The United States Surface Transportation Board has issued its Final Scope of Study for the Environmental Impact Statement being prepared for the proposed Uinta Basin Railway. The Final Scope includes the changes to the Draft Scope following the scoping comment period and consideration of the comments received. The Surface Transportation Board has decided, along with the cooperating agencies, on three routes that they believe meet the project’s purpose and need and are responsible and feasible to construct and operate. The three routes are the Whitmore Park alternative, the Indian Canyon alternative, and the Wells Draw alternative. This means that the Craig Colorado route has been removed from consideration. The Uinta Basin Railway EIS will evaluate the three selected routes as well as the No-Action alternative. “We appreciate the Surface Transportation Board’s and the other cooperating agencies’ diligence working through the public scoping process and determining the final scope of study,” shares Seven County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director Mike McKee. “Additionally, we look forward to learning more from the Environmental Impact Statement as the Surface Transportation Board works toward preparation and issuance of a draft for public comment and review.” McKee also shares that the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition is hopeful that the Surface Transportation Board will make a final decision by December 2020. “We believe we are currently on schedule for that to happen,” says McKee. Today’s Vernal Chamber Luncheon will include an update on the proposed Uinta Basin Railway project and Mike McKee will be joined by Pam Juliano and Uintah County Commissioner Brad Horrocks in presenting the information. Visit UintaBasinRailwayEIS.com to view the full Final Scope and the subject areas to be evaluated.
