L A 2 3 N e w Orl e a ns & G ulf C o ast R ail w a y R el oc ati o n 

J eff ers o n a n d Pl a q u e mi n es P aris h es, L o uisi a n a 

R P C/ F R A Gr a nt # F R -RL D -0 0 3 2 -1 4 -0 1 -0 0 

U nit e d St at es D e p art m e nt of Tr a ns p ort ati o n 

F e d er al R ailr o a d A d mi nistr ati o n ( F R A) 

a n d 

R e gi o n al Pl a n ni n g C o m missi o n f or J eff ers o n, Orl e a ns, Pl a q u e mi n es, 

St. B er n ar d, St. T a m m a n y a n d T a n gi p a h o a P aris h es ( R P C) 

A d mi nistr ati v e Acti o n 

Fi n di n g of N o Si g nific a nt I m p acts 

a n d 

Fi n al S ecti o n 4(f) E v al u ati o n 

S u b mitt e d P urs u a nt t o t h e 

N ati o n al E n vir o n m e nt al P olic y Act 

4 2 U. S. C. 4 3 3 2 ( 2)(c) 

a n d 

S ecti o n 4(f) of t h e D O T Act 

4 9 U. S. C. 3 0 3 

Pr e p ar e d i n acc or d a nc e wit h F R A’s E n vir o n m e nt al Pr oc e d ur es 

( 6 4 F e d. R e g. 2 8 5 4 5 M a y 2 6, 1 9 9 9) 

Oct o b er 2 0 1 8 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

T A BL E  O F  C O N T E N T S  

1. 0 G E N E R AL  D E S C RI P TI O N  A N D  B A C K G R O U N D  I N F O R M A TI O N ................................................................... 1

1. 1 R OJ E C T   E S C RI P TI O N  ....................................................................................................................................... 1

1. 2 R OJ E C T   A C K G R O U N D  ...................................................................................................................................... 1

1. 3 R O C E D U R AL   I S T O R Y A N D  N E P A O M PLI A N C E  .................................................................................................... 1

2. 0 S T A T E M E N T  O F  P U R P O S E  A N D  N E E D  ..................................................................................................... 2

2. 1 R OJ E C T   U R P O S E  ............................................................................................................................................. 2

2. 2 R OJ E C T   E E D  ................................................................................................................................................. 2

3. 0 AL T E R N A TI V E S  C O N SI D E R E D  .................................................................................................................. 4

3. 1 O N C E P T U AL   LI G N M E N T  P TI O N S  ...................................................................................................................... 4

3. 2 R ELI MI N A R Y   L T E R N A TI V E S ............................................................................................................................... 5

3. 3 ‐B UIL D   L T E R N A TI V E ..................................................................................................................................... 5

4. 0 P R E F E R R E D  AL T E R N A TI V E  ...................................................................................................................... 7

5. 0 R E S UL T S  O F  E N VI R O N M E N T AL  A N AL Y SI S  ............................................................................................... 8

6. 0 P U BLI C  A N D  A G E N C Y  C O O R DI N A TI O N  ................................................................................................... 1 6

6. 1 I R C UL A TI O N O F  T H E   N VI R O N M E N T AL   S S E S S M E N T  ( E A) ...................................................................................... 1 6

6. 2 G E N C Y   O M M E N T S   E C EI V E D  O N  T H E  E A  .......................................................................................................... 1 6

6. 3 U BLI C   O M M E N T S   E C EI V E D  O N  T H E  E A............................................................................................................  1 6

6. 4 R R A T A  ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 7

7. 0 FI N AL  S E C TI O N  4( F)  A N D  S E C TI O N  6( F)  E V AL U A TI O N  ............................................................................. 1 8

7. 1 N T R O D U C TI O N  ............................................................................................................................................... 1 8

7. 2 E C TI O N  4( E G UL A T O R Y   O N T E X T .................................................................................................................. 1 8

7. 3 E C TI O N  6(  O F  T H E   A N D  A N D   A T E R   O N S E R V A TI O N   U N D  ............................................................................... 1 9

7. 4 U R P O S E  A N D   E E D  ........................................................................................................................................ 2 0

7. 5 E FI NI TI O N  O F   L T E R N A TI V E S ........................................................................................................................... 2 0

7. 6 E C TI O N  4( R O P E R TI E S  ................................................................................................................................ 2 3

7. 7 E C TI O N  6( E S O U R C E S  ................................................................................................................................. 2 7

7. 8 E C TI O N  4( S E   S S E S S M E N T  ......................................................................................................................... 2 7

7. 9 V OI D A N C E   L T E R N A TI V E S ............................................................................................................................... 2 8

7. 1 0 E C TI O N  4( I N DI N G ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1

7. 1 1 E A S U R E S  T O   I NI MI Z E  A R M  ........................................................................................................................ 3 1

7. 1 2 E C TI O N  6( I N DI N G ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1

7. 1 3 G E N C Y   O O R DI N A TI O N  .................................................................................................................................. 3 1

8. 0 E N VI R O N M E N T AL  C O M MI T M E N T S  ....................................................................................................... 3 4

9. 0 C O N CL U SI O N  ........................................................................................................................................ 3 7
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A p p e n dic es  

A p p e n dix  A   Pr oj ect  M a ps  

A p p e n dix  B   M e m or a n d u m  of  A gr e e m e nt  b et w e e n  F R A  a n d  S H P O   

A p p e n dix  C   S ecti o n  1 0 6  a n d  S ecti o n  4(f)  C orr es p o n d e nc e  

A p p e n dix  D   A g e nc y  a n d  P u blic  C o m m e nts  a n d  R es p o ns es  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

1  

1. 0 G E N E R AL  D E S C RI P TI O N  A N D  B A C K G R O U N D  I N F O R M A TI O N 

1. 1 Pr oj ect  D escri pti o n  

T h e  Pr oj ect  pr o p os es  t h e r el oc ati o n of  t h e N e w  Orl e a ns  a n d  G ulf  C o ast  ( N O G C) R ail w a y  fr o m 

L o uisi a n a Hi g h w a y  2 3  (L A 2 3/ B ell e  C h ass e  Hi g h w a y)  t o t h e P et ers  R o a d  c orri d or as  s h o w n i n 

Fi g ur e  A ‐1  i n A p p e n di x  A  ( Pr oj ect). T h e  N O G C  R ail w a y  is a  3 2 ‐mil e  s h ortli n e r ailr o a d t h at 

o p er at es  o n  t h e “ W est b a n k” of  N e w  Orl e a ns,  L o uisi a n a s er vi n g J eff ers o n a n d  Pl a q u e mi n es  

P aris h es.  T h e  N O G C  i nt erc h a n g es wit h  t h e U ni o n  P acific  R ailr o a d  ( U P R R) i n W est w e g o,  

L o uisi a n a. T h e  N O G C  s er v es o v er  2 0  s witc hi n g a n d  i n d ustri al c ust o m ers a n d  is t h e o nl y  r ailr o a d 

o p er ati n g  o n  t h e W est b a n k  of  N e w  Orl e a ns.  C urr e ntl y,  t h er e is n o  f u n di n g or  Pr oj ect  s p o ns or 

i d e ntifi e d f or c o nstr ucti o n of  t h e Pr oj ect.  T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or is m o st li k el y t h e Ri o  

Gr a n d e  P acific  C or p or ati o n  ( R G P C). 

1. 2 Pr oj ect  B ac k gr o u n d  

I n t h e 2 0 0 2  Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  I nt er m o d al F e asi bilit y  St u d y,  t h e R e gi o n al  Pl a n ni n g  C o m missi o n  

f or J eff ers o n, Orl e a ns,  Pl a q u e mi n es,  St.  B er n ar d,  St.  C h arl es,  St.  J o h n t h e B a ptist,  St.  T a m m a n y  

a n d  T a n gi p a h o a  P aris h es  ( R P C) ex a mi n e d  t h e f e asi bilit y of  r ail alt er n ativ es  fr o m W est  Bri d g e  

J u ncti o n n e ar  A v o n d al e  Y ar d  t o pr os p ecti v e  Mill e n ni u m  P ort  sit es l oc at e d i n l o w er Pl a q u e mi n es  

P aris h  n e ar  M yrtl e  Gr o v e.  T h e  H ar v e y  C a n al/ P et e rs R o a d  c orri d or w as  o n e  of  t h e alt er n ati v e  

r o ut es ex a mi n e d  wit hi n  t h at st u d y. I n 2 0 1 1,  R G P C  c o m pl et e d c o nc e pt u al e n gi n e eri n g  a n d  

pr eli mi n ar y  e n vir o n m e nt al  r e p orts f or t h e r el oc ati o n of  a  s u bst a nti al p orti o n  of  t h e N O G C  

R ail w a y.  I n 2 0 1 2,  a  Tr a ns p ort ati o n  I n v est m e nt G e n er ati n g  Ec o n o mic  R ec o v er y  I V ( TI G E R) Gr a nt  

A p plic ati o n  w as  pr e p ar e d  f or t h e Pr oj ect.  T h e  Pr oj ect  is i ncl ud e d  i n t h e 2 0 1 2  Pl a q u e mi n es  

P aris h  C o m pr e h e nsi v e  M ast er  Pl a n.  

1. 3 Pr oc e d ur al  Hist or y  a n d  N E P A  C o m pli a nc e  

I n 2 0 1 5,  t h e F e d er al  R ailr o a d  A d mi nistr ati o n  ( F R A) a n d  t h e R P C  e nt er e d  i nt o a  gr a nt  a gr e e m e nt  

t o pr e p ar e  a n  e n vir o n m e nt al  d oc u m e nt  f or t h e Pr oj ect.  T h e  F R A  is t h e l e a d F e d er al  a g e nc y  f or 

t h e o v ersi g ht  of  t h e e n vir o n m e nt al  pr oc ess.  T h e  N a v al  Air  St ati o n/J oi nt  R es er v e  B as e  N e w  

Orl e a ns  ( N A S J R B) a n d  U. S.  C o ast  G u ar d  ar e  F e d er al  c o o p er ati n g a g e nci es,  a n d  t h e  

U. S.  Ar m y  C or ps  of  E n gi n e ers  ( U S A C E) is a  F e d er al  p artici p ati n g  a g e nc y.  T h e  F R A  a n d  t h e R P C  

p u blis h e d  t h e e n vir o n m e nt al  ass ess m e nt  ( E A) a n d  dr aft  S ecti o n  4(f)  a n d  S ecti o n  6(f)  e v al u ati o n  

o n  t h e R P C’s  w e bsit e  o n  A pril  1 6,  2 0 1 8 . T h e  E A  a n d  t his Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p act 

( F O N SI) w er e  pr e p ar e d  i n acc or d a nc e  wit h  t h e N ati o n al  E n vir o n m e nt al  P olic y  Act  ( N E P A) a n d  

c o nf or m wit h  C o u ncil  o n  E n vir o n m e nt al  Q u alit y  ( C E Q) g ui d eli n es  r e g ar di n g t h e i m pl e m e nt ati o n 

of  N E P A,  as  w ell  as  F R A’s  Pr oc e d ur es  f or C o nsi d eri n g  E n vir o n m e nt al  I m p acts  a n d  t h e F e d er al  

Hi g h w a y  A d mi nistr ati o n  ( F H W A) E n vir o n m e nt al  G ui d e b o o k.

                                                            

 htt p:// w w w. n or pc. or g/  

 4 0  C. F. R.  P arts  1 5 0 0 ‐0 8.  htt ps://c e q. d o e. g o v/i n d ex. ht ml

 F e d er al  R ailr o a d  A d mi nistr ati o n’s  Pr oc e d ur es  f or C o nsi d eri n g  E n vir o n m e nt al  I m p acts, 6 4  F R  2 8 5 4 5  ( M a y 2 6,  1 9 9 9).  

htt ps:// w w w.fr a. d ot. g o v/ eLi b/ D et ails/L 0 2 5 6 1  

 htt ps:// w w w. e n vir o n m n e nt.f h w a. d ot. g o v/ g ui d e b o o k/i n d ex. as p  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

2  

2. 0 S T A T E M E N T  O F  P U R P O S E  A N D  N E E D  

2. 1 Pr oj ect  P ur p os e  

V e hic ul ar  a n d  tr ai n tr affic is pr oj ect e d  t o i ncr e as e wit hi n  t h e St u d y  Ar e a  (s e e Fi g ur e  A ‐1  i n 

A p p e n di x  A  f or St u d y  Ar e a  O v er vi e w)  d u e  t o n or m al  gr o wt h  i n p o p ul ati o n  a n d  N O G C ‐pr oj ect e d  

i ncr e as es i n l e v el of  i n d ustr y.  Hi g h w a y ‐r ail tr affic c o nflicts h a v e  a n  a d v ers e  i m p act o n  t h e 

W est b a n k  c o m m u nit y i ncl u di n g b ot h  r esi d e nti al a n d  e m pl o y m e nt  p o p ul ati o ns  (s e e p h ot o  of  a  

r ail‐v e hicl e  i nci d e nt i n Gr et n a  b el o w).  T h es e  i m p acts i ncl u d e s af et y, c o n g esti o n, m o bilit y,  a n d  

q u alit y  of  lif e iss u es. T h e  p ur p os e  of  t h e Pr oj ect  is t o i m pr o v e s af et y a n d  m o bilit y  b y  r e d uci n g 

t h e n u m b er  of  at ‐gr a d e  r ail cr ossi n gs i n d e ns el y  p o p ul at e d  ar e as  of  J eff ers o n P aris h  a n d  

Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h.   

2. 2 Pr oj ect  N e e d  

T h e  Pr oj ect  is n e e d e d  d u e  t o c urr e nt a n d  f ut ur e c o n g esti o n, s af et y, c a p acit y, a n d  li v a bilit y 

iss u es i n t h e r e gi o n. T h e  N O G C  R ail w a y  r el oc ati o n will  i m pr o v e t h e existi n g  tr a ns p ort ati o n 

n et w or k  b y  cr e ati n g m uc h  n e e d e d  i m pr o v e m e nts al o n g  t h e existi n g  r ail c orri d or. T h e  Pr oj ect  

pr o vi d es  n u m er o us  s af et y b e n efits  as  w ell.  T h e  n e e d  f or t h e Pr oj ect  i ncl u d es: 

 I m pr o v e S af et y   

 P ot e nti all y   eli mi n at e   t h e  m aj orit y   of   t h e  existi n g   1 2 0   hi g h w a y ‐r ail  at ‐gr a d e   r ail 

cr ossi n gs ( p u blic a n d  pri v at e)  al o n g  t h e existi n g  N O G C  r ail c orri d or wit hi n  t h e s e g m e nt 

t h at s p a ns b et w e e n  t h e H ar v e y  C a n al  a n d  W al k er  R o a d.  M ost  of  t h e pri v at e  at ‐gr a d e  

cr ossi n gs al o n g  t h e existi n g  r o ut e h a v e  n o  acti v e  w ar ni n g  s yst e m a n d  r el y o n  p assi v e  

cr oss b uc ks si g n a g e, tr ai n h or n  n ois e,  a n d  dri v er  a w ar e n ess.  

 R e d uc e   p ot e nti al   p u blic   ex p os ur e   t o  h az ar d o us   m at eri als   wit hi n   r esi d e nti al  a n d  

c o m m erci al ar e as.  

 R eli e v e  C o n g esti o n   

 Mi ni miz e  c o n g esti o n a n d  d el a y  es p eci ally  al o n g  4t h  Str e et  i n d o w nt o w n  Gr et n a,  

w h er e   i n‐str e et  r u n ni n g  of   tr ai ns  b et w e e n   D ol h o n d e   Str e et   a n d   A m eli a   Str e et  

( a p pr oxi m at el y 0. 4 6  mil es)  c a n bl oc k  si d e str e et tr affic fr o m 1 2  mi n ut es  t o 2 0  mi n ut es,  

d e p e n di n g  o n  t h e o v er all  l e n gt h of  t h e tr ai n s ets. 

 T h e  i n‐str e et s e g m e nt o n  M a dis o n  Str e et  ext e n ds  fr o m A m eric us  Str e et  t o St u m pf  

B o ul e v ar d  ( a p pr oxi m at el y 0. 7 3  mil es).  R e g ul ar  tr ai ns a v er a g e  a b o ut  2 5  c ars i n b ot h  

dir ecti o ns  a n d  it t a k es a b o ut  1 3  mi n ut es  t o cl e ar t his s e g m e nt of  r o a d w a y.  

 T h e  pr oc ess  of  tr ai n ass e m bl y  a n d  m o v e m e nt  wit hi n  i n‐str e et c orri d ors r es ults i n 

bl oc k a g e  at  n u m er o us  i nt ers ecti o ns a n d  m ot orist  d el a y  d oc u m e nt e d  b y  si g nific a nt 

c o n g esti o n a n d  l e v el of  s er vic e F  o p er ati o ns.  T his  o p er ati n g  c o n diti o n is a  r es ult of  

                                                            

 V e hic ul ar  tr affic pr oj ecti o ns  b as e d  o n  L A D O T D Hist oric  Tr affic  C o u nt  D at a  a n d  R P C  Tr a v el  D e m a n d  M o d el  2 0 4 0  a n d  2 0 4 4  

N et w or k.  R ef er  t o t h e Tr affic  A n alysis  R e p ort  –  Existi n g  C o n diti o ns , J ul y 2 0 1 5  a n d  Tr affic  A n alysis  R e p ort  –  N o ‐B uil d  C o n diti o ns  

( 2 0 4 0), D ec e m b er  2 0 1 5  ( a v ail a bl e fr o m t h e R P C  u p o n  r e q u est). Tr ai n  tr affic pr oj ecti o ns  b as e d  o n  N O G C  r ail w a y esti m at es.  

S e e  Gl oss ar y  f or d efi niti o n  of  L e v el of  S er vic e.
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

3  

t h e tr ai n’s r e d uc e d s p e e d c o m bi n e d wit h  t h e l o n g er l e n gt h of  ti m e r e q uir e d f or 

o p er ati o ns  t o cl e ar.  

 I m pr o v e E m er g e nc y  Acc ess  a n d  E v ac u ati o n  

 I m pr o v e e m er g e ncy  a n d  h urric a n e  e v ac u ati o n  al o n g  L A 2 3,  w hic h  is a  d esi g n at e d  

h urric a n e  e v ac u ati o n  r o ut e. 

 I m pr o v e p u blic  s af et y acc ess  f or fir e, p olic e,  a n d  a m b ul a nc e  r es p o ns e. C urr e nt  

r ailr o a d fr ei g ht tr affic al o n g  t h e existi n g  r ail c orri d or h as  a  d e v ast ati n g  eff ect  o n

L A 1 8  a n d  L A 2 3  b y  bl oc ki n g  acc ess  t o a dj ac e nt  r o a ds, as  w ell  as  acc ess  t o p u blic  

r o a d w a ys a n d pri v at e  b usi n ess es.  D el a y  t o e m er g e nc y  v e hicl es  is a  c o nc er n w h e n  

tr ai ns as  l o n g as  1. 3  mil es  c o ul d p ot e nti all y  bl oc k  pri m ar y  e m er g e ncy  r es p o ns e 

acc ess  al o n g  L A 1 8  a n d  L A 2 3  or  al o n g  r o ut es t h at cr oss L A 1 8  a n d  L A 2 3.  

 E n h a nc e  Q u alit y  of  Lif e   

 I m pr o v e m o bilit y  f or W est b a n k  ar e a  m ot orists.  

 Eli mi n at e  tr ai n n ois e  i n d e ns el y  d e v el o p e d  r esi d e nti al a n d  c o m m erci al ar e as.  

 I m pr o v e Effici e nc y  of  R ail  O p er ati o ns    

 T h e  a v er a g e  o p er ati n g  s p e e d f or N O G C  tr ai ns al o n g  t h e existi n g  r ail ali g n m e nt  

a v er a g es  1 0  mil es  p er  h o ur  ( m p h), wit h  act u al  s p e e ds r a n gi n g fr o m 2  m p h  t o 4  m p h  

wit hi n  Gr et n a.  R el oc ati o n  of  t h e N O G C  R ail w a y  t o a n  alt er n at e  l oc ati o n w h er e  

d e v el o p m e nt  is n ot  as  d e ns e  w o ul d  i m pr o v e t h e effici e nc y  of  N O G C’s  fr ei g ht r ail 

o p er ati o ns,  wit h  o p er ati n g  s p e e ds of  1 0  t o 2 0  m p h  pr oj ect e d.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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3. 0 AL T E R N A TI V E S  C O N SI D E R E D  

T h e  N ati o n al  E n vir o n m e nt al  P olic y  Act  of  1 9 6 9  ( N E P A), 4 2  U. S. C.  § 4 3 2 1  et  s e q., r e q uir es t h at all  

of  t h e r e as o n a bl e alt er n ati v es  t h at c o ul d ac hi e v e  t h e p ur p os e  a n d  n e e d  f or t h e Pr oj ect  b e  

c o nsi d er e d. As  p art  of  t h e ti er e d Alt er n ati v es  A n al ysis  pr oc ess,  alt er n ati v es  w er e  e v al u at e d  

d uri n g  v ari o us  st a g es of  d e v el o p m e nt  t h at c o nsist e d of  t h e f oll o wi n g st a g es: 

 R e vi e w  of  pri or  st u di es p ert ai ni n g  t o t h e d e v el o p m e nt  a n d  f e asi bilit y of  r ail r e ali g n m e nt 

alt er n ati v es  

 Ti er  I –  c o nc e pt u al ali g n m e nt  o pti o ns  

 Ti er  II –  pr eli mi n ar y  alt er n ati v es  

 Ti er  II –  r efi n e m e nt of  pr eli mi n ar y  alt er n ati v es  

 S el ecti o n  of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  

T h e  Alt er n ati v es  A n al ysis  i n v ol v e d t h e i nt er acti o n of  s e v er al g o v er n m e nt  a g e nci es,  offici als,  

st a k e h ol d ers, t h e Pr oj ect  M a n a g e m e nt  C o m mitt e e  ( P M C), a n d  t h e p u blic  i n or d er  t o c o m p ar e 

a n d  c o ntr ast t h e alt er n ati v es  d e v el o p e d  f or t h e Pr oj ect.  T h es e  e ntiti es  assist e d  i n t h e 

d e v el o p m e nt  of  Pr oj ect  alt er n ati v es,  i d e ntifi e d a d diti o n al  alt er n ati v es,  a n d  pr o vi d e d  g ui d a nc e  

i n t h e e v al u ati o n  of  alt er n ati v es.   

3. 1 C o nc e pt u al  Ali g n m e nt  O pti o ns  

O n e  of  t h e i niti al t as ks f or t h e E A  w as  t o c o n d uct a n  Alt er n ati v es  A n al ysis  o n  a n  i niti al s et of  

alt er n ati v es  t h at w er e  d efi n e d  as  t h e c o nc e pt u al ali g n m e nt  o pti o ns.  F o ur  c o nc e pt u al ali g n m e nt  

o pti o ns  w er e  d eri v e d  fr o m pri or  st u di es wit hi n  J eff ers o n a n d  Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h es  p ert ai ni n g  

t o t h e d e v el o p m e nt  a n d  f e asi bilit y of  r ail ali g n m e nt  alt er n ativ es.  T h e  f our  c o nc e pt u al ali g n m e nt  

o pti o ns  i ncl u d e: 

 O pti o n  1  –  W est  of  t h e H ar v e y  C a n al  g e n er all y  al o n g  D estr e h a n  A v e n u e  Ti er  I –  

c o nc e pt u al ali g n m e nt  o pti o ns  

 O pti o n  2  –  E ast  of  t h e H ar v e y  C a n al  f oll o wi n g t h e H o o p er  S p ur  tr ac k al o n g  P et ers  R o a d  

t o L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  

 O pti o n  3  –  E ast  of  t h e H ar v e y  C a n al  f oll o wi n g t h e H o o p er  S p ur  tr ac k al o n g  P et ers  R o a d  

t h e n m er gi n g  i nt o v ac a nt  p arc els  s o ut h of  U S  9 0 B,  c o nti n ui n g s o ut h t o L a p alc o 

 O pti o n  4  –  S a m e  as  O pti o n  3  exc e pt  f oll o ws St.  J os e p h L a n e fr o m 4t h  Str e et  t o U S  9 0 B  

i nst e a d of  P et ers  R o a d  

T h e  f o ur c o nc e pt u al ali g n m e nt  o pti o ns  w er e  t h e n e v al u at e d  t o i d e ntif y p ot e nti al  f at al fl a ws 

( e. g. r o ut es t h at w er e  n ot  g e o m etric all y  or  e n gi n e eri n gly  f e asi bl e) a n d  t o scr e e n o ut  t h e o pti o ns  

t h at s h o w e d t h e l e ast a m o u nt  of  pr o mis e,  or  w er e  d e e m e d  u nr e as o n a bl e  u p o n  f urt h er a n al ysis.  

B as e d  o n  t h e a n al ysis  of  p ot e nti al  i m p acts, t h e o utc o m e  of  t his t as k r es ult e d i n t h e eli mi n ati o n  

of  O pti o ns  1  a n d  4,  as  d escri b e d  i n t h e E A.  T h es e  o pti o ns  w er e  eli mi n at e d,  usi n g  pr e d et er mi n e d  

scr e e ni n g crit eri a, d u e  t o gr e at er  n u m b ers  of  r esi d e nti al i m p acts, hi g h er  c o nstr ucti o n c osts 

(t hr e e r e q uir e d m o v a bl e  bri d g es),  a n d  e n gi n e eri n g  f act ors s uc h as  gr e at er  str uct ur al i m p acts 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

5  

a n d  p ot e nti al  m o dific ati o ns  t o b ot h  existi n g  r o a d w a y i nfr astr uct ur e ( H arv e y C a n al  t u n n el) a n d  

fl o o d c o ntr ol str uct ur es. O pti o ns  2  a n d  3  w er e  r et ai n e d b ec a us e  t h e y b est  m et  t h e p ur p os e  a n d  

n e e d  a n d  w er e  f urt h er e v al u at e d  a n d  m o difi e d  t o b ec o m e  t h e Ti er  II pr eli mi n ar y  alt er n ati v es  A  

a n d  B,  r es p ecti v el y.  

3. 2 Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v es  

T h e  m aj or  diff er e nc es  b et w e e n  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v es  A  a n d  B,  as  d escri b e d  i n t h e E A,  

i ncl u d e: 

 P ot e nti al  i m p acts o n  r esi d e nti al ar e as  –  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ativ e  B  is l oc at e d f urt h er e ast  

c o m p ar e d t o Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  A  a n d  w o ul d  i m p act m or e  r esi d e nti al h o m es  n e ar  

P ail et  A v e n u e  b et w e e n  U S  9 0 B  a n d  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d,  i n a d diti o n  t o s e v er al r esi d enti al  

n ei g h b or h o o ds  l oc at e d b et w e e n  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  a n d  B a y o u  B ar at ari a.  

 At ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs –  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  B  w o ul d  r es ult i n 2 1  n e w  p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  

cr ossi n gs c o m p ar e d t o 5  f or Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ativ e  A.  

 Cr ossi n g  U S  9 0 B  –  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  A  w o ul d  cr oss u n d er  U S  9 0 B  wit hi n  t h e 

existi n g  U P R R  H o o p er  S p ur  R O W,  w hil e  t h e ali g n m e nt  f or Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  B  

w o ul d  r es ult i n a  t hr e e‐l e v el cr ossi n g t h at w o ul d  i ncl u d e a n  ali g n m e nt  o v er  t h e H ar v e y  

C a n al  t u n n el.   

 Cr ossi n g  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  –  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  A  w o ul d  cr oss L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  

wit hi n  t h e existi n g  U P R R  H o o p er  S p ur  R O W,  w hil e  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  B  w o ul d  

r e q uir e a n  ext e nsi v e  e m b a n k m e nt/ bri d g e  str uct ur e a p pr oxi m at el y  6, 5 0 0  f e et i n l e n gt h 

t o s p a n L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  a n d  t h e pr o p os e d  J eff ers o n P aris h  W est  B a n k  A ni m al  S h elt er  

pr o p ert y.   

Alt er n ati v e  B  w as  eli mi n at e d  b ec a us e  it h a d  a  gr e at er  n u m b er  of  r esi d e nti al i m p acts, gr e at er  

n u m b er  of  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs, a n d  e n gi n e eri n g  f act ors, s uc h as  hi g h er  str uct ur al c o m pl exit y a n d  

c ost. Si nc e  Alt er n ati v e  B  w as  eli mi n at e d,  o nl y  Alt er n ati v e  A  w as  c arri e d f or w ar d. As  p art  of  t h e 

c o nti n u o us Alt er n ati v es  A n al ysis  pr oc ess,  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  A  w as  f urt h er r efi n e d a n d  n e w  

ali g n m e nt  o pti o ns  w er e  i ntr o d uc e d wit hi n  s p ecific s e g m e nts of  t h e Pr oj ect  c orri d or. T h es e  

m o dific ati o ns  w er e  b as e d  o n  a d diti o n al  d at a  a n d  a n al ysis,  as  w ell  as  st a k e h ol d er a n d  P M C  

i n p ut. At  t h e e n d  of  t h e Alt er n ati v es  A n al ysis  pr oc ess,  t h e P M C  r e ac h e d c o ns e ns us o n  ali g n m e nt  

m o dific ati o ns  t o Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er a nti v e  A  t o c o m pris e t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  f or e v al u ati o n  

i n t h e E A.  T h e  N o ‐B uil d  Alt er n ati v e  w as  als o  e v al u at e d  as  p art  of  t h e E A.  

3. 3 N o ‐B uil d  Alt er n ati v e  

T h e  N o ‐B uil d  Alt er n ati v e  w o ul d  n ot  c o nstr uct a n y  i m pr o v e m e nts t o eit h er  existi n g  r ail f aciliti es 

or  t h e existi n g  r o a d w a y n et w or k  b e y o n d  a n y  pr oj ects  t h at ar e  c urr e ntl y pl a n n e d  or  

pr o gr a m m e d  b y  t h eir r es p ecti v e o w n ers  i ncl u di n g t h e L o uisi a n a D e p art m e nt  of  Tr a ns p ort ati o n  

a n d  D e v el o p m e nt  (L A D O T D), U P R R,  N O G C,  a n d  St u d y  Ar e a  p aris h es  (J eff ers o n a n d  Pl a q u e mi n es  

p aris h es).  T h e  existi n g  ali g n m e nt  utiliz e d  b y  t h e N O G C  w o ul d  r e m ai n i n its c urr e nt l oc ati o n, 

wit h o ut  a n y  r ail i m pr o v e m e nts. T h e  existi n g  G o ul ds b or o  Y ar d  i n Gr et n a  a n d  t h e existi n g  N O G C  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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M ai nt e n a nc e  Y ar d  i n B ell e  C h ass e  w o ul d  als o  r e m ai n. Alt h o u g h  t h e N o ‐B uil d  Alt er n ati v e  d o es  

n ot  s atisf y t h e Pr oj ect’s  p ur p os e  a n d  n e e d,  b ec a us e  it m ai nt ai ns  t h e st at us q u o  a n d  f ails t o 

r e m e d y t h e St u d y  Ar e a  pr o bl e ms  ass oci at e d  wit h  s af et y, c o n g esti o n, e m er g e nc y  acc ess,  q u alit y  

of  lif e, a n d  r ail o p er ati o n al  i n effici e nci es, it is r e q uir e d t o b e  br o u g ht  f or w ar d f or f urt h er 

a n al ysis  a n d  e v al u ati o n  p urs u a nt  t o t h e C o u ncil  o n  E n vir o n m e nt al  Q u alit y  ( C E Q) r e g ul ati o ns 

i m pl e m e nti n g N E P A  ( 4 0 C F R  § §  1 5 0 2. 1 4( d)  a n d  1 5 0 8. 2 5( b)).  T h e  N o ‐B uil d  Alt er n ati v e,  as  

r e q uir e d by  N E P A,  s er v es as  t h e b asis  f or c o m p aris o n of  t h e e n vir o n m e nt al  i m p acts ass oci at e d  

wit h  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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4. 0 P R E F E R R E D  AL T E R N A TI V E  

T h e  Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  w as  i d e ntifi e d as  p art  of  t h e r efi n e m e nt of  t h e pr eli mi n ar y  

alt er n ati v es  a n d  h as  b e e n  e v al u at e d  wit hi n  t h e E A  al o n g  wit h  t h e N o ‐B uil d  Alt er n ati v e.  T h e  

Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  ali g n m e nt  is s h o w n i n or a n g e  i n Fi g ur e  A ‐2  i n A p p e n di x  A . T h e  Pr ef err e d  

Alt er n ati v e  ext e n ds  fr o m 4t h  Str e et  (L A 1 8)  t o L A 2 3  f or a p pr oxi m at ely  9. 3  mil es.  Fr o m  n ort h  t o 

s o ut h, t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  g e n er all y  f oll o ws a  s o ut h e ast er n r o ut e al o n g  a n d  p ar all el  t o 

existi n g  P et ers  R o a d  a n d  t h e pr o p os e d  P et ers  R o a d  ext e nsi o n.  Aft er  cr ossi n g t h e G ulf  

I ntr ac o ast al W at er w a y  ( GI W W), t h e r o ut e c ur v es ar o u n d  t h e s o ut h er n e n d  of  t h e N A S  J R B a n d  

t h e n cr oss es L A 2 3  t o m e et  u p  wit h  t h e existi n g  N O G C  tr ac k. C o n n ecti o n  t o t h e B ell e  C h ass e  

S u b di visi o n  w o ul d  occ ur  o n  t h e e ast  si d e of  L A 2 3  wit h  a  w y e  c o n n ecti o n. B e n efits  ass oci at e d  

wit h  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  i ncl u d e p ot e nti all y  eli mi n ati n g  9 7  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs o n  t h e 

existi n g  N O G C  r o ut e a n d  r e d uci n g t h e n u m b er  of  p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs fr o m 7 3  t o 6.  

T h e  Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  ali g n m e nt  w o ul d  r e q uir e t h e r e ali g n m e nt a n d  r ec o nstr ucti o n of  

P et ers  R o a d  b et w e e n  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  a n d  M ur p h y  C a n al  (s h o w n i n gr e e n  i n Fi g ur e  A ‐2  i n 

A p p e n di x  A ). A  6, 0 0 0 ‐f o ot ( 1. 1 4‐mil e)  s e g m e nt of  P et ers  R o a d  w o ul d  b e  r ec o nstr uct e d fr o m 

L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  t o t h e s o ut h si d e of  t h e pr o p os e d  H ar v e y  B o ul e v ar d  Ext e nsi o n,  a  s e p ar at e 

pr oj ect  t h at is n ot  p art  of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ativ e.  A  s h ort er s e g m e nt of  P et ers  R o a d  w o ul d  b e  

c o nstr uct e d o n  n e w  ali g n m e nt.  T h e  li mits of  n e w  c o nstr ucti o n ext e n d  fr o m j ust s o ut h of  t h e 

pr o p os e d  H ar v e y  B o ul e v ar d  Ext e nsi o n  t o j ust s o ut h of  t h e M ur p h y  C a n al  cr ossi n g; a  dist a nc e  of  

a p pr oxi m at el y  2, 7 0 0  or  0. 5 1  mil es.  T h e  t ot al l e n gt h of  t h e P et e rs R o a d  r ec o nstr ucti o n is 

esti m at e d  at  1. 6 5  mil es.  R ec o nstr ucti o n  of  P et ers  R o a d  as  p art  of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  f or 

t his Pr oj ect  s h o ul d n ot  b e  c o nf us e d wit h  t h e P et ers  R o a d  Ext e nsi o n  Pr oj ect,  w hic h  is a  s e p ar at e 

pr oj ect.  F or  t h at pr oj ect,  pl a ns  ar e  u n d er w a y  t o ext e n d  P et ers  R o a d  i nt o Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  vi a  

a  bri d g e  o v er  t h e GI W W.  O n  its s o ut h er n e n d,  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  p ar all els  t h e P et ers  

R o a d  Ext e nsi o n  pr oj ect.   

                                                            

 R ail w a y  tr ac ks arr a n g e d  i n t h e f or m of  a  “ Y” t h at ar e  us e d  f or t ur ni n g l oc o m oti v es a n d  r ail c ars i n t h e o p p osit e  dir ecti o n.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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5. 0 R E S UL T S  O F  E N VI R O N M E N T AL  A N AL Y SI S  

T a bl e  1  s u m m ariz es t h e p ot e nti al  e nvir o n m e nt al  i m p acts ass oci at e d  wit h  t h e Pr ef err e d  

Alt er n ati v e  f or t h e Pr oj ect,  al o n g  wit h  a  list of  s ecti o ns i n t h e E A  w h er e  t h e i m p acts ar e  

d escri b e d  i n m or e  d et ail.  T h e  t a bl e als o  s u m m ariz es pr o p os e d  miti g ati o n,  if a p plic a bl e.  

T a bl e  1.  S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts f or t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  

S ecti o n  of  E A   S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts  Pr o p os e d  Miti g ati o n  

3. 1  Air  Q u alit y  

P ositi v e  I m p act. R e d uc e d  tr affic d el a y  a n d  

i dli n g w o ul d  d ecr e as e  crit eri a p oll ut a nt  

m ot or  v e hicl e  r el at e d e missi o ns.  

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  

3. 2  W at er  Q u alit y  

Mi n or  I m p act. C o nstr ucti o n  of  t h e Pr oj ect  

is u nli k el y  t o r es ult i n a d v ers e  i m p acts t o 

w at er  q u alit y  wit hi n  t h e St u d y  Ar e a,  

b ec a us e  F e d er al  a n d  st at e st or m w at er 

r e g ul ati o ns r e q uir e r ailr o a ds a n d  ot h er  

i n d ustri al f aciliti es t o t a k e st e ps t o pr e v e nt  

st or m w at er p oll uti o n.  L oc aliz e d w at er  

q u alit y  c o ul d b e  t e m p or aril y aff ect e d  

d uri n g  c o nstr ucti o n, b u t us e  of  B M Ps  

w o ul d  mi ni miz e  p ot e nti al  w at er  q u alit y  

i m p acts. 

