Project Section Environmental Documents

The public review period for the San Francisco to San Jose Project Section Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) closed on September 9, 2020. The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) will consider all comments received on the Draft EIR/EIS and respond to substantive comments on the Draft EIR/EIS in the Final EIR/EIS, scheduled for release in 2021.

The Draft EIR/EIS was originally made available for a minimum 45-day public review beginning on July 10, 2020 and ending on August 24, 2020, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In response to agency and stakeholder requests and in consideration of limitations caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Authority elected to extend the public review period to September 9, 2020.

On July 23, 2019, Governor Newsom executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (known as NEPA Assignment), pursuant to the legal authority under 23 U.S.C. section 327. Under NEPA Assignment, the State of California, acting through the California State Transportation Agency and the Authority, has assumed FRA’s responsibilities under NEPA and other federal environmental laws, as assigned by FRA under the MOU. These responsibilities that California will now carry out, pursuant to 23 U.S.C. section 327 and the MOU, include environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project. The Authority is therefore both the CEQA and NEPA lead agency.

The Preferred Alternative in the Draft EIR/EIS is Alternative A, a predominantly two-track blended system with no additional passing tracks that includes service at one future station (Salesforce Transit Center, which would serve as an HSR station when the Transbay Joint Powers Authority completes its Downtown Extension Project), three existing Caltrain stations to be shared by HSR and Caltrain (4th and King Street [an interim station only], Millbrae, and San Jose Diridon), and the East Brisbane LMF. As part of ongoing design optimization, a design variant has been identified to optimize speeds for the San Jose Diridon Station and approaches in Alternative A. The Authority will consider whether to formally adopt Alternative A (with or without the San Jose Diridon Station design variant) as they prepare and certify the Final EIR/EIS.

Copies of the Draft EIR/EIS

Many of the following documents are available electronically in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, which require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a copy of this free software, you can download it from Adobe at https://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you already have a copy of this software, simply click on the links and it will open up automatically. Many of these files are very large and could take up to several minutes to download.

In addition to posting the electronic version of the Draft EIR/EIS on this website, printed and/or electronic copies of the Draft EIR/EIS and electronic copies of associated technical reports have been made available for review at the following locations during hours the facilities are open (open days/hours may be reduced for compliance with coronavirus public health and safety directives):

• San Francisco—100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 (San Francisco Library, Main Branch)
• Brisbane—250 Visitacion Avenue, Brisbane, CA 94005 (Brisbane Library)
• South San Francisco—840 W. Orange Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080 (South San Francisco Library)
• San Bruno—701 Angus Avenue West, San Bruno, CA 94066 (San Bruno Library)
• Millbrae—1 Library Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030 (Millbrae Library)
• Burlingame—480 Primrose Road, Burlingame, CA 94010 (Burlingame Library)
• San Mateo—55 W. Third Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402 (San Mateo Library, Main Branch)
• Belmont—1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA 94002 (Belmont Library)
• San Carlos—610 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070 (San Carlos Library)
• Redwood City—1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063 (Redwood City Library, Downtown Branch)
• Atherton—150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027 (Town Government Building)
• Menlo Park—800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (Menlo Park Library)
• Palo Alto—270 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (Palo Alto Library, Downtown Branch)
• Mountain View—585 Franklin Street, Mountain View, CA 94041 (Mountain View Library)
• Sunnyvale—665 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (Sunnyvale Library)
• Santa Clara—2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051 (Central Park Branch, Santa Clara County Library)
• San Jose—150 E. San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95112 (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library)

Printed and/or electronic copies of the Draft EIR/EIS and electronic copies of associated technical reports are also available for review during business hours at the Authority’s Northern California Regional Office at 100 Paseo de San Antonio, Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95113 and the Authority’s Headquarters at 770 L Street, Suite 620 MS-1, Sacramento, CA 95814. You may also request a copy of the Draft EIR/EIS, and the other documents listed in this webpage, by calling (800) 435-8670.

Copies of the Tier 1 documents are available on request by calling the Authority office at (800) 435-8670. The Tier 1 documents may also be reviewed at the Authority’s offices during business hours at: 770 L Street, Suite 620 MS-1, Sacramento, CA 95814 and 100 Paseo de San Antonio, Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95113.

