judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

Upload: craiggima

Post on 04-Apr-2018

222 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    1/45

    UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

    DISTRICT OF HAWAII

    +212/8/875$)),&&20&/,))

    6/$7(5%(1-$0,1&$

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    2/45

    _BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB_

    +RQROXOX7UDIILFFRPHWDO3ODLQWLIIV FODLPWKDWWKH&LW\DQG&RXQW\RI

    +RQROXOXWKH&LW\DQGWKH)HGHUDO7UDQVLW$GPLQLVWUDWLRQ)7$FROOHFWLYHO\

    'HIHQGDQWVKDYHYLRODWHGWKUHHIHGHUDOVWDWXWHVLQWKHSURFHVVRIDSSURYLQJDWZHQW\

    PLOHHOHYDWHGJXLGHZD\UDLOWUDQVLWSURMHFWWKH3URMHFW 6HFWLRQIRIWKH

    'HSDUWPHQWRI7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ$FW6HFWLRQI86&WKH1DWLRQDO

    (QYLURQPHQWDO3ROLF\$FW1(3$86&KDQG6HFWLRQRI

    WKH1DWLRQDO+LVWRULF3UHVHUYDWLRQ$FW1+3$86&I1RZSHQGLQJEHIRUH

    WKHFRXUWDUHWKHSDUWLHVFURVVPRWLRQVIRUVXPPDU\MXGJPHQWZKLFKKDYHEHHQIXOO\

    EULHIHGDQGDUJXHG)RUWKHUHDVRQVVHWIRUWKEHORZ3ODLQWLIIVPRWLRQLVgranted in part

    ZLWKUHVSHFWWRWKUHHFODLPVDULVLQJXQGHU6HFWLRQI'HIHQGDQWVPRWLRQLVgranted in

    partZLWKUHVSHFWWRDOORWKHUFODLPV

    I. Background

    2Q'HFHPEHUWKH)7$SXEOLVKHGD1RWLFHRI,QWHQW12, WR

    SUHSDUHDQ$OWHUQDWLYHV$QDO\VLV$$DQGDQ(QYLURQPHQWDO,PSDFW6WDWHPHQW(,6

    IRUDWUDQVLWSURMHFWLQ+RQROXOX$57KHVWDWHGSXUSRVHRIWKH3URMHFWZDVWR

    SURYLGHLPSURYHGPRELOLW\WKURXJKWKHEXV\WZHQW\ILYHPLOHZHVWHDVWWUDQVSRUWDWLRQ

    FRUULGRUEHWZHHQ.DSROHLDQGWKH8QLYHUVLW\RI+DZDLLDW0DQRD8+DQG:DLNLNL

    Id.7KH&LW\XQGHUWRRNDVFRSLQJSURFHVVDQGSUHSDUHGDQ$$UHYLHZLQJIRXU

    DOWHUQDWLYHVDQREXLOGDOWHUQDWLYHLPSURYHPHQWVWRWKHH[LVWLQJEXVV\VWHPWKH

    WUDQVSRUWDWLRQV\VWHPPDQDJHPHQWDOWHUQDWLYHDQHOHYDWHGH[SUHVVEXVFDUSRROODQH

    DOWHUQDWLYHWKHPDQDJHGODQHVDOWHUQDWLYHDQGDUDLOZD\DOWHUQDWLYHWKHIL[HG

    JXLGHZD\DOWHUQDWLYH$5DW7KH$$FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKHIL[HGJXLGHZD\

    DOWHUQDWLYHZDVWKHRQO\RQHWKDWVDWLVILHGWKH3URMHFWVSXUSRVHDQGQHHGId.DW7KH

    +RQROXOX&LW\&RXQFLOVXEVHTXHQWO\VHOHFWHGWKHIL[HGJXLGHZD\WUDQVLWV\VWHPDVWKH

    ORFDOO\SUHIHUUHGDOWHUQDWLYHId.DW

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 2 of 45 PageID #: 8122

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    3/45

    7KH)7$WKHQSXEOLVKHGDVHFRQG1RWLFHRI,QWHQWWRSUHSDUHDQ(,6RQ0DUFK

    12,$57KH12,UHTXHVWHGSXEOLFFRPPHQWRQILYH

    SRVVLEOHWUDQVLWWHFKQRORJLHVOLJKWUDLOUDSLGUDLOVWHHOZKHHORQVWHHOUDLOUXEEHUWLUH

    JXLGHGPDJQHWLFOHYLWDWLRQDQGPRQRUDLOSee id.$ILYHPHPEHUSDQHORIH[SHUWV

    DSSRLQWHGE\WKH&LW\&RXQFLOUHYLHZHGUHVSRQVHVWRWKDWUHTXHVWDVZHOODVWZHOYH

    UHVSRQVHVIURPWUDQVLWYHKLFOHPDQXIDFWXUHUVDQGLQ)HEUXDU\RQDYRWHRIIRXUWR

    RQHVHOHFWHGVWHHOZKHHORQVWHHODVWKHWHFKQRORJ\IRUWKH3URMHFW$5DW

    +RQROXOXYRWHUVVXEVHTXHQWO\DSSURYHGD&LW\&KDUWHUDPHQGPHQWWRHVWDEOLVKDVWHHORQ

    VWHHOUDLOV\VWHPId.

    'HIHQGDQWVWKHQSUHSDUHGD'UDIW(,6'(,6DQGD)LQDO(,6)(,6See$5

    7KH'(,6DQG)(,6DQDO\]HGRQO\IRXUDOWHUQDWLYHVWKHQREXLOGDOWHUQDWLYH

    DQGWKUHHHOHYDWHGIL[HGJXLGHZD\VWHHORQVWHHOUDLOZD\URXWLQJV$5DW

    $OOWKUHHIL[HGJXLGHZD\RSWLRQVUDQGRZQWKHWZHQW\PLOHFRUULGRUEHWZHHQ.DSROHLDQG

    $OD0RDQD&HQWHUEXWYLDVOLJKWO\GLIIHUHQWURXWHVId.2QHIL[HGJXLGHZD\RSWLRQUDQ

    YLD6DOW/DNH%RXOHYDUGDVHFRQGYLDWKHDLUSRUWDQGWKHWKLUGYLDERWK6DOW/DNH

    %RXOHYDUGDQGWKHDLUSRUWId.7KH)(,6VHOHFWHGWKHDLUSRUWURXWHDVWKHSUHIHUUHG

    DOWHUQDWLYHId.DW7KH)(,6DOVRLQFOXGHGDQHYDOXDWLRQRIWKH3URMHFWVSRWHQWLDO

    XVHRIODQGIURPKLVWRULFUHVRXUFHVDQGSXEOLFSDUNVSXUVXDQWWR6HFWLRQIId.DW

    7KH)(,6FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKH3URMHFWZRXOGXVHVRPHKLVWRULFUHVRXUFHVLQGRZQWRZQ

    +RQROXOXLQFOXGLQJWKH&KLQDWRZQ+LVWRULF'LVWULFWEXWIRXQGWKDWWKHUHZDVQRIHDVLEOH

    DQGSUXGHQWDOWHUQDWLYHWRVXFKXVHId.DW

    7KH)7$V5HFRUGRI'HFLVLRQ52'DSSURYLQJWKH3URMHFWZDVLVVXHGRQ

    -DQXDU\$57KH)7$WKH&LW\WKH$GYLVRU\&RXQFLORQ+LVWRULF

    3UHVHUYDWLRQWKH+DZDLL6WDWH+LVWRULF3UHVHUYDWLRQ2IILFHU6+32DQGWKH8QLWHG

    6WDWHV1DY\DOVRHQWHUHGLQWRD3URJUDPPDWLF$JUHHPHQW3$SXUVXDQWWRRIWKH

    1+3$ZKLFKZDVLQFRUSRUDWHGLQWRWKH52'$5DW7KH3URMHFWLVWR

    EHIXQGHGXVLQJORFDOWD[UHYHQXHVDQGIHGHUDOIXQGLQJIURPWKH1HZ6WDUWVSURJUDPsee

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 3 of 45 PageID #: 8123

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    4/45

    86&DQGLVWREHFRQVWUXFWHGLQIRXUSKDVHV$5DW

    2Q0D\3ODLQWLIIVILOHGWKLVDFWLRQDOOHJLQJWKDWWKH)(,6DQG52'

    DSSURYLQJWKH3URMHFWGLGQRWFRPSO\ZLWKWKHUHTXLUHPHQWVRI1(3$6HFWLRQI

    1+3$DQGWKHUHJXODWLRQVLPSOHPHQWLQJWKRVHVWDWXWHV&RPSO'RF

    II. The Legal Standard

    6XPPDU\MXGJPHQWLVSURSHUZKHUHWKHUHLVQRJHQXLQHLVVXHRIPDWHULDOIDFWDQG

    WKHPRYLQJSDUW\LVHQWLWOHGWRMXGJPHQWDVDPDWWHURIODZ)HG5&LY3FCelotex

    Corp. v. Catrett867KHFRXUWPXVWGUDZDOOUHDVRQDEOH

    LQIHUHQFHVLQIDYRURIWKHQRQPRYLQJSDUW\Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio

    86

    7KH$GPLQLVWUDWLYH3URFHGXUH$FW$3$SURYLGHVDXWKRULW\IRUWKHFRXUWV

    UHYLHZRIGHFLVLRQVXQGHU1(3$DQG6HFWLRQIN. Idaho Cmty. Action Network

    v. U.S. Dept of Transp.)GWK&LU8QGHUWKH$3$WKH

    GLVWULFWFRXUWPD\RQO\VHWDVLGHDJHQF\DFWLRQVWKDWDUHDUELWUDU\FDSULFLRXVDQDEXVHRI

    GLVFUHWLRQRURWKHUZLVHQRWLQDFFRUGDQFHZLWKODZId.TXRWLQJ86&$

    $GHFLVLRQLVDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXV

    RQO\LIWKHDJHQF\UHOLHGRQIDFWRUV&RQJUHVVGLGQRWLQWHQGLWWRFRQVLGHUHQWLUHO\IDLOHGWRFRQVLGHUDQLPSRUWDQWDVSHFWRIWKHSUREOHPRURIIHUHGDQH[SODQDWLRQWKDWUXQVFRXQWHUWRWKHHYLGHQFHEHIRUHWKHDJHQF\RULVVRLPSODXVLEOHWKDWLWFRXOGQRWEHDVFULEHGWRDGLIIHUHQFHLQYLHZRUWKHSURGXFWRIDJHQF\H[SHUWLVH

    Id.DWTXRWLQJLands Council v. McNair)GWK&LUHQ

    EDQF$QDJHQF\KDVGLVFUHWLRQWRUHO\RQWKHUHDVRQDEOHRSLQLRQVRILWVRZQTXDOLILHG

    H[SHUWVHYHQLIDVDQRULJLQDOPDWWHUDFRXUWPLJKWILQGFRQWUDU\YLHZVPRUHSHUVXDVLYH

    Marsh v. Or. Natural Res. Council86

    III. Merits

    A. Section 4(f) Claims

    6HFWLRQISURYLGHVWKDWWKH6HFUHWDU\RI7UDQVSRUWDWLRQWKH6HFUHWDU\PD\

    DSSURYHDWUDQVSRUWDWLRQSURMHFWUHTXLULQJWKHXVHRIDSXEOLFSDUNRUKLVWRULFVLWHRI

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 4 of 45 PageID #: 8124

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    5/45

    3ODLQWLIIVFODLPHGWKDWWKH3URMHFWXVHGDQXPEHURIRWKHUVLWHVSURWHFWHG

    XQGHU6HFWLRQIRWKHUWKDQWKRVHGLVFXVVHGLQWKLV2UGHU3ODLQWLIIVDWWDFNRQWKRVHRWKHU

    VLWHVKDVEHHQGLVSRVHGRILQDQHDUOLHUVXPPDU\MXGJPHQWUXOLQJSee HonoluluTraffic.com

    v. Fed. Transit Admin.:/'+DZDLL

    QDWLRQDOVWDWHRUORFDOVLJQLILFDQFHRQO\LIWKHUHLVQRSUXGHQWDQGIHDVLEOH

    DOWHUQDWLYHWRXVLQJWKHVLWHDQGWKHSURMHFWLQFOXGHVDOOSRVVLEOHSODQQLQJWR

    PLQLPL]HKDUPWRWKHVLWHUHVXOWLQJIURPWKHXVH86&6HFWLRQIWKHUHIRUH

    LPSRVHVDVXEVWDQWLYHPDQGDWHRQDJHQFLHVLPSOHPHQWLQJWUDQVSRUWDWLRQLPSURYHPHQWV

    N. Idaho Cmty. Action Network)GDW

    :KHQDFRXUWUHYLHZVD6HFWLRQIGHWHUPLQDWLRQLWPXVWDVNWKUHHTXHVWLRQV

    )LUVWWKHUHYLHZLQJFRXUWPXVWGHWHUPLQHZKHWKHUWKH6HFUHWDU\DFWHGZLWKLQWKHVFRSHRIKLVDXWKRULW\DQGZKHWKHUKLVGHFLVLRQZDVUHDVRQDEO\EDVHGRQWKHIDFWVFRQWDLQHGLQWKHDGPLQLVWUDWLYHUHFRUG6HFRQGWKHUHYLHZLQJFRXUWPXVWGHWHUPLQHZKHWKHUWKH6HFUHWDU\VGHFLVLRQZDVDUELWUDU\FDSULFLRXVRUDQDEXVHRIGLVFUHWLRQEHFDXVHKHIDLOHGWRFRQVLGHUDOOUHOHYDQWIDFWRUVRUPDGHDFOHDUHUURURIMXGJPHQW7KLUGWKHUHYLHZLQJFRXUWVKRXOGGHFLGHZKHWKHUWKH6HFUHWDU\FRPSOLHGZLWKWKHDSSOLFDEOH

    SURFHGXUDOUHTXLUHPHQWV

    Ariz. Past & Future Found., Inc. v. Lewis)GWK&LUFLWLQJ

    Citizens to Pres. Overton Park v. Volpe86 see also Adler v.

