APP NVITAT ON LETTERS COOPERATING AGENCY - Agency Categories:

Transcription

1 APP COOPERATING AGENCY - NVITAT ON LETTERS Agency Categories: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Federal Highway Administration California Department of Transportation Distribution List (total of 7 7 issued)

2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9

3 Metro Los Angeles County One Gateway Plaza zi3.gzz.2000 Tel Metropolitan Transportation Authority Los Angeles, CA metro.net February 4, Mr. Jared Blumenfeld Regional Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 75 Hawthorne St. (SFD 7-4) San Francisco, CA Re: Invitation to be a Cooperating Agency in the Environmental Review Process for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project Dear Mr. Blumenfeld: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), is initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project. The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project proposes to provide a transit connection to the Metro Cold Line Eastside Extension, linking communities farther east of Los Angeles to the regional transit network. The proposed project area consists of portions of eight jurisdictions, including the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County which includes east Los Angeles and west Whittier-Los Nieto. The purpose of the project is to provide improved high-capacity transit service to an area challenged by increased travel demand and traffic congestion. The overall goal of the project is to improve the mobility within the project area and enhance the connectivity ofthe transit system. This transit guideway investment would provide improved access and connect communities to jobs and major activity centers in Los Angeles County. The enclosed scoping information packet provides more details, including a preliminary schedule. FTA seeks the US. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cooperation in coordinating and determining effects of the proposed construction of the build alternatives under study and associated facilities on the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, including those related to other project alternatives, environmental consequences, and mitigation. We are requesting your agency to be a cooperating agency because a potion of one ofthe build alternatives, the State Route 60 (SR-60) Light Rail Transit (LRT) alternative, crosses through the former Operating Industries Inc. Landfill, current EPA Superfund site. You can expect that the EIS will, to the greatest extent possible, satisfy the EPA statutory responsibilities and concerns. The environmental documentation will address environmental and programmatic concerns identified by the EPA and will be sufficiently detailed to enable the EPA to grant necessary permits or other approvals that may ensue from the build alternatives under study. If at any point in the process your needs are not being met, please let us know. We expect that at the end of the process the EIS will satisfy your NEPA requirements.

4 An Alternatives Analysis and an Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis have been completed for this project and the final reports may be found at Through the Alternatives Analysis process and further refinement subsequently conducted in the Addendum, as well as with input from the public and agencies, the range of alternatives has been refined. Two build alternatives along with a No Build and Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative were adopted by the Metro Board of Directors in October 2009 for further analysis. The project area and alternatives identified in the Alternatives Analysis and the Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis will be the subject ofthe Draft EISIEIR. If your agency does not wish to be a cooperating agency, your agency still has the opportunity to become a participating agency in the environmental review process. Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU establishes an enhanced environmental review process for certain FTA projects, increasing the transparency of the process, as well as opportunities for participation. The requirements of Section 6002 apply to the project that is the subject ofthis letter. As part ofthe environmental review process for this project, the lead agencies must identify, as early as practicable, any other Federal and non-federal agencies that may have an interest in the project, and invite such agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental review process.' As a participating agency, you will be afforded the opportunity, together with the public, to be involved in defining the purpose of and need for the project, as well as in determining the range of alternatives to be considered for the project. These opportunities will build on the early participation opportunities that were provided during the Alternatives Analysis process. In addition, you will be asked to: Provide input on the impact assessment methodologies and level of detail in your agency's area of expertise; and Participate in coordination meetings, conference calls, and joint field reviews, as appropriate. Review and comment on sections ofthe pre-draft or pre-final environmental documents to communicate any concerns of your agency on the adequacy of the document, the alternatives considered, and the anticipated impacts and mitigation. ' Designation as a "participation agency" does not imply that the participating agency supports the proposed project or has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise concerning the proposed project or its potential impacts. A "participating agency" differs from a "cooperating agency," which is defined in regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act as "any Federal agency other than a lead agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in a proposal (or a reasonable alternative) for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting the quality ofthe human environment." 40 C.F.R. $ i rno r

