New Bedford/Fall River Rail Project
South Coast Rail
Upcoming Events
Fall 2013
Two DOT Open Houses
Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be sponsoring two Open Houses to discuss the
Army Corps of Engineers' Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)/Final Environmental Impact
Report (FEIR)
Scheduled for Tuesday October 8, 2013
From 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.
Taunton High School Cafeteria
50 Williams St., Taunton MA
Scheduled for Thursday October 17, 2013
From 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.
UMass Dartmouth
Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center
151 Martine St.
Fall River, MA
Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force Meeting
Scheduled for Wednesday October 16, 2013From 3:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Norton Public Library - Community Room
66 East Main St., Norton MA
(Rte. 123 - Adjacent to Norton Fire Dept. and Town Hall)
Summer 2011
Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force Meeting
Scheduled for Wednesday June 8, 2011From 3:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Battleship Cove Museum
5 Water Street
Fall River, MA
Army Corps of Engineers Public Hearings:
Wednesday May 4, 20117:00 P.M.
Qualters Middle School
240 East Street
Mansfield, MA
Thursday May 5, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Keith Middle School
225 Hathaway Blvd.
New Bedford, MA
Two Public Hearings to receive comments on the Army Corps of Engineers’ federal ‘Draft Environmental Impact Statement’ (DEIS), which will also serve as Mass. DOT’s ‘Draft Environmental Impact Report’ (DEIR).
There will be an Open House beginning at 5:30 P.M.
Those wishing to speak may register at 6:00 P.M.
Written comments will be accepted until Friday May 27, 2011
MassDOT would also like to receive a copy of the comment letters.
E-mail: kristina.egan@state.ma.us
Or USPS: MassDOT Ten Park Plaza, Room 4150, Boston, MA 02116
For Information on how to view the report and where to send comments – South Coast Rail web site March 2011 Fact Sheet
or CCATS NEWS Page March 2011 Annnouncement.
Spring 2011
Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force Meeting
Scheduled for Wednesday March 23, 2011From 3:00 - 5:00 P.M.
New Bedford Public Library
613 Pleasant Street New Bedford, MA
[Agenda Item: 'Review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement']
Fall 2010
Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force Meeting
Scheduled for Wednesday, November 10, 2010From 3:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Location and Agenda TBA.
January 2010
Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force Meeting
Scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, 2010From 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. at the Raynham Senior Center.
Agenda TBA.
NOVEMBER 2009
Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force Meeting
Wednesday, November 18Bristol Community College
Route 6
Fall River, MA
4:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Guest Speakers:
Alan Anacheka-Nasemann, Project Manager for the South Coast Rail, US Army Corps of Engineers
[This presentation is of tremendous interest as we are awaiting release of the Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) from the Corps.with the naming of a 'Preferred Alternative'].
Jack Clarke - Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Mass. Audubon
SEPTEMBER 2009
THERE WILL BE TWO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER:
Monday, September 14Raynham Senior Center
2215 King Philip Street
Raynham, MA
5:30 - 6:30 P.M. - Open House with consultants for EOT at different stations discussing each of the transportation options, and the Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan
6:30 - 7:30 P.M. - Presentation and Q & A Session
Thursday, September 17
Fall River Heritage State Park
Visitor Center
Dovol Street
Fall River, MA
6:00 - 7:00 P.M. - Open House with consultants for EOT at different stations discussing each of the transportation options, and the Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan
7:00 - 8:00 P.M. - Presentation and Q & A Session
As of this September 2009 Update:
The Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan can be found on the South Coast Rail Web Site.
Go to: Southcoast Rail Web Page
Technical Reports including: maps and text demonstrating alignments of the proposed routes, revised projections for ridership etc., can be viewed and discussed with consultants from VHB at the various stations during the Open House portion of both meetings,with the presentations being the same in both locations.
But there is nolonger the expectation that the technical data or 'Environmental Affects and Consequences Reports' will be available in print, or posted on the South Coast Rail Web Site until the Army Corps of Engineers releases their DEIS.
Publication of the Federal Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS), which will likely also be used by the State as the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), with naming of a 'Preferred Alternative' has been delayed, but is still anticipated this Fall (which technically could be anytime before the Winter Solstice December 21st).
