G.8 - High Speed Rail AgreementPlanning Commission
High Speed Rail Reimbursement Agreement &
Authorize Mayor to Sign Environmental Notice
of Intent/Notice of Preparation Comment
Letter
October 27, 2020
2030 VISION
Goal #4
Develop and Implement
Successful Partnership
with Local, Regional and
State Agencies. This
project will continue to
protect our community
and its exceptional
quality of life
Background
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority)is responsible for the
planning,design,construction,and operation of the first high-speed rail
system in the nation (Project).The California high-speed rail system will
connect the mega-regions of the state.
Background
The decommissioned Cal Portland cement site on Aqua Mansa Road on County
land within Colton’s sphere of influence is being proposed as a multi-modal
transportation facility with a freight yard and switching station.Potentially,
the City of Grand Terrace will be impacted with rail and truck traffic,frontage
roads and bridges.
Southern Section
The Colton Component would accommodate future freight train volumes
(an average of 10 freight trains per day)that could not be accommodated
in the Los Angeles –San Diego –San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN)
due to the corridor's use by future volumes of HSR and other passenger
trains.It would consist of the following main elements:Intermodal rail
yard,railroad lead tracks,circulation and roadway modifications,and
utility modifications.
Agreement
The High Speed Rail Authority has proposed to enter
into a reimbursement agreement with the City of Grand
Terrace whereby the Authority will reimburse the City
for certain costs related to technical/engineering review
of the project.Third-party agreements are executed by
the Authority with various cities,counties,
municipalities,and other public agencies along a
specific project section alignment.These agreements
are executed,so the entities have an opportunity to
address any concerns due to conflicts of High-Speed Rail
proposed alignment with their facilities and utilities.
Notice of Preparation
City Staff has had the opportunity of reviewing the
Notice of Intent/Notice of Preparation and has prepared
a draft letter expressing concern with the project which
is consistent with recommendation of SBCTA.
Area of Concern #1
The Los Angeles to Anaheim High-Speed Rail segment is
a good example of a type of unintended consequence.It
gives the impression that the Administration that
introduced the “Regions Rise Together”initiative is
using that as lip service and is not interested in tackling
the hard problems at the community level,particularly
for inland counties like San Bernardino and Riverside.
Area of Concern #2
CHSRA selected a preferred environmental alternative
for the LA to Anaheim segment almost two years ago,
absent the knowledge that the Colton facility would be
needed.The selection of the preferred alternative was
made without full knowledge of the scope of the
environmental impacts on the Inland Empire.Public
outreach up to that point was limited to jurisdictions in
the LA to Anaheim corridor,and there was no outreach
to Inland Empire jurisdictions up to that time.
Area of Concern #3
The preferred alternative is subject to revision based on
the additional information being brought into focus now
that the Colton facility is included.We urge the CHSRA
Board to consider,in the interest of promoting a fair and
impartial evaluation,that the decision on the preferred
alternative be withdrawn until a full analysis and
disclosure is available through the Draft EIR/EIS,which
will have the Colton component analysis included.
Recommendations
1.Authorize the City Attorney to prepare a reimbursement
agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA),
consistent with the sample agreement provided by the CHSRA,to
reimburse the City for costs related to Technical/Engineering
Review Support and related work,and authorize the City Manager
to execute it subject to City Attorney approval as to form;and
2.Authorize the Mayor to sign the environmental Notice of
Intent/Notice of Preparation comment letter to the CHSRA
consistent with SBCTA
Planning Commission
High Speed Rail Reimbursement Agreement &
Authorize Mayor to Sign Environmental Notice
of Intent/Notice of Preparation Comment
Letter
October 27, 2020
SBCTA 1
SBCTA 2
SBCTA 3
SBCTA 4