5 Your agency does not have to accept this invitation to be a cooperating agency or a participating agency. If, however, you elect not to become either a cooperating agency or participating agency, you must decline this invitation in writing, indicating that your agency has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project, no expertise or information relevant to the project, and does not intend to submit comments on the project. The declination may be transmitted electronically to Mr. Ray Tellis ofthe FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at ray.tellis@dot.aov; please include the title ofthe official responding. In order to give your agency adequate opportunity to weigh the relevance of your participation as either a cooperating agency or a participating agency or both in this environmental review process, written response to this invitation is not due until Wednesday, April 14,2010, after the interagency scoping meeting. The interagency scoping meeting will be held on the following date and location: Thursday, February 18 at 10:OO a.m. at LACMTA, in the Windsor Conference Room, 1 sth lo or, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA We are providing scoping information materials with this letter that include description of the project area and proposed alternatives. We have also enclosed a copy ofthe Federal Register Notice of Intent (NOl), which provides details on how to submit initial scoping comments ifyou would like to do so. As noted in the NOI, all scoping comments should be submitted on or before April 14, We will also provide a copy ofthe Coordination Plan for the project in the future. Scoping materials are also available on the project website at We look forward to your response to this request and your role as a cooperating or participating agency on this p,roject. If you have questions or would like to discuss in more detail the project or our agencies' respective roles and responsibilities during the preparation of this EIS, please contact Mr. Ray Tellis of the FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at (213) If you have any questions regarding this invitation, please contact Ms. Kimberly Yu, Project Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, address yuki@metro.net. Sincerely, Arthur T. Leahy Chief Executive Officer

6 Enclosures (2): 1. Scoping Information Packet 2. Federal Register NO1 cc: Federal Transit Administration

7 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

8 Los Angeles County One Gateway Plaza zi3.g Tel Metropolitan Transportation Authority Los Angeles, CA gooiz-2952 metro.net February 4, Mr. Thomas H. Magness, IV District Commander U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 91 5 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 980 Los Angeles, CA Re: Invitation to be a Cooperating Agency in the Environmental Review Process for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project Dear Mr. Magness: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), is initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project. The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project proposes to provide a transit connection to the Metro Cold Line Eastside Extension, linking communities farther east of Los Angeles to the regional transit network. The proposed project area consists of portions of eight jurisdictions, including the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County which includes east Los Angeles and west Whittier-Los Nieto. The purpose of the project is to provide improved high-capacity transit service to an area challenged by increased travel demand and traffic congestion. The overall goal of the project is to improve the mobility within the project area and enhance the connectivity ofthe transit system. This transit guideway investment would provide improved access and connect communities to jobs and major activity centers in Los Angeles County. The enclosed scoping information packet provides more details, including a preliminary schedule. FTA seeks the US. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) cooperation in coordinating and determining effects of the proposed construction of the build alternatives under study and associated facilities on the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, including those related to other project alternatives, environmental consequences, and mitigation. We are requesting your agency to be a cooperating agency because the location ofthe Santa Anita Station, as part of the State Route 60 (SR-60) Light Rail Transit (LRT) alternative, is on property owned by the USACE to accommodate flood control. You can expect that the EIS will, to the greatest extent possible, satisfy the USACE statutory responsibilities and concerns. The environmental documentation will address environmental and programmatic concerns identified by the USACE and will be sufficiently detailed to enable the USACE to grant necessary permits or other approvals that may ensue from the build alternatives under study. If at any point in the process your needs are not being met, please let us know. We expect that at the end of the process the EIS will satisfy your NEPA requirements.

