U.S. Department of Transportation 

Federal Railroad Administration 

Record of Decision/Section 4(f) Determination 

FLORIDA HIGH SPEED RAIL 

Tampa to Orlando 

Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola and Orange Counties, Florida 

Financial Project ID No.: 411253 1 94 03 

Federal Aid Project No.: N/A 

Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... 1-1

2. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 2-1

3. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................. 3-1

3.1. FEIS REEVALUATION 3-2

4. PURPOSE AND NEED ...................................................................................................... 4-1

4.1. Florida Passenger Rail Legislation of 2009 4-1

5. ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................................ 5-1

5.1. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND DISMISSED IN THE 2005 FEIS 5-1

5.2. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN THE 2005 FEIS 5-1

5.3. 2005 FEIS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 5-8

5.4. 2009 FEIS REEVALUATION PREFERRED ALTERATIVE 5-8

6. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................ 6-1

6.1. Relocation and Right of Way 6-5

6.2. Section 106 Consultation and Memorandum of Agreement 6-5

6.3. Section 4(f) Determination 6-6

6.4. Air Quality 6-7

6.5. Noise 6-8

6.6. Vibration 6-8

6.7. Wetlands 6-9

6.8. Contamination 6-9

6.9. Floodplains 6-10

6.10. Wildlife and Habitat, Protected Species 6-10

6.11. Energy 6-11

6.12. Means to Avoid and Minimize Environmental Harm 6-11

6.13 Environmentally Preferable Alternative 6-11

7. DECISION .......................................................................................................................... 7-1

7.1. Basis for Decision 7-1

7.2. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 7-2

7.3. Floodplains and Floodways Finding 7-2

7.4. Wetlands Finding 7-3

7.5. Endangered Species Finding 7-3

7.6. Environmental Justice Finding 7-4

7.7. Section 4(f) Determination 7-4

8. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................... 8-1
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LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1 Project Location Map 2-1

Figure 2: Corridors / Stations Considered 5-2

Figure 3: Design Build Alternatives 5-5

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Summary of Major NEPA Milestones .................................................................................. 3-1

Table 2: Summary of Operations by Technology .............................................................................. 5-3

Table 3: Summary of Design/Build Alternatives by Alignment and Technology ............................... 5-6

Table 4: Design/Build Alternatives Evaluation Matrix 

(2005 FEIS Preferred Alternative Highlighted) .................................................................................. 5-7

Table 5: Changes in 2010 Tampa-Orlando Ridership and 

Revenue for the Preferred Alternative ............................................................................................. 5-11

Table 6: Change in Potential Environmental Impacts ...................................................................... 6-2

APPENDICES 

APPENDIX A – FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REEVALUATION 

APPENDIX B - MITIGATION AND COMMITMENTS 

 APPENDIX C - PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT/COMMENT SUMMARY 

 
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1. SUMMARY 

This document records the decision of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regarding the 

Florida High Speed Rail Project from Tampa to Orlando proposed by the Florida Department of 

Transportation (FDOT). In making this decision, the agency considered the information, analysis 

and public comments contained in the 2005 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and 

the more recent 2009 FEIS Reevaluation (2009) to determine the alignment location and station 

sites for further project development into design and construction. Additional coordination 

between FDOT, FRA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be carried out in 

the design phase with respect to emergency and maintenance access, safety and security in 

accordance with FRA standards through the development of a Safety Plan. 

This Record of Decision (ROD) has been drafted in accordance with the regulations 

implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR Part 1505.2) and FRA’s 

Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts (64 Fed Reg 28545 (May 26, 1999)). 

Specifically, this ROD: 

• Provides a background of the NEPA process for the Final Environmental Impact 

Statement (FEIS) and the 2009 FEIS Reevaluation 

• States and reaffirms the Purpose and Need 

• Presents the alternatives considered in the 2005 FEIS 

• Presents the alternatives considered and dismissed in the 2005 FEIS 

• Identifies the selection of the preferred alternative for the 2005 FEIS 

• Identifies the environmentally preferable alternative 

• Presents the Affected Environment summarizing the findings of the 2009 FEIS 

Reevaluation 

• Presents means to avoid and minimize environmental harm 

• Presents the FRA Decision, determinations and findings 

• Provides a summary of the public involvement and agency coordination for the 2005 

FEIS and the 2009 FEIS Reevaluation 
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2. INTRODUCTION 

The FDOT is proposing to develop a high speed rail passenger system in the Tampa-OrlandoMiami corridor, with future extensions to other major urban areas in the state. This TampaOrlando-Miami corridor is a federally designated high speed rail corridor. The first phase of 

Florida High Speed Rail is the Tampa to Orlando project and is the subject of this ROD. 

The Florida High Speed Rail (FHSR) project from Tampa to Orlando would be developed on 

new track, with the majority of the system located within the existing right-of-way (ROW) of 

Interstate 4 (I-4) and the Beachline Expressway (S.R. 528), formerly the Bee Line Expressway, a 

distance of 88 miles. As shown on Figure 1, five (5) stations are proposed and would be located 

in Tampa, Polk County (Lakeland), Walt Disney World, Orange County Convention Center and 

Orlando International Airport (OIA). The 2005 FEIS and 2009 FEIS Reevaluation includes 

analyses for a proposed station at the western terminus of SR 570 (Polk Parkway) and a potential 

station at Kathleen Road in Lakeland. Only one station site will be identified for continued 

development and design in coordination with Polk County and the local cities. 

Figure 1 Project Location Map 
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FDOT proposes the high speed passenger rail system would operate 16 intercity round trips per 

day with additional frequent shuttle service from OIA to the tourist destinations in the Orlando 

area. The maximum travel time will be 64 minutes with stops between Tampa and Orlando. The 

maximum operating speed will be 168 mph. 

The initial environmental document was completed under the direction of the Florida High 

Speed Rail Authority (FHSRA), which was under a state constitutional mandated directive to 

expedite the implementation of the system. In order to complete the project in a timely manner, 

FHSRA selected a Design, Build, Operate, Maintain, and Finance (DBOM&F) process for 

implementing the project. Proposals were solicited and two were selected for evaluation in the 

FEIS published in 2005. The 2009 FEIS Reevaluation builds on the use of a DBOM&F process 

for advancing the project. 

On October 2, 2009, FDOT submitted an application to the FRA under the High Speed Intercity 

Passenger Rail Program (HSIPR) for $2.624B to fund the development of the Tampa-Orlando 

high speed rail corridor project. On January 28, 2010, FRA announced that FDOT had been 

selected for an award of up to $1.25B for the Tampa-Orlando corridor. The funds will be used to 

complete any additional corridor level analysis respective to station sites, complete final design, 

and initiate construction of the FHSR project from Tampa to Orlando. 
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3. BACKGROUND 

Following its creation in 2001, the FHSRA, with guidance from the FRA as the lead federal 

agency, took a number of steps to implement high speed rail within the state of Florida. The 

FHSRA began the planning, environmental studies, and engineering needed to prepare a Draft 

Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Tampa to Orlando corridor in 2002, focused on 

independent utility and logical termini. FRA approved the DEIS in August 2003, and signed and 

circulated the FEIS in 2005. However, due to the project being suspended, the FRA never issued 

a Record of Decision (ROD) for the project. 

The major NEPA milestones are summarized in Table 1. 

Table 1: Summary of Major NEPA Milestones 

Milestone Date 

Notice of Intent March 2002 

Advance Notification and Scoping April 2002 

Draft EIS Signed and Circulated August 2003 

Draft EIS Notice of Availability September 5, 2003 

Public Hearings October 7-9, 2003 

FEIS Signed and Circulated July 2005 

FEIS Notice of Availability August 5, 2005 

Source: Florida High Speed Rail Tampa to Orlando FEIS Reevaluation, October, 2009 

Independent documentation in support of the findings of the 2005 FEIS includes: 

• The Tampa Interstate Study Environmental Impact Statement, November 1996 - which 

includes ultimate improvements to I-4/I-275 that accommodate the high speed rail 

alignment 

• The Intermodal Station at Orlando International Airport Environmental Assessment, 

September 2005 – planned an intermodal station at both the OIA North Terminal and the 

future OIA South Terminal, and updated the HSR and light rail alignments through OIA 

property 

• The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Master Plan, August 2004 – most current 

master plan incorporating multimodal station at the North Terminal, future South 

Terminal, and HSR rail alignments 

• The Tampa Bay Intermodal Center, October 2005 – multimodal station site study 

consistent with the location of the Tampa HSR station area that provided for the FHSR 

alignment 

• The Canadian Court Intermodal Transportation Center Study, April 2007 - multimodal 

station site consistent with the proposed Orange County Convention Center station that 

accommodates the FHSR alignment 
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3.1. FEIS REEVALUATION 

In October 2008, a federal program to advance high speed rail corridor development was 

authorized under Section 501 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 

(PRIIA). The America Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) then made $8 billion 

available for High Speed Rail (HSR). In April 2009, President Barack Obama’s Administration 

unveiled its HSR Vision, initially highlighting federally-designated high speed rail corridors, 

including Tampa-Orlando-Miami in Florida. This began a national competition for federal 

funding. 

Given this new prospect for federal funding, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) 

began work to determine the extent of changes in potential environmental impacts and 

commitments since the FEIS was circulated in 2005. 

FRA met with FDOT representatives on June 12, 2009 to discuss the project and the status of the 

NEPA documentation. FRA determined that a reevaluation of the 2005 FEIS was needed to 

satisfy NEPA requirements (the FEIS Reevaluation). This reevaluation was prepared in 

conformance with FDOT’s Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Manual. 