T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m ust  

pr e p ar e  a  St or m w at er  P oll uti o n  

Pr e v e nti o n  Pl a n  as  p art  of  B est  

M a n a g e m e nt  Pr actic es  ( B M Ps) 

a n d  o bt ai n  a  S ecti o n  4 0 1  P er mit  

( W at er Q u alit y  C ertific ati o n)  fr o m 

t h e L o uisi a n a D e p art m e nt  of  

E n vir o n m e nt al  Q u alit y  (L D E Q) 

Offic e  of  E n vir o n m e nt al  S er vic es  

pri or  t o c o nstr ucti o n. 

3. 3  W at er  B o di es  a n d  

W at er w a ys  

a n d   

3. 4  N a vi g ati o n  

Mi n or  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  i ncl u d es bri d g e  

cr ossi n gs t o a v oi d  i m p acts t o w at er w a ys  at  

M ur p h y  C a n al,  B a y o u  B ar at ari a,  t h e 

GI W W,  a n d  B a y o u  B arri er e.  T h e  GI W W  

cr ossi n g r e q uir es a  m o v e a bl e  (s wi n g s p a n) 

bri d g e  t o a v oi d  i m p acts t o n a vi g ati o n.  T h e  

pr o p os e d  r ail bri d g e  w o ul d  b e  d esi g n e d  t o 

mi ni miz e  i m p acts t o m ariti m e  n a vi g ati o n.  

T h e  existi n g  N O G C  r ail bri d g e  p ar all el  t o 

t h e L A 2 3/ B ell e  C h ass e  Hi g h w a y  J u d g e 

P er ez  Bri d g e  w o ul d  n o  l o n g er b e  us e d  a n d  

w o ul d  li k el y b e  r e m o v e d; r e m o v al of  t h e 

existi n g  bri d g e  is n ot  p art  of  t h e Pr oj ect.  If 

t h e Pr oj ect  is c o nstr uct e d, m ariti m e  tr affic 

w o ul d  l ar g el y c o ntin u e  t o n a vi g at e  t h e 

GI W W  u n d er  existi n g  c o n diti o ns.   

T h e  f ut ur e pr oj ect  s p o ns or m ust  

o bt ai n  a  U. S.  C o ast  G u ar d  ( U S C G) 

p er mit  f or t h e GI W W  cr ossi n g.  A  

U S C G  p er mit  m a y  b e  r e q uir e d f or 

t h e M ur p h y  C a n al,  B a y o u  B arri er e  

a n d  B a y o u  B ar at ari a  d e p e n di n g  o n  

t h e t y p es of  v ess els  t h at us e  t h es e 

w at er w a ys.   T h e  f ut ur e pr oj ect  

s p o ns or m ust  c o n d uct a  

n a vi g ati o n  st u d y of  t h es e 

w at er w a ys  at  t h e ti m e of  t h e 

p er mit  a p plic ati o n  t o d et er mi n e  

c urr e nt a n d  pr os p ecti v e  v ess el  

us e.  Fi n al  d et er mi n ati o ns  o n  

miti g ati o n  w o ul d  b e  m a d e  as  p art  

of  t h e p er mitti n g  pr oc ess.  

3. 5  Fl o o d pl ai ns  a n d  

Fl o o d  Z o n es  

Mi n or  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  w o ul d  b e  

c o nstr uct e d a n d  o p er at e d  wit hi n  t h e  

1 0 0 ‐y e ar  fl o o d pl ai n h a vi n g  l o w t o hi g h  

fl o o d z o n e ris k l e v els. P ot e nti al  i m p acts t o 

fl o o d pl ai ns i ncl u d e filli n g, gr a di n g,  n e w  

bri d g es  a n d  c ul v erts, a n d  ot h er  acti viti es.   

I m p acts t o t h e 1 0 0 ‐y e ar  fl o o d pl ai n 

t y pic all y r e q uir e c o or di n ati o n a n d  

a p pr o v al  fr o m t h e l oc al flo o d pl ai n  

a d mi nistr at or(s)  a n d  F E M A.  T h e  

l oc al e ntiti es  wit h  r e vi e w a n d/ or  

a p pr o v al  a ut h orit y  i n t h e 

R el oc ati o n  C orri d or  i ncl u d e 

J eff ers o n P aris h,  Pl a q u e mi n es  

P aris h,  a n d  F E M A.  D uri n g  t h e 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

9  

S ecti o n  of  E A   S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts  Pr o p os e d  Miti g ati o n  

p er mitti n g  pr oc ess,  t h e f ut ur e 

Pr oj ect  s p o ns or s h o ul d c o nt act 

t h e fl o o d pl ai n a d mi nistr at ors  f or 

t h e r e vi e w a n d  p ossi bl e  p er mit  

r e q uir e m e nts f or t h e Pr oj ect.  

3. 6  W etl a n ds  

a n d  

3. 7  C o ast al  Z o n es  

Mi n or  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  c o ul d 

p ot e nti all y  i m p act 5 3  acr es  of  w etl a n ds  

l oc at e d wit hi n  t h e c o ast al z o n e. P ot e nti al  

i m p acts i ncl u d e 5 2. 3  acr es  of  fr es h w at er 

f or est e d/s hr u b w etl a n d,  0. 1  acr e  

fr es h w at er p o n d,  a n d  0. 8  ri v eri n e 

w etl a n ds.  T h e  ri v eri n e i m p acts ar e  at  

B a y o u  B ar at ari a  a n d  t h e GI W W.  T h e  ot h er  

i m p acts ar e  al l l oc at ed  s o ut h of  t h e 

GI W W.    

I m p acts t o w at ers  of  t h e U nit e d  

St at es  r e q uir e miti g ati o n  t o 

c o m p e ns at e f or a d v ers e  eff ects  i n 

acc or d a nc e  wit h  Cl e a n  W at er  Act  

S ecti o n  4 0 4( b)( 1)  G ui d eli n es  ( 4 0 

C F R  2 3 0).  T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  

s p o ns or will  b e  r e q uir e d t o o bt ai n  

a  C o ast al  Us e  P er mit/ S ecti o n  4 0 4  

P er mit  wit h  c o m p e ns at or y 

miti g ati o n  t o b e  d et er mi n e d  

d uri n g  t h e p er mitti n g  pr oc ess.   

3. 8  S oils  a n d  Pri m e  

F ar ml a n d  

Mi n or  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  h as  n o  i m p acts 

o n  pri m e  f ar ml a n ds. S oils  i n t h e ri g ht‐of ‐

w a y  w o ul d  b e  dist ur b e d  a n d  b uilt  u p  wit h  

a  v ari et y  of  fill. W hil e  t h es e s oils w o ul d  b e  

i m p act e d d uri n g  t h e c o nstr ucti o n pr oc ess,  

t h e o v er all  i m p act w o ul d  b e  mi ni m al  

c o nsi d eri n g t h es e s oils h a v e  alr e a d y  b e e n  

h e a vil y  alt er e d  b y  pr e vi o us  m a n ‐m a d e  

c o nstr ucti o n, es p eci all y  n ort h  of  t h e 

GI W W.   

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  

3. 9  N ois e  a n d  

Vi br ati o n  

M o d er at e  N ois e  I m p act. B as e d  o n  t h e F T A  

G e n er al  N ois e  Ass ess m e nt  m et h o d ol o g y,  

t h e Pr oj ect  w o ul d  h a v e  1 0 7  m o d er at e  

n ois e  i m p acts a n d  n o  s e v er e n ois e  

i m p acts. If t h e Pr oj ect  is b uilt,  it w o ul d  

r el oc at e a  p orti o n  of  existi n g  fr ei g ht tr ai ns 

fr o m t h e existi n g  ali g n m e nt,  w hic h  tr a v els 

t hr o u g h d e ns el y  d e v el o p e d  r esi d enti al  

n ei g h b or h o o ds  i n Gr et n a.  R e d uci n g  fr ei g ht 

tr ai n acti vit y  i n r esi d e nti al ar e as  is a  n et  

b e n efit  attri b ut a bl e  t o t h e Pr oj ect.  T h e  

n u m b er  of  r esi d e nc es ex p eri e nci n g  tr ai n 

n ois e  a n d  vi br ati o n  w o ul d  d ecr e as e.   

N o  Vi br ati o n  I m p act. R es ults  of  t his 

G e n er al  Vi br ati o n  Ass ess m e nt  s h o w t h at 

vi br ati o n  i m p acts ar e  ex p ect e d  t o occ ur  at  

si n gl e f a mil y r esi d e nc es if t h e y ar e  

b et w e e n  t h e r ail li n e a n d  dist a nc es  2 1 0  

f e et fr o m t h e r ail li n e. A n al ysis  r es ults 

F T A/ F R A  g ui d a nc e  d o es  n ot  

r e q uir e n ois e  miti g ati o n  f or 

m o d er at e  n ois e  i m p acts; h o w e v er,  

t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m a y  

i m pl e m e nt str at e gi es f or 

r e d ucti o n of  n ois e  i m p acts ( e. g. 

n ois e  w alls,  w h e el  tr ut hi n g, etc.)  

d uri n g  fi n al d esi g n  if d et er i n e d 

t o b e  c ost eff ecti v e.  

Vi br ati o n  miti g ati o n  m e as ur es  ar e  

u n n ec ess ar y  f or t his Pr oj ect  d u e  t o 

a  l ac k of  vi br ati o n  i m p acts.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

1 0  

S ecti o n  of  E A   S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts  Pr o p os e d  Miti g ati o n  

s h o w t h at t h er e ar e  n o  r esi d e nc es wit hi n  

t h at dist a nc e.    

A n al ysis  r es ults als o  s h o w t h at t h e f art h est 

vi br ati o n  i m p act dist a nc e  of  2 3 0  f e et is 

ass oci at e d  wit h  l a n d us es  w h er e  vi br ati o n  

will  i nt erf er e wit h  i nt eri or o p er ati o ns.   A  

r e vi e w of  l a n d us e  i n t h e R el oc ati o n  

C orri d or  di d  n ot  fi n d a n y  vi br ati o n ‐

s e nsiti v e l a n d us es  wit hi n  2 3 0  f e et. 

T h er ef or e,  a n al ysis  r es ults in dic at e  t h at 

vi br ati o n  i m p acts ar e  n ot  ex p ect e d  t o 

occ ur.  

3. 1 0  T hr e at e n e d  a n d  

E n d a n g er e d  ( T/ E) 

S p eci es  a n d  Ess e nti al  

Fis h  H a bit at  

N ot  Li k el y t o A d v ers el y  Aff ect  

d et er mi n ati o n  f or t h e Atl a ntic  st ur g e o n 

a n d  p alli d  st ur g e o n p er  U S F W S  

c o ns ult ati o n Oct o b er  1 9,  2 0 1 6.   

N o  Eff ect  d et er mi n ati o n  f or all  ot h er  

f e d er all y‐list e d s p eci es pr ot ect e d  b y  t h e 

E n d a n g er e d  S p eci es  Act  of  1 9 7 3.   

N o  si g nific a nt dir ect  or  i n dir ect i m p acts t o 

st at e list e d T/ E  s p eci es ar e  ex p ect e d  t o 

occ ur.  D u e  t o t h e pr es e nc e  of  

u n d e v el o p e d  w o o d e d  h a bit at  n e ar  o p e n  

w at er,  t h e St u d y  Ar e a  m a y  c o nt ai n 

s uit a bl e h a bit at  f or t h e b al d  e a gl e,  w hic h  

is a  st at e‐list e d s p eci es a n d  pr ot ect e d  b y  

t h e f e d er al B al d  a n d  G ol d e n  E a gl e  

Pr ot ecti o n  Act.   

N o  I m p act o n  ess e nti al  fis h h a bit a t.  

If n esti n g  b al d  e a gl es  ar e  

disc o v er e d  at  t h e ti m e of  

c o nstr ucti o n, t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  

s p o ns or m ust  f oll o w f e d er al a n d  

st at e g ui d eli n es  f or a v oi d a nc e  a n d  

mi ni miz ati o n.  If Pr oj ect  acti viti es  

will  occ ur  wit hi n  a  6 6 0 ‐f o ot r a di us 

of  a  n est  sit e, t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  

s p o ns or m ust  c e as e c o nstr ucti o n 

acti viti es  i n t h at ar e a  a n d  

c o or di n at e wit h  t h e L o uisi a n a 

D e p art m e nt  of  Wil dlif e  a n d  

Fis h eri es.  

T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m a y  

n e e d  t o c o ns ult wit h  r es o urc e 

a g e nci es  d uri n g  t h e p er mitti n g  

p h as e  pri or  t o c o nstr ucti o n t o 

c o nfir m t h at t h er e w o ul d  b e  n o  

i m p acts, si nc e c h a n g es t o h a bit at  

a n d  list e d s p eci es c o ul d occ ur  

pri or  t o c o nstr ucti o n.  

3. 1 1  Tr a ns p ort ati o n  

S yst e ms  

P ositi v e  I m p act t o R ail  Tr a ns p ort ati o n.  

Tr ai ns  w o ul d  o p er at e  i n a  c orri d or wit h  

f e w er p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs r e d uci n g 

c o n g esti o n a n d  s af et y iss u es all o wi n g  

m or e  tr ai ns a n d  m or e  effici e nt  o p er ati o ns.  

Mi n or  I m p act t o R e gi o n al  R o a d w a y  

N et w or k.  T h e  r el oc ati o n w o ul d  i ncr e as e 

r ail tr affic i n t h e P et ers  R o a d  c orri d or as  

w ell  as  ass oci at e d  d el a ys  cr e at e d w h e n  

tr ai ns cr oss t hr o u g h t h e at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs 

o n  P et ers  R o a d.  Tr affic  fl o w t hr o u g h 

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

1 1  

S ecti o n  of  E A   S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts  Pr o p os e d  Miti g ati o n  

Gr et n a  a n d  al o n g  t h e L A 2 3  c orri d or w o ul d  

g e n er all y  i m pr o v e. 

Mi n or  I m p act t o L oc al V e hic ul ar  

Tr a ns p ort ati o n.  Tr ai ns  p assi n g  al o n g  t h e 

R el oc ati o n  C orri d or  w o ul d  cr e at e d el a y  f or 

t h os e e nt eri n g/ exiti n g  b usi n ess es  al o n g  

t h e c orri d or; h o w e v er,  t h e Pr oj ect  w o ul d  

eli mi n at e  n u m er o us  s o urc es of  c o n g esti o n 

al o n g  t h e B ell e  C h ass e  Hi g h w a y  c orri d or. 

3. 1 1  P ar ki n g  a n d  

Acc ess  

Mi n or  I m p act. O p e n  ar e as  or  pri v at e  

U P R R  H o o p er  S p ur  R O W  w o ul d  n o  l o n g er 

b e  a v ail a bl e  as  o v erfl o w  p ar ki n g  f or 

b usi n ess es  o n  P et ers  R o a d.  A  f e w 

b usi n ess es  w o ul d  l os e acc ess  t o t h e 

H o o p er  S p ur  as  a  p ar ki n g  ar e a,  h o w e v er,  

t h e ar e a  is n ot  a n  offici al  p ar ki n g  l ot or  

p ar ki n g  z o n e a n d  its c urr e nt us e  f or s uc h 

r e m ai ns i nc onsist e nt  wit h  its p ur p os e  as  a  

r ail tr a ns p ort ati o n c orri d or.  

N ot  a p plic a bl e.   

3. 1 2  R esi d e nti al  a n d  

I n d ustri al Str uct ur e  

R el oc ati o ns  

a n d  

2. 7. 3  Ri g ht ‐of ‐W a y  

a n d  R el oc ati o ns  

Mi n or  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  w o ul d  r e q uir e a  

t ot al of  1 2  r el oc ati o ns ( 1 0 i n d ustri al a n d  2  

r esi d e nti al str uct ur es). A p pr oxi m at el y  1 1 8  

acr es  of  ri g ht‐of ‐w a y  w o ul d  b e  r e q uir e d t o 

b uil d  t h e Pr oj ect  i ncl u di n g H er o  Y ar d.  

D uri n g  f ut ur e p h as es  of  t h e 

Pr oj ect,  t h e f utur e  Pr oj ect  s p o ns or 

will  u n d ert a k e  pr o p ert y  a p pr ais als  

a n d  m ust  c o m p e ns at e pr o p ert y  

o w n ers  f or f air m ar k et  v al u e.  T h e  

f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m a y  

n e g oti at e  e as e m e nts  wit h  s o m e 

l a n d o w n ers n e ar  t h e GI W W  

cr ossi n g. B usi n ess/i n d ustri al  a n d  

r esi d e nti al r el oc ati o ns will  b e  

p erf or m e d  i n acc or d a nc e  wit h  t h e 

F e d er al  U nif or m  R el oc ati o n  

Assist a nc e  a n d  R e al  Pr o p ert y  

Ac q uisiti o n  P o lici es Act  of  1 9 7 0,  as  

a m e n d e d  ( P u blic L a w 9 1 ‐6 4 6).  

3. 1 3  Utiliti es  

Mi n or  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  m a y  r e q uir e 

t h e r el oc ati o n of  existi n g  u n d er gr o u n d  

a n d  o v er h e a d  utiliti es  wit h  t h e p ossi bilit y  

of  s h ort‐t er m i nt err u pti o ns t o s er vic e 

d uri n g  c o nstr ucti o n; h o w e v er,  o v er all  

i m p acts t o p u blic  utiliti es  ar e  a ntici p at e d  

t o b e  l o w. 

T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  

p erf or m  utiliti es  l oc ati o n a n d  

c o or di n ati o n d uri n g  fi n al d esi g n  

a n d  ri g ht‐of ‐w a y  ac q uisiti o n  

p h as es.  

3. 1 4  Fl o o d  C o ntr ol  

Pr oj ects  

Mi n or  I m p act. L e v e es ar e  l oc at e d al o n g  

b ot h  si d es of  t h e GI W W  ( als o r ef err e d t o 

as  t h e Al gi ers  C a n al  i n t his ar e a).  T h e  

Pr oj ect  cr oss es t h e GI W W  a n d  r e q uir es a  

T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m ust  

c o or di n at e wit h  U S A C E  t o e ns ur e  

it d o es  n ot  i m p act t h e 

GI W W/ Al gi ers  C a n al  l e v e es. Gi v e n  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

1 2  

S ecti o n  of  E A   S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts  Pr o p os e d  Miti g ati o n  

m o v a bl e  bri d g e.  I m p acts t o t h e B o o mt o w n  

Fl o o d w all  a n d  Mississi p pi  Ri v er  l e v e e will  

b e  a v oi d e d  b ec a us e  t h e r el oc at e d r ail 

ri g ht‐of ‐w a y  is gr e at er  t h a n 1 5  f e et fr o m 

t h e fl o o d w all/l e v e es. 

t h e Pr oj ect’s  pr oxi mit y  t o F e d er al  

l e v e es, t h e U S A C E  h as  i n dic at e d 

t h at t h e Pr oj ect  r e q uir es a  S ecti o n  

4 0 8  ( alt er ati o n of  U S A C E  ci vil 

w or ks  pr oj ects)  r e vi e w b y  t h e 

U S A C E.  T h e  S o ut h e ast  L o uisi a n a 

Fl o o d  Pr ot ecti o n  A ut h orit y ‐W est  

( SL F P A‐W)  als o  r e q uir es a  l e v e e 

p er mit  f or a n y  c o nstr ucti o n 

i n v ol vi n g m aj or  exc a v ati o n  wit hi n  

1, 5 0 0  f e et of  a n y  l e v e e wit hi n  

SL F P A ‐W est’s  j uris dicti o n. 

3. 1 5  L a n d Us e  a n d  

Z o ni n g  

N o  I m p act i n J eff ers o n P aris h.  T h e  Pr oj ect  

w o ul d  h a v e  n o  i m p act o n  c urr e nt 

i n d ustri al z o ni n g a p pli e d  wit hi n  t h e 

J eff ers o n P aris h  p orti o n  of  t h e R el oc ati o n  

C orri d or.   

Mi n or  I m p act i n Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h.  T h e  

Pr oj ect  c o ul d sti m ul at e c h a n g es i n t h e 

z o ni n g a p pli e d  i n t h e Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  

p orti o n  of  t h e R el o c ati o n C orri d or  as  t h er e 

is disc o n n ect  b et w e e n  c urr e nt z o ni n g 

(r ur al/si n gl e f a mil y r esi d e nti al) a n d  t h e 

pl a n n e d  f ut ur e l a n d us e  ( b usi n ess p ar k  

a n d  i n d ustri al).  

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  

3. 1 6  C o m m u nit y  

F aciliti es  

N o  I m p act. F e w er  c o m m u nit y f aciliti es ar e  

l oc at e d al o n g  t h e m or e  i n d ustri al 

R el oc ati o n  C orri d or  t h a n al o n g  t h e existi n g  

r ail ali g n m e nt  t h at w o ul d  b e  r el oc at e d. All  

c o m m u nit y f aciliti es ar e  o utsi d e  of  

p ot e nti al  n ois e  a n d  vi br ati o n  i m p act ar e a.  

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  

3. 1 7  D e m o gr a p hics  

a n d  E n vir o n m e nt al  

J ustic e 

N o  I m p act. N o  dis pr o p orti o n at el y  hi g h  or  

a d v ers e  eff ects  t o t h e i d e ntifi e d l o w‐

i nc o m e or  mi n orit y  p o p ul ati o ns  i n t h e 

R el oc ati o n  C orri d or  ar e  a ntici p at e d.   

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  

3. 1 8  P u blic  H e alt h  a n d  

S af et y  

P ositi v e  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  w o ul d  r e d uc e 

t h e n u m b er  of  p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs 

fr o m 7 3  t o 6.  E ac h  of  t h e n e w  p u blic  at ‐

gr a d e  cr ossi n gs w o ul d  h a v e  si g ns a n d  

tr affic c o ntr ol d e vic es  t o i m pr o v e tr ai n 

visi bilit y  t o m ot orists  a n d  p e d estri a ns,  

r e d uci n g t h e p ot e nti al  f or v e hicl e/tr ai n  or  

p e d estri a n/ tr ai n i nci d e nts. 

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  

3. 1 9  C o nt a mi n at e d  

Sit es  

P ositi v e  I m p act. R ec o g niz e d  

e n vir o n m e nt al  c o n diti o ns ( pri m aril y 

Pri or  t o ri g ht‐of ‐w a y  ac q uisiti o n,  

t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m ust  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

1 3  

S ecti o n  of  E A   S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts  Pr o p os e d  Miti g ati o n  

c o nt a mi n at e d s oil) w o ul d  b e  a d dr ess e d  

a n d  r e m e di at e d. B y  r e m e di ati n g t h e 

r ec o g niz e d e n vir o n m e nt al  c o n diti o ns, t h e 

Pr oj ect  w o ul d  h a v e  a  p ositi v e  eff ect  o n  t h e 

R el oc ati o n  C orri d or  a n d  t h e p ot e nti al  f or 

f ut ur e d e v el o p m e nt.  T h e  m aj orit y  of  t h e 

R E Cs  i d e ntifi e d d o  n ot  r e q uir e a  P h as e  II 

i n v esti g ati o n, b ut  will  h a v e  c osts 

ass oci at e d  wit h  dis p os al  of  c o nt ami n at e d  

s oil a n d  s oli d w ast e.  

p erf or m  a  P h as e  II i n v esti g ati o n o n  

t h e F or m er  A mst e d ‐Pl exc o  L a y‐

d o w n  Y ar d  a n d  Oil/ G as  W ells  R E Cs  

b as e d  o n  t h e li k el y pr es e nc e  of  

as b est os  c o nt a mi n at e d s oil, 

n at ur all y  occ urri n g  r a di o acti v e 

m at eri als,  p etr ol e u m,  h e a v y  

m et als,  a n d  r es er v e pit  

c o nt a mi n a nts.  

3. 2 0  C ult ur al  

R es o urc es  

A d v ers e  Eff ect.  F R A  d et er mi n e d  t h e 

Pr oj ect,  if c o nstr uct e d wit h  fi n a nci al 

assist a nc e  fr o m F R A,  will  h a v e  a n  a d v ers e  

eff ect  o n  t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  

Ac a d e m y  sit e d u e  t o t h e d estr ucti o n  of  

fi v e o a k  tr e es ass oci at e d  wit h  H er o  P ar k  

a n d  a  f or m er pl a nt ati o n  a n d  d e m oliti o n  of  

o n e  of  t h e t w o Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  

b uil di n gs.  

I n acc or d a nc e  wit h  S ecti o n  1 0 6  of  

t h e N H P A,  a  M e m or a n d u m  of  

A gr e e m e nt  ( M O A) a m o n g  t h e F R A  

a n d  t h e St at e  Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic e  ( S H P O) d oc u m e nti n g  t h e 

miti g ati o n  f or t h e A d v ers e  Eff ect  

h as  b e e n  d e v el o p e d  a n d  is 

i ncl u d e d i n t his F O N SI  w hic h  

i ncl u d es s p ecific miti g ati o n  f or 

i m p act e d hist oric  sit es. T h e  M O A  

is i nclu d e d  i n A p p e n dix  B.  F R A  will  

f or w ar d a  si g n e d c o p y of  t h e M O A  

t o t h e A d vis or y  C o u ncil  o n  Hist oric  

Pr es er v ati o n.  

3. 2 1  R ecr e ati o n al  

R es o urc es  

P ositi v e  I m p act. I n g e n er al,  t h e Pr oj ect  

w o ul d  i m pr o v e acc ess  t o existi n g  p ar ks  

a n d  r ecr e ati o n al f aciliti es. P ar ks  a n d  

r ecr e ati o n al acti viti es  w o ul d  b e n efit  

t hr o u g h t h e r e m o v al of  m a n y  of  t h e 

existi n g  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs wit hi n  H ar v e y,  

Gr et n a,  u ni nc or p or at e d  J eff ers o n P aris h  

a n d  Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h.  T h e  Pr oj ect  

w o ul d  n ot  a d v ers el y  i m p act a n y  existi n g  

p ar ks  or  r ecre ati o n al  f aciliti es.

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  

3. 2 2  E n er g y  R es o urc es  

P ositi v e  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  w o ul d  

g e n er all y  h a v e  a  p ositi v e  i m p act o n  e n er g y  

r es o urc es b ec a us e  it is a  6 ‐mil e  s h ort er, 

m or e  effici e nt  r o ut e t h a n t h e existi n g  

r o ut e wit h  f e w er at ‐gr a d e  p u blic  r o a d 

cr ossi n gs a n d  w o ul d  t h er ef or e h a v e  l o w er 

f u el c o ns u m pti o n. L o w er m ot or  v e hicl e  

f u el c o ns u m pti o n c o ul d als o  b e  ex p ect e d  

d u e  t o r e d uc e d i dli n g at  f e w er at ‐gr a d e  

p u blic  r o a d cr ossi n gs. 

N ot  a p plic a bl e.  

3. 2 3  Vis u al  R es o urc es   Mi n or  I m p act. R ail  r el oc ati o n w o ul d  n ot  

si g nific a ntl y c h a n g e t h e o v er all  a est h etics  

T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or 

c o m mits t o d e v el o pi n g  a  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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S ecti o n  of  E A   S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts  Pr o p os e d  Miti g ati o n  

of  t h e i n d ustri al R el oc ati o n  C orri d or;  

h o w e v er,  t h e Pr oj ect  w o ul d  vis u all y  

i m p act t h e r esi d e nti al ar e a  i n t h e first f e w 

bl oc ks  s o ut h of  4t h  Str e et  o n  St.  J os e p h 

L a n e. 

n ei g h b or h o o d  p ar k  t h at w o ul d  b e  

l oc at e d j ust s o ut h of  4t h  Str e et  t o 

t h e e ast  of  t h e pr o p os e d  c ur v e i n 

t h e r ail ali g n m e nt.  D e p e n di n g  o n  

c ost eff ecti v e n ess  t o b e  

d et er mi n e d  i n t he  d esi g n  p h as e,  

t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m a y  

b uil d  a  1 0 ‐f o ot n ois e  w all  t o 

s e p ar at e t h e n ei g h b or h o o d  fr o m 

t h e tr ac k, w hic h  w o ul d  bl oc k  

vi e ws  of  t h e p assi n g  tr ai ns. If t h e 

n ois e  w all  is n ot  c ost eff ecti v e,  t h e 

p ar k  w o ul d  h a v e  a  d ec or ati v e  w all  

or  l a n dsc a p e scr e e ni n g t o d a m p e n  

t h e vis u al  a n d  a u di bl e  eff ect  of  

p assi n g  tr ai ns. J eff ers o n P aris h  will  

b e  r es p o nsi bl e f or m ai nt ai ni n g  t h e 

p ar k  ( e. g., m o wi n g  a n d  pr u ni n g).   

3. 2 4  C o nstr ucti o n  

I m p acts 

Mi n or  I m p act. T h e  Pr oj ect  w o ul d  r es ult i n 

t e m p or ar y c o nstr ucti o n p eri o d  i m p acts, 

w hic h  m a y  i ncl u d e t e m p or ar y i m p acts t o 

tr a ns p ort ati o n (tr affic) r o ut es, utilit y  

s er vic e, s oli d w ast e  acc u m ul ati o n,  us e  of  

e n er g y  r es o urc es, air  a n d  w at er  q u alit y,  

a n d  n ois e  a n d  vi br ati o n.  

T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  

c o ntr ol, mi ni miz e,  or  miti g at e  

c o nstr ucti o n i m p acts usi n g  

est a blis h e d  c o nstr ucti o n m et h o ds  

or  st a gi n g of  i pr o v e m e nts.  All  

c o nstr ucti o n acti viti es  m ust  occ ur  

i n a  m a n n er  c o nsist e nt wit h  

a p plic a bl e  F e d er al,  st at e a n d  l oc al 

l a ws g o v er ni n g  s af et y, h e alt h,  

s a nit ati o n, er osi o n  c o ntr ol, a n d  

sit e s ec urit y. T h es e  acti viti es  

i ncl u d e m e as ur es  w hic h  ar e  

r e as o n a bl y n ec ess ar y  t o pr ot ect  

w or k ers  a n d  t h e g e n er al  p u blic  

fr o m h ar m  d uri n g  t h e pr o ess  of  

pr oj ect  c o nstr ucti o n.  
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S ecti o n  of  E A   S u m m ar y  of  I m p acts  Pr o p os e d  Miti g ati o n  

3. 2 5  S ec o n d ar y  a n d  

C u m ul ati v e  I m p acts 

Mi n or  S ec o n d ar y  I m p acts. T h e  r e‐

i ntr o d ucti o n of  r ail s er vic e wit hi n  t h e 

i n d ustri al ar e a  al o n g  P et ers  R o a d  c o ul d 

l e a d t o a n  i ncr e as e i n pr o p ert y  ac q uisiti o n  

al o n g  t h e P et ers  R o a d  c orri d or t o s u p p ort 

t h e gr o wt h  i n i n d ustri al acti viti es.  T h e  

eff ect  of  i ncr e as e d l a n d occ u p a nc y  a n d  

i n d ustri al d e v el o p m e nt  i n t h e c orri d or 

w o ul d  b e  a  c h a n g e i n t h e d e nsit y  of  

e m pl o y m e nt  i n t h e ar e a,  al o n g  wit h  a n  

ass oci at e d  i ncr e as e or  c h a n g e i n v e hicl e  

tr affic ass oci at e d  wit h  t h e m o v e m e nt  of  

e m pl o y e es,  g o o ds  a n d  s er vic es. 

Mi n or  C u m ul ati v e  I m p acts. T h e  r es o urc es 

d et er mi n e d  t o h a v e  t h e hi g h est  p ot e nti al  

f or c o ntri b uti n g t o c u m ul ati v e i m p acts i n 

t h e E A  w e r e c ultur al  r es o urc es, n ois e  a n d  

vi br ati o n,  w etl a n ds,  a n d  fl o o d pl ai ns. 

Miti g ati o n  ass oci at e d  wit h  c ult ur al 

r es o urc es, n ois e  a n d  vi br ati o n,  

w etl a n ds,  a n d  fl o o d pl ai ns w as  

pr e vi o usl y  d escri b e d  a b o v e.  R ef er  

t o r o ws f or E A  S ecti o ns  3. 5,  3. 6,  

3. 7,  3. 9,  a n d  3. 2 0.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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6. 0 P U BLI C  A N D  A G E N C Y  C O O R DI N A TI O N  

6. 1 Circ ul ati o n  of  t h e E n vir o n m e nt al  Ass ess m e nt  ( E A) 

T h e  E A  f or t h e Pr oj ect  w as  a p pr o v e d  a n d  si g n e d b y  F R A  o n  A pril  2,  2 0 1 8.  F R A  a n d  t h e R P C  

p u blis h e d  t h e E A  a n d  dr aft  S ecti o n  4(f)  a n d  S ecti o n  6(f)  e v al u ati o n  o n  t h e R P C’s  w e bsit e  o n  A pril  

1 6,  2 0 1 8.  C o m m e nts  o n  t h e E A  w er e  acc e pt e d  b y  t h e R P C  t hr o u g h M a y  1 5,  2 0 1 8.    

6. 2 A g e nc y  C o m m e nts  R ec ei v e d  o n  t h e E A  

A g e nc y  c o m m e nts w er e  r ec ei v e d fr o m f o ur F e d er al  a g e nci es,  o n e  St at e  a g e nc y,  a n d  o n e  p aris h.  

C o m m e nts  a n d  c o m m e nt r es p o ns es ar e  i ncl u d e d i n A p p e n di x  D . All  c o m m e nt r es p o ns es w er e  

c o or di n at e d b y  F R A  a n d  R P C.  

T h e  D e p art m e nt  of  t h e N a v y,  N a v al  Air  St ati o n  J oi nt R es er v e  B as e  ( N A S J R B) N e w  Orl e a ns  

c o m m e nt e d t h at t h e y ar e  g e n er all y  s u p p orti v e of  t h e Pr oj ect  b ut  h a d  c o nc er ns r el at e d t o ri g ht‐

of ‐w a y  o n  N a v y  l a n d, d esi g n  of  t h e r ail bri d g e  o v er  t h e GI W W,  a n d  s e e k ass ur a nc es  of  

c o nti n u e d f u el b ar g e  acc ess  t o t h e n a v y’s  F u el  W h arf.  T h e  l ett er r e q u est e d t h at t h e N a v y  b e  

i n v ol v e d i n t h e fi n al d esi g n  disc ussi o ns  r e g ar di n g t h e pr o p os e d  GI W W  r ail bri d g e  a n d  its 

s o ut h e ast b a n k  l a n di n g l oc ati o n. 

T h e  U nit e d  St at es  C o ast  G u ar d, Ei g ht h  C o ast  G u ar d  District  pr o vi d e d  c o m m e nts r e g ar di n g 

p er mitti n g  r e q uir e m e nts f or t h e bri d g e  cr ossi n gs. 

T h e  D e p art m e nt  of  t h e I nt eri or, Offic e  of  E n vir o n m e nt al  P olic y  a n d  C o m pli a nc e  h as  n o  

o bj ecti o n  t o S ecti o n  4(f)  a p pr o v al  of  t his pr oj ect  c o nti n g e nt o n  t h e s u bs e q u e nt f ull ex ec uti o n  of  

t h e r e q uir e m e nts i d e ntifi e d i n t h e M O A.   

T h e  U. S.  Fis h  a n d  Wil dlif e  S er vic e,  L o uisia n a  Ec ol o gic al  S er vic es  Offic e  r ec o m m e n d e d t h at t h eir 

o nli n e  t o ol b e  us e d  t o d et er mi n e  w h et h er  t h e Pr oj ect  d o es  or  d o es  n ot  h a v e  t h e p ot e nti al  t o 

aff ect  p artic ul ar  f e d er all y list e d s p eci es. 

T h e  L o uisi a n a D e p art m e nt  of  A gric ult ur e  a n d  F or estr y,  Offic e  of  S oil  a n d  W at er  C o ns er v ati o n,  

St at e  S oil  a n d  W at er  C o ns er v ati o n  C o m missi o n  h a d  n o  c o m m e nt.  

J eff ers o n P aris h  c o nsi d ers r el oc ati o n of  t h e L A 2 3  R ail w a y  o utsi d e  of  t h e Gr et n a  Cit y  Li mits a n d  

t h e L A 2 3  ( B ell e C h ass e  Hi g h w a y)  C orri d or  t o b e  of  vit al  i m p ort a nc e t o t h e c o nti n u e d ec o n o mic  

d e v el o p m e nt  of  t h e W est  B a n k  of  J eff ers o n P aris h.  

6. 3 P u blic  C o m m e nts  R ec ei v e d  o n  t h e E A  

P u blic  c o m m e nts w er e  r ec ei v e d fr o m t hr e e b usi n ess es,  f o ur r esi d e nts, a n d  o n e  n o n ‐

g o v er n m e nt al  or g a niz ati o n.  C o m m e nts  a n d  c o m m e nt r es p o ns es ar e  i ncl u d e d i n A p p e n di x  D . All  

c o m m e nt r es p o ns es w er e  c o or di n at e d b y  F R A  a n d  R P C.  

                                                            

 htt p:// w w w. n or pc. or g/  
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T h e  C h e vr o n  Or o nit e  C o m p a n y  s u p p orts t h e br o a d er  i nt e nt of  t h e Pr oj ect  t o r eli e v e r ail w a y 

c o n g esti o n a n d  t o i m pr o v e v e hic ul ar  s af et y b ut  o p p os es  pr o p os e d  r o uti n g t h at bis ects  its 

pr o p ert y.  T h e  S e atr ax  M ari n e  Cr a n es  L o uisi a n a a n d  Dixi e  S er vic es  h a d  c o nc er ns a b o ut  l oss of  

pr o p ert y/l a n d/ d oc k  s p ac e. T h e  H ar v e y  C a n al  Li mit e d P art n ers hi p  s u p p orts t h e Pr oj ect.  