9 An Alternatives Analysis and an Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis have been completed for this project and the final reports may be found at Through the Alternatives Analysis process and further refinement subsequently conducted in the Addendum, as well as with input from the public and agencies, the range of alternatives has been refined. Two build alternatives along with a No Build and Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative were adopted by the Metro Board of Directors in October 2009 for further analysis. The project area and alternatives identified in the Alternatives Analysis and the Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis will be the subject of the Draft EISJEIR. If your agency does not wish to be a cooperating agency, your agency still has the opportunity to become a participating agency in the environmental review process. Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU establishes an enhanced environmental review process for certain FTA projects, increasing the transparency of the process, as well as opportunities for participation. The requirements of Section 6002 apply to the project that is the subject of this letter. As part ofthe environmental review process for this project, the lead agencies must identify, as early as practicable, any other Federal and non-federal agencies that may have an interest in the project, and invite such agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental review process.' As a participating agency, you will be afforded the opportunity, together with the public, to be involved in defining the purpose of and need for the project, as well as in determining the range of alternatives to be considered for the project. These opportunities will build on the early participation opportunities that were provided during the Alternatives Analysis process. In addition, you will be asked to: Provide input on the impact assessment methodologies and level of detail in your agency's area of expertise; and. Participate in coordination meetings, conference calls, and joint field reviews, as appropriate. Review and comment on sections of the pre-draft or pre-final environmental documents to communicate any concerns ofyour agency on the adequacy of the document, the alternatives considered, and the anticipated impacts and mitigation. ' Designation as a "participation agency" does not imply that the participating agency supports the proposed project or has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise concerning the proposed project or its potential impacts. A "participating agency" differs from a "cooperating agency," which is defined in regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act as "any Federal agency other than a lead agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in a proposal (or a reasonable alternative) for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting the quality ofthe human environment." 40 C.F.R

10 Your agency does not have to accept this invitation to be a cooperating agency or a participating agency. If, however, you elect not to become either a cooperating agency or participating agency, you must decline this invitation in writing, indicating that your agency has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project, no expertise or information relevant to the project, and does not intend to submit comments on the project. The declination may be transmitted electronically to Mr. Ray Tellis ofthe FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at ray.tellis@dot.~ov; please include the title ofthe official responding. In order to give your agency adequate opportunity to weigh the relevance of your participation as either a cooperating agency or a participating agency or both in this environmental review process, written response to this invitation is not due until Wednesday, April 14,2010, after the interagency scoping meeting. The interagency scoping meeting will be held on the following date and location: Thursday, February 18 at 10:OO a.m. at LACMTA, in the Windsor Conference Room, 15'~ lo or, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA We are providing scoping information materials with this letter that include description of the project area and proposed alternatives. We have also enclosed a copy ofthe Federal Register Notice of Intent (NOI), which provides details on how to submit initial scoping comments ifyou would like to do so. As noted in the NOI, all scoping comments should be submitted on or before April 14, We will also provide a copy of the Coordination Plan for the project in the future. Scoping materials are also available on the project website at We look forward to your response to this request and your role as a cooperating or participating agency on this p.raject. If you have questions or would like to discuss in more detail the project or our agencies' respective roles and responsibilities during the preparation ofthis EIS, please contact Mr. Ray Tellis ofthe FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at (21 3) If you have any questions regarding this invitation, please contact Ms. Kimberly Yu, Project Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, address yuki@metro.net. Sincerely, Arthur T. Leahy Chief Executive Officer

11 Enclosures (2): 1. Scoping Information Packet 2. Federal Register NO1 cc: Federal Transit Administration

12 Metro Los Angeles County One Gateway Plaza 213.9~2.zooo Tel Metropolitan Transportation Authority Los Angeles, CA gooiz-2g52 metro.net February 4, Ms. Phuong Trinh U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Division 915 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 980 Los Angeles, CA Re: Invitation to be a Cooperating Agency in the Environmental Review Process for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project Dear Ms. Trinh: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), is initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project. The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project proposes to provide a transit connection to the Metro Cold Line Eastside Extension, linking communities farther east of Los Angeles to the regional transit network. The proposed project area consists of portions of eight jurisdictions, including the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County which includes east Los Angeles and west Whittier-Los Nieto. The purpose ofthe project is to provide improved high-capacity transit service to an area challenged by increased travel demand and traffic congestion. The overall goal ofthe project is to improve the mobility within the project area and enhance the connectivity of the transit system. This transit guideway investment would provide improved access and connect communities to jobs and major activity centers in Los Angeles County. The enclosed scoping information packet provides more details, including a preliminary schedule. FTA seeks the US. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) cooperation in coordinating and determining effects of the proposed construction of the build alternatives under study and associated facilities on the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, including those related to other project alternatives, environmental consequences, and mitigation. We are requesting your agency to be a cooperating agency because the location of the Santa Anita Station, as part ofthe State Route 60 (SR-60) Light Rail Transit (LRT) alternative, is on property owned by the USACE to accommodate flood control. You can expect that the EIS will, to the greatest extent possible, satisfy the USACE statutory responsibilities and concerns. The environmental documentation will address environmental and programmatic concerns identified by the USACE and will be sufficiently detailed to enable the USACE to grant necessary permits or other approvals that may ensue from the build alternatives under study, If at any point in the process your needs are not being met, please let us know. We expect that at the end of the process the EIS will satisfy your NEPA requirements.

