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On Friday, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced its Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for R.J. Corman Railroad Group’s proposed construction, operation and reactivation of a 20-mile line between Wallaceton and Gorton, Pa. The line would be operated by R.J. Corman Pennsylvania Lines.

Based on consultation with federal, state, and local agencies, public input and its own independent environmental analysis, the OEA found that a “modified proposed action” would be the environmentally preferable alternative for the project, STB officials said in a prepared statement. The OEA recommends that, if the STB authorizes the project, the board should require the modified proposed action, subject to the OEA's final recommended environmental mitigation.

The released FEIS completes the environmental review process, STB officials said. Board members now will decide whether to grant final approval for the project. While reaching a final decision, board members will take into account the draft and final environmental reports, and the OEA's final mitigation recommendations, STB officials said.