    Lewis)GWK&LU

    3ODLQWLIIV6HFWLRQIFODLPVIDOOLQWRWKUHHFDWHJRULHV)LUVW3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDW

    'HIHQGDQWVIDLOHGWRLGHQWLI\1DWLYH+DZDLLDQEXULDOVLWHVDQGRWKHUWUDGLWLRQDOFXOWXUDO

    SURSHUWLHV7&3VSULRUWRWKHLVVXDQFHRIWKH52'6HFRQG3ODLQWLIIVDVVHUWWKDW

    'HIHQGDQWVHUURQHRXVO\FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKH3URMHFWZRXOGQRWFRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVH$ORKD

    7RZHU,UZLQ3DUN:DONHU3DUNDQG0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUN7KLUG3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDW

    'HIHQGDQWVIDLOHGWRPHHW6HFWLRQIVVXEVWDQWLYHPDQGDWHEHFDXVH'HIHQGDQWV

    HUURQHRXVO\GHWHUPLQHGWKDWWKHUHZHUHQRIHDVLEOHDQGSUXGHQWDOWHUQDWLYHVWRWKH3URMHFW

    DQGEHFDXVH'HIHQGDQWVGLGQRWHQJDJHLQDOOSRVVLEOHSODQQLQJWRPLQLPL]HKDUPWR

    6HFWLRQIVLWHV(DFKRIWKHVHFODLPVLVDGGUHVVHGLQWXUQEHORZ

    1. Failure to Identify Native Hawaiian Burial Sites and Traditional

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 5 of 45 PageID #: 8125

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    6/45

    Cultural Properties

    a. Burial Sites

    7KHILUVWVWHSLQD6HFWLRQIDQDO\VLVLVWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQRISRVVLEOH6HFWLRQI

    VLWHVWKDWFRXOGEHXVHGE\WKHSURMHFW)HGHUDOUHJXODWLRQVSURYLGHWKDW>W@KHSRWHQWLDO

    XVHRIODQGIURPD6HFWLRQISURSHUW\VKDOOEHHYDOXDWHGDVHDUO\DVSUDFWLFDEOHLQWKH

    GHYHORSPHQWRIWKHDFWLRQZKHQDOWHUQDWLYHVWRWKHSURSRVHGDFWLRQDUHXQGHUVWXG\

    &)5D6HFWLRQIDSSURYDORIDSURMHFWPXVWEHPDGHHLWKHULQWKH)(,6RU

    WKH52'E3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDW'HIHQGDQWVKDYHYLRODWHG6HFWLRQIE\

    WDNLQJDSKDVHGDSSURDFKWRWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQRIXQGHUJURXQG1DWLYH+DZDLLDQEXULDO

    VLWHVWKDWFRXOGEHGLVWXUEHGDORQJWKHURXWHRIWKHHOHYDWHGJXLGHZD\1DWLYH+DZDLLDQ

    EXULDOVLWHVLQFOXGLQJWKRVHGLVFRYHUHGGXULQJFRQVWUXFWLRQTXDOLI\DVKLVWRULFVLWHV

    SURWHFWHGXQGHU6HFWLRQIDVORQJDVWKH\DUHLQFOXGHGLQRUHOLJLEOHIRULQFOXVLRQLQ

    WKH1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHURI+LVWRULF3ODFHVSee &)5I

    'HIHQGDQWVDGPLWWKDWWKH\KDYHQRW\HWFDUULHGRXW$UFKDHRORJLFDO,QYHQWRU\

    6XUYH\V$,6VWRLGHQWLI\XQGLVFRYHUHGEXULDOVLWHVDFURVVWKHHQWLUHWZHQW\PLOH

    OHQJWKRIWKH3URMHFWHYHQWKRXJK'HIHQGDQWVFRQFHGHWKDWLWLVSRVVLEOHDQGHYHQOLNHO\

    LQVRPHDUHDVWKDWWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQRIWKHVWDWLRQVDQGFROXPQVRIWKHHOHYDWHGJXLGHZD\PD\GLVWXUEVXFKVLWHV'HIHQGDQWVH[SODLQWKDWWKH\PDGHWKHGHFLVLRQWRZDLWEHFDXVH

    FRPSOHWLRQRIDQ$,6UHTXLUHVH[FDYDWLRQWRDGHSWKRIILYHIHHW$5DW

    DQGWKHH[DFWSRVLWLRQLQJRIWKH3URMHFWVVWDWLRQVDQGFROXPQVKDG\HWWREHGHWHUPLQHG

    DWWKHWLPHWKH52'ZDVDSSURYHG&RQVHTXHQWO\WRFRPSOHWHDQ$,6DWWKDWWLPH

    'HIHQGDQWVZRXOGKDYHKDGWRH[FDYDWHIDUPRUHDUHDVDQGFRXOGSRWHQWLDOO\KDYH

    GLVWXUEHGIDUPRUHDUFKDHRORJLFDOVLWHVWKDQZRXOGEHQHFHVVDU\RQFHSURMHFWSODQVZHUH

    FRPSOHWHSee&)5DLLLSURKLELWLQJILQDOGHVLJQDFWLYLWLHVRQD

    WUDQVSRUWDWLRQSURMHFWXQWLODIWHUWKH)(,6DQG52'DUHFRPSOHWH

    ,QVWHDG'HIHQGDQWVSURGXFHGDQ$UFKDHRORJLFDO5HVRXUFHV7HFKQLFDO5HSRUWLQ

    $XJXVWSee $57KH5HSRUWXVHGDQXPEHURIUHVRXUFHVLQFOXGLQJVRLO

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 6 of 45 PageID #: 8126

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    7/45

    VXUYH\GDWDDUFKDHRORJLFDOUHFRUGVODQGVXUYH\PDSVDQGILHOGREVHUYDWLRQVLQRUGHUWR

    LGHQWLI\DOONQRZQEXULDOVLWHVDQGWRSUHGLFWWKHOLNHOLKRRGRIILQGLQJEXULDOVLQHDFK

    SKDVHRIWKHSURMHFWSee id.DW7KH5HSRUWDOVRVXJJHVWHGWKDWWKHUH

    ZHUHPDQ\UHDVRQVQRWWRFDUU\RXWDIXOODUFKDHRORJLFDOVXUYH\RIWKHIL[HGJXLGHZD\

    URXWHSULRUWRLVVXDQFHRIWKH52'LQFOXGLQJWKDWWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQRIUHVRXUFHVEHQHDWK

    VLGHZDONVVWUHHWVDQGKLJKZD\VZRXOGVLJQLILFDQWO\GLVUXSWWUDIILFWKDWWKHFRVWRIWKH

    SURMHFWZRXOGJUHDWO\LQFUHDVHLIDIXOOVXUYH\ZDVXQGHUWDNHQDQGWKDWWKHVXUYH\ZRXOG

    QHHGWRWDNHSODFHRYHUDODUJHUDUHDWKDQZRXOGDFWXDOO\EHDIIHFWHGE\WKHJXLGHZD\

    EHFDXVHWKHIRRWSULQWRIWKHJXLGHZD\ZDVQRW\HWNQRZQId.DW7KH5HSRUW

    FRQFOXGHGWKDWDUHDVRQDEOHJRRGIDLWKHIIRUWKDGEHHQPDGHWRLGHQWLI\UHVRXUFHVORFDWHG

    ZLWKLQWKH3URMHFWDOLJQPHQWVId.

    ,QDGGLWLRQSULRUWRWKHLVVXDQFHRIWKH52''HIHQGDQWVSHUIRUPHGDQ$,6IRU

    3KDVH,RIWKH3URMHFWWKHGRFXPHQWUDQQHDUO\ILYHKXQGUHGSDJHV$57KH)7$

    H[SODLQVLQLWVEULHILQJWKDWLWZDVSRVVLEOHWRFRPSOHWHWKHILUVW$,6DWDQHDUO\VWDJH

    EHFDXVHWKHZHVWHUQSRUWLRQRIWKH3URMHFWLVOHVVGHYHORSHGWKDQGRZQWRZQ+RQROXOXDQG

    OHVVOLNHO\WRFRQWDLQEXULDOVLWHVIURPWUDGLWLRQDO+DZDLLDQWLPHVSee'RFDW,Q

    WKH3$'HIHQGDQWVDOVRSURYLGHGIRUWKHSURWHFWLRQDQGDYRLGDQFHRIODWHUGLVFRYHUHGEXULDOVVSHFLI\LQJWKDWVXEVXUIDFHWHVWLQJZLOOEHFRQGXFWHGDWHDFKFROXPQORFDWLRQSULRU

    WRFRQVWUXFWLRQDQGWKDWHIIRUWVZLOOEHPDGHWRDOWHUWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQSODQWRDYRLGQHZO\

    GLVFRYHUHGEXULDOVLWHVZLWKLQSODFHVLJQLILFDQFHSee$5DWsee also &)5

    I6HFWLRQIPD\DSSO\WRDUFKDHRORJLFDOVLWHVGLVFRYHUHGGXULQJFRQVWUXFWLRQ

    ,QVXFKFDVHVWKH6HFWLRQISURFHVVZLOOEHH[SHGLWHGDQGDQ\UHTXLUHGHYDOXDWLRQ

    RIIHDVLEOHDQGSUXGHQWDYRLGDQFHDOWHUQDWLYHVZLOOWDNHDFFRXQWRIWKHOHYHORILQYHVWPHQW

    DOUHDG\PDGH

    3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDWWKHVHHIIRUWVDPRXQWWRMXVWWKHVRUWRISKDVHGDSSURDFKWR

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 7 of 45 PageID #: 8127

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    8/45

    ,QSDUWLFXODU3ODLQWLIIVSRLQWWRFRQFHUQVYRLFHGE\WKH 2DKX ,VODQG%XULDO

    &RXQFLO2,%&1DWLRQDO7UXVWIRU+LVWRULF3UHVHUYDWLRQDQGD'27RIILFLDODOORIZKRP

    VXJJHVWHGWKDWLWZDVLPSRUWDQWQRWWRGHIHUGHWDLOHGLGHQWLILFDWLRQRIEXULDOVLWHVHVSHFLDOO\

    LQWKHGRZQWRZQDUHDZKLFKLVNQRZQWRKDYHDKLJKFRQFHQWUDWLRQRIXQGLVFRYHUHGEXULDOV

    See$5DWDWDW

    WKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQRI6HFWLRQIVLWHVWKDWKDVEHHQUHMHFWHGLQ1LQWK&LUFXLWSUHFHGHQW

    ,QNorth Idaho Community Action NetworkWKHSODLQWLIIVFKDOOHQJHGDSURSRVHGKLJKZD\

    SURMHFWXQGHU6HFWLRQI)GDW7KH'HSDUWPHQWRI7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ

    '27FRQFHGHGWKDWLWKDGGHFLGHGWRWDNHDSKDVHGDSSURDFKWRWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQRI

    6HFWLRQIDQG1+3$6HFWLRQKLVWRULFVLWHVDQGVRKDGQRW\HWFRQGXFWHGDQ\

    DQDO\VLVRIWKUHHRIWKHIRXUSURMHFWSKDVHVHYHQWKRXJKWKH52'KDGDOUHDG\LVVXHGId.

    DW7KH1LQWK&LUFXLWFRQFOXGHGWKDWWKH'27VDFWLRQZDVLQYLRODWLRQRI6HFWLRQ

    IEHFDXVHWKH6HFWLRQIHYDOXDWLRQPXVWEHFRPSOHWHGSULRUWRWKHLVVXDQFHRIWKH

    52'Id.DW

    7ZR'&&LUFXLWFDVHVKDYHDOVRGLVFXVVHGWKHWLPLQJRI6HFWLRQIHYDOXDWLRQV

    ,QCorridor H Alts., Inc. v. SlaterWKH)HGHUDO+LJKZD\$GPLQLVWUDWLRQ)+:$

    DSSURYHGD52'IRUDKLJKZD\EXWPDGHWKDWDSSURYDOFRQGLWLRQDORQWKHIXWXUH

    LGHQWLILFDWLRQRI6HFWLRQISURSHUWLHVLQIRXUWHHQVHFWLRQVRIWKHSURMHFW)G

    '&&LU7KHFRXUWKHOGWKDWWKLVDFWLRQZDVLQYLRODWLRQRI6HFWLRQI

    EHFDXVHWKHDJHQF\IDLOHGWRPDNHDQ\SUHOLPLQDU\6HFWLRQIGHWHUPLQDWLRQVSULRUWR

    WKHLVVXDQFHRIWKH52'Id.DW

    ,QFRQWUDVWLQCity of Alexandria v. SlaterWKHFRXUWXSKHOGWKH)+:$V6HFWLRQIDQDO\VLVIRUSODQVWRUHSODFHDEULGJH)G'&&LU7KH

    )+:$LGHQWLILHGDQXPEHURIKLVWRULFVLWHVDORQJWKHSURMHFWFRUULGRUDQGSXEOLVKHGD

    6HFWLRQIHYDOXDWLRQSULRUWRWKHDSSURYDORIWKH52'EXWSRVWSRQHGWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQ

    RI6HFWLRQIVLWHVLQDUHDVZKHUHFRQVWUXFWLRQUHODWHGDFWLYLWLHVZRXOGRFFXUEHFDXVH

    WKH)+:$KDG\HWWRLGHQWLI\WKHORFDWLRQVWKDWZRXOGEHXVHGIRUWKRVHDFWLYLWLHVId.DW

    7KHFRXUWFRQFOXGHGWKDWJLYHQWKDWWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQRIWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQ

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 8 of 45 PageID #: 8128

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    9/45

    ORFDWLRQVZRXOGUHTXLUHVXEVWDQWLDOHQJLQHHULQJZRUNWKDWFRXOGQRWEHFRQGXFWHGXQWLO

    DIWHUWKH52'LVVXHGDQGWKDWWKHVLWHVSRVWSRQHGZHUHPHUHO\DQFLOODU\WRWKHSURMHFW

    6HFWLRQIGLGQRWIRUELGWKHUDWLRQDOSODQQLQJSURFHVVDGKHUHGWRE\WKH)+:$Id.

