TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ES.1
ES.2
ES.3
ES.4

ES.5
ES.6

1
1.1
1.2
1.3

2
2.1
2.2

2.3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE EFFECTS AND MITIGATION
ES.4.1 Wetlands and Streams
ES.4.2 Floodplains
ES.4.3 State-listed Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species
ES.4.4 Forests
ES.4.5 Cultural Resources
PUBLIC AND AGENCY COORDINATION
SECTION 4(F) EVALUATION
ES.6.1 Patapsco Valley State Park
ES.6.2 Reece Road Bridge (Bridge No. 0207500)

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PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED

INTRODUCTION
PROJECT PURPOSE
PROJECT NEEDS
1.3.1 Constrained Rail Infrastructure Harms Reliability and Reduces On-Time
Performance
1.3.2 Station Building Inadequacies
1.3.3 Inadequate Infrastructure to Meet Future Demand
1.3.4 Legislative Mandate

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DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

PROJECT OVERVIEW
2.1.1 Project Components
ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
2.2.1 Conceptual Alternatives Considered
2.2.2 No-Build Alternative
2.2.3 Build Alternative
CONSTRUCTION PHASING (BUILD ALTERNATIVE)

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3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.7

3.8

3.9

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

REGIONAL AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
3.1.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.1.2 Affected Environment
3.1.3 Probable Consequences
LAND USE, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
3.2.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.2.2 Affected Environment
3.2.3 Probable Consequences
SOCIOECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY IMPACTS, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE,
AND CHILDRENS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS
3.3.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.3.2 Affected Environment
3.3.3 Probable Consequences
3.3.4 Environmental Justice and the Public Involvement Process
AIR QUALITY
3.4.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.4.2 Affected Environment
3.4.3 Probable Consequences
NOISE AND VIBRATION
3.5.1 Noise and Vibration
3.5.2 Affected Environment
3.5.3 Probable Consequences
ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
3.6.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.6.2 Affected Environment
3.6.3 Probable Consequences
WATER RESOURCES
3.7.1 Surface Water, Waterbodies, and Drainage Basins
3.7.2 Wild and Scenic Rivers
3.7.3 Water Quality
3.7.4 Groundwater/Aquifers/Wells
WETLANDS AND FLOODPLAINS
3.8.1 Wetlands
3.8.2 Floodplains
ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES
3.9.1 Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species
3.9.2 Forests
3.9.3 Terrestrial Habitat and Wildlife
3.9.4 Aquatic Biota

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3.11

3.12

3.13

3.14

3.15
3.16

3.17

4.1
4.2

3.9.5 Coastal Zone Management and Chesapeake Bay Critical Area

PARKLANDS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS
3.10.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.10.2 Affected Environment
3.10.3 Probable Consequences
VISUAL IMPACTS AND LIGHT EMISSIONS
3.11.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.11.2 Affected Environment
3.11.3 Probable Consequences
CULTURAL RESOURCES
3.12.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.12.2 Affected Environment
3.12.3 Probable Consequences
3.12.4 Section 106 Consultation
GEOLOGY, SOILS, AND FARMLAND
3.13.1 Geology
3.13.2 Soils
3.13.3 Prime, Unique, and Special Farmlands
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
3.14.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.14.2 Affected Environment
3.14.3 Probable Consequences
CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS
INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
3.16.1 Regulatory Context
3.16.2 Methodology
3.16.3 Indirect Impacts
3.16.4 Cumulative Effects
SAFETY AND SECURITY
3.17.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology
3.17.2 Affected Environment
3.17.3 Probable Consequences

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SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES AND UNAVOIDABLE

IMPACTS
SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE EFFECTS AND MITIGATION
4.2.1 Wetlands
4.2.2 Floodplains
4.2.3 State-listed Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species
4.2.4 Forests

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5.1

5.2

6
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6.2
6.3
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4.2.5 Cultural Resources

4.2.6 Section 4(f) Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS
4.3.1 Land Use, Neighborhoods, and Community Facilities
4.3.2 Air Quality
4.3.3 Wetlands and Waters of the United States and Floodplains
4.3.4 Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality
4.3.5 Ecological Resources
4.3.6 Chesapeake Bay Critical Area
4.3.7 Cultural Resources
4.3.8 Hazardous Materials

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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT, AGENCY COORDINATION, AND

PERMITS REQUIRED
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
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5.1.1 Public Meetings
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5.1.2 Methods of Notification
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5.1.3 Environmental Justice Outreach
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5.1.4 Public Comments
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5.1.5 Opportunity for Additional Public Comment
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5.1.6 Coordination with Native American Groups
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5.1.7 Maryland Intergovernmental Review and Coordination Process
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5.1.8 Interagency Review Meetings and Joint Evaluation Committee
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PERMITS REQUIRED
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5.2.1 United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
5-10
5.2.2 United States Coast Guard (USCG) Bridge Permit, Under Section 9 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
5-10
5.2.3 Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Permits
5-11
5.2.4 Coastal Zone Consistency Determination
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5.2.5 Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species
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5.2.6 Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Protection Program
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5.2.7 Erosion/Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Plan
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DRAFT SECTION 4(F) EVALUATION
REGULATORY CONTEXT AND METHODOLOGY
PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF SECTION 4(F) PROPERTIES
6.4.1 Public Parklands and Recreational Areas