The Army Corps of Engineers has not yet given a target date for delivery of the DEIS.
Taunton Station Workshop
Thursday February 12, 2009
6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
[For more information: Go to: Southcoast Rail Home Page]
CCATS ALERT From - Heather Graf
December 1, 2008
IT’S NOT OVER YET!
Citizens Concerned About Tracks and Supporters:
Please join me for this one extremely important meeting to demonstrate our
strength and resolve
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2008
6:30 P.M. TAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
With the November 19, 2008 release of the ‘Environmental Notification Form’ (ENF) came welcome news that the proponent of the South Coast Rail Project: the Mass. Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) recommends the Attleboro Alternatives be eliminated from further consideration.
But it is the regulatory agencies charged with overseeing and permitting the project who will make the determination at the end of January on which alternatives will advance and what the scope of review shall be.
The two agencies: The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) are sponsoring ‘Scoping Sessions’ to receive public input on how to proceed.
All interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting Wednesday December 3, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. in the Taunton High School Auditorium. For those wishing to speak, sign-in begins at 5:30 P.M.
While the case made by EOT not to advance the Attleboro Route was a compelling one, use of the word “dropped” is premature.
The Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for environmental review and permitting of the South Coast Rail, is an agency of the federal government working separately from the state.
The Corps has its own guidelines, criteria and regulations and an independent consultant has been hired to examine the findings in the Environmental Notification Form. Based on public input and the conclusions of their consultant, the Army Corps, as well as the State’s Regulatory Office (MEPA) will announce at the end of January which alternatives will be pursued in the federal and state environmental reviews.
It is hoped both agencies will concur with EOT’s recommendation that the Attleboro Alternatives not advance for the detailed EIS/EIR investigation.
Then by February 1, 2009 we can safely say “the Attleboro Route is off the table”.
For more information: Go to: www.southcoastrail.com Reference Materials: Environmental Notification Form (Chapter 6 and Figures: 3-1, 4-1 and 4-15 thru 4-20), and ENF-NOI Filing 2008. Also see: www.ccats.org News Page: Newspaper Articles.
NOTE:
An 11th Hour Addition to the Route Options
The So-called Stoughton Alternative/Whittenton Variation (4C)
This new route avoids the Pine Swamp in Raynham, but puts 30 New Bedford/Fall River trains on existing freight track through Taunton (the Attleboro Secondary) before connecting with the original Stoughton Route.
The Whittenton Option would have a longer trip time due to the serpentine nature of extra routing.
The Whittenton Variation of the Stoughton Alternative would give Taunton 14 at-grade crossings in the center of the city.
This new option would use a Whittenton Site for a station stop instead of the long favored and advanced Dean Street location, which would benefit the City of Taunton.
Reference: www.southcoastrail.com
Reference Materials ‘Environmental Notification Form’ 19-Nov-2008 Chapter 4, Page 51 and ‘ENF Figures’ 30-Nov-2008 Figure 3-1.
‘Citizens Concerned About Tracks’ opposes the Whittenton Option.
CCATS still supports the Original Stoughton Alternative with Dean Street Station.
Our regional coalition was founded with respect to the impacts on all of our area communities, with Taunton of tantamount importance.
If the Attleboro Alternatives are not advanced for the final environmental review, CCATS will concentrate its efforts on eliminating the Whittenton Variation (of the Stoughton Alternative) from further consideration.
14 at-grade crossings in the center of Taunton is totally unacceptable. Although we agree with Kristina Egan’s contention that ‘grade-crossings can be mitigated’ we reject the notion that 14 of them within a 1 ¼ mile section of the inner city is in any way tolerable.
We expect the Army Corps of Engineers to recognize that human beings and the City where they reside and work, are in fact essential living elements of the ‘Environment’ and deserve equal or greater protection of their habitat than some of the four-legged creatures who share our space.
The Whittenton Option would put Taunton residents, businesses and the City itself on the ‘Endangered Species’ List.
