COMMENTS AND 

COORDINATION

Section 8

8. Comments and Coordination
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-1 Tier 1 DEIS 

8.0 Comments and Coordination 

The environmental process for the Chicago to St. Louis High‐Speed Rail Corridor

Program Tier 1 DEIS began in February 2011.  A scoping coordination letter describing

the program and requesting comments and attendance to upcoming scoping meetings

on March 1st and 3rd, 2011 was forwarded to the state and federal resource agencies in

February 2011.  The agency scoping letter responses and cooperating agency responses

are located in Appendix F.  The Tier 1 Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail

Environmental Impact Statement Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal

Register on February 14, 2011, and a copy is located in Appendix G.  In March 2011, an

initial round of public meetings was held within the corridor to introduce the study to

the public, to explain the EIS process and timeline, and to get input.  After these

meetings, the study team spent the next several months developing alternatives.  In late

October and early November 2011, a second series of public meetings for this program

were held in the cities of Joliet; Bloomington; Springfield; Carlinville; and Alton.

The following sections summarize agency coordination that has occurred at this early

phase of this program.  Current public coordination and comments relative to the Tier 1

DEIS are also summarized in the following sub‐sections.

8.1 Agency Coordination 

8.1.1 Federal Agency Coordination 

8.1.1.1 U.S Army Corps of Engineers   

A letter requesting EIS process cooperation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was

sent August 9, 2011.  The U.S. Army Division Commander of the Mississippi Valley

Division Corps of Engineers responded September 16, 2011.  He indicated the program

will involve the St. Louis and Rock Island Corps Districts, and that he understands that

the Regulatory staffs at both Districts were involved with the 2004 EIS.  He concurs that

the St. Louis and Rock Island Corps Districts will be cooperating agencies throughout

the EIS process.

8.1.1.2 U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

Richard Nelson, a Field Supervisor for the USFWS, responded to the agency scoping

letter, on March 18, 2011, requesting the new USFWS online service to be used to

determine if any threatened or endangered species may be affected by the HSR

Program.  He also stated that the bald eagle has been de‐listed, but remains protected,

and may be encountered in the study corridor.  Finally, he addressed that the USACE is

the regulatory agency regarding wetlands.  A letter responding to a request for EIS

process cooperation from the USFWS, dated September 8, 2011, was received stating

their acceptance to be a cooperating agency.  Their cooperation will be limited to the

degree that time and resources permit.   
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-2 Tier 1 DEIS 

8.1.1.3 U.S Environmental Protection Agency

On August 16, 2011, the Chief of NEPA Implementation for the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) responded to a request for EIS process cooperation from the

U.S. EPA.  The response stated the U.S. EPA accepts to be a cooperating agency

throughout the EIS process.

8.1.1.4 Natural Resource Conservation Service   

William Gradle, of the NRCS, responded to the agency scoping meeting letter, on

February 24, 2011, stating if alternative corridors outside of existing track routes are

proposed, they will need additional investigation to determine their impacts on prime

farmland.  On August 31, 2011, the NRCS responded to a request that they be in

cooperation throughout the EIS process.  The response stated that they do not have

adequate staff to support the effort as a cooperating agency.  The NRCS previously

completed the Land Evaluation and Site Assessment and Farmland Protection Program

Evaluations.  The NRCS is requesting copies of the draft and final EIS documents.   

8.1.1.5 Federal Highway Administration   

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration responded to a

request for cooperation throughout the EIS process on September 2, 2011.  The response

was of acceptance of participation in the EIS process as a cooperating agency.

8.1.1.6 Federal Aviation Administration   

Scott Tener, an Environmental Specialist for the U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration, responded to the agency scoping meeting letter, on

March 3, 2011, stating he had no comments regarding environmental matters. Airspace

review may be needed pending criteria review.