R esi d e nts  h a d  c o nc er ns a b o ut  c o al tr ai ns p assi n g  t hr o u g h t h eir c o m m u nit y or  r ec o m m e n d e d 

t h at c ar g o b e  s hi p p e d o n  t h e ri v er r at h er t h a n b y  r ail. T h e  G ulf  R est or ati o n  N et w or k  h a d  

c o nc er ns a b o ut  i m p acts t o w etl a n ds,  st or m w at er dr ai n a g e,  wil dlif e  h a bit at,  n ois e,  air  p oll uti o n,  

e m er g e ncy  v e hicl e  tr affic, a n d  e n vir o n m e nt al  j ustic e.   

6. 4 Err at a  

T his  s ecti o n i ncl u d es a  r e visi o n t o t h e L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  

P E/ N E P A  Pr oj ect  E n vir o n m e nt al  Ass ess m e nt,  R P C/ F R A  Gr a nt  # F R ‐RL D ‐0 0 3 2 ‐1 4 ‐0 1 ‐0 0.  T his  

r e visi o n is s u bs e q u e nt t o t h e si g n e d a p pr o v al  b y  t h e F R A  o n  A pril  2,  2 0 1 8.   

P a g e  E S ‐1  lists t h e U. S.  C o ast  G u ar d  as  a  p artici p ati n g  a g e nc y  r at h er t h a n a  c o o p er ati n g a g e nc y.  

T h e  l ast s e nt e nc e of  t h e first p ar a gr a p h  u n d er  Pr oj ect  O v er vi e w  s h o ul d r e a d: 

T h e  F e d er al  a g e nci es  t h at a gr e e d  t o p artici p at e  i n t h e d ev el o p m e nt  of  t his 

e nvir o n m e n t al d oc u m e nt  as  c o o p er ati n g a g e nci es  i ncl u d e t h e N av al  Air  St ati o n/J oi nt  

R es erv e  B as e  N e w  Orl e a ns  ( N A S J R B) a n d  U. S.  C o ast  G u ar d.  T h e  F e d er al  a g e ncy  t h at 

a gr e e d  t o p artici p at e  i n t h e d ev el o p m e nt  of  t his e nvir o n m e n t al d oc u m e nt  as  a  

p artici p ati n g  a g e ncy  is t h e U.S.  Ar my  C or ps  of  E n gi n e ers.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

1 8  

7. 0 FI N AL  S E C TI O N  4( F)  A N D  S E C TI O N  6( F)  E V AL U A TI O N  

7. 1 I ntr o d ucti o n 

T his  s ecti o n d escri b es  t h e existi n g  S ecti o n  4(f)  ( 4 9 U. S. C.  § 3 0 3)  a n d  S ecti o n  6(f)  ( 3 6 C F R  § 5 9)  

r es o urc es wit hi n  t h e St u d y  Ar e a  (s e e Fi g ur e  A ‐1  i n A p p e n di x  A  f or St u d y  Ar e a  O v er vi e w)  as  w ell  

as  t h e p ot e nti al  i m p acts o n  t h es e r es o urc es r es ulti n g fr o m t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  D at a  

r e vi e w e d f or t his e v al u ati o n  c a m e fr o m t h e pr e vi o us  c h a pt ers/s ecti o ns of  t h e E A,  as  w ell  as  t h e 

Ti er  I Alt er n ativ es  A n aly sis Scr e e ni n g  Ev al u ati o n , Ti er  II Alt er n ativ es  A n alysis  Scr e e ni n g  

Ev al u ati o n  a n d  t h e P h as e  I C ult ur al  R es o urc es  S urv ey  a n d  N R H P  R es e arc h  f or t h e L A 2 3  N e w  

Orl e a ns  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w ay  R el oc ati o n  P E/ N E P A  D oc u m e nt . 

7. 2 S ecti o n  4(f)  R e g ul at or y  C o nt e xt

U n d er  t h e p olic y  est a blis h e d  i n t h e U. S.  D e p art m e nt  of  Tr a ns p ort ati o n  Act,  4 9  U. S. C.  §  3 0 3  (c), 

t h e S ecr et ar y  of  Tr a ns p ort ati o n  m a y  a p pr o v e  a  tr a ns p ort ati o n pr o gr a m  or  pr oj ect  ( ot h er t h a n 

a n y  pr oj ect  f or a  p ar k  r o a d or  p ar k w a y  u n d er  2 3  U. S. C.  § 2 0 4)  r e q uiri n g t h e us e  of  p u blicl y  

o w n e d  l a n d of  a  p u blic  p ar k,  r ecr e ati o n ar e a,  or  wil dlif e  a n d  w at erf o wl  r ef u g e of  n ati o n al,  St at e,  

or  l oc al si g nific a nc e, or  l a n d of  a n  hist oric  sit e of  n ati o n al,  St at e,  or  l oc al si g nific a nc e ( as 

d et er mi n e d  b y  t h e F e d er al,  St at e,  or  l oc al offici als  h a vi n g  j uris dicti o n o v er  t h e p ar k,  ar e a,  

r ef u g e, or  sit e) o nl y  if  

1. T h er e  is n o  f e asi bl e or  pr u d e nt  alt er n ati v e  t o s uc h us e  a n d  t h e pr oj ect  i ncl u d es all  

p ossi bl e  pl a n ni n g  t o mi ni miz e  h ar m  t o t h e r es o urc e r es ulti n g fr o m s uc h us e;  or   

2. A  fi n di n g c a n b e  m a d e  t h at t h e pr oj ect  as  a  w h ol e  h as  a  d e  mi ni mis , or  mi ni m al,  i m p act 

o n  t h e S ecti o n  4(f)  r es o urc e. T his  pr o visi o n  all o ws  a v oi d a nc e,  mi ni miz ati o n,  miti g ati o n  

a n d  e n h a nc e m e nt  m e as ur es  t o b e  c o nsi d er e d i n m a ki n g  a  d e  mi ni mis  d et er mi n ati o n,  

w hic h  is d efi n e d  i n 2 3  C F R  § 7 7 4. 1 7  as:  

a. F or  p ar ks,  r ecr e ati o n ar e as,  a n d  wil dlif e  a n d  w at erf o wl  r ef u g es, a  d e  mi ni mis  

i m p act is o n e  t h at w o ul d  n ot  a d v ers el y  aff ect  t h e f e at ur es, attri b ut es,  or  

acti viti es  q u alif yi n g  t h e pr o p ert y  f or pr ot ecti o n  u n d er  S ecti o n  4(f)  

b. F or  hist oric  sit es, d e  mi ni mis  i m p act m e a ns  t h at t h e F R A  h as  d et er mi n e d,  i n 

acc or d a nc e  wit h  3 6  C F R  8 0 0  t h at n o  hist oric  pr o p ert y  is aff ect e d  b y  t h e pr oj ect  

or  t h e pr oj ect  w o ul d  h a v e  “ n o a d v ers e  eff ect”  o n  t h e pr o p ert y  i n q u esti o n 1 0

A  S ecti o n  4(f)  us e  is d efi n e d  a n d  a d dr ess e d  i n 2 3  C F R  §  7 7 4. 1 7.  A  us e  of  S ecti o n  4(f)  

pr o p ert y  occ urs:   

 W h e n  l a n d is p er m a n e ntl y  i nc or p or at e d i nt o a  tr a ns p ort ati o n f acilit y;  

 W h e n  t h er e is a  t e m p or ar y occ u p a nc y  of  l a n d t h at is a d v ers e  i n t er ms of  t h e st at ut e's 

pr es er v ati o n  p ur p os e  as  d et er mi n e d  b y  t h e crit eri a i n § 7 7 4. 1 3( d);  or   

                                                            

 D efi niti o ns  i n S ecti o n  fr o m S ecti o n  4(f)  T ut ori al,  U. S.  D e p art m e nt  of  Tr a ns p ort ati o n,  F e d er al  Hi g h w a y  A d mi nistr ati o n,  

htt ps:// w w w. e n vir o n m e nt.f h w a. d ot. g o v/s ecti o n 4f/ us e _t y p es. as px # 2  

1 0  S ecti o n  3 0 3,  P olicy  o n  l a n ds, wil dlif e  a n d  w at erf o wl  r ef u g es, a n d  hist oric  sit es, 4 9  U. S. C.  § 3 0 3  (c) ( S u btitl e I –  D e p art m e nt  of  

Tr a ns p ort ati o n,  C h a pt er  3  –  G e n er al  D uti es  a n d  P o w ers,  S u bc h a pt er  I –  D uti es  of  t h e S ecr et ar y  of  Tr a ns p ort ati o n). 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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 W h e n  t h er e is a  c o nstr ucti v e us e  of  a  S ecti o n  4(f)  pr o p ert y  as  d et er mi n e d  b y  t h e crit eri a 

i n § 7 7 4. 1 5.  

7. 2. 1 P er m a n e nt  Us e  

Wit h  t his t y p e of  us e,  t h e S ecti o n  4(f)  pr o p ert y  is p er m a n e ntl y  i nc or p or at e d i nt o t h e pr o p os e d  

tr a ns p ort ati o n f acilit y. T his  us e  c o ul d occ ur  as  a  r es ult of  f ull or  p arti al  ac q uisiti o n  or  t hr o u g h 

e as e m e nts  f or tr a ns p ort ati o n‐r el at e d p ur p os es.  Alt h o u g h  wit hi n  t h e e as e m e nt  t h e u n d erl yi n g  

o w n ers hi p  of  t h e l a n d m a y  r e m ai n wit h  t h e ori gi n al  o w n er,  t h e tr a ns p ort ati o n o w n er  or  

o p er at or  ac q uir es  a  p er m a n e nt  i nt er est i n t h e us e  or  m ai nt e n a nc e  of  s o m e p orti o n  of  t h e 

pr o p ert y  t h at disr u pts  its S ecti o n  4(f)  f u ncti o n.  

7. 2. 2 T e m p or ar y  Us e  

D uri n g  t h e c o nstr ucti o n of  a  tr a ns p ort ati o n pr oj ect,  a  t e m p or ar y occ u p a nc y  of  a  S ecti o n  4(f)  

pr o p ert y  m ay  b e  n ec ess ar y  f or acti viti es  s uc h as  r e gr a di n g sl o p es or  t o pr ovi d e  st a gi n g or  acc ess  

ar e as.  D e p e n di n g  u p o n  c o n diti o ns, s uc h acti viti es,  e v e n  t h o u g h t e m p or ar y i n n at ur e,  m a y  b e  

c o nsi d er e d a d v ers e  i n t er ms of  t h e S ecti o n  4(f)  st at ut e’s pr es er v ati o n  p ur p os e,  a n d  t h er ef or e 

w o ul d  b e  c o nsi d er e d a  S ec ti o n 4(f)  us e.  Ex a m pl es  of  t e m p or ar y us es  i ncl u d e c o nt o ur 

alt er ati o ns,  r e m o v al of  m at ur e  tr e es a n d  ot h er  v e g et ati o n,  or  disr u pti o n  of  f aciliti es or  acti viti es  

o n  t h e pr o p ert y.  O nc e  t h e e as e m e nt  is n o  l o n g er n e e d e d,  t h e S ecti o n  4(f)  pr o p ert y  m ust  b e  

r est or e d t o t h e c o n diti o n i n w hic h  it w as  ori gi n all y  f o u n d. T his  r est or ati o n m a y  i n v ol v e r e‐

gr a di n g  or  r e‐v e g et ati n g  t h e ar e a.  

7. 2. 3 C o nstr ucti v e  Us e  

C o nstr ucti v e  us e  i n v ol v es a n  i n dir ect i m p act t o t h e S ecti o n  4(f)  pr o p ert y  of  s uc h m a g nit u d e  as  

t o eff ecti v el y  act  as  a  p er m a n e nt  i nc or p or ati o n. T h e  Pr oj ect  d o es  n ot  p h ysic all y  i nc or p or at e t h e 

r es o urc e b ut  is cl os e e n o u g h  t o it t o s e v er el y i m p act i m p ort a nt f e at ur es, acti viti es  or  attri b ut es  

ass oci at e d  wit h  it, a n d  t o s u bst a nti all y i m p air it. C o nstr ucti v e  us es  i ncl u d e i m p acts s uc h as  

n ois e,  acc ess  r estricti o ns, vi br ati o n,  ec ol o gic al  i ntr usi o ns a n d  vis u al  i m p acts. 

7. 2. 4 S ecti o n  4(f)  A p plic a bilit y  

A  hist oric  sit e o n,  or  eli gi bl e  f or t h e N R H P,  q u alifi es  f or pr ot ecti o n  u n d er  S ecti o n  4(f)  a n d  a  us e  

m a y  occ ur  if l a n d fr o m t h e sit e is p er m a n e ntl y  or  t e m p or aril y i nc or p or at e d i nt o t h e Pr oj ect.  If a  

pr oj ect  d o es  n ot  p h ysic all y  t a k e (i. e. p er m a n e ntl y  i nc or p or at e) hist oric  pr o p ert y  b ut  c a us es a n  

a d v ers e  eff e ct, F R A  m ust  e v al u at e  t h e pr oxi mit y  i m p acts if t h e y will  s u bst a nti all y i m p air t h e 

f e at ur es or  attri b ut es  t h at c o ntri b ut e t o t h e N R H P  eli gi bilit y  of  t h e hist oric  sit e. 

7. 3 S ecti o n  6(f)  of  t h e L a n d a n d  W at er  C o ns er v ati o n  F u n d 1 1

S ecti o n  6(f)( 3)  of  t h e L a n d a n d  W at er  C o ns er v ati o n  F u n d  (L W C F) Act  c o nt ai ns pr o visi o ns  t o 

pr ot ect  F e d er al  i n v est m e nts a n d  t h e q u alit y  of  assist e d  r es o urc es. T h e  l a w r ec o g niz es t h e 

                                                            

1 1  Titl e  3 6,  C h a pt er  1,  P art  5 9,  U S  C o d e  of  F e d er al  R e g ul ati o ns,  L a n d a n d  W at er  C o ns er v ati o n  F u n d  Pr o gr a m  of  Assist a nc e  t o 

St at es  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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li k eli h o o d t h at c h a n g es i n l a n d us e  or  d e v el o p m e nt  m a y  m a k e  s o m e assist e d  ar e as  o bs ol et e  

o v er  ti m e, p artic ul arl y  i n r a pi dl y c h a n gi n g ur b a n  ar e as.  At  t h e s a m e ti m e, t h e l a w disc o ur a g es  

c as u al " disc ar ds" of  p ar k  a n d  r ecr e ati o n f aciliti es b y  e ns uri n g  t h at c h a n g es or  "c o n v ersi o ns fr o m 

r ecr e ati o n us e"  will  b e ar  a  c ost — a c ost t h at ass ur es  t ax p a y ers t h at i n v est m e nts i n t h e " n ati o n al 

r ecr e ati o n est at e"  will  n ot  b e  s q u a n d er e d. T h e  L W C F Act  c o nt ai ns a  cl e ar a n d  c o m m o n s e ns e 

pr o visi o n  t o pr ot ect  gr a nt ‐assist e d  ar e as  fr o m c o n v ersi o ns.1 2  C o n v ersi o n  of  p ar k  a n d  r ecr e ati o n 

f aciliti es p urc h as e d  usi n g  L W C F f u n ds t o n o n ‐r ecr e ati o n us es  m ust  i ncl u d e c o or di n ati o n wit h  

t h e N ati o n al  P ar k  S er vic e  ( N P S) a n d  miti g ati o n  t h at i ncl u d es r e pl ac e m e nt of  t h e q u a ntit y  a n d  

q u alit y  of  l a n ds us e d.  

7. 4 P ur p os e  a n d  N e e d  

V e hic ul ar  a n d  tr ai n tr affic is pr oj ect e d  t o i ncr e as e wit hi n  t h e St u d y  Ar e a  d u e  t o n or m al  gr o wt h  

i n p o p ul ati o n  a n d  N O G C ‐pr oj ect e d  i ncr e as es i n l e v el of  i n d ustr y.1 3  Hi g h w a y ‐r ail tr affic c o nflicts 

h a v e  a n  a d v ers e  i m p act o n  t h e W est b a n k  c o m m u nit y i ncl u di n g b ot h  r esi d e nti al a n d  

e m pl o y m e nt  p o p ul ati o ns.  T h es e  i m p acts i ncl u d e s af et y, c o n g esti o n, m o bilit y,  a n d  q u alit y  of  lif e 

iss u es. A  f ull d escri pti o n  of  t h e p ur p os e  a n d  n e e d  is pr es e nt e d  i n S ecti o n  1. 0  P ur p os e  a n d  N e e d  

of  t h e E A  a n d  S ecti o n  2. 0  of  t his F O N SI.  

T h e  Pr oj ect’s  p ur p os e  a n d  n e e d  is t o: 

 I m pr o v e s af et y 

 R eli e v e  c o n g esti o n 

 I m pr o v e e m er g e ncy  acc ess  a n d  e v ac u ati o n  

 E n h a nc e  q u alit y  of  lif e 

 I m pr o v e effici e nc y  of  r ail o p er ati o ns  

7. 5 D efi niti o n  of  Alt er n ati v es  

7. 5. 1 N o ‐B uil d  Alt er n ati v e  

T h e  N o ‐B uil d  Alt er n ati v e  i ncl u d es all  existi n g  r ail f aciliti es utiliz e d  b y  t h e N O G C,  wit h o ut  a n y  r ail 

i m pr o v e m e nts. T his  i ncl u d es t h e existi n g  G o ul ds b or o  Y ar d  i n Gr et n a  a n d  t h e existi n g  N O G C  

M ai nt e n a nc e  Y ar d  i n B ell e  C h ass e,  c o n n ect e d wit h  existi n g  tr ac k wit hi n  t h e W est w e g o  

S u b di visi o n,  p ar all el  t o 4t h  Str e et  (L A 1 8)  a n d  t h e B ell e  C h ass e  S u b di visi o n,  p ar all el  t o B ell e  

C h ass e  Hi g h w a y  (L A 2 3),  wit h  its 1 1 9  at ‐gr a d e  r ail cr ossi n gs. U n d er  t h e N o ‐B uil d  Alt er ati v e,  

c o nstr ucti o n of  a  n e w  r ail li n e w o ul d  n ot  occ ur  a n d  all  existi n g  f aciliti es w o ul d  r e m ai n i n‐us e.  

                                                            

1 2  htt ps:// w w w. n ps. g o v/ ncrc/ pr o gr a ms/l wcf/ pr ot ect. ht ml  

1 3  V e hic ul ar  tr affic pr oj ecti o ns  b as e d  o n  L A D O T D Hist oric  Tr affic  C o u nt  D at a  a n d  R P C  Tr a v el  D e m a n d  M o d el  2 0 4 0  a n d  2 0 4 4  

N et w or k.  R ef er  t o t h e Tr affic  A n alysis  R e p ort  –  Existi n g  C o n diti o ns , J ul y 2 0 1 5  a n d  Tr affic  A n alysis  R e p ort  –  N o ‐B uil d  C o n diti o ns  

( 2 0 4 0), D ec e m b er  2 0 1 5  ( a v ail a bl e fr o m t h e R P C  u p o n  r e q u est). Tr ai n  tr affic pr oj ecti o ns  b as e d  o n  N O G C  r ail w a y esti m at es.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

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7. 5. 2 Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  

T h e  Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  ext e n ds  fr o m 4t h  Str e et  (L A 1 8)  t o L A 2 3  f or a p pr oxi m at el y  9. 3  mil es.  

Fr o m  n ort h  t o s o ut h, t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  g e n er all y  f oll o ws a  s o ut h e ast er n r o ut e al o n g  

a n d  p ar all el  t o existi n g  P et ers  R o a d  a n d  t h e pr o p os e d  P et ers  R o a d  ext e nsi o n.  Aft er  cr ossi n g t h e 

GI W W,  t h e r o ut e c ur v es ar o u n d  t h e s o ut h er n e n d  of  t h e N A S  J R B a n d  t h e n cr oss es L A 2 3  t o 

m e et  u p  wit h  t h e existi n g  N O G C  tr ac k ( Fi g ur e A ‐2  i n A p p e n di x  A) . C o n n ecti o n  t o t h e B ell e  

C h ass e  S u b di visi o n  w o ul d  occ ur  o n  t h e e ast  si d e of  L A 2 3  wit h  a  w y e 1 4  c o n n ecti o n. B e n efits  

ass oci at e d  wit h  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  i ncl u d e p ot e nti all y  eli mi n ati n g  9 7  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs 

o n  t h e existi n g  N O G C  r o ut e a n d  r e d uci n g t h e n u m b er  of  p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs fr o m 7 3  t o 6.  

T h e  Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  ali g n m e nt  w o ul d  r e q uir e t h e r ec o nstr ucti o n of  a  1. 6 5 ‐mil e  s ecti o n of  

P et ers  R o a d  b et w e e n  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  a n d  M ur p h y  C a n al.  A  6, 0 0 0 ‐f o ot ( 1. 1 4‐mil e)  s e g m e nt 

of  P et ers  R o a d  w o ul d  b e  r ec o nstr uct e d fr o m L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  t o t h e s o ut h si d e of  t h e 

pr o p os e d  H ar v e y  B o ul e v ar d  Ext e nsi o n.  A  s h ort er s e g m e nt of  P et ers  R o a d  w o ul d  b e  c o nstr uct e d 

o n  n e w  ali g n m e nt.  T h e  li mits of  n e w  c o nstr ucti o n ext e n d  fr o m j ust s o ut h of  t h e pr o p os e d  

H ar v e y  B o ul e v ar d  Ext e nsi o n  t o j ust s o ut h of  t h e M ur p h y  C a n al  cr ossi n g; a  dist a nc e  of  

a p pr oxi m at el y  2, 7 0 0  f e et or  0. 5 1  mil e.   

7. 5. 3 O v er vi e w  of  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v es  

As  o utli n e d  i n t h e Ti er  I a n d  Ti er  II Alt er n ativ es  A n alys es , t h e Pr oj ect  st art e d wit h  a  w y e  

c o n n ecti o n t o m ai nt ai n  c o n n ecti o n wit h  t h e existi n g  N O G C  R ail w a y  p a r all el t o L A 2 3.  T h e  w y e  

i ncl u d e d a  si n gl e tr ac k ext e n di n g  n ort h  t o t h e B ell e  C h ass e  Y ar d,  a n d  a  si n gl e tr ac k ext e n di n g  

s o ut h t o ti e i nt o t h e existi n g  N O G C  r ail w a y c o nti n ui n g s o ut h t o M yrtl e  Gr o v e,  L A. O pti o ns  

i d e ntifi e d i n t h e Ti er  I a n d  Ti er  II a n al ys es  f oc us e d o n  d efi ni n g  l oc ati o ns f or t h e r ail c orri d or 

w hic h  w o ul d  mi ni miz e  i m p acts acr oss  t h e R el oc ati o n  C orri d or.   

As  s h o w n o n  Fi g ur e  A ‐3  i n A p p e n di x  A , t h e Ti er  I Alt er n ativ es  A n alysis  i d e ntifi e d f o ur 

c o nc e pt u al ali g n m e nt  o pti o ns.  T h e  Ti er  I a n al ysis  r es ult e d i n t h e eli mi n ati o n  of  O pti o ns  1  a n d  4,  

a n d  t h e p orti o n  of  O pti o n  3  fr o m 4t h  Str e et  s o ut h of  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  w h er e  it c o n nects  t o 

O pti o n  2,  f or t h e f oll o wi n g r e as o ns: 

 Hi g h  c ost is t h e pri m ar y  f at al fl a w ass oci at e d  wit h  O pti o n  1.  T h e  hi g h  c ost is a  r es ult of  

t h e t hr e e r e q uir e d m o v a bl e  bri d g es  o n  t h e GI W W,  H ar v e y  C a n al,  a n d  B ay o u  B ar at ari a.  

O pti o n  1  als o  h as  t h e hi g h est  n u m b er  of  p ot e nti al  t ot al i m p act e d or  i nt ers ect e d 

pr o p erti es  a n d  b usi n ess/i n d ustri al  r el oc ati o ns. 

 T h e  i m p act t o t h e r esi d e nti al ar e a  al o n g  St.  J os e p h L a n e is t h e pri m ar y  f at al fl a w 

ass oci at e d  wit h  O pti o n  4.  T h e  O pti o n  4  ali g n m e nt  tr a v ers es St.  J os e p h L a n e f or 

a p pr oxi m at el y  2, 2 0 0  f e et or  0. 4  mil es.  

 A  p orti o n  of  O pti o n  3  fr o m 4t h  Str e et  t o s o ut h of  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d,  w h er e  it c o n n ects 

t o O pti o n  2,  w as  eli mi n at e d  b ec a us e  it tr a v ers es n e ar  a  r esi d e nti al ar e a  fr o m U S  9 0 B  t o 

L est er Str e et  a n d  t h e n r e q uir es ext e nsi v e  gr a d e  s e p ar ati o n a n d  a  bri d g e  str uct ur e 

st arti n g n e ar  St.  J os e p h L a n e ext e n di n g  t o s o ut h of  t h e W est  B a n k  A ni m al  S h elt er  tr act. 

                                                            

1 4  R ail w a y  tr ac ks arr a n g e d  i n t h e f or m of  a  “ Y” t h at ar e  us e d  f or t ur ni n g l oc o m oti v es a n d  r ail c ars i n t h e o p p osit e  dir ecti o n. 
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Eli mi n ati n g  t h es e o pti o ns  l eft O pti o n  2  i n its e ntir et y  a n d  t h e s o ut h er n p orti o n  of  O pti o n  3  

st arti n g n e ar  t h e P et ers  R o a d  a n d  M ur p h y  C a n al  cr ossi n g. T h e  c o m m o n alit y b et w e e n  O pti o ns  2  

a n d  3  all o w e d  t h e m t o b e  r ec o m bi n e d a n d  r efi n e d i nt o t w o pr eli mi n ar y  alt er n ati v es  i n t h e Ti er  

II Alt er n ativ es  A n alysis .  

As  o utli n e d  i n t h e Ti er  II Alt er n ativ es  A n alysis , t w o pr eli mi n ar y  alt er n ati v es,  s h o w n i n Fi g ur e  A ‐4  

i n A p p e n di x  A , w er e  e v al u at e d.  T h e  ali g n m e nt  ass oci at e d  wit h  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  A  is 

d e pict e d  i n y ell o w,  w hil e  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  B  is s h o w n i n m a g e nt a.  B ot h  c o nt ai n t h e w y e  

r ail i nt ers ecti o n i ntr o d uc e d i n t h e Ti er  I Alt er n ativ es  A n alysis  o pti o ns,  wit h  a n  

ac k n o wl e d g e m e nt  t h at a  d ecisi o n  t o gr a d e ‐s e p ar at e L A 2 3  at  t h e r ail li n e i nt ers ecti o n mi g ht  

occ ur  i n t h e f ut ur e. A  bri ef  d escri pti o n  of  e ac h  of  t h e pr eli mi n ar y  alt er n ativ es  f oll o ws: 

Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  A:  

• L oc at e d o n  t h e w est  si d e of  P et ers  R o a d  f oll o wi n g t h e a b a n d o n e d  U ni o n  P acific  R ailr o a d  

( U P R R) H o o p er  S p ur  tr ac k u ntil  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d.  

• Cr ossi n g  P et ers  R o a d  i m m e di at el y s o ut h of  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  a n d  c o nti n ui n g s o ut h 

t hr o u g h u n d e v el o p e d  p arc els  of  l a n d a dj ac e nt  t o M ur p h y  C a n al.  

• Cr ossi n g  t h e GI W W  a n d  c o nti n ui n g t o L A 2 3  s o ut h of  t h e N A S  J R B.  

Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  B:  

• L oc at e d o n  t h e e ast  si d e of  P et ers  R o a d  o n  n e w  ali g n m e nt  s o ut h w ar d t o U S  9 0 B.  

• Cr ossi n g  i nt o a n  u n d e v el o p e d,  utilit y  c orri d or p ar all el  t o P ail et  A v e n u e  ext e n di n g  s o ut h 

t o L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d.  

• C o nti n ui n g  s out h  t hr o u g h u n d e v el o p e d  p arc els  of  l a n d a dj ac e nt  t o M ur p h y  C a n al.  

• Cr ossi n g  t h e GI W W  o n  a  diff er e nt  ali g n m e nt  c o m p ar e d t o Alt er n ati v e  A  a n d  c o nti n ui n g 

t o L A 2 3  s o uth  of  t h e N A S  J R B. 

A n  i niti al ass ess m e nt  of  t h e pr eli mi n ar y  alt er n ati v es,  pr es e nt e d  t o t h e p u blic  o n  S e pt e m b er  2 2,  

2 0 1 5  i ncl u d e d t h e i d e ntific ati o n of  t h e f oll o wi n g g e n er al  a n al ysis  o utc o m es  t h at l e d t o 

i d e ntific ati o n of  Alt er n ati v e  A  as  t h e c orri d or wit h  p ot e nti all y  l ess i m p acts a n d  t h e b asis  f or t h e 

Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  

• P ot e nti al  i m p acts o n  r esi d e nti al ar e as  –  Alt er n ativ e  B  w o ul d  h a v e  a  gr e at er  i m p act o n  

r esi d e nti al h o m es  n e ar  P ail et  A v e n u e  b et w e e n  U S  9 0 B  a n d  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d,  as  w ell  as  

o n  s e v er al s u b di visi o ns l oc at e d b et w e e n  M ur p h y  C a n al  a n d  B a y o u  B ar at ari a.  At ‐gr a d e  

cr ossi n gs –  Alt er n ati v e  B  w o ul d  cr e at e 2 1  n e w  hi g h w a y ‐r ail at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs at  p u blic  

str e ets c o m par e d  t o 5  f or Alt er n ati v e  A.  

• Cr ossi n g  U S  9 0 B  –  Alt er n ati v e  A  w o ul d  cr oss u n d er  U S  9 0 B  wit hi n  t h e existi n g  U P R R  

H o o p er  S p ur  R O W,  w hil e  Alt er n ati v e  B  w o ul d  r es ult i n a  t hr e e‐l e v el cr ossi n g. D e p e n di n g  

o n  t h e h oriz o nt al  l oc ati o n a n d  l e n gt h of  t h e H ar v e y  C a n al  T u n n el  cr ossi n g, t h e str uct ur al 

i nt e grit y of  t h e H ar v e y  C a n al  T u n n el  m a y  n e e d  t o b e  e v al u at e d.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

2 3  

• Cr ossi n g  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  –  Alt er n ati v e  A  w o ul d  cr oss u n d er  t h e L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  

bri d g e  wit hi n  t h e existi n g  U P R R  H o o p er  S p ur  R O W,  w hil e  Alt er n ati v e  B  w o ul d  r e q uir e a n  

ext e nsi v e  e m b a n k m e nt  s ecti o n/ bri d g e str uct ur e ( a p pr oxi m at el y 6, 0 0 0 ‐f e et l o n g) t o 

cr oss o v er  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d  a n d  t h e W est b a nk  A ni m al  S h elt er  pr o p ert y.  

7. 6 S ecti o n  4(f)  Pr o p erti es  

T his  s ecti o n i d e ntifi es t h e S ecti o n  4(f)  r es o urc es pr es e nt  wit hi n  t h e St u d y  Ar e a.  It i ncl u d es a  

disc ussi o n  of  t h e p ot e nti al  i m p acts t o t h es e r es o urc es as  a  r es ult of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  

Miti g ati o n  f or a n y  i m p acts ar e  disc uss e d  i n S ecti o n  7. 1 1,  M e as ur es  t o Mi ni miz e  H ar m.  

7. 6. 1 P ar ks  a n d  R ecr e ati o n  Sit es  

As  s h o w n i n T a bl e  2  a n d  Fi g ur e  A ‐5  i n A p p e n di x  A , t h e St u d y  Ar e a  c o nt ai ns 1 5  p ar ks  a n d  

r ecr e ati o n f aciliti es. O nl y  o n e  of  t h es e ( Pl a q u e mi n es Off ‐R o a d  P ar k)  is i n t h e R el oc ati o n  

C orri d or.  It is a p pr oxi m at el y  2, 1 0 0  f e et s o ut h of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  T h er e  w o ul d  b e  n o  

a p p ar e nt  i m p act t o t h e us e  of  a n d  acc ess  t o t his f acilit y cr e at e d b y  t h e Pr oj ect.  

T a bl e  2.  P ar ks  a n d  R ecr e ati o n al  R es o urc es  

P ar ks  a n d  R ecr e ati o n al  R es o urc es   L oc at e d i n 

St u d y  Ar e a   

L oc at e d i n 

R el oc ati o n  

C orri d or  

B ell e v u e  P ar k *   Y es   N o  

Bl ac ki e  B ur as  P ar k   Y es   N o  

Gr et n a  P ar k   Y es   N o  

H ar v e y  P ar k   Y es   N o  

H u e y  P  L o n g P ar k   Y es   N o  

M arti n  L ut h er Ki n g  J u ni or P ar k   Y es   N o  

M e d al  of  H o n or  P ar k   Y es   N o  

M el  Ott  P ar k   Y es   N o  

Mc D o n o g h vill e/ K ni g hts  C or n er  P ar k    Y es   N o  

O a k d al e  P ar k *   Y es   N o  

Pl a q u e mi n es  Off  R o a d  P ar k   Y es   Y es  

Ric h ar d  Str e et  P ar k *   Y es   N o  

J B S p e nc er  P ar k   Y es   N o  

T err yt o w n  Pl a y gr o u n d *   Y es   N o  

W o o dl a w n  W est  P ar k *   Y es   N o  

P ar ks  m ar k e d  wit h  a n  ast eris k  ( *) l oc ati o ns w h er e  L W C F f u n di n g h as  b e e n  us e d,  acc or di n g  t o t h e U. S.  

D e p art m e nt  of  I nt eri or N ati o n al  P ar k  S er vic e  L a n d a n d  W at er  C o ns erv ati o n  F u n d  (L W C F) Listi n gs b y  C o u nt y,  

3/ 1 3/ 2 0 1 7,  htt p:// w as o ‐l wcf. ncrc. n ps. g o v/ p u blic/i n d ex.cf m. 

S o urc e:  J eff ers o n P aris h  GI S,  Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  C o m pr e h e nsi v e  Pl a n  a n d  U S G S  G NI S  D at a b as e,  2 0 1 6.  

7. 6. 2 O p e n  S p ac e  

T h e  St u d y  Ar e a  c o nt ai ns o n e  d esi g n at e d  o p e n  s p ac e, 4 0 0  acr es  of  l a n d i n Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  

e ast  of  t h e N A S ‐J R B b as e  i n B ell e  C h ass e.  T his  pr o p ert y,  p urc h as e d  t hr o u g h c o o p er ati v e 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

2 4  

e n d e a v or  of  t h e Tr ust  f or P u blic  L a n d a n d  t h e U. S.  N a v y,  w hil e  i n t h e St u d y  Ar e a,  is o utsi d e  of  

t h e R el oc ati o n  C orri d or.   

7. 6. 3 Wil dlif e  a n d  W at erf o wl  R ef u g es  

B ot h  of  t h e wil dlif e  c o ns er v ati o n ar e as  l oc at e d i n Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  ar e  o utsi d e  l e v e e‐

pr ot ect e d  ar e as  e ast  of  t h e Mississi p pi  Ri v er  a n d  r e m ai n i n acc essi bl e exc e pt  b y  b o at.  B ot h  sit es 

ar e  o utsi d e  of  t h e St u d y  Ar e a  a n d  R el oc ati o n  C orri d or.  

7. 6. 4 C ult ur al  R es o urc es  

Arc h a e ol o gic al  Sit es  

A  P h as e  I s ur v e y of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e 1 5  w as  p erf or m e d  i n a n  eff ort  t o s atisf y 3 6  C F R  §  

8 0 0. 5  ( a)( 1) ( S ecti o n 1 0 6  of  t h e N ati o n al  Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  Act  of  1 9 6 6  as  A m e n d e d  2 0 0 0)  

r e q uir e m e nts t o i d e ntif y a n d  miti g at e  t h e eff ects  t h at t h e Pr oj ect  m a y  h a v e  o n  p ot e nti al  

c ult ur al r es o urc es. Pri or  t o t h e i niti ati o n of  fi el d w or k, c o m pr e h e nsi v e b ac k gr o u n d  r es e arc h 

r e v e al e d t h at p orti o ns  of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ativ e  h a d  b e e n  s ur v e y e d d uri n g  pr e vi o us  

i n v esti g ati o ns. B as e d  o n  t h e r es ults of  t h e arc h a e ol o gic al  s ur v e y, t h e Pr oj ect  w o ul d  h a v e  n o  

eff ect  o n  b uri e d  hist oric  r es o urc es. O n e  sit e, cr oss e d b y  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e,  h as  b e e n  

d et er mi n e d  b y  t h e S H P O  as  eli gi bl e  f or t h e N R H P  gi v e n  t h e ass oci ati o n  wit h  t h e eli gi bl e  

pr o p ert y  o n  w hic h  it sits ( H er o P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e my  sit e). Arc h a e ol o gic al  sit es ar e  n ot  

pr ot ect e d  u n d er  S ect i o n 4(f)  u nl ess  t h e y w arr a nt  pr es er v ati o n  i n pl ac e  ( 2 3 C F R  § 7 7 4. 1 3( b)( 1)).  

Hist oric  R es o urc es  

D uri n g  t h e s ur v e y of  c ult ur al r es o urc es, o n e  of  t h e hist oric  pr o p erti es  i d e ntifi e d c o nsists of  t w o 

b uil di n gs  ol d er  t h a n 4 7  y e ars  t h at w er e  p art  of  t h e f or m er Riv er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  ( 1 0 9 1 1 L A 2 3)  

( Sit e 2 6 ‐0 1 5 0 1,  s h o w n i n Fi g ur e  1 ). O n e  b uil di n g  h as  a  c o ncr et e m as o nr y/s h e et  m et al  ext eri or  

a n d  t h e ot h er  b uil di n g  h as  a  s ol el y s h e et m et a l ext eri or.  B ot h  b uil di n gs  ar e  i n p o or  c o n diti o n. 

