SHPO AND THPO CORRESPONDENCE 
Board of Trustees: Reuben V. Anderson, president | Hilda Cope Povall, vice president | Nancy Carpenter | Spence Flatgard | Betsey Hamilton | Web Heidelberg 

| Edmond E. Hughes Jr. | Mark E. Keenum | Helen Moss Smith

P. O. Box 571

Jackson, MS 39205-0571

601 - 576 - 6850

mdah.ms.gov

May 11, 2021 

Mr. Michael Johnsen 

Federal Railroad Administration 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: A Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed North Rail Connector Project 

Sections 20 and 29, T7S, R5W (FRA) MDAH Project Log #04-060-21 (01-084-21)

(11-119-20), Report #21-0112, Jackson County

Dear Mr. Johnsen: 

We have reviewed the April 8, 2021, cultural resources survey report by Bradley Carlock, Principal 

Investigator, with the Cobb Institute of Archaeology, received on April 13, 2021, for the above 

referenced undertaking, pursuant to our responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act and 36 CFR Part 800. After review, we concur that site 22Ja823 is ineligible for 

listing in the National Register of Historic Places and no cultural resources listed in or eligible for 

listing in the NRHP are likely to be affected by the proposed project. As such, we have no 

reservations with the undertaking. 

Please provide a copy of this letter to Mr. Carlock. If you have any questions, please do not 

hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely, 

Hal Bell 

Review and Compliance Officer 

FOR: Katie Blount 

State Historic Preservation Officer 
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Railroad 

Administration 

April 13, 2021 

Mr. Hal Bell 

Review and Compliance Officer 

Mississippi Department of Archives & Histmy 

P.O. Box571 

Jackson,MS 39205-0571 

Dear Mr. Bell: 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is providing a grant to the Jackson County Port Authority 

(JCPA) for the North Rail Connector Project (the Proposed Project), which is an undertaking pursuant to 

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 306108) and 

implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800). The U.S. Corps of Army Engineers (USACE) also has a 

Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting role in the Proposed Project, and designated FRA as the lead 

federal agency for Section 106 consultation per 36 CFR 800.2(a)(2). The purpose of this letter is to seek 

concurrence on FRA's detennination of No Historic Properties Affected for the Proposed Project. 

Project Description 

The purpose of the Proposed Project is to provide additional railroad capacity and connectivity between 

existing infrastructure to support the growing needs of the Port of Pascagoula, Bayou Casotte Harbor. 

Currently, freight trains that travel from the north on the MSE line must pass through downtown Moss 

Point and Pascagoula to the Pascagoula Interchange to join CSX rail. This operation regularly blocks 

vehicular traffic and creates delays at four major roadway intersections. Also, the curve alignment from 

the existing MSE line entering into the Moss Point Industrial and Technology Complex (MPITC) is too 

tight for the expected length of train to travel through that area safely. The Proposed Project is needed to 

remove operational conflicts between railroads, reduce congestion, and accommodate the proposed 

restoration of passenger rail service. 

JCPA proposes to construct a rail line to connect an existing rail owned by Mississippi Export Railroad

(MSE) that crosses over the Escatawpa River in Moss Point, Mississippi to an existing JCPA-owned rail 

line that crosses through the MP ITC and provides access to the Port of Pascagoula, Bayou Casotte 

Harbor. The Proposed Project would construct approximately 3,659 liner feet with 2,852 feet of elevated 

rail (top of rail varies from 5-7 feet elevation) and 807 feet of rail constructed on fill or existing uplands. 

There would be approximately 2,649 cubic yards of fill at the pile abutments for the elevated rail and in 

an area of estuarine wetlands. Approximately 0.90 acres of wetlands will be filled associated with the 

project. An existing grade crossing on Orange Grove Road would be relocated approximately 475 feet to 

the west to allow for the curve needed to accommodate the train lengths and speed. The existing MSE rail 

at the west end would need to be adjusted to allow insertion of a turn out to join with the new elevated rail 

line. For construction, a I-acre staging area would be established within the MPITC in a previously 

disturbed area that was recently used for the same purpose.
Mr. Hal Bell 

Mississippi Department of Archives & History 

April 9, 2021 

Page2 

Constmction work includes: 

• New elevated rail on pilings: A portion of the rail line will be constmcted on pilings. This 

segment will extend from the existing MSE rail line that crosses over the Escatawpa River to an 

area that will be constrncted on uplands. Work will he conducted from the existing rail and 

includes pile driving and constrnction of rail segments. A sheet pile retaining wall will be driven 

at the abutments. Fill will be added at the abutments for each elevated section. A turn out will be 

constrncted from the existing rail line at the 1101ih end and the existing rail will be adjusted to 

allow for the tum-out. 