Authority offices may have reduced open days/hours, as required by coronavirus public health and safety directives. Please consult www.hsr.ca.gov for up-to-date information. You may also request a copy of the Draft EIR/EIS, and the other documents listed in this webpage, by calling (800) 435-8670.

The Authority does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities.

Document Organization

The purpose of environmental documents is to disclose information to decision makers and the public. While the science and analysis that support this Draft EIR/EIS are complex, this document is intended for the general public. Every attempt has been made to limit technical terms and the use of acronyms. The terms and acronyms are defined the first time they are used and a list of acronyms and abbreviations is provided in Chapter 15 of this document.

The Summary, available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog, provides an overview of the substantive chapters. It includes a table listing the potential environmental impacts for each environmental resource topic and directs the reader to where additional information can be found elsewhere in the document.

Education Materials

• Summary for the Draft EIR/EIS
• Resumen del Borrador del EIR/ EIS
• EIR/EIS草案摘要
• Tóm Lược Dự Thảo EIR/EIS
• Buod ng Draft na EIR/EIS
• Volume 3 User Guide

Notices

• Notice of Availability
• Aviso de Disponibilidad
• 可用性通知
• Thông báo về sự sẵn có
• Abiso ng Pagkakaroon
• Public Notice of Change to Public Review Period
• Aviso Público de Cambio del Periodo de Revisión Pública
• 公眾審議期變更通告
• Công Báo về Thay Thổi Thời Gian Lấy ý Kiến Công Chúng
• Pampublikong Abiso ng Pagbabago ng Panahon para sa Pampublikong Pagsusuri

Submitting a Comment

The comment period is closed.

Document Organization

The San Francisco to San Jose Project Section Draft EIR/EIS consists of the following:

• Volume 1—Report
• Volume 2—Technical Appendices
• Volume 3—Preliminary Engineering for Project Definition

Volume 1: Report

• Volume I Cover
• Volume I Title Page
• Signature Page
• Fact Sheet
• Preface
• Table of Contents Volume 1
• Summary
• Chapter 1 Project Purpose, Need, and Objectives
• Chapter 2 Alternatives
• Chapter 3 Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Measures
  • Section 3.1 Introduction
  • Section 3.2 Transportation
  • Section 3.3 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases
  • Section 3.4 Noise and Vibration
  • Section 3.5 Electromagnetic Fields and Electromagnetic Interference
  • Section 3.6 Public Utilities and Energy
  • Section 3.7 Biological and Aquatic Resources
  • Section 3.8 Hydrology and Water Resources
  • Section 3.9 Geology, Soils, Seismicity, and Paleontological Resources
  • Section 3.10 Hazardous Materials and Wastes
  • Section 3.11 Safety and Security
  • Section 3.12 Socioeconomics and Communities
  • Section 3.13 Station Planning, Land Use, and Development
  • Section 3.14 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
  • Section 3.15 Aesthetics and Visual Quality
  • Section 3.16 Cultural Resources
  • Section 3.17 Regional Growth
  • Section 3.18 Cumulative Impacts
  • Section 3.19 Design Variant to Optimize Speed
• Chapter 4 Section 4(f)/6(f) Evaluation
• Chapter 5 Environmental Justice
• Chapter 6 Project Costs and Operations
• Chapter 7 Other CEQA/NEPA Considerations
• Chapter 8 Preferred Alternative
• Chapter 9 Public and Agency Involvement
• Chapter 10 Distribution List
• Chapter 11 List of Preparers
• Chapter 12 References
• Chapter 13 Glossary of Terms
• Chapter 14 Index
• Chapter 15 Acronyms and Abbreviations