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6.6

6.7
6.8

6.9
6.10

6.4.2 Archeological Sites

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6.4.3 Architectural Properties
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6.4.4 Native American Resources
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SECTION 4(F) USE DUE TO THE PROJECT
6-6
6.5.1 Section 4(f) Use of Patapsco Valley State Park
6-6
6.5.2 Section 4(f) Use of Reece Road Bridge (Bridge No. 0207500)
6-8
ALTERNATIVES EXAMINED TO AVOID THE USE OF SECTION 4(F) PROPERTIES
6-10
6.6.1 No-Build Alternative
6-10
6.6.2 Horizontal Alternatives to Avoid Reece Road Bridge
6-10
6.6.3 Vertical Alternatives to Avoid Reece Road Bridge
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LEAST OVERALL HARM
6-13
EFFORTS TO MINIMIZE HARM AND MITIGATION MEASURES
6-13
6.8.1 Minimization and Mitigation Measures for Parklands and Recreational Areas
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6.8.2 Minimization and Mitigation Measures for Architectural Properties
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6.8.3 Minimization and Mitigation Measures for Archeological Sites
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CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH AGENCIES HAVING JURISDICTION
OVER SECTION 4(F) PROPERTIES
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
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LIST OF PREPARERS

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REFERENCES

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LIST OF TABLES
TABLE ES.3-1: SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
TABLE ES.4-1: WETLAND IMPACTS (ACRES)
TABLE ES.5-1: SUMMARY OF PUBLIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

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TABLE 1.3-1: SAMPLE OF AVERAGE PASSENGER TRAIN SPEEDS, WASHINGTON, D.C.

BALTIMORE, MD

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TABLE 2.2-1: PRIMARY EVALUATION FACTORS FOR ALTERNATIVES

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TABLE 3.2-1:
TABLE 3.2-2:
TABLE 3.2-3:
TABLE 3.3-1:
TABLE 3.3-2:
TABLE 3.3-3:
TABLE 3.3-4:
TABLE 3.4-1:
TABLE 3.4-2:
TABLE 3.4-3:

TYPES OF COMMUNITIES/ACTIVITY CENTERS

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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES
3-17
SUMMARY OF RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITIONS
3-22
POPULATION
3-25
BLOCK GROUPS MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CRITERIA
3-26
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POPULATIONS
3-26
BLOCK GROUPS MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE THRESHOLDS
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NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (PRIMARY)
3-31
MARYLAND AIR QUALITY ATTAINMENT STATUS
3-32
KEY BALTIMORE-AREA AIR QUALITY ATTAINMENT/
MAINTENANCE PLANNING DOCUMENTS
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TABLE 3.4-4: DE MINIMIS EMISSION LEVELS FOR GENERAL CONFORMITY
APPLICABILITY
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TABLE 3.4-5: CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANT MONITORING DATA
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TABLE 3.4-6: PREDICTED CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS RELATED TO PROJECT
CONSTRUCTION
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TABLE 3.5-1: GROUND-BORNE VIBRATION (GBV) AND GROUND-BORNE NOISE (GBN)
IMPACT CRITERIA FOR GENERAL ASSESSMENT
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TABLE 3.5-2: 2011 SHORT-TERM NOISE MONITORING RESULTS
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TABLE 3.5-3: 2011 LONG-TERM NOISE MONITORING RESULTS
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TABLE 3.5-4: NOISE IMPACT GENERAL ASSESSMENT (2011) CATEGORY 2 LAND USES
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TABLE 3.5-5: NOISE IMPACT GENERAL ASSESSMENT (2011) CATEGORY 3 LAND USES
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TABLE 3.5-6: CONVENTIONAL TRAIN VIBRATION IMPACT GENERAL ASSESSMENT (2011)
CATEGORY 2 LAND USES
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TABLE 3.5-7: HIGH-SPEED TRAIN VIBRATION IMPACT GENERAL ASSESSMENT (2011)
CATEGORY 2 LAND USES
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TABLE 3.7-1: TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD (TMDL) FOR STREAMS WITHIN THE PROJECT
CORRIDOR
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TABLE 3.8-1: SUMMARY OF EXISTING DELINEATED WETLANDS (ACRES)
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TABLE 3.8-2: SUMMARY OF WETLAND AND WATERWAY IMPACTS (ACRES)
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TABLE 3.8-3: RETAINING WALLS TO MINIMIZE WETLAND, WATERCOURSE, AND
FLOODPLAIN IMPACTS
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TABLE 3.8-4: ESTIMATED WETLAND COMPENSATION RATIOS
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TABLE 3.9-1: STATE-LISTED SPECIES POTENTIALLY PRESENT WITHIN THE PROJECT
CORRIDOR
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TABLE 3.9-2: BENTHIC INDEX OF BIOTIC INTEGRITY (BIBI) RATINGS FOR SITES SAMPLED
WITHIN THE PROJECT CORRIDOR
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TABLE 3.10-1: PARKS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATIONAL AREAS
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TABLE 3.12-1: NRHP-ELIGIBLE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE

