STB completes final EIS of Tennessee port's proposed rail line

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) yesterday issued a final environmental assessment for the Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority's proposed rail line that would connect the Port of Cates Landing on the Mississippi River in Tennessee to an existing railroad.

The authority's proposal calls for constructing 5.5 miles of track to the existing Tennken Railroad Co. Inc.'s line near Tiptonville, Tenn., to provide rail service to customers at the Port of Cates Landing and the adjacent Lake County Industrial Park, according to the STB's filing.

The OEA analyzed the authority's proposal and three alternatives, including "no action." In its final analysis, the office identified Alternative A as the preferred alternative because it would have the least impact on the environment. Alternative A was the authority's proposal.

The OEA concluded that because the proposed rail line's construction and operation would have no significant environmental impacts if certain mitigation measures are followed, an environmental impact statement process is unnecessary.