STB issues environmental document for proposed Utah rail line

The Surface Transportation Board's (STB) Office of Environmental Analysis last week issued a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the proposed Uinta Basin Railway in Carbon, Duchesne, Uintah and Utah counties in Utah.

The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition is seeking the STB's authority to construct and operate the proposed rail line, which would extend 85 miles from two terminus points in the Uinta Basin near South Myton Bench and Leland Bench to an existing Union Pacific Railroad line near Kyune, Utah.

The DEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the proposed rail line, and recommends the Whitmore Park alternative as the environmentally preferred alternative, STB officials said in a press release. The document also sets forth the preliminary recommended mitigation measures.

Written comments are due Dec. 14.