P art  of  t h e str uct ur e is wit hi n  t h e R O W  of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  I n a d diti o n,  t h e R O W  

p ass es  t hr o u g h a  gr o v e  of  l ar g e li v e o a k  tr e es, w hic h  is p art  of  H er o  P ar k,  a  f or m er pri v at e  p ar k  

sit e, o n  t h e pr o p ert y  w h er e  t h e Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  w as  c o nstr uct e d. T h e  b uil di n gs  a n d  sit e ar e  

n o  l o n g er o p e n  t o us e  eit h er  as  a  sc h o ol or  as  a  pri v at e  p ar k.  T h e  b uil di n gs  ar e  c urr e ntl y 

occ u pi e d  b y  S o ut h er n  Arc h,  a  l oc al hist oric  w o o d  s al v a g e a n d  r efi nis hi n g c o m p a n y. S o m e  

p orti o ns  of  t h e sit e ar e  ov er gr o w n  wit h  v e g et ati o n.  R ef er  t o p h ot os  i n Fi g ur es  2  t hr o u gh  4 . 

B as e d  o n  d at a  c oll ect e d d uri n g  N R H P  r es e arc h, t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e my  sit e (i. e. t h e 

sit e wit hi n  t h e 2 0 1 6  r e vis e d b o u n d ar y  as  s h o w n i n Fi g ur e  4 ‐5)  is eli gi bl e  f or n o mi n ati o n  t o t h e 

N ati o n al  R e gist er.  As  s uc h, t h e Pr oj ect  w o ul d  r es ult i n a n  a d v ers e  eff ect  t o t his hist oric  

r es o urc e, a n d  a  us e  of  t h e r es o urc e u n d er  S ecti o n  4(f).  

                                                            

1 5  S e e  P h as e  I C ult ur al  R es o urc es  S urv ey  a n d  N R H P  R es e arc h  f or t h e L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w ay  R el oc ati o n  P E/ N E P A  

Pr oj ect,  J eff ers o n a n d  Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h es,  L o uisi a n a. Dr aft  R e p ort,  pr e p ar e d  b y  E art h  S e arc h,  I nc. f or H D R,  I nc., f or s u b mitt al 

t o t h e R e gi o n al  Pl a n ni n g  C o m missi o n  a n d  F e d er al  R ailr o a d  A d mi nistr ati o n,  M arc h  2 0 1 7.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

2 5  

Fi g ur e  1.  Pl a n  Vi e w  of  H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  Sit e  

Fi g ur e  2.  F or m er  Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  B uil di n g  ( n o w S o ut h er n  Arc h)  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

2 6  

Fi g ur e  3.  L ar g e Pil es  of  L u m b er o n  H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  Sit e  

Fi g ur e  4.  S e v er al  L ar g e Hist oric  Li v e O a ks  o n  H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  Sit e  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

2 7  

7. 7 S ecti o n  6(f)  R es o urc es  

S ecti o n  6(f)  r es o urc es ar e  r ecr e ati o n al l a n ds p urc h as e d  or  i m pr o v e d wit h  L W C F f u n ds. As  

pr e vi o usl y  s h o w n i n T a bl e  2 , a  f ull r e vi e w of  t h e a v ail a bl e  d at a b as e  at  t h e N ati o n al  P ar k  S er vic e  

( N P S) w e bsit e  f or pr oj ects  i n L o uisi a n a i n dic at es t h er e ar e  n o  r ecr e ati o n ar e as  f u n d e d wit h  

L W C F i n t h e R el oc ati o n  C orri d or.  T h er e  ar e  fi v e p ar k  sit es i n t h e St u d y  Ar e a  i n J eff ers o n P aris h  

wit h  L W C F f u n di n g. N o n e  of  t h es e a p p e ar  i n t h e R el oc ati o n  C orri d or.  T h er ef or e,  t h er e w o ul d  b e  

n o  i m p act t o S ecti o n  6(f)  r es o urc es as  a  r es ult of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ativ e.  

7. 8 S ecti o n  4(f)  Us e  Ass ess m e nt  

T h e  esti m at e d  acr e a g es  s h o w n f or t h e p ot e nti al  i m p acts t o S ecti o n  4(f)  r es o urc es c o m e fr o m a  

r e vi e w of  a eri al  p h ot o gr a p h y,  c o m bi n e d wit h  sit e pl a ns  a n d  pr o p ert y  l a y o uts d e v el o p e d  as  p art  

of  sit es i n c o n n ecti o n wit h  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  T h es e  p ot e nti al  acr e a g es,  w hic h  r e m ai n 

s u bj ect t o f urt h er r efi n e m e nt b as e d  u p o n  t h e o utc o m e  of  Pr oj ect  d esi g n,  ar e  c o nsi d er e d i n t h e 

t ext e v al u ati o ns  b el o w.  T h e  d efi niti o ns  of  p er m a n e nt  a n d  t e m p or ar y us e  a p pli e d  i n t his 

disc ussi o n  c o m e fr o m S ecti o n  7. 2. 1  a n d  7. 2. 2  of  t his F O N SI.  

7. 8. 1 Arc h a e ol o gic al  R es o urc e  I m p acts 

T h e  Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  w o ul d  h a v e  n o  eff ect  o n  b uri e d  hist oric  r es o urc es. O n e  sit e i d e ntifi e d 

d uri n g  t h e arc h a e ol o gic al  s ur v e y ( 1 6 PL 2 4 9), cr oss e d b y  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e,  ex hi bits  n o  

i nt act d e p osits  wit hi n  t h e R O W.  I n a d diti o n,  i nt act d e p osits  m a y  exist  b e n e at h  t h e Riv er  O a ks  

Ac a d e m y  sit e t h at w o ul d  b e  disc o v er a bl e  d uri n g  sit e pr e p  or  d e m oliti o n  acti viti es  at  t his 

l oc ati o n. T h es e  i m p acts w o ul d  b e  cr e at e d as  p art  t h e p er m a n e nt  us e  of  t h e ar e a  f or t h e 

Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  It is p ossi bl e  t h at a d diti o n al  sit e pr e p ar ati o n  acti viti es  ass oci at e d  wit h  t h e 

Pr oj ect  (i. e. gr a di n g,  exc a v ati o n,  etc.)  c o ul d l e a d t o disc o v er y  of  a d diti o n al  sit es a n d  cr e at e 

a d diti o n al  i m p acts t o b uri e d  hist oric  r es o urc es. Arc h a e ol o gic al  sit es ar e  n ot  pr ot ect e d  u n d er  

S ecti o n  4(f)  u nl ess  t h e y w arr a nt  pr es er v ati o n  i n pl ac e  ( 2 3 C F R  § 7 7 4. 1 3( b)( 1)).  

7. 8. 2 Hist oric  R es o urc e  I m p acts 

As  n ot e d  pr e vi o usl y,  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  ext e n ds  t hr o u g h t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  

Ac a d e m y  sit e. T h e  r e ar p orti o n  of  o n e  of  t h e f or m er Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e my  b uil di n gs  at  1 0 9 1 1  L A 

2 3  ( 2 6‐0 1 5 0 1)  is i n t h e dir ect  A P E  i n t h e s o ut h er n m ost p orti o n  of  t h e Pr oj ect  R O W  o n  L A 2 3.  

T h e  r e m ai n d er of  t his b uil di n g  a n d  a  s ec o n d ac a d e m y  b uil di n g  ar e  i n t h e i n dir ect A P E.  Ext e nsi o n  

of  t h e R O W  f or t h e B uil d  Alt er n ati v e  w o ul d  r e q uir e d e m oliti o n  of  t h e f or m er Ri v er  O a ks  

Ac a d e m y  b uil di n g  ( 2 6‐0 1 5 0 1)  s h o w n i n Fi g ur e  2  a n d  fi v e o a k  tr e es, w hic h  a d v ers el y  aff ects  t h e 

f e at ur es of  t h e pr o p ert y  t h at m a k e  it eli gi bl e  f or pr ot ecti o n  u n d er  S ecti o n  4(f).   

Gi v e n  t h e pr o p os e d  r ail r e pl ac es a n  existi n g  acti v e  r ail c orri d or o n  t h e e ast  si d e of  t h e sit e, 

t h er e is a  mi ni m al  p ot e nti al  f or a d diti o n al  n ois e  i m p acts ass oci at e d  wit h  t h e r ail o p er ati o n.  

H o w e v er,  t his w o ul d  n ot  i m p act t h e b usi n ess  o n ‐sit e, gi v e n  t h at it is li g ht i n d ustri al i n n at ur e  

(i. e. w o o d  s al v a g e, mill w or k,  i nt eri or d esi g n  a n d  l u m b er st or a g e) a n d  is n ot  of  a  t y p e t h at w o ul d  

b e  s e nsiti v e t o n ois e  i m p acts. 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

2 8  

7. 9 A v oi d a nc e  Alt er n ati v es  

F R A  m ay  n ot  a p pr o v e  a  us e  of  a  S ecti o n  4(f)  pr o p ert y  u nl ess  t h er e is n o  f e asi bl e a n d  pr u d e nt  

alt er n ati v e  t h at a v oi ds  t h e us e  of  t h e r es o urc e ( 2 3 U. S. C.  § 1 3 8( a)). U n d er  S ecti o n  4(f),  a n  

alt er n ati v e  is d e e m e d  f e asi bl e if it c a n b e  c o nstr uct e d as  a  m att er  of  s o u n d e n gi n e eri n g.  

T y pic all y,  alt er n ativ es  st u di e d i n a n  E A  ar e  f e asi bl e; ot h er wis e  t h e y w o ul d  n ot  h a v e  b e e n  c arri e d 

f or w ar d f or d et ail e d  st u d y. A n  alt er n ati v e  is pr u d e nt  if it m e ets  t h e t est of  2 3  C F R  § 7 7 4. 1 7  

w hic h  i ncl u d es t h e f oll o wi n g f act ors: 

 Ass essi n g  s af et y or  o p er ati o n al  pr o bl e ms;  

 H o w  w ell  t h e alt er n ati v e  m e ets  t h e pr oj ect  p ur p os e  a n d  n e e d;  

 T h e  s e v erit y of  s oci al, ec o n o mic  or  e n vir o n m e nt al  i m p acts; 

 T h e  s e v erit y of  i m p acts t o e n vir o n m e nt al  r es o urc es pr ot ect e d  u n d er  ot h er  F e d er al  

st at ut es. 

T h e  Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  h as  b e e n  i d e ntifi e d as  a  r es ult of  t ec h nic al r e vi e w t h at i ncl u d e d a n  

e v al u ati o n  of  c o nc e pt u al alt er n ati v es  t hr o u g h a  Ti er  I a n d  Ti er  II a n al ysis,  usi n g  a  d oc u m e nt e d  

s eri es of  e v al u ati o n  f act ors t h at i ncl u d e d r e vi e w b y  t h e P M C  a n d  t h e p u blic.  A n  i niti al s et of  f o ur 

c o nc e pt u al ali g n m e nt  o pti o ns  f or t h e Pr oj ect  w er e  a n al yz e d  f or p ot e nti al  i m p acts t o t h e 

p h ysic al,  h u m a n  a n d  n at ur al  e n vir o n m e nt.  T h e  a n al ysis,  d oc u m e nt e d  wit hi n  t h e Ti er  I a n al ysis,  

i ncl u d e d o p p ort u niti es  f or i n p ut fr o m t h e P M C  a n d  p u blic  i n or d er  t o r efi n e t h e alt e r n ati v es or  

i d e ntif y p ot e nti al  i m p acts. T h e  r es ult of  t his a n al ysis  w as  t h e d efi niti o n  of  t w o pr eli mi n ar y  

alt er n ati v es  m o difi e d  a n d  ex a mi n e d  i n m or e  d et ail  wit hi n  a  Ti er  II a n al ysis.  R efi n e m e nts  

occ urr e d  d uri n g  t h e Ti er  II a n al ysis  b as e d  o n  c o m m e nt ar y fr o m t h e P M C  a n d  c o m m u nit y. A  

s u m m ar y of  t h es e a dj ust m e nts,  pr es e nt e d  n ort h  t o s o ut h, f oll o w i n T a bl e  3  wit h  t h eir 

c orr es p o n di n g l oc ati o n s h o w n i n Fi g ur e  A ‐6  i n A p p e n di x  A .
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

2 9  

T a bl e  3.  S u m m ar y  of  R ail  Ali g n m e nt  R efi n e m e nts  Pr ef err e d  Alt er a nti v e   

R efi n e m e nt  

L oc ati o n 

D escri pti o n  of   

R ail  Ali g n m e nt  R efi n e m e nts  

N o.  1   C ur v e  fr o m d o u bl e  tr ac k m ai nli n e  al o n g  4t h  Str e et  t o P et ers  R o a d.  

N o.  2   R ail  ali g n m e nt  al o n g  t h e w est  si d e of  P et ers  R o a d  –  4t h  Str e et  t o s o ut h of  

L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d.  

N o.  3   R ail  ali g n m e nt  al o n g  t h e e ast  si d e of  P et ers  R o a d  –  4t h  Str e et  t o s o ut h of  

L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d.  

N o.  4   R ail  ali g n m e nt  al o n g  P et ers  R o a d  s o ut h of  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d.  

N o.  5   R ail  ali g n m e nt  wit hi n  u n d e v el o p e d  p arc els  s o ut h of  L a p alc o B o ul e v ar d.  

N o.  6   R ail  ali g n m e nt  al o n g  t h e w est  si d e of  P et ers  R o a d  p ar all el  t o U S A C E  fl o o d w all 

i ncl u di n g P et ers  R o a d  r ec o nstr ucti o n. 

N o.  7   R ail  ali g n m e nt  cr ossi n g t h e M ur p h y  C a n al.  

N o.  8   R ail  ali g n m e nt  wit hi n  u n d e v el o p e d  p arc els  b et w e e n  M ur p h y  C a n al  cr ossi n g 

a n d  GI W W.  

N o.  9   R ail  ali g n m e nt  cr ossi n g t h e GI W W.  

N o.  1 0   M o v a bl e  bri d g e  t y p e cr ossi n g t h e GI W W  a n d  pr oxi mit y  t o N A S  J R B. 

N o.  1 1   R ail  ali g n m e nt  cr ossi n g L A 2 3  a n d  c o n n ecti o n t o existi n g  tr ac k at  L A 2 3.  

It is wit hi n  t h e Ti er  II a n al ysis  t h at r efi n e m e nts i n t h e alt er n ati v es  r es ult e d i n a n  e v al u ati o n  of  

t h e p ot e nti al  r ail cr ossi n g o pti o ns  at  L A 2 3,  s o ut h w est of  t h e B ell e  C h ass e  c o m m u nit y 

( R efi n e m e nt L oc ati o n 1 1  i n Fi g ur e  A ‐6  i n A p p e n di x  A ). I niti all y, Pr oj ect  c o nc e pts c o nsist e d of  a  

d u al  cr ossi n g of  L A 2 3  ( m a g e nt a li nes  o n  Fi g ur e  5 ) i n or d er  t o mi ni miz e  b ot h  tr ac k l e n gt h a n d  

pr o p ert y  i m p acts. H o w e v er,  t his cr e at e d t w o at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs of  L A 2 3,  w hic h  di d  n ot  h a v e  

t h e s u p p ort of  P M C  m e m b ers  fr o m t h e l oc al j uris dicti o n ( Pl a q u e mi n es P aris h),  L A D O T D a n d  t h e 

N O G C.  T h e  pr o p os al,  w hil e  f u ncti o n all y s uffici e nt, di d  n ot  all o w  f or s m o ot h er tr a nsiti o ns acr oss  

L A 2 3  s e e n as  critic al b y  L A D O T D a n d  l oc al offici als  t o mi ni mizi n g  p ot e nti al  d el a ys  e nc o u nt er e d  

b y  m ot orists  o n  t h e c orri d or d uri n g  tr ai n cr ossi n g p eri o ds.  T h e  d ecisi o n  t o r e pl ac e t h e d u al  tr ac k 

cr ossi n g ( m a g e nt a li n es o n  Fi g ur e  5 ) wit h  a  si n gl e tr ac k cr ossi n g alt er n ativ e  ( d o u bl e r e d li n es o n  

Fi g ur e  5 ) c o m es as  a  b e n efit  t o l o n g r a n g e pl a ns  t o el e v at e  a  s h ort s e g m e nt of  L A 2 3  o v er  t h e 

r ail cr ossi n g i n a  m a n n er  t h at d o es  n ot  si g nific a ntl y disr u pt  a dj ac e nt  pr o p ert y  acc ess.  S uc h  a  

cr ossi n g, w hic h  h as  n ot  b e e n  f u n d e d, r e m ai ns a  l oc al pri orit y  f or i m pl e m e nt ati o n of  t h e Pr oj ect  

as  f u n di n g b ec o m es  a v ai l a bl e. 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

3 0  

Fi g ur e  5.  R ail  Ali g n m e nt  Cr ossi n g  L A 2 3  t hr o u g h t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  Sit e  

I nc or p or ati n g a  p orti o n  of  t h e 4(f)  sit e i nt o t h e Pr oj ect  R O W  is u n a v oi d a bl e  d u e  t o t h e l oc ati o n 

of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  a n d  r e q uir e m e nt t o c o n n ect t h e r el oc at e d li n e t o t h e existi n g  

r ail w a y t h at ext e n ds  s o ut h. As  s h o w n i n Fi g ur e  5 , t h e Ri v er  O a ks  4(f)  sit e ext e n ds  fr o m t h e 

Mississi p pi  Ri v er  l e v e e t o L A 2 3  l e a vi n g n o  r o o m t o fit t h e s o ut h er n p orti o n  of  t h e w y e  e ast  of  

L A 2 3  wit h o ut  i m p acti n g t h e 4(f)  sit e. Gi v e n  t his acti o n  is u n a v oi d a bl e,  mi ni miz ati o n  of  i m p acts 

w o ul d  b e  a  l o gic al c o urs e of  acti o n.  T h e  cr e ati o n of  t h e w y e  i nt ers ecti o n usi n g  a  si n gle  cr ossi n g 

of  L A 2 3  off ers  a n  o p p ort u nit y  t o pr o vi d e  mi ni m al  i m p acts t o t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  

Ac a d e m y  sit e, as  w ell  as  t o pr o vi d e  a n  o pti o n  t h at is b ot h  f e asi bl e a n d  pr u d e nt  fr o m a  r ail 

e n gi n e eri n g  p ers p ecti v e.   

Cr e ati n g  a  si n gl e tr ac k cr ossi n g of  L A 2 3  as  p art  of  t h e pr o p os e d  w y e  i nt ers ecti o n p us h es  t h e r ail 

li n e fr o m its c urr e nt p ositi o n  al o n g  t h e L A 2 3  c orri d or cl os er t o t h e Mississi p pi  Ri v er  l e v e e. I n 

d oi n g  s o, a p pr oxi m at ely  6, 7 0 0  f e et ( +/‐ 1. 2  mil es)  of  t h e c urr e nt N O G C  r ail w a y tr ac k al o n g  L A 2 3  

w o ul d  n e e d  t o b e  c ur v e d e ast  a n d  t h e n w est  b ac k  t o t h e existi n g  r ail c orri d or p ar all el  t o L A 2 3  

(s e e Fi g ur e  5 ) as  p art  of  t h e w y e.  At  its cl os est p oi nt  t o t h e l e v e e, t h e r el oc at e d tr ac k w o ul d  

m ai nt ai n  a  1 5  f o ot cl e ar a nc e of  t h e Mississi p pi  Ri v er  l e v e e t o m e et  U S A C E  r e q uir e m e nts.  

T h e  d u al  cr ossi n g o pti o n  as  s h o w n wi t h t h e m a g e nt a  li n es i n Fi g ur e  5  w o ul d  bis ect  t h e H er o  

P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  sit e, i m p act t w o str uct ur es fr o m t h e f or m er Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y,  

i m p act a d diti o n al  li v e o a k  tr e es, a n d  li k el y r e q uir e ac q uisiti o n  of  t h e e ntir e  sit e si nc e p orti o n  of  

t h e sit e m a y  b e  u n d e v el o p a bl e  i n t h e f ut ur e. T h e  t w o cr ossi n g s ol uti o n w as  disc uss e d  a n d  

d e e m e d  n ot  f e asi bl e wit h  t ec h nic al a n al ysis  i ncl u di n g t h e i n p ut fr o m k e y  a g e nci es  a n d  ot h er  

st a k e h ol d ers i ncl u di n g r e pr es e nt ati v es of  R P C,  N O G C,  L A D O T D, Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  a n d  U S A C E  

p artici p ati n g  i n t h e P M C  pr oc ess.   
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

3 1  

Fi n all y,  t h e si n gl e tr ac k w y e  pr o vi d es  a  m or e  g e n er o us  t ur ni n g r a di us h el pi n g  r e d uc e tr a v el ti m e 

t hr o u g h t h e L A 2 3  cr ossi n g. I n a d diti o n,  it s u p p orts st at e d l oc al o bj ecti v es  t o el e v at e  L A 2 3  i n 

t h e f ut ur e o v er  t h e r ail cr ossi n g as  f u n ds b ec o m e  a v ail a bl e.   

I n s u m m ar y, t h er e ar e  n o  f e asi bl e or  pr u d e nt  alt er n ati v es  t o cr ossi n g t h e 4(f)  sit e, s o t h er e is n o  

ot h er  c o urs e of  acti o n  ot h er  t h a n miti g ati o n.  

7. 1 0 S ecti o n  4(f)  Fi n di n g  

B as e d  o n  t h e l e v el of  a n al ysis  c o m pl et e d, t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  w o ul d  r es ult i n t h e us e  of  

o n e  r es o urc e pr ot ect e d  b y  S ecti o n  4(f):  t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  sit e. C o m pl eti o n  of  

t his a d diti o n al  i n v esti g ati o n at  t h e sit e, as  r e vi e w e d a n d  c o nfir m e d wit h  t h e S H P O,  i n dic at e t h at 

t h e Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e my  is eli gi bl e  f or listi n g o n  t h e N R H P  u n d er  Crit eri o n  A  d u e  t o t h e 

ac a d e m y’s  ass oci ati o n  wit h  t h e Ci vil  Ri g hts  Act  of  1 9 6 4  a n d  t h e l oc al i m p act of  F e d er al  

m a n d at e d  d es e gr e g ati o n  i n Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h,  L o uisi a n a a n d  Crit eri o n  B  d u e  t o t h e pr o p ert y’s  

ass oci ati o n  wit h  L e a n d er P er ez,  Sr.  w hil e  H er o  P ar k  w o ul d  b e  eli gi bl e  f or listi n g o n  t h e N R H P  

u n d er  Crit eri o n  A  d u e  t o its c o ntri b uti o n t o t h e l oc al hist or y  ( 3 6 C F R  § 6 0. 4).   

7. 1 1 M e as ur es  t o Mi ni miz e  H ar m  

T h e  Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  w o ul d  cr e at e a n  a d v ers e  eff ect  o n  t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e my  

sit e. As  r e q uir e d t hr o u g h t h e g e n er al  c o ns ult ati o n pr oc ess,  a p pr o pri at e  miti g ati o n  m e as ur es  

w er e  d et er mi n e d  i ncl u di n g d oc u m e nti n g  t h e hist oric  pr o p ert y  i n acc or d a nc e  wit h  Hist oric  

A m eric a n  B uil di n g  S ur v e y  st a n d ar ds a n d  i nst all ati o n of  a  hist oric al  m ar k er  (s e e M e m or a n d u m  

of  A gr e e m e nt  i n A p p e n di x  B ). 

I n t h e f ut ur e, d esi g n  a n d  c o nstr ucti o n p h as es  of  t h e Pr oj ect  w o ul d  i ncl u d e c o or di n ati o n wit h  

t h e S H P O  a n d  L o uisi a n a Di visi o n  of  Arc h a e ol o g y  i n c as e of  u n a ntici p at e d  disc o v er y  of  i nt act 

c ult ur al d e p o sits.  

7. 1 2 S ecti o n  6(f)  Fi n di n g  

T h er e  ar e  n o  l oc ati o ns d e v el o p e d  wit h  S ecti o n  6(f)  r es o urc es i n t h e R el oc ati o n  C orri d or  or  

Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  T h er ef or e,  t h er e w o ul d  b e  n o  i m p act t o S ecti o n  6(f)  r es o urc es as  a  r es ult 

of  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  

7. 1 3 A g e nc y  C o or di n ati o n  

4 9  U. S. C.  § 3 0 3( b)  r e q uir es c o ns ult ati o n wit h  t h e S ecr et ar y  of  t h e I nt eri or a n d  t h e St at e  of  

L o uisi a n a ( St at e Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  Offic er  wit h  t h e St at e  of  L o uisi a n a, Offic e  of  C ult ur al  

D e v el o p m e nt,  Di visi o n  of  Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n)  i n t h e d e v el o p m e nt  of  t his Pr oj ect.  T a bl e  4  

pr o vi d es  a  s u m m ar y of  t his c o or di n ati o n. 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

3 2  

T a bl e  4.  S u m m ar y  of  A g e nc y  C o or di n ati o n  

D at e   F or m   P artici p a nts   G e n er al  T o pics  

M a y  4,  2 0 1 5   L ett er –  S olicit ati o n  

of  Vi e ws  

 St at e  of  L o uisi a n a, St at e  

Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic er  

 R P C  

O p e ni n g  of  c o or di n ati o n a n d  

o p p ort u nit y  f or a g e nc y  c o m m e nt ar y o n  

t h e Pr oj ect  as  pr es e nt e d  wit h  p ur p os e  

a n d  n e e d  a n d  i niti al St u d y  Ar e a  

d efi niti o n  

M a y  7,  2 0 1 5   L ett er –  S olicit ati o n  

of  Vi e ws  R es p o ns e  

 St at e  of  L o uisi a n a, St at e  

Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic er  

 R P C  

N ot ati o n  t h at S ecti o n  1 0 6  r evi e w c o ul d 

n ot  occ ur  d u e  t o s u b mitt al of  

i ns uffici e nt i nf or m ati o n. R e q u est  f or 

a d diti o n al  i nf or m ati o n m a d e  as  p art  of  

t his l ett er 

A pril  1 9,  2 0 1 7  

L ett er wit h  C ult ur al  

R es o urc es  R e p ort  

(Dr aft ) 

 F R A  

 Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  

 All e n  H er o  ( pr o p ert y 

o w n er)  

 R P C  

Tr a ns mitt al  of  dr aft  C ult ur al  R es o urc es  

R e p ort  t o c o ns ulti n g p arti es  

M a y  1 2,  2 0 1 7  

L ett er wit h  C ult ur al  

R es o urc es  R e p ort  

(Dr aft ) 

 F R A  

 St at e  of  L o uisi a n a, St at e  

Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic er  

 R P C  

Tr a ns mitt al  of  dr aft  C ult ur al  R es o urc es  

R e p ort  t o t h e St at e  Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic er  

M a y  2 4,  2 0 1 7   L ett er 

 St at e  of  L o uisi a n a, St at e  

Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic er  

 R P C  

 F R A  

 E art h  S e arc h,  I nc. ( C ult ur al 

Hist ori a n)  

C o nfir m ati o n  of  dr aft  C ult ur al  R es o urc es  

R e p ort  r ec ei pt, al o n g  wit h  o utli n e  of  

c o m m e nts o n  dr aft  r e p ort 

M a y  2 6,  2 0 1 7   E m ail  

 St at e  of  L o uisi a n a, St at e  

Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic er  

 E art h  S e arc h,  I nc. ( C ult ur al 

Hist ori a n)  

C o nfir m ati o n  of  p ot e nti al  miti g ati o n  

str at e g y f or i m p act t o Ri v er  O a ks  

Ac a d e m y  str uct ur e i n R O W  

J u n e 2 0,  2 0 1 7  

(J ul y 1 2,  2 0 1 7  

A p pr o v al)  

L ett er a n d  S H P O  

R es p o ns e  

 St at e  of  L o uisi a n a, St at e  

Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic er  

 F R A  

S H P O  acc e pt e d  t h e Fi n al  C ult ur al  

R es o urc es  R e p ort  o n  J ul y 1 2,  2 0 1 7.  B y  

acc e pti n g  t h e Fi n al  R e p ort,  t h e y als o  

acc e pt e d  a n y  d ecisi o ns  m a d e  i n t h e 

r e p ort w hic h  w o ul d  i ncl u d e eli gi bilit y  

d et er mi n ati o ns.  

J ul y 1 8,  2 0 1 7   C o nf er e nc e  C all  

 St at e  of  L o uisi a n a, St at e  

Hist oric  Pr es er v ati o n  

Offic er  

 R P C  

 F R A  

 E art h  S e arc h,  I nc. ( C ult ur al 

Hist ori a n)  

 H er o  L a n ds C o m p a n y  

S ecti o n  1 0 6  C o ns ulti n g  P art y  

c o ns ult ati o n disc ussi o n  a b o ut  miti g ati o n  

m e as ur es  a n d  t h e Dr aft  M e m or a n d u m  

of  A gr e e m e nt  b et w e e n  F R A  a n d  S H P O  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

3 3  

D at e   F or m   P artici p a nts   G e n er al  T o pics  

S e pt e m b er  1 2,  

2 0 1 8   L ett er 

 U. S.  D e p art m e nt  of  t h e 

I nt eri or 

 F R A  

L ett er of  n o  o bj ecti o n  t o S ecti o n  4(f)  

a p pr o v al  of  t h e pr oj ect  c o nti n g e nt o n  

t h e s u bs e q u e nt f ull ex ec uti o n  of  t h e 

r e q uir e m e nts i d e ntifi e d i n t h e M O A.  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

3 4  

8. 0 E N VI R O N M E N T AL  C O M MI T M E N T S  

D uri n g  t h e N E P A  pr oc ess,  c o m mit m e nts ar e  m a d e  t o a v oi d,  mi ni miz e,  or  miti g at e  pr oj ect  

i m p acts. C o m mit m e nts  r es ult fr o m p u blic  c o m m e nt or  t hr o u g h t h e r e q uir e m e nts of,  or  

a gr e e m e nts  wit h,  e n vir o n m e nt al  r es o urc e a n d  r e g ul at or y a g e nci es.  If F R A  f u n di n g is us e d  t o 

c o nstr uct t h e Pr oj ect,  F R A  w o ul d  r e q uir e t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or t o c o m pl y wit h  t h e 

c o m mit m e nts a n d  miti g ati o n  m e as ur es  o utli n e d  b el o w.   T h es e  w o ul d  b e  i m pl e m e nt e d d uri n g  

f ut ur e i m pl e m e nt ati o n p h as es  of  t h e Pr oj ect  i ncl u di n g p er mitti n g,  d esi g n,  c o nstr ucti o n, a n d  

p ost ‐c o nstr ucti o n p h as es.  C o m pli a nc e  wit h  all  c o m mit m e nts a n d  miti g ati o n  m e as ur es  w o ul d  b e  

m o nit or e d  b y  F R A  t hr o u g h a  miti g ati o n  m o nit ori n g  pl a n  t h at w o ul d  b e  d e v el o p e d  b y  F R A  a n d  

t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or pri or  t o t h e st art of  c o nstr ucti o n.  

Air  Q u alit y.  T o  mi ni miz e  p ot e nti al  air  q u alit y  i m p acts, p artic ul arl y  r el at e d t o c o ntr ol of  

p artic ul at e  m att er,  t h e c o nstr ucti o n c o ntr act or s h all c o m pl y wit h  all  r el e v a nt F e d er al,  st at e, a n d  

l oc al l a ws a n d  r e g ul ati o ns. 

St or m w at er.  As  n ot e d  b y  L D E Q i n its r es p o ns e t o t h e S olicit ati o n  of  Vi e ws  ( S O V), all  pr ec a uti o ns  

t o c o ntr ol n o n p oi nt  s o urc e p oll uti o n  fr o m c o nstr ucti o n acti viti es  a n d  t o pr ot ect  t h e 

gr o u n d w at er  of  t h e r e gi o n m ust  b e  o bs er v e d.  T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m ust  i m pl e m e nt b est  

m a n a g e m e nt  pr actic es  t o c o ntr ol s oil er osi o n.  

W etl a n d  Miti g ati o n.  Pri or  t o p er mitti n g  a n d  d esi g n  acti viti es,  t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  b e  

r e q uir e d t o c o n d uct a n  o n ‐sit e fi el d i n v esti g ati o n t o d eli n e at e  t h e f ull ext e nt  of  w at ers  of  t h e 

U nit e d  St at es  wit hi n  t h e Pr oj ect’s  ri g ht‐of ‐w a y  i n t h e s o ut h er n p orti o n  of  t h e St u d y  Ar e a  

g e n er all y  b et w e e n  t h e GI W W  a n d  t h e Mississi p pi  Ri v er  L e v e e/ Hi g h w a y 1 1  a n d  t o m a k e  a  

pr o p os e d  j uris dicti o n al d et er mi n ati o n.  T h e  U S A C E  will  m a k e  t h e fi n al j uris dicti o n al 

d et er mi n ati o n  f or w at ers  of  t h e U nit e d  St at es  a n d  d efi n e  t h e a p pr o pri at e  miti g ati o n  

r e q uir e m e nts f or t h e Pr oj ect.   

N ois e  a n d  Vi br ati o n.  F T A/ F R A  g ui d a nc e  d o es  n ot  r e q uir e n ois e  miti g ati o n  f or m o d er at e  n ois e  

i m p acts; h o w e v er,  t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m a y  i m pl e m e nt str at e gi es f or r e d ucti o n of  n ois e  

i m p acts ( e. g. n ois e  w alls,  w h e el  tr ut hi n g, etc.)  d uri n g  fi n al d esi g n  if d et er mi n e d  t o b e  c ost 

eff ecti v e.  I n or d er  t o mi ni miz e  t h e p ot e nti al  f or i m p acts of  c o nstr ucti o n n ois e  o n  l oc al 

r esi d e nts, all  c o nstr ucti o n e q ui p m e nt  us e d  i n t h e c o nstr ucti o n p h as e  of  t h e Pr oj ect  will  b e  

pr o p erl y  m uffl e d  a n d  all  m ot or  p a n els  s h ut d uri n g  o p er ati o n.  W h e n e v er  p ossi bl e,  t h e 

c o ntr act or will  o p er at e  d uri n g  r e g ul ar d a yti m e  w or ki n g  h o urs.  T o  mi ni miz e  vi br ati o n  i m p acts, 

p e a k  p articl e  v el ociti es  d u e  t o pil e  dri vi n g  o p er ati o ns  will  b e  m o nit or e d  wit h  a  s eis m o gr a p h at  

critic al str uct ur es, p a v e m e nts  a n d  utiliti es  d uri n g  all  pil e  dri vi n g  o p er ati o ns.  

Pl a nt  a n d  Wil dlif e  H a bit ats.  D uri n g  t h e p er mitti n g  p h as e,  r e g ul at or y a g e nci es  will  b e  c o ns ult e d 

t o d et er mi n e  w h et h er  m o nit ori n g  a n d/ or  sit e s p ecific m e as ur es  t o pr ot ect  s e nsiti v e s p eci es or  

h a bit at  d uri n g  c o nstr ucti o n ar e  w arr a nt e d  (s uc h as  pr ot ecti v e  f e nci n g). L oc ati o ns of  a n y  

s e nsiti v e pl a nt  a n d  wil dlif e  s p eci es will  b e  m a p p e d  o n  c o nstr ucti o n dr a wi n gs.  If n esti n g  b al d  

e a gl es  ar e  disc o v er e d  at  t h e ti m e of  c o nstr ucti o n, t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m ust  f oll o w 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

3 5  

f e d er al a n d  st at e g ui d eli n es  f or a v oi d a nc e  a n d  mi ni miz ati o n.  If Pr oj ect  acti viti es  will  occ ur  

wit hi n  a  6 6 0 ‐f o ot r a di us of  a  n est  sit e, t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or m ust  c e as e c o nstr ucti o n 

acti viti es  i n t h at ar e a  a n d  c o or di n at e wit h  t h e L o uisi a n a D e p art m e nt  of  Wil dlif e  a n d  Fis h eri es.  

Ar e as  w h er e  v e g et ati o n  n e e ds  t o b e  t e m p or aril y r e m o v e d or  dist ur b e d  f or c o nstr ucti o n will  b e  

r e‐v e g et at e d  as  q uic kl y  as  p ossi bl e  wit h  n ati v e  v e g et ati o n.  

Tr affic  a n d  P u blic  S af et y.  T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  d e v el o p  tr affic m a n a g e m e nt  pl a ns  

d uri n g  t h e fi n al d esi g n  p h as e  of  t h e Pr oj ect  t o a d dr ess  a n d  mi ni miz e  p u blic  s af et y ris ks a n d  

p ot e nti al  tr affic d el a ys.  T e m p or ar y  tr affic c o ntr ol z o n es a n d  d e vi c es m ust  b e  i m pl e m e nt e d i n 

acc or d a nc e  wit h  F H W A’s  M a n u al  o n  U nif or m  Tr affic  C o ntr ol  D evic es  ( M U T C D) f or Str e ets  a n d  

Hi g h w ays  t o a d e q u at el y  a n d  s af el y acc o m m o d at e  all  l oc al a n d  t hr o u g h tr affic. C o nstr ucti o n  

o p er ati o ns  m ust  b e  sc h e d ul e d a n d  s e q u e nc e d t o mi ni miz e  tr affic a n d  r ail d el a ys.  Pri or  t o 

c o nstr ucti o n, t h e f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  pr o vi d e  i nf or m ati o n o n  c o nstr ucti o n sc h e d ul es 

t hr o u g h o ut t h e St u d y  Ar e a  t o l oc al e m er g e nc y  r es p o ns e or g a niz ati o ns.   

R el oc ati o ns.  B usi n ess/i n d ustri al  a n d  r esi d e nti al r el oc ati o ns will  b e  a d dr ess e d  i n acc or d a nc e  

wit h  t h e F e d er al  U nif or m  R el oc ati o n  Assist a nc e  a n d  R e al  Pr o p ert y  Ac q uisiti o n  P olici es  Act  of  

1 9 7 0,  as  a m e n d e d  ( P u blic L a w 9 1 ‐6 4 6).  

