Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 214 / Friday, November 3, 2000 / Notices 66295

Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington,

DC 20590, or Ms. Dian Deal, Office of

Information Technology and

Productivity Improvement, RAD–20,

Federal Railroad Administration, 1120

Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35,

Washington, DC 20590. Commenters

requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt

of their respective comments must

include a self-addressed stamped

postcard stating, ‘‘Comments on OMB

control number ___.’’ Alternatively,

comments may be transmitted via

facsimile to (202) 493–6265 or (202)

493–6170, or E-mail to Mr. Brogan at

robert.brogan@fra.dot.gov, or to Ms.

Deal at dian.deal@fra.dot.gov. Please

refer to the assigned OMB control

number in any correspondence

submitted. FRA will summarize

comments received in response to this

notice in a subsequent notice and

include them in its information

collection submission to OMB for

approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and

Evaluation Division, RRS–21, Federal

Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont

Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington,

DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6292)

or Dian Deal, Office of Information

Technology and Productivity

Improvement, RAD–20, Federal

Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont

Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington,

DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6133).

(These telephone numbers are not tollfree.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

(PRA), Pub. L. 104–13, 2, 109 Stat. 163

(1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C.

3501–3520), and its implementing

regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require

Federal agencies to provide 60-days

notice to the public for comment on

information collection activities before

seeking approval for reinstatement or

renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C.

3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1),

1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically,

FRA invites interested respondents to

comment on the following summary of

proposed information collection

activities regarding: (i) Whether the

information collection activities are

necessary for FRA to properly execute

its functions, including whether the

activities will have practical utility; (ii)

the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of the

burden of the information collection

activities, including the validity of the

methodology and assumptions used to

determine the estimates; (iii) ways for

FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and

clarity of the information being

collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to

minimize the burden of information

collection activities on the public by

automated, electronic, mechanical, or

other technological collection

techniques or other forms of information

technology (e.g., permitting electronic

submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C.

3506(c)(2)(A)(I)–(iv); 5 CFR

1320.8(d)(1)(I)–(iv). FRA believes that

soliciting public comment will promote

its efforts to reduce the administrative

and paperwork burdens associated with

the collection of information mandated

by Federal regulations. In summary,

FRA reasons that comments received

will advance three objectives: (i) reduce

reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it

organizes information collection

requirements in a ‘‘user friendly’’ format

to improve the use of such information;

and (iii) accurately assess the resources

expended to retrieve and produce

information requested. See 44 U.S.C.

3501.

Below is a brief summary of currently

approved information collection

activities that FRA will submit for

clearance by OMB as required under the

PRA:

Title: Special Notice For Repairs.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0504.

Abstract: The collection of

information is used by state and Federal

inspectors to remove freight cars or

locomotives from service until they can

be restored to a serviceable condition. It

is also used by state and Federal

inspectors to reduce the maximum

authorized speed on a section of track

until repairs can be made. Additionally,

the collection of information provides

railroads written notice that an

inspector has recommended to the FRA

Administrator to remove from service a

section of track that is not safe to use at

any speed. Railroads must return the

required form after the necessary repairs

have been made.

Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.8 and

FRA F 6180.8a.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion.

Estimated Annual Burden: 7 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Title: Designation of Qualified

Persons.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0511.

Abstract: The collection of

information is used to prevent the

unsafe movement of defective freight

cars. Railroads are required to inspect

the freight cars for compliance and to

determine restrictions on the movement

of defective cars.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion.

Estimated Annual Burden: 40 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5

CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA

informs all interested parties that it may

not conduct or sponsor, and a

respondent is not required to respond

to, a collection of information unless it

displays a currently valid OMB control

number.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.

Issued in Washington, D.C. on October 31,

2000.

Kathy A. Weiner,

Director, Office of Information Technology

and Support Systems, Federal Railroad

Administration.

[FR Doc. 00–28290 Filed 11–2–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–06–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

Environmental Impact Statement on

the Northwest Corridor—Carrollton

Line Light Rail Transit Project in

Dallas, Farmers Branch, and

Carrollton, TX

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration,

DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an

environmental impact statement.

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit

Administration (FTA) and Dallas Area

Rapid Transit (DART) have issued this

notice to advise interested agencies and

the public of their intent to prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

on the proposed Northwest CorridorCarrollton Line Light Rail Transit (LRT)

Project in Dallas, Farmers Branch, and

Carrollton, Texas. The EIS will be

prepared in accordance with the

National Environmental Policy Act of

1969 (NEPA), as amended. The DallasFort Worth region is currently

designated as a serious non-attainment

area for ozone by the Environmental

Protection Agency.