• New rail on uplands and on fill: Forested uplands will be cleared of vegetation, graded and filled 

with appropriate construction fill suitable for rail line. Fill will be obtained from a MDEQ 

permitted dirt pit. JCP A will provide MDAH with more information regarding the source of the 

fill material prior to start of constrnction. This commitment will also be documented in the 

Environmental Assessment that is being prepared for the Project. An area of marsh wetland will 

be filled to the same elevation as the cleared uplands and rail will be constrncted on the fill. 

• Move grade crossing: An existing grade crossing over Orange Grove Road will be relocated to 

accommodate the curves required to allow the new rail to join existing rail. 

Project Location and Area of Potential Effect (APE) 

The Proposed Project is located in Section 19, Township 7 South, and Range 5 West of Jackson County, 

MS. The approximate center point of the proposed modified rail is at 30.415546 degrees latitude and -

88.514452 degrees longitude (Figure 1). The new rail extends from mile post 2.89 (30.251207/-88.310005) 

on the no1ih and extends to mile post 2.05 (30.413308/-88.508269) on the east where it joins existing rail. 

A topographic Map is shown on Figure 2. Detailed project maps are included in Attachment 1. 

As defined in 36 CFR § 800.16(d), the Area of Potential Effects (APE) means "the geographic area or 

areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alteration in the character of use of 

historic properties if such properties exist. The area of potential effects is influenced by the scale and 

nature of the undertaking and may be different for different kinds of effects caused by the undertaking." 

The archaeological APE is associated with the most direct effects on cultural resources, as it is the area 

that will have significant above-ground clearing as well as subsurface soil disturbance before and during 

construction. In a comment letter dated December 11, 2020 and sent to the Mississippi Department of 

Marine Resources, MDAH states that "a cultural resource survey is needed only in areas of the APE 

where fill will be placed." This is most likely due to the fact that, although some elements of constrnction 

will take place outside of the rail line footprint, this will consist only of constrnction activities with 

practically no subsurface disturbance, e.g., movement of fill dirt. Therefore, the definition of the 

archaeological APE for the current project takes into account MDAH's comments and only includes the 

rail line's footprint. 

As the current project is anywhere from 0-950 ft. (0-290 m) from an already existing rail line, any nearby 

historic prope1iies have already been subject to the current rail line's indirect effects, as defined earlier. 

Therefore, in consultation with MDAH, the architectural APE was defined as encompassing a 50-foot 

buffer around the archaeological APE in areas of new constrnction. All historic or potentially historic 

properties were evaluated that fell within this area.
Mr. Hal Bell 

Mississippi Department of Archives & History 

April 9, 2021 

Page 3 

Identification of Historic Properties 

A Phase I Cultural Resource Survey (CRS) was conducted for the Proposed Project to identify and assess 

effects to historic properties (Attachment 2). The CRS indicated the existing rail line footprint in the 

Proposed Project area was an identified archaeological site (22JA823) but was not eligible for listing in 

the National Register of Historic Places. No historic properties were identified within the architectural or 

archaeological APE. FRA is also sending this communication to Tribes that may attach cultural or 

religious significance to the APE. 

Determination of Effect to Historic Properties 

Based on the findings of the CRS and pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(d)(l), FRA has dete1mined that there are 

no historic properties affected by the Proposed Project, as no historic properties are present within the 

above-ground APE or the archaeological APE. FRA requests concunence with its finding within 30 

calendar days from the date on this letter. If FRA does not receive a response within 30 days, we will 

assume there is no objection to the finding and will proceed with the undertaking. If you have questions, 

please contact Amanda Murphy, FRA Environmental Protection Specialist at 202-339-7231 or · 

Amanda.murphy2@dot.gov. Thank you for your cooperation on this project. 

Sincerely, 

MICHAELM 

JOHNSEN 

Michael Johnsen 

Digitally signed by MICHAEL M 

OHNSEN 

Date: 2021.04.13 08:27:04 -04'00' .

Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist 

Environmental & Conidor Planning Division 

Office of Railroad Policy and Development 

cc. Amanda Mmphy, FRA 

Rudolph Villaneal, USACE 

Mark McAndrews, Jackson County Port Authority 

Figures and Attachments 

Figure 1 - Project Location Map 

Figure 2 - Topographic Map 

Attachment 1 - Project Plans 

Attachment 2 - Cultural Resources Survey Report
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.._••w·""'''"'"'~•~• .. •••·""' 
From: Murphy. Amanda (FRA)

To: Lisa D. Morrison 

Cc: Sandy Feathers; Dixon. Marc (FRA)

Subject: FW: Section 106 Consultation: North Rail Connector (Jackson County, MS) 

Date: Wednesday, May 12, 202110:42:16 AM 

From: Murphy, Amanda (FRA) 

Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 202111:41 AM 

To: Lindsey Bilyeu <lbilyeu@choctawnation.com> 

Subject: RE: Section 106 Consultation: North Rail Connector (Jackson County, MS) 

Thank you very much. We appreciate your review, and will note the inadvertent discovery 

procedure in the Environmental Assessment we are preparing for this project. 

Amanda Murphy, MAHP 

Environmental Protection Specialist 

Federal Railroad Administration 

202-339-7231 (cell) 

Amanda.murphy2@dot.gov 

From: Lindsey Bilyeu [mailto:lbilyeu@choctawnation.com] 

Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 202111:25 AM 

To: Murphy, Amanda (FRA) <amanda.murphy2@dot.gov> 

Subject: RE: Section 106 Consultation: North Rail Connector (Jackson County, MS) 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or 

open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 

Ms. Murphy, 

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma thanks the FRA for the correspondence regarding the above 

referenced project. Jackson Co., MS lies in our area of historic interest. The Choctaw Nation Historic 

Preservation Department has reviewed the project's information and we concur with the finding of 

"no historic properties affected". However, we ask that work be stopped and our office contacted 

immediately in the event that Native American artifacts or human remains are encountered. 

If you have any questions, please contact me. 

Thank you, 

Lindsey D. Bilyeu, MS 

Senior Section 106 Reviewer 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

Historic Preservation Department 

Office: (580) 924-8280
Cell: (580) 740-9624 

From: Murphy, Amanda (FRA) <amanda.murphy2@dot.gov> 

Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 202110:52 AM 

To: Ian Thompson <ithompson@choctawnation.com> 

Cc: Lindsey Bilyeu <lbilyeu@choctawnatjon.com>; Villarreal, Rudolph CCIV USARMY CESAM (USA) 

<Rudo!ph .C.Villarreal@usacearmy.mil>; Dixon, Marc (FRA) <marc.djxon@dot.gov>; Lisa D. Morrison 

<I morrison@com pton engi oeeri n g.com> 

Subject: Section 106 Consultation: North Rail Connector (Jackson County, MS) 

Halito: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you 

recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 

Dear Dr. Thompson, 

Attached is Section 106 consultation communication for the North Rai l Connector Project in 

Pascagoula, MS (Jackson County). Please let me know if you have any comments or questions. 

Thank you very much, 

Amanda Murphy, MAHP 

Environmental Protection Special ist 

Federal Railroad Administration 

202-339-7231 (cell) 

Amanda. m urphy2@dot.gov 

This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed 

and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure. If 

you have received this message in error, you are hereby notified that we do not consent to any 

reading, dissemination, distribution or copying of this message. If you have received this 

communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy the transmitted 

information. Please note that any view or opinions presented in this email are solely those of 

the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Choctaw Nation.
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Railroad 

Administration 

April 13, 2021 

Dr. Ian Thompson 

Tribal Historic Conservation Officer 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

P.O. Box 1210 

Durant, OK 74701 

Dear Dr. Thompson: 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is providing a grant to the Jackson County Port Authority 

(JCPA) for the North Rail Connector Project (the Proposed Project), which is an unde1taking pursuant to 

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 306108) and 

implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800). The U.S. Corps of Army Engineers (USACE) also has a 

Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting role in the Proposed Project, and designated FRA as the lead 

federal agency for Section 106 consultation per 36 CFR 800.2(a)(2). This letter is being transmitted to 

initiate the Section 106 consultation process for the unde1taking, to seek information on historic 

properties ofreligious or cultural significance to your Tribe, and to notify you ofFRA's determination. 

Project Description 

The purpose of the Proposed Project is to provide additional railroad capacity and connectivity between 

existing infrastructure to suppo1t the growing needs of the Po1t of Pascagoula, Bayou Casotte Harbor. 