C o nt a mi n at e d  Sit es.  If a n y  s oli d or  h az ar d o us  w ast es,  or  s oils a n d/ or  gr o u n d w at er  

c o nt a mi n at e d wit h  h az ar d o us  c o nstit u e nts ar e  e nc o u nt er e d  d uri n g  t h e Pr oj ect,  n otific ati o n  t o 

L D E Q’s Si n gl e ‐P oi nt ‐of ‐C o nt act  is r e q uir e d. A d diti o n all y,  pr ec a uti o ns  m ust  b e  t a k e n t o pr ot ect  

w or k ers  fr o m t h es e h az ar d o us  c o nstit u e nts d uri n g  c o nstr ucti o n. T h e  Pr oj ect’s  ri g ht‐of ‐w a y  

i ncl u d es a  v ac a nt  w o o d e d  p arc el  t h at w as  o nc e  us e d  as  a  l a y‐d o w n  y ar d  f or a  f or m er as b est os  

pi p e  c o ati n g f acilit y t h at i ncl u d e d a n  as b est os  dis p os al  sit e. As b est os  c o nt a mi n at e d s oil w as  

a b at e d  i n 1 9 8 6;  h o w e v er,  it is li k el y t h at t h er e is r esi d u al as b est os  c o nt a mi n at e d s oil t h at will  

r e q uir e s p eci al h a n dli n g  a n d  dis p os al  pr oc e d ur es.   

C ult ur al  R es o urc es.  F R A  d et er mi n e d  t h at t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  sit e is eli gi bl e  f or 

listi n g i n t h e N ati o n al  R e gist er  of  Hist oric  Pl ac es  ( N R H P), a n d  S H P O  c o nc urr e d wit h  F R A’s  

d et er mi n ati o n  o n  J ul y 1 2,  2 0 1 7  (A p p e n di x  C ). F R A  d et er mi n e d  t h e Pr oj ect,  if c o nstr uct e d wit h  

fi n a nci al assist a nc e  fr o m F R A,  will  h av e  a n  a d v ers e  eff ect  o n  t h e H er o  P ar k/ Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e my  

sit e d u e  t o t h e d estr ucti o n  of  fiv e  o a k  tr e es ass oci at e d  wit h  H er o  P ar k  a n d  a  f or m er pl a nt ati o n  

a n d  d e m oliti o n  of  o n e  of  t h e t w o Ri v er  O a ks  Ac a d e m y  b uil di n gs.  A p pr o pri at e  miti g ati o n  

m e as ur es  a n d  a  g ui di n g  M e m or a n d u m  of  A gr e e m e nt  (A p p e n di x  B ) w er e  d e v el o p e d  t hr o u g h 

c o ns ult ati o n a m o n g  t h e F R A,  S H P O,  a n d  t h e i m p act e d pr o p ert y  o w n er.  Miti g ati o n  m e as ur es  

i ncl u d e d oc u m e nti n g  t h e hist oric  pr o p ert y  i n acc or d a nc e  wit h  Hist oric  A m eric a n  B uil di n g  S ur v e y  

st a n d ar ds a n d  i nst all ati o n of  a  hist oric al  m ar k er.  

Vis u al  R es o urc es . T o  i m pr o v e t h e vi e ws  f or t h e r esi d e nti al ar e a  i n t h e first f e w bl oc ks  s o ut h of  

4t h  Str e et  o n  St.  J os e p h L a n e, R G P C  c o m mits t o d e v el o pi n g  a  n ei g h b or h o o d  p ar k  t h at w o ul d  b e  

l oc at e d j ust s o ut h of  4t h  Str e et  t o t h e e ast  of  t h e pr o p os e d  c urv e  i n t h e r ail ali g n m e nt.  

D e p e n di n g  o n  c ost eff ecti v e n ess  t o b e  d et er mi n e d  i n t h e d esi g n  p h as e,  a  1 0 ‐f o ot n ois e  w all  

m a y  b e  b uilt  t o s e p ar at e t h e n ei g h b or h o o d  fr o m t h e tr ac k, w hic h  w o ul d  bl oc k  vi e ws  of  t h e 
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

3 6  

p assi n g  tr ai ns. If t h e n ois e  w all  is n ot  c ost eff ecti v e,  t h e p ar k  w o ul d  h a v e  a  d ec or ati v e  w all  or  

l a n dsc a p e scr e e ni n g t o d a m p e n  t h e vis u al  a n d  a u di bl e  eff ect  of  p assi n g  tr ai ns. J eff ers o n P aris h  

will  b e  r es p o nsi bl e f or m ai nt ai ni n g  t h e p ar k  ( e. g., m o wi n g  a n d  pr u ni n g).   

L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A p p e n dix  A  –   

Pr oj ect  M a ps
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A ‐1  

Fi g ur e  A ‐1.  St u d y  Ar e a  O v er vi e w  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A ‐2  

Fi g ur e  A ‐2.  Pr ef err e d  Ali g n m e nt  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A ‐3  

Fi g ur e  A ‐3.  C o nc e pt u al  Ali g n m e nt  O pti o ns
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A ‐4  

Fi g ur e  A ‐4.  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v es  A  a n d  B  ( N ort h a n d  S o ut h)

S o ut h er n  p orti o n  of  c orri d or 

N ort h er n  p orti o n  of  c orri d or
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A ‐5  

Fi g ur e  A ‐5.  P ar ks  a n d  R ecr e ati o n al  R es o urc es
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A ‐6  

Fi g ur e  A ‐6.  R efi n e m e nt  L oc ati o ns Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  
L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A p p e n dix  B  –   

M e m or a n d u m  of  A gr e e m e nt  b et w e e n  F R A  a n d  S H P O  
M E M O R A N D U M O F A G R E E M E N T 

B E T W E E N 

T H E F E D E R A L R AI L R O A D A D MI NI S T R A TI O N 

A N D 

T H E L O UI SI A N A S T A T E HI S T O RI C P R E S E R V A TI O N O F FI C E R 

R E G A R DI N G 

T H E D E M O LI TI O N O F A RI V E R O A K S A C A D E M Y B UI L DI N G 

P L A Q U E MI N E S P A RI S H , L O UI SI A N A 

 W H E R E A S, t he Fe deral Railr oa d A d mi nistrati o n ( F R A) is a d mi nisteri n g Fiscal Year 

2 0 0 9 gra nt f u n di n g ( Gra nt # F R -R L D -0 0 3 2 -1 4 -0 1 -0 0) f or preli mi nar y e n gi neeri n g ( P E) a n d 

e n vir o n me ntal a nal ysis i n acc or da nce wit h t he Nati o nal E n vir o n me ntal P olic y A ct ( N E P A) f or 

t he Lo uisia n a Hi g h wa y ( L A) 2 3 Rail wa y Rel oc ati o n Pr oject ( Pr oject); 

 W H E R E A S, t he Re gi o nal Pla n ni n g C o m missi o n ( R P C) f or J effers o n, Orlea ns, 

Pla q ue mi nes, St. Ber nar d, St. C harles, St. J o h n t he Ba ptist, St. Ta m ma n y a n d Ta n gi p a h oa 

Paris hes i n L o uisia na is t he gra nt r eci pie nt f or t h e P E/ N E P A f u n di n g beca use t he “ St u d y A rea” 

f or t he Pr oject is l ocat e d i n t w o paris hes a n d will ha ve re gi o n al i m pacts a n d be nefits; a n d 

 W H E R E A S, t he p ur p ose of t he Pr oject is t o relie v e a ut o m o bile traffi c c o n gesti o n, 

i m pr o ve safet y, i m pr o ve e mer ge n c y access a n d e v ac uati o n, e n h a nce q u alit y of life b y re d u c i n g 

n oise a n d i m pr o vi n g m o bilit y , a n d i m pr o ve effici e nc y of rail o perati o ns b y re m o vi n g n u mer o us 

at-gra d e cr ossi n gs ; a n d 

W H E R E A S, i n acc or da n ce wit h N E P A, F R A a n d R P C pre pare d a n E n vir o n me ntal 

Assess me nt ( E A) t o e v al uate alter nati ve ali g n me nts f or rel oc ati n g t he N O G C rail li ne , o perate d 

b y t he Ne w Orlea ns & G ulf C oast Rail wa y C o m p a n y ( N O G C) , a n d t he Preferre d Alter n ati ve 

e val uate d i n t he E A c o nsists of e xte n di n g rail trac k fr o m 4t h Street t o L A 2 3 al o n g Peter’s R oa d 

i n J effers o n a n d Pla q ue mi nes Paris hes, a p pr o xi matel y 9. 3 miles l o n g, a n d rec o nstr ucti o n of 

Peters R oa d bet wee n La p alc o B o ule v ar d a n d M ur p h y Ca nal; a n d 

W H E R E A S, as of t he date of e x ec uti o n of t hi s Me m ora n d u m of A gree me nt ( M O A) n o 

fe deral f u n di n g or C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt has bee n i de ntifie d t o a d va nce t he Pr oject 

t hr o u g h fi n al desi g n a n d c o nstr ucti o n; a n d 

W H E R E A S, t he Pr oject w o ul d be a n F R A “U n derta ki n g” u n der Secti o n 1 0 6 of t he 

N ati o nal H ist oric P reser vati o n A ct ( N H P A), as a m e n de d ( 5 4 U. S. C § 3 0 6 1 0 8) ( Secti o n 1 0 6) in 

t he e ve nt F R A pr o vi des fi na ncial assista nce i n t he f ut ure f or c o nstr ucti o n of t he Pr oject; a n d 

W H E R E A S, F R A w o ul d be t he fe d eral a ge nc y res p o nsi ble f or c o m plia nce w it h Secti o n 

1 0 6 if t he Pr oject bec o m es a n U n derta ki n g; a n d 

W H E R E A S, F R A c o ns ulte d wit h t he L o uisia n a State Hist oric Preser vati o n Office 

( S H P O) p urs ua nt t o t he Secti o n 1 0 6 re g ulati o ns at 3 6 C F R Part 8 0 0 ; a n d 
L o uisi a n a Hi g h w ay (L A) 2 3 R ail w a y R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect , S ecti o n 1 0 6 M e m or a n d u m of A gr e e m e nt 2 

W H E R E A S, F R A defi ne d t he Pr oject’s ar ea of p ote ntial effect ( A P E) de pi cte d i n 

Attac h me nt A , as defi ne d i n 3 6 C F R 8 0 0. 1 6( d); a n d 

W H E R E A S, S H P O c o nc urre d wit h t he A P E o n J ul y 1 2, 2 0 1 7; a n d 

W H E R E A S, F R A deter mi ne d t hat t he Her o Par k/ Ri ver Oa ks Aca de m y site l ocate d 

wit hi n t he A P E is eli gi ble f or listi n g i n t he N ati o nal Re gister of H ist oric Places ( N R H P) a n d 

S H P O c o nc urre d wit h F R A’s deter mi nati o n i n a l etter date d J ul y 1 2, 2 0 1 7; a n d 

W H E R E A S, t he Her o Par k/ Ri ver Oa ks Aca de m y site l ocate d at 1 0 9 1 1 L A 2 3, 

Pla q ue mi nes Paris h, L o uisia na hereafter is referre d t o as t he “ hist oric pr o pert y” i n t his M O A , 

a n d c o nsists of t w o b uil di n gs c o nstr ucte d i n 1 9 6 6 as t he Ri ver Oa ks A ca d e m y s urr o u n d e d b y 

lar ge oa k trees; a n d 

W H E R E A S, F R A deter mi ne d t he Pr oject , if c o nstr ucte d wit h fi na ncial assista nce fr o m 

F R A , will ha ve a n a d vers e effect o n t he hist oric pr o pert y d u e t o t he destr u cti o n of fi ve ( 5) o a k 

trees ass oci ate d wit h Her o Par k a n d a f or mer pla nt ati o n a n d de m oliti o n of o ne ( 1) of t he t w o ( 2) 

Ri ver Oa ks Aca de m y b uil di n gs ; a n d 

W H E R E A S, F R A, i n a letter date d J u ne 1 6, 2 0 1 7, i n vite d Pla q ue mi nes Paris h t o be a 

C o ns ulti n g Part y i n t he S ecti o n 1 0 6 pr ocess a n d Pla q ue mi nes Paris h decli ne d t o partici pate; a n d 

W H E R E A S, i n a n e mail date d A u g ust 3 1, 2 0 1 7, F R A i n vite d R P C t o be a n i n vite d 

si g nat or y t o t his MO A a n d R P C decli ne d beca use, alt h o u g h R P C is t he reci pie nt of P E/ N E P A 

gra nt f u n di n g, it is n ot k n o w n at t he ti me of e x ec uti o n of t his M O A w hat e ntit y m a y a d va n ce t he 

pr oject t o c o nstr ucti o n ; a n d 

W H E R E A S, i n a n e mail date d Se pte m ber 2 5 , 2 0 1 7 , F R A i n vite d Her o La n ds C o m pa n y, 

as t he o w ner of t he hist oric pr o pert y t hat w o ul d be a d versel y affecte d if t he Pr oject were t o be 

c o nstr ucte d, t o be a n i n vite d si g nat or y t o t his M O A a n d Her o La n ds C o m pa n y acce pte d i n a 

res p o nse e mail dat e d Dece m ber 1 4, 2 0 1 7; a n d 

W H E R E A S, i n acc or da n ce wit h 3 6 C. F. R. § 8 0 0. 6(a)( 1), o n Oct o ber 2 3, 2 0 1 7 F R A 

n otifie d t he A C H P of its a d verse effect det er mi nati o n wit h s pecifie d d oc u m e ntati o n via t he 

A C H P’s e 1 0 6 s yste m, a n d t he A C H P res p o n de d t o F R A i n a letter d ate d N o ve m ber 6, 2 0 1 7 t hat 

it has c h ose n n ot t o partici pate i n t he c o ns ultati o n p urs ua nt t o 3 6 C. F. R. § 8 0 0. 6(a)( 1)(iii); a n d 

N O W, T H E R E F O R E, F R A a n d S H P O (eac h a Si g nat or y a n d t o get her t he Si g nat ories) 

a gree t h at t he Pr oject, if it bec o mes a n U n d erta ki n g, will be i m ple me nte d i n acc or da nce wit h t he 

f oll o wi n g sti p ulati o ns i n or der t o ta ke i nt o acc o u nt t he effect of t he U n d erta ki n g o n hist oric 

pr o perties. 
L o uisi a n a Hi g h w ay (L A) 2 3 R ail w a y R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect , S ecti o n 1 0 6 M e m or a n d u m of A gr e e m e nt 3 

S TI P U L A TI O N S 

F R A will e ns ure t hat t he f oll o wi n g meas ures are carrie d o ut: 

I. A P P LI C A BI LI T Y 

A. T h is M O A w o ul d a p pl y t o F R A’s U n derta ki n g a n d w o ul d o nl y bi n d F R A if F R A 

pr o vi des fi na ncial assista nce f or c o nstr ucti o n of t h e Pr oject. 

B. T his M O A ma y a p pl y s h o ul d a n ot her Fe deral a ge n c y ha v e a n U n d erta ki n g as p art 

of t he Pr oject; t hat a ge n c y ma y a gree t o c o m pl y wit h t he ter ms of t his M O A a n d 

bec o me a Si g nat or y t o f ulfill its Secti o n 1 0 6 res p o nsi bilities as pr o vi de d f or i n 

Sti p ulati o n VIII . 

C. If t he Pr oj ect be c o mes a n U n derta ki n g, t his M O A wo ul d be a me n d e d i n 

acc or d a nce wit h Sti p ulati o n VII t o a d d t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt (i.e., 

t he reci pie nt of f ut ure F R A fi na ncial assista n ce) as a S i g nat or y t o t his M O A, a n d 

t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt wo ul d be res p o nsi ble f or assisti n g F R A i n 

e ns uri n g t h e sti p ulati o ns herei n are f ulfille d. 

II. P E R S O N N E L Q U A LI FI C A TI O N S T A N D A R D S 

A. F R A will re q uire t hat all hist oric preser vati o n a n d d oc u me ntati o n w or k i de ntifie d 

i n Sti p ulati o n III t o b e perf or me d b y t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt p urs ua nt 

t o t his M O A is carrie d o ut b y or u n d er t he direct s u per visi o n of a pers o n or 

pers o ns meeti n g at a mi ni m u m of a pers o n or pers o ns meeti n g, at a mi ni m u m, 

t he Secret ary of t he I nteri or's Pr ofessi o n al Q u alific ati o n St a n d ar ds ( 4 8 F R 

4 4 7 3 8 -9) i n t he disci pli nes of Hist or y or Arc hitect ural Hist or y. 

B. Pri or t o t he c o m me nce m e nt of a n y hist oric preser vati o n a n d d oc u me ntati o n w or k 

sti p ulate d i n t his M O A, F R A will deter mi ne if t h e i n di vi d ual(s) select e d b y t he 

C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt t o perf or m t he w or k meet t he q ualificati o ns i n 

Sti p ulati o n II a n d pr o vi d e S H P O wit h t he rés u mé(s) of t he i n di vi d ual or 

i n di vi d uals t hat will perf or m or s u per vise t he p erf or ma nce of t he p h ot o gra p hic 

rec or dati o n a n d t he narrati ve hist or y. If S H P O d oes n ot c o nc ur t hat t he 

i n di vid uals selecte d t o perf or m t he p h ot o gra p hi c rec or dati o n a n d n arrati ve 

hist or y meet t he Secret ar y of t he I nteri or’s Pr ofessi o nal Q ualificati o n Sta n dar ds, 

F R A a n d t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will c o ns ult wit h S H P O t o res ol ve 

t he areas of c o n cer n. If S HP O d oes n ot pr o vi de c o m me nts t o F R A o n t he 

q ualificati o ns wit hi n 1 5 b usi ness da ys f oll o wi n g F R A’s e -m ail f or war di n g t he 

rés u més a n d a n y a d diti o nal bac k gr o u n d i nf or mati o n, t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject 

Pr o p o ne nt, u n der directi o n of F R A, ma y pr ocee d wit h pr o d uci n g t he rec or dati o n 

a n d t he narrati ve hist or y s pecifie d i n Sti p ulati o n III. 
L o uisi a n a Hi g h w ay (L A) 2 3 R ail w a y R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect , S ecti o n 1 0 6 M e m or a n d u m of A gr e e m e nt 4 

III. MI TI G A TI O N M E A S U R E S 

A. H A B S Rec or dati o n 

F R A will e ns ure t hat t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt rec or ds t he hist oric 

pr o pert y i n acc or da n ce wit h t he f oll o wi n g: 

1. F R A a n d t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will c o ns ult wit h t he 

Nati o nal Par k Ser vic e ( N P S) Herita ge D oc u m e ntati o n Pr o gra ms - 

S o ut heast Re gi o nal Office t o deter mi ne t he e xte nt of t he d oc u me ntati o n 

(e. g., f or mat a n d le n gt h of narrati ve, q ua ntit y of p h ot o gra p hs, a n d e xte nt 

of d oc u me ntati o n usi n g hist oric or ne w meas ure d dra wi n gs) pri or t o 

be gi n ni n g t he w or k. 

2. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will c o m pl ete t he p h ot o -rec or dati o n 

descri be d i n t his Sti p ulati o n pri or t o de m oliti o n of t he hist oric pr o pert y. 

3. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will pr o d uce Lar ge F or mat 

P h ot o gra p hs (s ee N P S G ui deli nes f or Arc hitect ur e a n d E n gi neeri n g 

D oc u me ntati o n, Fe deral Re gister/ V ol. 6 8, n o. 1 3 9/ M o n da y, J ul y 2 1, 2 0 0 3) 

of t he hist oric pr o pert y’s e xteri or ele vati o ns a n d c haract er -d efi ni n g 

i nteri or a n d la n dsca pe feat ures. 

4. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will rec or d t h e hist oric pr o pert y t o 

Hist oric A merica n B uil di n g S ur ve y ( H A B S) D oc u me ntati o n Le v el II 

sta n dar ds, as o utli ne d i n t he p u blicati o n, Secret ar y of t he I nteri or’s 

St a n d ar ds a n d G ui deli nes f or Arc hitect ur al a n d E n gi neeri n g 

D oc u me nt ati o n: H A B S/ H A E R St a n d ar ds , a vaila ble at 

htt p:// w w w. n ps. g o v/ h d p/sta n dar ds/sta n dar ds. p df . D oc u me ntati o n Le vel II 

i ncl u des a narrati ve wit h t he hist or y a n d d escri pti o n of t he res o ur ce, 

arc hi val p h ot o gra p hs, c o pie s of selecte d e xisti n g hist oric dra wi n gs a n d/ or 

meas ure d dra wi n gs t o t he e xte nt it is necessar y t o d oc u me nt t he hist oric 

pr o pert y. Researc h s h o ul d dra w u p o n i nf or m ati o n a b o ut t he hist oric 

pr o pert y i n t he P h ase I C ult ur al Res o urces S urvey, L A 2 3 Ne w Orle a ns 

G ulf C o ast R ail w ay Rel oc ati o n Pr oject, Jeffers o n a n d Pl a q ue mi nes 

P aris hes, L o uisi a n a (J u ne 2 0 1 7). 

5. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will pr o vi de t he draft d o c u me ntati o n 

t o N P S a n d S H P O , wit h a c o p y t o F R A, f or re vi e w a n d c o m me nt as 

descri be d i n Sti p ulat i o n I V. 

6. F oll o wi n g a p pr o val of t h e draft d o c u me ntati o n b y N P S a n d S H P O , the 

C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will pre pare fi ve (5 ) fi nal arc hi val c o pies 

of t he rec or dati o n materials i ncl u di n g: 8 x 1 0 blac k a n d w hite c o pies of t h e 

lar ge f or m at p h ot o gra p hs, t he hist oric narrati ve, t he ori gi n al prese nt ati o n 

dra wi n gs, a n d si x ( 6) arc hi val C Ds wit h t he di gital i ma ges a n d n arrati ve. 

F R A will f or war d t w o ( 2) c o pies of t he rec or dati o n materials t o S H P O, 
L o uisi a n a Hi g h w ay (L A) 2 3 R ail w a y R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect , S ecti o n 1 0 6 M e m or a n d u m of A gr e e m e nt 5 

a n d S H P O will f or war d o ne ( 1) c o p y t o t he State Li brar y a n d o n e ( 1) c o p y 

t o t he State Arc hi ves. F R A will tra ns mit o ne ( 1) arc hi val c o p y of t he 

rec or dati o n materials t o N P S Herita ge D oc u m e ntati o n Pr o gra ms f or 

i ncl usi o n i n t he H A B S C ollecti o n at t he Li br ar y of C o n gress. 

B. Hist orical Mar ker 

1. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will de vel o p draft c o nte nt f or a 

hist orical mar ker ( mar ker) t o c o m me m orate t he hist oric pr o pert y . T h e 

C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will s u b mit t he draft c o nte nt of t he m ar ker 

t o F R A, S H P O , a n d Her o La n ds C o m pa n y f or re vi e w a n d c o m me nt as 

descri be d i n Sti p ulati o n I V. 

2. O nce t he c o nte nt of t he mar ker is a gree d u p o n a m o n g t he C o nstr ucti o n 

Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt, F R A, S H P O , a n d Her o La n ds C o m pa n y, t he 

C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will file a n a p plicati o n f or a hist orical 

mar ker wit h t he L o uisia n a Hist orical Mar k er Pr o gra m i n acc or da n ce wit h 

L a. R. S. 4 8: 2 7 1( A). T he L o uisia na Hist orical Mar ker Pr o gra m g ui deli nes 

a n d a p plicati o n are a v aila ble at: 

htt ps:// w w w.crt.state.la. us/ Assets/ T o uris m/i n d ustr y -

part ners/ L A Hist orical Mar ker G ui deli nes & A p plic ati o n 2 0 1 7 _e xt. p df . 

3. If t he L o uisia na Hist orical Mar ker Pr o gra m a p pr o ves t he a p plicati o n, t he 

C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will i nc ur all c osts f or pr o d ucti o n, 

i nstallati o n, mai nte na nce, a n d re pair of t he mar ker. 

4. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will c o or di nate wit h F R A a n d H er o 

La n ds C o m pa n y re gar di n g a n a p pr o pri ate l ocati o n t o i nstall t he mar ker, 

ta ki n g i nt o acc o u nt s uc h fact ors as s afet y a n d p u blic visi bilit y. 

 

5. T he pr o pert y o w ner, Her o La n ds C o m pa n y, a grees t o all o w t he 

C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt access t o t he hist or ic pr o pert y t o i nstall, 

mai ntai n a n d/ or re p air t he mar ker i n acc or da n ce wit h t he L o uisia na 

Hist orical Mar ker Pr o gra m g ui deli nes. 

6. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will c o or di nate wit h a n d recei ve 

per missi o n fr o m Her o La n ds C o m pa n y pri or t o accessi n g t h e hist oric 

pr o pert y f or a n y i nstallati o n, re pair a n d/ or mai nte n a nce acti vit y. 

I V. P R E P A R A TI O N a n d R E VI E W O F D O C U M E N T S 

F R A, S H P O , a n d Her o La n ds C o m pa n y a gree t o pr o vi de c o m me nts t o t he 

C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt o n all st u dies, re p orts, a n d ot her d oc u me nt ati o n 

arisi n g fr o m t h is M O A wit hi n t hirt y ( 3 0) cal e n dar da ys of recei pt of c o m plete 

i nf or mati o n. If t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt d oes n ot recei v e c o m me nts fr o m 

t he ot her si g n at ories a n d c o nc urri n g p art y wit hi n t he t hirt y ( 3 0) cal e n dar d a y re vie w 

peri o d , t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt ma y ass u me t hat t he n o n-res p o n di n g 
L o uisi a n a Hi g h w ay (L A) 2 3 R ail w a y R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect , S ecti o n 1 0 6 M e m or a n d u m of A gr e e m e nt 6 

part y(ies) h as n o c o m me nts. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will c o ns ult wit h 

res p o n di n g p arties as a p pr o priate t o e ns ure t hat all c o m me nts recei ve d wit hi n t he 

t hirt y ( 3 0) cale n d ar-d a y re vie w peri o d are c o nsi dere d a n d t he d o c u me ntati o n re vise d 

acc or di n gl y bef ore b ei n g fi nalize d . 

V. E F F E C TI V E D A T E 

T his M O A will be effecti ve as of t he d ate of o bli gati o n of Fe d eral fi n a ncial assista nce 

t o c o nstr uct t he Pr oject after t his M O A has bee n e x ec ute d b y all Si g n at ories an d a 

c o p y file d wit h t he A C H P. Wit hi n 3 0 da ys of t he date of o bli gati o n of Fe d eral 

fi na ncial assista nce, F R A will be gi n t he pr ocess of a me n di n g t his M O A i n 

acc or da nce wit h Sti p u lati o n VII i n or der t o s pecif y t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject 

Pr o p o ne nt a n d a d d t hat e ntit y as a si g nat or y t o t he M O A. 

VI. D U R A TI O N 

T his M O A will e x pire if its ter ms are n ot carrie d o ut wit hi n fi ve ( 5) years fr o m its 

effecti ve date . Pri or t o s u c h ti me, F R A ma y c o ns ult wit h t he ot her Si g nat ories t o 

rec o nsi der t h e ter ms of t h e M O A a n d a me n d it i n acc or da n ce wit h Sti p ulati o n VII . 

VII. A M E N D M E N T S 

A. I n t he e ve nt t hat a C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt is i de ntifie d a n d F R A is 

pr o vi di n g fi na n cial assista nce f or c o nstr ucti o n of t he Pr oject , F R A will i nf or m all 

Si g nat ories a n d a me n d t his M O A. T he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will 

bec o me a Si g nat or y t o t h e M O A. 

B. A n y Si g nat or y t o t his M O A ma y re q u est t hat it be a me n de d. T h e a me n d m e nt will 

be effecti ve o n t he d ate a c o p y si g n e d b y all of t he Si g nat ories is fil e d wit h t he 

A C H P. 

VIII. A D O P T A BI LI T Y 

I n t he e ve nt t hat a Fe d eral a ge nc y ot her t h a n F R A is c o nsi deri n g pr o vi di n g fi na ncial 

assista nce, per mits, lice nses, or a p pr o vals f or t he Pr oject, s uc h Fe deral a ge nc y m a y 

bec o me a Si g nat or y t o t his M O A as a mea ns of satisf yi n g its Secti o n 1 0 6 c o m plia nce 

res p o nsi bilities. T o bec o me a Si g nat or y t o t his M O A, t he a ge n c y offi cial m ust 

pr o vi de writte n n otice t o t he Si g nat ories t hat t he a ge n c y a grees t o t he ter ms of t he 

M O A, s pecif yi n g t he e xte nt of t he a ge n c y’s i nte nt t o partici pate i n t he M O A, a n d 

i de ntif yi n g t he lea d Fe deral a ge n c y f or t he U n dert a ki n g. T h e partici p ati o n of t he 

a ge nc y is s u bject t o a p pr o val b y t he Si g nat ories, w h o m ust res p o n d t o t he writte n 

n otice wit hi n 3 0 da ys or t he a p pr o val will be c o nsi dere d i m plicit. A n y ot h er 

m o dificati o ns t o t he M O A will be c o nsi dere d i n acc or da n ce wit h Sti p ulati o n VII . 
L o uisi a n a Hi g h w ay (L A) 2 3 R ail w a y R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect , S ecti o n 1 0 6 M e m or a n d u m of A gr e e m e nt 7 

I X. P O S T -R E VI E W C H A N G E S 

If t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt pr o p oses c h a n ges t o t he Pr oject t hat ma y res ult 

i n a d diti o nal or ne w effects o n hist oric pr o perties, t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt 

will n otif y F R A a n d S H P O of s uc h c h a n ges. Bef ore t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject 

Pr o p o ne n t ta kes a n y acti o n t hat ma y res ult i n a d diti o nal or ne w effects o n hist oric 

pr o perties, F R A, S H P O, t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt, a n d ot her c o ns ulti n g 

parties as a p pr o priate, m ust c o ns ult t o deter mi ne t he a p pr o pri ate c o urs e of acti o n. 

T his ma y i ncl u de , as a p pr o priate, re visi o n t o t he A P E, assess me nt of effects t o 

hist oric pr o perties, a n d d e vel o p me nt of a d diti o nal miti gati o n meas ures t o r es ol ve 

a d verse effects. 

X. P O S T -R E VI E W DI S C O V E RI E S 

If pr o perties are disc o vere d d uri n g Pr oject c o nstr u cti o n t hat ma y b e hist oricall y 

si g nifica nt or u n a ntici pat e d effects o n hist oric pr o perties are i de ntifie d, F R A a n d t he 

C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will c o m pl y wit h 3 6 C F R § 8 0 0. 1 3 b y c o ns ulti n g 

wit h S H P O a n d, if a p plica ble, fe d erall y rec o g niz e d tri bal or ga niz ati o ns t h at ma y 

attac h reli gi o us a n d/ or c ult ural si g nifica n ce t o t he affecte d pr o p ert y; a n d b y 

de vel o pi n g a n d i m ple me nti n g a v oi da n ce, mi ni mizati o n, or miti gati o n meas ures wit h 

t he c o nc urre nce of S H P O a n d, if a p plica bl e, fe d erall y rec o g niz e d tri bal or ga niz ati o ns. 

XI. M O NI T O RI N G A N D R E P O R TI N G 

If t he Pr oject r ecei ves fe deral assista nce f or c o nstr ucti o n a n d t heref ore bec o mes a n 

U n derta ki n g, t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject Pr o p o ne nt will pr o vi de F R A, S H P O a n d Her o 

La n ds C o m pa n y wit h a s u m mar y re p ort det aili n g w or k u n derta k e n p urs ua nt t o t he 

M O A’s ter ms eac h year f oll o wi n g t he effecti ve date of t his M O A u n til it e x pires or is 

ter mi nate d. T his re p ort will i ncl u de a n y sc h e d uli n g c h a n ges pr o p os e d, a n y pr o ble ms 

e nc o u ntere d, a n d a n y dis p ut es or o bjecti o ns recei ve d i n t he C o nstr ucti o n Pr oject 

Pr o p o ne nt’s eff orts t o carr y o ut t he ter ms of t his M O A. 

XII. DI S P U T E R E S O L U TI O N 

S h o ul d a n y Si g n at or y t o t his M O A o bject at a n y ti me t o a n y acti o ns pr o p os e d or t he 

ma n ner i n w hic h t he ter ms of t he M O A are i m ple me nt ed, F R A will c o ns ult wit h s uc h 

Si g nat or y t o res ol ve t h e o bjecti o n. If F R A d eter mi nes t hat s uc h o bjecti o n ca n n ot be 

res ol ve d wit hi n t hirt y ( 3 0) da ys, F R A will: 

A. F or war d all d oc u me nt ati o n rele va nt t o t he dis p ute, i ncl u di n g F R A’s pr o p os e d 

res ol uti o n, t o t he A C H P wit h a c o p y t o t he ot her Si g nat ories t o t his M O A, a n d 

re q uest t hat t he A C H P pr o vi de F R A wit h its a d vic e o n t he res ol uti o n of t he 

o bjecti o n wit hi n t hirt y ( 3 0) cale n d ar da ys of recei vi n g t he d oc u m e nt ati o n. 
L o uisi a n a Hi g h w ay (L A) 2 3 R ail w a y R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect , S ecti o n 1 0 6 M e m or a n d u m of A gr e e m e nt 8 

B. If t he A C H P d oes n ot pr o vi de its a d vice re gar di n g t he dis p ute wit hi n t he t hirt y 

( 3 0) cal e n dar da y ti me peri o d, F R A ma y ma ke a d ecisi o n o n t he dis p ute a n d 

pr ocee d acc or di n gl y. 

C. F R A will d oc u me nt t his decisi o n i n a writte n res p o nse t o t he o bjecti o n t hat ta kes 

i nt o acc o u nt a n y ti mel y c o m me nts re gar di n g t he dis p ute fr o m t he Si g nat ori es a n d 

pr o vi de t he A C H P a n d Si g nat ori es wit h a c o p y of s uc h writte n res p o ns e. 

D. F R A ma y t he n pr o cee d acc or di n g t o its decisi o n. 

E. T he Si g nat ori es re mai n res p o nsi ble f or carr yi n g o ut all ot her acti o ns s u bject t o t he 

ter ms of t he M O A t hat are n ot t he s u bject of t he dis p ute. 

XIII. T E R MI N A TI O N 

If a n y Si g n at or y t o t his M O A deter mi nes t hat its ter ms will n ot or ca n n ot be carrie d 

o ut, t hat Si g nat or y will i m me diatel y c o ns ult wit h t he ot her Si g nat ories t o atte m pt t o 

de vel o p a n a m e n d me nt p er Sti p ulati o n VII . If wit hi n t hirt y ( 3 0) da ys ( or a n ot her ti me 

peri o d a gree d t o b y all Si g nat ori es) a n a me n d me nt ca n n ot be reac h e d, a n y Si g nat or y 

ma y ter mi nate t he M O A u p o n writte n n otificati o n t o t he ot her Si g nat ori es. O nce t he 

M O A is ter mi nate d, a n d pri or t o w or k c o nti n ui n g o n t he U n derta ki n g , F R A m ust 

eit her (a) e x ec ute a n e w M O A p urs ua nt t o 3 6 C F R § 8 0 0. 6 or ( b) re q u est, ta ke i nt o 

acc o u nt, a n d res p o n d t o t he c o m me nts of t he A C H P u n der 3 6 C F R § 8 0 0. 7 . F R A will 

n otif y t he Si g n at ories as t o t he c o urse of acti o n it will p urs ue. 

E x ec uti o n of t his M O A b y F R A a n d S H P O a n d i m ple me ntati o n of its ter ms e vi de nce t h at F R A 

has ta ke n i nt o acc o u nt t he effects of t his U n derta ki n g o n hist oric pr o perties a n d aff or de d t he 

A C H P a n o p p ort u nit y t o c o m me nt. 

 



Att ac h m e nt A 

Ar e a of P ot e nti al Eff ects ( A P E) M a p 

( Exc er pt e d fr o m t h e J u n e 2 0 17 C ult ur al R es o urc es R e p ort pr e p ar e d by E art h S e arc h, I nc .) 



L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A p p e n dix  C  –   

S ecti o n  1 0 6  a n d  S ecti o n  4(f)  C orr es p o n d e nc e  
Ma y 2 4 , 2 0 1 7 

R h o n da S mit h 

Eart h Searc h, I nc. 

P. O. B o x 7 7 0 3 3 6 

Ne w Orlea ns, L A 7 0 1 7 7 

R e: Draft Re p ort 

La Di visi o n of A rch aeo l o g y Re p ort N o. 2 2- 5 5 8 1 

P h ase I C ult ur al Res o urces S urvey a n d N R H P Rese arc h f or t he L A 2 3 Ne w Orle a ns G ulf C o ast 

R ail w ay Rel oc ati o n P E/ N E P A Pr oject, Jeffers o n a n d Pl a q ue mi nes P aris hes, L o uisi a n a 

Dear R h o n da S mit h: 

We ack n o w led ge recei pt of y o ur letter date d Ma y 1 5, 2 0 1 7 a n d t w o c o pies of t he a b o ve referen ce d 

rep o rt. 

I n refere nce t o hist oric sta n di n g str uct ures, we c o nc ur wit h y o ur e val uati o n t hat t he Ri ver Oa ks Aca de m y 

b uil di n gs are eli gi ble f or listi n g i n t he Nati o nal Re gister of Hist oric Places ( Re gister) u n der Criteri o n A 

f or its ass ociati o n wit h t he Ci vil Ri g hts A ct of 1 9 6 4 a n d t he l ocal i m pact of Fe deral ma n date d 

dese gre gati o n i n Pla q ue mi nes Paris h, L o uisia na a n d u n der Criteri o n B f or its ass ociati o n wit h Lea n der 

Perez, Sr. H o we ver, we are of t he o pi ni o n t hat Her o Par k is eli gi ble f or listi n g i n t he Re gister o nl y f or its 

hist or y u n der Criteri o n A a n d n ot eli gi ble u n der Criteri o n B f or its ass ociati o n wit h Ge or ge Her o, Sr. As 

s uc h, we c o nc ur wit h y o ur assess me nt t hat c o nstr ucti o n of t he Pr oject’s preferre d alter nati ve w o ul d res ult 

i n a n A d verse Effect o n t he Ri ver Oa ks Aca de m y/ Her o Par k site. 