13 An Alternatives Analysis and an Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis have been completed for this project and the final reports may be found at Through the Alternatives Analysis process and further refinement subsequently conducted in the Addendum, as well as with input from the public and agencies, the range of alternatives has been refined. Two build alternatives along with a No Build and Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative were adopted by the Metro Board of Directors in October 2009 for further analysis. The project area and alternatives identified in the Alternatives Analysis and the Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis will be the subject of the Draft EIS/EIR. If your agency does not wish to be a cooperating agency, your agency still has the opportunity to become a participating agency in the environmental review process. Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU establishes an enhanced environmental review process for certain FTA projects, increasing the transparency ofthe process, as well as opportunities for participation. The requirements of Section 6002 apply to the project that is the subject of this letter. As part of the environmental review process for this project, the lead agencies must identify, as early as practicable, any other Federal and non-federal agencies that may have an interest in the project, and invite such agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental review proce~s.~ As a participating agency, you will be afforded the opportunity, together with the public, to be involved in defining the purpose of and need for the project, as well as in determining the range of alternatives to be considered for the project. These opportunities will build on the early participation opportunities that were provided during the Alternatives Analysis process. In addition, you will be asked to: Provide input on the impact assessment methodologies and level of detail in your agency's area of expertise; and Participate in coordination meetings, conference calls, and joint field reviews, as appropriate. Review and comment on sections ofthe pre-draft or pre-final environmental documents to communicate any concerns of your agency on the adequacy of the document, the alternatives considered, and the anticipated impacts and mitigation. Designation as a "participation agency" does not imply that the participating agency supports the proposed project or has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise concerning the proposed project or its potential impacts. A "participating agency" differs from a "cooperating agency," which is defined in regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act as "any Federal agency other than a lead agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in a proposal (or a reasonable alternative) for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting the quality ofthe human environment." 40 C.F.R. fi

14 Your agency does not have to accept this invitation to be a cooperating agency or a participating agency. If, however, you elect not to become either a cooperating agency or participating agency, you must decline this invitation in writing, indicating that your agency has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project, no expertise or information relevant to the project, and does not intend to submit comments on the project. The declination may be transmitted electronically to Mr. Ray Tellis ofthe FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at ray.tellis@dot.gov; please include the title ofthe official responding. In order to give your agency adequate opportunity to weigh the relevance of your participation as either a cooperating agency or a participating agency or both in this environmental review process, written response to this invitation is not due until Wednesday, April 14,2010, after the interagency scoping meeting. The interagency scoping meeting will be held on the following date and location: Thursday, February 18 at 10:OO a.m. at LACMTA, in the Windsor Conference Room, 1 5th lo or, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA We are providing scoping information materials with this letter that include description of the project area and proposed alternatives. We have also enclosed a copy ofthe Federal Register Notice of Intent (NOI), which provides details on how to submit initial scoping comments if you would like to do so. As noted in the NOI, all scoping comments should be submitted on or before April 14, We will also provide a copy ofthe Coordination Plan for the project in the future. Scoping materials are also available on the project website at We look forward to your response to this request and your role as a cooperating or participating agency on this p.roject. If you have questions or would like to discuss in more detail the project or our agencies1 respective roles and responsibilities during the preparation ofthis EIS, please contact Mr. Ray Tellis ofthe FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Ofice at (21 3) If you have any questions regarding this invitation, please contact Ms. Kimberly Yu, Project Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, address yuki@metro.net. Sincerely, Arthur T. Leahy Chief Executive Officer