Currently, freight trains that travel from the no1th on the MSE line must pass through downtown Moss 

Point and Pascagoula to the Pascagoula Interchange to join CSX rail. This operation regularly blocks 

vehicular traffic and creates delays at four major roadway intersections. Also, the curve alignment from 

the existing MSE line entering into the Moss Point Industrial and Technology Complex (MPITC) is too 

tight for the expected length of train to travel through that area safely. The Proposed Project is needed to 

remove operational conflicts between railroads, reduce congestion, and accommodate the proposed 

restoration of passenger rail service. 

JCP A proposes to construct a rail line to connect an existing rail owned by Mississippi Exp01t Railroad 

(MSE) that crosses over the Escatawpa River in Moss Point, Mississippi to an existing JCPA-owned rail 

line that crosses through the MP ITC and provides access to the Port of Pascagoula, Bayou Casotte 

Harbor. The Proposed Project would construct approximately 3,659 liner feet with 2,852 feet of elevated 

rail (top ofrail varies from 5-7 feet elevation) and 807 feet ofrail constructed on fill or existing uplands. 

There would be approximately 2,649 cubic yards of fill at the pile abutments for the elevated rail and in 

an area of estuarine wetlands. Approximately 0.90 acres of wetlands will be filled associated with the 

project. An existing grade crossing on Orange Grove Road would be relocated approximately 475 feet to 

the west to allow for the curve needed to accommodate the train lengths and speed. The existing MSE rail 

at the west end would need to be adjusted to allow insertion of a turn out to join with the new elevated rail 

line. For construction, a 1-acre staging area would be established within the MPITC in a previously 

disturbed area that was recently used for the same purpose.
Dr. Ian Thompson 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

April 9, 2021 

Page2 

Construction work includes: 

• New elevated rail on pilings: A portion of the rail line will be constructed on pilings. This 

segment will extend from the existing MSE rail line that crosses over the Escatawpa River to an 

area that will be constructed on uplands. Work will be conducted from the existing rail and 

includes pile driving and construction of rail segments. A sheet pile retaining wall will be driven 

at the abntments. Fill will be added at the abutments for each elevated section. A turn out will be 

constructed from the existing rail line at the north end and the existing rail will be adjusted to 

allow for the turn-out. 

• New rail on uplands and on fill: Forested uplands will be cleared of vegetation, graded and filled 

with appropriate construction fill suitable for rail line. Fill will be obtained from a MDEQ 

pe1mitted dirtpit. JCPA will provide MDAH with more information regarding the source of the 

fill material prior to start of construction. This commitment will also be documented in the 

Environmental Assessment that is being prepared for the Project. An area of marsh wetland will 

be filled to the same elevation as the cleared uplands and rail will be constructed on the fill. 

• Move grade crossing: An existing grade crossing over Orange Grove Road will be relocated to 

accommodate the curves required to allow the new rail to join existing rail. 

Project Location and Area of Potential Effect (APE) 

The Proposed Project is located in Section 19, Township 7 South, and Range 5 West of Jackson County, 

MS. The approximate center point of the proposed modified rail is at 30.415546 degrees latitude and -

88.514452 degrees longitude (Figure 1). The new rail extends from mile post 2.89 (30.251207/-88.310005) 

on the north and extends to mile post 2.05 (30.413308/-88.508269) on the east where it joins existing rail. 

A topographic Map is shown on Figure 2. Detailed project maps are included in Attachment 1. 

As defined in 36 CFR § 800.16(d), the Area of Potential Effects (APE) means "the geographic area or 

areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alteration in the character of use of 

historic prope1iies if such properties exist. The area of potential effects is influenced by the scale and 

nature of the unde1iaking and may be different for different kinds of effects caused by the undertaking." 

The archaeological APE is associated with the most direct effects on cultural resources, as it is the area 

that will have significant above-ground clearing as well as subsurface soil disturbance before and during 

construction. In a comment letter dated December 11, 2020 and sent to the Mississippi Department of 

Marine Resources, MDAH states that "a cultural resource survey is needed only in areas of the APE 

where fill will be placed." This is most likely due to the fact that, although some elements of construction 

will take place outside of the rail line footprint, this will consist only of construction activities with 

practically no subsurface disturbance, e.g., movement of fill dirt. Therefore, the definition of the 

archaeological APE for the current project takes into account MDAH's comments and only includes the 

rail line's footprint. 