Als o as prescri be d i n t he Di visi o n of Hist oric Preser vati o n’s Hist oric Sta n di n g Str uct ures G ui deli nes, 

please s u b mit arc hi val pa per a n d P D F di gital c o pies of t he L o uisia na Hist oric Res o urce I n ve nt or y f or ms 

a n d a n arc hi val pa per ma p deli neati n g t he l ocati o n of t he 2 3 hist oric sta n di n g str uct ures rec or de d i n t he 

pr oject s ur ve y. 

We are u na ble t o c o nc ur t hat t he p orti o n of arc hae ol o gical site 1 6 P L 2 4 9 is i neli gi ble f or i ncl usi o n i n 

t he Nati o nal Re gister of Hist oric Places ( N R H P). T he p hrase o n P g. 6- 3 5 stati n g t hat “t here is n o 

e vi de nce of i ntact arc hae ol o gical de p osits” wit hi n t he ri g ht of wa y is i ns ufficie nt j ustificati o n f or a 

“ n ot eli gi ble” deter mi nati o n f or a site or a p orti o n of a site. T he site s h o ul d be disc usse d m ore 

e x plicitl y i n ter ms of eac h t he N R H P criteria, partic ularl y gi ve n its ass ociati o n wit h t he N R H Peli gi ble pr o pert y o n w hic h it sits. Gi ve n o ur rec o m me n dati o n t hat Her o’s Par k is eli gi ble f or N R H P 

listi n g u n der Criteri o n A f or l ocal hist or y, we s u g gest t hat 1 6 P L 2 4 9 s h o ul d n ot be u nc o u ple d fr o m t he 

hist oric pr o perti es wit h w hic h it is ass ociate d. 
I n a d diti o n t o t he a b o ve, we are u na ble t o deter mi ne if t here are i ntact de p osits be neat h t he Ri ver 

Oa ks Aca de m y itself. If t his b uil di n g is de m olis he d as part of t his u n derta ki n g, we w o ul d re q uest 

a d diti o nal m o nit ori n g. 

I n C ha pter 6, P g. 1, please Pr o vi de a defi niti o n of hi g h vs. l o w pr o ba bilit y f or a n area t o yiel d 

arc hae ol o gical sites, a n d i ncl u de a ma p of t he direct A P E wit h t he hi g h a n d l o w pr o ba bilit y areas 

i n dicate d. 

We l o o k f or war d t o rec ei vi n g a re vise d draft of t h e re p ort a d dressi n g o ur a b o ve c o m me nts. If 

s ha pefiles are a vaila ble f or t he s ur ve y area, we re q uest t h ose as well. If y ou ha ve a n y q uesti ons, 

p lease c ontact E mil y Dale at t he Di visi o n of A rch aeo l og y b y e mail at e d ale @crt.la. g o v o r b y 

p h o ne at 2 2 5- 3 4 2- 8 1 6 6. 

Si ncerel y, 

Kriste n Sa n ders, 

De p ut y State Hist oric Pres er vati o n Officer 
2 2- 5 5 8 1

7/ 1 2/ 1 7


L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  &  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  –  Fi n di n g  of  N o  Si g nific a nt  I m p acts 

A p p e n dix  D  –   

A g e nc y  a n d  P u blic  C o m m e nts  a n d  R es p o ns es  

C o m m e nt  N o. P a g e  N o.  

1   D ‐1  

2   D ‐3  

3   D ‐5  

4   D ‐8  

5   D ‐9  

6   D ‐1 0  

7   D ‐1 4  

8   D ‐1 7  

9   D ‐2 3  

1 0   D ‐2 7  

1 1   D ‐2 8  

1 2   D ‐3 8  

1 3   D ‐4 0  

1 4   D ‐4 2  
A g e nc y  a n d  P u blic  C o m m e nt  S u m m ar y  T a bl e

L A 2 3  N e w  Orl e a ns  G ulf  C o ast  R ail w a y  R el oc ati o n  P E/ N E P A  Pr oj ect

J eff ers o n a n d  Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h es,  L A

P C/ F R A  Gr a nt  #  F R ‐RL D ‐0 0 3 2 ‐1 4 ‐0 1 ‐0 0;  R P C  T as k  L A 2 3 R R 1

1 4/ 1 7/ 2 0 1 8 J os e p h  R a ns o n Fi el d  S u p er vis or U. S.  D e pt.  of  t h e I nt eri or / Fis h  

a n d  Wil dlif e  S er vic e  / L o uisi a n a 

Ec ol o gic al  S er vic es  Offic e

6 4 6  C aj u n d o m e  Bl v d.,  

St e.  4 0 0

L af a y ett e L A 7 0 5 0 6 N/ A l ett er Us e o nli n e  t o ol vi a  htt ps:// w w w.f ws. g o v/s o ut h e ast/l af a y ett e/ pr oj ect ‐r e vi e w 

t o d et er mi n e  w h et h er  t h e pr oj ect  d o es  or  d o es  n ot  h a v e  t h e p ot e nti al  t o 

aff ect  p artic ul ar  f e d er all y list e d s p eci es.  

I nf or m al E n d a n g er e d  S p eci es  Act  c o ns ult ati o n w as  u n d ert a k e n  b et w e e n  t h e F R A  a n d  t h e U S F W S  L o uisi a n a Fi el d  Offic e  r e g ar di n g eff ects  t o F e d er al  r es o urc es u n d er  U S F W S  j uris dicti o n i ncl u di n g t h os e r es o urc es t h at ar e  c urr e ntl y pr ot ect e d  b y  t h e E n d a n g er e d  

S p eci es  Act  of  1 9 7 3.  O n  Oct o b er  1 9,  2 0 1 6,  t h e U S F W S  m a d e  t h e d et er mi n ati o n  t h at t h e pr oj ect  is n ot  li k el y t o a d v ers el y  eff ect  t h os e r es o urc es. If n esti n g  b al d  e a gl es  ar e  disc o v er e d,  f e d er al a n d  st at e g ui d eli n es  f or a v oi d a nc e  a n d  mi ni miz ati o n  will  b e  f oll o w e d. If 

Pr oj ect  acti viti es  will  occ ur  wit hi n  a  6 6 0 ‐f o ot r a di us of  a  n est  sit e, c o or di n ati o n wit h  t h e L o uisi a n a D e p art m e nt  of  Wil dlif e  a n d  Fis h eri es  will  b e  r e q uir e d.

2 4/ 1 3/ 2 0 1 8 R ei d  McL ell a n,  C F P Fi n a nci al  A d vis or E d w ar d  J o n es 8 4 5 1  Hi g h w a y  2 3,  St e.   B ell e  C h as e L A 7 0 0 3 7 r ei d. mcl ell a n @ e d w ar dj o n es.c o m e m ail W h e n  will  a n ot h er  m e eti n g/f or u m  b e  h el d  t o f urt h er disc uss  t his i m p ort a nt 

pr oj ect ?

N o  ot h er  p u blic  m e eti n gs  ar e  pl a n n e d  f or t h e pr oj ect.  C o m m e nts  r ec ei v e d b y  t h e p u blic  o n  t h e  e n vir o n m e nt al  ass ess m e nt  ar e  t h e l ast st e p i n p u blic  i n v ol v e m e nt f or t h e pr oj ect.  

3 4/ 1 9/ 2 0 1 8 D o n al d  C.  B ur n h a m N/ A R esi d e nt 5 5 0 0  S utt o n  Pl. N e w  Orl e a ns L A 7 0 1 3 1 N/ A l ett er C o nc er n e d a b o ut  c o al ex p orts  t hr o u g h c o m m u niti es al o n g  t h e r ail r o ut e.  T h er e  ar e  n o  pl a ns  t o b uil d  t h e R A M  T er mi n al  c o al ex p ort  f acilit y a n d  pri or  p er mits  iss u e d f or t h e f acilit y b y  t h e U S A C E  a n d  D e p art m e nt  of  N at ur al  R es o urc es  w er e  n ot  r e n e w e d i n 2 0 1 7.  C urr e ntl y,  t h e N O G C  R ailr o a d  d o es  n ot  tr a ns p ort c o al a n d  d o es  n ot  h a v e  a n y  

pl a ns  t o d o  s o. 

4 4/ 1 2/ 2 0 1 8 C ecil e  C ar o n n a N/ A R esi d e nt 2 1 3 3  Tit a n  St. H ar v e y L A 7 0 0 5 8 c ecil e.c ar o n n a @ g m ail.c o m e m ail T o  h a v e  a  c o al tr ai n p ass  wit hi n  a  mil e  of  o ur  s u b di visi o n ( W o o dl a n d W est  i n 

H ar v e y)  will  b e  d e v ast ati n g  t o o ur  q u alit y  of  lif e, n ot  t o m e nti o n  p ot e nti al  

h e alt h  h az ar ds  t o us  a n d  o ur  c hil dr e n. 

C urr e ntl y,  t h e N O G C  R ailr o a d  d o es  n ot  tr a ns p ort c o al a n d  d o es  n ot  a ntici p at e  t o tr a ns p ort c o al i n t h e f ut ur e. A n  alt er n ati v e  a n al ysis  t h at e v al u at e d  diff er e nt  r o ut es a n d  ali g n m e nts  w as  p erf or m e d  as  p art  of  t h e e n vir o n m e nt al  ass ess m e nt,  a n d  P et ers  R o a d  w as  

d et er mi n e d  t o b e  t h e pr ef err e d  alt er n ati v e.

5 4/ 2 4/ 2 0 1 8 Br a dl e y  E.  S pic er Assist a nt  

C o m missi o n er  / 

Ex ec uti v e  Dir ect or

L A D e p art m e nt  of  A gric ult ur e  

a n d  F or estr y  / Offic e  of  S oil  a n d  

W at er  C o ns er v ati o n  ‐ St at e  S oil  

a n d  W at er  C o ns er v ati o n  

C o m missi o n

5 8 2 5  Fl ori d a  Bl v d.,   

St e.  7 0 0 0

B at o n  R o u g e L A 7 0 8 0 6 br a d _s @l a d.st at e.l a. us e m ail N o  c o m m e nts at  t his ti m e. C o m m e nt  n ot e d.

6 5/ 2/ 2 0 1 8 Mic h a el  S.  Y e n ni Pr esi d e nt J eff ers o n  P aris h 1 2 2 1  El m w o o d  P ar k  

Bl v d.,  St e.  1 0 0 2

J eff ers o n  L A 7 0 1 2 3 l ett er J eff ers o n P aris h  c o nsi d ers r el oc ati o n of  t h e L A 2 3  R ail w a y  o utsi d e  of  t h e 

Gr et n a  Cit y  Li mits a n d  t h e L A 2 3  ( B ell e C h ass e  H w y.)  C orri d or  t o b e  of  vit al  

i m p ort a nc e t o t h e c o nti n u e d ec o n o mic  d e v el o p m e nt  of  t h e W est  B a n k  of  

J eff ers o n P aris h.

C o m m e nt  n ot e d.

7 5/ 1 4/ 2 0 1 8 Fr e dric k  W al k er A m eric as  R e gi o n al  

M a n a g er

C h e vr o n  Or o nit e  C o m p a n y,  LL C O a k P oi nt  Pl a nt,  1 0 2 8 3  

Hi g h w a y  2 3

B ell e  C h as e L A 7 0 0 3 7 M ars h all. M a h o n e y @c h e vr o n.c o m l ett er / e m ail C h e vr o n  Or o nit e  C o m p a n y  o p p os es  pr o p os e d  r o uti n g t h at bis ects  its 

pr o p ert y  a n d  i m p acts its us e  a n d  v al u e  t o C h e vr o n  Or o nit e.   C h e vr o n  

Or o nit e  C o m p a n y  s u p p orts t h e br o a d er  i nt e nt of  t h e pr oj ect  t o r eli e v e 

r ail w a y c o n g esti o n a n d  i m pr o v e v e hic ul ar  s af et y.  R e q u ests  t o w or k  wit h  t h e 

R e gi o n al  Pl a n ni n g  C o m missi o n  o n  alt er n ati v es  t h at w o ul d  b e  l ess i m p actf ul 

t o o p er ati o ns  a n d  b usi n ess  g r o wt h.

T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  r e e v al u at e t h e r ail ali g n m e nt  cr ossi n g L A 2 3  d uri n g  t h e f ut ur e d esi g n  p h as e  of  t h e pr oj ect.  T h e  r e a n al ysis will  i d e ntif y alt er n ati v es  t o mi ni miz e,  or  a v oi d,  i m p acts t o pl a n n e d  o p er ati o ns  a n d  gr o wt h  at  C h e vr o n  Or o nit e.

8 5/ 1 4/ 2 0 1 8 M ars h all  G.  H e b ert C hi ef  Fi n a nci al  

Offic er

S e atr ax  M ari n e  Cr a n es  L o uisi a n a 

a n d  Dixi e  S er vic es

1 0 2 8 3  Hi g h w a y  2 3,  

B ell e  C h ass e  L A 7 0 0 3 7

B ell e  C h as e N/ A N/ A m h e b ert @ dixi es er v.c o m e m ail O pti o n  1  w o ul d  b e  t h e b est  alt er n ati v e  f or S e atr ax,  Dixi e  a n d  all  b usi n ess es  

l oc at e d o n  G u nt h er  L a n e.  H o w e v er,  t h e c o ncl usi o ns fr o m t h e Ti er  1  

Alt er n ati v es  A n al ysis  eli mi n at es  O pti o ns  1  a n d  4.   If t h e c o ncl usi o ns ar e  fi n al 

a n d  O pti o ns  1  a n d  4  ar e  eli mi n at e d,  t h e n O pti o n  3  b ec o m es  t h e o nl y  

r e m ai ni n g vi a bl e  alt er n ati v e  f or S e atr ax,  Dixi e  a n d  ot h er  pr o p erti es  o n  

G u nt h er  L a n e.  R e q u est  t o r e m o v e O pti o n  2  fr o m c o nsi d er ati o n d u e  t o l oss 

of  p r op ert y /l a n d/ d oc k sp ac e.

A n  alt er n ati v es  a n al ysis  t h at e v al u at e d  diff er e nt  r o ut es a n d  ali g n m e nts  w as  p erf or m e d  as  p art  of  t h e E A.  I n t h e Ti er  II a n al ysis,  t h e ali g n m e nt  f or C o nc e pt u al  Ali g n m e nt  O pti o n  2  w as  c arri e d f or w ar d a n d  r e n a m e d Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  A.  Pr eli mi n ar y  Alt er n ati v e  A  

w as  r efi n e d t o r e m o v e t h e h oriz o nt al  c ur v es b et w e e n  B a y o u  B ar at ari a  a n d  t h e GI W W  a n d  t o cr oss t h e GI W W  o n  a  str ai g ht ali g n m e nt.  Wit h  t h e r efi n e m e nts, t his alt er n ati v e  b ec a m e  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e.  T h e  Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  is l oc at e d a p pr oxi m at el y  

1, 0 0 0  f e et w est  of  G u nt h er  L a n e a n d  d o es  n ot  i m p act pr o p ert y  o n  eit h er  si d e of  G u nt h er  L a n e or  t h e d oc k  l oc at e d o n  t h e GI W W.    

9 5/ 1 4/ 2 0 1 8 Sc ott  E ustis C o m m u nit y  Sci e nc e  

Dir ect or

G ulf  R est or ati o n  N et w or k 3 3 0  C ar o n d el et  Str e et,  

3r d  Fl o or

N e w  Orl e a ns L A 7 0 1 3 0 sc ott @ h e alt h y g ulf. or g e m ail W e  h a v e  s eri o us c o nc er ns a b o ut  t h e F O N SI  a n d  E A,  b as e d  o n  i m p acts t o 

f astl a n d w etl a n ds,  st or m w at er dr ai n a g e,  wil dlif e  h a bit at,  a n d  e n vir o n m e nt al  

r acis m, p artic ul arl y  f or Afric a n  A m eric a n  a n d  N ati v e  A m eric a n  p o p ul ati o ns.   

N e e d  t o pr ot ect  c o ast al c o m m u niti es s uc h as  O a k vill e  a n d  Ir o nt o n fr o m 

dis pr o p orti o n at e  r ail i m p acts.  I m p acts s uc h as  n ois e,  air  p oll uti o n,  a n d  

i m p act o n  e m er g e nc y  v e hicl e  tr affic, ar e  si g nific a nt i n o ur  li n e ar c o ast al 

c o m m u niti es.  F orc e d  t o c o nsi d er O pti o n  1,  o n  t h e w est  si d e of  t h e H ar v e y  

C a n al,  as  t h e b ett er  o pti o n  t h at c o m pli es wit h  Ex ec uti v e  Or d ers  a n d  

E n vir o n m e nt al  J ustic e.  A p pr eci at es  c o nsi d er ati o n of  fl o o d pl ai n f or est 

w etl a n ds.

R es p o ns e  t o W etl a n ds  C o m m e nt : T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  b e  r e q uir e d t o miti g at e  i m p acts t o w etl a n ds  l oc at e d wit hi n  t h e c o ast al z o n e i n acc or d a nc e  wit h  t h e Cl e a n  W at er  Act  S ecti o n  4 0 4( b)( 1)  G ui d eli n es  ( 4 0 C F R  2 3 0).  A  C o ast al  Us e  P er mit/ S ecti o n  4 0 4  

P er mit  will  b e  r e q uir e d. T y p e  of  miti g ati o n  will  b e  d efi n e d  b y  p er mitti n g  a g e nc y.  R es p o ns e  t o St or m w at er  Dr ai n a g e  C o m m e nt:  T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  d esi g n  st or m dr ai n a g e  s yst e ms i n acc or d a nc e  wit h  l oc al j uris dicti o n al st a n d ar ds. D uri n g  c o nstr ucti o n, 

B est  M a n a g e m e nt  Pr actic es  ( B M P) will  mi ni miz e  p ot e nti al  w at er  q u alit y  i m p acts. A  St or m w at er  Pr e v e nti o n  Pl a n  will  b e  pr e p ar e d  as  p art  of  t h e B M Ps.  I n a d diti o n,  a  S ecti o n  4 0 1  P er mit  ( W at er Q u alit y  C ertific ati o n)  will  b e  r e q uir e d. R es p o ns e  t o Wil dlif e  H a bit at  

C o m m e nt:  I nf or m al E n d a n g er e d  S p eci es  Act  c o ns ult ati o n w as  u n d ert a k e n  b et w e e n  t h e F R A  a n d  t h e U S F W S  L o uisi a n a Fi el d  Offic e  r e g ar di n g eff ects  t o F e d er al  r es o urc es u n d er  U S F W S  j uris dicti o n i ncl u di n g t h os e r es o urc es t h at ar e  c urr e ntl y pr ot ect e d  b y  t h e 

E n d a n g er e d  S p eci es  Act  of  1 9 7 3.  O n  Oct o b er  1 9,  2 0 1 6,  t h e U S F W S  m a d e  t h e d et er mi n ati o n  t h at t h e pr oj ect  is n ot  li k el y t o a d v ers el y  eff ect  t h os e r es o urc es. If n esti n g  b al d  e a gl es  ar e  disc o v er e d  at  t h e ti m e of  c o nstr ucti o n, f e d er al a n d  st at e g ui d eli n es  f or a v oi d a nc e  

a n d  mi ni miz ati o n  will  b e  f oll o w e d. If Pr oj ect  acti viti es  will  occ ur  wit hi n  a  6 6 0 ‐f o ot r a di us of  a  n est  sit e, c o or di n ati o n wit h  t h e L o uisi a n a D e p art m e nt  of  Wil dlif e  a n d  Fis h eri es  will  b e  r e q uir e d. R es p o ns e  t o E n vir o n m e nt al  J ustic e C o m m e nt : F or  t h e d efi n e d  st u d y ar e a,  

as  pr es e nt e d  d uri n g  sc o pi n g a n d  t hr o u g h o ut t h e st u d y d ur ati o n,  n o  dis pr o p orti o n at el y  hi g h  or  a d v ers e  eff ect  t o l o w ‐ i nc o m e a n d  mi n orit y  p o p ul ati o ns  ar e  a ntici p at e d.  

1 0 5/ 1 5/ 2 0 1 8 R a y  F u e nz ali d a G e n er al  M a n a g er H ar v e y  C a n al  Li mit e d P art n ers hi p P. O.  B ox  1 8 7 H ar v e y L A 7 0 0 5 8 r a yf @ h ar v e yc a n al.c o m e m ail As  a  l a n d o w n er o n  t h e H ar v e y  C a n al  a n d  a  st a k e h ol d er i n t h e f ut ur e of  t h e 

W est b a n k  as  a  w h ol e,  t h e r ail r el oc ati o n pr oj ect  is a n  e as y  pr oj ect  t o 

s u p p ort.  T h e  EI S  s h o ws n o  li mit ati o n o n  t h e r el oc ati o n.

C o m m e nt  n ot e d.

1 1 5/ 1 5/ 2 0 1 8 R o y  P.  D w y er  a n d  

N a nc y  S.  D w y er,  M S W

N/ A R esi d e nt 5 4 2  First  A v e n u e H ar v e y L A 7 0 0 5 8 ps al m 1 9 g u y @ b ells o ut h. n et e m ail If  t h e W est er n  B y p ass  is n ot  i m pl e m e nt e d, t h e n w e  r ec o m m e n d t h e " N o 

B uil d"  alt er n ati v e,  a n d  t h at c ar g o b e  s hi p p e d o n  t h e ri v er.

R es p o ns e  t o O v er all  C o m m e nts:  1)  T h e  m axi m u m  tr ai n o p er ati n g  s p e e d al o n g  P et ers  R o a d  will  b e  1 0  m p h  or  l ess; si mil ar t o existi n g  o p er ati n g  c o n diti o ns. T h e  pr o p os e d  1 0. 5  d e gr e e  c ur v e fr o m 4t h  Str e et  t o P et ers  R o a d  w o ul d  all o w  tr ai ns t o s af el y m a n e u v er  t h e 

c ur v e at  a  r e d uc e d s p e e d of  5  t o 7  m p h.  At  t h es e s p e e ds, tr ai n d er ail m e nts  ar e  u nli k el y.  2)  I m pr o v e P u blic  S af et y  Acc ess:  T h e  n u m b er  of  p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs will  b e  r e d uc e d wit h  t h e pr ef err e d  alt er n ati v e  l oc at e d al o n g  P et ers  R o a d.  E m er g e nc y  v e hicl e  acc ess  

t o l oc al b usi n ess es,  s p ecific all y t h os e t h at ar e  l oc at e d al o n g  t h e w est  si d e of  P et ers  R o a d  ( e ast si d e of  t h e H ar v e y  C a n al),  m a y  ex p eri e nc e  t e m p or ar y d el a ys  w h e n  tr ai ns ar e  pr es e nt.  Pri v at e  dri v e w a ys  t o t h es e b usi n ess es  w o ul d  b e  t e m p or aril y bl oc k e d.  3)  I m pr o v e 

E m er g e nc y  E v ac u ati o n:   I m pr o v e m e nts t o e m er g e nc y  acc ess  a n d  e v ac u ati o n  w o ul d  occ ur  if tr ai ns ar e  r el oc at e d fr o m L A 2 3,  L A 1 8  a n d  ot h er  p u blic  r o a d w a ys i n Gr et n a,  H ar v e y  a n d  B ell e  C h ass e.  T hr o u g h o ut  t h e 9. 3  mil e  r el oc ati o n c orri d or, six n e w  p u blic  hi g h w a y ‐

r ail at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs w o ul d  occ ur;  w hic h  is a  si g nific a nt d ecr e as e  fr o m t h e existi n g  7 3  p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  cr ossi n gs t h at exist  al o n g  t h e c urr e nt r ail ali g n m e nt  r o ut e. C urr e ntl y  e m er g e nc y  v e hicl es  m a y  b e  bl oc k e d  b y  tr ai ns p assi n g  t hr o u g h a  p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  

cr ossi n g/i nt ers ecti o n, es p eci all y  al o n g  L A 2 3.  Wit h  t h e r el oc ati o n, t h es e critic al m o v e m e nts  w o ul d  b e  eli mi n at e d  e ntir el y.  4)  F u el  C o ns u m pti o n  a n d  Air  Q u alit y:  C a n n ot  c o m m e nt o n  t h e 5, 0 0 0  f o ot l o n g tr ai ns wit h  d o u bl e ‐st ac k e d c ar g o c o nt ai n ers as  r ef er e nc e d i n 

t h e 2 0 0 2  Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  I nt er m o d al F e asi bilit y  St u d y;  h o w e v er  d o u bl e  st ac k e d r ailc ars ar e  n ot  pr o p os e d.  T h e  pr ef err e d  alt er n ati v e  s h ort e ns t h e r ail r o ut e (fr o m a p pr oxi m at el y  1 6  t o 9  mil es)  a n d  als o  w o ul d  mi ni miz e  tr ai n s witc hi n g o p er ati o ns  t h at c urr e ntl y 

occ ur  at  t h e G o ul ds b or o  Y ar d.  Tr ai n  d el a ys  wit hi n  d o w nt o w n  Gr et n a  w o ul d  als o  b e  mi ni miz e d.  T his  w o ul d  r es ult i n a  d ecr e as e  i n b ot h  tr ai n o p er ati n g  ti m e a n d  f u el c o ns u m pti o n; t h us r e d uci n g tr ai n e missi o ns  of  air  p oll ut a nts,  w hil e  i m pr o vi n g air  q u alit y.  M ot or  

v e hicl e  e missi o ns  w o ul d  b e  r e d uc e d b y  mi ni mizi n g  a n d/ or  eli mi n ati n g  tr affic i dli n g at  t h e p u blic  at ‐gr a d e  i nt ers ecti o ns al o n g  t h e c urr e nt r ail ali g n m e nt  r o ut e w h e n  a  tr ai n p ass es.  5)  M a n h o ur  C osts:  A n  a n al ysis  of  o p er ati n g  c osts ass oci at e d  wit h  H ar v e y  C a n al  

m ari n e  tr affic w as  n ot  c o n d uct e d as  it w o ul d  b e  c o nsi d er e d b e y o n d  t h e sc o p e of  w or k  ass oci at e d  wit h  t h e pr e p ar ati o n  of  a n  E A.  A n n u al  o p er ati n g  c osts f or t h e N O G C  R ail w a y  w er e  n ot  e v al u at e d  eit h er  as  t his i nf or m ati o n is pr o pri et ar y.  F urt h er m or e,  it m a y  b e  

diffic ult  f or t h e N O G C  R ail w a y  t o s e gr e g at e o p er ati n g  c osts ass oci at e d  wit h  tr ai ns w aiti n g  f or m ari n e  tr affic t o p ass  t hr o u g h t h e H ar v e y  C a n al.  M ari n e  tr affic w as  e v al u at e d  f or t h e GI W W,  h o w e v er  t his a n al ysis  w as  li mit e d t o t h e fr e q u e nc y of  bri d g e  o p e ni n gs  a n d  

t h e h ei g ht  of  v ess els,  i n or d er  t o i d e ntif y t h e c o nc e pt u al d esi g n  r e q uir e m e nts f or t h e pr o p os e d  m o v a bl e  bri d g e  o v er  t h e GI W W.  6)  Q u alit y  of  Lif e: W h e n  tr ai ns p ass  al o n g  P et ers  R o a d,  f e w er v e hicl es  ar e  pr oj ect e d  t o tr a v el al o n g  t his c orri d or c o m p ar e d t o tr affic o n  

L A 2 3  a n d  n o  v e hic ul ar  d el a ys  ar e  a ntici p at e d.  T h er ef or e  air  q u alit y  i m p acts s uc h as  f u m es fr o m i dli n g tr ai ns a n d  v e hicl es  w o ul d  b e  l ess. T h er e  ar e  f e w c o m m u nit y f aciliti es l oc at e d al o n g  P et ers  R o a d  b ec a us e  of  existi n g  l a n d us e  a n d  z o ni n g, w hic h  is i n d ustri al a n d  

c o m m erci al. Vis u all y  t h e o v er all  c orri d or a est h etics  w o ul d  li k el y r e m ai n u nc h a n g e d.  H o w e v er,  j ust s o ut h of  4t h  Str e et,  a  p arc el  of  l a n d o n  t h e e ast  si d e of  P et ers  R o a d  w o ul d  b e  p urc h as e d  f or t h e r e q uir e d tr ac k ali g n m e nt  b et w e e n  4t h  Str e et  a n d  P et ers  R o a d.  

H o w e v er,  t h e e ntir e  p arc el  is n ot  n ec ess ar y  f or t h e r e q uir e d 5 0 ‐f o ot wi d e  ri g ht‐of ‐w a y  f or t h e pr o p os e d  r ailr o a d tr ac ks, t h us l e a vi n g a  p orti o n  of  t h e p arc el  v ac a nt.  T h e  v ac a nt  p orti o n  of  t h e p arc el  c o ul d r e m ai n u n d e v el o p e d  i n t h e f ut ur e; h o w e v er  d uri n g  t h e 

a n al ysis  of  alt er n ati v es,  t h e Pr oj ect  M a n a g e m e nt  C o m mitt e e  ( P M C) d eci d e d  o n  t h e ali g n m e nt  of  t h e tr ac k c ur v e at  t his l oc ati o n ( w hic h c o m pli es wit h  fr ei g ht r ail d esi g n  st a n d ar ds), a n d  ass oci at e d  miti g ati o n  a n d  c o nt ext s e nsiti v e s ol uti o ns at  t his l oc ati o n. As  a  w a y  

t o i m pr o v e t h e vis u al  a p p e ar a nc e  of  t h e c orri d or a n d  t o miti g at e  i m p acts, t h e P M C  a gr e e d  t h at a  p orti o n  of  t his p arc el  c o ul d b e  d e v el o p e d  as  a  n ei g h b or h o o d  p ar k  / gr e e n  s p ac e, w hic h  c o ul d i ncl u d e a  d ec or ati v e  or  n ois e  w all  a n d  l a n dsc a pi n g t h er e b y b ec o mi n g  a n  

a m e nit y  t o n e ar b y  r esi d e nts. T h e  gr e e n  s p ac e ar e a  w o ul d  fr o nt St.  J os e p h Str e et  a n d  w o ul d  b e  p h ysic all y  s e p ar at e d fr o m t h e tr ac k b y  t h e d ec or ati v e  w all.    D et ails  of  t h e gr e e n  s p ac e/ n ei g h b or h o o d p ar k,  w all  t y p e a n d  l oc ati o n will  b e  e v al u at e d  d uri n g  f ut ur e p h as es  

of  t h e pr oj ect.  7)  E n vir o n m e nt al  J ustic e: B as e d  o n  St u d y  Ar e a  c h ar act eristics, t h er e is n o  dis pr o p orti o n at el y  hi g h  or  a d v ers e  eff ect  t o l o w ‐ i nc o m e a n d  mi n orit y  p o p ul ati o ns  ass oci at e d  wit h  t h e pr oj ect.  Wit hi n  t h e s m all er r el oc ati o n c orri d or li mits, l a n d us e  

i m m e di at el y a dj ac e nt  t o P et ers  R o a d  a n d  c o nti n ui n g al o n g  t h e pr ef err e d  alt er n ati v e  ali g n m e nt,  is pri m aril y  i n d ustri al, c o m m erci al or  u n d e v el o p e d  i n J eff ers o n P aris h  a n d  r el ati v el y u n d e v el o p e d  i n Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h.  T h us  a n y  i m p acts t o l o w‐i nc o m e a n d  mi n orit y  

p o p ul ati o ns  w o ul d  b e  si mil ar or  n ot  a n y  gr e at er.  C o nt ext  s e nsiti v e s ol uti o ns t o miti g at e  p ot e nti al  vis u al  i m p acts ar e  pr o p os e d  vi a  t h e pr o p os e d  n ei g h b or h o o d  p ar k  / gr e e n  s p ac e.  8)  F or ec ast e d  C a p acit y  D e m a n ds:  C a n n ot  c o m m e nt o n  t h e W est er n  B y p ass  

Alt er n ati v e  d escri b e d  i n t h e 2 0 0 2  Pl a q u e mi n es  P aris h  I nt er m o d al F e asi bilit y  St u d y  or  t h e pr oj ect e d  1 3 ‐2 1  tr ai ns d ail y  t h at w o ul d  s er v e P ort  Pl a q u e mi n es.  T h e  W est er n  B y p ass  Alt er n ati v e  w as  n ot  c o nsi d er e d d uri n g  t h e alt er n ati v es  a n al ysis  f or t his E A.  T h e  N O G C  

R ail w a y  d o es  n ot  tr a ns p ort c o al a n d  d o es  n ot  a ntici p at e  t o tr a ns p ort c o al i n t h e f ut ur e. 

1 2 5/ 1 1/ 2 0 1 8 M. B.  S uc at o C a pt ai n,  U. S.  N a v y,  

C o m m a n di n g  Offic er

D e p art m e nt  of  t h e N a v y,  N a v al  

Air  St ati o n  J oi nt R es er v e  B as e

4 0 0  R uss ell  A v e,  

B uil di n g  4 6

N e w  Orl e a ns L A 7 0 1 4 3 ‐5 0 1 2 l ett er N A S J R B N e w  Orl e a ns  is g e n er all y  s u p p orti v e of  t h e pr o p os e d  pr oj ect.  

C o nc er ns  i ncl u d e 1)  2  acr es  of  N a v y  l a n d/ri g ht‐of ‐w a y  r e q uir e d w h e n  t h e 

pr oj ect  is b uilt;  2)  t h e r ailr o a d bri d g e  o v er  t h e GI W W  w o ul d  n e e d  t o b e  t h e 

h oriz o nt al  s wi n g bri d g e  t y p e; a n d  c o nti n u e d (f u el) b ar g e  acc ess  t o t h e 

N a v y's  F u el  W h arf  j ust u pstr e a m  of  t h e r ailr o a d bri d g e.  R e q u ests  t h at t h e 

N a v y  b e  i n v ol v e d i n t h e fi n al d esi g n  disc ussi o ns  r e g ar di n g t h e pr o p os e d  

GI W W  r ail bri d g e  a n d  its s o ut h e ast b a n k  l a n di ng  l oc ati o n.

Ri g ht ‐of ‐w a y  ( R O W) I m p acts: T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  b ett er  d efi n e  R O W  i m p acts d uri n g  t h e f ut ur e d esi g n  p h as e  of  t h e pr oj ect.   T h e  f ut ur e Pr oj ect  s p o ns or will  c o or di n at e wit h  N A S  J R B d uri n g  t h e R O W  p h as e  of  t h e Pr oj ect  t o d et er mi n e  if e as e m e nts  c o ul d 

b e  o bt ai n e d  wit hi n  t h e Pr ef err e d  Alt er n ati v e  ali g n m e nt  ri g ht‐of ‐w a y,  a n d  s p ecific all y f or t h e m o v a bl e  bri d g e  pi ers,  t h at will  b e  l oc at e d o n  N a v y  pr o p ert y.  Pr o p ert y  ac q uisiti o ns  a n d  r el oc ati o ns will  b e  p erf or m e d  i n c o m pli a nc e wit h  t h e F e d er al  U nif or m  R el oc ati o n  

Assist a nc e  a n d  R e al  Pr o p ert y  Ac q uisiti o n  P olici es  Act  of  1 9 7 0.  M o v a bl e  Bri d g e  T y p e:  D u e  t o h ei g ht  r estricti o ns ass oci at e d  wit h  N A S  J R B fli g ht p at hs/ air  s p ac e r estricti o ns, a  s wi n g s p a n m o v a bl e  bri d g e  is pr o p os e d;  n o  i m p acts ar e  a ntici p at e d.  A  U S  C o ast  G u ar d  

p er mit  will  b e  r e q uir e d.  

1 3 9/ 1 2/ 2 0 1 8 Mic h a el a  E.  N o bl e Dir ect or,  Offic e  of  

E n vir o n m e nt al  

P olic y  a n d  

C o m pli a nc e

U nit e d  St at es  D e p art m e nt  of  t h e 

I nt eri or, Offic e  of  t h e S ecr et ar y,  

Offic e  of  E n vir o n m e nt al  P olic y  

a n d  C o m pli a nc e

1 8 4 9  C  Str e et  N W  ‐ M S  

5 5 3 8  ‐ MI B

W as hi n gt o n D C 2 0 2 4 0 l ett er T h e D e p art m e nt  h as  n o  o bj ecti o n  t o S ecti o n  4(f)  a p pr o v al  of  t his pr oj ect  

c o nti n g e nt o n  t h e s u bs e q u e nt f ull ex ec uti o n  of  t h e r e q uir e m e nts i d e ntifi e d 

i n t h e M O A.

C o m m e nt  n ot e d.  T h e  M O A  is l oc at e d i n A p p e n dix  B  of  t h e F O N SI.

1 4 9/ 1 0/ 2 0 1 8 D o u g  Bl a k e m or e C hi ef,  Bri d g e  

A d mi nistr ati o n  

Br a nc h

U. S.  D e p art m e nt  of  H o m el a n d  

S ec urit y,  U nit e d  St at es  C o ast  

G u ar d,  Ei g ht h  C o ast  G u ar d  

District

5 0 0  P o y dr as  Str e et,  

R o o m  1 3 1 3  

N e w  Orl e a ns L A 7 0 1 3 0 ‐3 3 1 0 D 8 D P B ALL @ usc g. mil l ett er T h e C o ast  G u ar d  pr o vi d e d  c o m m e nts r e g ar di n g p er mitti n g  r e q uir e m e nts f or 

t h e bri d g e  cr ossi n gs.

C o m m e nt  n ot e d.  P er mit  r e q uir e m e nts ar e  s h o w n i n T a bl e  1  of  t h e F O N SI.

Zi p E m ail

C o m m e nt  

M et h o d  ( e. g. 

e m ail,  l ett er, 

etc.)