While there have been no major changes to the project location and design since the FEIS was 

published, several years have elapsed since publication of the FEIS, triggering the need for a 

reevaluation. According to FRA’s Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts (64 FR 

28545 (May 26, 1999)) and FDOT’s PD&E Manual, reevaluations are to be conducted under the 

following circumstances: 

• Approval of document and authorization of the next phase is greater than one year 

• A major change in the project’s location or design has occurred 

• If more than three (3) years have lapsed since the date of approval of the final EIS 

without a decision 

In May 2009, FDOT initiated a qualitative review of the project to determine the level of 

assessment required to complete the NEPA/PD&E process and support the issuance of a ROD. 

The findings of this assessment were summarized in a technical memorandum, Basis for FEIS 

Reevaluation Technical Memorandum (June 29, 2009), presented and discussed with FRA. This 

document is located as an appendix to the FEIS Reevaluation Report. The FEIS Reevaluation is 

in Appendix A of this ROD. 

The qualitative assessment indicated that minor changes in the project definition are required and 

small changes in the affected environment have occurred, and that a reevaluation was an 

appropriate course of action to determine the potential changes in environmental impacts, 

mitigation and commitments since the FEIS was published in 2005. Accordingly, the 

reevaluation focused on the following: 

• Changes in the preferred technology from the gas turbine-powered technology as 

identified in the 2005 FEIS to the electric powered technology. Under the FEIS 

Reevaluation, the electric-powered technology has emerged as the preferred technology, 

on the same alignment, based on the current initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and 

dependency on foreign oil 
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• Design changes needed based on surrounding infrastructure and right-of-way 

• Changes in the affected environment that have occurred since the 2005 FEIS 

• Changes in potential environmental impacts since the 2005 FEIS 

• Changes in the mitigation and commitments compared to the 2005 FEIS 

• Changes in permits needed since the 2005 FEIS 

• Need for updated coordination with local jurisdictions, stakeholders, and environmental 

review agencies 

• Need for updated public involvement 

• Changes in laws, rules, and regulations since 2005 

A draft FEIS Reevaluation was completed by FDOT and submitted to FRA on October 1, 2009. 
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4. PURPOSE AND NEED 

The Purpose and Need for the FHSR project was established in the 2005 FEIS and was 

confirmed by the 2009 Reevaluation. The purpose of FHSR is to enhance intercity passenger 

mobility in Florida by expanding passenger transportation capacity and providing an alternative 

to highway and air travel. Increased mobility is viewed as essential for the sustained economic 

growth of the region, as well as the quality of life of the region’s residents and visitors. Presently, 

passenger mobility in the Tampa-Orlando corridor is provided primarily by highways, 

particularly I-4. Projected transportation demand and travel growth, as prompted by social 

demand and economic development and compared to existing and future roadway capacity, show 

a serious deficit in available capacity. In addition, increasing population, employment, and 

tourism rates continue to elevate travel demand in the study corridor. 

Although capacity improvements to the interstate system along the corridor have either recently 

been completed or are planned for the near future, they are not adequate to accommodate future 

travel demand. This need is further emphasized by high traffic volumes, congestion, and accident 

rates in the study corridor. Further, social and economic demands will continue to call for 

provision of alternative transportation choices for those individuals who cannot or choose not to 

drive, as well as those travelers looking for alternatives to congested highways. 

4.1. Florida Passenger Rail Legislation of 2009 

On December 16, 2009 Governor Charlie Crist signed legislation specifically to support the 

development of passenger rail systems in the state of Florida. This includes the creation of the 

Florida Rail Enterprise and other steps including potential funding support for a high speed rail 

system in the state. The passage of this legislation demonstrates Florida’s commitment to work 

with Federal agencies and private sector partners to advance high speed rail and other passenger 

rail systems as an integral component of statewide transportation systems. 
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5. ALTERNATIVES 

5.1. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND DISMISSED IN THE 2005 FEIS 

The FHSRA considered several routes between Tampa and Orlando. In order to identify 

reasonable alternatives that could satisfy the identified project purpose and need, the FHSRA 

conducted a study to identify, quantify, and compare various HSR route locations. The results of 

the screening process are documented in the Florida High Speed Rail Screening Report, which 

was completed in October 2002. This evaluation was built on the studies undertaken for high 

speed rail in the Tampa – Orlando corridor since the mid 1980s. Forty-seven alignments were 

reduced to 20 as a result of this evaluation. Figure 2 identifies the various segments that were 

eliminated from continued study and the retained alignments that were analyzed as the viable 

alternatives in the 2005 FEIS. 

Tampa area: The FHSR study team developed 21 alignments to connect the downtown Tampa 

station eastward to I-75 with alignments in the I-4 and CSX rail corridors. Ten alignments were 

eliminated for reasons including engineering constraints, disruption of access to low-income 

housing and community facilities, disruption of the Ybor City National Historic Landmark 

District (NHLD), and causing relatively greater environmental impacts than retained alignments. 

Hillsborough County: Two alignments were evaluated in rural Hillsborough County: one 

along the I-4 corridor and the other parallel to the CSX rail line. The CSX rail alignment was 

eliminated from further consideration due to proximity impacts to a significant number of 

community facilities in Plant City along the railroad. 

Polk County: Nine alignments were evaluated in Polk County. The alignments included the I-4 

and CSX rail corridors, as well as connections between the two corridors. The CSX corridor was 

eliminated due to proximity impacts to community facilities in Lakeland, Auburndale, Haines 

City, and Davenport. With the elimination of the CSX alignment, connecting alignments to the 

I-4 corridor were no longer viable. 

Orlando area: Fifteen alignments were evaluated in Osceola and Orange counties in the 

Orlando area. Seven alignments were eliminated. Some of the alignments connected to 

eliminated alignments in Polk County and would have disrupted existing commercial 

development along the alignment. A new terrain connection between I-4 and the Central Florida 

Greeneway (S.R. 417) had the greatest amount of potential wetland and wildlife habitat impact 

and limited access to alternative station sites. Other alignments were eliminated due to 

engineering constraints. 

5.2. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN THE 2005 FEIS 

The alternatives selected for evaluation in the EIS include: 

• No-Build Alternative, consisting of no FHSR service between Tampa and Orlando. 

• Two technology alternatives, the gas-turbine powered locomotive-hauled and the electricpowered locomotive-hauled trains, reflecting the responsive proposals to the FHSRA 

DBOM&F solicitation. These technologies are further described below. 
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Source: Florida High Speed Rail Tampa to Orlando Final Environmental Impact Statement, May 2005. 

Figure 2: Corridors / Stations Considered 
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• Four alignment alternatives per each technology, or a total of eight design/build 

alternatives. A detailed summary of each alignment is available in the 2005 FEIS. 

Each Alternative carried forward for consideration in the 2005 FEIS is summarized below. 

5.2.1. No-Build Alternative 

The No-Build Alternative assumes that a FHSR system would not be built between Tampa and 

Orlando. Passenger service between the two cities would instead consist of various existing bus 

services between Tampa and Orlando and automobile use on I-4, I-75, the Bee Line Expressway 

(S.R. 528), and the Central Florida Greeneway (S.R. 417). The No-Build Alternative assumes 

that certain planned and funded highway improvements would be undertaken between Tampa 

and Orlando. 

The No-Build Alternative does not envision providing an alternative transportation mode 

between Tampa and Orlando for daily commuters, visitors, and residents of the area, and existing 

modes would have to satisfy all travel demand. The potential of the FHSR project to improve 

public transportation and increase the efficient use of the transportation system, both intercity 

and locally, would not be realized. 

5.2.2. Technology Alternatives 

The FHSRA determined that two proposals were responsive to its solicitation for DBOM&F 

proposals. These represented different technologies with different track systems, rail locations, 

maintenance facilities and station sites. 

Fluor Bombardier proposed a gas turbine-powered locomotive-hauled train technology, 

developed by Bombardier and FRA with the trademark name of “Jet Train”. The gas turbine 

train has passenger equipment similar to Amtrak’s Acela Express trains presently operating 

between Washington, D.C. and Boston, Massachusetts. 

The Global Rail Consortium (GRC) proposed using an electric-powered locomotive-hauled train 

technology, powered from an overhead catenary system similar to that in use on the Acela 

system and the electric train uses the French designed TGV Atlantique train sets. 

Table 2 summarizes the operating features of the two proposed technologies. 

Table 2: Summary of Operations by Technology 

Feature (FHSRA minimums) Gas Turbine Train Electric Train 

Speed (120 mph) 125 mph 160 mph 

Round trips per day (12) 14 16 

Shuttle trips between Orlando 

International Airport and Disney (not 

required) 

8 17 

Trip time (1 hour, 10 minutes) 65–70 minutes 54-55 minutes 

Seating capacity (250) 292 250 

Source: Florida High Speed Rail Tampa to Orlando Final Environmental Impact Statement, May, 2005. 

5.2.3. Alignment Alternatives 

The alignment alternatives used varying combinations of the I-275 and CSX corridors in 

downtown Tampa, the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando, and either the Bee Line 
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Expressway (S.R. 528) or Central Florida Greeneway (S.R. 417) corridor in Orlando. 

Design/Build Alternatives 1 through 4 consist of gas turbine technology, while Design/Build 

Alternatives 5 through 8 consists of the electric train technology. 

The eight alternatives use varying combinations of the same alignment. The alignments 

associated with each alternative are illustrated in Figure 3 and briefly summarized as follows: 

Tampa area: I-275/I-4 corridor – This is a new, grade-separated alignment that runs south of 

and parallel to I-275 and I-4 to approximately 14th/15th Streets where the alignment crosses into 

the I-4 median. 