Volume 2: Technical Appendices

• Cover Volume 2
• Title Page Volume 2
• Table of Contents Volume 2
• Appendix 2-A Roadway Crossings, Modifications, and Closures
• Appendix 2-B Railroad Crossings
• Appendix 2-C Operations and Service Plan Summary
• Appendix 2-D Applicable Design Standards
• Appendix 2-E Project Impact Avoidance Minimization Features
• Appendix 2-F Summary of Requirements for Operations and Maintenance Facilities
• Appendix 2-G Emergency and Safety Plans
• Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report and Appendices A, B, and C
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendices D and D.1
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.2
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.3
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.4 Part 1
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.4 Part 2
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.5 Part 1
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.5 Part 2
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.6 Part 1
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.6 Part 2
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.6 Part 3
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.6 Part 4
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix D.6 Part 5
  • Appendix 2-H Constructability Assessment Report Appendix E
• Appendix 2-I Regional and Local Plans and Policies
• Appendix 2-J Policy Consistency Analysis
• Appendix 3.1-A Parcels within the HSR Project Footprint
• Appendix 3.1-B San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission Bay Plan Consistency Analysis
• Appendix 3.2-A Transportation Data on Intersections
• Appendix 3.2-B Vehicle Miles Traveled Forecasting
• Appendix 3.3-A Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report
  • Appendix 3.3-A, Appendix A CalEEMod Outputs for Station and Light Maintenance Facility Operation
  • Appendix 3.3-A, Appendix B CALINE4 Outputs for CO Hot-Spot Analysis
  • Appendix 3.3-A, Appendix C Construction Emissions Assumptions
  • Appendix 3.3-A, Appendix D Ballast Hauling Memorandum
  • Appendix 3.3-A, Appendix E Localized Impacts from Construction
  • Appendix 3.3-A, Appendix F Potential Impact from Induced Winds
  • Appendix 3.3-A, Appendix G Council on Environmental Quality Provisions Covering Incomplete or Unavailable Information
• Appendix 3.3-B General Conformity Requirements and Process
• Appendix 3.3-C Changes to Project Benefits Based on 2018 Business Plan
• Appendix 3.4-A Noise and Vibration Technical Report
  • Appendix 3.4-A Appendix A Measurement Site Photographs
  • Appendix 3.4-A Appendix B Noise Measurement Data
  • Appendix 3.4-A Appendix C Vibration Propagation Measurement Data
• Appendix 3.4-B Noise and Vibration Mitigation Guidelines
• Appendix 3.5-A Pre-construction Electromagnetic Measurement Survey
• Appendix 3.6-A Public Utilities and Energy Facilities
• Appendix 3.6-B Existing Plus Project Conditions Energy Analysis
• Appendix 3.6-C Water Use Assessment
• Appendix 3.6-D Energy Analysis Memorandum
• Appendix 3.7-A Special-Status Species Potentially Affected
• Appendix 3.7-B Scientific Nomenclature
• Appendix 3.8-A List of Aquatic Resources Crossed
• Appendix 3.8-B Summary Hydraulic Modeling
• Appendix 3.8-C Basin Plan Water Quality Impact Assessment
• Appendix 3.11-A Safety and Security Data
• Appendix 3.11-B Airport Obstructions
• Appendix 3.12-A Relocation Assistance Documents
• Appendix 3.13-A General Plan Land Use Maps
• Appendix 3.16-A Agency and Interested Party Outreach
• Appendix 3.16-B Tribal Outreach and Consultation
• Appendix 3.16-C Archaeological and Built Resources
• Appendix 3.16-D Programmatic Agreement
• Appendix 3.17-A RIMS II Modeling Details
• Appendix 3.18-A Cumulative Nontransportation Plans and Projects List
• Appendix 3.18-B Cumulative Transportation Plans and Projects
• Appendix 5-A Environmental Justice Engagement Summary Report
  • Appendix 5-A Appendix A Environmental Justice Outreach Plan
  • Appendix 5-A Appendix B List of Outreach Meetings Held for the Project
  • Appendix 5-A Appendix C Biannual Environmental Justice Outreach Reports
• Appendix 6-A San Francisco to San Jose Project Section: PEPD Record Set Capital Cost Estimate Report
• Appendix 6-B High-Speed Rail Operating and Maintenance Cost for Use in EIR/EIS Project-Level Analysis
• Appendix 9-A Public and Agency Meeting List

Volume 3: Preliminary Engineering for Project Definition

Volume 3 consists of the Preliminary Engineering for Project Definition (PEPD) plans, which include drawings of track, structures, grade separations, utilities, stations, etc. The PEPD is organized into eight volumes, which are provided below.

