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Welcome!

Welcome to the Surface Transportation Board's Web site 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 rail line to connect the Port MacKenzie District in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) in south-central Alaska to a point on the existing ARRC main line between Wasilla and just north of Willow, Alaska. The proposed rail line extension would provide a rail connection for freight services between Port MacKenzie and Interior Alaska. The port facility is owned and operated by MSB, and MSB is a co-sponsor of the proposed rail line.

[Overview of Proposed Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Route Alternatives - 211 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 is 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 is being assisted by ICF International (ICF), the independent third-party contractor for this EIS.  SEA has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and will prepare a Final 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 previous opportunities to participate.  The Board will not make a decision on the proposal until the environmental review process is complete.

Three Federal agencies are cooperating in the preparation of this EIS: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District (USACE); U.S. Coast Guard (USCG); and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The USACE could issue a Section 404 Clean Water Act permit and/or a Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act permit. The USCG could issue bridge permits, and the FRA could provide funding to ARRC for rail line construction or operations.