The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) invites public comment on a supplemental environmental document for the Mid-Coast Trolley extension project that evaluates a previously unidentified impact on San Diego fairy shrimp, a federally listed endangered species. The 45-day public comment period for this document, available at sandag.org/midcoast, will end Sept. 2.
The report, a supplement to the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR), discloses impacts to fairy shrimp living next to a set of railroad tracks during surveys in 2014. The impact statement was circulated for review and comment from May 17, 2013 to July 17, 2013.
The locally endangered San Diego fairy shrimp reaches a length of about an inch and is named for the fairylike movements it makes when swimming.
Comments on the latest supplemental report are limited to the analysis of impacts to fairy shrimp. Responses will be provided in the final SEIS/SEIR, along with responses to the comments received on the previously-released draft SEIS/SEIR. The SANDAG board is expected to take action on the document later this year. Comments may be submitted in writing via U.S. mail, email or fax or may be made orally on the project’s voicemail at the following addresses and phone numbers:
U.S. mail: Leslie Blanda
Mid-Coast Project Development Program Manager
San Diego Association of Governments
401 B St., Suite 800
San Diego, CA 92101
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (619) 699-1905
Voicemail: (619) 595-5620
The Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project will extend trolley service from Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego to the University City community, serving major activity centers such as Old Town, UCSD and Westfield UTC. The project would be funded in partnership by SANDAG (using a regional half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements) and the Federal Transit Administration New Starts Program. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2015, with service starting in early 2019. – Staff and contribution