The Northwest Corridor-Carrollton

Line LRT Project is the product of the

Northwest Corridor Major Investment

Study (MIS) completed by DART in

early 2000. The MIS identified a Locally

Preferred Investment Strategy (LPIS),

which included a light rail element with

two service lines, the Carrollton Line

and the DFW Line. The Carrollton Line

is being advanced into the EIS phase of

project development at this time. The

DFW Line will be advanced into the EIS

process at a later time when alignment

and land use issues are resolved. A

separate EIS is also being prepared for

66296 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 214 / Friday, November 3, 2000 / Notices

a DART LRT extension in the Southeast

Corridor of the Dallas metropolitan area.

DATES: Comment Due Date: Written

comments on the scope of the

alternatives and impacts to be

considered should be sent to Kay

Shelton, Project Manager by December

20, 2000. See ADDRESSES below.

Scoping Meetings: Three public

scoping meetings will be held at the

following locations and dates. Scoping

material will be available at the meeting

or in advance of the meeting DART and

the cities of Dallas, Farmers Branch, and

Carrollton will conduct public scoping

meetings on the following dates and at

the following locations:

Tuesday, December 5, 2000, 6:30 p.m.,

Bachman Recreation Center, 2750

Bachman Drive, Dallas, Texas

Thursday, December 7, 6:30 p.m.,

Farmers Branch Elementary School,

13521 Tom Field Road, Farmers

Branch, Texas

Friday, December 8, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.,

DART Board Room, 1401 Pacific

Avenue, Dallas, Texas

Interagency Coordination Meeting:

DART will conduct an interagency

coordination meeting with appropriate

federal, state, and local agencies on the

following date and at the following

location: Wednesday, December 6, 2000,

1 p.m. to 3 p.m., DART Board

Conference Room 1–C, 1401 Pacific

Avenue, Dallas, Texas

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the

project scope should be sent to Kay

Shelton, DART Planning, P.O Box

660163, 1401 Pacific Avenue, Dallas,

Texas 75266–7213. Telephone (214)

749–2841, Fax (214) 749–3662, E-mail:

kshelton@dart.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Jesse Balleza, Community Planner,

Federal Transit Administration, Region

VI; Telephone (817) 978–0550.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Scoping

The FTA and DART invite interested

individuals, organizations, and federal,

state, and local agencies to participate in

refining the Carrollton LRT Line,

including alignment and station

locations. Comments should focus on

identifying any significant social,

economic, or environmental issues

related to the alignment. Specific

suggestions related to additional

alternatives to be examined and issues

to be addressed are welcome and will be

considered in the final scope for the

project. Scoping comments may be

made at the scoping meetings or in

writing no later than December 20,

2000. (see DATES and ADDRESSES above.)

Scoping comments should focus on

identifying specific social, economic, or

environmental impacts to be evaluated,

and suggesting alternatives that are less

costly or less environmentally

damaging, which achieve similar transit

objectives. Comments should focus on

the issues and alternatives for analysis,

and not on a preference for a particular

alternative. Additional information on

the EIS process, alternatives, and impact

issues to be addressed will be included

in the ‘‘Scoping Information

Document’’. Copies of the document

will be available from DART

immediately prior to the scoping

meetings (see DATES and ADDRESSES

above.)

II. Description of Study Area and

Project Need

The Northwest Corridor Study Area

includes a large part of northwest Dallas

County. It extends from downtown

Dallas on the south, to SH 121 on the

west and north, to east of Marsh Lane

and IH 35E on the east. The Major

Investment Study’s Locally Preferred

Investment Strategy (LPIS) includes two

rail lines, the D/FW Line and the

Carrollton Line. Each of the two rail

lines has independent utility in meeting

transportation needs of the Study Area.

The Carrollton Line is being advanced

now into the Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) phase. The D/FW Line

will be advanced into the EIS phase at

a later time when land use and

alignment issues are resolved.

