[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 235 (Friday, December 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 70582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26709]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2021-0082]


Notice of Availability of a Final General Conformity 
Determination for the California High-Speed Rail System, Burbank to Los 
Angeles Section

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that it is 
issuing a Final General Conformity Determination (FCD) for the Burbank 
to Los Angeles Section of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) System.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andr[eacute]a Martin, Senior 
Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Railroad Policy and 
Development (RPD), telephone: (202) 493-6201, email: 
[email protected]; or Marlys Osterhues, Chief, Environment and 
Project Engineering, RPD, telephone: (202) 493-0413, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 (Section 327), the 
California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA or Authority) has assumed 
FRA's environmental review responsibilities under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). However, under 
Section 327, FRA remains responsible for compliance with the Clean Air 
Act General Conformity requirements. In compliance with NEPA and the 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Authority published a 
Final Environmental Impact Record/Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIR/EIS) for the Burbank to Los Angeles Section of the California 
High-Speed Rail (HSR) System on November 5, 2021. The Final EIR/EIS is 
available at https://hsr.ca.gov/programs/environmental-planning/project-section-environmental-documents-tier-2/burbank-to-los-angeles-project-section-draft-environmental-impact-report-environmental-impact-statement/.
    FRA prepared a Draft General Conformity Determination, pursuant to 
40 CFR part 93, subpart B, which establishes the process for complying 
with the General Conformity requirements of the Clean Air Act. FRA 
published a notice in the Federal Register on September 20, 2021 
advising the public of the availability of the Draft Conformity 
Determination for a 30-day review and comment period. The Draft 
Conformity Determination was published at http://www.regulations.gov, 
Docket No. FRA-2021-0082. The comment period of the Draft Conformity 
Determination closed on October 20, 2021. FRA received one comment 
expressing support for the project and Draft General Conformity 
Determination.
    FRA prepared the Final General Conformity Determination pursuant to 
40 CFR part 93, subpart B, and based on the Authority's coordination 
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air 
Resources Board (CARB), and the South Coast Air Quality Management 
District (SCAQMD). The analysis found that construction period 
emissions would exceed the General Conformity de minimis threshold for 
Nitrogen Oxides (NOX). However, operation of the Project 
would result in an overall reduction of regional emissions of all 
applicable air pollutants and would not cause a localized exceedance of 
an air quality standard. Consistent with the General Conformity Rule, 
the Authority will ensure all remaining emissions that exceed the de 
minimis thresholds, after implementation of the impact avoidance and 
minimization features and onsite mitigation measures, will be offset 
through an agreement with SCAQMD. The Authority and SCAQMD will enter 
into an agreement after receipt of construction funding but prior to 
the start of construction. Based on this commitment, FRA determined the 
Project will conform to the requirements in the approved State 
Implementation Plan.
    The Final General Conformity Determination is available at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. FRA-2021-0082, and FRA's website at 
https://railroads.dot.gov/environment/environmental-reviews/clean-air-act-california-general-conformity-determinations.

    Issued in Washington, DC,
Jamie P. Rennert,
Director, Office of Infrastructure Investment.
[FR Doc. 2021-26709 Filed 12-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