8.1.1.7 U.S. Coast Guard   

Scott Striffler, Chief of the Bridge Branch for the Ninth Coast Guard District, responded

to the NOI, on March 15, 2011, stating their office responded to the 2009 EA, and Coast

Guard Bridge Permit action may be necessary.  Now, Norfolk Southern and Canadian

National Railway crossings are no longer considered, and an Amtrak Bridge at Mile 3.77

over the South Branch of the Chicago River may be included, but additional information

for this structure and any others would be required.

8.1.2 State Agency Coordination 

8.1.2.1 Illinois Historic Preservation Agency   

Anne Haaker, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, responded to the agency

scoping letter, on March 21, 2011, stating the agency would like continued consultation

on Section 106 impacts.  The IHPA responded to a request for cooperation throughout

the EIS process on September 9, 2011.  The response was of acceptance of participation in

the EIS process as a cooperating agency pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800 in accordance with

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.   
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-3 Tier 1 DEIS 

8.1.2.2 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency   

Lisa Bonnett, Acting Deputy Director of the IEPA, responded to the agency scoping

letter, on February 24, 2011, stating the IEPA had no objections to the proposed program,

and advised of NPDES permit requirements.  On September 16, 2011, the IEPA

responded to a request for cooperation throughout the EIS process.  The response was

that they look forward to reviewing and commenting on the EIS documents; however,

they are not able to commit to serving as a cooperating agency.   

8.1.2.3 Illinois Department of Natural Resources   

On August 15, 2011, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources responded to a

request for cooperation throughout the EIS process by accepting the request.  The

response included the direction to address all correspondence and meeting agendas to

Mr. Steve Hamer of the Office of Realty and Environmental Planning, Division of

Ecosystems and Environment.

8.1.2.4 Missouri Department of Natural Resources   

Mark Miles, Director and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, responded to the

agency scoping letter, on March 2, 2011, stating the agency is looking forward to

receiving further Section 106 information relevant to the study corridor.  

8.1.2.5 Illinois Department of Agriculture   

The Illinois Department of Agriculture responded to a request for cooperation

throughout the EIS process on September 12, 2011.  The response was of acceptance of

participation in the EIS process as a cooperating agency.

8.1.3 Tribal Coordination 

8.1.3.1 Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska   

Alan Kelley of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska requested to be a consulting

party in regards to Section 106 components of the EIS process.

8.1.3.2 Miami Tribe of Oklahoma   

George Strack, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma,

stated the Miami Nation is not currently aware of existing documentation linking a

specific Miami cultural or historic site to the EIS program corridor, and the Miami

Nation offers no objection to the proposed construction at this time.  However, should

human remains and/or objects be uncovered, regardless of initial determination as to site

dating or cultural affiliation, Mr. Strack should be contacted to initiate consultation.

8.1.3.3 Osage Nation Historic Preservation Office   

The Osage Nation Historic Preservation Office accepted the invitation to be a consulting

party throughout the EIS process via a letter dated May 31, 2011.  The letter also stated

that the Osage Nation currently has Section 106 concerns for Sangamon, Macoupin,

Jersey, Madison, and St. Clair counties in Illinois and St. Louis County in Missouri.
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-4 Tier 1 DEIS 

8.1.4 Agency Coordination Meetings 

8.1.4.1 September 2011 NEPA 404 Merger Meeting

The agencies and consulting entities in coordination for the Chicago to St. Louis Tier 1

EIS met on September 7, 2011 for the NEPA 404 Merger Meeting at the FHWA office in

Springfield.  The attendees included:  FHWA, IDOT, USEPA, IHPA, IDOA, IDNR,

USACE, USFWS, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Parsons Transportation Group, Hanson

Professional Services, Olsson, and Kaskaskia Engineering Group.  During this meeting,

presentations included: IDOT provided an overview of the HSR program in Illinois,

Parsons Brinckerhoff discussed the current document/construction schedule for the 2004

ROD project and associated improvements between Dwight and St. Louis, and Parsons

discussed the Tier 1 and Tier 2 documents for the Chicago to St. Louis corridor.