Advancement of the Whittenton Option is a slap in the face to Taunton, where officials and residents have welcomed the restoration of commuter rail service to their sister cities of New Bedford and Fall River.
Taunton’s support of the South Coast Rail is contingent upon use of the most logical route and the only one which benefits their City– the Original Stoughton Alternative, which would make Taunton the ‘Gateway to the South Coast’.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – November 10, 2009
FEDERAL
The US Army Corps of Engineers published their ‘Notice of Intent’ (NOI) on October 31, 2008 –
To Prepare an ‘Environmental Impact Statement’ (EIS) for the South Coast Rail Project.
Notice is available
online at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/reg/0758_001.pdf
STATE
The Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works (EOT), under the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) is filing the ‘Environmental Notification Form’ (ENF) Mid-November 2008, with Notice in the Environmental Monitor published November 24, 2008.
The Army Corps of
Engineers and EOT are seeking input on what should be studied in the
federal (EIS) and state (EIR) environmental review of the South Coast
Rail Project.
December: Two Public Scoping Meetings will be held @ 6:30 P.M.
Tuesday December 2, 2008 at U Mass Dartmouth (Woodland Commons Building)
285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth 02747-2300
Parking Available inLot #7
Wednesday December 3, 2008 at Taunton High School (Auditorium)
50 Williams Street,
Taunton 02780
Scoping Sessions will
begin at 6:30 P.M., with pre-registration beginning at 5:30 P.M.
Anyone wishing to speak
needs to register.
Comment Period Ends January 9, 2009
Comments on what should be addressed in the federal EIS should be sent to:
Alan Anacheka-Nasemann
US Army Corps of Engineers
696 Virginia Road
Concord, MA 01742-2751
Or E-mail to: SCREIS@usace.army.mil
Reference: File # NAE-23007-00698 South Coast Rail Project
Comments on what should be addressed in the state EIR should be sent to:
Secretary Ian Bowles,EEA
Attn.: MEPA Office (Aisling Eglington)
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
FAX: (617) 626 –1181
E-mail:aisling.eglington@state.ma.us
NOTE: Comments for MEPA relative to the state EIR must be received in writing to be considered. Deadline is January 9, 2009.
We are expecting, with release of the State’s Environmental Notification Form (ENF):
to finally see the alignment of the PROPOSED ATTLEBORO BY-PASS, with graphics and other basic technical information requested for the Attleboro Alternatives.
To receive written copy, or CD of the ENF - Contact:
Charlie Patton at Regina Villa Associates
E-mail: cpatton@reginavilla.com
Copies should also be available at the Norton and other Public Libraries
And posted on the South Coast Rail Web Site: www.southcoastrail.com
NEWS/UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER 2008
Release of:
The Army Corps’ Notice of Intent’ (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the South Coast Rail Project**
See:http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/reg/0758_001.pdf
And the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) publication of the ‘Environmental Notification Form’ (ENF)****
See:www.southcoastrail.com
Wednesday November 19, 2008
Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force Meeting
4:00 – 6:00 P.M. at the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park
Corson Maritime Learning Center, 2nd Floor 33 William Street, New Bedford
On the Agenda: Presentation on the Content of the Environmental Notification Form by South Coast Rail Manager Kristina Egan
DECEMBER 2008
The Army Corps of Engineers and the Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works (EOT) will be conducting public meetings (Scoping Sessions) to receive input on what should be
studied in the federal (EIS) and state (EIR) environmental review for the South Coast Rail Project.
Two Public Scoping
Meetings will be held @ 6:30 P.M.
Tuesday December 2, 2008 at U Mass Dartmouth (Woodland Commons Building)
285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth 02747-2300
Parking Available in Lot #7
Wednesday December 3, 2008 at Taunton High School (Auditorium)
50 Williams Street, Taunton 02780
Scoping Sessions will begin at 6:30 P.M., with pre-registration at 5:30 P.M.
Anyone wishing to speak needs to register.
Oral testimony relative to the federal EIS will be recorded.
Comments relative to the state EIR must be submitted in writing.