• Cover Volume 3
• Title Page Volume 3
• Volume 3 General Information
• Alternative A Preliminary Engineering for Project Design
  • Alternative A Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book A1 Composite Plan, Profile, and Typical Sections
  • Alternative A Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book A2 Composite Plan, Profile, and Typical Sections
  • Alternative A Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book A3 Stations
  • Alternative A Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book A4 Structures, Roadway, Light Maintenance Facility, and Alignment Data Table
• Alternative B Preliminary Engineering for Project Design
  • Alternative B Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book B1 Composite Plan, Profile, and Typical Sections
  • Alternative B Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book B2 Composite Plan, Profile, and Typical Sections
  • Alternative B Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book B3 Stations, Structures, and Roadway
  • Alternative B Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book B4 Light Maintenance Facility and Alignment Data Table
  • Alternative B Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book B5 Viaduct to I-880 Composite Plans, Stations, Structures, Roadway, and Alignment Data Table
  • Alternative B Preliminary Engineering for Project Design – Book B6 Viaduct to Scott Blvd Composite Plans, Stations, Structures, Roadway, and Alignment Data Table

Technical Reports

The San Francisco to San Jose Project Section Technical Reports provide additional technical details and serve as sources for the Draft EIR/EIS analysis. Electronic versions of the associated technical reports have been made available at the following locations and are available for review during hours the facilities are open (open days/hours may be reduced for compliance with coronavirus public health and safety directives):

• San Francisco—100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 (San Francisco Library, Main Branch)
• Brisbane—250 Visitacion Avenue, Brisbane, CA 94005 (Brisbane Library)
• South San Francisco—840 W. Orange Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080 (South San Francisco Library)
• San Bruno—701 Angus Avenue West, San Bruno, CA 94066 (San Bruno Library)
• Millbrae—1 Library Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030 (Millbrae Library)
• Burlingame—480 Primrose Road, Burlingame, CA 94010 (Burlingame Library)
• San Mateo—55 W. Third Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402 (San Mateo Library, Main Branch)
• Belmont—1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA 94002 (Belmont Library)
• San Carlos—610 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070 (San Carlos Library)
• Redwood City—1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063 (Redwood City Library, Downtown Branch)
• Atherton— 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027 (Town Government Building)
• Menlo Park—800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (Menlo Park Library)
• Palo Alto—270 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (Palo Alto Library, Downtown Branch)
• Mountain View—585 Franklin Street, Mountain View, CA 94041 (Mountain View Library)
• Sunnyvale—665 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (Sunnyvale Library)
• Santa Clara—2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051 (Central Park Branch, Santa Clara County Library)
• San Jose—150 E. San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95112 (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library)

Electronic copies of the associated technical reports are also available for review during business hours at the Authority’s Northern California Regional Office at 100 Paseo de San Antonio, Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95113 and the Authority’s Headquarters at 770 L Street, Suite 620 MS-1, Sacramento, CA 95814. Authority offices may have reduced open days/hours, as required by coronavirus public health and safety directives. Please consult www.hsr.ca.gov for up-to-date information. You may also request a copy of the Draft EIR/EIS, and the other documents listed in this webpage, by calling (800) 435-8670.

Electronic copies of the technical reports are also available upon request by calling the Authority office at (800) 435-8670.

