CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District review of the permit application by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Transportation for the South Coast Rail project continues.

The project proponent, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), is seeking a Corps of Engineers permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to discharge fill material in waters of the United States, including wetlands, incidental to establishment of passenger rail service between Boston and New Bedford and Fall River, Mass.

Because the proposal may have a significant impact, a Federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), an in-depth and multi-agency environmental study, is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Corps is working with the Commonwealth to obtain all the information required and technical reports needed to complete the Final Environmental Impact Statement.  

The Corps has posted a fact sheet on its website that details what remains to be completed before a final EIS can be finished and published for the public and other interested groups to view.

A Corps’ Record of Decision, not less than 30 days after publication of the FEIS, will need to be completed and state approvals issued prior to a permit decision being made by the Corps.

For more information about the Corps of Engineers review of the South Coast Rail permit application and EIS visit the Corps website at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/projects/southCoastRail.htm.

The fact sheet is available at:

http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/projects/SouthCoastRail/SouthCoastRailFactSheet.pdf.