Tampa area: CSX “S” line/CSX “A” line/I-75 – This is a new, grade-separated alignment that 

leaves the downtown station southeasterly through a commercial area to connect into the former 

CSX “S” line. The alignment runs eastward to connect to the existing CSX “A” line, running 

along the north side of the rail line to I-75. At I-75, the alignment runs in the interstate median 

northward to connect into the I-4 median. 

Between I-75 to the Osceola/Orange County line: I-4 – This alignment between the Tampa 

and Orlando urban areas would use the I-4 median for the entire length. 

Orlando area: Bee Line Expressway (S.R. 528)/Taft-Vineland Road – This grade-separated 

alignment would leave the I-4 median and follow along the north side of the Bee Line 

Expressway (S.R. 528), then along the median of Taft-Vineland Road, crossing new ROW to 

connect into a station at Orlando International Airport. 

Orlando area: S.R. 536/Central Florida Greeneway (S.R. 417) – This grade-separated 

alignment leaves the I-4 median to run along the south side of S.R. 536, connecting to either the 

north side or the median of the Central Florida Greeneway (S.R. 417). From the Central Florida 

Greeneway (S.R. 417), the alignment would run along the east side of the South Access Road to 

a station at Orlando International Airport. 

Station locations evaluated in the study included: 

• Tampa Central Business District (CBD), south of Interstate 275 (I-275) 

• I-4/Polk Parkway, west entry 

• I-4/Kathleen Road (S.R. 539) in the City of Lakeland 

• I-4 near Walt Disney World 

• I-4 near Orange County Convention Center (OCCC)/Multi-Modal Station 

• Orlando International Airport 

An operation and maintenance (O&M) facility is proposed at one of two locations near the 

Orlando International Airport. 

5.2.4. Summary of Alternatives Identified 

The FEIS thus evaluated a total of eight design/build alternatives consisting of four different 

alignment options with two different technologies, as offered by the two proposers. Figure 3

displays the eight design/build alternatives and the station locations considered. Table 3 provides 

a summary of the design/build alternatives by alignment and technology. 
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Source: Florida High Speed Rail Tampa to Orlando Final Environmental Impact Statement, May 2005 

Figure 3: Design Build Alternatives 
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Table 3: Summary of Design/Build Alternatives by Alignment and Technology 

Alternative 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

TECHNOLOGY 

Gas turbine X X X X 

Electric train X X X X 

ALIGNMENT 

I-275/I-4 in Tampa X X X X 

CSX Line/I-75 in Tampa X X X X 

I-4 between Tampa & Orlando X X X X X X X X 

SR 528/Taft-Vineland Road in Orlando X X X X 

S.R. 536/SR 417 in Orlando X X X X 

Source: Florida High Speed Rail Tampa to Orlando Final Environmental Impact Statement May 2005. 

The evaluation matrix in Table 4 summarizes the quantifiable impacts of the proposed FHSR 

Design/Build Alternatives 1 through 8. The matrix provides an assessment of potential impacts 

for each alternative, providing the opportunity to effectively evaluate the consequences of each 

alternative. 

Design/Build Alternatives 1 through 4 represent the four alignment combinations with the gas 

turbine technology. Design/Build Alternatives 5 through 8 represent the four alignment 

combinations with the electric train technology. The potential impacts for the FEIS Preferred 

Alternative, Design/Build Alternative 1, are highlighted in Table 4. 

Physical impacts, such as wetland, wildlife, and floodplain impacts are technology neutral. The 

differences in impacts are due to alignment location, station sites, and O&M facility sites. In 

general, there are slightly more natural impacts associated with the Central Florida Greeneway 

(S.R. 417) alignment due to crossing relatively undisturbed land. Noise, vibration, air quality, 

and energy impacts are more associated with the technology. In some cases though, the 

technology and alignment combinations will have varying effect such as with noise and 

vibration. 
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Table 4: Design/Build Alternatives Evaluation Matrix 

(2005 FEIS Preferred Alternative Highlighted) 

Alternatives 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IMPACTS (AC.)

Total Wetland Impacts (AC.) 40 31.3 39.2 30.5 25.6 24.4 30.5 23.6 

High Quality Wetlands (AC.) 11 2 11 2 11 2 11 2 

Protected Species Sites 9 15 10 16 9 15 10 16 

FLOODPLAIN AND FLOODWAYY (AC.)

Base Floodplain Encroachment 56.88 54.54 61.04 58.70 56.88 54.54 61.04 58.70 

Base Floodway Encroachment 9.45 6.47 9.45 6.47 9.45 6.47 9.45 6.47 

CONTAMINATION SITES (RANKED H)

Potential Petroleum Sites 2 0 7 5 2 0 7 5 

Potential Hazardous Materials Sites 5 5 12 12 5 5 12 12 

SECTION 4(f) IMPACTS

Recreation Facilities 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 

Historic/Archaeological Sites 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Schools 8 12 5 9 8 12 5 9 

Community Facilities 10 9 6 5 10 9 6 5 

Parks & Recreation 5 7 5 6 5 7 5 6 

Cemeteries 4 6 6 6 4 6 6 6 

Churches 15 16 12 13 15 16 12 13 

NOISE IMPACTS (MODERATE & SEVERE)

Category 1 (Buildings and/or parks) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Category 2 (Residences, hospitals, 

and hotels) 15 5 16 6 53 105 38 90 

Category 3 (Institutional – schools, 

libraries, churches, active park) 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 

VIBRATION IMPACTS 

Category 1 (Buildings and/or parks) 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 

Category 2 (Residences, hospitals, 

and hotels) 44 20 40 16 13 5 9 1 

Category 3 (Institutional – schools, 

libraries, churches, active park) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

AIR QUALITY EMISSIONS (Net Change in Tons/Year)

CO -101.7 -64.7 -100.9 -63.8 -152.0 -114.3 -151.8 -114.1 

NOX +189.0 +188.2 +191.4 +190.6 +23.3 +24.1 +23.7 +24.5 

VOC +8.9 +10.6 +9.2 +10.9 -8.1 -6.1 -8.1 -6.1 

ENERGY CONSUMPTION (Change from 2010 No-Build)

Millions BTU 498,855 507,770 505,658 514,574 239,820 243,623 243,314 247,124 

SECTION 106 IMPACTS

Historic Sites 5 5 7 7 5 5 7 7 

Archaeological Sites 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

RELOCATIONS 

Residential 3 3 0 0 3 3 0 0 

Business 3 8 15 23 3 8 15 23 

COST 

ROW (Non-public) $118M $149M $150M $181M $101M $128M $134M $161M 

Infrastructure $1,900M $2,033M $1,881M $2,015M $2,177M $2,306M $2,154M $2,284M 

Mitigation $30M $30M $30M $30M $30M $30M $30M $30M 

TOTAL COST $2.048B $2.212B $2.061B $2.226B $2.308B $2.464B $2.318B $2.476B 

Source: Florida High Speed Rail Tampa to Orlando Final Environmental Impact Statement, May, 2005. 
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5.3. 2005 FEIS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 

The 2005 FHSR FEIS resulting from the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study 

investigated the eight design/build alternatives, evaluating not only the technological differences, 

but also engineering, environmental impacts, costs, and other factors impacting the selection of 

the alignment. Development of alignments provided an analysis of socio-economic, natural, and 

physical environmental impacts within the proposed corridors. The potential impacts of the 

design/build alternatives and the No-Build Alternative are documented in Section 4 of the FEIS. 

The FHSRA considered the alternatives in Tampa and Orlando in identifying a Preferred 

Alternative. All alternative alignments are located along I-4 through Polk and Osceola counties. 

Two separate alignments were considered in Tampa (Hillsborough County): the CSX and I-4 

alignments. Similarly, two alternatives were considered in Orlando (Orange County): the Florida 

Turnpike’s Bee Line Expressway (S.R. 528) and the Central Florida Greeneway (S.R. 417) 

alignments. 

The FHSRA unanimously passed a motion identifying the I-4 alignment in Hillsborough County 

as the preferred alignment. Additionally, the FHSRA ranked the Fluor Bombardier Team (gas 

turbine technology) as the preferred proposer. 

On October 27, 2003, the FHSRA originally identified the Central Florida Greeneway (S.R. 417) 

alignment as the preferred alignment in Orange County. The vote was subject to the following 

two condition Memorandums of Agreement (MOA): 

• Subject to an acceptable agreement between the FHSRA and Walt Disney Company 

related to donation of ROW and commitments to support ridership for the project. 

• Subject to an acceptable agreement between the FHSRA and OOCEA related to use of 

the Central Florida Greeneway (S.R. 417) ROW. 

On November 10, 2004, the FHSRA revised the recommendation of the Preferred Alternative 

because the two conditional MOAs had not been executed. With this action, the FHSRA 

recommended Alternative 1 (gas turbine technology), which is the combination of the I-4 

alignment in Hillsborough County and the Bee Line (now the Beachline) Expressway (S.R. 528) 

alignment in Orange County, as the Preferred Alternative. While the FEIS environmental 

analysis provided for either technology to be selected as the preferred technology to be used on 

the corridor, the FEIS identified Alternative 1 as the Preferred Alternative. The FEIS identified 

the No Build Alternative as the environmentally preferable alternative because it would result in 

less direct and indirect impact to the environment. However, the FEIS also noted that the No 

Build Alternative would fail to meet the Project purpose and need. 

