FOR RELEASE
Contact: Dennis Watson
07/19/2002 (Friday)
(202) 565-1596
No. 02-24
FIRS 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov


Surface Transportation Board & Cooperating Agencies Issue Final Scope of Study for Environmental Impact Statement re Proposed "Bayport Loop" Railroad Construction & Operation


The Surface Transportation Board (Board) announced today that its Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) has issued the Final Scope of Study (Final Scope) for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding the San Jacinto Rail Limited's (SJ) proposed construction, and The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway's (BN) operation, of approximately 12.8 miles of new railroad line near Houston, in Harris County, Texas, to serve certain petrochemical industries in the Bayport Industrial District (Bayport Loop). Working with the "cooperating agencies," the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, SEA issued the Final Scope as part of its environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act.


The Final Scope reflects issues raised both orally and in writing by the public and the cooperating agencies during the scoping process and at January 2002 scoping meetings held in Pasadena, Texas. The Final Scope also takes into account all comments received on environmental issues concerning the SJ-BN proposal.



A Draft EIS (DEIS) addressing all environmental issues and containing recommended mitigation will be made available for public review and comment. A Final EIS (FEIS) will then be prepared reflecting SEA's further analysis and comments received on the DEIS. In reaching future decisions in this case, the Board and each cooperating agency will take into account the full environmental record, including the DEIS, the FEIS, and all public and agency comments received.



For further information about this case, telephone the Board's toll-free environmental hotline at 1-888-229-7857. Inquiries may be made in either English or Spanish.



The Board issued its November 26, 2001 Draft Scope of the EIS and today's notice on the Final Scope for the EIS in the case entitled San Jacinto Rail Limited-- Construction Exemption--And The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company--Operation Exemption--Build-Out to the Bayport Loop Near Houston, Harris County, Texas, STB Finance Docket No. 34079.



A printed copy of the Final Scope issued today is available for a fee by contacting D~ 2 D~ Legal Copy Service, Suite 405, 1925 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006, telephone (202) 293-7776, or via da2dalegal@earthlink.net. The Final Scope also is available for viewing and downloading via the Board's website at http://www.stb.dot.gov.



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