As the current project is anywhere from 0-950 ft. (0-290 m) from an already existing rail line, any nearby 

historic properties have already been subject to the current rail line's indirect effects, as defined earlier. 

Therefore, in consultation with MDAH, the architectural APE was defined as encompassing a 50-foot 

buffer around the archaeological APE in areas of new construction. All historic or potentially historic 

prope1ties were evaluated that fell within this area.
Dr. Ian Thompson 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

April 9, 2021 

Page3 

Identification of Historic Properties 

A Phase I Cultural Resource Survey (CRS) was conducted for the Proposed Project to identify and assess 

effects to historic properties (Attachment 2). The CRS indicated the existing rail line footprint in the 

Proposed Project area was an identified archaeological site (22JA823) but was not eligible for listing in 

the National Register of Historic Places. No historic properties were identified within the architectural or 

archaeological APE. 

Determination of Effect to Historic Properties 

Based on the findings of the CRS and pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(d)(l), FRA determined that there are no 

historic properties affected by the Proposed Project. FRA respectfully requests your input regarding any 

historic properties that have religious and cultural significance to your Tribe that may be affected by the 

project. Response and comments are requested within 30 days ofreceipt of this letter. If you have 

comments or would like to request Government to Government consultation, please contact Amanda 

Murphy, FRA Environmental Protection Specialist at 202-339-7231 or Amanda.murphy2@dot.gov. 

Thank you for your cooperation on this project. 

Sincerely, 

MICHAELM 

JOHNSEN 

Michael Johnsen 

(. Digitally signed by MICHAEL M 

Johnsen Date: 2021.04.13 08:22:55 -04'00'

Supervisory Enviromnental Protection Specialist 

Enviromnental & Corridor Planning Division 

Office of Railroad Policy and Development 

cc. Amanda Murphy, FRA 

Rudolph Villarreal, USACE 

Mark McAndrews, Jackson County P01t Authority 

Figures and Attachments 

Figure 1 - Project Location Map 

Figure 2 - Topographic Map 

Attachment 1 -Project Plans 

Attachment 2 - Cultural Resources Survey Report
.....,.._, SURVEYING & ENVIR

• BILOXI • BAY ST. LOUIS 228-432-2133 228-467-2770

.. ··--- ON
CE Site: Proposed North Rail Connector Project COMPTON ENGINEERING INC.

Engineering, Surveying, and Environmental Services Moss Point, Jackson County, MS 156 Nixon Street Biloxi, Mississippi 39530 

Phone: (228) 432-2133 Fax: (226) 432-8149 E-mail: compton@comptonengineering.com

Figure 2 - Topographic Map (Map Source: USGS, 2012) Appendix ID: 

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From: Murphy. Amanda (FRA)

To: Lisa D. Morrison; Villarreal. Rudolph C CIV USARMY CESAM (USA) 

Subject: FW: Section 106 Consultation: North Rail Connector (Jackson County, MS) 

Date: Friday, June 11, 2021 3:39:08 PM 

From: Carleton, Ken <KCarleton@choctaw.org> 

Sent: Friday, June 11, 2021 4:24 PM 

To: Murphy, Amanda (FRA) <amanda.murphy2@dot.gov> 

Subject: RE: Section 106 Consultation: North Rail Connector (Jackson County, MS} 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation {DOT). Do not click on links or 

open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 

I have reviewed the information provided for the above referenced undertaking and Concur 

with your findings of no historic properties affected. 

Kenneth H. Carleton 

THPO/ Archaeologist 

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians 

P.O. Box 6010, Choctaw, MS 39350 new P.O. Box, please update your files! 

Or: Forestry Bid, 101 Lagoon Road 

601.650.7316 

kcarleton@choctaw.org 

From: Murphy, Amanda {FRA) <amanda.murphy2@dot.gov> 

Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 202111:51 AM 

To: Carleton, Ken <KCarleton@choctaw.org> 

Cc: Villarreal, Rudolph c CIV USARMY CESAM {USA} <Rudolph.C.Villarrea1@usace.army.mil>; Dixon, 

Marc (FRA) <marc.djxon@dot.gov>; Lisa D. Morrison <lmorrison@comptonengineerjng.com> 

Subject: Section 106 Consultation: North Rail Connector (Jackson County, MS} 

This is an external message. Do Not Click links or attachments unless you recognize 

the sender and know the content is safe. 

