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Welcome to the Surface Transportation Board's website for the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This site supports the Federal environmental review process for an Alaska Railroad proposal to construct and operate a section of new rail line. For more specific information on the topics addressed below, please see Environmental Review Process and Documents.
The Proposed Rail Line Extension: The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), also called the Applicant, proposes to construct and operate approximately 30 to 45 miles of new rail line between the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s (MSB’s) Port MacKenzie in south-central Alaska and a point on ARRC’s main line between Wasilla and north of Willow, Alaska. The proposed rail line extension would provide freight services between the Port and Interior Alaska and would support the Port’s continuing development as an intermodal and bulk material resources export and import facility. MSB is a co-sponsor of the proposed rail line. [map of alternative routes proposed by ARRC in PDF - 497 KB]
The Surface Transportation Board (Board) is the Federal agency that will approve, disapprove, or approve with conditions, including environmental mitigation conditions, ARRC’s proposed rail line. The Board will be the lead Federal agency for the environmental review process.
The Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) is an office within the Board and is responsible for ensuring the Board’s compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental statutes. SEA will be assisted by ICF International (ICF), the independent third-party contractor for this EIS. SEA will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for use by the Board in its decision-making on the proposal.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared in compliance with the requirements of NEPA and applicable implementing regulations and Executive Orders. The EIS process is an open and public process. Please visit the Public Involvement page for information on opportunities to participate. The Board will not make a decision on the proposal until the environmental review process is complete. |