15 Enclosures (2): 1. Scoping Information Packet 2. Federal Register NO1 cc: Federal Transit Administration

16 Metro Los Angeles County One Gateway Plaza Tel Metropolitan Transportation Authority Los Angeies, CA rnetro.net February 4, Mr. Alex C. Dornstauder Commander U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 441 C. Street, N.W. Washington, DC Re: Invitation to be a Cooperating Agency in the Environmental Review Process for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project Dear Mr. Dornstauder: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), is initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project. The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project proposes to provide a transit connection to the Metro Cold Line Eastside Extension, linking communities farther east of Los Angeles to the regional transit network. The proposed project area consists of portions of eight jurisdictions, including the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County which includes east Los Angeles and west Whittier-Los Nieto. The purpose of the project is to provide improved high-capacity transit service to an area challenged by increased travel demand and traffic congestion. The overall goal of the project is to improve the mobility within the project area and enhance the connectivity of the transit system. This transit guideway investment would provide improved access and connect communities to jobs and major activity centers in Los Angeles County. The enclosed scoping information packet provides more details, including a preliminary schedule. FTA seeks the US. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) cooperation in coordinating and determining effects of the proposed construction of the build alternatives under study and associated facilities on the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, including those related to other project alternatives, environmental consequences, and mitigation. We are requesting your agency to be a cooperating agency because the location of the Santa Anita Station, as part ofthe State Route 60 (SR-60) Light Rail Transit (LRT) alternative, is on property owned by the USACE to accommodate flood control. You can expect that the EIS will, to the greatest extent possible, satisfy the USACE statutory responsibilities and concerns. The environmental documentation will address environmental and programmatic concerns identified by the USACE and will be sufficiently detailed to enable the USACE to grant necessary permits or other approvals that may ensue from the build alternatives under study. If at any point in the process your needs are not being met, please let us know. We expect that at the end ofthe process the EIS will satisfy your NEPA requirements.

17 An Alternatives Analysis and an Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis have been completed for this project and the final reports may be found at Through the Alternatives Analysis process and further refinement subsequently conducted in the Addendum, as well as with input from the public and agencies, the range of alternatives has been refined. Two build alternatives along with a No Build and Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative were adopted by the Metro Board of Directors in October'2009 for further analysis. The project area and alternatives identified in the Alternatives Analysis and the Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis will be the subject ofthe Draft EIS/EIR. If your agency does not wish to be a cooperating agency, your agency still has the opportunity to become a participating agency in the environmental review process. Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU establishes an enhanced environmental review process for certain FTA projects, increasing the transparency ofthe process, as well as opportunities for participation. The requirements of Section 6002 apply to the project that is the subject of this letter. As part ofthe environmental review process for this project, the lead agencies must identify, as early as practicable, any other Federal and non-federal agencies that may have an interest in the project, and invite such agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental review process.) As a participating agency, you will be afforded the opportunity, together with the public, to be involved in defining the purpose of and need for the project, as well as in determining the range of alternatives to be considered for the project. These opportunities will build on the early participation opportunities that were provided during the Alternatives Analysis process. In addition, you will be asked to: Provide input on the impact assessment methodologies and level of detail in your agency's area of expertise; and Participate in coordination meetings, conference calls, and joint field reviews, as appropriate. Review and comment on sections of the pre-draft or pre-final environmental documents to communicate any concerns of your agency on the adequacy of the document, the alternatives considered, and the anticipated impacts and mitigation. ' Designation as a "participation agency" does not imply that the participating agency supports the proposed project or has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise concerning the proposed project or its potential impacts. A "participating agency" differs from a "cooperating agency," which is defined in regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act as "any Federal agency other than a lead agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in a proposal (or a reasonable alternative) for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting the quality ofthe human environment." 40 C.F.R