The Northwest Corridor Major

Investment Study defined and evaluated

a range of project alternatives using a 4-

step evaluation process. In addition to

the No Build Alternative, a

Transportation Systems Management

(TSM) Alternative, Commuter Rail

Alternatives, several variations of Light

Rail Transit (LRT) Alternatives, and

some alternatives that combined both

LRT and Commuter Rail were

considered. Based on work group and

public input, and based on the technical

analysis, the above-described build

alternative was selected. While some

alignment refinements will continue for

the LPIS, the other alternatives

considered during the MIS were

dropped from further consideration. The

EIS will consider the No Build

Alternative in addition to Carrollton

LRT Line as the Build Alternative (see

ALTERNATIVES below).

The proposed project for

environmental review consists of a light

rail transit (LRT) line of approximately

17 miles. The LRT alignment begins in

downtown Dallas and extends north

from the existing LRT transitway mall

beginning at a point between the West

End Station and Union Station. The

alignment will utilize a portion of the

former Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR)

right-of-way, sharing the corridor with

Trinity Railway Express (TRE)

commuter rail and freight rail

operations between downtown Dallas

and approximately Wycliff Avenue. The

proposed LRT alignment crosses over

Market Center Boulevard, continuing in

the median of Harry Hines Boulevard.

North of Inwood Road the LRT

alignment turns east along Bomar Street

and north at Denton Drive, then crosses

under Mockingbird Lane near Denton

Drive. Alignment options to serve Love

Field will be considered during the EIS

process, including continuing north on

the former UPRR ROW, or an alignment

that provides more direct access to the

Love Field passenger terminal. North of

Love Field, the alignment follows the

UPRR ROW north through the cities of

Farmers Branch and Carrollton,

terminating in the vicinity of Frankford

Road.

Eleven stations are proposed in the

following vicinities: the new American

Airlines Center (Victory), Market Center,

Medical Center, Mockingbird/Love

Field, Northwest Highway/Bachman

Lake, Walnut Hill, Royal, Farmers

Branch Park-and-Ride, Belt Line/Old

Downtown Carrollton, North Carrollton

Transit Center, and Frankford Road. The

Carrollton Line and its associated

stations provides the opportunity to

serve several important regional activity

centers, including downtown Dallas,

American Airlines Center (Victory), the

Stemmons (IH 35E)/Market Center

business area, Medical Center area, Love

Field Airport, and the suburban cities of

Farmers Branch and Carrollton. The

proposed rail line will provide

numerous opportunities to interconnect

the region’s transit services, including

DART’s expanding LRT system, the

Trinity Railway Express commuter rail

operation, and DART’s local and

express bus service.

The corridor parallels IH 35E, one of

the most congested highway corridors in

the region. Regional growth has added

to this congestion, especially

employment growth in Dallas County,

and population growth in northern

Dallas, northeast Tarrant, and Denton

Counties. In 2020, the northwest

quadrant of Dallas County will account

for 33.6 percent of employment in the

entire Dallas-Fort Worth region. While

covering only 6.4 percent of the region’s

land area, the study area is a large net

importer of employees. In 1995,

employment outnumbered population

by over 200,000 jobs. In 2020, the

surplus of jobs over population is

expected to grow to more than 336,000.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 214 / Friday, November 3, 2000 / Notices 66297

Land use in the corridor consists of a

major concentration of employment

with residential uses occurring east of

IH 35E and in the northern portions of

the Study Area. Industrial and

commercial land uses are primarily

confined to land adjacent to IH 35E.

Traffic volumes on IH 35E parallel to

the Carrollton LRT Line are expected to

be more than 300,000 vehicles per day

in 2020, an increase of 30 percent from

1995 levels. The EPA has designated the

Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area as

a ‘‘serious’’ non-attainment area for the

pollutant ozone.

The proposed LRT project is part of a

multi-modal strategy that also

incorporates bus service refinements,

highway and HOV lane improvements,

Transportation System Management/

Travel Demand Management (TSM/

TDM), and bicycle and pedestrian

improvements. This strategy was

developed during the preparation of the

Northwest Corridor MIS completed by

DART in early 2000.

III. Alternatives

The transportation alternatives

proposed for consideration in this

project area include:

No-Build Alternative—The No-Build

Alternative involves no change to

transportation services or facilities in

the corridor beyond already committed

projects.

Build Alternative—The Carrollton

Line LRT project is approximately 17

miles in length and extends from the

downtown Dallas West End area to

Frankford Road in Carrollton. The

alignment will use the former UPRR

ROW, purchased by DART for future

transit use in 1990, and surface streets

where required to make key

connections. The project will connect

with the existing LRT system in the

West End area of downtown and will

operate in a shared use corridor with

freight traffic and Trinity Railway

Express commuter rail traffic for a

distance of approximately two miles.