Dear Mr. Carleton, 

Attached is Section 106 consultation communication for the North Rail Connector Project in 

Pascagoula, MS (Jackson County). Please let me know if you have any comments or questions. 

Thank you very much, 

Amanda Murphy, MAHP 

Environmental Protection Specialist 

Federal Railroad Administration 

202-339-7231 (cell) 

Amanda .murphy2@dot.gov 
U.S. Department 

of Transportatlon 

Federal Railroad 

Administration 

April 13, 2021 

Mr. Ken Carleton 

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer 

MS Band of Choctaw Indians 

101 Industrial Road 

Choctaw, MS 39530 

Dear Mr. Carleton: 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is providing a grant to the Jackson County Port Authority 

(JCPA) for the No1th Rail Connector Project (the Proposed Project), which is an undertaking pursuant to 

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 306108) and 

implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800). The U.S. Corps of Army Engineers (USACE) also has a 

Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting role in the Proposed Project, and designated FRA as the lead 

federal agency for Section 106 consultation per 36 CFR 800.2(a)(2). Pursuant to Section 106 of the 

National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations (36 Code of Federal Regulations 

[CFR] Part 800) "Protection of Historic Properties" (Section 106), this letter is being transmitted to 

i_nitiate the Section 106 consultation process for the unde1taking, to seek information on historic 

prope1ties ofreligious or cultural significance to your Tribe, and to notify you of FRA's determination. 

Project Description 

The purpose of the Proposed Project is to provide additional railroad capacity and connectivity between 

existing infrastructure to supp01t the growing needs of the Port of Pascagoula, Bayou Casotte Harbor. 

Currently, freight trains that travel from the n01th on the MSE line must pass through downtown Moss 

Point and Pascagoula to the Pascagoula Interchange to join CSX rail. This operation regularly blocks ' 

vehicular h·affic and creates delays at four major roadway intersections. Also, the curve alignment from 

the existing MSE line entering into the Moss Point Industrial and Technology Complex (MPITC) is too 

tight for the expected length of train to travel through that area safely. The Proposed Project is needed to 

remove operational conflicts between railroads, reduce congestion, and accommodate the proposed 

restoration of passenger rail service. 

JCPA proposes to construct a rail line to connect an existing rail owned by Mississippi Exp01t Railroad 

(MSE) that crosses over the Escatawpa River in Moss Point, Mississippi to an existing JCPA-owned rail 

line that crosses through the MPITC and provides access to the Port of Pascagoula, Bayou Casotte 

Harbor. The Proposed Project would construct approximately 3,659 liner feet with 2,852 feet of elevated 

rail (top of rail varies from 5-7 feet elevation) and 807 feet ofrail constructed on fill or existing uplands. 

There would be approximately 2,649 cubic yards of fill at the pile abutments for the elevated rail and in 

an area of estuarine wetlands. Approximately 0.90 acres of wetlands will be filled associated with the 

project. An existing grade crossing on Orange Grove Road would be relocated approximately 475 feet to 

the west to allow for the curve needed to accommodate the train lengths and speed. The existing MSE rail 

at the west end would need to be adjusted to allow inse1tion of a turn out to join with the new elevated rail 

line. For construction, a 1-acre staging area would be established within the MPITC in a previously 

disturbed area that was recently used for the same purpose.
Mr. Ken Carleton 

MS Band of Choctaw Indians 

April 9, 2021 

Page2 

Construction work includes: 

• New elevated rail on pilings: A portion of the rail line will be constructed on pilings. This 

segment will extend from the existing MSE rail line that crosses over the Escatawpa River to an 

area that will be constructed on uplands. Work will be conducted from the existing rail and 

includes pile driving and construction of rail segments. A sheet pile retaining wall will be driven 

at the abutments. Fill will be added at the abutments for each elevated section. A turn out will be 

constructed from the existing rail line at the n01th end and the existing rail will be adjusted to 

allow for the turn-out. 

• New rail on uplands and on fill: Forested uplands will be cleared of vegetation, graded and filled 

with appropriate construction fill suitable for rail line. Fill will be obtained from a MDEQ 

permitted dirt pit. JCPA will provide MDAH with more information regarding the source of the 

fill material prior to start of construction. This commitment will also be documented in the 

Environmental Assessment that is being prepared for the Project. An area of marsh wetland will 

be filled to the same elevation as the cleared uplands and rail will be constructed on the fill. 