18 Your agency does not have to accept this invitation to be a cooperating agency or a participating agency. If, however, you elect not to become either a cooperating agency or participating agency, you must decline this invitation in writing, indicating that your agency has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project, no expertise or information relevant to the project, and does not intend to submit comments on-the project. The declination may be transmitted electronically to Mr. Ray Tellis ofthe FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at ray.tellis@dot.gov; please include the title ofthe official responding. In order to give your agency adequate opportunity to weigh the relevance of your participation as either a cooperating agency or a participating agency or both in this environmental review process, written response to this invitation is not due until Wednesday, April 14,2010, after the interagency scoping meeting. The interagency scoping meeting will be held on the following date and location: Thursday, February 18 at 10:OO a.m. at LACMTA, in the Windsor Conference Room, isth lo or, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA We are providing scoping information materials with this letter that include description of the project area and proposed alternatives. We have also enclosed a copy ofthe Federal Register Notice of Intent (NO]), which provides details on how to submit initial scoping comments ifyou would like to do so. As noted in the NOI, all scoping comments should be submitted on or before April 14, We will also provide a copy ofthe Coordination Plan for the project in the future. Scoping materials are also available on the project website at We look forward to your response to this request and your role as a cooperating or participating agency on this p.roject. If you have questions or would like to discuss in more detail the project or our agencies1 respective roles and responsibilities during the preparation ofthis EIS, please contact Mr. Ray Tellis ofthe FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at (21 3) If you have any questions regarding this invitation, please contact Ms. Kimberly Yu, Project Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, address yuki@metro.net. Sincerely, Arthur T. Leahy Chief Executive Officer

19 Enclosures (2): 1. Scoping Information Packet 2. Federal Register NO1 cc: Federal Transit Administration

20 Federal Highway Administration

21 @ Metro Los Angeles County One Gateway Plaza Tel Metropolitan Transportation Authority Los Angeles, CA metro.net February 4, Mr. Walter C. Waidelich Jr. Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration 650 Capitol Mall, Ste Sacramento, CA Re: Invitation to be a Cooperating Agency in the Environmental Review Process for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project Dear Mr. Waidelich Jr.: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), is initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project. The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project proposes to provide a transit connection to the Metro Cold Line Eastside Extension, linking communities farther east of Los Angeles to the regional transit network. The proposed project area consists of portions ofeight jurisdictions, including the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County which includes east Los Angeles and west Whittier-Los Nieto. The purpose of the project is to provide improved high-capacity transit service to an area challenged by increased travel demand and traffic congestion. The overall goal of the project is to improve the mobility within the project area and enhance the connectivity of the transit system. This transit guideway investment would provide improved access and connect communities to jobs and major activity centers in Los Angeles County. The enclosed scoping information packet provides more details, including a preliminary schedule. FTA seeks the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) cooperation in coordinating and determining effects of the proposed construction of the build alternatives under study and associated facilities on the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, including those related to other project alternatives, environmental consequences, and mitigation. We are requesting your agency to be a cooperating agency because the alignment of one of the build alternatives, the State Route 60 (SR-60) Light Rail Transit (LRT) alternative, is proposed within the Caltrans' SR-60 right-of-way. You can expect that the EIS will, to the greatest extent possible, satisfy the FHWA statutory responsibilities and concerns. The environmental documentation will address environmental and programmatic concerns identified by the FHWA and will be sufficiently detailed to enable the FHWA to grant necessary permits or other approvals that may ensue from the build alternatives under study. If at any point in the process your needs are not being met, please let us know. We expect that at the end of the process the EIS will satisfy your NEPA requirements.