Comment Period Ends January 9, 2009
**Comments on what should be addressed in the Federal EIS should be sent to:
Alan Anacheka-Nasemann
US Army Corps of Engineers
696 Virginia Road
Concord, MA 01742-2751
Or E-mail to: SCREIS@usace.army.mil
Reference: File # NAE-23007-00698 South Coast Rail Project
****Comments on what should be addressed in the State EIR should be addressed to:
Secretary Ian Bowles, EEA
Attn: MEPA Office (Aisling Eglington)
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
FAX: (617) 626 –1181
E-mail:aisling.eglington@state.ma.us
NOTE: Comments for MEPA relative to the State EIR must be received in writing to be considered.
Deadline is January 9, 2009.
We are expecting (November 2008) with release of the State’s Environmental Notification Form (ENF) to finally see the alignment of the proposed ATTLEBORO BY-PASS, with graphics and other basic technical information critical to review of the Attleboro Alternatives.
To receive written copy, or CD of the ENF - Contact:
Charlie Patton at Regina Villa Associates
E-mail:cpatton@reginavilla.com
Copies of the ENF should also be available at the Norton and other Public Libraries
And posted online at the South Coast Rail Web Site
www.southcoastrail.com
Wednesday December 10, 2008
Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force Meeting 4:00 – 6:00 P.M.
at the Massachusetts Highway Department District 5 Office
100 County Street (Route 140)
Taunton, MA 02780
2009 Calendar
S.E. Mass. Commuter Rail Task Force Meetings
(All on Wednesday Afternoons, 4:00 – 6:00 P.M.)
See: www.srpedd.org
Go to: Projects and Partnerships, Commuter Rail Task Force, Calendar
January 7, 2009
February 11, 2009
March 11, 2009
April 15, 2009
May 13, 2009
June 17, 2009
Summer 2009:
Expect draft releases of the Federal EIS and State EIR, with EOT’s Draft Corridor Plan and their Preferred Alternative.
Spring 2010: Expect Announcement of EOT’s Final Corridor Plan with the Preferred Alternative.
Past Events
TRAIN MEETING
THURSDAY MAY 29, 2008
AT 7:00 P.M.
IN THE NORTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
SPONSORED BY THE NORTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
AND OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
THIS PUBLIC MEETING IS INTENDED TO BE USER FRIENDLY TO RESIDENTS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS INTERESTED IN THE PROPOSED SOUTH COAST RAIL PROJECT AND ITS IMPACTS ON OUR AREA
OF 8 RAIL ALTERNATIVES TO CONNECT NEW BEDFORD & FALL RIVER WITH BOSTON, FOUR OF THE OPTIONS WOULD USE THE ATTLEBORO ROUTE WHICH CUTS THROUGH NORTON, ATTLEBORO, MANSFIELD & TAUNTON
OF 8 RAIL ALTERNATIVES TO CONNECT NEW BEDFORD & FALL RIVER WITH BOSTON, FOUR OF THEM WOULD USE THE ATTLEBORO ROUTE
- WHICH CUTS THOUGH NORTON, ATTLEBORO, MANSFIELD & TAUNTON
- PUTTING 30 NEW MBTA COMMUTER TRAINS A DAY ON EXISTING FREIGHT TRACK THAT RUNS THRU OUR COMMUNITIES
- WITH 15 AT-GRADE CROSSINGS IN THE CITY OF TAUNTON
- AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TRACK ALONG THE POWER LINE ROW FROM CHARTLEY POND IN NORTON TO THE EXISTING AMTRAK LINE IN MANSFIELD
- WITH NEW GRADE CROSSINGS ON RICHARDSON AVENUE AND ROUTE 123 (ATTLEBORO/NORTON LINE)
- PLUS INVASION OF WETLANDS, CONSERVATION PARCELS, VERNAL POOLS, AND PRIORITY WILDLIFE HABITATS, INCLUDING IMPACTS TO ACEC DESIGNATED PARCELS
JOIN CCATS IN SUPPORTING REESTABLISMENT OF COMMUTER RAIL TO TAUNTON & THE SOUTH COAST
BUT ADAMANTLY OPPOSE THE ILL-FATED ATTLEBORO ROUTE