• Transportation Technical Report
  • Transportation Technical Report Appendix A
  • Transportation Technical Report Appendix B
  • Transportation Technical Report Appendix C
  • Transportation Technical Report Appendix D
  • Transportation Technical Report Appendix E
• Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report Appendix A
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report Appendix B
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report Appendix C
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report Appendix D
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report Appendix E
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report Appendix F
  • Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Technical Report Appendix G
• Noise and Vibration Technical Report
  • Noise and Vibration Technical Report Appendix A
  • Noise and Vibration Technical Report Appendix B
  • Noise and Vibration Technical Report Appendix C
• Biological and Aquatic Resources Technical Report
  • Biological and Aquatic Resources Technical Report Appendix A
  • Biological and Aquatic Resources Technical Report Appendix B
  • Biological and Aquatic Resources Technical Report Appendix C
  • Biological and Aquatic Resources Technical Report Appendix D
  • Biological and Aquatic Resources Technical Report Appendix E
• Aquatic Resources Delineation Report
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix A
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix B
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix C
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix D
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix E
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix F
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix G
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix H
  • Aquatic Resources Delineation Report Appendix I
• Watershed and Wetland Condition Evaluation Report (CRAM/WER)
  • Watershed and Wetland Condition Evaluation Report Appendix A
  • Watershed and Wetland Condition Evaluation Report Appendix B
  • Watershed and Wetland Condition Evaluation Report Appendix C
  • Watershed and Wetland Condition Evaluation Report Appendix D
  • Watershed and Wetland Condition Evaluation Report Appendix E
• Preliminary Compensatory Mitigation Plan
  • Preliminary Compensatory Mitigation Plan Appendix A
  • Preliminary Compensatory Mitigation Plan Appendix B
  • Preliminary Compensatory Mitigation Plan Appendix C
• Hydrology and Water Resources Technical Report
  • Hydrology and Water Resources Technical Report Appendix A
  • Hydrology and Water Resources Technical Report Appendix B
  • Hydrology and Water Resources Technical Report Appendix C
  • Hydrology and Water Resources Technical Report Appendix D
• Geology, Soils, and Seismicity Technical Report
• Paleontological Resources Technical Report
  • Paleontological Resources Technical Report Appendix A
  • Paleontological Resources Technical Report Appendix B (partially redacted)
  • Paleontological Resources Technical Report Appendix C
• Hazardous Materials and Wastes Technical Report
  • Hazardous Materials and Wastes Technical Report Appendix A
  • Hazardous Materials and Wastes Technical Report Appendix B – E¹
  • Hazardous Materials and Wastes Technical Report Appendix F
• Community Impact Assessment
  • Community Impact Assessment Appendix A
  • Community Impact Assessment Appendix B
  • Community Impact Assessment Appendix C
  • Community Impact Assessment Appendix D
  • Community Impact Assessment Appendix E
• Draft Relocation Impact Report
  • Draft Relocation Impact Report Appendix A
• Aesthetics and Visual Quality Technical Report
  • Aesthetics and Visual Quality Technical Report Appendix A
  • Aesthetics and Visual Quality Technical Report Appendix B
• Historic Architectural Survey Report
  • Historic Architectural Survey Report Appendix A
  • Historic Architectural Survey Report Appendix B
  • Historic Architectural Survey Report Appendix C
  • Historic Architectural Survey Report Appendices D–F¹
• Environmental Justice Engagement Summary Report
  • Environmental Justice Engagement Summary Report Appendix A
  • Environmental Justice Engagement Summary Report Appendix B
  • Environmental Justice Engagement Summary Report Appendix C
• Checkpoint
  • Checkpoint A
  • Checkpoint B
  • Checkpoint C
    • Checkpoint C Appendix A Part 1
    • Checkpoint C Appendix A Part 2
    • Checkpoint C Appendix A Part 3
    • Checkpoint C Appendix A Part 4
    • Checkpoint C Appendix A Part 5
    • Checkpoint C Appendix A Part 6
    • Checkpoint C Appendix B
    • Checkpoint C Appendix C
    • Checkpoint C Appendix D
    • Checkpoint C Appendix D Attachment 1
    • Checkpoint C Appendix E

1 This content is not available at libraries and Authority offices as cited. If you have any questions about material availability relating to the Draft EIR/EIS please email san.francisco_san.jose@hsr.ca.gov with the subject line “Draft EIR/EIS Comment” or call (800) 435-8670.

Brief Explanation of Each Chapter

Volume 1 – Report

Chapter 1, Project Purpose, Need, and Objectives, explains the Authority’s Purpose and Need for the San Francisco to San Jose Project Section and provides a history of the planning process.

Chapter 2, Alternatives, describes the proposed project alternatives, as well as the No Project Alternative, used for purposes of comparison. It contains illustrations and maps and provides a review of construction activities. These first two chapters help the reader understand what is being analyzed in the remainder of the document.

Chapter 3, Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Measures, is where the reader can find information about the existing transportation, environmental, and social conditions in the vicinity of the Project Section. This chapter provides the findings of the analysis of potential environmental impacts, along with methods to reduce these impacts (called mitigation measures).

