Brief explanation of each chapter
Volume I – Report
Chapter 1.0, Project Purpose, Need, and Objectives explains why the project is proposed and
provides a history of the planning process.
Chapter 2.0, Alternatives, describes the proposed Merced to Fresno section alternatives and
design options, HST station options, and heavy maintenance facility options, 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
3.0, Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Measures is where the reader
can find information about the existing transportation, environmental, and
social conditions in the area of the proposed project, and the potential for
the proposed HSR project alternatives to adversely impact those conditions,
along with methods to reduce these impacts (called mitigation measures).
Chapter 4.0, Section 4(f)/Section 6(f) Evaluation summarizes parks, and historic properties in
accordance with Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966
and Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Funds Act. It describes
avoidance alternatives and measures to minimize harm to these resources.
Chapter 5.0, Project Costs and Operations, summarizes the estimated capital and
operations and maintenance costs for each Merced to Fresno section alternative
evaluated in the Project EIR/EIS, including funding and financial risk.
Chapter 6.0, CEQA/NEPA Decision Process and Other
Considerations, summarizes the
project’s significant adverse environmental effects, including those that
cannot be avoided if the project is implemented. It also summarizes the
significant irreversible environmental changes that would occur as a result of
the project or irretrievable commitments of resources or foreclosure of future
options.
Chapter 7.0, Preferred Alternative and Stations, identifies the preferred HST alternative for the Merced to Fresno section.
Chapter 8.0, Public and Agency Involvement, contains summaries of coordination and
outreach activities, with agencies and the general public.
Chapter 9.0, EIR/EIS Distribution identifies individuals and organizations
informed of the availability of the Final EIR/EIS.
Chapter 10.0, List of Preparers provides the names and responsibilities of
the authors of the Final EIR/EIS.
Chapter 11.0, References/Sources Used in Document Preparation, cites the references and contacts used in
writing this document.
Chapter 12.0, Glossary of Terms, provides a definition of certain terms used in
the Final EIR/EIS.
Chapter 13.0, Index, provides a tool to cross-reference major topics used in the Final
EIR/EIS.
Chapter 14.0, Acronyms and Abbreviations, defines the acronyms and abbreviations used in
this document.
Volume II – Technical Appendices
These appendices
provide additional technical information that supports the analysis and
conclusions in Volume I of the Final EIR/EIS.
Volume III – Alignment Plans
These are the
engineering plans that detail the routes of the three alternatives: UPRR/SR 99
Alternative, BNSF Alternative, and Hybrid Alternative. Volume III also includes
the station plans.
Volume IV – Comments on the Draft EIR/EIS and Responses
to Comments
Volume IV includes all
comments received on the Draft EIR/EIS and the responses to those comments.