    DW,WZDVQRWHQRXJKIRUWKHSODLQWLIIVWRDUJXHWKDWLWZRXOGKDYHEHHQIHDVLEOHWR

    LGHQWLI\DOO6HFWLRQIVLWHVSULRUWRWKHLVVXDQFHRIWKH52'WKHVWDQGDUGRI

    IHDVLELOLW\ZKLOHUHOHYDQWWRZKHWKHUDQDJHQF\PD\XVHISURSHUWLHVKDVQR

    DSSOLFDWLRQLQGHWHUPLQLQJZKHQWKHDJHQF\PXVWLGHQWLI\WKHPId.

    7KLVFDVHGLIIHUVIURPWKRVHSULRUFDVHV8QOLNHLQCity of AlexandriaWKHVLWHV

    WKDW'HIHQGDQWVKDYHOHIWXQLGHQWLILHGXQWLOIXUWKHUHQJLQHHULQJSODQQLQJWDNHVSODFHDUH

    QRWDQFLOODU\EXWDUHWKRVHXQLGHQWLILHGEXULDOVLWHVUXQQLQJGLUHFWO\GRZQWKHIL[HG

    JXLGHZD\URXWH2QWKHRWKHUKDQGLQFRQWUDVWWRNorth Idaho Community Action

    NetworkDQGCorridor H'HIHQGDQWVKHUHKDYHQRWGHIHUUHGall6HFWLRQIVLWH

    LGHQWLILFDWLRQWRDODWHUGDWHLQIDFW'HIHQGDQWVKDYHPDGHDVLJQLILFDQWHIIRUWWRLGHQWLI\

    DOONQRZQEXULDOVDQGSUHGLFWWKHORFDWLRQRIXQNQRZQEXULDOV

    7KHNH\TXHVWLRQLVZKHWKHU'HIHQGDQWVKDYHPDGHDVDWLVIDFWRU\HIIRUWWRLGHQWLI\

    6HFWLRQIVLWHV3ODLQWLIIVFRQWHQGWKDW'HIHQGDQWVVKRXOGKDYHPDGHallSRVVLEOH

    HIIRUWVWRLGHQWLI\XQGLVFRYHUHGEXULDOVLWHVGRZQWKHPDLQSURMHFWFRUULGRUZKLOH'HIHQGDQWVDUJXHWKDWRQO\reasonableHIIRUWVZHUHQHFHVVDU\QRWIXOOH[FDYDWLRQRIWKH

    JXLGHZD\URXWH

    'HWHUPLQLQJWKHQHFHVVDU\OHYHORIHIIRUWUHTXLUHVUHIHUHQFHWR1+3$$OO

    RIWKHFDVHVGLVFXVVHGDERYHDJUHHGWKDWEHFDXVH6HFWLRQIKLVWRULFVLWHVDUHGHILQHGDV

    SURSHUWLHVRQRUHOLJLEOHIRUOLVWLQJRQWKH1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHUWKHDJHQF\PXVWILUVW

    FRPSOHWHWKH6HFWLRQSURFHVVIRULGHQWLILFDWLRQRIKLVWRULFSURSHUWLHVLQRUGHUWR

    VDWLVI\LWV6HFWLRQIREOLJDWLRQWRLGHQWLI\SURWHFWHGKLVWRULFVLWHVN. Idaho Cmty.

    Action Network)GDW>%@HFDXVHWKHIHYDOXDWLRQFDQQRWRFFXUXQWLO

    DIWHUWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQSURFHVVKDVEHHQFRPSOHWHGWKHSURFHVVQHFHVVDULO\

    PXVWEHFRPSOHWHE\WKHWLPHWKH52'LVLVVXHGCity of Alexandria)GDW

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 9 of 45 PageID #: 8129

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    10/45

    Corridor H)GDW

    )HGHUDOUHJXODWLRQVLPSOHPHQWLQJSURYLGHWKDWWKHDJHQF\VKDOOWDNHWKH

    VWHSVQHFHVVDU\WRLGHQWLI\KLVWRULFSURSHUWLHVZLWKLQWKHDUHDRISRWHQWLDOHIIHFWV

    &)5E,QGHVFULELQJWKHOHYHORIHIIRUWUHTXLUHGWRPHHWWKLVPDQGDWHWKH

    UHJXODWLRQVSURYLGH

    7KHDJHQF\RIILFLDOVKDOOPDNHDUHDVRQDEOHDQGJRRGIDLWKHIIRUWWRFDUU\RXWDSSURSULDWHLGHQWLILFDWLRQHIIRUWVZKLFKPD\LQFOXGHEDFNJURXQGUHVHDUFKFRQVXOWDWLRQRUDOKLVWRU\LQWHUYLHZVVDPSOHILHOGLQYHVWLJDWLRQDQGILHOGVXUYH\7KHDJHQF\RIILFLDOVKDOOWDNHLQWRDFFRXQWSDVWSODQQLQJUHVHDUFKDQGVWXGLHVWKHPDJQLWXGHDQGQDWXUHRIWKHXQGHUWDNLQJDQGWKHGHJUHHRI)HGHUDOLQYROYHPHQWWKHQDWXUHDQGH[WHQWRISRWHQWLDOHIIHFWVRQKLVWRULFSURSHUWLHVDQGWKHOLNHO\QDWXUHDQGORFDWLRQRIKLVWRULFSURSHUWLHVZLWKLQWKHDUHDRISRWHQWLDOHIIHFWV

    &)5E&RQVHTXHQWO\%HFDXVH6HFWLRQIFRPSOLDQFHLVSUHGLFDWHGRQ

    LGHQWLILFDWLRQRIKLVWRULFVLWHVYLDWKHSURFHVVLIDQDJHQF\PDNHVDUHDVRQDEOHDQG

    JRRGIDLWKHIIRUWWRLGHQWLI\KLVWRULFVLWHVWKHDJHQF\V6HFWLRQIUHVSRQVLELOLW\VKRXOG

    DOVREHVDWLVILHG

    'HIHQGDQWVKDYHPDGHDVLJQLILFDQWHIIRUWWRSLQSRLQWDOONQRZQDUFKDHRORJLFDO

    VLWHVDORQJWKHSURMHFWURXWHDQGFUDIWHGDSODQIRUGHDOLQJZLWKDQ\VLWHVWKDWPD\EHODWHU

    GLVFRYHUHGDVFRQVWUXFWLRQSURJUHVVHVSee Valley Cmty. Pres. Comm. v. Mineta

    )GWK&LUKROGLQJWKDWWKH)+:$KDGPHWLWV6HFWLRQI

    REOLJDWLRQVZKHUHD3$ZDVDGRSWHGWRGHDOZLWKDQ\LPSDFWVWRSUHYLRXVO\XQLGHQWLILHG

    FXOWXUDOUHVRXUFHVGLVFRYHUHGGXULQJFRQVWUXFWLRQ%HFDXVH'HIHQGDQWVKDYHPDGHWKLV

    UHDVRQDEOHDQGJRRGIDLWKHIIRUWWRLGHQWLI\VLWHVWKH\KDYHVDWLVILHGWKHLU

    REOLJDWLRQWRLGHQWLI\6HFWLRQIVLWHVSULRUWRWKHLVVXDQFHRIWKH52'$FFRUGLQJO\

    3ODLQWLIIV6HFWLRQIFKDOOHQJHWRWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQRIEXULDOVLWHVLVUHMHFWHG

    b. Traditional Cultural Properties

    6HFWLRQIDOVRSURWHFWVSURSHUWLHVRIWUDGLWLRQDOUHOLJLRXVDQGFXOWXUDOLPSRUWDQFH

    WR1DWLYH+DZDLLDQRUJDQL]DWLRQVLIWKH\DUHLQFOXGHGLQRUHOLJLEOHIRULQFOXVLRQLQWKH

    1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHU&)5 National Register Bulletin 38 SURYLGHVWKH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 10 of 45 PageID #: 8130

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    11/45

    UHFRJQL]HGFULWHULDIRUWKHLGHQWLILFDWLRQDQGDVVHVVPHQWRISODFHVRIFXOWXUDO

    VLJQLILFDQFHMuckleshoot Indian Tribe v. U.S. Forest Serv.)GDWWK

    &LUBulletin 38 GHILQHVD7&3DVDSURSHUW\WKDWLVHOLJLEOHIRULQFOXVLRQRQWKH

    1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHUEHFDXVHRILWVDVVRFLDWLRQZLWKFXOWXUDOSUDFWLFHVRUEHOLHIVRIDOLYLQJ

    FRPPXQLW\WKDWDUHDURRWHGLQWKHFRPPXQLW\VKLVWRU\DQGELPSRUWDQWLQ

    PDLQWDLQLQJWKHFRQWLQXLQJFXOWXUDOLGHQWLW\RIWKHFRPPXQLW\Bulletin 38 DW3ODLQWLIIV

    FODLPWKDW'HIHQGDQWVKDYHIDLOHGWRPDNHVXIILFLHQWHIIRUWWRLGHQWLI\7&3VWKDWFRXOGEH

    XVHGE\WKH3URMHFW%HFDXVH7&3VDUHQRWQHFHVVDULO\VXEWHUUDQHDQ3ODLQWLIIVDUJXH

    'HIHQGDQWVFDQQRWDVVHUWWKDWWKH\GLGQRWLGHQWLI\7&3VEHFDXVHWKH\DUHKLGGHQ

    XQGHUJURXQGRUGLIILFXOWWRLGHQWLI\

    $OWKRXJK'HIHQGDQWVSUHSDUHGD&XOWXUDO5HVRXUFHV7HFKQLFDO5HSRUWLWGLGQRW

    GHFLGHWKHRU6HFWLRQIHOLJLELOLW\RIWKHFXOWXUDOUHVRXUFHVLGHQWLILHGEXWLQVWHDG

    MXPSHGDKHDGWRIRFXVRQSRVVLEOHDGYHUVHHIIHFWVWRWKRVHUHVRXUFHVSee$5,Q

    WKH)(,6'HIHQGDQWVLGHQWLILHGRQO\RQH7&3&KLQDWRZQDQGVWDWHGWKDWWKH&LW\ZRXOG

    FRQGXFWDVWXG\WRHYDOXDWHWKHSURMHFWDUHDIRUWKHSUHVHQFHRIRWKHU7&3V$5DW

    ,IWKH)7$GHWHUPLQHGWKDWDQ\RIODWHULGHQWLILHG7&3VZHUHHOLJLEOHIRU

    LQFOXVLRQRQWKH1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHUWKHQWKH&LW\ZRXOGPHHWZLWKWKHFRQVXOWLQJSDUWLHVWRLGHQWLI\PHDVXUHVWRDYRLGPLQLPL]HDQGPLWLJDWHDGYHUVHHIIHFWVWRWKRVH

    SURSHUWLHVId.DW7KH3$DOVRVWDWHGWKDWSUHOLPLQDU\FXOWXUDOUHVRXUFHVUHVHDUFKKDG

    LGHQWLILHGRQH7&3&KLQDWRZQDQGWKDWZLWKLQGD\VRIWKH52'WKH&LW\ZRXOG

    XQGHUWDNHDVWXG\WRGHWHUPLQHWKHSUHVHQFHRIXQLGHQWLILHG7&3V$5DW1HLWKHU

    WKH)(,6QRUWKH3$H[SODLQHGZK\'HIHQGDQWVGLGQRWXQGHUWDNHDFRPSUHKHQVLYHVWXG\

    WRLGHQWLI\7&3VDWDQHDUOLHUWLPH

    7KHUHLVQRGLVFXVVLRQLQWKHUHFRUGRIWKH6HFWLRQIHOLJLELOLW\RIDQ\LGHQWLILHG

    7&3VRWKHUWKDQ&KLQDWRZQDQGWKH)(,6DQG3$VXJJHVWWKDWRQO\SUHOLPLQDU\HIIRUWV

    KDYHEHHQPDGHWRLQYHVWLJDWHZKHWKHUPHDQLQJIXOFXOWXUDOSURSHUWLHVDUHVLWXDWHGZLWKLQ

    WKH3URMHFWFRUULGRU%HFDXVH'HIHQGDQWVKDYHSUHVHQWHGQRUHDVRQZK\LWZRXOGKDYH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 11 of 45 PageID #: 8131

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    12/45

    EHHQXQUHDVRQDEO\GLIILFXOWWRLGHQWLI\VXFKDERYHJURXQG7&3VSULRUWRLVVXDQFHRIWKH

    52'WKLVGHFLVLRQWRGHOD\IXOOVWXG\RIDERYHJURXQG7&3VZDVDUELWUDU\DQG

    FDSULFLRXV

    %HIRUHFRQWLQXLQJZLWKWKH3URMHFWLQDQ\ZD\WKDWPD\XVHXQLGHQWLILHG7&3V

    'HIHQGDQWVPXVWFRPSOHWHWKHLULGHQWLILFDWLRQRIDERYHJURXQG7&3VZLWKLQWKHFRUULGRU

    See N. Idaho Cmty. Action Network)GDWFRQVWUXFWLRQQHHGEHGHOD\HG

    GXULQJFRPSOHWLRQRI6HFWLRQIHYDOXDWLRQRQO\IRUWKRVHSKDVHVRIWKHSURMHFWIRU

    ZKLFKVXFKHYDOXDWLRQKDGQRW\HWEHHQFRPSOHWHG)RUDQ\7&3VLGHQWLILHG'HIHQGDQWV

    PXVWFRQGXFWDFRPSOHWH6HFWLRQIDQDO\VLV7KH52'PXVWEHVXSSOHPHQWHGWR

    LQFOXGHDQ\QHZO\LGHQWLILHG7&3V7KH)(,6PXVWDOVREHVXSSOHPHQWHGWRWKHH[WHQW

    WKDWWKLVSURFHVVUHTXLUHVFKDQJHVWKDWPD\UHVXOWLQVLJQLILFDQWHQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFWV

    LQDPDQQHUQRWSUHYLRXVO\HYDOXDWHGDQGFRQVLGHUHGIdDWTXRWLQJWestlands

    Water Dist. v. Dept of Interior)GWK&LU

    2. Constructive Use Determinations

    3ODLQWLIIVDOVRFKDOOHQJH'HIHQGDQWVGHWHUPLQDWLRQWKDWWKHUDLOSURMHFWZRXOGQRW

    FRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVHIRXUVSHFLILFVLWHV$6HFWLRQIVLWHLVXVHGZKHQODQGLV

    SHUPDQHQWO\LQFRUSRUDWHGLQWRDWUDQVSRUWDWLRQIDFLOLW\ZKHQWKHUHLVDWHPSRUDU\RFFXSDQF\RIODQGWKDWLVDGYHUVHLQWHUPVRIWKHVWDWXWHVSUHVHUYDWLRQSXUSRVHRUZKHQ