Chapter 4, Section 4(f)/6(f) Evaluation, provides the analysis to support the Authority’s determinations under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 and Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act.

Chapter 5, Environmental Justice, discusses whether the project alternatives may cause disproportionate impacts on low-income and minority communities. It also identifies mitigation to reduce those impacts where appropriate.

Chapter 6, Project Costs and Operations, summarizes the estimated capital and operations and maintenance costs for each project alternative evaluated in this Draft EIR/EIS.

Chapter 7, Other CEQA/NEPA Considerations, summarizes the project alternatives, the significant and unavoidable environmental impacts under CEQA, adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided under NEPA, and the significant irreversible environmental changes that would occur as a result of the project alternatives or irretrievable commitments of resources or foreclosure of future options.

Chapter 8, Preferred Alternative, describes the Preferred Alternative and the basis for identifying it.

Chapter 9, Public and Agency Involvement, contains summaries of coordination and outreach activities with agencies and the general public during preparation of this Draft EIR/EIS.

Chapter 10, Distribution List, identifies the public agencies, tribes, and organizations that were informed of the availability of, and locations to review, this Draft EIR/EIS.

Chapter 11, List of Preparers, provides the names and responsibilities of the authors of this Draft EIR/EIS.

Chapter 12, References, lists references and contacts cited in writing this Draft EIR/EIS.

Chapter 13, Glossary of Terms, provides definitions of certain terms used in this Draft EIR/EIS.

Chapter 14, Index, provides a tool to cross-reference major topics addressed in this Draft EIR/EIS.

Chapter 15, Acronyms and Abbreviations, defines the acronyms and abbreviations used in this Draft EIR/EIS.

Volume 2 – Technical Appendices

Appendices provide additional details on the project alternatives and the Draft EIR/EIS process. The technical appendices are primarily related to the affected environment and environmental consequences analyses. These appendices are numbered to match their corresponding section in Chapters 2 and 3 of this Draft EIR/EIS (e.g., Appendix 3.7-A is the first appendix for Section 3.7, Biological and Aquatic Resources).

Volume 3 – Preliminary Engineering Plans

These are detailed design drawings, including trackway, stations, structures, roadway crossings, maintenance facilities, and systems.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announces the availability of a limited revision to its previously published Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the San Francisco to San Jose Project Section of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) Project. This document is entitled San Francisco to San Jose Project Section Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS). The Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS has been prepared and is being made available pursuant to both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being or have been carried out by the State of California pursuant to 23 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated July 23, 2019, and executed by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the State of California. Under that MOU, the Authority is the project’s lead agency under NEPA. Prior to the July 23, 2019, MOU, the FRA was the federal lead agency.

The San Francisco to San Jose Project Section Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS will be available to the public on July 23, 2021.

Pursuant to Section 15088.5, subdivisions (c) and (f)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines, the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS is limited to the portions of the previously published Draft EIR/EIS that require revision. Other information that has not been revised, including the methods for evaluating impacts under NEPA and the methods for determining significance under CEQA, as well as appendices, can be found in the Draft EIR/EIS. The previously published Draft EIR/EIS, including Section 3.7, Biological and Aquatic Resources; Section 3.18, Cumulative Impacts; and Chapter 12, References, is available on this website. The Authority requests that reviewers limit the scope of their comments to the revised information in the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS.

This Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS has been prepared and is being made available pursuant to both CEQA and NEPA and presents a new biological resources analysis for monarch butterfly and an analysis of a design variant for the Millbrae Station, neither of which were included in the Draft EIR/EIS.

Biological Resources—New Special-Status Species

Following the Authority’s publication of the Draft EIR/EIS in July 2020, monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) became a candidate for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) on December 15, 2020 (85 Federal Register 81813, December 17, 2020). This action by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes monarch butterfly subject to the definition of special-status species used by the Authority for analysis: “Plants or wildlife listed or proposed for listing as threatened or endangered under FESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.)”.

