SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is releasing a draft supplemental environmental impact report pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) entitled “Merced to Fresno Section: Central Valley Wye Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement” (referred to below as “Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS”). The Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS is available for 48-day review and public comment beginning Friday, May 3 through Thursday, June 20, 2019.

This document supplements the 2012 Final EIR/EIS for the Merced to Fresno Project Section and is focused on the Central Valley Wye portion of the alignment that would create the east-west connection between the San Jose to Merced Section to the west and the approved Merced to Fresno alignment. The 2012 Final EIR/EIS identified the Hybrid Alternative as the preferred alternative for the north/south alignment of the high-speed rail, but did not select a preferred alternative for the Central Valley Wye.

The Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS provides a detailed environmental impact analysis of the Central Valley Wye between the cities of Merced and Madera and evaluates four alternatives: State Route (SR) 152 (North) to Road 13 Wye, SR 152 (North) to Road 19 Wye, Avenue 21 to Road 13 Wye, and SR 152 (North) to Road 11 Wye.

• There are several ways to submit a comment regarding the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS for the Merced to Fresno Project Section including:
  Online via the Authority’s website (www.hsr.ca.gov)
• Via email at CentralValley.Wy@hsr.ca.gov with the subject line “Merced to Fresno Section: Central Valley Wye Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS Comment.”
• Mail your comment to:
  • Attn: Merced to Fresno Section: Central Valley Wye Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS
    California High-Speed Rail Authority
    770 L Street, Suite 620 MS-1

A Community Open House and Public Hearing will be offered to receive public comments.

Community Open House
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fairmead Elementary School Cafeteria
19421 Avenue 22 ¾
Fairmead, CA 93610

Public Hearing
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Chowchilla-Madera Fairgrounds Little Theatre
1000 S. Third Street
Chowchilla, CA 93610

Verbal and written comments received during the public comment period will be reviewed and will be addressed in the Final Supplemental EIR document.

To view the full contents of the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS, please visit: https://hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Environmental_Planning/draft_supplemental_merced_fresno.html

The 2012 Final EIR/EIS for the Merced to Fresno Project Section can be reviewed at:
https://hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Environmental_Planning/final_merced_fresno.html

###