C o m m e nt  R es p o ns e D at e  

R ec ei v e d N o. N a m e Titl e A g e nc y/ C o m p a n y/ R esi d e nt A d dr ess Cit y St. C o m m e nt
D- 1
D- 2
S u bj e ct: L A 2 3 R ail R el o c ati o n P E/ N E P A Pr oj e c t - N oti c e of 3 0 D a y C o m m e nt P eri o d

Fr o m:  McL ell a n, R ei d  < R ei d. McL ell a n @ e d w ar dj o n es.c o m >   

S e nt:  Fri d a y,  A pril  1 3,  2 0 1 8  9: 2 2  A M  

T o:  K ari m a h  St e w art  < kst e w art @ h a wt h or n e a g e nc y.c o m >  

S u bj ect:  R E:  L A 2 3  R ail  R el oc ati o n  P E/ N E P A  Pr oj ect  ‐ N otic e  of  3 0  D a y  C o m m e nt  P eri o d  

T h a n ks f or t h e i nf o. 

 

W h e n will a n ot h er m e eti n g/f o r u m b e h el d t o f urt h er dis cuss t his i m p ort a nt pr oj e ct ? 

 

R ei d M c L ell a n, C F P ®

Fi n a n ci al A d vi s or

 

T e xt " C o n n e ct" t o 3 1 2 6 8 f or br a n c h t e xti n g

C o n n e ct wit h m e o n Li n k e dI n 

C o n n e ct wit h m e o n F a c e b o o k 

 

r ei d. m cl ell a n @ e d w ar dj o n es. c o m

5 0 4- 3 9 2- 9 0 8 8 W or k

5 0 4- 2 9 6- 2 1 0 8 C ell

8 8 8- 8 8 5- 2 2 0 1 T F

8 8 8- 2 4 8- 5 1 8 4 F A X

 

E d w ar d J o n e s ®

M A KI N G S E N S E O F I N V E S TI N G 

 

  

R ei d M c L ell a n, C F P ®

Fi n a n ci al A d vi s or

E d w ar d J o n e s

8 4 5 1 Hi g h w a y 2 3 

S uit e 3

B ell e C h a s s e , L A 7 0 0 3 7

( 5 0 4) 3 9 2- 9 0 8 8

w w w. e d w ar dj o n e s. c o m

 

If y o u ar e n ot t h e i nt e n d e d r e ci pi e nt of t hi s m e s s a g e (i n cl u di n g att a c h m e nt s) or if y o u h a v e r e c ei v e d t hi s m e s s a g e i n err or, i mm e di at el y n otif y u s a n d d el et e it a n d 

a n y att a c h m e nt s. 

If y o u d o n ot wi s h t o r e c ei v e a n y e m ail m e s s a g e s fr o m E d w ar d J o n e s, e x cl u di n g a d mi ni str ati v e c o m m u ni c ati o n s, pl e a s e e m ail t hi s r e q u e st t o O ptD- 3
O ut @ e d w ar dj o n e s. c o m fr o m t h e e m ail a d dr e s s y o u wi s h t o u n s u b s cri b e. 

F or i m p ort a nt a d diti o n al i nf or m ati o n r el at e d t o t hi s e m ail, vi sit w w w. e d w ar dj o n e s. c o m/ di s cl o s ur e s/ e m ail. ht ml . E d w ar d D. J o n e s & C o., L. P. d/ b/ a E d w ar d J o n e s, 

1 2 5 5 5 M a n c h e st er R o a d, St. L o ui s, M O 6 3 1 3 1 © E d w ar d J o n e s. All ri g ht s r e s er v e d.

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D- 5
D- 6
D- 7
Fr o m: C ecil e C ar o n n a <c ecil e.c ar o n n a @ g m ail.c o m > 

S e nt: T h urs d a y, A pril 1 2, 2 0 1 8 8: 3 5 P M 

T o: L A 2 3 p u blici nf o 

Cc: D o mi nic k C ar o n n a 

S u bj ect: L A 2 3 R ail R el oc ati o n P E/ N E P A Pr oj ect 

D- 8

T o W h o m It Ma y C o ncer n: 

M y pare nts m o ve d t o W o o dla n d West i n Har ve y i n 1 9 7 0. M y h us ba n d a n d I ha ve raise d o ur 

fa mil y here si nce 1 9 9 3. 

T o ha ve a c oal trai n pass wit hi n a mile of o ur s u b di visi o n will be de vastati n g t o o ur q ualit y of 

life, n ot t o me nti o n t he p ote ntial healt h hazar ds t o us a n d o ur c hil dre n. Ma n y fa milies resi de i n 

t his area a n d will be at ris k as well. 

I u n dersta n d t hat Gret na d oes n ot wa nt it, b ut t here m ust be a better alter nati ve t ha n usi n g Peter's 

R oa d? S urel y we rate t he sa me c o nsi derati o n gi ve n t o Gret na a n d Terr yt o w n? 

I l o o k f or war d t o y o ur res p o nse. 

Si ncerel y, 

Cecile Car o n na 

2 1 3 3 Tita n Street 

Har ve y, L A 7 0 0 5 8 

Tel: 5 0 4- 8 1 2- 8 6 4 6 
Fr o m: Br a d S pic er < br a d _s @l d af.st at e.l a. us > 

S e nt: T u es d a y, A pril 2 4, 2 0 1 8 1 0: 2 8 A M 

T o: L A 2 3 p u blici nf o 

Cc: k m a g gi o @l d af.st at e.l a. us 

S u bj ect: L A 2 3 R ail R el oc ati o n P E/ N E P A Pr oj ect 

T h a n ks f or t h e o p p ort u nit y t o r e vi e w a n d c o m m e nt o n t h e a b o v e r ef er e nc e d pr oj ect a n d I h a v e n o 

c o m m e nts at t his ti m e. 

 

 

Br a dl e y E. S pic er, Assist a nt C o m missi o n er, 

L o uisi a n a D e pt. of A gric ult ur e a n d F or estr y 

Offic e of S oil a n d W at er C o ns er v ati o n 

Ex ec uti v e Dir ect or, 

St at e S oil a n d W at er C o ns er v ati o n C o m missi o n 

5 8 2 5 Fl ori d a Bl v d., S uit e 7 0 0 0 

B at o n R o u g e, L A 7 0 8 0 6 

P h o n e: 2 2 5- 9 2 2- 1 2 6 9 

C ell: 2 2 5- 2 6 6- 4 4 8 7 

F ax: 2 2 5- 9 2 2- 2 5 7 7 

E m ail: br a d _s @l d af.st at e.l a. us 

 

D- 9

T his electr o nic messa ge tra ns missi o n c o ntai ns i nf or mati o n fr o m t he L o uisia na De part me nt of 

A gric ult ure a n d F orestr y t hat ma y be c o nfi de ntial or pri vile ge d. T he i nf or mati o n is i nte n de d t o 

be f or t he e xcl usi ve use of t he i n di vi d ual or e ntit y na me d a b o ve. If y o u are n ot t he i nte n de d 

reci pie nt, be a ware t hat a n y discl os ure, c o p yi n g, distri b uti o n or use of t he c o nte nts of t his 

i nf or mati o n is pr o hi bite d. If y o u ha ve recei ve d t his electr o nic tra ns missi o n i n err or, please delete 

t he messa ge a n d n otif y t he se n der b y electr o nic mail i m me diatel y. T ha n k y o u. 
Fr o m: A nit a Fr e e m a n < A nit a Fr e e m a n @j eff p aris h. n et > 

S e nt: T h urs d a y, M a y 1 0, 2 0 1 8 1 0: 1 0 A M 

T o: L A 2 3 p u blici nf o 

Cc: C o u ncil At L ar g e B; C o u ncil At L ar g e A; C o u n Dist # 1; C o u n Dist # 2; C o u n Dist 

# 3; K eit h C o nl e y; N at ali e N e wt o n; J os e G o nz al ez; M ar k Dr e w es; T erri 

Wil ki ns o n 

S u bj ect: F W: L A 2 3 R ail w a y R el oc ati o n P E/ N E P A Pr oj ect J eff ers o n a n d Pl a q u e mi n es 

P aris h es, P R C/ F R A Gr a nt # F R- RL D- 0 0 3 2- 1 4- 0 1- 0 0, E n vir o n m e nt al 

Ass ess m e nt A v ail a bilit y - 3 0 d a y c o m m e nt p eri o d 

Att ac h m e nts: d oc 0 0 6 3 8 4 2 0 1 8 0 5 1 0 0 9 5 2 3 4. p df 

Mr. R o e s el, 

Pl e a s e n ot e att a c h e d wit h r e g ar d t o t h e a b o v e r ef er e n c e d s u bj e ct. 

T h a n k y o u, 

A nit a Fr e e m a n 

A nit a Fr e e m a n 

E x e c uti v e A s si st a nt 

P ari s h Pr e si d e nt Mi c h a el S. Y e n ni 

J o s e p h S. Y e n ni Bl d g. 

1 2 2 1 El m w o o d P ar k Bl v d., S uit e 1 0 0 2 

J eff er s o n, L A 7 0 1 2 3 

( 5 0 4) 7 3 6- 6 4 0 5 

( 5 0 4) 7 3 6- 6 6 3 8 f a x 

A Fr e e m a n @j eff p ari s h. n et 

D- 1 0

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Pl e a s e b e a d vi s e d a n y i nf or m ati o n pr o vi d e d t o J eff er s o n P ari s h G o v er n m e nt m a y b e s u bj e ct t o di s cl o s ur e 

u n d er t h e L o ui si a n a P u bli c R e c or d s L a w. I nf or m ati o n c o nt ai n e d i n a n y c orr e s p o n d e n c e, r e g ar dl e s s of it s 

s o ur c e, m a y b e a p u bli c r e c or d s u bj e ct t o p u bli c i n s p e cti o n a n d r e pr o d u cti o n i n a c c or d a n c e wit h t h e 

L o ui si a n a P u bli c R e c or d s L a w, L a. R e v. St at. 4 4: 1 et s e q. 
D- 1 1
D- 1 2
D- 1 3
Fr o m: M a h o n e y, Willi a m ( M A W M) < M ars h all. M a h o n e y @c h e vr o n.c o m > 

S e nt: M o n d a y, M a y 1 4, 2 0 1 8 2: 4 9 P M 

T o: L A 2 3 p u blici nf o; ' k p ars o ns @ n or pc. or g' 

S u bj ect: P u blic C o m m e nt L ett er -- L A 2 3 R R 1 E n vir o n m e nt al Ass ess m e nt M arc h 

2 0 1 8 

Att ac h m e nts: H W 2 3 R R R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect P u blic C o m m e nt. p df 

Pl e as e fi n d t h e att ac h e d p u blic c o m m e nt l ett er f or t h e L A 2 3 R ail R el oc ati o n P E/ N E P A Pr oj ect. F e el fr e e 

t o c o nt act m e wit h a n y q u esti o ns. 

M ar s h all M a h o n e y 

S u p er vi s or, Pr oj e ct E n gi n e eri n g 

m a w m @ c h e vr o n. c o m 

C h e vr o n Or o nit e C o m p a n y, L L C

O a k P oi nt Pl a nt 

1 0 2 8 3 Hi g h w a y 2 3 

B ell e C h a s s e, L A 7 0 0 3 7 

T el 5 0 4 3 9 1 6 2 3 5 

F a x 5 0 4 3 9 1 6 3 5 8 

A D DI N G U P

D- 1 4
P u blic C o m m e nt L ett er 

5/ 1 4/ 1 8 

D e ar F e d er al R ailr o a d A d mi nistr ati o n a n d t h e R e gi o n al Pl a n ni n g C o m missi o n : 

C h e vr o n Or o nit e C o m p a ny o p p os e s t h e pl a n l ai d o ut f or a c ert ai n p orti o n of t h e r ail r o a d r o uti n g as 

d escri b e d i n t h e E n vir o n m e nt al Ass ess m e nt f or t h e “L A 2 3 N e w Orl e a ns & G ulf C o ast R ail w ay R el oc ati o n 

P E/ N E P A Pr oj ect ” a n d s h o w n i n t h e pict ur e b el o w (fr o m t h e E n vir o n m e nt al Ass ess m e nt as p u blis h e d 

o nli n e ).

T h e pr o p os e d r o uti n g bis ects C h evr o n Or o nit e’s pr o p ert y a n d in d oi n g s o, it i m p acts s ev er el y t h e us e of 

t h e pr o p ert y a n d its v al u e t o C h evr o n Or o nit e. T h e l a n d h as b e e n i d e ntifi e d f or us e i n t h e ex ec uti o n of 

a re m e di ati o n p r oj ect m a n d at e d b y a C o o p er ati v e A gr e e m e nt ex ec ut e d b et w e e n C h e vr o n Or o nit e a n d 

t h e L o uisi a n a D e p art m e nt o f E nviro n m e nt al Q u ality. T his pr oj ect is ex p ect e d t o ext e n d t hr o u g h 2 0 2 6. 

B e y o n d 2 0 2 6, C h e vr o n Or o nit e h as ev al u at e d t his pr o p ert y f or f ut ur e pl a nt ex p a nsi o n a n d d ev el o p m e nt . 

T h e pr o p os e d r o uti n g w o ul d pr e v e nt t h e a bilit y of C h evr o n Or o nit e t o ex p a n d a n d d e v el o p as 

e n visi o n e d, a n d t h us i m p acts C h evr o n Or o nit e ’s b usi n ess. It s h o ul d b e n ot e d t h at C h evr o n Or o nit e 

w o ul d h av e n o ot h er ec o n o mic ally vi a bl e alt er n ati v es f or its ex p a nsi o n a n d d e v el o p m e nt pl a ns. 

W e w o ul d als o lik e t o n ot e t h at C h evr o n Or o nit e s u p p orts t h e br o a d er i nt e nt of t h e pr oj ect t o r eli ev e 

r ail w a y c o n g esti o n a n d i m pr o v e v e hic ul ar s af ety , b ut r e q u ests t o w or k wit h t h e R e gi o n al Pl a n ni n g 

D- 1 5
C o m missi o n o n alt er n ativ es t h at w o ul d b e l ess i m p actf ul t o o ur o p er ati o ns a n d a bilit y t o gr o w o ur 

b usi n ess. 

I n t h e ex p ect ati o n t h at w e c a n w or k c o o p er ativ ely t o i d e ntif y alt er n ativ e r o uti n g(s) t h at d o n ot pr es e nt 

as dr a m atic a n i m p act t o C h e vr o n Or o nit e as t h e c urr e nt pl a n, w e w o ul d li k e t o h a v e t h e o p p ort u nity t o 

w or k wit h t h e R e gi o n al Pl a n ni n g C o m missi o n at its e arli est c o nv e ni e nc e. T o s uc h e n d, pl e as e c o nt act 

M ars h all M a h o n ey at M A W M @c h e vr o n.c o m or 1( 5 0 4) 3 9 1 -6 2 3 5 s h o ul d y o u h av e a ny q u esti o ns or t o 

arr a n g e l o gistics f or a w or ki n g s essi o n. 

Fr e dric k W al k er 

A m eric as R e gi o n al M a n a g er 

C h e vr o n Or o nit e C o m p a ny, LL C 

D- 1 6
Fr o m: M ars h all H e b ert < m h e b ert @ dixi es er v.c o m > 

S e nt: M o n d a y, M a y 1 4, 2 0 1 8 4: 2 5 P M 

T o: L A 2 3 p u blici nf o 

S u bj ect: L A 2 3 R ail R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect 

Att ac h m e nts: 

D- 1 7

2 0 1 8 _ 0 5 _ 1 4 _ 1 5 _ 5 8 _ 3 2. p df; 2 0 1 8 _ 0 5 _ 1 4 _ 1 5 _ 5 9 _ 3 5. p df; 

2 0 1 8 _ 0 5 _ 1 4 _ 1 6 _ 0 1 _ 3 8. p df 

D e ar R e gi o n al Pl a n ni n g C o m missi o n R e pr es e nt ati v e: 

It is m y u n d erst a n di n g t h at p u blic c o m m e nts r e g ar di n g t h e E n vir o n m e nt al Ass ess m e nt f or t h e L A 2 3 R ail 

R el oc ati o n P E/ N E P A Pr oj ect f or J eff ers o n a n d Pl a q u e mi n es P aris h es s h o ul d b e s e nt t o t h e a b o v e e m ail 

a d dr ess b y M a y 1 5, 2 0 1 8. 

T o t his e n d, I wis h t o c o m pl y b y s e n di n g m y c o m m e nts vi a e m ail o n M a y 1 4, 2 0 1 8. 

M y n a m e is M ars h all H e b ert a n d I a m t h e C hi ef Fi n a nci al Offic er f or S e atr ax M ari n e Cr a n es L o uisi a n a 

a n d Dixi e S er vic es, 2 c o m p a ni es l oc at e d o n G u nt h er L a n e t h at will b e d etri m e nt all y i m p act e d b y t h e R ail 

R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect as w ell as t h e P et ers R o a d Pr oj ect. 

Aft er r e vi e wi n g t h e E n vir o n m e nt al Ass ess m e nt R e p ort, it is cl e ar t o m e t h at o pti o n 1 w o ul d b e t h e b est 

alt er n ati v e f or S e atr ax, Dixi e a n d all b usi n ess es l oc at e d o n G u nt h er L a n e. H o w e v er, t h e c o ncl usi o ns fr o m 

t h e Ti er 1 Alt er n ati v e A n al ysis p a g e 1 7 ( att ac h e d) eli mi n at es o pti o ns 1 & 4. If t h e c o ncl usi o ns ar e fi n al 

a n d o pti o ns 1 a n d 4 ar e eli mi n at e d t h e n o pti o n 3 b ec o m es t h e o nl y r e m ai ni n g vi a bl e alt er n ati v e f or 

S e atr ax, Dixi e a n d ot h er pr o p erti es o n G u nt h er L a n e. 

Pl e as e all o w m e t o ex pl ai n w h y o pti o n 3 r e m ai ns t h e o nl y vi a bl e alt er n ati v e. I n or d er t o d o s o I m ust 

pr o vi d e y o u wit h a bri ef hist or y r el ati n g t o t h e R ail Pr oj ect a n d P et ers R o a d Pr oj ect. 

As e arl y as Oct o b er 2 0 1 3, I st art e d c o m m u nic ati o ns wit h t h e L o uisi a n a D O T D a n d s h ortl y t h er e aft er wit h 

Pl a q u e mi n es P aris h L a n d D e p art m e nt a n d G C R, I nc. r e g ar di n g t h e 2 pr oj ects. Ulti m at el y, w e w er e 

i nf or m e d t h at w e w o ul d l os e 1. 4 3 9 acr es fr o nti n g E n gi n e ers R o a d a n d . 1 4 3 acr es o n t h e f ar w est si d e of 

t h e pr o p ert y f or a t ot al l a n d l oss of 1. 5 8 2 acr es ( a eri al o v erl a y att ac h e d). O n e of t h e bi g g est pr o bl e ms 

wit h t h e l oss of l a n d o n E n gi n e ers R o a d is t h at all m ari n e cr a n es, p arts a n d s u p pli es m ust b e 

r el oc at e d. T h es e ar e m ari n e cr a n es a n d n ot l a n d cr a n es t h at h a v e tr ac ks a n d ar e m o bil e. H er e ar e t h e 

iss u es. First, a n y l a n d t o b e us e d f or r el oc ati o n m ust b e st a biliz e d a n d h a v e a p pr o pri at e dr ai n a g e. 

S ec o n d, it m ust b e a bl e t o h ol d t h e w ei g ht of m ari n e cr a n es pl us h e a v y e q ui p m e nt i n a d diti o n t o 1 8 

w h e el er tr uc ks. T hir d, t h er e m ust m e a s e p ar at e e ntr y a n d exit t o l o a d a n d offl o a d cr a n es fr o m tr uc ks as 

w e c urr e ntl y h a v e o n E n gi n e ers R o a d. F o urt h, t h er e m ust b e e n o u g h r o o m t o acc o m m o d at e m ulti pl e 1 8 

w h e el er tr uc ks t h at ar e r e q uir e d t o tr a ns p ort cr a n es. L ast b ut c ert ai nl y n ot l e ast, t h er e is a n e n or m o us 

ex p e ns e f or l a b or, e q ui p m e nt a n d tr a ns p ort ati o n ass oci at e d wit h t h e dis ass e m bli n g a n d r e ass e m bli n g 

of m ari n e cr a n es. 

A n ot h er bi g pr o bl e m is t h at o ur b uil di n g l oc at e d at 2 0 6 G u nt h er L a n e ( b uil di n g # 1) will n o l o n g er b e 

s uit e d t o r e p air cr a n es b ec a us e of t h e l a n d l oss a n d t h e hi g h w a y ri g ht of w a y w hic h will o nl y b e 1 5’ fr o m 

t h e c or n er of t h e b uil di n g. W e will n ot h a v e a n y l a y d o w n y ar d f or t h e r e p air of cr a n es. 

If w e r el oc at e t h e cr a n es t o t h e s o ut h w est c or n er of t h e pr o p ert y, w e will n ot b e a bl e t o ex p a n d o ur 

b uil di n g at 2 3 0 G u nt h er L a n e ( b uil di n g # 6) as pl a n n e d b ec a us e t h e ar e a will b e n e e d e d f or cr a n e 

st or a g e. 
T o s ol v e t his pr o bl e m, t h e b uil di n g l oc at e d at 2 2 5/ 2 2 7 G u nt h er L a n e w as p urc h as e d as a r e pl ac e m e nt 

f or 2 0 6 G u nt h er L a n e. 

If o pti o n # 2 is s el ect e d, t h e r ailr o a d tr ac ks will g o t hr o u g h t h e 2 2 5/ 2 2 7 G u nt h er L a n e b uil di n g ( att ac h e d). 

L osi n g t h at b uil di n g wit h t h e l oss of t h e i nt e n d e d us e of b uil di n g # 1 i n a d diti o n t o t h e l oss of t h e m et al 

b ul k h e a d a n d d oc k s p ac e o n t h e I ntr ac o ast al C a n al a dj ac e nt t o 2 2 5/ 2 2 7 G u nt h er L a n e will b e 

d e v ast ati n g t o t h e o p er ati o ns of S e atr ax M ari n e Cr a n es. T h e c o m p a n y m a y b e f orc e d t o r el oc at e o ut of 

t h e ar e a b ec a us e t h er e ar e n o s uit a bl e b uil di n gs a n d l a n d a v ail a bl e t h at c o ul d s atisf y all t h e n e e ds of t h e 

m ari n e cr a n e b usi n ess. 

I n c o ncl usi o n, t h e r e p air, m ai nt e n a nc e, st or a g e a n d tr a ns p ort ati o n of m ari n e cr a n es is a u ni q u e a n d 

hi g hl y s p eci aliz e d i n d ustr y. G u nt h er L a n e pr o vi d es a n exc ell e nt v e n u e f or o p er ati o ns. T h e l oss of t h e 

2 2 5/ 2 2 7 b uil di n g o n G u nt h er L a n e i n a d diti o n t o t h e l oss of l a n d a n d d oc k s p ac e o n t h e I ntr ac o ast al 

C a n al m a y b e a n i ns ur m o u nt a bl e b arri er t o o v erc o m e. F or t his r e as o n a n d t h e r e as o ns st at e d a b o v e, I 

r es p ectf ull y r e q u est f or o pti o n # 2 t o b e r e m o v e d fr o m c o nsi d er ati o n. I d o n ot t hi n k t h at a n y of t h e 

o pti o ns will a d v ers el y aff ect a n y ot h er b usi n ess as m uc h as o pti o n 2 will aff ect t h e o p er ati o ns 

of S e atr ax. 

I w o ul d a p pr eci at e a c o nfir m ati o n of r ec ei pt of t his e m ail. 

T h a n k y o u f or y o ur ti m e a n d c o nsi d er ati o n t o t his v er y i m p ort a nt m att er f or S e atr ax. 

Ki n d R e g ar ds, 

M ars h all G. H e b ert 

5 0 4- 3 9 4- 4 6 0 8 # 2 6 6 

m h e b ert @ dixi es er v.c o m 

D- 1 8

 
D- 1 9
D- 2 0
D- 2 1
D- 2 2
Fr o m: Sc ott E ustis <sc ott @ h e alt h y g ulf. or g > 

S e nt: M o n d a y, M a y 1 4, 2 0 1 8 6: 1 6 P M 

T o: L A 2 3 p u blici nf o; r pc @ n or pc. or g 

Cc: N g u y e n, M ay; M att R ot a; N at ali e M o nt o y a; g uti err ez.r a ul @ e p a. g o v; 

D a nl e y, C h els e a T 

S u bj ect: G R N c o m m e nts o n L a 2 3 R ail R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect E n vir o n m e nt al 

Ass ess m e nt 

Att ac h m e nts: G R N C o m m e nt L A 2 3 R ail R el oc ati o n N E P A Pr oj ect; Gr a nt # Fr- RL D0 0 3 2- 1 4- 0 1- 0 0. p df 

R E: La 2 3 Rail Rel ocati o n Pr oject E n vir o n me ntal Assess me nt Fr- R L D- 0 0 3 2- 1 4- 0 0 Gra nt # FrR L D- 0 0 3 2- 1 4- 0 1- 0 0 

See Attac he d f or o ur c o m me nts o n t his pr oject. 

T ha n k y o u f or y o ur w or k a n d y o ur ti me, 

-- 

Sc ott E ustis 

C o m m u nit y Scie nce Direct or 

G ulf Rest or ati o n Net w or k 

3 3 0 C ar o n del et St. 

S uite 3 0 0 

Ne w Orle a ns, L A 7 0 1 3 0 

tel: 5 0 4- 5 2 5- 1 5 2 8 x 2 1 2 

m o bil e: 5 0 4 4 8 4 9 5 9 9

w w w. healt h y g ulf. or g 

G R N o n face b o o k 

@ Healt h y G ulf 

D- 2 3
1 5 M a y 2 0 1 8 

R E: ​L a 2 3 R ail R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect E n vir o n m e nt al Ass ess m e nt 

Fr- RL D- 0 0 3 2- 1 4- 0 0 Gr a nt # Fr- RL D- 0 0 3 2- 1 4- 0 1- 0 0 

L A 2 3 p u blici nf o @ h dri nc.c o m 

r pc @ n or pc. or g 

D e ar Mr R o es el, a n d T o W h o m It M a y C o nc er n, 

I a m writi n g o n b e h alf of G ulf R est or ati o n N et w or k (“ G R N”). W e h a v e s eri o us c o nc er ns a b o ut 

t h e F O N SI a n d E A, b as e d o n i m p acts t o f astl a n d w etl a n ds, st or m w at er dr ai n a g e, wil dlif e 

h a bit at, a n d e n vir o n m e nt al r acis m, p artic ul arl y f or Afric a n A m eric a n a n d N ati v e A m eric a n 

p o p ul ati o n. W e h a v e c o m m e nt e d t o t h e R P C d uri n g sc o pi n g o n t h e n e e d t o pr ot ect c o ast al 

c o m m u niti es s uc h as O a k vill e a n d Ir o nt o n fr o m dis pr o p orti o n at e r ail i m p acts. T h es e 

c o m m u niti es h a v e a l o n g hist or y of v oici n g t h eir c o nc er ns a b o ut t h e r ail. T h es e i m p acts, s uc h 

as n ois e, air p oll uti o n, a n d i m p act o n e m er g e nc y v e hicl e tr affic, ar e si g nific a nt i n o ur li n e ar 

c o ast al c o m m u niti es. T h e y h a v e b e e n l eft o ut of t h e sc o p e of t h e c urr e nt E A, d es pit e o ur 

sc o pi n g c o m m e nts. 

T h e Pr ef err e d Alt er n ati v e will h a v e dis pr o p orti o n at e i m p act t o Afric a n A m eric a n a n d N ati v e 

A m eric a n c o m m u niti es i n J eff ers o n a n d Pl a q u e mi n es P aris h. W e f e el t h e st u d y excl u d e d 

d o w nri v er c o m m u niti es fr o m t h e sc o p e, u nf airl y, alt h o u g h t h es e c o m m u niti es will cl e arl y b e 

i m p act e d. R ail tr affic h as b e e n pr oj ect e d t o d o u bl e b y 2 0 4 0. W e c a n n ot excl u d e O a k vill e a n d 

Ir o nt o n c o m m u niti es a n d t h eir bl oc k gr o u ps fr o m t his a n al ysis, b ec a us e t h e y ar e t h e ​d esti n ati o n 

of t h e i ncr e as e d r ail tr affic. 

W h e n w e r e- ex a mi n e t h e bl oc k gr o u ps, b as e d o n w h o t h e r ail tr affic will act u all y i m p act, w e ar e 

f orc e d t o c o nsi d er O pti o n 1, o n t h e w est si d e of t h e H ar v e y C a n al, as t h e b ett er o pti o n t h at 

c o m pli es wit h Ex ec uti v e Or d ers o n E n vir o n m e nt al J ustic e. W e f e el t h at t h e p u blic w o ul d b e 

b ett er s er v e d a n d R P C c o ul d c o m pl y wit h t h e l a w if i m p acts t o all aff ect e d EJ c o m m u niti es w er e 

c o nsi d er e d, as w e h a d r e q u est e d d uri n g sc o pi n g, i n a n E n vir o n m e nt al I m p act St at e m e nt. 

 ​ G R N is a di v ers e c o aliti o n of i n di vi d u al citiz e ns a n d l oc al, r e gi o n al, a n d n ati o n al or g a niz ati o ns c o m mitt e d t o u niti n g a n d e m p o w eri n g p e o pl e t o 

pr ot ect a n d r est or e t h e n at ur al r es o urc es of t h e G ulf of M exic o. 

D- 2 4
W e a p pr eci at e t h e a p plic a nt's c o nsi d er ati o n of fl o o d pl ai n f or est w etl a n ds. Pr ot ect e d Si d e 

W etl a n d F or est m ust b e miti g at e d i n- ki n d, a n d i n- b asi n, as w as d o n e f or t h e U S A C E h urric a n e 

pr ot ecti o n s yst e m. Wit hi n t h e G N O p ol d ers, pr ot ect e d si d e fl o o d pl ai n f or est pr o vi d es r ai n w at er 

r et e nti o n t h at eff ecti v el y i ncr e as es t h e p u m pi n g c a p acit y, a n d t h us t h e a bilit y of t h e dr ai n a g e 

s yst e m i n t h es e p aris h es t o r e d uc e fl o o d ris k d uri n g " 1 i n 5 0 0" r ai ns t h at ar e n o w h a p p e ni n g 

n e arl y e v er y y e ar, as t h e G ulf of M exic o S S T i ncr e as es, a n d t h e air a b o v e J eff ers o n a n d 

Pl a q u e mi n es P aris h es h ol ds m or e w at er as a r es ult. Pr ot ect e d si d e fl o o d pl ai n f or est pr ot ects 

s u b ur b a n ar e as i n J eff ers o n a n d Pl a q u e mi n es, as w ell as t h e Air b as e, fr o m hi g h wi n ds a n d 

gr e at er f etc h. T h es e ar e as ar e vit al as t h e l ast c o ns oli d at e d ar e as f or mi gr ati n g bir ds t h at 

r e q uir e n o n-fr a g m e nt e d c a n o p y h a bit at. T h er e is a m pl e o p p ort u nit y t o pr es er v e i n- ki n d, 

i n- pl ac e f or est w etl a n d f u ncti o n wit hi n c o ast al G N O f or est, b y pr es er vi n g t h e r e m ai ni n g f or est 

tr acts ar o u n d E n glis h T ur n, a n d i n N e w Orl e a ns E ast. 

W e as k t h at t h e fi n al miti g ati o n pl a n, i ncl u di n g a pl a n t o c o m p e ns at e f or t h es e pr ot ect e d si d e 

fl o o d pl ai n f or ests, b e i ncl u d e d i n a n E n vir o n m e nt al I m p act St at e m e nt. 

I n or d er t o k e e p us a n d t h e p u blic pr o p erl y i nf or m e d, w e r e q u est n otific ati o n of wit h dr a w als, 

a p pr o v als, a n d/ or c h a n g es t o t his pr oj ect. 

W e l o o k f or w ar d t o a writt e n r es p o ns e. 

F or a h e alt h y G ulf, 

[s e nt vi a e- m ail] 

Sc ott E ustis, 

C o m m u nit y Sci e nc e Dir ect or 

G ulf R est or ati o n N et w or k 

3 3 0 C ar o n d el et Str e et, 3r d Fl o or 

N e w Orl e a ns, L A 7 0 1 3 0 

( 5 0 4) 5 2 5. 1 5 2 8 x 2 1 2 

Sc ott @ h e alt h y g ulf. or g 

Cc: M att R ot a, S e ni or P olic y Dir ect or 

 N at ali e M o nt o y a, W etl a n d A n al yst 

 M a y N g u y e n, T ul a n e E n vir o n m e nt al L a w Cli nic 

 R a ul G uti err ez, U. S. E P A, R e gi o n 6 

D- 2 5
D- 2 6

Gr ac e M orris, Si err a Cl u b 
Fr o m: R a y F u e nz ali d a <r a yf @ h ar v e yc a n al.c o m > 

S e nt: T u es d a y, M a y 1 5, 2 0 1 8 1 0: 3 8 A M 

T o: L A 2 3 p u blici nf o 

S u bj ect: R ailr o a d r el oc ati o n 

D- 2 7

As a la n d o w ner o n t he Har ve y Ca nal a n d a sta ke h ol der i n t he f ut ure of t he West ba n k as a w h ole, 

t he rail rel ocati o n is a n eas y pr oject t o s u p p ort. T he EI S s h o ws n o li mitati o n o n t he rel ocati o n. 

Rail utilizati o n has c ha n ge d o ver t he years. C o ns u mer g o o ds are n o l o n ger tra ns p orte d via 

rail. It a p pears t hat o nl y hea v y i n d ustrial ite ms are ( m ostl y) m o ve d via rail. T hese i ncl u de 

i n d ustrial i n p uts (s uc h as flat steel or al u mi n u m, b ul k ite ms (c oal, ore etc.) a n d c he micals (li q ui d, 

gas, fla m ma ble, c orr osi ve etc.). 

T he rail li nes t hat ser vice d cit y ce nters n o w pri maril y ser vice Hea v y I n d ustr y. O ne of t he 

left o vers of t hat b y g o ne era are t he rail li nes t hat r u n t hr o u g h cit y ce nters. It is e xtre mel y 

da n ger o us t o ha ve trai ns carr yi n g da n ger o us c he micals t hr o u g h cr o w de d s u b ur ba n areas. All it 

ta kes is o ne acci de nt or act of terr or a n d t he c ost of rel ocati o n will see m a bar gai n. I fi n d it 

a mazi n g t hat t here is e ve n de bate a b o ut rel ocati n g t he rail li nes. Y o u ha ve t o get t hese rail li nes 

o ut of t he cities. N ot o nl y will t hat s ol ve t he i ncre di ble life safet y iss ue b ut it will p ositi o n t he 

i n d ustrial c orri d or t o gr o w faster a n d safer t ha n e ver bef ore. T he e ntire Peters R oa d c orri d or, t he 

e xte nsi o n i nt o Pla q ue mi nes a n d t he c o nti n uati o n t o t he e xisti n g c he mical c o m pa nies a n d t he P ort 

e x pa nsi o n al o n g Hi g h wa y 2 3 will be nefit fr o m t his rel ocati o n. It's great f or t he b usi ness 

c o m m u nit y a n d it's e ve n better f or t he resi de ntial c o m m u nit y t hat will n o l o n ger ha ve t he railr oa d 

i n its bac k yar d. 

We str o n gl y s u p p ort t his rel ocati o n. T ha n k y o u. 

-- 

Ra y F ue nzali da 

Ge neral Ma n ger 

Har ve y Ca nal Li mite d Part ners hi p 

P. O. B o x 1 8 7 

Har ve y, La 7 0 0 5 8 

5 0 4- 3 4 0- 9 0 9 8 
1  

D- 2 8

Fr o m: R o y P. D w yer 

Na nc y S. D w yer, M S W 

 5 4 2 First A ve n ue 

 Har ve y, La. 7 0 0 5 8 

T o: L A 2 3 p u blic i nf o @ h dri nc.c o m 

S u bject: T he pr o p ose d L A 2 3 Rail Rel ocati o n P E / N E P A Pr oject Jeffers o n & Pla q ue mi nes Paris hes 

T o: T he Metr o p olita n Ne w Or lea ns re gi o nal Pla n ni n g C o m missi o n 

We li ve i n t he St. R osalie Sc h o ol nei g h b or h o o d i n Har v e y, La a n d t ha n k y o u t hat t he pr o p ose d rer o uti n g 

of t he trai ns is n ot g oi n g d o w n Destre ha n A ve. i n Har ve y. 

T he Marc h 2 0 1 8 E n vir o n me ntal Assess me nt a n d t he Pla q ue mi nes Paris h 2 0 0 2 I nter m o dal Feasi bilit y 

St u d y state t hat t he pr o p ose d railr oa d l ocati o n w o ul d: 

O pe n areas f or f ut ure i n d ustrial de vel o p me nt. 

 I m pr o ve p u blic safet y. 

 Relie ve c o n gesti o n. 

 Re d uce f uel c o ns u m pti o n. 

 I m pr o ve e mer ge nc y e vac uati o n r o utes. 

 E n ha nce t he q ualit y of life. 

 I m pr o ve efficie nc y of rail o perati o ns. 

 Re d uce p u blic e x p os ure t o s o me hazar d o us materials wit hi n resi de ntial a n d c o m mercial areas. 

 I m pr o ve p u blic safet y access f or fire, p olice, a n d a m b ula nce res p o nse. 

 I ncrease e m pl o y me nt. 

 I ncrease re ve n ue fr o m ta xes. 

 Decrease c o m m u nit y disru pti o n b y rail traffic. 
2  

 Meet f orecaste d ca pacit y de ma n ds. 

I ncrease o perati n g s pee d a n d decrease tra vel ti mes. 

I m pr o ve o perati n g c o n diti o ns. 