Monarch butterfly is assumed to be present in the resource study area for the project alternatives, based on historical records and existence of suitable habitat for the species. As this is a new potential impact not included in the Draft EIR/EIS, the Authority determined that the analysis of this impact should be included in a recirculated document. Accordingly, Section 3.7 in the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS includes additional analysis and revised and new mitigation measures related to monarch butterfly.

Millbrae Station Reduced Site Plan Design Variant

The Authority developed the Millbrae Station Reduced Site Plan Design Variant (RSP Design Variant) to address stakeholder concerns by analyzing a smaller, potentially feasible footprint for the station design at this location. The RSP Design Variant preserves HSR track and platform right-of-way needs but reconfigures station facilities, parking, and station access to reduce impacts on existing and planned development. The RSP Design Variant differs from the design of the Millbrae Station evaluated in the Draft EIR/EIS (Millbrae Station Design) by: eliminating surface parking lots on the west side of the alignment that would have served as replacement parking for displaced Caltrain and Bay Area Rapid Transit parking spaces; relocating the new HSR station entrance hall; eliminating lane modifications to El Camino Real; and eliminating the California Drive extension north of Linden Avenue to El Camino Real from the project. The RSP Design Variant would apply equally to either project alternative—Alternative A or Alternative B. Because the RSP Design Variant is a potentially feasible alternative different from the Millbrae Station Design that would lessen some significant environmental impacts of the project, the Authority determined that the analysis of the RSP Design Variant should be included in a recirculated document. Accordingly, Section 3.20, Millbrae Station Reduced Site Plan Design Variant, in the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of the RSP Design Variant.

Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Consistent with the guidance provided under CEQA and NEPA,[1] the Authority, as lead CEQA and NEPA agency for the San Francisco to San Jose Project Section, is issuing the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS limited to the portions of the Draft EIR/EIS that require revision based on the new information described above. New information includes background information, a description of the RSP Design Variant, methodology, impact analysis, and mitigation measures.

To the extent practicable, a vertical line in the margin indicates a substantive change in the text since publication of the Draft EIR/EIS; minor editorial changes and clarifications are not identified. The Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS consists of excerpted text where updates or additions related to monarch butterfly have been made within Section 3.7 and Section 3.18. In these sections, ellipses are used to identify where text from the Draft EIR/EIS remains unchanged and, therefore, is not included in the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS. The Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS also includes a new Section 3.20 that evaluates the environmental impacts of the RSP Design Variant and presents new information not included in the Draft EIR/EIS. All tables in the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS present only information related to the new or updated analysis. The sections and appendices comprising the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS are:

• Section 3.7, Biological and Aquatic Resources
• Section 3.18, Cumulative Impacts
• Section 3.20, Millbrae Station Reduced Site Plan Design Variant
• Chapter 12, References
• Appendix 3.7-A, Special-Status Species Potentially Affected
• Appendix 3.7-B, Scientific Nomenclature

The Authority reviewed other sections of the Draft EIR/EIS and found, based on research and a review of the evidence, that no other substantive changes would be required for this Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS. All other appendices to Section 3.7, as well as all technical reports supporting Section 3.7 of the Draft EIR/EIS, thus remain unchanged.

Copies of the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS

Many of the following documents are available electronically in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a copy of this free software, you can download it from Adobe at https://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you already have a copy of this software, simply click on the links and the documents will open automatically. Note: many of these files are very large and could take up to several minutes to download.

In addition to posting the electronic version of the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS on this website, printed and/or electronic copies of the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS will be available at the following locations during hours the facilities are open (open days/hours may be reduced for compliance with coronavirus public health and safety directives):

• San Francisco—100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 (San Francisco Library, Main Branch)
• Brisbane—250 Visitacion Avenue, Brisbane, CA 94005 (Brisbane Library)
• South San Francisco—840 West Orange Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080 (South San Francisco Library)
• San Bruno—701 Angus Avenue West, San Bruno, CA 94066 (San Bruno Library)
• Millbrae—1 Library Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030 (Millbrae Library)
• Burlingame—480 Primrose Road, Burlingame, CA 94010 (Burlingame Library)
• San Mateo—55 West Third Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402 (San Mateo Library, Main Branch)
• Belmont—1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA 94002 (Belmont Library)
• San Carlos—610 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070 (San Carlos Library)
• Redwood City—1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063 (Redwood City Library, Downtown Branch)
• Atherton—150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027 (Town Government Building)
• Menlo Park—800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (Menlo Park Library)
• Palo Alto—270 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (Palo Alto Library, Downtown Branch)
• Mountain View—585 Franklin Street, Mountain View, CA 94041 (Mountain View Library)
• Sunnyvale—665 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (Sunnyvale Library)
• Santa Clara—2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051 (Central Park Branch, Santa Clara County Library)
• San Jose—150 East San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95112 (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library)