AREA OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS
TABLE 3.12-2: ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO THE
AREA OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS
TABLE 3.14-1: LISTED HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RECORDS OF POTENTIAL CONCERN
TABLE 3.14-2: RECORDS LISTED IN HIGH PROFILE DATABASES
TABLE 3.16.1: CONSTRUCTED DEVELOPMENTS SINCE 1982
TABLE 3.16-2: BALTIMORE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
TABLE 3.16-3: ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

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TABLE 4.1-1: SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

TABLE 4.2-1: SUMMARY OF WETLAND IMPACTS (ACRES)

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TABLE 5.1-1: SUMMARY OF PUBLIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

TABLE 5.1-2: LOCATIONS OF POSTERS
TABLE 5.1-3: SUMMARY OF AGENCY CORRESPONDENCE

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LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE ES.1-1: PROJECT STUDY AREA

ES-2

FIGURE 1.2-1: PROJECT STUDY AREA

FIGURE 1.2-2: EXISTING BWI STATION CONFIGURATION
FIGURE 2.1-1:
FIGURE 2.1-2
FIGURE 2.2-1:
FIGURE 2.2-2:
FIGURE 2.2-3:
FIGURE 2.2-4:
FIGURE 2.2-5:
FIGURE 2.2-6:

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PROJECT STUDY AREA

TRACK DIAGRAM OF EXISTING BWI RAIL STATION CONFIGURATION
VIEWS OF EXISTING STATION AND PLATFORMS
TYPICAL NEC SECTION WITH FOURTH TRACK
HERBERT RUN RAILROAD BRIDGE
PATAPSCO RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE
REECE ROAD HIGHWAY BRIDGE
PLAN VIEW OF PROPOSED STATION

FIGURE 3.1-1: REGIONAL AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

FIGURE 3.2-1A: EXISTING LAND USE MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.2-1B: EXISTING LAND USE MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.2-2: COMMUNITIES AND MAJOR ACTIVITY CENTERS
FIGURE 3.2.3A: NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.2.3B: NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.3-1: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES
FIGURE 3.4-1: NON-ATTAINMENT AREAS WITHIN THE REGION
FIGURE 3.5-1: ALLOWABLE TRANSIT NOISE INCREASES
FIGURE 3.5-2A: NOISE MONITORING LOCATIONS MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.5-2B: NOISE MONITORING LOCATIONS MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.7-1: PRIMARY SURFACE WATERS AND WATERBODIES
FIGURE 3.8-1: WETLANDS ALONG THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR
FIGURE 3.8-2A: EXISTING WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.8-2B: EXISTING WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.8-3A: WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSE IMPACTS MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.8-3B: WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSE IMPACTS MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.8-4A: FLOODPLAINS AND FLOODPLAIN IMPACTS MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.8-4B: FLOODPLAINS AND FLOODPLAIN IMPACTS MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.9-1: BOG FERN
FIGURE 3.9-2: GIANT CANE
FIGURE 3.9-3: FOREST STANDS
FIGURE 3.9-4A: FOREST STAND IMPACTS MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.9-4B: FOREST STAND IMPACTS MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.9-5: CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITICAL AREA MAP
FIGURE 3.10-1: PARKLANDS, GREENWAYS, AND TRAILS
FIGURE 3.10-2: PARKLAND ACQUISITIONS
FIGURE 3.11-1: VISUAL RESOURCES
FIGURE 3.12-1A: AREA OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS (APE) MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.12-1B: AREA OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS (APE) MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.12-2A: NRHP-ELIGIBLE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES MAP 1 OF 2
FIGURE 3.12-2B: NRHP-ELIGIBLE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES MAP 2 OF 2
FIGURE 3.14-1A: PRIORITY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SITES MAP 1 OF 2
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FIGURE 3.14-1B: PRIORITY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SITES MAP 2 OF 2

FIGURE 3.16.1: INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (ICE) GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARY
FIGURE 6.5-1: PARKLAND ACQUISITIONS
FIGURE 6.5-2: REECE ROAD HIGHWAY BRIDGE

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APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: PUBLIC AND AGENCY CORRESPONDENCE
APPENDIX B: ALTERNATIVES REPORT
APPENDIX C: CONSTRUCTION PHASING
APPENDIX D: LIST OF TECHNICAL REPORTS
APPENDIX E: WETLAND CLASSIFICATIONS
APPENDIX F: PHASE I CONCEPTUAL MITIGATION REPORT
APPENDIX G: CIRCULATION LIST
APPENDIX H: DRAFT MOA

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