-G Traffic Impact Analysis for the DesertXpress Project and Supplemental Traffic Impact Analysis for Victorville Station Site 3 (VV3)
	Appendix F-H Programmatic Agreement under Section 106
	Appendix F-I Jurisdictional Delineation Reports
	Appendix F-I Part 1
		Appendix F-I Part 2
		Appendix F-I Part 3
		Appendix F-I Part 4
		Appendix F-I Part 5
		Appendix F-I Part 6
	Appendix F-J Preliminary Geotechnical Evaluation
	Appendix F-K Properties of Hazardous Materials Concern
	Appendix F-L Regional Emission Calculation Worksheets
	Appendix F-M Biological Assessment
	Appendix F-N Special-Status Plant Survey Report for the Proposed Segment 4C Alignment
	Appendix F-O Mojave Ground Squirrel Habitat Assessment
	Appendix F-P Vegetation Mapping Surveys
	Appendix F-Q Special-Status Plant and Wildlife Species
  


      **Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement**
        Following the publication of the Project’s DEIS, the Applicant proposed several Project modifications and additions to address substantive comments received during public and agency review of the DEIS and to reduce or avoid significant environmental effects. The Supplemental DEIS and Draft 4(f) Evaluation identifies and analyzes the potential environmental impacts (both beneficial and adverse) that could occur to a range of environmental resources because of the proposed Project modifications and additions. The DEIS comment period closed on October 18, 2010. The DEIS was made available to the public in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act including two public hearings.

**View the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement:**

SDEIS TOC and Executive Summary
	SDEIS Chapter 1
	SDEIS Chapter 2
	SDEIS Chapter 3
	Part 1
		Part 2
		Part 3
	SDEIS Chapter 4
	SDEIS Chapter 5**Volume II (Appendices)**

Appendix S-A-1 Segment 2C Side Running and Median Options
	Appendix S-A-2 Segment 4C
	Appendix S-A-3 Relocated Sloan MSF Site
	Appendix S-A-4 Wigwam Avenue MSF Modification
	Appendix S-B VV3 Supplemental TIA
	Appendix S-C Supplemental Hazardous Materials Reports for Frias Substation
	Appendix S-D Noise and Vibration Analysis
  


      **Draft Environmental Impact Statement**
        The DEIS identifies and analyzes the potential environmental impacts (both beneficial and adverse) that could occur to a range of environmental resources because of the construction and operation of the project alternatives. At this time, the federal agencies have not identified a preferred alternative.

The DEIS comment period closed on May 22, 2009. The DEIS was made available to the public in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act including three public hearings. DEIS web files have a lower resolution graphics for easier download and the maps with greatest detail are in Appendix A.

View the Draft Environmental Impact Statement:

DEIS Volume I Complete
	DEIS TOC and Executive Summary
	DEIS Chapter 1
	DEIS Chapter 2
	DEIS Chapter 3
	DEIS Chapter 4
	DEIS Chapter 5Volume II (Appendices)

Appendix_A-1_Plan_and_Profile_Drawings_Segment_1.pdf
	Appendix_A-1_Plan_and_Profile_Drawings_Segment_2.pdf
	Appendix_A-1_Plan_and_Profile_Drawings_Segment_3.pdf
	Appendix_A-1_Plan_and_Profile_Drawings_Segment_4.pdf
	Appendix_A-1_Plan_and_Profile_Drawings_Segment_5.pdf
	Appendix_A-1_Plan_and_Profile_Drawings_Segment_6.pdf
	Appendix_A-1_Plan_and_Profile_Drawings_Segment_7.pdf
	Appendix_A-2_Large_Scale_Maps_Action_Alternatives.pdf
	Appendix_A-3_Station_Site_Plan.pdf
	Appendix_A-4_MSF_Plans.pdf
	Appendix_A-5_Autotransformers.pdf
	Appendix_B_Ridership_Forecast_Review.pdf
	Appendix_C_Review_of_Operations_Plan.pdf
	Appendix_D_NRCS_CPA_106_Forms.pdf
	Appendix_E_Traffic_Impact_Analysis.pdf
	Appendix_F_Cultural_and_Paleontological_Resources.pdf
	Appendix_G_SHPO_and_Tribal_Consultation.pdf
	Appendix_H_Preliminary_Geotechnical_Investigation.pdf
	Appendix_I_Hazardous_Materials_Assessment.pdf
	Appendix_J_Air_Quality_Calculations.pdf
	Appendix_K_Energy_Data.pdf
	Appendix_L_Special-Status_Plant_and_Wildlife_Species.pdf
	Appendix_M_USFWS_Listed_Proposed_and_Candidate_Species.pdf
	Appendix_N_Mohave_Ground_Squirrel_Habitat_Assessment.pdf
	Appendix_O_Vegetation_Mapping_Surveys.pdf
	Appendix_P_Scoping_Summary_and_Appendicespdf.pdf
	View the Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS.
  
  FRA Points of Contact

**FRA NEPA Contact:**

Matthew Mielke, Project Manager
Office of Regional Outreach & Project Delivery
Federal Railroad Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
West Building, Mail Stop 20
Washington, DC 20590matthew.mielke@dot.gov **Media Queries Contact:**
Phone: 202-493-6024
Email: FRAPA@dot.gov

    
          Last updated: Tuesday, September 19, 2023 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