Printed and/or electronic copies of the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS are also available for review during business hours at the Authority’s Northern California Regional Office at 100 Paseo de San Antonio, Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95113 and the Authority’s Headquarters at 770 L Street, Suite 620 MS-1, Sacramento, CA 95814. Please contact the Authority at (800) 435-8670 to make arrangements to view the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS.

Electronic copies of the Tier 1 EIR/EISs are available by calling the Authority at (800) 435-8760 and can also be viewed, in printed and/or electronic format, during business hours at the Authority’s Northern California Regional Office at 100 Paseo de San Antonio, Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95113 and the Authority’s Headquarters at 770 L Street, Suite 620 MS-1, Sacramento, CA 95814. These documents are not currently part of the public review and comment process; however, they are available for review and reference. Technical reports can be requested by calling (800) 435-8670.

Authority offices may have reduced open days/hours, as required by coronavirus public health and safety directives. Please consult www.hsr.ca.gov for up-to-date information. Please contact the Authority at (800) 435-8670 to make arrangements to view the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS.

The Authority does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. People with sensory disabilities may contact the Authority by phone or via the Authority website to request accessibility support.

The purpose of environmental documents is to disclose information to decision-makers and the public. While the science and analysis that support this Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS are complex, this document is intended for the general public. Every attempt has been made to limit technical terms and the use of acronyms. The terms and acronyms are defined the first time they are used.

The Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS cover memo is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Tagalog and explains the purpose of the revision and review period.

Notices

• Notice of Availability
• Aviso de Disponibilidad
• 可用性通知
• Thông Báo Về Tình Trạng Sẵn Có
• Abiso ng Pagkakaroon

Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Signature Page
• Cover memo
• Memorando
• 封面備忘錄
• Bản ghi nhớ trang bìa
• Pabalat na Memo
• Table of Contents
• Section 3.7, Biological and Aquatic Resources
• Section 3.18, Cumulative Impacts
• Section 3.20, Millbrae Station Reduced Site Plan Design Variant
• Chapter 12, References
• Appendix 3.7-A, Special-Status Species Potentially Affected
• Appendix 3.7-B, Scientific Nomenclature

Resources

• Revised Draft EIR/Supplemental Draft EIS Factsheet
• Revised Draft EIR/Supplemental Draft EIS FAQs

Submitting a Comment

The comment period is closed.

NEXT STEPS

The Authority anticipates publishing the Final EIR/EIS in spring 2022. The Final EIR/EIS will include the Authority’s responses to the comments received on the previously circulated Draft EIR/EIS, in addition to responses to comments received on the Revised/Supplemental Draft EIR/EIS. Section 3.7 includes new mitigation measures that will be incorporated into the Mitigation Monitoring and Enforcement Plan to be included as part of the CEQA/NEPA decision documents. After publishing the Final EIR/EIS, the Authority Board of Directors will consider whether to certify the Final EIR and approve the preferred alternative pursuant to CEQA. The Authority, as NEPA lead agency, will also consider whether to issue a Record of Decision approving the preferred alternative.

[1] CEQA Guidelines, Section 15088.5; 40 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Section 1502.9(c)(1)(ii) (1978). The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued new regulations, effective September 14, 2020, updating the NEPA implementing procedures at 40 C.F.R. Parts 1500–1508. However, because this project initiated the NEPA process before September 14, 2020, it is not subject to the new regulations. The Authority is relying on the regulations as they existed prior to September 14, 2020. Therefore, all citations to CEQ regulations in this document refer to the 1978 regulations, pursuant to 40 C.F.R. Section 1506.13 (2020) and the preamble at 85 Federal Register 43340.