22 An Alternatives Analysis and an Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis have been completed for this project and the final reports may be found at Through the Alternatives Analysis process and further refinement subsequently conducted in the Addendum, as well as with input from the public and agencies, the range of alternatives has been refined. Two build alternatives along with a No Build and Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative were adopted by the Metro Board of Directors in October 2009 for further analysis. The project area and alternatives identified in the Alternatives Analysis and the Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis will be the subject ofthe Draft EIS/EIR. Ifyour agency does not wish to be a cooperating agency, your agency still has the opportunity to become a participating agency in the environmental review process. Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU establishes an enhanced environmental review process for certain FTA projects, increasing the transparency of the process, as well as opportunities for participation. The requirements of Section 6002 apply to the project that is the subject of this letter. As part ofthe environmental review process for this project, the lead agencies must identify, as early as practicable, any other Federal and non-federal agencies that may have an interest in the project, and invite such agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental review process.' As a participating agency, you will be afforded the opportunity, together with the public, to be involved in defining the purpose of and need for the project, as well as in determining the range of alternatives to be considered for the project. These opportunities will build on the early participation opportunities that were provided during the Alternatives Analysis process. In addition, you will be asked to: Provide input on the impact assessment methodologies and level of detail in your agency's area of expertise; and Participate in coordination meetings, conference calls, and joint field reviews, as appropriate. Review and comment on sections of the pre-draft or pre-final environmental documents to communicate any concerns ofyour agency on the adequacy of the document, the alternatives considered, and the anticipated impacts and mitigation. ' Designation as a "participation agency" does not imply that the participating agency supports the proposed project or has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise concerning the proposed project or its potential impacts. A "participating agency" differs from a "cooperating agency," which is defined in regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act as "any Federal agency other than a lead agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in a proposal (or a reasonable alternative) for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment." 40 C.F.R. $

23 Your agency does not have to accept this invitation to be a cooperating agency or a participating agency. If, however, you elect not to become either a cooperating agency or participating agency, you must decline this invitation in writing, indicating that your agency has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project, no expertise or information relevant to the project, and does not intend to submit comments on the project. The declination may be transmitted electronically to Mr. Ray Tellis of the FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Ofice at ray.tellis@dot.gov; please include the title ofthe official responding. In order to give your agency adequate opportunity to weigh the relevance of your participation as either a cooperating agency or a participating agency or both in this environmental review process, written response to this invitation is not due until Wednesday, April 14,2010; after the interagency scoping meeting. The interagency scoping meeting will be held on the following date and location:. Thursday, February 18 at 10:OO a.m. at LACMTA, in the Windsor Conference Room, 1 5th lo or, One Cateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA We are providing scoping information materials with this letter that include description of the project area and proposed alternatives. We have also enclosed a copy ofthe Federal Register Notice of Intent (NOI), which provides details on how to submit initial scoping comments ifyou would like to do so. As noted in the NOI, all scoping comments should be submitted on or before April 14, We will also provide a copy ofthe Coordination Plan for the project in the future. Scoping materials are also available on the project website at We look forward to your response to this request and your role as a cooperating or participating agency on this project. If you have questions or would like to discuss in more detail the project or our agencies' respective roles and responsibilities during the preparation of this EIS, please contact Mr. Ray Tellis of the FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Ofice at (21 3) If you have any questions regarding this invitation, please contact Ms. Kimberly Yu, Project Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, One Cateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, address yuki@metro.net. Sincerely, Arthur T. Leahy Chief Executive Officer

24 Enclosures (2): 1. Scoping Information Packet 2. Federal Register NO1 cc: Federal Transit Administration

25 California Department of Transportation

26 ' Metro February 4, Los Angeles County One Gateway Plaza z13.gzz.zo00 Tel Metropolitan Transportation Authority Los Angeles, CA metro.net Mr. Gary lverson Senior Environmental Planner California Department oftransportation 120 S. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA Re: Invitation to be a Cooperating Agency in the Environmental Review Process for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project Dear Mr. Iverson: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), is initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project. The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project proposes to provide a transit connection to the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, linking communities farther east of Los Angeles to the regional transit network. The proposed project area consists of portions of eight jurisdictions, including the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County which includes east Los Angeles and west Whittier-Los Nieto. The purpose of the project is to provide improved high-capacity transit service to an area challenged by increased travel demand and traffic congestion. The overall goal of the project is to improve the mobility within the project area and enhance the connectivity ofthe transit system. This transit guideway investment would provide improved access and connect communities to jobs and major activity centers in Los Angeles County. The enclosed scoping information packet provides more details, including a preliminary schedule. FTA seeks California Department oftransportationls cooperation in coordinating and determining effects of the proposed construction of the build alternatives under study and associated facilities on the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, including those related to other project alternatives, environmental consequences, and mitigation. We are requesting your agency to be a cooperating agency because the alignment of one of the build alternatives, the State Route 60 (SR-60) Light Rail Transit (LRT) alternative, is proposed within the California Department oftranspo'rtationls SR-60 right-of-way. You can expect that the EIS will, to the greatest extent possible, satisfy California Department of Transportation statutory responsibilities and concerns. The environmental documentation will address environmental and programmatic concerns identified by California Department oftransportation and will be sufficiently detailed to enable California Department of Transportation to grant necessary permits or other approvals that may ensue from the build alternatives under study. If at any point in the process your needs are not being met, please

