NEWS RELEASE: California High-Speed Rail Authority Advances Environmental Work in Central Valley

Aug 7 2020 | Sacramento

Today, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) released the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the approximately 50-mile project alignment section referred to as the “Central Valley Wye” part of the Merced to Fresno Section. The document will be presented to the Authority Board of Directors for adoption at the Sept. 10 board meeting, marking the second certification of an environmental document in less than a year. The action will provide for full environmental clearance for 171 miles of alignment between Merced and Bakersfield.

The Authority prepared and released the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS as the lead agency for both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the federal equivalent known as NEPA. Responses to public comments received during the CEQA and NEPA review periods are part of this Final Supplemental EIR/EIS.

This Final Supplemental EIR/EIS evaluates the No Project Alternative and four Central Valley Wye alternatives: the State Route (SR) 152 (North) to Road 11 Wye Alternative, SR 152 (North) to Road 13 Wye Alternative, SR 152 (North) to Road 19 Wye Alternative, and Avenue 21 to Road 13 Wye Alternative. The Authority’s “Preferred Alternative” in this Final Supplemental EIR/EIS is the SR 152 (North) to Road 11 Wye Alternative.

The Final Supplemental EIR/EIS has been posted to the Authority’s website and printed and/or made available electronically at the following locations (open days/hours may be reduced for compliance with coronavirus public health and safety directives):

• Chowchilla Branch Library (300 Kings Ave., Chowchilla)
• Madera County Library (121 N. G St., Madera)
• Merced County Library (2100 O St., Merced)
• Madera County Clerk (200 W. Fourth St., Madera)
• Merced County Clerk (2222 M St., Merced)

Printed and electronic copies of the Final Supplemental EIR/EIS, along with electronic copies of the associated technical reports, are available for review during business hours at the Authority’s Sacramento and Fresno offices:

• 770 L St., Suite 620 MS-1, Sacramento
• 1111 H St., Fresno

You may also request an electronic copy of the Final Supplemental EIR/EIS by calling 916-324-1541.

To view the contents of the Final Supplemental EIR/EIS, please visit https://hsr.ca.gov/programs/environmental/eis_eir/draft_supplemental_merced_fresno.aspx 

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