• Move grade crossing: An existing grade crossing over Orange Grove Road will be relocated to 

accommodate the curves required to allow the new rail to join existing rail. 

Project Location and Area of Potential Effect (APE) 

The Proposed Project is located in Section 19, Township 7 South, and Range 5 West of Jackson County, 

MS. The approximate center point of the proposed modified rail is at 30.415546 degrees latitude and -

88.514452 degrees longitude (Figure 1 ). The new rail extends from mile post 2.89 (30.251207 /-88.310005) 

on the north and extends to mile post 2.05 (30.413308/-88.508269) on the east where it joins existing rail. 

A topographic Map is shown on Figure 2. Detailed project maps are included in Attachment I. 

As defined in 36 CFR § 800.16(d), the Area of Potential Effects (APE) means "the geographic area or 

areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alteration in the character of use of 

historic properties if such properties exist. The area of potential effects is influenced by the scale and 

nature of the undertaking and may be different for different kinds of effects caused by the unde1taking." 

The archaeological APE is associated with the most direct effects on cultural resources, as it is the area 

that will have significant above-ground clearing as well as subsurface soil disturbance before and during 

construction. In a comment letter dated December 11, 2020 and sent to the Mississippi Depmtment of 

Marine Resources, MDAH states that "a cultural resource survey is needed only in areas of the APE 

where fill will be placed." This is most likely due to the fact that, although some elements of construction 

will take place outside of the rail line footprint, this will consist only of construction activities with 

practically no subsurface disturbance, e.g., movement of fill dirt. Therefore, the definition of the 

archaeological APE for the current project takes into account MDAH's comments and only includes the 

rail line's footprint. 

As the current project is anywhere from 0-950 ft. (0-290 m) from an already existing rail line, any nearby 

historic properties have already been subject to the current rail line's indirect effects, as defined earlier. 

Therefore, in consultation with MDAH, the architectural APE was defined as encompassing a 50-foot 

buffer around the archaeological APE in areas of new construction. All historic or potentially historic 

properties were evaluated that fell within this area.
Mr. Ken Carleton 

MS Band of Choctaw Indians 

April 9, 2021 

Page3 

Identification of Historic Properties 

A Phase I Cultural Resource Survey (CRS) was conducted for the Proposed Project to identify and assess 

effects to historic properties (Attachment 2). The CRS indicated the existing rail line footprint in the 

Proposed Project area was an identified archaeological site (22JA823) but was not eligible for listing in 

the National Register of Historic Places. No historic properties were identified within the architectural or 

archaeological APE. 

Determination of Effect to Historic Properties 

Based on the findings of the CRS and pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(d)(l), FRA determined that there are no 

historic properties affected by the Proposed Project, as no historic properties are present within the aboveground APE or the archaeological APE. FRA respectfully requests your input regarding any historic 

prope1ties that have religious and cultural significance to your Tribe that may be affected by the project. 

Response and comments are requested within 30 days ofreceipt of this letter. If you have questions, 

please contact Amanda Murphy, FRA Environmental Protection Specialist at 202-339-7231 or 

Amanda.murphy2@dot.gov. Thank you for your cooperation on this project. 

Sincerely, 

MICHAELM 

JOHNSEN 

Michael Johnsen 

Digitally signed by MICHAEL M 

JOHNSEN 

-Date: 2021.04.13 08;25:27-04'00'

Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist 

Environmental & Corridor Planning Division 

Office of Railroad Policy and Development 

cc. Amanda Murphy, FRA 

Rudolph Villarreal, USACE 

Mark McAndrews, Jackson County Po1t Authority 

Figures and Attachments 

Figure I - Project Location Map 

Figure 2 - Topographic Map 

Attachment I - Project Plans 

Attachment 2 - Cultural Resources Survey Rep01t
ENGINEERING, SURVEYING

MKACIDIAA • BILOXI • BAY ST. LOUIS

228-762-3970 228-432-2133 228-467-2770

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COMPTON ENGINEERING, lNC. Site: Proposed North Rail Connector Project 

Engineering, Surveying, and Environmental Services Moss Point, Jackson County, MS 156 Nixon Street

Biloxi, Mississippi 39530 

Phone: (228) 432-2133 Fax: (220) 432-8149 compton@comptonengineering.com

Figure 2 - Topographic Map (Map Source: USGS, 2012) Appendix ID: 

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NORTH RAIL CONNECTOR PLANNING ASSISTANCE 

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