Tunnels beneath Bel-Air: Public comment period begins for Sepulveda Transit Corridor environmental study!
Metro opened the “Scoping Period” for the preparation of the environmental review for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project on November 30, 2021, and will hold a
Public Meeting on December 7, 2021, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
to discuss the Metro Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project and to request public comment on its Notice of Preparation.
Here are the six alternatives:
Metro is beginning the environmental review phase for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor project, which will build a heavy rail line or monorail between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. A second phase will eventually be built to LAX.
As part of the environmental review, a formal public comment period will begin today, November 30, and will run through February 11, 2022. Metro encourages the public to submit comments on the project during this time — including any thoughts on the six alternatives under study (see below) and issues that Metro should consider during the environmental review.
An online presentation on the project is here.
What is Scoping?
Scoping is an early phase in the environmental process. It is designed to examine project objectives and alternatives early in the environmental review process to identify issues to be addressed in the environmental document and possible mitigation measures to avoid potentially significant environmental effects.
DURING THE SCOPING PERIOD, THE PUBLIC CAN COMMENT ON:
• The purpose and objectives of the project
• The alternatives under consideration
• Issues and concerns with the proposed project
• Questions to be answered as part of the studyHere’s how to submit comments:
• Online Comment Form: https://bit.ly/SepulvedaCommentForm
• By mail:
Peter Carter, Project Manager, LA Metro
One Gateway Plaza, 99-22-6
Los Angeles, CA 90012
• By email: sepulvedatransit@metro.net
• By phone: 213.922.7375
Metro will also be holding three virtual meetings in the coming weeks. Each meeting will feature the same information.
Tuesday, December 7, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_k9DENFCNQq-CLFneINXb_g
Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QEfrVMtZRFKYZqPVgz26wg
Saturday, January 22, 2022, 10 a.m. to Noon
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QwXtjBgbT8qR7-gO8nghzA
Environmental Process
Metro will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) will include project alternatives that represent a range of rail transit modes, alignments and station locations for addressing the transportation needs of the Sepulveda Corridor. Once the DEIR is completed, a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) will be recommended to the Metro Board of Directors. After the LPA is identified, the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared to complete the environmental review process. During this process, there will be multiple opportunities for the public to review and comment on the project alternatives and the environmental analysis.