2. Public Scoping Meeting National Environmental Policy Act Portageville Bridge Project Tuesday, November 19, 2013 4 PM – 7 PM Genesee River Restaurant, Mount Morris, New York

3. Introduction Ray Hessinger New York State Department of Transportation Portageville Bridge Project

4. Welcome and Introductions Safety Briefing Purpose of the Meeting Presentation by the Project Team Public Comments Portageville Bridge Project Introduction

5. National Environmental Policy Act – Initiate project’s environmental review to receive federal funding National Historic Preservation Act – Solicit public interest to serve as consulting parties with regard to potential effects on historic resources Obtain public comment on all of above Portageville Bridge Project Purpose of the Meeting

6. Project Background Project Alternatives NEPA Process and Next Steps Public Scoping Process and Public Comments Portageville Bridge Project Presentation Overview

7. Project Background Early Planning Activities SEQRA Milestones – Positive Declaration of Intent to Prepare SEQRA EIS, September 17, 2008 – SEQRA Scoping Meeting, October 1, 2008 – Publish SEQRA Draft EIS, November 26, 2012 – SEQRA Public Hearing, January 10, 2013 Community Advisory Committee Meetings held on April 1, 2009 and November 12, 2009 NEPA Milestones – Identification of CMAQ Funds, July 2013 – Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS, October 31, 2013

8. Project Presentation Chris Calvert AKRF, Inc. Portageville Bridge Project

9. Project Background Purpose and Need Purpose Provide a modern rail crossing of the Genesee River for Norfolk Southern on the Southern Tier route between Buffalo and Binghamton, capable of carrying current industry standard freight rail loads, to the greatest degree possible meeting FRA Class 4 speeds, while reducing ongoing maintenance efforts and costs. Needs Critical component of Norfolk Southern’s Southern Tier route At the end of its useful life as a freight structure; requires continuous inspection and frequent repair Imposes restrictions on the entire Southern Tier route Safety concerns for park users who trespass on the bridge

10. Project Background Project Goals Eliminate operational constraints along the Southern Tier route caused by the existing Portageville Bridge Reduce the need for ongoing maintenance and concomitant costs Optimize existing infrastructure and planned improvements to the Southern Tier route as part of Norfolk Southern’s overall operational strategy in New York and in this region of the country Minimize the risk of trespassing on the Portageville Bridge by Letchworth State Park patrons

11. Project Alternatives Alternatives Considered NoName 1No Action / Maintenance Alternative 2Repair / Retrofit Existing Bridge 3New Bridge on Same Alignment 4New Bridge on Parallel Alignment / Remove Existing Bridge 5New Bridge on Parallel Alignment / Convey Existing Bridge 6New Southern Alignment / Remove Existing Bridge 7New Southern Alignment / Convey Existing Bridge 8Reroute Rail Traffic / Remove Existing Bridge 9Reroute Rail Traffic / Convey Existing Bridge Alternative was rejected in SEQRA DEIS Alternative was studied In SEQRA DEIS

12. Environmental Review NEPA Process

13. Next Steps NEPA DEIS Prepare a NEPA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that will… Build on the prior SEQRA DEIS, using as much relevant information as possible Identify and address public comments previously received on the SEQRA DEIS Address public comments received during the NEPA scoping period Address requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Identify mitigation commitments that have been developed in consultation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation since publication of the SEQRA DEIS

14. Next Steps NEPA DEIS Prepare a NEPA EIS that will… Identify a preferred alternative for the project Address federal regulatory requirements pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplains) and Executive Order 11990 (Wetlands) Address the requirements of Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act

15. Next Steps SEQRA DEIS Conclusions The NEPA DEIS will revisit and incorporate all relevant information and conclusions from the SEQRA DEIS. TopicNo ImpactImpact Social Conditions● Economic Conditions● Wetlands● Surface Waterbodies and Watercourses● Wild and Scenic Rivers● Navigable Waters● Floodplains● Coastal Resources● Groundwater, Aquifers, and Reservoirs●

16. Next Steps SEQRA DEIS Conclusions The NEPA DEIS will revisit and incorporate all relevant information and conclusions from the SEQRA DEIS. TopicNo ImpactImpact Stormwater Management● General Ecology and Wildlife Resources● Critical Environmental Areas● Historic and Cultural Resources● Parklands and Recreational Resources● Visual Resources● Farmlands● Air Quality● Energy and Greenhouse Gases●

17. Next Steps SEQRA DEIS Conclusions The NEPA DEIS will revisit and incorporate all relevant information and conclusions from the SEQRA DEIS. TopicNo ImpactImpact Noise● Asbestos● Hazardous Waste and Contaminated Materials● Construction Effects● Indirect Effects● Cumulative Effects●

18. Public Scoping Process Ray Hessinger New York State Department of Transportation Portageville Bridge Project

19. Public Scoping Process Schedule October 31, 2013 Notice of Intent November 19, 2013 Public scoping meeting December 19, 2013 Scoping comment period ends Winter/Spring 2014 Publish NEPA DEIS Spring 2014 NEPA DEIS Hearing

20. Public Scoping Process Submission of Written Comments By E-mail PortagevilleBridge@dot.ny.gov By Mail Raymond Hessinger Director, Freight & Passenger Rail Bureau NYSDOT 50 Wolf Road, POD 54 Albany, NY 12232 All comments are due by December 19, 2013

21. Speaking order – Individuals who registered to speak – Open the floor for any other comments If a large number of individuals have registered to speak, NYSDOT may limit comments to three minutes Stenographer will record all comments Please begin by stating your name and organization for the record NYSDOT and Norfolk Southern will not be responding to questions posed during public comment period tonight Public Scoping Process Oral Comments