    WKHUHLVDFRQVWUXFWLYHXVHRIODQG&)5see also Adler)GDW

    QRWLQJWKDWWKHWHUPXVHLVWREHFRQVWUXHGEURDGO\WRLQFOXGHDUHDVWKDWDUH

    VLJQLILFDQWO\DGYHUVHO\DIIHFWHGE\DSURMHFWEXWDUHQRWSK\VLFDOO\WDNHQ

    7KHUHJXODWLRQVSURYLGH

    $FRQVWUXFWLYHXVHRFFXUVZKHQWKHSURMHFWVSUR[LPLW\LPSDFWVDUHVRVHYHUHWKDWWKHSURWHFWHGDFWLYLWLHVIHDWXUHVRUDWWULEXWHVWKDWTXDOLI\WKH

    SURSHUW\IRUSURWHFWLRQXQGHU6HFWLRQIDUHVXEVWDQWLDOO\LPSDLUHG6XEVWDQWLDOLPSDLUPHQWRFFXUVRQO\ZKHQWKHSURWHFWHGDFWLYLWLHVIHDWXUHVRUDWWULEXWHVRIWKHSURSHUW\DUHVXEVWDQWLDOO\GLPLQLVKHG

    &)5Dsee also Adler)GDWREVHUYLQJWKDWRIIVLWHDFWLYLWLHV

    DUHJRYHUQHGE\6HFWLRQILIWKH\FRXOGFUHDWHVXIILFLHQWO\VHULRXVLPSDFWVWKDWZRXOG

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 12 of 45 PageID #: 8132

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    13/45

    VXEVWDQWLDOO\LPSDLUWKHYDOXHRIWKHVLWHLQWHUPVRILWVSULRUVLJQLILFDQFHDQG

    HQMR\PHQW7RPDNHDFRQVWUXFWLYHXVHGHWHUPLQDWLRQWKHDJHQF\PXVWILUVWLGHQWLI\

    WKHFXUUHQWDFWLYLWLHVIHDWXUHVRUDWWULEXWHVRIWKHSURSHUW\ZKLFKTXDOLI\IRUSURWHFWLRQ

    XQGHU6HFWLRQIWKHQPXVWDQDO\]HWKHSUR[LPLW\LPSDFWVRIWKH3URMHFWRQWKHSURSHUW\

    DQGILQDOO\PXVWFRQVXOWZLWKRIILFLDOVZLWKMXULVGLFWLRQRYHUWKHSURSHUW\&)5

    G

    7KHUHJXODWLRQVSURYLGHVRPHH[DPSOHVRIFRQVWUXFWLYHXVHLQFOXGLQJZKHQ

    WKHSURMHFWHGQRLVHOHYHOLQFUHDVHVXEVWDQWLDOO\LQWHUIHUHVZLWKWKHXVHDQGHQMR\PHQWRI

    DQXUEDQSDUNZKHUHVHUHQLW\DQGTXLHWDUHVLJQLILFDQWDWWULEXWHVHLY

    ZKHQWKHSUR[LPLW\RIWKHSURMHFWREVWUXFWVRUHOLPLQDWHVWKHSULPDU\YLHZVRIDQ

    DUFKLWHFWXUDOO\VLJQLILFDQWKLVWRULFDOEXLOGLQJRUVXEVWDQWLDOO\GHWUDFWVIURPWKHVHWWLQJRID

    SURSHUW\ZKLFKGHULYHVLWVYDOXHLQVXEVWDQWLDOSDUWGXHWRLWVVHWWLQJHDQG

    ZKHQYLEUDWLRQLPSDFWVVXEVWDQWLDOO\LPSDLUWKHXVHRIDSURSHUW\H

    &RQYHUVHO\WKHUHLVQRFRQVWUXFWLYHXVHZKHUHWKHLPSDFWRISURMHFWQRLVHOHYHOVGRHVQRW

    H[FHHGWKH)7$QRLVHLPSDFWFULWHULDRUZKHUHWKHLQFUHDVHLQSURMHFWHGQRLVHOHYHOVLV

    EDUHO\SHUFHSWLEOHI

    7KH1LQWK&LUFXLWKDVDGGUHVVHGLVVXHVRISURSHUFRQVWUXFWLYHXVHGHWHUPLQDWLRQLQDKDQGIXORIFDVHVSee, e.g.Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. v. U.S. Dept of Transp.)G

    WK&LUDJUHHLQJZLWKWKH)+:$VFRQFOXVLRQWKDWSDUNVZHUHQRW

    FRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVHGZKHUHFRQVWUXFWLRQRFFXUUHGRYHUELNHWUDLOVDQGWKHKLJKZD\FRUULGRU

    UDQDGMDFHQWWRDSDUNAriz. Past & Future Found.)GDWGHWHUPLQLQJ

    WKDWWKHUHZDVQRDEXVHRIGLVFUHWLRQZKHQWKHDJHQF\GHWHUPLQHGWKDWQRKLVWRULFVLWHV

    ZRXOGEHDGYHUVHO\DIIHFWHGE\DSURMHFWAdler)GDWDJUHHLQJWKDWWKH

    DJHQF\GLGQRWHUUZKHQLWGHWHUPLQHGWKDWILIW\VLWHVZHUHQRWFRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVHGStop

    H-3 Assn v. Coleman)GWK&LUFRQFOXGLQJZLWKRXWGHWDLOHG

    H[SODQDWLRQWKDWDSHWURJO\SKURFNZRXOGEHXVHGE\DKLJKZD\WKDWZRXOGSDVVQHDUWKH

    URFNBrooks v. Volpe)GWK&LUGHWHUPLQLQJWKDW

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 13 of 45 PageID #: 8133

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    14/45

    &DVHVIURPRWKHUFLUFXLWVSURYLGHIXUWKHUJXLGDQFHSee, e.g.Coal. Against a

    Raised Expressway (CARE) v. Dole)GWK&LUGHWHUPLQLQJWKDW

    WKHUHZDVDFRQVWUXFWLYHXVHRIKLVWRULFEXLOGLQJVDQGDSDUNWKDWZHUHLPPHGLDWHO\DGMDFHQW

    WRDKLJKZD\EDVHGRQWKHFXP XODWLYH HIIHFWVRIDLUSR OOXWLRQQRLVHLPSDFWV DQGYLHZLPSDFWVCitizen Advocates for Responsible Expansion, Inc. (I-CARE) v. Dole)G

    WK&LUFRQFOXGLQJWKDWD6HFWLRQIUHSRUWZDVGHILFLHQWZKHUHLWJDYHQR

    FRQVLGHUDWLRQWRWKHHIIHFWVWK DWDKLJKZD\ZRXOGKDYHRQDJDUGHQQLQHIHHWDZD\DQG

    EHFDXVHLWZRXOGERUGHURQWKHULGLFXORXVWRVXJJHVWWKDWDKLJKZD\ZRXOGKDYHP LQLPDO

    HIIHFWVRQDKLVWRULFEXLOGLQJZLWKH[WHULRUI HDWXUHVWKDWZRXOGEHJUHDWO\LPSDFWHGE\WKH

    KLJKZD\

    HQFLUFOHPHQWRIDFDPSJURXQGE\DIUHHZD\LVDFRQVWUXFWLYHXVH

    7KHVHSULQFLSOHVDQGSUHFHGHQWVLQIRUPWKHDQDO\VLVRIWKHIRXUVLWHVWKDWUHPDLQDW

    LVVXHKHUH$ORKD7RZHU:DONHU3DUN,UZLQ3DUNDQG0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUN

    a. Aloha Tower

    3ODLQWLIIVFRQWHQGWKDW'HIHQGDQWVHUUHGLQGHWHUPLQLQJWKDWWKH3URMHFWZRXOGQRW

    FRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVH$ORKD7RZHUEHFDXVHWKH3URMHFWZLOODOWHUYLHZVRIWKHWRZHUIURP

    LQODQG7KH1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHURI+LVWRULF3ODFHVQRPLQDWLRQIRUPIRU$ORKD7RZHU

    H[SODLQVWKDWWKHWRZHULVDPRGHUQLVWLQWHUSUHWDWLRQRID*RWKLFWRZHUDQGWKDWLW

    WUDGLWLRQDOO\VHUYHGDVDV\PERORIZDUPZHOFRPHIRUYLVLWRUVZKRDUULYHGE\VHDDQG

    ZKRFRXOGVHHWKHZKLWHWRZHUIURPILIWHHQPLOHVDZD\$5DW7KH

    WRZHUUHPDLQVDV\PERORI+DZDLLVLQYHVWPHQWLQWRXULVPDWDWLPHZKHQVHDWUDYHOZDV

    WKHLVODQGVPDLQOLQNZLWKWKHUHVWRIWKHZRUOGId.DW7KHWRZHUZDVDOVRD

    FHQWHURISODQQLQJIRUPLOLWDU\RSHUDWLRQVLQ:RUOG:DU,,Id.

    7KH3URMHFWZLOOVLWIHHWLQODQGRIWKHWRZHULQWKHPHGLDQRIWKHVL[ODQH

    1LPLW]+LJKZD\$5DW'HIHQGDQWV+LVWRULF(IIHFWV5HSRUWSXEOLVKHGLQ

    $SULOFRQFOXGHGWKDWYLHZVIURPWKHRFHDQWRWKHWRZHUDQGYLHZVIURPWKHWRZHUV

    REVHUYDWLRQGHFNWRWKHRFHDQDQGLVODQGDUHDKLVWRULFYLVXDOIHDWXUHRI$ORKD7RZHUDQGZRXOGQRWEHLPSDLUHGE\WKHSURMHFW$5DW7KH5HSRUWDOVRQRWHGWKDW

    $ORKD7RZHULVRIWHQQRWYLVLEOHIURPSRLQWVLQODQGEHFDXVHRIYHJHWDWLRQDQGWKHPDQ\

    KLJKULVHEXLOGLQJVLQGRZQWRZQ+RQROXOXId.DW&RQVHTXHQWO\HYHQLIYLHZV

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 14 of 45 PageID #: 8134

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    15/45

    RIWKHWRZHUIURPLQODQGZHUHREVWUXFWHGE\WKHSURMHFWQRKLVWRULFDOO\VLJQLILFDQWYLVXDO

    IHDWXUHVZRXOGEHDOWHUHGId.

    ,QLWV6HFWLRQIDQDO\VLVWKH)(,6QRWHGWKDW$ORKD7RZHUTXDOLILHVIRU

    SURWHFWLRQDVDKLVWRULFSURSHUW\EHFDXVHRILWV$UW'HFRGHVLJQHOHPHQWVDQGLWVKLVWRULF

    DVVRFLDWLRQVZLWKWKHKDUERU$5DW7KH)(,6FRQFOXGHGWKDW$ORKD7RZHU

    ZLOOVWLOOEHYLVLEOHIURPPDQ\YDQWDJHSRLQWVLQODQGDQGWKDWZKLOHVRPHYLHZVRIWKH

    WRZHUIURPLQODQGZRXOGEHDOWHUHGWKHSURMHFWZRXOGQRWEORFNDQ\YLHZVId.DW

    &RQVHTXHQWO\WKH3URMHFWZRXOGQRWVXEVWDQWLDOO\LPSDLUYLHZVRIWKHWRZHUVGHVLJQ

    HOHPHQWVQRUDOWHULWVKLVWRULFVHWWLQJWKHUHIRUH$ORKD7RZHUZRXOGQRWEHFRQVWUXFWLYHO\

    XVHG Id.see also $5DW52'FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKHUHZDVQRGLUHFWLPSDFWRQWKH

    WRZHU+RZHYHUWKH)(,6DOVRLQGLFDWHGWKDWWKHJXLGHZD\VWUXFWXUHZRXOGSDUWLDOO\

    EORFNDYLHZRIWKH$ORKD7RZHUIURPWKH)RUW6WUHHW0DOO$5DWsee also id.DW

    QRWLQJWKDWWKHJXLGHZD\DQGFROXPQVZLOOEORFNSRUWLRQVRIYLHZVWRZDUGVWKH

    ZDWHUDORQJDQXPEHURIGRZQWRZQVWUHHWVYLVXDOVLPXODWLRQRIWKHFKDQJHWRWKH

    YLHZIURP)RUW6WUHHW0DOO

    3ODLQWLIIVSRLQWWRWKH$$ZKLFKVWDWHGWKDWLIWKHUDLOZD\SURMHFWZDVURXWHG

    DORQJ1LPLW]+LJKZD\WKHUHZRXOGEHVHYHUHYLVXDOLPSDFWVIRU$ORKD7RZHUSee$5

    DW7KLVHYLGHQFHKRZHYHULVQRWHQRXJKWRVKRZWKDW'HIHQGDQWV6HFWLRQ

    IXVHGHWHUPLQDWLRQDVWR$ORKD7RZHUZDVDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXV7KH52'VKRZV

    WKDW'HIHQGDQWVWKRURXJKO\FRQVLGHUHGWKHLPSDFWVWRYLHZVIURPDQGRI$ORKD7RZHU

    DQGUHDVRQDEO\FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKHKLVWRULFDOO\VLJQLILFDQWYLHZVRIWKHWRZHUZHUHWKRVH

    IURPWKHVHD$FFRUGLQJO\3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDW'HIHQGDQWVQRXVHGHWHUPLQDWLRQIRU

    $ORKD7RZHUZDVHUURQHRXVLVUHMHFWHG

    b. Walker Park

    3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDW'HIHQGDQWVGHWHUPLQDWLRQWKDWWKH3URMHFWZRXOGQRWXVH

    :DONHU3DUNZDVHUURQHRXVEHFDXVHWKH3URMHFWZRXOGLPSDLU:DONHU3DUNVKLVWRULF

    DVVRFLDWLRQVDQGEHFDXVH'HIHQGDQWVIDLOHGWRDQDO\]HQRLVHDQGYLVXDOLPSDFWVRQWKH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 15 of 45 PageID #: 8135