5.4. 2009 FEIS REEVALUATION PREFERRED ALTERATIVE 

In the 2005 FEIS gas turbine-powered technology was selected as the Preferred Alternative. 

FDOT now prefers the electric-powered technology on the same alignment, based on the current 

initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and dependency on foreign oil. The 2009 FEIS 

Reevaluation addresses environmental impacts resulting from the change in the preferred 

technology, any changes to existing conditions and the minor changes to the 2005 Preferred 

Alternative alignment to further reduce the potential for environmental impacts. 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

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The FHSR Preferred Alternative resulting from both the 2005 FEIS and 2009 Reevaluation 

would begin at the downtown Tampa station to be located between Tampa Street and Marion 

Street, I-275, and Fortune Street. The FHSR alignment would follow I-275 along the south and 

east right-of-way (ROW). The alignment would cross into the I-4 median in the area of 15th

Street. The majority of the FHSR alignment would be within the ultimate ROW identified in the 

Tampa Interstate Study (TIS) for future interstate improvements; however some additional ROW 

would be required and has been coordinated with the City of Tampa. 

The alignment would continue east within the I-4 median through Hillsborough and Polk 

counties. One station would be located in Polk County, where two locations were under 

consideration. 

Entering Osceola County, the high speed rail alignment remains within the I-4 median. The 

proposed Walt Disney World Station would be located north of U.S. 192. The station platform 

would be located in the median and station facility would be located west of I-4 between U.S. 

192 and the Osceola Parkway. 

The alignment would continue into Orange County in the I-4 median until the I-4/Beachline 

Expressway (S.R. 528) interchange, where it would elevate and leave the I-4 median and run 

along the north side of S.R. 528 within existing ROW. The Orange County Convention Center 

multi-modal center site is located in the northeast quadrant of the International Drive/S.R. 528 

Interchange. The Orange County Convention Center station would be located within the ROW of 

the interchange area. 

The alignment would continue on the north side of S.R. 528 until east of the John Young 

Parkway (S.R. 423) Interchange where it would leave S.R. 528 and run on new alignment east to 

Taft-Vineland Road. The alignment would continue along Taft-Vineland Road and enter the City 

of Orlando property near Tradeport Drive. It would then follow the Orlando Utilities 

Commission rail line as a new alignment turning north crossing the Orlando International Airport 

(OIA) South Access Road and traversing through the limits of OIA from south to north, east of 

the proposed South Terminal. 

The 2009 FEIS Reevaluation has determined that overall the preferred alternative alignment 

documented in the 2005 FEIS remains substantially unchanged; however, the preferred 

technology has changed. Investigation of current conditions and planned projects has resulted in 

some minor adjustments to the horizontal and vertical alignment. Supporting engineering plans 

and profiles are provided in FEIS Reevaluation. Areas where changes have occurred are: 

• Station Areas: Tampa – Downtown, Walt Disney World/Celebration; Orange County 

Convention Center; Orlando International Airport – additional right of way and some 

relocation required for various stations (see Station discussion) 

• I-4/I-275 Interchange Ramp D adjacent to Perry Harvey Senior Park – improvement to I275 widened the existing roadway for ramp auxiliary lanes 

• I-4/I-275 Proposed Flyover Ramp widening adjacent to Ybor City National Historic 

Landmark District – FDOT identified that the existing single lane flyover ramp needs to 

be widened to two lanes 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

5-10

• Transition to I-4 Median and Crosstown Connector – minimize structure length based on 

the construction of the ultimate I-4 improvements 

• Columbus Avenue Relocation – improvements to I-4 realigned Columbus Avenue 

• Emergency Median Crossovers – FDOT has established emergency evacuation 

crossovers through the I-4 corridor that will need to be relocated 

• Tradeport Drive Area – minimize impacts to continued commercial development 

• Orlando International Airport – continue HSR alignment to the north terminal consistent 

with OIA Master Plan. 

The above changes to the conceptual engineering plans for the Preferred Alternative as described 

in the 2005 FEIS are included in the FEIS Reevaluation. 

5.4.1. 2009 Reevaluation Preferred Alternative Station / Maintenance Facility 

Areas 

The 2005 FEIS initially evaluated 20-acre study areas for each of the proposed station locations. 

As each site was identified, the station area was finalized to take into account property lines and 

existing features. The following modifications to the FEIS station study areas were assessed and 

included in the conceptual plan revisions as part of the FEIS Reevaluation. 

• Tampa – Downtown Station - The Tampa station area was expanded to include the 3.2-

acre former jail site which was purchased by FDOT for use as an intermodal center. The 

building is currently being demolished. 

• Walt Disney World Station - The Disney station area was shifted to the west to include 

a 5.6-acre area of open land in order to maintain a total 20-acre station area. The shift was 

necessary as a result of the construction of the Osceola Parkway Interchange and ramps 

within the 20-acre area identified in the 2005 FEIS. 

• Polk County (Lakeland) Station – The 2005 FEIS and the 2009 FEIS Reevaluation 

includes two sites for environmental analysis, west of the Polk Parkway and at Kathleen 

Road – only one is to be selected for continued development. Included in the 2009 FEIS 

Reevaluation is a request by the City of Lakeland, Polk County and the University of 

South Florida Polytechnic for continued coordination into the design phase to verify the 

optimal location of a Polk County Station site to best serve Lakeland and the surrounding 

communities. FDOT is committed to continued coordination with the county, cities and 

local stakeholders in the continued project development phases. Should a station site 

other than the sites located at west SR 570 (Polk Parkway) or Kathleen Road be 

advanced, additional environmental analysis will be required. 

• Orange County Convention Center Station – The Orange County Convention Center 

station area was expanded to the east to the existing parcel property line, an additional 

2.0-acre area to provide maximum flexibility and proximity for the HSR station. 

• Orlando International Airport (OIA) – In conformance with the OIA Master Plan, two 

station locations are considered under the Preferred Alternative: the future South 

Terminal Intermodal Center and the North Terminal Intermodal Center. The North and 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

5-11

South Terminal Intermodal Centers are included in the Airport Master Plan as approved 

through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The North and South Terminal 

Intermodal Centers received FTA NEPA clearance under the OIA Intermodal Station 

Environmental Assessment, September 2005. 

• Maintenance Facility – The Preferred Alternative identified a preference for two 

alternative sites for the FHSR maintenance facility site: one site located directly south of 

OIA (Site 3) and a site southeast of OIA, north of Boggy Creek Road (Site 2). These two 

sites were included in the 2005 FEIS for the gas turbine train. The 2005 FEIS also 

included two sites for the electric powered train: Site 3 and a site located southeast of 

OIA and south of Boggy Creek Road (Site 1). With continued commercial development 

south of Boggy Creek Road and the increase of relocations, Site 1 is removed from 

consideration, with Sites 2 and 3 remaining as alternative sites as analyzed in the 2005 

FEIS and included in the 2009 FEIS Reevaluation. 

5.4.2. Preferred Alternative Ridership 

The ridership estimates for the 2005 FEIS Preferred Alternative were updated for 2009 based on 

the two independent, investment-grade models developed in 2002 and documented in the 2005 

FEIS. The ridership estimates were based on the alignments for the Project and were not 

sensitive to the technologies. The models were updated to reflect the changes in the 

transportation network, growth and local land uses that have occurred since the 2005 FEIS was 

completed. Captive ridership/riders currently taking shuttle services provided by Disney and IDrive destinations were separated from choice ridership (trips that would be diverted from other 

modes, such as private or rented autos, and public transit). 

The results of the updated ridership and revenue forecasts are shown in Table 5. Annual 

ridership is not anticipated to change significantly from the previous 2002 forecasts. Annual 

revenue for the system is expected to increase. 

Table 5: Changes in 2010 Tampa-Orlando Ridership 

and Revenue for the Preferred Alternative 

Market 

2010 Annual Ridership (millions) 2010 Annual Revenue ($ millions) 

2002 

Study/2005 

FEIS 

2009 

Reevaluation Change 

2002 

Study/2005 

FEIS 

2009 

Reevaluation Change 

CHOICE MARKET 1.9 to 2.3 1.9 to 2.4 +0.0 to +0.1 32.9 to 35.4 40.5 to 46.4 +7.6 to 

+11.0 

CAPTIVE 

 OIA to International Drive 

 OIA to Disney 

 Subtotal: Captive 

0.5 

2.1

0.5* 

0.6 

1.9

0.6* 

+0.1 

-0.2

+0.1* 

6.3 

26.3

6.3* 

8.0 

27.2

8.0* 

+1.7 

+0.9

+2.6* 

Total: 2.4 to 2.8 2.5 to 3.0 +0.1 to +0.2 39.3 to 41.8 48.5 to 54.5 +10.2 to 

+13.6 

*The 2002 Study (included in the 2005 FEIS) assumed that captive ridership associated with the OIA-Disney market would not be included, as Disney’s 

participation in the preferred alignment was still under negotiation. 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-1

6. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 

The changes to the 2005 Preferred Alternative were primarily to accommodate the current asbuilt conditions within the improved interstate corridor and changes to minimize potential 

impacts to continued development within the corridor. These changes, as stated in Chapter 2 of 

the FEIS Reevaluation and illustrated in the revised plans included in Appendix B of the FEIS 

Reevaluation and discussed in the 2009 FEIS Revaluation Preferred Alternative (Section 6.4) 

section of this document, are minimal within the 88-mile alternative and concentrated within the 

immediate Tampa CBD and in the Tradeport Drive industrial park area in Orange County. 

