Comment EI-34131
Received or sent (printed as 9/17/2025)
FRA appreciates the opportunity to comment on the identification of resource areas of interest for the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District (PPHTD) project in Plaquemines Parish, LA. As you may be aware, FRA conducted an environmental assessment (EA) and signed a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for an approximately 16 miles upstream stretch of this corridor in October 2018 (LA 23 New Orleans & Gulf Coast Railway Relocation). You can find those documents here: https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2024-10/LA23NewOrleansandGulfCoastRailwayRelocationPE-NEPAProject.pdf These documents contain a general discussion of the types of resources and permits of concern in this area of Louisiana. In addition, FRA respectfully points to the presence and importance of wetlands and tidal floodplains along this stretch of land in Louisiana. As it is currently the peak of hurricane season, note elevated rail embankments can be an impediment to natural ebb and flow of protective water features for coastal Louisiana. Should the Surface Transportation Board pursue an EA for this project, FRA would welcome becoming a Cooperating and/or Participating agency for that study. Again, thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Submitted by: Brandon Bratcher · FRA · Washington, DC
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-36633/comment/EI-34131 · back to the docket sheet