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    16/45

    SDUN:DONHU3DUNLVDVPDOOWULDQJXODUXUEDQSDUNLQGRZQWRZQ+RQROXOXDERXWIHHW

    LQODQGRI1LPLW]+LJKZD\$5DWsee also $5DWDW

    SKRWRJUDSKVRIWKHSDUNDQGVXUURXQGLQJDUHD,WLVVXUURXQGHGE\KLJKULVH

    EXLOGLQJVDQGWKHDWJUDGH1LPLW]+LJKZD\$5DW 7KHSDUNSURYLGHVVKDGHLQ

    WKHEXV\GRZQWRZQDUHDDQGLVSULPDULO\XVHGE\SHGHVWULDQVZDONLQJWKURXJKWKHDUHD

    Id.,WFRQWDLQVDIRXQWDLQDQGDVHDWLQJDUHDDQGLVERUGHUHGE\PDWXUHSDOPWUHHVId.

    see alsoid.DWQRWLQJWKDW:DONHU3DUNSURYLGHVVKDGHEXWKDVQREHQFKHVSLFQLF

    WDEOHVRURWKHUDPHQLWLHV7KHSDUNLVHOLJLEOHIRUWKH1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHUIRULWV

    DVVRFLDWLRQVZLWKWKHGHYHORSPHQWRIWKHZDWHUIURQWDQGFHQWUDOEXVLQHVVGLVWULFWDQGDVDQ

    HDUO\H[DPSOHRIFUHDWHGJUHHQVSDFHLQWKDWDUHDIdDW$FFRUGLQJO\:DONHU3DUNLV

    HOLJLEOHIRU6HFWLRQISURWHFWLRQERWKDVDSXEOLFSDUNDQGDKLVWRULFVLWH

    $QXPEHURIVXSSRUWLQJGRFXPHQWVLQWKHUHFRUGGLVFXVV:DONHU3DUN7KH

    +LVWRULF(IIHFWV5HSRUWQRWHGWKDWWKHLQODQGHGJHRIWKHUDLOSURMHFWJXLGHZD\ZRXOGEH

    DERXWWZHQW\IHHWIURPWKHVHDZDUGHGJHRIWKHSDUNERXQGDU\$5DW7KH

    5HSRUWFRQFOXGHGKRZHYHUWKDWWKHUHZRXOGEHQRDGYHUVHHIIHFWRQ:DONHU3DUNV

    KLVWRULFIHDWXUHVEHFDXVHWKH3URMHFWZRXOGQRWDIIHFWWKHSURSHUW\VLQWHJULW\RIORFDWLRQ

    QRUDOWHULWVGHVLJQHOHPHQWVId.

    7KH5HSRUWDOVRVWDWHGWKDWQRKLVWRULFDOO\VLJQLILFDQWYLHZVKHGVWRRUIURPWKHSURSHUW\ZHUHLGHQWLILHGWKDWQRDXGLEOHRUDWPRVSKHULFHIIHFWV

    WRWKHSURSHUW\ZHUHLGHQWLILHGDQGWKDWWKHSURMHFWZRXOGQRWGLPLQLVK:DONHU3DUNHUV

    H[SUHVVLRQRILWVKLVWRULFFKDUDFWHUId.DW

    $QXPEHURI1RLVHDQG9LEUDWLRQ7HFKQLFDO5HSRUWVZHUHSUHSDUHGIRUWKHSURMHFW

    See$57RFUHDWHWKHVHUHSRUWVWKH)7$FRQGXFWHGQRLVH

    PHDVXUHPHQWVDWUHSUHVHQWDWLYHORFDWLRQVDORQJWKHSURMHFWFRUULGRUWRHVWDEOLVKH[LVWLQJ

    HQYLURQPHQWDOQRLVHFRQGLWLRQV$5DW$Q2FWREHU5HSRUW

    HVWDEOLVKHGWKDWDORFDWLRQQHDU:DONHU3DUNH[SHULHQFHGGHFLEHOVRIH[LVWLQJQRLVH

    DQGWKDWWKHSURMHFWQRLVHH[SRVXUHZRXOGEHGHFLEHOVEHORZWKH)7$WKUHVKROGIRU

    XQDFFHSWDEOHQRLVHLPSDFWV$5DW

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 16 of 45 PageID #: 8136

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    17/45

    7KH)(,6FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKHUHZRXOGEHQRDGYHUVHQRLVHDQGYLEUDWLRQLPSDFWVWR

    :DONHU3DUN$5DW,QDGGLWLRQ:DONHU3DUNZRXOGQRWEHFRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVHG

    EHFDXVHWKH3URMHFWZRXOGQRWFKDQJHYLHZVIURPZLWKLQWKHSDUNRIWKHEXVLQHVVGLVWULFW

    LWVHUYHVDQGZRXOGQRWVXEVWDQWLDOO\LPSDLUWKHSDUNVKLVWRULFDVVRFLDWLRQVId.DW

    see also $5DWVWDWLQJWKDWWKHSURMHFWZLOOQRPLQDOO\DIIHFWVHDZDUG

    YLHZVIURPWKHSDUNEXWQRWYLHZVRIWKHEXVLQHVVGLVWULFWLWVHUYHVbut see id.DW

    QRWLQJWKDWWUDLQVWUDYHOLQJRQWKHJXLGHZD\ZLOOFUHDWHOLJKWDQGJODUHDQGWKDWRYHUDOO

    YLVXDOHIIHFWVLQWKHDUHDRIWKH'LOOLQJKDP7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ%XLOGLQJZLOOEHVLJQLILFDQW

    'HIHQGDQWVFRQVLGHUHGLPSDFWVWR:DONHU3DUNERWKDVDSDUNDQGDVDKLVWRULFVLWH

    DQG3ODLQWLIIVKDYHQRWVSHFLILHGDQ\KLVWRULFDOO\VLJQLILFDQWYLHZVWKDWZLOOEHLPSDFWHG

    E\WKHUDLOZD\3ODLQWLIIVFRPSODLQWKDW'HIHQGDQWVGLGQRWH[DPLQHKLVWRULFGRFXPHQWV

    GHVFULELQJWKHSDUNEXWEHFDXVHWKH\QHYHUWKHOHVVFRQVLGHUHGWKHKLVWRULFLQWHJULW\RIWKH

    SDUNWKH\ZHUHQRWUHTXLUHGWRGRVR0RUHRYHUWKH)(,6DQDO\]HGWKHLPSDFWWRWKH

    SDUNVYLVXDOTXDOLWLHVDQGIRXQGWKDWWKHVXUURXQGLQJWUHHVZRXOGSURWHFWWKHSDUN

    3ODLQWLIIVDOVRFRPSODLQDERXWWKHVRXQGLPSDFWDQDO\VLVLQWKH)(,6EXW3ODLQWLIIV

    PLVWDNHQO\UHO\RQUDZXQDQDO\]HGVRXQGGDWDLQWKHUHFRUGsee $5DW

    ,QDQ\FDVH:DONHU3DUNLVPDLQO\XVHGDVDSHGHVWULDQWKRURXJKIDUHDQGWKHUHLVQRHYLGHQFHWKDWTXLHWDQGVHUHQLW\DUHVLJQLILFDQWIHDWXUHVRIWKHSDUNQHFHVVLWDWLQJVSHFLDO

    SURWHFWLRQ'HIHQGDQWVGHWHUPLQDWLRQWKDW:DONHU3DUNZRXOGQRWEHXVHGZDVQHLWKHU

    DUELWUDU\QRUFDSULFLRXV

    c. Irwin Park

    3ODLQWLIIVFKDOOHQJH'HIHQGDQWVQRXVHGHWHUPLQDWLRQDVWR,UZLQ3DUNFODLPLQJ

    WKDW'HIHQGDQWVQHYHUDQDO\]HGQRLVHLPSDFWVRQ,UZLQ3DUNDQGWKDW'HIHQGDQWVGLGQRW

    DQDO\]HWKHSURMHFWVLPSDFWRQSURWHFWHGODQGVFDSHIHDWXUHVRIWKHSDUN,UZLQ3DUN

    FRQVLVWVSULPDULO\RISDUNLQJORWVZLWKJUDVVPHGLDQVDQGLVDGMDFHQWWR$ORKD7RZHUDQG

    3LHUV$5DWsee also id.DWYLVXDOVLPXODWLRQRIHIIHFWV

    7KHLQODQGVHWWLQJRIWKHSDUNFRQWDLQV1LPLW]+LJKZD\DQGQRQKLVWRULFKLJKULVH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 17 of 45 PageID #: 8137

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    18/45

    3ODLQWLIIVFRPSODLQWKDWWKH)(,6QRLVHLPSDFWFRQFOXVLRQVZHUHGHULYHGIURP

    PHDVXUHPHQWVWDNHQDZD\IURP,UZLQ3DUNDWDEXV\PDUNHWSODFH+RZHYHU,UZLQ3DUNLV

    DQ XUEDQSDUNDGMDFHQWWRDKHDYLO\XVHGKLJKZD\DQGLWZDVQRWXQUHDVRQDEOHIRU

    'HIHQGDQWVH[SHUWVWRUHO\RQVRXQGPHDVXUHPHQWVWDNHQDWDUHSUHVHQWDWLYHORFDWLRQRQO\

    DEORFNDZD\IURP,UZLQ3DUN

    GHYHORSPHQWId.DW7KHSDUNPRVWO\VHUYHVDVDSDUNLQJORWIRUVXUURXQGLQJ

    RIILFHEXLOGLQJVEXWKDVKLJKTXDOLW\VFHQLFVHDZDUGYLHZVDQGSURYLGHVVHDWLQJDUHDV

    KHDYLO\XVHGDWOXQFKWLPHE\ZRUNHUV$5DW7KHSDUNLVHOLJLEOHIRU

    OLVWLQJRQWKH1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHUEHFDXVHRILWVDVVRFLDWLRQVZLWKWKHEHDXWLILFDWLRQRIWKH

    ZDWHUIURQWDQGZLWK:LOOLDP*,UZLQDQGEHFDXVHLWUHSUHVHQWVWKHZRUNRIOHDGLQJ

    ODQGVFDSHDUFKLWHFW5REHUW27KRPSVRQId.DW7KH3URMHFWZLOOEHORFDWHGLQWKH

    PHGLDQRIWKHKLJKZD\VHYHQW\IHHWLQODQGRIWKHSDUNDQGKXQGUHGIHHWLQODQGRIWKH

    PDLQVHDWLQJDUHDId.DW

    7KH+LVWRULF(IIHFWV5HSRUWIRXQGWKDWWKH3URMHFWZRXOGQRWDOWHUGHVLJQHOHPHQWV

    RUIHDWXUHVRIWKHSDUNZRXOGKDYHQRHIIHFWRQWKHSURSHUW\VLQWHJULW\RIGHVLJQRU

    VHWWLQJDQGZRXOGQRWDOWHUDQ\KLVWRULFDOO\VLJQLILFDQWYLHZV$5DW

    $GGLWLRQDOO\WKHUHZHUHQRDXGLEOHRUDWPRVSKHULFHIIHFWVLGHQWLILHGId.7KH1RLVHDQG

    9LEUDWLRQ5HSRUWPHDVXUHGVRXQGDWWKHQHDUE\$ORKD7RZHU0DUNHWSODFHRQHRIWKH

    ORFDWLRQVFRQVLGHUHGUHSUHVHQWDWLYHRIDOOQRLVHVHQVLWLYHODQGXVHVDORQJWKHFRUULGRU

    DQGIRXQGWKDWWKH3URMHFWZRXOGKDYHQRVHULRXVVRXQGLPSDFWVRQWKHDUHD$5DW

    see also$5DWSUHGLFWLQJQRLVHLPSDFWVIRUVLWHVQHDU,UZLQ

    3DUN7KH)(,6FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKHUHZRXOGEHQRFRQVWUXFWLYHXVHRIWKHSDUN

    FRQVLGHUHGERWKDVDSXEOLFSDUNDQGDKLVWRULFVLWH$5DW7KHUHZRXOGEHQR

    QRLVHLPSDFWDWWKHQHDUE\$ORKD0DUNHWSODFHDERYHH[LVWLQJOHYHOVId.DW7KH

    SURMHFWZRXOGQRWFDXVHQRLVHDQGYLEUDWLRQLPSDFWVDQGZRXOGRQO\SDUWLDOO\REVWUXFW

    YLHZVWRZDUGVQRQKLVWRULFRIILFHEXLOGLQJVId.DW9LHZVRIWKHZDWHUIURPWKHSDUN

    DQGYLHZVRIWKHSDUNIURPWKHKDUERURU$ORKD7RZHUZRXOGQRWEHREVWUXFWHGDQGWKH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 18 of 45 PageID #: 8138

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    19/45

    KLVWRULFDWWULEXWHVRIWKHSDUNZRXOGQRWEHLPSDLUHGId.DW'HIHQGDQWVDOVR

    WKRURXJKO\FRQVLGHUHGWKHSDUNVKLVWRULFDWWULEXWHVLQFOXGLQJLWVODQGVFDSLQJDQGWKH

    IHHOLQJRIWKHSDUN7KHLUGHFLVLRQWKXVZDVQRWDYLRODWLRQRI6HFWLRQI

    d. Mother Waldron Park

    )LQDOO\3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDW'HIHQGDQWVQRXVHGHWHUPLQDWLRQIRU0RWKHU

    :DOGURQ3DUNLVHUURQHRXVEHFDXVHWKHUHZDVQRDQDO\VLVRIWKHQRLVHLPSDFWVRQWKH

    SDUNDQGEHFDXVHWKHSURMHFWZLOOKDYHQHJDWLYHLPSDFWVRQWKHSDUNVKLVWRULFDQGDUWLVWLF

    IHDWXUHV0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUNFRQWDLQVDSOD\JURXQGZLWK$UW'HFRDUFKLWHFWXUDODQG

    ODQGVFDSHGHVLJQHOHPHQWVDQGLVHOLJLEOHIRUOLVWLQJLQWKH1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHUEHFDXVHRILWV

    DVVRFLDWLRQZLWKWKHQDWLRQZLGHSOD\JURXQGPRYHPHQWDQGDVDQH[FHOOHQWH[DPSOHRI$UW

    'HFRGHVLJQE\DZHOONQRZQDUFKLWHFW$5DWsee also $5DW

    1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHUQRPLQDWLRQIRUPIRU0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUNQRWLQJWKDWLWLVD

    IODWRSHQODQGVFDSHGDUHDFRQWDLQLQJRQHRIRQO\WZRSOD\JURXQGVLQ+RQROXOXWKDW

    UHWDLQVLWVKLVWRULFLQWHJULW\$5SKRWRJUDSKVRIWKHSDUN7KHSDUNLVVHWLQD

    PL[HGXVHFRPPHUFLDODQGLQGXVWULDODUHDDQGLVVXUURXQGHGE\YDFDQWORWVZDUHKRXVHV

    FRPPHUFLDOEXLOGLQJVDQGDQDSDUWPHQWEXLOGLQJ$5DW7KHJXLGHZD\ZLOOEH

    WZHQW\IHHWDZD\IURPWKHSDUNERXQGDU\DERXWVHYHQW\IHHWIURPWKHSOD\JURXQGDQGIHHWIURPWKHYROOH\EDOOFRXUWId.7KHJXLGHZD\ZLOOEHWKLUW\ILYHWRIRUW\IHHWKLJK

    Id.DW

    8QOLNHWKHRWKHU6HFWLRQIVLWHVGLVFXVVHGDERYHWKHUHLVDJUHDWGHDORI

    HYLGHQFHLQWKHUHFRUGWKDWWKHSURMHFWVLPSDFWVRQ0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUNZLOOEHTXLWH

    VHULRXV7KH+LVWRULF(IIHFWV5HSRUWREVHUYHGWKDWWKH3URMHFWZRXOGKDYHDQDGYHUVH

    HIIHFWRQWKHKLVWRULFSOD\JURXQGEHFDXVHWKHSOD\JURXQGLVSULPDULO\DQRXWGRRU

    UHFUHDWLRQIDFLOLW\DQGVRWKH3URMHFWZRXOGDGYHUVHO\DIIHFWWKHLQWHJULW\RIWKHSDUNV

    VHWWLQJ$5DW7KHJXLGHZD\ZRXOGLQWURGXFHDQHZHOHPHQWLQWRWKH

    VHWWLQJLQFORVHSUR[LPLW\DQGZRXOGWKHUHIRUHDIIHFWWKHSDUNVIHHOLQJDQGKLVWRULF

    FKDUDFWHUWKHSDUNKDVKLJKLQWHJULW\RIIHHOLQJFRQYH\LQJLWVRULJLQVDVD1HZ'HDOHUD

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 19 of 45 PageID #: 8139

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    20/45

    SDUNDQGWKHJXLGHZD\LVRXWRIFKDUDFWHUZLWKWKHKLVWRULFDSSHDORIWKHSOD\JURXQGId.

    DW7KH9LVXDODQG$HVWKHWLF5HVRXUFHV7HFKQLFDO5HSRUWLQFOXGHVDYLVXDO

    VLPXODWLRQRIWKHSURMHFWVHIIHFWVRQWKHSDUNDQGFRQFOXGHVWKDWWKHRYHUDOOYLVXDOHIIHFW

    ZRXOGEHKLJK$5DW7KH)7$DOVRFRPPHQWHGRQWKH)(,6QRWLQJ

    WKDWWKHUHZRXOGEHGHYDVWDWLQJLPSDFWVRQVHDZDUGYLHZVRIDQGRYHUWKHSDUNIURPWKH

    DSDUWPHQWEXLOGLQJVLQODQGRIWKHJXLGHZD\$5DW

    7KH)(,6DQG52'JORVVHGRYHUWKHVHWURXEOLQJREVHUYDWLRQV7KH)(,6

    FRQFOXGHGWKDW0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUNZRXOGQRWEHFRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVHGEHFDXVHWKHUH

    ZRXOGQRWEHDVXEVWDQWLDOLPSDLUPHQWRIDQ\YLVXDORUDHVWKHWLFIHDWXUHVWKDWFRQWULEXWHWR

    WKHSDUNVXVHDQGHQMR\PHQW$5DW,QDGGLWLRQWKH)(,6FRQFOXGHGWKDW

    ZKLOHWKHYLVXDOLPSDFWVRIWKHSURMHFWRQWKHSDUNZRXOGEHVLJQLILFDQWDQGZRXOG

    FRQWUDVWVLJQLILFDQWO\ZLWKWKHVFDOHDQGFKDUDFWHURIWKHSDUNid.DWSULPDU\YLHZVRI

    WKHSOD\JURXQGZRXOGQRWEHHOLPLQDWHGDQGWKHSURMHFWZRXOGQRWVXEVWDQWLDOO\LPSDLUWKH

    SDUNVGHVLJQHOHPHQWVId.DW)LQDOO\WKH)(,6SURYLGHGQRLVHPHDVXUHPHQWVWDNHQ

    DW0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUNLQGLFDWLQJWKDWWKHQRLVHH[SRVXUHZRXOGEHEHORZWKH)7$V

    LPSDFWFULWHULDId. DWsee also $5DW7KH3$OLNHZLVHFRQFOXGHGWKDW

    WKHUHZRXOGEHQRLPSDFWWRWKHSDUNIURPWKH3URMHFWDQGWKDWLWZRXOGQRWDIIHFWGHVLJQHOHPHQWVRUDHVWKHWLFIHDWXUHVWKDWFRQWULEXWHWRWKHSDUNVXVHDQGHQMR\PHQWDOWKRXJK

    WKHUHZRXOGEHDQHIIHFWWRWKHVHWWLQJ$5DW

    %HFDXVHWKH)(,6DQG3$GLGQRWDGHTXDWHO\DGGUHVVZK\DOWHUDWLRQVWR0RWKHU

    :DOGURQ3DUNVKLVWRULFVHWWLQJGLGQRWDPRXQWWRFRQVWUXFWLYHXVHWKHQRXVH

    GHWHUPLQDWLRQZDVDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXVCf. I-CARE)GDW%HIRUH

    FRQWLQXLQJZLWKDQ\SDUWRIWKH3URMHFWWKDWPD\FRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVH0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUN

    'HIHQGDQWVPXVWUHFRQVLGHUWKHLUQRXVHGHWHUPLQDWLRQWDNLQJIXOODFFRXQWRIHYLGHQFH

    WKDWWKH3URMHFWZLOOVLJQLILFDQWO\DIIHFWWKHSDUN,I'HIHQGDQWVFRQFOXGHWKDWWKH3URMHFW

    ZLOOLQIDFWFRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVH0RWKHU:DOGURQ3DUNWKH\PXVWVHHNSUXGHQWDQG

    IHDVLEOHDOWHUQDWLYHVWRVXFKXVHRURWKHUZLVHPLWLJDWHDQ\DGYHUVHLPSDFWIURP

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 20 of 45 PageID #: 8140

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    21/45

    FRQVWUXFWLYHXVHRIWKHSDUN86&F7KH52'PXVWEHVXSSOHPHQWHG

    DFFRUGLQJO\7KH)(,6PXVWDOVREHVXSSOHPHQWHGWRWKHH[WHQWWKDWWKLVSURFHVVDIIHFWV

    LWVDQDO\VLVRUFRQFOXVLRQVN. Idaho Cmty. Action Network)GDW

    3. Section 4(f) Alternatives Analysis and Planning

    a. Feasible and Prudent Alternatives

    7KH)7$PD\RQO\DSSURYHDSURMHFWXVLQJDSXEOLFSDUNRUKLVWRULFVLWHLIWKHUHLV

    QRSUXGHQWDQGIHDVLEOHDOWHUQDWLYHWRXVLQJWKDWODQG86&F$FFRUGLQJO\D

    6HFWLRQIHYDOXDWLRQPXVWLQFOXGHVXIILFLHQWVXSSRUWLQJGRFXPHQWDWLRQWRGHPRQVWUDWH

    ZK\WKHUHLVQRIHDVLEOHDQGSUXGHQWDYRLGDQFHDOWHUQDWLYH&)5$IHDVLEOH

    DQGSUXGHQWDOWHUQDWLYHDYRLGVXVLQJ6HFWLRQISURSHUW\DQGGRHVQRWFDXVHRWKHU

    VHYHUHSUREOHPVRIDPDJQLWXGHWKDWVXEVWDQWLDOO\RXWZHLJKVWKHLPSRUWDQFHRISURWHFWLQJ

    WKH6HFWLRQISURSHUW\&)5$QDOWHUQDWLYHLVQRWIHDVLEOHLILWFDQQRW

    EHEXLOWDVDPDWWHURIVRXQGHQJLQHHULQJMXGJPHQWId.$QDOWHUQDWLYHLVQRWSUXGHQWLI

    DPRQJRWKHUWKLQJVLWFRPSURPLVHVWKHSURMHFWWRDGHJUHHWKDWLWLVXQUHDVRQDEOHWR

    SURFHHGZLWKWKHSURMHFWLQOLJKWRILWVVWDWHGSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRULWUHVXOWVLQDGGLWLRQDO

    FRQVWUXFWLRQPDLQWHQDQFHRURSHUDWLRQDOFRVWVRIDQH[WUDRUGLQDU\PDJQLWXGHId.

    I. Managed Lanes Alternative (MLA)3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDWWKH0/$ZDVDIHDVLEOHDQGSUXGHQWDOWHUQDWLYHWRWKHXVHRI

    6HFWLRQIVLWHVLQGRZQWRZQ+RQROXOXLQFOXGLQJ&KLQDWRZQDQGWKH'LOOLQJKDP

    7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ%XLOGLQJDQGWKDW'HIHQGDQWVHUURQHRXVO\IDLOHGWRFRQVLGHULWDVVXFK

    'HIHQGDQWVUHVSRQGWKDWWKH0/$ZDVLPSUXGHQWEHFDXVHLWGLGQRWVDWLVI\WKHSXUSRVH

    DQGQHHGRIWKH3URMHFW

    1LQWK&LUFXLWFDVHODZLVFOHDUWKDWDOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWGRQRWDFFRPSOLVKWKHVWDWHG

    SXUSRVHRIDSURMHFWPD\EHUHMHFWHGDVLPSUXGHQWSee Alaska Ctr. for the Envt v.

    Armbrister)GWK&LUKROGLQJWKDWLIDQDOWHUQDWLYHGRHV

    QRWPHHWWKHSXUSRVHRIDSURMHFWWKHQWKHDJHQF\GRHVQRWQHHGWRVKRZWKDWXQLTXH

    SUREOHPVRUWUXO\XQXVXDOIDFWRUVPDNHWKHDOWHUQDWLYHLPSUXGHQWXQGHU6HFWLRQI

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 21 of 45 PageID #: 8141

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    22/45

    Ariz. Past & Future Found.)GDWsee also City of Alexandria)GDW

    QRWLQJWKDWWKH'&&LUFXLWKDVVTXDUHO\KHOGWKDWDQDOWHUQDWLYHFDQQRWEHSUXGHQWLI

    LWGRHVQRWVDWLVI\WKHWUDQVSRUWDWLRQQHHGVRIWKHSURMHFW7KHJXLGDQFHODLGRXWLQWKH

    )+:$6HFWLRQI3ROLF\3DSHUIXUWKHUVXSSRUWVWKLVFRQFOXVLRQSee$5DW

    H[SODLQLQJWKDWDQ\DOWHUQDWLYHWKDWLVGHWHUPLQHGQRWWRPHHWWKHQHHGRIWKH

    SURMHFWLVQRWIHDVLEOHDQGSUXGHQW

    7KHVWDWHGSXUSRVHRIWKH)(,6ZDVWRSURYLGHKLJKFDSDFLW\UDSLGWUDQVLWLQWKH

    KLJKO\FRQJHVWHGHDVWZHVWWUDQVSRUWDWLRQFRUULGRUEHWZHHQ.DSROHLDQG8+0DQRDWR

    SURYLGHIDVWHUPRUHUHOLDEOHSXEOLFWUDQVSRUWDWLRQVHUYLFHWKDQFRXOGEHDFKLHYHGE\

    EXVHVLQPL[HGIORZWUDIILFWRSURYLGHUHOLDEOHPRELOLW\LQDUHDVZKHUHSHRSOHRIOLPLWHG

    LQFRPHDQGDQDJLQJSRSXODWLRQOLYHWRVHUYHUDSLGO\GHYHORSLQJDUHDVRIWKHVWXG\

    FRUULGRUDQGWRSURYLGHDQDOWHUQDWLYHWRSULYDWHDXWRPRELOHWUDYHO$5DW

    $VVXPLQJWKDWWKLVSXUSRVHZDVQRWRYHUO\QDUURZDSRVVLELOLW\GLVFXVVHGLQIXUWKHUGHWDLO

    LQ3DUW,,,%infraWKHQWKH0/$ZDVOHJLWLPDWHO\UHMHFWHGDVLPSUXGHQWDVORQJ

    'HIHQGDQWVGLGQRWDUELWUDULO\DQGFDSULFLRXVO\FRQFOXGHWKDWWKH0/$IDLOHGWRPHHWWKH

    SXUSRVHRIWKH3URMHFW

    7KH)(,6H[SODLQHGWKDWWKH0/$ZDVFRQVLGHUHGGXULQJWKH$$EXWZDVUHMHFWHGEHFDXVHLWZRXOGQRWPHHWWKH3URMHFWVSXUSRVHDQGQHHGVSHFLILFDOO\WKH0/$ZRXOG

    QRWPRGHUDWHFRQJHVWLRQZRXOGEHOHVVHIIHFWLYHDWSURYLGLQJIDVWHUDQGPRUHUHOLDEOH

    WUDQVSRUWDWLRQVHUYLFHDQGDOWHUQDWLYHVWRSULYDWHDXWRPRELOHWUDYHODQGZRXOGQRWVXSSRUW

    WUDQVSRUWDWLRQHTXLW\$5DW7KH52'FRQILUPHGWKDWWKH0/$ZDV

    HOLPLQDWHGEHFDXVHLWIDLOHGWRPHHWWKH3URMHFWVSXUSRVHEHFDXVHLWZRXOGQRWKDYH

    LPSURYHGPRELOLW\RUUHOLDELOLW\LQWKHFRUULGRU$5DW7KHVHFRQFOXVLRQVZHUH

    EDVHGRQWKH$$ZKLFKIRXQGDIWHUGHWDLOHGVWXG\RIWZRYHUVLRQVRIWKH0/$WKDWLW

    ZRXOGUHVXOWLQDQLQFUHDVHLQYHKLFOHKRXUVRIGHOD\DQGZRXOGQRWHQFRXUDJHVPDUW

    JURZWK$5DW0RUHRYHUEXVHVXVLQJWKH0/$ZRXOGFRQWLQXHWREH

    DIIHFWHGE\FRQJHVWLRQDWHQWU\DQGH[LWSRLQWVIURPWKHHOHYDWHGODQHVId.DW

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 22 of 45 PageID #: 8142

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    23/45

    3ODLQWLIIVDUJXPHQWWKDWWKH0/$PHWWKHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRIWKH3URMHFWLV

    GLVFXVVHGLQIXUWKHUGHWDLOLQ3DUW,,,%infra.