27 let us know. We expect that at the end of the process the EIS will satisfy your NEPA requirements. An Alternatives Analysis and an Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis have been completed for this project and the final reports may be found at Through the Alternatives Analysis process and further refinement subsequently conducted in the Addendum, as well as with input from the public and agencies, the range of alternatives has been refined. Two build alternatives along with a No Build and Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative were adopted by the Metro Board of Directors in October 2009 for further analysis. The project area and alternatives identified in the Alternatives Analysis and the Addendum to the Alternatives Analysis will be the subject ofthe Draft EIS/EIR. If your agency does not wish to be a cooperating agency, your agency still has the opportunity to become a participating agency in the environmental review process. Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU establishes an enhanced environmental review process for certain FTA projects, increasing the transparency ofthe process, as well as opportunities for participation. The requirements of Section 6002 apply to the project that is the subject of this letter. As part of the environmental review process for this project, the lead agencies must identify, as early as practicable, any other Federal and non-federal agencies that may have an interest in the project, and invite such agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental review process.' As a participating agency, you will be afforded the opportunity, together with the public, to be involved in defining the purpose of and need for the project, as well as in determining the range of alternatives to be considered for the project. These opportunities will build on the early participation opportunities that were provided during the Alternatives Analysis process. In addition, you will be asked to: Provide input on the impact assessment methodologies and level of detail in your agency's area of expertise; and Participate in coordination meetings, conference calls, and joint field reviews, as appropriate. ' Designation as a "participation agency" does not imply that the participating agency supports the proposed project or has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise concerning the proposed project or its potential impacts. A "participating agency" differs from a "cooperating agency," which is defined in regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act as "any Federal agency other than a lead agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in a proposal (or a reasonable alternative) for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting the quality ofthe human environment." 40 C.F.R

28 Your agency does not have to accept this invitation to be a cooperating agency or a participating agency. If, however, you elect not to become either a cooperating agency or participating agency, you must decline this invitation in writing, indicating that your agency has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project, no expertise or information relevant to the project, and does not intend to submit comments on the project. The declination may be transmitted electronically to Mr. Ray Tellis ofthe FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at ray.tellis@dot.gov; please include the title ofthe official responding. In order to give your agency adequate opportunity to weigh the relevance ofyour participation as either a cooperating agency or a participating agency or both in this environmental review process, written response to this invitation is not due until Wednesday, April 14,2010, after the interagency scoping meeting. The interagency scoping meeting will be held on the following date and location: Thursday, February 18 at 10:OO a.m. at LACMTA, in the Windsor Conference Room, isth lo or, One Cateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA We are providing scoping information materials with this letter that include description of the project area and proposed alternatives. We have also enclosed a copy ofthe Federal Register Notice of Intent (NOI), which provides details on how to submit initial scoping comments ifyou would like to do so. As noted in the NOI, all scoping comments should be submitted on or before April 14, We will also provide a copy ofthe Coordination Plan for the project in the future. Scoping materials are also available on the project website at We look forward to your response to this request and your role as a cooperating or participating agency on this p.roject. If you have questions or would like to discuss in more detail the project or our agencies' respective roles and responsibilities during the preparation of this EIS, please contact Mr. Ray Tellis of the FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office at (21 3) If you have any questions regarding this invitation, please contact Ms. Kimberly Yu, Project Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, One Cateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA , address yuki@metro.net. Sincerely, Arthur T. Leahy Chief Executive Officer