Comments included:

 USEPA requested clarification of agency contact information. The response is that

contact information would be readily available through webpages and update

emails moving forward.

 IDNR asked about the status of plant surveys. It was determined the surveys were

complete, and the information would be forwarded to IDNR.

 FHWA and IHPA commented that 6(f)/4(f) impacts with cultural resource

descriptions were not included on the presentation slide. The response stated the

studies include those items under the cultural resources section.

 FHWA asked about the schedule for the FEIS submittal/Record of Decision being

December 2012.  The concern was that the 30 day review period, submittal, and ROD

could not occur in the same month.  The response included the review period was

accounted for, and the schedule in the presentation is to simply note that the

document is intended to be complete by the end of 2012.

 A question regarding the handling of the Tier 2 document was met with the

response that it would be folded into the EIS for the whole corridor.

8.1.4.2 September 2011 Progress Meeting

The agencies and consulting entities in coordination for the Chicago to St. Louis Tier 1

DEIS met on September 27, 2011 for the Agency Bi‐monthly Coordination Meeting via

teleconference.  The attendees included:  FHWA, IDOT, USEPA, IHPA, IDOA, IDNR,

USACE, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Parsons Transportation Group, Hanson Professional

Services, Olsson Associates, Kaskaskia Engineering Group, Huff & Huff, Knight

Engineering, TranSystems, and Quigg Engineering.  The meeting covered the ongoing

activities and status for the environmental documents for the Chicago to St. Louis High‐

Speed Rail program and the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for the Chicago to

St. Louis Full Build‐Out, which includes double track installation and other

improvements along the full corridor.  Comments and responses relevant to the Tier 1

DEIS are as follows:

 IDOT asked about the alternatives to be presented in the Tier 1 DEIS, and how the

document will reference the ongoing construction work being conducted under the
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-5 Tier 1 DEIS 

2004 ROD.  The response was that the No‐Build option or existing condition will

include all the track upgrades currently under construction as completed.

8.1.4.3 November 2011 IHPA Coordination Meeting

The agencies and consulting entities in coordination for the Chicago to St. Louis Tier 1

DEIS met on November 10, 2011 for the IHPA Coordination Meeting.  The attendees

included:  IDOT, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Parsons Transportation Group, Knight

Engineering, TranSystems, and Hanson Professional Services.  During the meeting,

program designs were reviewed, future NEPA documents were summarized, and

coordination with IHPA on upcoming projects related to Chicago‐St. Louis High Speed

Rail Program and the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement was established.  

8.1.4.4 November 2011 Progress Meeting

The agencies and consulting entities in coordination for the Chicago to St. Louis Tier 1

DEIS met on November 29, 2011 for the Agency Bi‐monthly Coordination Meeting via

teleconference.  The attendees included:  FRA, IDOT, USEPA, Parsons Brinckerhoff,

Parsons Transportation Group, Olsson Associates, Kaskaskia Engineering Group, Huff

& Huff, Knight Engineering, TranSystems, and Quigg Engineering. The meeting covered

the ongoing activities and status for the environmental documents for the Chicago to St.

Louis High‐Speed Rail program and the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement.   

8.1.4.5 January 2012 Progress Meeting

The agencies and consulting entities in coordination for the Chicago to St. Louis Tier 1

DEIS met on January 31, 2012 for an Agency Coordination Meeting and update for the

Chicago to St. Louis High‐Speed Rail Program.  The attendees included:  FRA, IDOT,

USEPA, IHPA, USACE, USFWS, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Parsons Transportation Group,

Olsson Associates, Kaskaskia Engineering Group, Huff & Huff, Knight Engineering,

TranSystems, and Quigg Engineering. The meeting covered the ongoing activities and

status for the environmental documents for the Chicago to St. Louis High‐Speed Rail

program and the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement. All agencies will be notified

when NEPA documents are publically available, and will also receive a cooperating

letter for Environmental Assessments.