The changes in existing conditions identified in Chapter 3 of the FEIS Reevaluation resulting in 

changes to the potential environmental impacts are summarized below: 

• Relocations: reduction of one business impact in Tampa CBD and 3 additional business 

impacts in Tradeport Drive industrial area. 

• Section 106: reduction of one historic structure with relocation by FDOT complete. 

• Recreation and Park/Section 4(f): Changes to the City of Tampa’s Perry Harvey Sr. Park 

boundaries since the 2005 FEIS and changes to the alternative reduce overall area of use. 

• Air Quality, Noise, Vibration, Visual/Aesthetic, and Energy Consumption: changes based 

on technology preference from gas turbine-powered to electric-powered locomotivehauled train. 

• Contamination: additional sites resulting in the same number of sites with high risk 

ranking and an additional one site each for medium and low risk ranking. 

• Wildlife and Habitat: one additional species (Everglades snail kite) afforded protection 

since 2005. 

The above changes to the environmental impacts do not change the mitigation and commitments 

identified in the 2005 FEIS with the exception of regulatory changes in the permitting of 

wetlands, water quality, and wildlife and habitat. 

Table 6 identifies comparative analysis factors between the 2005 FEIS Preferred Alternative 

(gas turbine powered technology, Alternative 1) and the electric powered technology on the same 

alignment (Alternative 5) with the updated potential impacts assessed in the FEIS Reevaluation 

for the Revised Preferred Alternative (RPA). 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-2

Table 6: Change in Potential Environmental Impacts 

Resource 

2005 FEIS Impacts 

Gas Turbine 

 FEIS Preferred Alternative

(Alternative 1) 

2005 FEIS Impacts 

Electric Technology 

(Alternative 5) 

Change in 

Impacts? 

Revised Preferred 

Alternative (RPA) 

Impacts Electric 

Technology 

COMMUNITY IMPACTS 

Community 

Cohesion 

Minimal impacts to adjacent 

neighborhoods along I-4 in 

Tampa and to the south of 

the Tradeport Industrial Park 

Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

No Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

Community and 

Land Use Impacts 

Consistent with local land 

use plans 

Minimal impacts to existing 

land uses 

Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

No Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

Economic Impacts Benefits in excess of costs Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

No Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

Safety and Public 

Health 

No adverse impacts Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

No Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

Relocation and 

Right-of-Way 

Impacts 

3 residential relocations 

3 business relocations 

See Section 4(f) below. 

Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

Yes 3 residential relocations 

5 business relocations 

Environmental 

Justice 

No disproportionate impacts Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

No Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

Section 106 - 

Archeological and 

Historical 

Resources 

Conditional Adverse Effect

North Franklin Street Historic 

District (visual) 

St. Paul AME Church 

Parsonage (visual) 

Oaklawn Cemetery (visual 

construction vibration) 

Ybor City NHLD (direct 

taking of two contributing 

buildings; visual, 

construction vibration) 

German American Club – 

Visual impacts, construction 

vibration 

Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

Yes* Same impacts as listed for 

FEIS Preferred 

Alternative, less direct 

impact of one contributing 

building in Ybor City 

NHLD do to relocation per 

TIS project* 

Recreation and 

Parkland 

Use of 0.184 acres, Perry 

Harvey Sr. Park 

Use of 0.184 acres, Perry 

Harvey Sr. Park 

Yes Use of 0.05 acres, Perry 

Harvey Sr. Park 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-3

Table 6: Change in Potential Environmental Impacts 

Resource 

2005 FEIS Impacts 

Gas Turbine 

 FEIS Preferred Alternative

(Alternative 1) 

2005 FEIS Impacts 

Electric Technology 

(Alternative 5) 

Change in 

Impacts? 

Revised Preferred 

Alternative (RPA) 

Impacts Electric 

Technology 

Section 4(f) 

Impacts 

Use of 0.184 acres, Perry 

Harvey Sr. Park 

Use of 0.184 acres, Perry 

Harvey Sr. Park 

Yes Use of 0.05 acres, Perry 

Harvey Sr. Park 

Secondary and 

Cumulative 

Impacts 

No adverse impacts Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

No Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

NATURAL AND PHYSICAL IMPACTS 

Visual/Aesthetic No adverse impacts Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

No Same as 2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative 

Air Quality Emissions (tons/year): Emissions (tons/year): Yes Same as 2005 FEIS 

Alternative 5 

 CO : -101.7 tons/year CO: -152.0 

NOX: +189.0 NOX: +23.3 

VOC: +8.9 VOC: -8.1 

Noise1 Cat. 1: 0 Cat. 1: 0 Yes Cat. 1: 0 

Cat. 2: 15 

(7 moderate, 8 severe) 

Cat. 2: 52 

(24 moderate, 28 severe) 

Cat. 2: 30 

(13 moderate, 17 severe) 

Cat. 3: 0 Cat. 3: 1 

(Perry Harvey Sr. Park) 

Cat. 3: 1 

Vibration1 Cat 1: 1 Cat 1: 1 Yes Cat. 1: 1 

Cat. 2: 44 Cat. 2: 13 Cat. 2: 8 

Cat. 3: 0 Cat. 3: 0 Cat. 3: 0 

Wetlands 

 

40 acres (total impacts) 

11 high quality wetlands 

impacted 

25.6 acres (total impacts) 

11 high quality wetlands 

impacted 

Yes 35.8 acres (total impacts) 

11 high quality wetlands 

impacted. 

Aquatic Preserves No impacts No impacts No No impacts 

Water Quality No adverse impacts No adverse impacts No No adverse impacts 

Outstanding 

Florida Waters 

No impacts No impacts No No impacts 

Contamination Risk Ranking 

High : 7 

Risk Ranking 

High : 7 

Yes Risk Ranking 

High : 7 

Medium: 0 Medium: 0 Medium: 1 

Low: 0 Low: 0 Low: 1 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-4

Table 6: Change in Potential Environmental Impacts 

Resource 

2005 FEIS Impacts 

Gas Turbine 

 FEIS Preferred Alternative

(Alternative 1) 

2005 FEIS Impacts 

Electric Technology 

(Alternative 5) 

Change in 

Impacts? 

Revised Preferred 

Alternative (RPA) 

Impacts Electric 

Technology 

Wild and Scenic 

Rivers 

No impacts No impacts No No impacts 

Floodplain and 

Floodway Impact 

Base Floodplain 

Encroachment: 56.88 acres 

Base Floodway 

Encroachment: 9.45 acres 

Base Floodplain 

Encroachment: 56.88 

acres 

Base Floodway 

Encroachment: 9.45 acres 

No Base Floodplain 

Encroachment: 56.88 

acres 

Base Floodway 

Encroachment: 9.45 acres 

Coastal Zone 

Consistency 

No impacts No impacts No No impacts 

Coastal Barrier 

Resources 

No impacts No impacts No No impacts 

Wildlife and 

Habitat, including 

Protected Species 

9 Protected Species 

No adverse impacts 

9 Protected Species 

No adverse impacts 

Yes 10 Protected Species 

No adverse effects 

Farmlands No impacts No impacts No No impacts 

Energy 

Consumption 

498,855 Million BTU 239,820 Million BTU Yes Same as 2005 FEIS 

Alternative 5 

Utilities No adverse impacts No adverse impacts No No adverse impacts 

TRANSPORTATION 

Freight Rail 

Operations 

Impacts 

No impacts No impacts No No impacts 

Highway 

Operations 

Impacts 

Net reduction in VMT: 

21,080,963 miles 

No adverse impacts 

Net reduction in VMT: 

21,080,963 miles 

No adverse impacts 

No Net reduction in VMT: 

21,080,963 miles 

No adverse impacts 

Station Access 

and Traffic Impacts 

No adverse impacts No adverse impacts No No adverse impacts 

Airport Operations No impacts No impacts No No impacts 

CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS 

Construction 

impacts 

No adverse impacts No adverse impacts No No adverse impacts 

Source: Parsons, PBS&J, HMMH September 2009 

1

Notes: Category 1 receptors are buildings and/or parks; Category 2 receptors are residences, hospitals, hotels; Category 3 receptors are 

schools, libraries, churches, and active parks. 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-5

6.1. Relocation and Right of Way 

The 2005 FEIS indicated that the Preferred Alternative and the Revised Preferred Alternative 

(RPA) (Alternative 5 in the 2005 FEIS) would both require three (3) residential relocations 

located in two (2) structures near I-4 and 12th Avenue in the Ybor City area and three business 

relocations including the City of Tampa Recreation Department, the former Hillsborough County 

Sheriff’s Office and Jail Complex, and a bail bondsman office. 

Since publication of the 2005 FEIS, redevelopment of the former Hillsborough County Sheriff’s 

Office and Jail Complex site has begun and the buildings are no longer present. Therefore, these 

relocations are no longer needed. 

Further, since 2005 additional development has occurred in the Tradeport Industrial Park. The 

alignment was optimized to reduce additional right-of-way needs in this area to the extent 

practicable. However, three (3) additional business relocations would be needed for the project, 

as follows: 

• At the northwest corner of Tradeport Drive and Ringhaver Drive, a large commercial 

distribution building (10260 Tradeport Drive) was constructed and does not appear on the 

project aerials. As of September 2, 2009, the building is vacant. The FHSR alignment 

clips the northeast corner of this building and the operation of the rear loading bays. 

• Two commercial structures located in the Atlas Commercial Park (11128 and 11112 

Boggy Creek Road) are also impacted. As of September 2, 2009, these building are 

vacant. 

The ROW and relocation program will be carried out in accordance with the Uniform Relocation 

Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970. 

