[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 18461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06724]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2021-0100]


Notice of Availability of a Final General Conformity 
Determination for the California High-Speed Rail System, San Jose to 
Merced Section

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: FRA is providing this notice to advise the public that it is 
issuing a Final General Conformity Determination (FCD) for the San Jose 
to Merced 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 San Jose to Merced Section of the California High-
Speed Rail (HSR) System on February 25, 2022.
    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 November 26, 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-2021-0100. The comment period of the Draft Conformity 
Determination closed on December 30, 2021. FRA received two comments 
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), Bay Area Air 
Quality Management District (BAAQMD), San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution 
Control District (SJVAPCD), and the California Air Resources Board 
(CARB). 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 
completely mitigated to zero through agreements with the applicable air 
districts. 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-2021-0100, 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. 2022-06724 Filed 3-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