S o me of o ur c o ncer ns i n t he Ha r ve y Ca nal resi de ntial a n d c o m mercial areas i ncl u de t he nee ds t o: 

1) “I m pr o ve safet y, “I ncrease rail wa y o peratin g s pee ds a n d decrease tra vel ti mes,” a n d t he 

p ote ntial f or h u ma n err or. 

I ha ve bee n t ol d t hat trains s pee d o n t he trac ks o n 4 t h St. i n t he earl y m or ni n g h o urs. T he s har p c ur ve 

pr o p ose d at t he i ntersecti o n of Peters R d. a n d 4 t h St. i n Har ve y w o ul d be ver y da n ger o us beca use of t he 

p ote ntial f or derail me nts of trai n cars carr yi n g hazar d o us, p ois o n o us, hi g hl y fla m ma bl e, e x pl osi ve 

s u bsta nces. Ver y ma n y of t he cars are la bele d wit h haz mat s y m b ols. T he trac ks are relati vel y strai g ht 

u ntil t he pr o p ose d s har p c ur ve. If a trai n ta kes t he c u r ve t o o fast, derail me nt a n d s pilla ge c o ul d res ult i n 

e x pl osi o n, fire, p ois o n o us f u mes, b ur ns , i nj uries, deat h. St. R osalie Kin der garte n a n d St R osalie o ut d o or 

s wi m mi n g p o ol are a b o ut 1 2 0 0 feet acr oss t he narr o w Har ve y Ca nal fr o m t he pr o p ose d trac k. T he 

resi de nces s urr o u n di n g t he peri p her y of t he c ur ve are m uc h cl oser. T his c ur ve is a n i n vitati o n t o 

disaster, i nj uries, l oss of life, a n d la ws uits. 

L oc o m oti ves na vi gati n g a c ur ve ha ve t o e xert m ore p o wer a n d ca use da ma ge t o trac ks, trai n w heels, 

p u nct ure rail cars a n d ca n lea d t o derail me nts. P u nct u re d rail cars ca n res ult i n t he s pilla ge of hazar d o us 

c o nte nts. T he hi g h ce nter of gra vit y o n t he pla n ne d us e of d o u ble stac k rail cars o n a s har p t ur n ca n lea d 

t o s pilla ge a n d derail me nts. 

Gret na w o ul d be d o w n wi n d t he maj or it y of t he ti me fr o m t he pr o p ose d c ur ve. A n acci de nt, derail me nt, 

e x pl osi o n, fla mes, or p ois o n o us va p ors w o ul d ha ve a hi g h li keli h o o d of bei n g bl o w n i n t he directi o n of 

t he paris h seat. S o me e mer ge nc y ve hicles c o ul d be i m pe de d fr o m access. Please c hec k t he l ocal haz mat 

direct or y f or c he micals t hat are n o w bei n g tra ns p orte d b y rail t hr o u g h t he c orri d or. N ote es peciall y t he 

dista nces d o w n wi n d t hat w o ul d ha ve t o be e vac uate d gi ve n t he hazar d o us nat ure of s o me of t he 

c o m p o u n ds. 

2) I m pr o ve P u blic Safet y access f o r fire, p olice, a n d a m b ula nce res p o nse. 

D- 2 9

Hist oricall y, t he railr oa d has bee n i n Gret na a n d Belle C hasse since t he 1 8 0 0s. T he t o w ns gre w u p 

ar o u n d t he trac ks. After t he railr oa d was create d, w h y di d Gret na all o w resi de nces, b usi nesses, 

c o m m u nit y ser vices, par ks, a h os pital ( n ot i n i nc o r p orate d Gret na) b uilt i n t he 1 9 6 0s or 1 9 7 0s t o be 

b uilt, a n d t he n deci de t hat t he railr oa d ma kes Gret na i naccessi ble t o e mer ge nc y ve hicles? Gret na c o ul d 

b uil d o ver passes or u n der passes at s o me of t he maj or cr ossi n gs. T here is e xtra la n d ar o u n d t he 
3  

G o ul ds b or o yar d w here per ha ps t he ra ils c o ul d be el o n gate d s o l o n g trai ns w o ul d n ot ha ve t o be bac ke d 

u p as m uc h o n Ma dis o n Street. T he pr o p ose d “ N ort h er n ter mi n us” area of Ha r ve y has e n o u g h hazar ds, 

p oll uti o n, trai ns, ta n k far m e missi o ns, c he mical s pill s, t o xic waste sites a n d i n d ustr y alrea d y, wit h o ut 

Gret na a n d Belle C hasse a n d Al gi ers atte m pti n g t o f urt her e n da n ger Har ve y resi de nts a n d b usi nesses b y 

a d v ocati n g f or t he rer o uti n g of trai ns t o Peters R oa d. C o m bi ni n g maj or mari ne, trai n a n d ve hicle r o utes 

at a si n gle p oi nt is da n ger o us f or all c o ncer ne d. 

I M P O R T A N T: T here are da n ger o us j o bs o n a n d al o n g t he Har ve y Ca nal a n d o n t he ri ver. E xtre mel y 

da n ger o us s u bsta nces c o me t hr o u g h t he Har ve y Ca nal a n d b y tr uc k a n d rail. If t he trai ns use t he e xact 

prese nt Peters R oa d a ba n d o ne d N P R R H o o ker S p ur R O W trac k ali g n me nt, it w o ul d t otall y c ut off s o me 

b usi nesses al o n g t he east si de of t he Har ve y Ca nal fr o m E mer ge nc y Ve hicle access. Please see fi g ure 3-

1 3 o n p. 3- 5 of t he Marc h 2 0 1 8 E A. E mer ge nc y ve hi cle access is alrea d y restricte d w he n t he 4 t h Street 

Bri d ge a n d La palc o Bri d ges are raise d or cl ose d f or re pair, t he Har ve y T u n nel is cl ose d, as it fre q ue ntl y 

is, f or mai nte na nce, or w he n access o n t he ele vate d p orti o n of t he West ba n k E x pr ess wa y is bl oc ke d off, 

or li mite d beca use of acci de nts or r us h h o ur traffic. 

3) I m pr o ve E mer ge nc y E vac uati o n R o utes. 

W he n t here is a h urrica ne a p pr oac h i n g t here is a m ple war ni n g. T he trai ns w o ul d n ot be r u n ni n g. T he y 

w o ul d n ot be i n t he wa y. T heref ore, rer o uti n g t he trai ns w o ul d n ot i m pr o ve H urrica ne E vac uati o n 

r o utes. Wit h t he ta n k far ms, hazar d o us j o bs al o n g t he Mississi p pi Ri ver a n d t he Har ve y Ca nal, t he 

p ote ntial f or terr oris m a n d i nj uries, pl us all t he ha zar d o us material bei n g tra ns p orte d t hr o u g h t he Har ve y 

Ca nal b y b oat, bar ge, a n d via trai n i n o ur N ort her n Har ve y pr o p ose d “ter mi n us” area; if a n y c o m m u nit y 

nee de d safe e vac uati o n r o utes, a n d t he nee d f or e m er ge nc y ser vices t o get t hr o u g h, it is o urs. T he 

e x pecte d le n gt h y trai ns w o ul d c u t off w or kers a n d resi de nts near t he ri ver, t he Har ve y Ca nal, 4t h Street 

a n d Peters R oa d fr o m e mer ge nc y access, a n d fr o m e vac uati o n. 

 

4) Re d uce p u blic e x p os ure t o s o me hazar d o us material s wit hi n resi de ntial a n d c o m mercial areas, 

re d uce f uel c o ns u m pti o n, a n d i m pr o ve air q ualit y. 

D- 3 0

I n o ur n ort her n Har ve y c o m m u nit y, we are alrea d y at greater ris k t o bei n g e x p ose d t o hazar d o us 

materials i n o ur resi de ntial a n d c o m mercial areas. T he Pla q ue mi nes Paris h pr o p ose d p ort pla ns t o nee d 

1. 3- mile-l o n g trai ns p ulle d b y at least t w o l oc o m o ti ves eac h, c o mi n g t hr o u g h Har ve y 1 3- 2 1 ti mes dail y 

b y 2 0 4 0. T he 2 0 0 2 Pla q ue mi nes I nter m o dal Feasi bilit y a nal ysis i n dicate d t he nee d t o tra ns p ort d o u blestac k c o ntai ners o n 5, 0 0 0’ l o n g trai ns. L oc o m oti ves ha ve t o use m uc h m ore p o wer t o ne g otiate a c ur ve. 

Wit h t hat m uc h wei g ht a n d m ulti ple l oc o m oti ves per trai n, m ore diesel f uel w o ul d be nee de d, a n d m ore 

partic ulate matter w o ul d be e x pelle d i nt o t he air we breat he. O ur b usi nesses a n d resi de nces will be 

e x p ose d t o m ore air b or ne s u bsta n ces i ncl u di n g nitr o ge n o xi de, s ul p h ur di o xi de, s ulf uric aci d mist, 

a m m o nia s ul p hate particles, v olat ile or ga nic c o m p o u n ds, car b o n m o n o xi de, etc. Diesel f u mes w o ul d be 
4  

c o mi n g i nt o o ur nei g h b or h o o d fr o m b ot h t he N ort h a n d Ea st directi o ns, pr o ba bl y c o nce ntrati n g it m ore 

t ha n t wice as m uc h as a n y w here else al o n g t he prese nt trai n r o ute. We alread y ha ve diesel f u mes fr o m 

near b y trai ns, b oats c o mi n g t hr o u g h t he ca nal, a n d b oats bei n g b uilt a n d re paire d al o n g Peters R oa d a n d 

Destre ha n A ve n ue. All t his w o ul d p ut t he st u de nts of St. R osalie Ele me ntar y a n d Presc h o ol, La urate 

Aca de m y Ki n der garte n, t he e m pl o yees, a n d resi de nts at greater ris k f or as t h ma, l u n g diseases, l u n g 

ca ncer, ki d ne y da ma ge, heart disease, heart attac k, or ga n da ma ge d ue t o de pleti o n of o x y ge n fr o m 

car b o n m o n o xi de, pre mat ure deat h, etc. 

I n t he Traffic Assess me nt ( 2 0 1 5), I did n ot see a n y a nal ysis of t he mari ne traffic t hat c o mes t hr o u g h t he 

Har ve y Ca nal as was d o ne at t he GI W W. H o w ma n y ti mes a da y is t he Har ve y Ca nal Bri d ge raise d f or 

mari ne traffic? H o w ma n y mari ne vessels c o me t h r o u g h t he ca nal per da y? We di d n’t see a n y a nal ysis 

of pr ojecte d mari ne traffic dela ys t o be ca use d b y t he n u m ber of trains cr ossi n g t he Har ve y Ca nal trai n 

bri d ge. We di d n ot see a nal ysis of t he dela ys w hic h mari ne traffic will ca use f ut ure i ncrease d rail traffic. 

Was a n a nal ysis d o ne o n t he a m o u nt of ti me ve hicles prese ntl y wait o n mari ne traffic c o m pare d t o t he 

pr o p ose d f ut ure wait ti mes f or ve hicles dela ye d b y b ot h trai n traffic a n d mari ne traffic at t he sa me 

i ntersecti o n? W here else w o ul d rail, mari ne, a n d ve hicle traffic c o n ver ge o n o ne i ntersecti o n? It’s a deal 

brea ker. T his w o ul d ma ke 4 t h Street, Peters r oa d a n d Destre ha n A ve n ue i m passa ble f or ve hicles, a n d 

greatl y hi n der mari ne traffic. 

F o urt h Street, a maj or state hi g h wa y, is alrea d y bac k e d u p f or bl oc ks w he n t he Har ve y Ca nal Bri d ge is 

raise d se veral ti mes dail y. Jeffers o n Paris h hel pe d t o f u n d t he E A w hic h ca me t o t he c o ncl usi o n of 

F O N SI. T he pr ojecte d i m pacts of i ncrease d trai n tra ffic cr ossi n g F o urt h Street, o n mari ne a n d ve hicle 

traffic s h o ul d be st u die d, t h o u g h n ot i n t he s u m mer w he n traffic is li g hter. 

D ue t o dela ys, m ore f uel will be c o ns u me d a n d t h e e n vir o n me nt w o ul d bec o me m ore p oll ute d b y i dli n g 

trai ns waiti n g f or mari ne traffic, i dli n g mari ne vessels waiti n g f or trai ns, a n d i dli n g ve hicles waiti n g f or 

trai ns a n d mari ne vessels. A d d t o t his, t he i ncreased air p oll uti o n fr o m l oc o m oti ves usi n g m ore p o wer t o 

ma na ge t he c ur ve. Ve hicles alrea d y c o ns u me m ore f uel t o a v oi d t he 4 t h Street Bri d ge w he n it is raise d, 

b y g oi n g t hr o u g h t he Har ve y T u n nel (re g ularl y cl os e d f or mai nte na nce), t he ele vate d West ba n k 

E x press wa y ( ofte n bac ke d u p at r u s h h o ur or bl oc ke d d ue t o acci de nts), or e ve n t he La palc o Bri d ge 

( w hic h is s o meti mes raise d, wit h traffic bac ke d u p). Traffic gets bac ke d u p at all t hese places. T hese 

bl oc ka ges als o create o bstacles f o r e mer ge nc y ve hicles. T he pr o p ose d rer o uti n g of t he trai ns w o ul d 

ha ve si g nifica nt i m pact, wit h i ncreas e d dela ys f or mari ne a n d ve hicle traffic, res ulti n g i n e xcess f uel 

c o ns u m pti o n a n d p o orer air q ualit y. 

5) Ma n h o ur C osts, relie ve c o n gesti o n, re d uce dela ys. 

D- 3 1

Ma n h o ur c osts f or dela ys were st u die d f or t he E n vi r o n me ntal Assess me nt i n Gret na. I di d n ot see a 

c o m parati ve c ost i n ma n- h o urs t hat c urre nt a n d f ut ure trai n acti vit y w o ul d create f or mari ne o perat ors 

a n d e m pl o yees. T he c urre nt a n d f ut ure ma n h o ur c osts t o mari ne traffic f or dela ys b y a d diti o nal trai n 
5  

traffic nee ds t o be st u die d. F ut ure Peters R oa d ma n h o ur c osts f or trai ns bl oc ki n g b usi nesses a n d 

cr ossi n gs nee d t o be st u die d, a n d t he p ote ntial t hat t he trai n bl oc kages ma y p ut s o me c o m pa nies o ut of 

b usi ness. F ut ure pre dicte d ma n h o ur c osts nee d t o be st u die d f or trai ns waiti n g f or mari ne traffic t o pass 

t hr o u g h t he Har ve y Ca nal. F ut ure pre dicte d ma n h o ur c osts nee d t o i ncl u de t he ti mes m ot orists i n 

ve hicles w o ul d wait f or trai ns t o pass, a n d e xtra ti me f or ve hic ular traffic t o fi n d alter nati ve r o utes. T his 

s h o ul d i ncl u de traffic bl oc ke d at i ntersecti o ns i n Marrer o a n d West we g o als o. 

T o c o me t o a c o ncl usi o n of F O N SI, t hese nee d t o be e val uate d als o. 

T he pr ojecti o n is f or 1 3 – 2 1 trai ns dail y, a n d t hat tr ai ns ca n be u p t o 1. 3 miles i n le n gt h. A 1. 3- milel o n g trai n w o ul d bl oc k 4t h St. f or a b o ut 1 3 mi n utes if it ma kes t he t ur n at 5 miles per h o ur. T hirtee n 

trai ns per da y w o ul d bl oc k 4t h St., a state hi g h wa y, f or 1 6 9 mi n utes a day, al m ost 3 h o urs. E ve n if all t he 

trai ns are n ot t hat l o n g, t his state Hi g h wa y 1 8( 4t h Street), w o ul d be bl oc ke d at least t w o h o urs a da y. B y 

2 0 4 0 t he pr ojecte d n u m ber of trai ns per da y is esti mate d t o be 2 1, w hic h w o ul d bl oc k H w y 1 8/ 4 t h Street, 

f or 4 1⁄2 h o urs dail y. T hese dela ys d o n ot c o u nt t he ti me t he 4t h Street Bri d ge is raise d f or mari ne traffic. 

5 miles per h o ur ma y be a t o o o pti mistic a n esti mate c o nsi deri n g t he s har p ness of t he pr o p ose d c ur ve, 

a n d t hat t he pla n is f or d o u ble stac ke d car g o c o nt ai ners ( 2 0 0 2 Pla q ue mi nes I nter m o dal St u d y) w hic h 

ha ve a m uc h hi g her ce nter of gra vit y, ma ki n g t he m a greater ris k f or de rail me nt. We belie ve t hat t he 

pr o p ose d t ur n is pr o ba bl y ti g hter t h a n a n y ot her c ur ves o n t he c urre nt r o ute. A d diti o nall y, t he t ur n 

w o ul d be cl ose t o resi de ntial areas. 

Als o, trai ns bl oc ki n g 4 t h St. will i m pe de access t o a n d fr o m t he west t o Jeffers o n Paris h G o ver n me nt 

b uil di n gs, l ocate d i n Gret na. T his w o ul d create ma n- h o ur c osts eit her waiti n g, or fi n di n g less direct 

alter nate r o utes, a n d usi n g m o re f uel, a n d p oll uti n g m ore. 

Mari ne traffic has t he ri g ht- of - wa y o ver rail b ut if a trai n i n alrea d y o ver t he Har ve y Ca nal, t he b oat will 

ha ve t o wait, creati n g p ote ntial pr o ble ms w he n t he ri ve r is hi g h, beca use of faster c urre nt. Hi g h ri ver 

le vels are a n a n n ual occ urre nce. E xtra mari ne f uel w o ul d be nee de d t o c o u nter t he c urre nt, lea di n g t o 

m ore f uel c o ns u m pti o n, a n d diesel p oll uti o n. Trai ns o n t he east si de of t he ca nal w o ul d bl oc k access 

a n d e gress t o b usi nesses o n t he Har ve y Ca nal. A l o n g trai n st o p pe d al o n g F o urt h Street, o n t he west 

si de of t he Har ve y Ca nal, c o ul d si m ulta ne o usl y bl oc k b ot h t he Destre ha n A ve n ue a n d Barataria 

B o ule var d access p oi nts t o a n d fr o m Ri ver R oa d, li miti n g e mer ge nc y access t o da n ger o us j o bs al o n g t he 

ri verfr o nt. 

6) E n ha nce d Q ualit y of Li fe Aest hetics, Hist or y 

Wit h t he pr o p ose d Peters R oa d alte r nati ve, t he “ n ort her n ter mi n us,” o ur nei g h b or h o o d w o ul d recei ve t he 

“ hi g hest n oise i m pact,” vi brati o ns, o d ors, air p oll uti o n fr o m al o n g b ot h t he n ort h ( 4 t h

D- 3 2

 Street/ State H w y. 

1 8) a n d fr o m t he east ( Peters R oa d) directi o ns. St. R osalie Sc h o ol is a U nite d States B oar d of E d ucati o n 

Bl ue Ri b b o n Sc h o ol of E xcelle nce. We, a n d St. R osalie C h urc h a n d Sc h o ol ,a n d La ureate Aca de m y 
6  

Ki n der garte n are l ocate d wit hi n t he vici nit y of t he c ur ve. We alrea d y ha ve n oise a n d air p oll uti o n fr o m 

t he West ba n k E x press wa y Hi g h Rise, fr o m 4t h Street trai ns, i n d ustr y, sa n d blasti n g, ta n k far m e missi o ns, 

ta n k far m sire ns, trai ns, etc. T he pr o p ose d alter nati ve, if b uilt, w o ul d ma ke t hi n gs m uc h w orse, w o ul d 

l o wer t he pr o pert y val ues of o ur nei g h b or h o o d a n d of t h ose near t he trac ks o n t he east si de of t he ca nal. 

T his w o ul d e ve nt uall y l o wer pr o pert y ta xes i n t h ese areas. T he Pla q ue mi nes C o ntai ner P ort, t he 

railr oa d, a n d i n d ustr y e x pect t he re gi o n t o ha ve i ncrease d i nc o me a n d ta xes fr o m t he pr o p ose d ve nt ure, 

yet t he E A states t hat “if it is c ost effecti ve, n oise walls, w heel tr ut hi n g ma y be i m ple me nte d.” If t he 

pr o p osal were t o be i m ple me nte d, es peciall y wit h t he a ntici pate d i ncrease d ta x re ve n ues, we w o ul d 

e x pect si g nifica nt n oise re d ucti o n meas ures. 

Re gar di n g t he E A state me nt, “t he rail rest orati o n w o ul d n ot si g nifica ntl y c ha n ge t he aest hetics of t he 

pr o p ose d c orri d or.” T he aest hetic s of t he pr o p ose d c orri d or sh o ul d be clea ne d u p, es peciall y 

c o nsi deri n g t he bea ut y t he u nsi g htli ness ecli pses. T his is pri maril y a mari ne a n d p ort c orri d or. O ur 

nei g h b or h o o ds ha ve s o me of t he sa me vi nta ge arc hitect ure t hat is f o u n d i n ol d Gr et na a n d Ne w Orlea ns. 

S o me of o ur nei g h b ors are re n o vati n g t hes e h o uses a n d p utti n g i n s wi m mi n g p o ols. 

Wal k a n d dri ve o ver t he Har ve y Ca nal Bri d ge. L o o k n ort h t o war d t he Mississ i p pi Ri ver a n d see t he 

e n or m o us ocea n- g oi n g s hi ps a n d t he fasci nati n g vari et y of mari ne vessels c o mi n g t hr o u g h t he Har ve y 

Ca nal. A p preciate bei n g a ble t o cl osel y o bser ve t he o perati o n of t he l oc ks a n d t he railr oa d bri d ge. 

Mar vel at t he a mazi n g s kill t hese b oat o perat ors di s pla y as t he y ma ne u ver lar ge vessels t hr o u g h t he 

narr o w ca nal. 

L o o k s o ut h at t he mari ne c ult ure al o n g t he ca nal: s h ri m p b oats, ca bi n cr uisers, t o ur b oats, t u g b oats 

m ot or b oats. L o o k u p, a n d al o n g t he s h ore, a n d o n t he water, t o see t he br o w n pelica ns, w hite pelica ns, 

bl ue her o ns a n d ma y be a bal d ea gle. 

G o d o w n Peters R oa d a n d Destre ha n A ve. L o o k pa st t he bli g ht a n d watc h t he a mazi n g s hi p b uil di n g 

a n d re pair acti vities o n pr o pellers, ferries, gi n ger brea d a d or ne d stea mers, pa d dle w heelers, t u g b oats, 

c ol orf ul t o ur b oats a n d w or k b oats, etc. T his is a hist orical place w ort h preser vi n g. T he Har ve y Ca nal 

was first d u g b y 1 8 4 5. Fr o m its i nce pti o n, t he Har ve y Ca na l was desi g ne d t o facilitate mari ne traffic. 

“ All of S o ut h L o uisia na a n d t he G ulf is ser vice d b y t he Har ve y Ca nal.” Was a n assess me nt d o ne o n t he 

dela ys t he pr o p ose d rer o uti n g of t he trai ns w o ul d ca use mari ne tra ffic atte m pti n g t o c o me t hr o u g h t he 

Ca nal, a n d dela ys trai ns w o ul d e x perie nce waiti n g f or b oats t o pass t hr o u g h t he Ca nal? 

T he c urre nt railr oa d r o utes are part of t he hist or y of Al giers, Gret na, Har ve y, Belle C hasse a n d 

Pla q ue mi nes Paris h si nce t he 1 8 0 0s. Gret na has preser ve d it s 1 9 0 1 frei g ht trai n de p ot o n 4t h St. n ot far 

fr o m its ori gi nal l ocati o n o n 4t h

D- 3 3

 St. 

Gret na d oes n ot wa nt trai ns near t hei r par ks, yet a par k is pla n ne d i n Har ve y ne xt t o t he m ost hazar d o us 

c ur ve o n t he pr o p ose d railr oa d r o ute, w here t he da n ge r of derail me nt is t he greatest. T he area c o ul d 

q uic kl y catc h fire or e x pl o de beca use it is l o cate d s o cl ose t o f uel relate d b usi nesses. 
7  

7) E n vir o n me ntal J ustice 

T ha n k y o u f or eli mi nati n g t he Pailet Street o pti o n fr o m t he pr o p ose d alter nati ves. E ve n s o, s o me of t he 

hi g hest c o nce ntrati o n of mi n orities, a n d t heir c o m m u nit y ser vices, as t he B. A. St. Villere Sc h o ol, da y 

care ce nters, par ks a n d ma n y c h urc h es are l ocate d near b y. Please see Fi g ure 3- 1 3 o n pa ge 3- 5 9 of t he 

E A. T he y w o ul d be i m pacte d b y vi brati o ns, n oise, diesel f u mes, ot her p oll uta nts a n d t he hazar ds of 

petr oc he mical acci de nts, m ore s o t ha n t he y are n o w. 

T he e xact H o o per S p ur a ba n d o ne d ali g n me nt ca n n ot p ossi bl y be use d al o n g t hat area of Peters R oa d 

beca use it w o ul d c ut off b usi nesses c o m pletel y o n t he West si de of Peters R oa d fr o m E mer ge nc y 

Ve hicles. ( A gai n, please see fi g ures 3- 6 o n pa ge 3- 4 0 of t he 2 0 1 8 E A.) If i m ple me nte d, w o ul d n’t 

a n ot her ali g n me nt d o w n Peters R oa d ha ve t o be use d w hic h w o ul d bri n g it cl oser t o mi n orit y resi de ntial 

p o p ulati o ns a n d c o m m u nit y ser vices? 

West we g o a n d Marrer o w o ul d als o be i m pacte d b y t h e pr ojecte d i ncrease i n trai ns ser vici n g P ort 

Pla q ue mi nes 1 3 – 2 1 ti mes dail y. D o u ble stac k trai ns , trai ns carr yi n g hazar d o us material, o ver a mile 

l o n g, p ulle d b y m ulti ple l oc o m oti ves e mitti n g t o xic diesel f u mes, w o ul d create hazar ds at m ulti ple 

cr ossi n gs i n hist oric West we g o. Tr ai n trac ks r u n near t he Sala ville Hi st orical District, acr oss fr o m t he 

or nate O ur La d y of Pr o m pt S ucc or C h urc h a n d Sc h o ol, J os h ua B utler Ele me ntar y, be hi n d t he West we g o 

Li brar y, West we g o P olice De part me nt, be hi n d at least o ne or m ore c h urc hes, a n d t he West we g o Se ni or 

Ce nter, Resi de nces a n d b usi nesses bac k u p t o t he trac ks. M yrle T h i b o dea u x Ele me ntar y is cl ose b y. 

I n Marrer o, I m mac ulate C o nce pti o n Sc h o ol. St J osep h t he W or ker C h urc h a n d Sc h o ol, a n d Cr ossfire 

Pre parat or y, gra des 1- 8, are ver y cl ose t o t he trac ks. 

I n Har ve y, acr oss t he street fr o m t he trac ks are b usi nesses, resi de nces, gr ocer y st ores, a n d ma n y 

c h urc hes. Near b y are St R osalie C h urc h a n d Ele me ntar y Sc h o ol, La urea te Aca de m y Ki n der garte n, etc. 

T hese o nl y na me a fe w. All of w hic h w o ul d be i m p acte d b y restricte d e mer ge nc y access. D o u ble stac k 

rail cars, a n d p ossi bl y c oal i n t he f ut ure, w o ul d ca use diesel a n d ot her p oll uti o ns, vi brati o ns, n oise, a n d 

c he mical hazar ds, i n t he pr ojecte d 1 3- 2 1 trai ns dail y, as l o n g as 1. 3 miles eac h. 

 

8) Meet f orecaste d ca pacit y de ma n ds, o pe n u p areas f or f ut ure i n d ustrial de vel o p me nt, i ncrease re ve n ue 

fr o m ta xes, decrease c o m m u nit y disr u pti o n b y rail, i ncrease o perati n g s pee ds an d decrease tra vel ti mes. 

D- 3 4

T he Mississi p pi Ri ver is o ne of t he greatest c o m mercial water wa ys i n t he w orl d. T he strate gic 

Pla q ue mi nes P ort is o ne of t he lar ger sea p orts i n t he U nite d States. Pla q ue mi nes P ort w o ul d be nefit 

fr o m t he m ost efficie nt railr oa d s u p p ort s yste m. T he earl y railr oa d pi o neers ha d c o ura ge t o e n visi o n 

vast e x pa nses of wil der ness tra verse d b y rail. T he y di d n ot ha ve all t he p ote nti al f u n di n g s o urces t hat 

we ha ve a vaila ble n o w. O nl y a b o ut 8 % we re fi na nce d wit h g o ver n me nt assista nce. 
8  

Al giers, Gret na, Har ve y, Belle C hasse, A v o n dale, Marrer o a n d West we g o are all i ncl u de d i n t he 

c o n gesti o n of greater Ne w Orlea ns. 

T he 2 0 0 2 Pla q ue mi nes Paris h I nter m o dal Feasi bilit y St u d y pr o p ose d t he Wester n B y pass Alter nati ve. 

T he Wester n B y pass is p ossi ble beca use: 

A. P ote ntial f u n di n g s o urces are ci te d o n pa ges 6- 1 t o 6- 8 of t he Marc h 2 0 1 8 E n vir o n me ntal 

Assess me nt. T here ma y be ma n y m ore. 

B. We ha ve a Presi de nt, a s uccessf ul b usi ness m a n, w h o pr o mise d t o i m pr o ve o ur nati o n’s 

i nfrastr uct ure. L o uisia na has his fa v or beca use L o uisia na hel pe d elect hi m. T he ti me t o see k 

s uc h f u n di n g f or i n vest me nt i n t he Wester n By pass Alter nati ve is n o w. Attac he d is a p h ot o 

of a n e xa m ple of a trestle railr oa d w hic h c o ul d cr oss la kes Sal va d or a n d Cata o uac he . T he 

trestles are s pace d a n d w o ul d ha ve less i m pact o n t he nat ural e n vir o n me nt. It mi g ht e ve n 

i m pr o ve fis hi n g al o n g t he trestle f o u n dati o ns. 

T he strai g ht trac ks w o ul d greatl y i n crease o perati n g s pee ds, decrease tra vel ti mes, a n d be less li kel y t o 

lea d t o derail me nts. T he Wester n B y pass will meet f orecaste d ca pacit y de ma n ds a n d o pe n u p ot her 

areas t o i n d ustrial de vel o p me nt. T he Wester n B y pass is t he o nl y alter nati ve if Pla q ue mi nes wa nts 

efficie nt rail ser vice t o P ort Pla q ue mi nes. If c o nstr ucti o n of t he Wester n B y pass ha d bee n be g u n s h ortl y 

after t he 2 0 0 2 I nter m o dal Feasi bilit y St u d y, it w o ul d ha ve bee n fi na nce d a n d b uilt b y n o w. It is 

i m p orta nt t o start i m ple me nti n g it as s o o n as p ossi ble. 

B y c o m paris o n, t he pr o p ose d 2 0 1 3 al ter nati ve w o ul d res ult i n ma n y trai n a n d ma n h o ur dela ys g oi n g 

t hr o u g h t he sl o wer z o nes of West we g o a n d Marrer o, t he re d uce d s pee d li m it areas of Har ve y; t he n if t he 

t h Street Bri d ge is raised, waiti n g f or mari ne traffic at t he Har ve y Ca nal, sl o wi n g d o w n t o na vi gate t he 

s har p t ur n at Peters R oa d, a n d t he n t he re d uce d s pee d d o w n t he b usi ness c orri d or of Peters R oa d. 

T he Wester n B y pass will ma ke it p ossi ble t o eli mi nate trai ns i n at G o ul ds b or o, Gret na a n d Belle C hasse, 

a n d will res ult i n i ncrease d pr o pert y val ues a n d i ncreas e d pr o pert y ta xes i n Gret na a n d Belle C hasse, a n d 

Al giers. T he Wester n B y pass w o ul d n ot re d uce t he prese nt pr o pert y val ues i n Har ve y, Marrer o a n d 

West we g o, n or decrease pr o pert y ta xes. T he Wester n B y pass will i ncrease e m pl o y me nt a n d re ve n ue 

fr o m ta xes a n d will n ot o bstr uct b usi nesses al o n g Peters R oa d. It will n ot lea d t o l oss of b usi ness a n d 

p ossi ble cl os ure of b usi nesses al o n g Peters R oa d, n or w o ul d it a d d a d diti o nal dela ys t o Har ve y Ca nal 

mari ne traffic, a n d 4 t h

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 Street ( La. H w y 1 8) ve hic ular traffic. T he Wester n B y pass w o ul d decrease 

c o m m u nit y disr u pti o n b y rail, decrease p oll uti o n a n d i n crease safet y, a n d w o ul d eli mi nate t he p ossi bilit y 

of l ost car g o a n d p ote ntial la ws uits fr o m derail me n ts, o n t he s har p n ort her n ter mi n us resi de ntial area 

Peters R oa d c ur ve. 

Please m o dif y t he Wester n B y pass t o fi n d a n ot her r o ute t ha n t he alrea d y de vel o pe d A v o n dale Gar de n 

R oa d. Ot her wise it will sl o w tr ai n s pee d a n d will disr u pt resi de nts’ li ves. If p ossi ble fi n d u n de vel o pe d 

la n d f urt her t o t he west t hat w o ul d c o n nect t o trac ks t hat lea d t o A v o n dale Yar d. Per ha ps t here are 
9  

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fe deral a n d state la n ds f or w hic h t he railr oa d c o uld a p pl y f or la n d gra nts. T here s h o ul d be n o s har p 

c ur ves. 

If t he Wester n B y pass is n ot i m ple me nte d, t he n we rec o m me n d t he “ N O B UI L D” alter nati ve, a n d t hat 

car g o be s hi p pe d o n t he ri ver. 

T ha n k y o u f or ta ki n g t he ti me t o rea d a n d re vie w t hese c o m me nts. 

Si ncerel y, 

Na nc y S. D w yer, M S W 

R o y P. D w yer 

C C: Pa ul D. J o h nst o n, District 2, Jeffers o n Paris h C o u ncil 

Ce dric Ric h m o n d, U nite d States H o use of Re pr ese ntati ves, Sec o n d District of L o uisia na 

W V U E F o x 8, Ne w Orlea ns, La. 
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D- 3 9
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1 5 M a y 2 0 1 8 

R E: ​L a 2 3 R ail R el oc ati o n Pr oj ect E n vir o n m e nt al Ass ess m e nt 

Fr- RL D- 0 0 3 2- 1 4- 0 0 Gr a nt # Fr- RL D- 0 0 3 2- 1 4- 0 1- 0 0 

L A 2 3 p u blici nf o @ h dri nc.c o m 

r pc @ n or pc. or g 

D e ar Mr R o es el, a n d T o W h o m It M a y C o nc er n, 

I a m writi n g o n b e h alf of G ulf R est or ati o n N et w or k (“ G R N”). W e h a v e s eri o us c o nc er ns a b o ut 

t h e F O N SI a n d E A, b as e d o n i m p acts t o f astl a n d w etl a n ds, st or m wat er dr ai n a g e, wil dlif e 

h a bit at, a n d e n vir o n m e nt al r acis m, p artic ul arl y f or Afric a n A m e ric a n a n d N ati v e A m eric a n 

p o p ul ati o n. W e h a v e c o m m e nt e d t o t h e R P C d uri n g sc o pi n g o n t h e n e e d t o pr ot ect c o ast al 

c o m m u niti es s uc h as O a k vill e a n d Ir o nt o n fr o m dis pr o p orti o n at e r ail i m p acts. T h es e 

c o m m u niti es h a v e a l o n g hist or y of v oici n g t h eir c o nc er ns a b o ut t h e r ail. T h es e i m p acts, s uc h 

as n ois e, air p oll uti o n, a n d i m p act o n e m er g e nc y v e hicl e tr affi c, ar e si g nific a nt i n o ur li n e ar 

c o ast al c o m m u niti es. T h e y h a v e b e e n l eft o ut of t h e sc o p e of t h e c urr e nt E A, d es pit e o ur 

sc o pi n g c o m m e nts. 

T h e Pr ef err e d Alt er n ati v e will h a v e dis pr o p orti o n at e i m p act t o Afric a n A m eric a n a n d N ati v e 

A m eric a n c o m m u niti es i n J eff ers o n a n d Pl a q u e mi n es P aris h. W e f e el t h e st u d y excl u d e d 

d o w nri v er c o m m u niti es fr o m t h e sc o p e, u nf airl y, alt h o u g h t h es e c o m m u niti es will cl e arl y b e 

i m p act e d. R ail tr affic h as b e e n pr oj ect e d t o d o u bl e b y 2 0 4 0. We c a n n ot excl u d e O a k vill e a n d 

Ir o nt o n c o m m u niti es a n d t h eir bl oc k gr o u ps fr o m t his a n al ysis, b ec a us e t h e y ar e t h e ​d esti n ati o n 

of t h e i ncr e as e d r ail tr affic. 

W h e n w e r e- ex a mi n e t h e bl oc k gr o u ps, b as e d o n w h o t h e r ail tr af fic will act u all y i m p act, w e ar e 

f orc e d t o c o nsi d er O pti o n 1, o n t h e w est si d e of t h e H ar v e y C a nal, as t h e b ett er o pti o n t h at 

c o m pli es wit h Ex ec uti v e Or d ers o n E n vir o n m e nt al J ustic e. W e f e el t h at t h e p u blic w o ul d b e 

b ett er s er v e d a n d R P C c o ul d c o m pl y wit h t h e l a w if i m p acts t o all aff ect e d EJ c o m m u niti es w er e 

c o nsi d er e d, as w e h a d r e q u est e d d uri n g sc o pi n g, i n a n E n vir o n m e nt al I m p act St at e m e nt. 

 ​ G R N is a di v ers e c o aliti o n of i n di vi d u al citiz e ns a n d l oc al, r e gi o n al, a n d n ati o n al or g a niz ati o ns c o m mitt e d t o u niti n g a n d e m p o w eri n g p e o pl e t o 

pr ot ect a n d r est or e t h e n at ur al r es o urc es of t h e G ulf of M exic o. 

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