8.2 Public Coordination 

Public engagement has been a key element in the success of the Chicago to St. Louis

High‐Speed Rail Corridor Program Tier 1 DEIS.  The study team has worked to connect

with the program’s interested and impacted parties through a variety of

communications and outreach tactics.  The principal aim has been to educate and inform

the public about the study’s process, activities and findings.  To this end, a website has

been maintained, email broadcasts sent out, displays circulated, and community

presentations facilitated.  Key stakeholders and their constituents have been readily kept

current on the study and progress.   

Direct engagement of the general public has also been a critical component of the study

team’s public involvement efforts.  Two rounds of public open houses were held in
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-6 Tier 1 DEIS 

March and the end of October/beginning of November, each of which were attended by

roughly 250 and 350 people total.  These open houses provided a means to both inform

the public and solicit its input at key milestones in the study.  Outreach efforts and

meeting notification efforts included newsletters, study emails, study website, letters,

public officials, newspaper ads, and media outlets.  Copies of the Tier 1 DEIS Public

Meeting Comment Summary Reports can be made available upon request.   

The public meeting was designed to find out about concerns, issues and community

plans; provide information on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process

and DEIS schedule; and get input about the High‐Speed Rail Program from Chicago to

St. Louis.  Below summarizes areas of public concern at each open house.

8.2.1 Public Open Houses 

8.2.1.1 March 1‐9, 2011

Five open houses were held in Joliet, Bloomington, Springfield, Carlinville and Alton.  

The table below provides a distribution of responses for each concern.

Table 8.2‐1.  Areas of Concern

Areas of Concern Number of 

Responses 

Traffic/Transportation 84

Travel Time 83

Socio‐economic Resources

(land‐use, population,

employment, etc.)

79

Grade Separation 72

Cost 66

Noise and Vibration 65

Cultural Resources (historic

properties/ archaeological sites)

48

Natural Resources (wetlands,

surface/ ground water, wildlife,

etc.)

40

Energy 36

Visual Aesthetics 36

Special/Hazardous Waste 33

Other 33

Public Parks and Recreational

Areas

31

Air Quality 30

Other 30

Flood Plains 18

TOTAL 754
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-7 Tier 1 DEIS 

Several respondents selected “other” and noted specific concerns in the City of

Springfield and the impact on smaller communities.  Some mentioned mining impacts,

property de‐valuation and economic development concerns.  Other meeting attendees

were concerned about safety, cost/funding, transit‐oriented development, job creation,

minority participation, passenger service levels, service demand/use/need and handicap

accessibility.

Almost half of the comment forms were completed in the additional comments section.  

Of those comments, about 20 percent were about the Springfield Railroad Corridor P

alternatives.  Another 10 percent noted changes that meeting attendees would like to see

to the proposed high‐speed rail service, amenities, alternatives or stops, including:

 Additional proposed alternatives in the St. Louis and Chicago area;

 Express or limited service between St. Louis and Chicago;

 Service terminus in East St. Louis;

 Service to East St. Louis, Kankakee, Decatur, the Quad Cities, and Champaign;

 Increase parking availability at stops; and

 Direct connections to the airports – St. Louis Lambert, Chicago Midway and O’Hare.

In addition to several comments received about the team and the public meeting

notification, participants were equally concerned about safety and the separation of

passenger and freight service.  Respondents noted the following:

 Reliability of railroad crossing warning devices;

 Compromised emergency responder service in the rural communities;

 Community division;

 Impacts that mines and minerals will have on railroad tracks; and

 Impacts of increased freight traffic within the corridor.

Finally, there were several respondents that challenged the 135 mph travel speed as

“high‐speed” or they desired a 220 mph rail speed along with grade separation and

electrification.