    3ODLQWLIIVFLWHDUHVSRQVHOHWWHUIURP+RQROXOX7UDIILFFRPGDWHG1RYHPEHU

    VXEVHTXHQWWRWKHFORVHRIWKH)(,6FRPPHQWSHULRGDVHYLGHQFHWKDWWKH0/$

    ZRXOGVHUYHWKHSXUSRVHRIWKHSURMHFWEHFDXVHLWZRXOGJUHDWO\H[SDQGWUDQVLWULGHUVKLS

    DQGUHGXFHWUDIILFFRQJHVWLRQ$5DW7KHOHWWHUFLWHGDPLFURVLPXODWLRQ

    VWXG\VKRZLQJWKDWWKH0/$ZRXOGUHGXFHGULYHWLPHVHYHQIRUSHRSOHZKRQHYHUXVHG

    WKHODQHVId.DW7KLVHYLGHQFHLVQRWHQRXJKWRGHPRQVWUDWHWKDW'HIHQGDQWV

    GHWHUPLQDWLRQWRWKHFRQWUDU\ZDVDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXV7KHUHFRUGLQGLFDWHVWKDW

    'HIHQGDQWVUHDVRQDEO\UHOLHGRQWKHRSLQLRQVRIWKHLURZQH[SHUWVDQGGHFLGHGWKDWWKH

    0/$ZRXOGQRWPHHWWKHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRIWKH3URMHFWWKHUHIRUHPDNLQJLWDQ

    LPSUXGHQWDOWHUQDWLYH

    6WLOO3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDWWKLVGHWHUPLQDWLRQZDVQRWVXIILFLHQWWRVDWLVI\6HFWLRQ

    IEHFDXVH'HIHQGDQWVGLGQRWexplicitly VWDWHLQWKH)(,6RUWKH52'WKDWWKH0/$

    ZDVLPSUXGHQWEHFDXVHLWGLGQRWPHHWWKHSXUSRVHRIWKH3URMHFW3ODLQWLIIVSRLQWWRQR

    VWDWXWHUHJXODWLRQRUFDVHUHTXLULQJWKDW6HFWLRQIILQGLQJVEHPDGHH[SOLFLWLQWKH

    UHFRUGKRZHYHU0DJLFZRUGVDUHQRWUHTXLUHGLQD6HFWLRQIDQDO\VLVDQGFRXUWV

    PD\QRWIO\VSHFNDGHWHUPLQDWLRQLILWDSSHDUVWKDWDOOIDFWRUVDQGVWDQGDUGVZHUH

    FRQVLGHUHGAdler)GDWsee also Hickory Neighborhood Def. League v.Skinner)GWK&LU$OWKRXJKWKH6HFUHWDU\VVHFWLRQI

    HYDOXDWLRQGRHVQRWH[SUHVVO\LQGLFDWHDILQGLQJRIXQLTXHSUREOHPVWKHUHFRUGDPSO\

    VXSSRUWVWKHFRQFOXVLRQWKDWWKH6HFUHWDU\GLGGHWHUPLQHWKDWWKHUHZHUHFRPSHOOLQJ

    UHDVRQVIRUUHMHFWLQJWKHSURSRVHGDOWHUQDWLYHVDVQRWSUXGHQWCoal. on Sensible

    Transp., Inc. v. Dole)G'&&LUREVHUYLQJWKDWIRUPDOILQGLQJVDUH

    QRWUHTXLUHGLQD6HFWLRQIGHWHUPLQDWLRQDQGWKDWWKHHQWLUHUHFRUGPXVWEHUHYLHZHGWR

    HQVXUHWKDWWKHUHZDVFRQVLGHUDWLRQRIWKHUHOHYDQWIDFWRUVDQGQRFOHDUHUURURIMXGJPHQW

    5HYLHZRIWKHHQWLUHUHFRUGUHYHDOVWKDWWKHUHLVDPSOHHYLGHQFHWRVXSSRUW

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 23 of 45 PageID #: 8143

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    24/45

    'HIHQGDQWVGHWHUPLQDWLRQWKDWWKH0/$ZDVQRWDIHDVLEOHDQGSUXGHQWDOWHUQDWLYHIRU

    6HFWLRQISXUSRVHVEHFDXVHLWGLGQRWVHUYHWKHSURMHFWVSXUSRVHDQGQHHG7KH)(,6

    VSHFLILFDOO\QRWHGLQLWV6HFWLRQIDQDO\VLVWKDWDOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWZRXOGQRWPHHWWKH

    3URMHFWVSXUSRVHDQGQHHGZRXOGQRWEHSUXGHQWXQGHUDQGUHIHUHQFHGWKH

    $$VGHWHUPLQDWLRQWKDWRQO\WKHIL[HGJXLGHZD\PHWWKH3URMHFWVSXUSRVHDQGQHHG$5

    DW7KLVDQDO\VLVPDNHVFOHDUWKDW'HIHQGDQWVUHFRJQL]HGWKDWWKH0/$KDGEHHQ

    IRXQGQRWWRPHHWWKHSXUSRVHRIWKHSURMHFWLQWKH$$FRQVHTXHQWO\'HIHQGDQWVGLGQRW

    QHHGWRDQDO\]HWKH0/$VIHDVLELOLW\DQGSUXGHQFHLQWKH6HFWLRQIDQDO\VLVEHFDXVH

    ZDVDOUHDG\LPSUXGHQWE\LPSOLFDWLRQ$FFRUGLQJO\3ODLQWLIIVDUJXPHQWWKDW'HIHQGDQWV

    IDLOHGWRFRQVLGHUWKHSUXGHQFHRIWKH0/$DOWHUQDWLYHLVUHMHFWHG

    ii. Tunnel Alternatives

    3ODLQWLIIVDOVRDUJXHWKDW'HIHQGDQWVGLGQRWFRQVLGHUWZRIHDVLEOHDQGSUXGHQW

    DOWHUQDWHURXWHVIRUWKHUDLOZD\V\VWHPWKH.LQJ6WUHHW7XQQHODOLJQPHQWDQGWKH

    %HUHWDQLD6WUHHW7XQQHODOLJQPHQW%RWKZRXOGUXQXQGHUJURXQGDQGDYRLGXVLQJVRPH

    DERYHJURXQG6HFWLRQISURSHUWLHVLQFOXGLQJ&KLQDWRZQDQGWKH'LOOLQJKDP

    7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ%XLOGLQJ7KH)(,6FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKHWXQQHOVZHUHQRWSUXGHQWEHFDXVH

    WKH\ZRXOGKDYHLQFUHDVHGWKHFRVWRIWKHSURMHFWE\PLOOLRQLQGROODUVZKLFKZRXOGEHEH\RQGWKHIXQGLQJLQWKHSURMHFWSODQ$5DWsee Citizens for

    Smart Growth v. Secy of the Dept of Transp.)GWK&LU

    KROGLQJWKDWH[WUDRUGLQDULO\KLJKFRVWVDUHVXIILFLHQWIRXQGDWLRQIRUILQGLQJDQDOWHUQDWLYH

    LPSUXGHQW7KHUDLOSURMHFWDOWHUQDWLYHDFWXDOO\DGRSWHGLQWKH)(,6ZDVHVWLPDWHGWR

    FRVWELOOLRQLQGROODUVId.DW

    3ODLQWLIIVILUVWDUJXHWKDWWKHPLOOLRQHVWLPDWHLVQRWVXSSRUWHGE\WKHUHFRUG

    DQGWKDWHYHQDPLOOLRQLQFUHDVHLQSURMHFWFRVWVLVQRWDQH[WUDRUGLQDU\LQFUHDVHLQ

    FRVWVXFKWKDWWKHWXQQHODOWHUQDWLYHVDUHUHQGHUHGLPSUXGHQW6HFRQGWKH\FODLPWKDW

    RQO\WKH.LQJ6WUHHW7XQQHOZLOOFRVWPLOOLRQZKLOHWKH%HUHWDQLD6WUHHW7XQQHO

    ZRXOGEHFKHDSHUDQGWKDWWKH)(,6WKHUHIRUHIDLOHGWRDGHTXDWHO\FRQVLGHUWKH%HUHWDQLD

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 24 of 45 PageID #: 8144

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    25/45

    6WUHHWURXWH

    $VWR3ODLQWLIIVILUVWFODLPWKHUHLVJRRGVXSSRUWLQWKHUHFRUGIRUWKHPLOOLRQ

    ILJXUHIRUWKH.LQJ6WUHHW7XQQHODOWHUQDWLYHSee $5DWQRWLQJWKDWWKH

    .LQJ6WUHHW7XQQHODOLJQPHQWLVWKHPRVWH[SHQVLYHRIWKHWXQQHODOLJQPHQWV

    )LQDO&DSLWDO&RVWLQJ0HPRUDQGXP3ODLQWLIIVSRLQWWRDFRVWHVWLPDWH

    LQGLFDWLQJWKDWWKH.LQJ6WUHHW7XQQHOZRXOGEHVLJQLILFDQWO\OHVVH[SHQVLYH$5

    EXWWKDWUHSRUWVSHFLILFDOO\QRWHGWKDWLWVHVWLPDWHVRQO\FRYHUHGFRQVWUXFWLRQFRVWVDQGGLG

    QRWLQFOXGHXWLOLW\UHORFDWLRQFRVWVXQGHUJURXQGVWDWLRQFRVWVWUDFNZRUNRURWKHU

    PDLQWHQDQFHFRVWVSee id.DW$FFRUGLQJO\LWZDVQRWDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXVIRU

    'HIHQGDQWVWRFRQFOXGHWKDWWKH.LQJ6WUHHW7XQQHOZRXOGFRVWPLOOLRQLQ

    GROODUV

    3ODLQWLIIVSRLQWRXWWKDWDPLOOLRQFRVWLQFUHDVHDPRXQWVWROHVVWKDQWZHQW\

    SHUFHQWRIWKHWRWDOFRVWRIWKHSURMHFWZLWKRXWDQ\WXQQHO7KHUHLVOLWWOHJXLGDQFHLQSULRU

    FDVHODZGLVFXVVLQJZKHQDFRVWLQFUHDVHEHFRPHVH[FHVVLYHHQRXJKWRPDNHDQ

    DOWHUQDWLYHLPSUXGHQWSee Concerned Citizens Alliance, Inc. v. Slater)G

    G&LUKROGLQJWKDWFRVWVZHUHRIDVXIILFLHQWO\H[WUDRUGLQDU\PDJQLWXGHZKHQ

    EXLOGLQJDQDOWHUQDWLYHZRXOGFRVWPDQ\WLPHVWKHDPRXQWWKDWWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQRIWKHSUHIHUUHGDOWHUQDWLYHZRXOGFRVW+RZHYHUZKHWKHUYLHZHGDVDGROODUDPRXQWRUDVD

    SHUFHQWDJHRIWKH3URMHFWVWRWDOFRVWJLYLQJDWOHDVWVRPHGHIHUHQFHWRWKHDJHQF\V

    ILQDQFLDOMXGJPHQWWKH&RXUWFDQQRWFRQFOXGHWKDWLWZDVDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXVIRU

    'HIHQGDQWVWRFRQFOXGHWKDWDQDGGLWLRQDOPLOOLRQZRXOGEHDQH[WUDRUGLQDU\DGGHG

    FRVW$FFRUGLQJO\3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDW'HIHQGDQWVGHWHUPLQDWLRQWKDWWKH.LQJ6WUHHW

    7XQQHODOWHUQDWLYHZDVLPSUXGHQWIRUFRVWUHDVRQVLVUHMHFWHG

    7KHUHFRUGLVOHVVFOHDUKRZHYHUDVWRWKHH[DFWFRVWHVWLPDWHIRUWKH%HUHWDQLD

    6WUHHW7XQQHODQG'HIHQGDQWVDGPLWWKDWLWPLJKWKDYHEHHQOHVVFRVWO\WKDQWKH.LQJ

    6WUHHWURXWHSee$5DW'RFDWQ7KH)(,6QHYHUWKHOHVV

    UHMHFWHGboth WKH.LQJ6WUHHWDQG%HUHWDQLD6WUHHWDOWHUQDWLYHVDVLPSUXGHQWEDVHGRQWKH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 25 of 45 PageID #: 8145

