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3.16 NEXT STEPS IN PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

This program-level EIS/EIR assesses environmental impacts that could potentially 

result from implementation of improvements to the Coast Corridor. As outlined in 

Chapter 2.0, Alternatives, the Build Alternative proposes improvements to the 

existing railway and contemplates expanded passenger service (i.e., Coast Daylight)

between Salinas and San Luis Obispo. Of these improvements, some, all or none 

may eventually be constructed. As such, future project-level environmental analysis 

would be required for any selected improvement prior to permitting, construction, 

and operation. Consequently, once approved by the state and federal lead 

agencies, this program-level EIS/EIR would serve as an important source of corridorwide information, particularly with regard to the potential for various components 

of the Build Alternative to result in substantial costs associated with the avoidance, 

minimization, or mitigation of environmental effects. 

3.16.1 LEAD AGENCY ROLES

SLOCOG and FRA have mutually commenced this program-level EIS/EIR to comply 

with NEPA and CEQA. FRA is the NEPA lead agency; SLOCOG is the CEQA lead 

agency. 

Any future decisions related to advancing and ultimately constructing the proposed 

rail improvements may constitute a federal action if federal funding or other federal 

permits are required and may thus require additional project-level environmental 

review under NEPA. Other federal agencies in addition to FRA may also rely on 

these project-level environmental reviews to support future decision making. In 

preparing this environmental document, FRA has coordinated with the US EPA, 

USAC), the US Army, and the USFWS, among others.

The preparation, circulation, and review of a draft Program EIS/EIR provides for the 

evaluation of the No Build Alternative and Build Alternative; the assessment of all 

significant/adverse environmental impacts; and the opportunity for public and 

agency input and comments to help inform the decision-making process. 
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CEQA 

After the final Program EIS/EIR is complete, according to CEQA Guidelines § 15090, 

SLOCOG, as the lead CEQA agency, shall certify that:

 The final EIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA;

 The final EIR was presented to the decision-making body of the lead agency, and 

that the decision-making body reviewed and considered the information 

contained in the final EIR prior to approving the project; and 

 The final EIR reflects the lead agency’s independent judgment and analysis.

Once the document is approved, SLOCOG will issue a Notice of Determination (NOD) 

after deciding to carry out or approve a project. A Statement of Overriding 

Considerations may accompany the NOD, if necessary, which weighs rationale for 

approving an environmental document in the event there are potentially significant 

effects. The NOD would complete the CEQA process. 

NEPA 

Similarly to the CEQA process, the NEPA lead agency, FRA, shall comply with FRA’s 

Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts (64 FR § 28545) and may issue a

Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD is the final step in the NEPA process. 

3.16.2 FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION

Future implementation of Build Alternative improvements would require further 

design and potentially site-specific environmental review. At such a time, this 

Program EIS/EIR would support future approvals and potential financing decisions 

necessary to implement the proposed improvements by identifying environmental 

constraints that influence development techniques, construction recommendations, 

and mitigation strategies. 

Future projects would potentially include one or more of the Build Alternative 

components noted in this Program EIS/EIR. As indicated in the Service Development 

Plan, decisions to move specific components forward would be prioritized by 

funding availability, the efficacy of the given improvement, and timeframe. One or 

more improvements could constitute a project-level proposed action under NEPA if 

a federal action was involved and a project under CEQA. Any proposed project 

would require a detailed project description, construction plans, staging areas, and 

potential property acquisitions in advance. 
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Once a project is formalized and begins the project-level environmental review 

process, local agencies, resource planners, and permitting authorities would need to 

be involved to ensure that the project’s footprint is adequately assessed. The 

applicant would also need to provide appropriate public outreach programs to 

provide opportunities for input on issues, concerns, potential design refinements, 

and environmental processes. 

As determined by site-specific circumstances, future project-level analysis could 

require consultation and involvement of the USFWS, the CDFW, the EPA, the USACE, 

the RWQCB, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the SHPO, the 

NAHC, and others as appropriate. 

According to CEQA Guidelines § 15168 (e), when a law other than CEQA requires 

public notice when the agency later proposes to carry out or approve an activity 

within the program and to rely on the Program EIR for CEQA compliance, the notice 

for the activity shall include a statement that:

 The activity is within the scope of the program approved earlier, and 

 The Program EIR adequately describes the activity for the purposes of CEQA. 
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