Generally, stakeholders seemed to support high‐speed rail but were concerned about

federal funding being used for Union Pacific Railroad track improvements.

Notwithstanding the funding issue, others were looking for more information since

infrastructure improvements, such as tracks, highway/rail crossings, etc. are underway

and other planning studies, such as the Springfield Railroad Corridor Study, are

ongoing.  Stakeholders also recognized the magnitude of this endeavor and expressed

their appreciation for public involvement at the onset.   

8.2.1.2 October/November 2011

In late October and early November 2011, five public meetings were held in Joliet,

Bloomington, Springfield, Carlinville and Alton.  The study team presented seven
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-8 Tier 1 DEIS 

evaluation criteria.  These criteria were used to screen the alternatives and to narrow

them down to a group of preferred alternatives.  The table below lists the criteria and the

number of responses each one received.

Table 8.2‐2.  Alternative Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria Number of 

Responses 

Minimize impacts to social and

economic resources   80

Minimize impacts to existing

and planned development   51

Minimize operating and capital

costs   34

Maximize ridership/revenue

potential   29

Minimize impacts to cultural

resources   26

Minimize impacts to natural

resources   8

Maximize avoidance of areas

with potential hazardous

materials  

4

Minimize Impacts to Social and Economic Resources

Respondents were most concerned about the alternatives’ impact on social and

economic resources.  Eighty‐six (86) percent of the people who commented about this

particular criterion attended the Springfield meeting.  They expressed concern about

increasing freight and passenger traffic on the 3rd Street corridor alternative saying that it

would negatively impact downtown Springfield businesses and residential

neighborhoods.  In other cities, such as Carlinville where four (4) percent of the

comments referred to social and economic resources, respondents wanted to make sure

there was enough clearance at crossings for farm machinery.  

Minimize Impacts to Existing and Planned Development

Minimizing impacts to existing and planned development received the second largest

number of comments.  Once again, the majority of respondents (94 percent) were from

the Springfield meeting.  Most of their comments referred to the medical district’s

expansion plans and how rail traffic must avoid destroying this district.  Respondents

said that the district provides jobs and generates tax revenue.  
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail 8-9 Tier 1 DEIS 

Minimize Operating and Capital Costs

The most comments on minimizing operating and capital costs (35 percent) cited the

State of Illinois’ financial status as well as the U.S. government’s.  As one respondent

said, “we should get our financial house in order first before planning for this project.”  

Others expressed concern about wanting to make sure that the program is necessary and

cost‐effective.  They want to see more information, such as projected ridership numbers,

before providing further comment.

Maximize Ridership/Revenue Potential

Out of the 31 comments about maximizing ridership/revenue potential, 48 percent of

respondents cited their support for high‐speed rail.  They said that high‐speed rail is

needed to compete with “other super powers around the world.”  Others felt that high‐

speed rail would be an asset to communities and would fill a vital need in Illinois’

transportation system.  

Minimize Impacts to Cultural Resources

Of the 26 comments received about minimizing impacts to cultural resources, 81 percent

came from the Springfield public meeting.  Respondents want to make sure that the

city’s historic Lincoln sites as well as its historic downtown are preserved.

The second round of public meetings for the Tier 1 DEIS provided an opportunity for

attendees to review the preliminary alternatives and the criteria to be used to evaluate

them.  The overwhelming majority of comments about the alternatives came from

Springfield residents, who also made up 69 percent of respondents.  As for the

evaluation criteria, 31 percent of respondents feel minimizing the social and economic

impacts is the most important criterion to consider when analyzing the alternatives.  

The results of the alternatives analysis are presented in this Tier 1 DEIS.  The third round

of meetings will be public hearings.  The Federal Railroad Administration, in

coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation, will make the final decision

on the preferred alternative for the Tier 1 DEIS.  Completing the Tier 1 DEIS is a critical

aspect for continued high‐speed rail development.  Public input is a key element to

success.