6.2. Section 106 Consultation and Memorandum of Agreement 

The FDOT coordinated the historic resources impact analysis with the Florida State Historic 

Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Council). 

The coordination with the SHPO and Council during analysis of the 2005 FEIS Preferred 

Alternative resulted in a “conditional no adverse effect” on the following five historic resources: 

• North Franklin Street Historic District – Visual impacts 

• St. Paul AME Church Parsonage – Visual impacts 

• Oaklawn Cemetery – Visual impacts, construction vibration 

• Ybor City NHLD - Direct taking of two contributing buildings: 8HI4174/916 E. 12th 

Avenue, and the rear building at 8HI4178/1006 E. 12th Avenue; Visual, Construction 

Vibration 

• German American Club – Visual impacts, construction vibration 

The 2009 FEIS Reevaluation Revised Preferred Alternative verified that there are no changes to 

the impacts identified in the 2005 FEIS. The commitments stated in the 2005 FEIS remain valid. 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-6

Since publication of the 2005 FEIS, FDOT began the right-of-way acquisition process for the 

Tampa Interstate Study (TIS). As a result many of the historic structures along 12th Avenue in 

the Ybor City NHLD have been relocated, including the property at 1006 E. 12th Avenue 

(8HI4178) which was listed as a direct taking in the 2005 FEIS. 

It is important to note that these impacts to historic resources were evaluated as part of a Cultural 

Resource Assessment Survey (July 2003) prepared to identify and evaluate cultural resources 

(historic structures and archaeological sites) within the project’s Area of Potential Effect (APE). 

Further, a Section 106 Consultation Case Report (December 2003) was then prepared to evaluate 

potential effects for the Preferred Alternative and extensive coordination occurred with SHPO. 

As a result of this coordination, it was determined that the Preferred Alternative, based on a set 

of stipulated conditions, would have a “conditional no adverse effect” on the resources listed 

above. 

Even though the impacts within the Ybor City NHLD included a direct taking of contributing 

historic resources, the SHPO determined that there would be no adverse effect because these 

buildings were previously identified as being acquired by the Tampa Interstate Study Final 

Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation (1996) and are located within the 

TIS Ultimate ROW. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was prepared at that time to mitigate 

adverse effects to the Ybor City NHLD. 

During the consultations with the SHPO, it was determined that the FHSR project would follow 

the requirements of this MOA. The mitigation and commitments are consistent with this MOA. 

6.3. Section 4(f) Determination 

Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Act of 1966 stipulates that DOT 

agencies cannot approve the use of land from publicly owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife 

refuges, or public and private historical sites unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to 

such use and the project includes all possible planning to minimize the harm to the property 

resulting from use. 

The Section 4(f) evaluation for the potential HSR alignments and stations documented in Section 

5 of the FEIS and Section 4.4 of the FEIS Reevaluation indicates that one Section 4(f) resource, 

Perry Harvey Sr. Park, will be used by the project. The supporting information in the 2005 FEIS 

and the 2009 FEIS Reevaluation, summarized below, demonstrates that there are unique 

problems or unusual factors involved with any alternative that would avoid this Section 4(f) 

property. Potential avoidance alternatives fail to meet the project purpose and need, fail to meet 

the objectives of those responsible for the resource used, or result in impacts of extraordinary 

magnitude to the environment or the community. 

Based on the documentation presented in the FEIS and updated in the FEIS Reevaluation, the 

FRA has determined that: 

• The Project is a feasible and prudent alternative with the least harm to Section 4(f) 

resources; 

• There is no feasible or prudent alternative to the use of the above Section 4(f) resources; 

and 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-7

• The Project includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the resources resulting 

from such use. These measures are identified in the Project mitigation and commitments 

attached as Appendix B. 

During the reevaluation process, the preferred alignment shifted slightly in the vicinity of the 

Ybor City NHLD and Perry Harvey Sr. Park, both of which are Section 4(f) resources. Right-ofway requirements were minimized in the vicinity of these resources. 

In the case of the Ybor City NHLD, the right-of-way required by the FHSR project is still within 

the TIS Ultimate ROW which was cleared as a part of the Tampa Interstate Study Final 

Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation (1996). Further, a Memorandum of 

Agreement (MOA) was negotiated with the SHPO for that project to mitigate the adverse effects 

to the Ybor City NHLD from taking the right-of-way. Therefore there are no changes to the 

Section 4(f) evaluation for the Ybor City NHLD. 

In the case of Perry Harvey Sr. Park, as stated in the original Section 4(f) Evaluation in the 2005 

FEIS, the FHSR project will comply with the specific commitments and stipulations identified in 

the existing Tampa Interstate Study (TIS) FEIS for the Ultimate ROW requirements. The 

commitment is based on the assumption that the FHSR will be constructed prior to the 

construction of the Ultimate TIS. 

Since the approval of the 2005 FHSR FEIS, the interim reconstruction of I-275/I-4 interchange 

has occurred. In addition, FDOT has proposed a safety improvement requiring an additional lane 

be constructed to the outside of the ramp running from SB I-275 to EB I-4. As a result of the 

safety improvement, the FHSR ROW has been minimized to a ROW width of 44 feet and 

relocated slightly to the south and west. The FHSR ROW remains within the TIS Ultimate ROW 

footprint. It is anticipated that FHSR will run 18 to 24 feet above the park on an elevated track as 

it enters the Tampa Central Business District (CBD) station. Initial calculations indicate the 

potential impact to the park will be reduced from the amount of land to be acquired from 0.184 

acres (2005 FEIS) to .05 acres (FEIS Reevaluation). 

During the 2005 FEIS it was determined that there would be a potential for moderate noise level 

increases (proximity effects). An evaluation of vibration, access, aesthetics, and ecological 

encroachment indicates that the project will not substantially impair or diminish the use of the 

park, and a determination was made that there will be no constructive use. These conclusions 

have not changed. Coordination with the City of Tampa includes memorandum in the FEIS 

Reevaluation identifying the City’s continued support of the project with commitment of FDOT 

to meet the specific commitments and stipulations identified in the TIS FEIS. 

6.4. Air Quality 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation implementing the Clean Air Act (40 

CFR Parts 51 and 93) establishes criteria for demonstrating that a federally assisted project is in 

conformity with the State Implementation Plan or maintenance plans developed for 

Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola and Orange Counties. This Project is identified in the Long Range 

Transportation Plans for the three Metropolitan Planning Organizations that represent the various 

local governments through the Project area. The General Conformity Rule (40 C.F.R. Part 93, 

Subpart B) is applicable to areas that have been designated as non-attainment or maintenance 

with respect to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Polk, Osceola and 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-8

Orange Counties were designated as in attainment of the NAAQS in the 2005 FEIS. The FEIS 

Revaluation identified that Hillsborough County was re-designated in attainment of the NAAQS 

in 2005 following completion of the 2005 FEIS. Thus, all counties in the Project are in 

attainment and determination of conformity with the State Implementation Plan or plan to 

maintain the NAAQS is not required. 

The Revised Preferred Alternative would result in a net decrease in regional emissions of carbon 

monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) and a small increase in regional 

emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX). The net increase in emissions of NOX is a result of the 

emission rate of this pollutant from power plants that produce electricity through the combustion 

of fossil fuels. The emissions analysis is based on use of coal as the source for power 

generation; a worst case scenario. 

6.5. Noise 

The noise impact assessment was updated along the entire corridor to account for land use and 

alignment changes since the 2005 FEIS was published. In summary, there are substantially fewer 

predicted noise impacts than projected in the FEIS. 

The 2005 FEIS predicted that the Preferred Alternative would have impacts at a total of 15 

residential buildings (eight with severe impact and seven with moderate impact), one hotel 

(moderate impact) and one park (Perry Harvey Sr.). The FEIS also documented the impacts of 

Alternative 5 (the comparable alternative given the change in the preferred technology), which 

was predicted to have noise impacts at a total of 52 residential buildings (24 with severe impact 

and 28 with moderate impact), one hotel (moderate impact), and one park (Perry Harvey). The 

factors attributing less impact by the gas turbine-hauled train include track proximity and height 

as well as train speed. 

The updated analysis of the Revised Preferred Alternative predicts fewer impacts when 

compared to the electric-hauled train (Alternative 5) in the 2005 FEIS, including 30 residential 

buildings (13 with moderate impacts and 17 with severe impacts); one hotel (moderate impact) 

and one park (Perry Harvey). Importantly, none of the newly identified sensitive receptors along 

the corridor were predicted to have impacts. 

The lower number of predicted impacts is a result of alignment shifts away from sensitive 

receptors near Station 6010 (in the vicinity of the I-4/I-275 interchange in Tampa) and between 

Stations 7670 and 7700 in the Taft area near Orlando. 

6.6. Vibration 

The vibration impact assessment was updated along the entire corridor to account for land use 

and alignment changes since the 2005 FEIS was published. In summary, the Revised Preferred 

Alternative vibration impacts are expected at three residences, five hotels, and one commercial 

building that houses vibration sensitive equipment. In comparison, the 2005 FEIS Preferred 

Alternative was predicted to have 33 residences, 11 hotels, and the same commercial building 

and Alternative 5 was predicted to have impacts at one residence, 13 hotels and the commercial 

building. 
Florida High Speed Rail Record of Decision 

6-9

The large reduction in the total number of vibration impacts is due to changes in existing 

conditions and the difference between the vibration characteristics of the electric and the gas 

turbine trains. Not only are some of the residences and hotels previously affected no longer 

present but new receptors were also identified, particularly in the middle section of the 

alignment. None of the new receptors were predicted to have vibration impacts. 

