Environmental Impact Report Released For Valley Link

Press release from Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority:

Dec. 4, 2020

Today the Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority issued a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Valley Link project consistent with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

This opens a 50-day public comment period where stakeholders are encouraged to review the document’s discussion of environmental issues associated with the proposed project and provide comments back to the Authority, which is serving as the lead agency for the EIR.

“I’m extremely pleased that we have reached this important milestone. The release of the draft environmental document for the Valley Link project takes us one step closer to providing congestion relief in one of the most difficult mega-commute corridors in the nation,” said Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, who also serves as Chair of the Rail Authority Board of Directors.

“The Valley Link Project will link our Alameda County workforce to affordable housing, provide opportunities for compact transit-oriented development and will have a significant impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” he continued.

The Authority proposes to establish a new 7-station passenger rail service along a 42-mile corridor between the existing Dublin/Pleasanton Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Station and the approved Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) North Lathrop Station, which is included in the ACE Extension Lathrop to Ceres/Merced Project.

The limits of the proposed project span Alameda and San Joaquin Counties. The project would use existing transportation corridors: the existing Interstate 580 corridor (11.7 miles) in the Tri- Valley; the Alameda County Transportation Corridor right-of-way through the Altamont Pass (14.5 miles); and the existing Union Pacific Railroad Corridor (16.1 miles) in Northern San Joaquin County.

"I am grateful to all who have played a role in completing this DEIR and look forward to continuing to collaborate with all of the local jurisdictions it will serve. Valley Link will have a transformational impact on our communities and I encourage everyone to participate in its development,” said Authority Vice-Chair and Tracy City Councilmember Veronica Vargas.

The Authority invites input on the DEIR from all relevant stakeholders and public agencies during this 50-day public comment period. Currently, there are three online meetings scheduled to allow public presentation and discussion of the DEIR:

- Saturday, December 12, 2020, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

- Wednesday, December 16, 2020, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

- Thursday, December 17, 2020, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Please note that the Authority staff are continuing to monitor developments related to COVID- 19 on a daily basis and participate in frequent updates from local, state, and federal public health agencies and local jurisdictions. Out of concern for public health and safety, the Authority will hold three online open house meetings to provide information about the DEIR and respond to general questions about the project.

Please check the project website at www.valleylinkrail.com for the most up-to-date information regarding open houses for the Valley Link DEIR. Information about how to join the online open house meetings will be provided on the Authority’s website at this location: www.valleylinkrail.com/environmental-ceqa.

Written responses and comments on the DEIR for the project are encouraged and will be accepted until 5:00 PM on January 21, 2021.

Comments may be sent via email to drafteircomments@valleylinkrail.com, or via mail to:

Tri-Valley - San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority

Attn: Valley Link Draft EIR

1362 Rutan Court, Suite 100

Livermore, CA 94551

Please include “Valley Link DEIR” in the subject heading for emailed comments.

A copy of the DEIR (including all appendices) can be found on the project website at www.valleylinkrail.com/environmental-ceqa .

This press release was produced by Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority. The views expressed here are the author's own.