The Uinta Basin Railway is one step closer to reality as the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) was released today, August 6th. According to the press release, the Final EIS is prepared by the Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) and it analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition’s proposed Uinta Basin Railway. The Final EIS also responds to comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS). “It is because of the coordinating efforts of the 7 County Infrastructure Coalition that public and private partners were able to come together on a project like this,” shares Pam Juliano, Rio Grande Pacific Railroad Executive Director of Government Affairs. “These partners include The Ute Indian Tribe, Drexel Hamilton Infrastructure Partners and Rio Grande Pacific Partners.” The Coalition has proposed to construct and operate an approximately 85-mile single-track rail line to connect the Uinta Basin to the existing interstate rail network. The proposed rail line would extend from two terminus points in the Uinta Basin near Myton and Leland Bench to a proposed connection with the existing Union Pacific Provo Subdivision near Kyune, Utah. The Board will now issue a final decision that will consider the entire environmental record, including the Draft EIS, Final EIS, and public and agency comments. To access the Draft EIS and the Final EIS, and for more information, including all public and agency comments and online meeting transcripts, please visit the Board-sponsored website at www.UintaBasinRailwayEIS.com.