The alignment will use a combination of

surface streets and UPRR right-of-way in

order to serve the Medical Center area

and the Love Field environs

(approximately three miles). North of

the Love Field area, the alignment

remains within the UPRR right-of-way

to Frankford Road (12 miles). Where the

alignment is within the UPRR right-ofway there will be potential shared use

with freight traffic. Eleven (11) LRT

Stations have been identified for service

access. Two significant design options

have been identified for evaluation

during the EIS process: (1) Griffin

alignment: an alignment between the

proposed Victory Station and the

Downtown Transit Mall via Griffin

Street; and (2) Love Field: an alternative

alignment to serve Love Field has been

proposed, swinging east of the UPRR

right-of-way and entering the Love Field

Terminal area east of Cedar Springs

Road.

IV. Probable Effects

The FTA and DART will evaluate all

significant environmental, social, and

economic impacts of the alternatives

analyzed in the EIS. Impact areas to be

addressed include: land use, zoning,

and economic development; secondary

development; land acquisition,

displacements, and relocation of

existing uses; historic, archaeological,

and cultural resources; parklands and

recreation areas; visual and aesthetic

qualities; neighborhoods and

communities; environmental justice; air

quality; noise and vibration; hazardous

materials; ecosystems; water resources;

energy; safety and security; utilities;

traffic and transportation impacts.

Potential impacts will be assessed for

the long-term operation of each

alternative and the short-term

construction period. Measures to avoid,

minimize, or mitigate any significant

adverse impacts will be identified.

V. FTA Procedures

The EIS process will be performed in

accordance with applicable laws and

Federal Transit Administration

regulations and guidelines for preparing

an Environmental Impact Statement.

The impacts of the project will be

assessed, and, if necessary, the scope of

the project will be revised or refined to

minimize and mitigate any adverse

impacts. After its publication, the draft

EIS will be available for public review

and comment. One or more public

hearings will be held during the draft

EIS public comment period. On the

basis of the draft EIS and comments

received, the project will be revised or

further refined as necessary and the

final EIS prepared.

Issued on: October 30, 2000.

Robert C. Patrick,

Regional Administrator.

[FR Doc. 00–28302 Filed 11–2–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–57–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

Environmental Impact Statement on

Transportation Improvements Within

the Southeast Corridor in Dallas, TX

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration,

DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement.

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit

Administration (FTA) and Dallas Area

Rapid Transit (DART) have issued this

notice to advise interested agencies and

the public of their intent to prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

on the proposed Southeast Corridor

Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project, in

Dallas, Texas. The EIS will be prepared

in accordance with the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969

(NEPA), as amended. The Dallas-Fort

Worth region is currently designated as

a serious non-attainment area for ozone

by the Environmental Protection

Agency.

The Southeast Corridor Light Rail

Transit (LRT) Project is the product of

the Southeast Corridor Major

Investment Study (MIS), completed by

DART in early 2000. The MIS identified

a Locally Preferred Investment Strategy

(LPIS), which included the light rail

being advanced into the EIS phase of

project development at this time. A

separate EIS is also being prepared for

a DART LRT extension in the Northwest

Corridor of the Dallas metropolitan area.

DATES: Comment Due Date: Written

comments on the scope of the

alternatives and impacts to be

considered should be sent to John

Hoppie, Project Manager by December

20, 2000. See ADDRESSESS below.

Scoping Meetings: Three public

scoping meetings will be held at the

following locations and dates. Scoping

material will be available at the meeting

or in advance of the meeting. DART will

conduct public scoping meetings on the

following dates and at the following

locations:

Tuesday, November 28, 2000, from 6:30

p.m. to 9 p.m., Baylor—Tom Landry

Center, 411 N. Washington Ave.,

Dallas, Texas

Wednesday, November 29, 2000, from

6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Martin Luther

King Jr. Senior Center, 2922 Martin

Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas, Texas

Thursday November 30, 2000, from 6:30

p.m. to 9 p.m., Pleasant Mound UMC,

8301 Bruton Rd., Dallas, Texas

Interagency Coordination Meeting:

DART will conduct an interagency

coordination meeting with appropriate

federal, state, and local agencies on the

following date and at the following

location:

Wednesday, December 6, 2000, 10 a.m.

to 12 p.m., DART Board Conference

Room 1–C, 1401 Pacific Avenue,

Dallas, Texas

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the

project scope should be sent to John