Gas turbine trains have higher vibration levels at lower frequencies than electric trains. This is 

likely due to the difference in weight between the two vehicles; the gas turbine train consist 

weighs almost twice as much as the electric train consist. Furthermore, when the ground exhibits 

more efficient vibration propagation characteristics at low frequencies, there is a greater 

difference in vibration impact between the two technologies. 

6.7. Wetlands 

The Preferred Alternative (Alternative 1) documented in the 2005 FEIS would result in a total of 

40 acres of wetland impacts to 11 high quality wetlands, while Alternative 5 was predicted to 

result in 25.6 acres of impacts to 11 high quality wetlands. Even though these alternatives share 

the same alignment and station locations, they each assumed a different maintenance facility. 

The Revised Preferred Alternative would result in 35.8 acres of impacts to 11 high quality 

wetlands. This accounts for changes in existing conditions with the revised location for the 

maintenance facility for Alternative 5 since the FEIS was published and the design changes 

documented in Chapter 2 of the FEIS Reevaluation. The Revised Preferred Alternative with the 

same maintenance facility location, as identified with the 2005 FEIS Preferred Alternative 1, 

reduces impacts by 4.2 acres. 

The 2005 FEIS indicates that either FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) or 

the Water Management Districts (WMD) may be the reviewing agency for the Environmental 

Resource Permit. Because this project crosses multiple WMD districts, the FDEP will likely take 

the lead on permitting so that a comprehensive review of the entire corridor can occur. However, 

this decision will be made during the final design and permitting phase. 

The 2005 FEIS also states that “Any project which results in the disturbance of five or more 

acres of land would require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit 

from FDEP, pursuant to 40 C.F.R Parts 122 and 124.” The regulations governing the NPDES 

have been modified since 2005 such that any project that results in the disturbance of one or 

more acre of land will require a NPDES permit. Also, because a General Permit exists for this 

type of work, a permit application for a NPDES will not be required. Instead, a Notice of Intent 

to utilize the General Permit is required to be submitted by the construction contractor 48 hours 

prior to construction commencement. 

6.8. Contamination 

The 2005 FEIS Preferred Alternative identified five potentially hazardous material contaminated 

sites and two potentially petroleum contaminated sites within the alignment. There are no 

potentially contaminated sites associated with the preferred station locations and 

maintenance yard. 
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Based on the design modifications of the Revised Preferred Alternative, a review of the potential 

for additional hazardous materials sites that could potentially be encountered during construction 

was assessed. Five additional sites were identified. Given the contamination concern at these 

sites and their location relative to the FHSR project, three of these sites were found to pose no 

risk to the project, one was found to pose a low risk and one was found to pose a medium risk. 

The sites identified will be investigated further prior to any construction. Investigative work will 

include visual inspection, monitoring of ongoing cleanups, and possible subsurface 

investigations. At known contamination sites, estimated areas of contamination will be marked 

on design drawings. Prior to construction, any necessary cleanup plans will be developed. 

Actual cleanup will take place during construction, if feasible. Special provisions for handling 

unexpected contamination discovered during construction will be included in the construction 

plans package. 

6.9. Floodplains 

The Preferred Alternative from 2005 and the Revised Preferred Alternative would potentially 

impact approximately 56.88 ac. of floodplain and approximately 9.45 ac. of floodway. 

Subsequent to final design, during which impacts would be avoided or minimized, floodplain 

and floodway impacts would again be calculated and the amount of mitigation would be 

determined. Coordination with the water management districts will identify areas appropriate for 

mitigation of the volumetric impacts of the preferred alternative that will not increase or 

significantly change the flood elevations and/or limits. 

6.10. Wildlife and Habitat, Protected Species 

The expansion of the Tampa, Disney and Orange County Convention Center station areas do not 

result in additional protected species concern. The Tampa Jail Site is urban and developed and 

provides no protected species habitat. The area of expansion of the Disney Station Area does not 

result in a new habitat type or protected species concerns. The new additional area for the OCCC 

site is minimal and does not provide different habitat than what has already been considered. 

Since the 2005 FEIS, the bald eagle was delisted (with the exception of the desert bald eagle in 

Arizona) and is no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act as of June 28, 2007. 

However, the bald eagle is still provided protection by two other federal laws, the Migratory Bird 

Treaty Act of 1918 and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, as amended. The state of 

Florida also delisted the bald eagle. 

An additional species, the Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) has been afforded 

additional protection since the 2005 FEIS. A consultation area for the snail kite is now in place 

over Polk County and much of Osceola County. Although it is unlikely that this species will be 

affected by the project as habitat in the area is suboptimal, consultation with and concurrence 

from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be required because the corridor is within 

the snail kite’s designated consultation area. 

The Revised Preferred Alternative will have no effect on the following federally protected 

species with potential habitat in the project vicinity: American alligator, Florida scrub-jay, 

Florida panther, and Florida manatee. It is also anticipated to have no effect on the following 
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state-only protected species: Florida pine snake, Florida burrowing owl, Southeastern American 

kestrel, Florida black bear, and protected plant species. The Revised Preferred Alternative may 

affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the following federally protected species: Eastern 

indigo snake, sand skink, Everglade’s snail kite, and wood stork. The project may affect but is 

not likely to adversely affect the following state-only protected species: gopher tortoise, Florida 

mouse, gopher frog, Florida sandhill crane, Sherman’s fox squirrel, and state protected wading 

bird species. As part of mitigation commitments, FDOT will continue to coordinate with the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Water Management Districts (WMDs), and Florida 

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) to develop design and construction 

methods to avoid and minimize impacts to these species. 

6.11. Energy 

The switch to the electric train technology results in an overall lower net energy consumption 

since the consumption is considerably lower than the gas turbine train technology. The 2005 

FEIS shows the net energy consumption dropping from 498,855 million BTU (2005 FEIS 

Preferred Alternative) to 239,820 million BTU (2005 Alternative 5, Revised Preferred 

Alternative). 

These predictions factor in the reduction of gasoline consumption by diverting automobile 

ridership, the power required to propel the train, operate and maintain the new system and 

thermal losses for electric power generation. As a part of the reevaluation effort, the ridership 

projections were updated and show a slight increase in riders. This increase would lower VMT 

only slightly resulting in a negligible decrease in the energy demands of the Revised Preferred 

Alternative. The slight shifts in alignment and station locations also would not affect the energy 

consumption predictions listed above. 

The total change is a very small fraction (less than 1/20th of one percent) of Florida’s total 

energy consumption for surface transportation (all non-military vehicle operation on highways, 

railroads, and fixed-guideway public transportation), which is estimated to reach one quadrillion 

BTUs (i.e., 1,000,000,000 MBTU) by 2010. 

6.12. Means to Avoid and Minimize Environmental Harm 

FRA and FDOT are committed to working with our partners and stakeholders in the 

development of this project, and will continue to coordinate the required mitigation and 

commitments for the FHSR project as a means to avoid and minimize environmental harm. 

Appendix B documents the commitments and mitigation from the 2005 FEIS and any changes 

or updates needed based on changes in potential impacts or regulations based on the FEIS 

Reevaluation. 

6.13 Environmentally Preferable Alternative 

The environmentally preferable alternative resulting from the FEIS Reevaluation remains the 

same as the environmentally preferable alignment identified in the 2005 FEIS (the No Build 

Alternative). The No Build Alternative still has less direct and indirect impact to the environment 

than the build alternatives. However, as noted in the FEIS, the No Build Alternative does not 
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meet the project purpose and need. It fails to enhance intercity passenger mobility in Florida by 

expanding passenger transportation capacity or by providing an alternative to highway and air 

travel. Congestion on Interstate 4 can be expected to continue to grow under the No Build 

Alternative. 

The Revised Preferred Alternative assessed in the FEIS Reevaluation, as described above, has 

been developed in a manner so as to minimize environmental impacts. It would use existing 

transportation corridors to minimize environmental impacts and provides environmental and 

transportation benefits in the form of increased efficiency in energy use for transportation, 

decreased energy consumption, increased mobility, safety, reliability, travel times and 

accessibility, and reduced vehicle miles travelled for intercity trips. 

The changes in existing conditions identified in Chapter 3 of the attached 2009 FEIS 

Reevaluation (Appendix A) of this document resulted in changes to the environmental impacts as 

summarized in the following: 

• Relocations: reduction of one business impact in Tampa CBD and 3 additional 

business impacts in Tradeport Drive industrial area. 

• Section 106: reduction of one historic structure with relocation by FDOT complete. 

• Recreation and Park/Section 4(f): Changes to the City of Tampa’s Perry Harvey Sr. 

Park boundaries since the 2005 FEIS and changes to the alternative reduce overall 

area of use. 

• Air Quality, Noise, Vibration, Visual/Aesthetic, and Energy Consumption: changes 

based on technology preference from gas turbine-powered to electric-powered 

locomotive-hauled train. 

• Contamination: additional sites resulting in the same number of sites with high risk 

ranking and an additional one site each for medium and low risk ranking. 

• Wildlife and Habitat: one additional species (Everglade’s snail kite) afforded 

protection since 2005. 

The above changes to the environmental impacts do not change the mitigation and commitments 

identified in the 2005 FEIS and included as Appendix B in this document with the exception of 

regulatory changes in the permitting of wetlands, water quality, and wildlife and habitat. 
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7. DECISION 

7.1. Basis for Decision 

FDOT, in coordination with FRA, proposes to implement HSR service in the initial segment of 

the Florida High Speed Rail Corridor between Tampa and Orlando. The purpose of FHSR is to 

enhance intercity passenger mobility in Florida by expanding passenger transportation capacity 

and providing an alternative to highway and air travel. Increased mobility is viewed as essential 

for the sustained economic growth of the region, as well as the quality of life of the region’s 

residents and visitors. Presently, passenger mobility in the Tampa-Orlando corridor is provided 

primarily by highways, particularly I-4. Projected transportation demand and travel growth, as 

prompted by social demand and economic development and compared to existing and future 

roadway capacity, show a serious deficit in available capacity. In addition, increasing population, 

employment, and tourism rates continue to elevate travel demand in the study corridor. 

Implementation of the FHSR project will help address these needs. In addition, the Passenger 

Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 established high-speed rail corridor development 

as an important component of the Nation’s transportation policy. Implementation of the FHSR 

Project is consistent with the Department of Transportation and FRA’s vision of the important 

role high-speed intercity passenger rail can play in certain travel markets (see Vision for HighSpeed Rail in America, April 2009 http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/rrdev/hsrstrategicplan.pdf) 

In the 2005 FEIS, gas turbine-powered technology was identified as the Preferred Alternative. 

Since then, the electric-powered technology has emerged as the preferred technology, on the 

same alignment, based on the current initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and dependency on 

foreign oil. The 2005 FEIS and the 2009 Reevaluation have shown that environmental impacts 

have been minimized with the selection of the alignment along existing transportation corridors. 

The FRA, in accordance with NEPA and the NEPA implementing regulations (40 CFR Parts 

1500-1508; 64 FR 28545 and 23 CFR Part 771), finds that the requirements of NEPA have been 

satisfied for FHSR Rail Tampa – Orlando project. 

The environmental record for FHSR Tampa-Orlando Corridor includes the Draft EIS (August 

2003), the Final EIS (July 2005), the Reevaluation to the FEIS (October 2009), and the 

comments from the circulation of the 2005 Final EIS. These documents represent the detailed 

analysis and findings required by NEPA on: 

• The environmental impacts of the proposed project 

• Alternatives to the proposed project 

• Irreversible and irretrievable impacts on the environment which may be involved in the 

proposed project should it be implemented. 

On the basis of the evaluation of social, economic, and environmental impacts contained in the 

DEIS, FEIS, FEIS Reevaluation and the written and oral comments offered by the public and by 

other agencies, the FRA determines that: 

• Adequate opportunity was afforded for the presentation of views by all parties with a 

significant economic, social, or environmental interest, and fair consideration was given 
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to the preservation and enhancement of the environment and to the interest of the 

communities in which the proposed project is located and 

• All reasonable steps were taken to minimize adverse environmental effects of the 

proposed project, and where adverse environmental effects remain, they have been fully 

reported in the DEIS, FEIS and FEIS Reevaluation. 

The extensive opportunities provided for public and other stakeholder involvement in Project 

planning and decision-making are described in Chapter 6 of the 2005 FEIS and summarized in 

Appendix C of this ROD. The reasonable steps to minimize adverse environmental effects are 

described in Chapter 4 of the 2005 FEIS, Chapter 4 of the FEIS Reevaluation and are 

summarized in Appendix B of this ROD. 

This ROD also documents compliance with other applicable federal environmental laws, rules 

and regulations as follows: 

7.2. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 

Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966 requires that any federal agency having direct or indirect 

jurisdiction over a proposed federal or federally assisted undertaking take into account the effect 

of the undertaking on any district, site, building, structure, or other object that is listed or eligible 

for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Under this provision, the NEPA lead 

agency, the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), affected Native American tribes, and 

other “consulting” parties participate in a consultation process regarding the potential effects of 

the undertaking on historic resources. Coordination with the Florida SHPO includes: 

• Concurrence with Cultural Resource Assessment Survey (CRAS) Methodology and Area 

of Potential Effect (APE), March, 2003 

• SHPO Concurrence with Corridor Study CRAS Findings, April 15, 2003 

• SHPO Concurrence for PD&E CRAS Findings, September 15, 2003 

• SHPO Concurrence on Section 106 Findings, January 5, 2004 

Through this coordination it was determined that the Revised Preferred Alternative, based on a 

set of stipulated conditions, would have a “conditional no adverse effect” on historic resources. 

7.3. Floodplains and Floodways Finding 

DOT Order 5620.2 implements Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management and 

Protection. These orders state that FRA may not approve an alternative involving a significant 

encroachment unless FRA can make a finding that the proposed encroachment is the only 

practicable alternative. The major purposes of Executive Order 11988 are to avoid Federal 

support for floodplain development; to prevent uneconomic, hazardous, or incompatible use of 

floodplains; to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial floodplain values; and to be 

consistent with the standards and criteria of the National Floodplain Insurance Program. 

FRA concludes that the Project will not result in any substantial adverse impact on natural and 

beneficial values of the floodplains, will not result in a substantial change in flood risks or 
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damage, and will not have a substantial potential for interruption or termination of emergency 

service and evacuation routes. 

7.4. Wetlands Finding 

Presidential Executive Order 11990, “Protection of wetlands,” directs federal agencies to avoid 

to the extent possible the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the destruction or 

modification of wetlands and to avoid direct or indirect support of new construction in wetlands 

wherever there is a practicable alternative. The following sets forth the basis for this finding for 

the Project. 

The Revised Preferred Alternative (Alternative 5) would result in 35.8 acres of potential wetland 

impacts resulting from the electric powered technology, of which 11 are considered high quality 

wetlands. Wetland impacts, which would result from the construction of FHSR, are proposed to 

be mitigated pursuant to S. 373.4138 F.S. to satisfy all mitigation requirements of Part IV, 

Chapter 373, F.S. and 33 U.S.C.1344. Impacts to wetlands by the Project cannot be practicably 

avoided or minimized beyond present efforts and identified mitigation measures are included in 

Appendix B. 

Based upon the above considerations, FRA determines that, under the requirements of Executive 

Order 11990, there are no practicable alternatives to the proposed construction in wetlands, and 

that the proposed action includes all practicable measures to minimize harm to these resources. 

7.5. Endangered Species Finding 

There are 24 federal and/or state protected species that have the potential or are known to occur 

within the FHSR study area. Six of those species are reptiles and amphibians, eleven are birds, 

five are mammals, and the remaining two are plants. Because the design/build alternatives use 

existing transportation corridors that pass through potential habitat, any of the alternatives may 

affect some potential sites, but it is not likely to adversely affect any of the species. Furthermore, 

the FDOT has committed to providing wildlife crossings in Polk County along I-4 during 

construction of the ultimate interstate improvements, including the FHSR project. 

The Revised Preferred Alternative will have “no effect” on the following species: American 

alligator, Everglades snail kite, Florida pine snake, Florida scrub jay, Florida burrowing owl, 

Southeastern American kestrel, Florida panther, manatee, Florida black bear, and protected plant 

species. The Revised Preferred Alternative “may affect, is not likely to adversely affect” the 

following species: Eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, Florida mouse, gopher frog, sand 

skink, Florida sandhill crane, bald eagle, wood stork, state protected wading bird species, and 

Sherman’s fox squirrel. As part of mitigation commitments, FDOT will continue to coordinate 

with USFWS, the WMDs, and FFWCC to develop design and construction methods to avoid and 

minimize impacts to these species.” 

FRA has determined that no formal consultation in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered 

Species Act is required based upon the findings summarized above. 
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7.6. Environmental Justice Finding 

Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 

Populations and Low-Income Populations, requires that each Federal Agency shall make 

achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, 

disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, 

policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations. 

The Project is within an existing transportation corridor and would not bisect any minority or 

low-income neighborhoods nor require the displacement of any residences in those 

neighborhoods. The anticipated human and environmental effects of the Project would not be 

disproportionately borne by the minority or low-income populations within the study area.Based 

upon these findings, FRA determines that the Project is in accordance with requirements of 

Executive Order 12898. 

7.7. Section 4(f) Determination 

Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Act of 1966 stipulates that DOT 

agencies cannot approve the use of land from publicly owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife 

refuges, or public and private historical sites unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to 

such use and the project includes all possible planning to minimize the harm to the property 

resulting from use. 

The Section 4(f) evaluation for the potential HSR alignments and stations documented in Section 

5 of the FEIS and Section 4.4 of the FEIS Reevaluation indicates that one Section 4(f) resource, 

Perry Harvey Sr. Park, will be used by the project. The supporting information in the FEIS 

Reevaluation, summarized below, demonstrates that there are unique problems or unusual factors 

involved with any alternative that would avoid this Section 4(f) property. Potential avoidance 

alternatives fail to meet the project purpose and need, fail to meet the objectives of those 

responsible for the resource used, or result in impacts of extraordinary magnitude to the 

environment or the community. 

Based on the documentation presented in the FEIS and updated in the FEIS Reevaluation, the 

FRA has determined that: 

• The Project is a feasible and prudent alternative with the least harm to Section 4(f) 

resources; 

• There is no feasible or prudent alternative to the use of the above Section 4(f) resources; 

and 

• The Project includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the resources resulting 

from such use. These measures are identified included in Attachment A. 

During preparation of the 2005 FEIS it was determined that there would be a potential for 

moderate noise level increases (proximity effects). An evaluation of vibration, access, aesthetics, 

and ecological encroachment indicates that the Project will not substantially impair or diminish 

the use of the park, and a determination was made that there will be no constructive use. These 

conclusions have not changed. Coordination with the City of Tampa includes a memorandum in 

the FEIS Reevaluation identifying the continued commitment of FDOT to meet the specific 

commitments and stipulations identified in the TIS FEIS.