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    26/45

    PLOOLRQFRVWHVWLPDWHSee$5DW

    'HIHQGDQWVQRZRIIHUDQXPEHURIUHDVRQVZK\WKH%HUHWDQLD6WUHHW7XQQHOGLGQRW

    PHHWWKHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRIWKH3URMHFWZKLFKWKH\DUJXHUHQGHUHGLWLPSUXGHQWHYHQLI

    WKH)(,6QRZKHUHH[SOLFLWO\VRIRXQG'HIHQGDQWVVXJJHVWWKDWWKH%HUHWDQLD7XQQHO

    ZRXOGKDYHSRVHGULVNVWREHORZJURXQGFXOWXUDOUHVRXUFHVPLJKWKDYHHQFRXQWHUHG

    JURXQGZDWHUGXULQJFRQVWUXFWLRQDQGZRXOGKDYHGLVWXUEHGODUJHDUHDVRQWKHVXUIDFH

    GRZQWRZQSee $5DW7XQQHOVDQG8QGHUJURXQG6WDWLRQV7HFKQLFDO

    0HPRUDQGXPJHQHULFDOO\GHVFULELQJSRVVLEOHSUREOHPVZLWKJURXQGZDWHUDQGWKH

    OLNHOLKRRGWKDWKDUGURFNWXQQHOLQJZRXOGEHQHFHVVDU\DORQJWKH%HUHWDQLDURXWH

    QRWLQJWKHULVNRIVKDOORZJURXQGZDWHUDQGJURXQGDQGVWUXFWXUHVHWWOHPHQWGXULQJWXQQHO

    FRQVWUXFWLRQGHVFULELQJVDIHW\QRLVHWUDIILFGXVWDQGRWKHUFRQFHUQVDVD

    UHVXOWRIH[FDYDWLRQDQGFRQVWUXFWLRQRIWXQQHOV%XWRWKHUSRUWLRQVRIWKHUHFRUG

    LQGLFDWHWKDWWKH%HUHWDQLD6WUHHWURXWHFRXOGKDYHEHHQH[FDYDWHGXVLQJDWXQQHOERULQJ

    PDFKLQHZKLFKZRXOGQRWGLVWXUEWKHVXUIDFHDQGZRXOGGLJDWDOHYHOEHORZPRVWEXULDO

    VLWHV$5DW(QYLURQPHQWDO&RQVHTXHQFHV'UDIWcf.$5DW

    VSHFLILFDOO\QRWLQJWKDWWKHKing Street alignmentFRXOGFDXVHVWUXFWXUDOGDPDJHRQ

    DGMDFHQWVHQVLWLYHEXLOGLQJVDQGFRXOGHQFRXQWHUJURXQGZDWHULVVXHV$VIXUWKHUMXVWLILFDWLRQIRUWKHLUGHFLVLRQ'HIHQGDQWVDUJXHWKDWWKH%HUHWDQLD

    DOLJQPHQWZRXOGQRWVHUYHWKH3URMHFWVSXUSRVHEHFDXVHLWZRXOGQRWJRWR$OD0RDQD

    &HQWHUDQGZRXOGFRQVHTXHQWO\VHUYHIHZHUSDVVHQJHUV7KHUHLVVRPHLQGLFDWLRQLQWKH

    UHFRUGWKDWWKLVZDVDFRQFHUQDERXWWKH%HUHWDQLDURXWHSee$5DWQRWLQJ

    WKDWWKH%HUHWDQLD6WUHHW7XQQHOURXWHZRXOGVHUYHWKHIHZHVWUHVLGHQWVDQGMREV

    REVHUYLQJWKDWWKH%HUHWDQLD6WUHHW7XQQHOURXWHZRXOGSURYLGHSRRUWUDQVLWEHQHILWV

    ,QRWKHUZRUGVZKLOH'HIHQGDQWVKDYHSRLQWHGWRVRPHMXVWLILFDWLRQVWKDWFRXOG

    KDYHSURYLGHGVXSSRUWIRUDGHFLVLRQWRUHMHFWWKH%HUHWDQLD7XQQHODOWHUQDWLYHDV

    LPSUXGHQWQRQHRIWKHVHFRQFHUQVZDVDUWLFXODWHGLQWKH)(,6,QIDFWDWQRSRLQWLQWKH

    UHFRUGGLG'HIHQGDQWVH[SOLFLWO\FRQFOXGHWKDWWKH%HUHWDQLDDOLJQPHQWZDVHLWKHU

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 26 of 45 PageID #: 8146

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    27/45

    LQFRQVLVWHQWZLWKWKHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRIWKH3URMHFWRULPSUXGHQWIRUDQ\UHDVRQQRW

    UHODWHGWRFRVWFRQFHUQV:KLOH6HFWLRQIUHYLHZLVEDVHGRQDUHYLHZRIWKHHQWLUH

    UHFRUGsee Overton Park86DW'HIHQGDQWVH[SODQDWLRQVDSSHDUWREHpost

    hocUDWLRQDOL]DWLRQVIRUWKHLUGHFLVLRQWRUHMHFWWKH%HUHWDQLDURXWH'HIHQGDQWVIDLOXUHWR

    LQFOXGHIXOODQDO\VLVRIZKHWKHUWKH%HUHWDQLDRSWLRQZDVDSUXGHQWDQGIHDVLEOH

    DOWHUQDWLYHGXULQJWKH'(,6)(,6DQG52'SURFHVVZDVDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXV

    'HIHQGDQWVPXVWIXOO\FRQVLGHUWKHSUXGHQFHDQGIHDVLELOLW\RIWKH%HUHWDQLDWXQQHO

    DOWHUQDWLYHVSHFLILFDOO\DQGVXSSOHPHQWWKH)(,6DQG52'WRUHIOHFWWKLVUHDVRQHG

    DQDO\VLVLQOLJKWRIHYLGHQFHUHJDUGLQJFRVWVFRQVLVWHQF\ZLWKWKH3URMHFWVSXUSRVHDQG

    RWKHUSHUWLQHQWIDFWRUVSee Citizens for Smart Growth)GDW6KRXOG

    'HIHQGDQWVGHWHUPLQHXSRQIXUWKHUH[DPLQDWLRQRIWKHHYLGHQFHWKDWWKHLUSUHYLRXV

    GHFLVLRQWRH[FOXGHWKH%HUHWDQLDDOWHUQDWLYHEHFDXVHLWZRXOGEHLPSUXGHQWZDV

    LQFRUUHFWWKH\PXVWZLWKGUDZWKH)(,6DQG52'DQGUHFRQVLGHUWKHSURMHFWLQOLJKWRIWKH

    IHDVDELOLW\RIWKH%HUHWDQLDWXQQHODOWHUQDWLYHSee Alaska Wilderness Recreation &

    Tourism Assn v. Morrison)GWK&LU7KHH[LVWHQFHRIDYLDEOH

    EXWXQH[DPLQHGDOWHUQDWLYHUHQGHUVDQHQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFWVWDWHPHQWLQDGHTXDWH

    iii. Alternative Technologies3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDW'HIHQGDQWVVKRXOGKDYHFRQVLGHUHGWZRDOWHUQDWLYH

    WHFKQRORJLHVEXVUDSLGWUDQVLWDQGDWJUDGHOLJKWUDLODVIHDVLEOHDQGSUXGHQWDOWHUQDWLYHV

    WKDWZRXOGDYRLG6HFWLRQIVLWHV7KH)(,6DQG52'UHMHFWHGERWKRIWKHVH

    WHFKQRORJLHVDVQRWPHHWLQJWKHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRIWKH3URMHFWDQGVRLIWKDW

    GHWHUPLQDWLRQZDVSURSHUWKHQERWKDOWHUQDWLYHVZHUHSURSHUO\IRXQGLPSUXGHQWIRUWKH

    VDPHUHDVRQVH[SODLQHGZLWKUHVSHFWWRWKH0/$DERYH$5DW)(,6FRQFOXGHV

    WKDWEXVUDSLGWUDQVLWZRXOGQRWPHHWSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRIWKH3URMHFWEHFDXVHEXVHV

    ZRXOGVWLOORSHUDWHLQPL[HGWUDIILFFRQJHVWLRQZRXOGQRWEHDOOHYLDWHGDQGLWZRXOGQRW

    KDYHHQFRXUDJHGJURZWKLQWKHSURMHFWFRUULGRU$5DW52'H[SODLQVWKDWDWJUDGH

    OLJKWUDLOZRXOGQRWKDYHPHW3URMHFWVSXUSRVHDQGQHHGEHFDXVHLWZRXOGQRWKDYH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 27 of 45 PageID #: 8147

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    28/45

    VDWLVILHGWKHPRELOLW\DQGUHOLDELOLW\QHHGVRIWKH3URMHFWDVFDSDFLW\ZRXOGEHWRRORZ

    WUDIILFODQHVZRXOGQHHGWREHUHPRYHGDQGFRQJHVWLRQZRXOGKDYHEHHQH[DFHUEDWHG

    7KHUHLVDPSOHVXSSRUWLQWKHUHFRUGIRUWKHVHGHWHUPLQDWLRQV'HIHQGDQWV

    FRQVLVWHQWO\PDLQWDLQHGLQWKH)(,6DQGWKH52'DVZHOODVLQWKHLUUHVSRQVHVWR

    FRPPHQWVWKDWWKHEXVV\VWHPZRXOGQRWDOOHYLDWHFRQJHVWLRQEHFDXVHRIWKHSUREOHPV

    ZLWKDPL[HGWUDIILFV\VWHPDQGWKDWDWJUDGHUDLOZRXOGQRWVDWLVI\WKH3URMHFWV

    REMHFWLYHVEHFDXVHLWZRXOGKDYHWRFRQVLVWRIVPDOOHUUDLOFDUVWKDWZRXOGVWRSFURVV

    WUDIILFDVWKH\SDVVHGDQGEHIRUFHGWRKDOWLIWUDIILFDFFLGHQWVRFFXUUHGSee $5DW

    $5DW$5DW$FFRUGLQJO\'HIHQGDQWVGHFLVLRQQRWWR

    FRQVLGHUWKHVHDOWHUQDWLYHVIXUWKHUZDVQHLWKHUDUELWUDU\QRUFDSULFLRXV

    b. All Possible Planning

    ,QRUGHUWRDSSURYHDSURMHFWWKDWXVHV6HFWLRQIVLWHVDQDJHQF\PXVWDOVR

    LQFOXGHDOOSRVVLEOHSODQQLQJWRPLQLPL]HKDUPWRVHFWLRQISURSHUW\&)5

    F$OOSRVVLEOHSODQQLQJPHDQVWKDWDOOUHDVRQDEOHPHDVXUHVLGHQWLILHGLQWKH

    6HFWLRQIHYDOXDWLRQWRPLQLPL]HKDUPRUPLWLJDWHIRUDGYHUVHLPSDFWVDQGHIIHFWVPXVW

    EHLQFOXGHGLQWKHSURMHFW&)57KHDOOSRVVLEOHSODQQLQJFODXVH

    UHTXLUHVWKDWWKHIHGHUDODJHQF\PDNHUHDVRQDEOHHIIRUWVWRPLQLPL]HKDUPWR6HFWLRQIVLWHVE\EDODQFLQJWKHKDUPWRWKHVLWHE\WKHSURSRVHGSURMHFWZLWKWKHKDUPWRWKHVDPH

    VLWHE\DQRWKHUDOWHUQDWLYHRUDSODQWRLPSOHPHQWPHFKDQLVPVWKDWZRXOGGLPLQLVKWKDW

    SDUWLFXODUKDUPAdler)GDW

    3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDW'HIHQGDQWVIDLOHGWRLQFOXGHDOOSRVVLEOHSODQQLQJLQWKHLU

    6HFWLRQIHYDOXDWLRQEHFDXVHWKH\GLGQRWHYDOXDWHWKHXVHRI&KLQDWRZQDVD7&3E\

    WKH3URMHFWSDVVLQJWKURXJKWKHGLVWULFWDQGEHFDXVH'HIHQGDQWVIDLOHGWRWDNHLQWR

    DFFRXQWWKDWWKHUDLOZD\ZRXOGEORFNYLHZVRIWKHKDUERUIURP&KLQDWRZQ 'HIHQGDQWV

    DUJXHLQUHVSRQVHWKDWWKH\VDWLVILHGWKHLUSODQQLQJREOLJDWLRQVDVWR&KLQDWRZQDKLVWRULF

    VLWHZKHQWKH\HQWHUHGLQWRWKH3$SXUVXDQWWR1+3$

    ,QVXSSRUWRIWKHLUFRQWHQWLRQWKDWHQWHULQJLQWRD3$LVDOOWKDWLVUHTXLUHGWRVDWLVI\

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 28 of 45 PageID #: 8148

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    29/45

    WKHLUREOLJDWLRQWRLQFOXGHDOOSRVVLEOHSODQQLQJWRPLQLPL]HKDUPWR6HFWLRQIVLWHV

    'HIHQGDQWVSRLQWWRWKHODQJXDJHRI

    :LWKUHJDUGWRKLVWRULFVLWHVWKHPHDVXUHVQRUPDOO\VHUYHWRSURWHFWWKHKLVWRULFDFWLYLWLHVIHDWXUHVRUDWWULEXWHVRIWKHVLWHDVDJUHHGE\WKH

    $GPLQLVWUDWLRQDQGWKHRIILFLDOVZLWKMXULVGLFWLRQRYHUWKH6HFWLRQIUHVRXUFHLQDFFRUGDQFHZLWKWKHFRQVXOWDWLRQSURFHVVXQGHU&)5SDUW

    &)57KHSODLQPHDQLQJRIWKLVUHJXODWLRQLQGLFDWHVWKDWHQJDJLQJLQDOO

    SRVVLEOHSODQQLQJZLOOnormally VHUYHWRSUHVHUYHWKHSURWHFWHGDWWULEXWHVRIKLVWRULF

    SURSHUWLHVLWGRHVQRWVWDWHWKDWVDWLVI\LQJ1+3$E\HQWHULQJLQWRD3$ZLOODOZD\VDQG

    DXWRPDWLFDOO\VDWLVI\6HFWLRQISODQQLQJUHTXLUHPHQWVSee $5SROLF\SDSHU

    QRWLQJWKDWPLWLJDWLRQRIKLVWRULFVLWHVusuallyFRQVLVWVRIWKRVHPHDVXUHVDJUHHGWRLQ

    DFFRUGDQFHZLWKWKH1+3$,QRWKHUZRUGVLWLVFRQFHLYDEOHWKDWIXUWKHUUHDVRQDEOH

    PLWLJDWLRQSRVVLELOLWLHVFRXOGH[LVWEH\RQGWKRVHH[SORUHGLQD3$DQGWKRVHPXVWEH

    FRQVLGHUHGWRVDWLVI\6HFWLRQI,QWKLVFDVHWKH)(,6QRWHVWKDWWKHJXLGHZD\ZDV

    GHVLJQHGWREHDVQDUURZDVSRVVLEOHLQRUGHUWRDYRLGQHJDWLYHLPSDFWVWR&KLQDWRZQDQG

    WKDWFRPPXQLW\LQSXWZLOOEHVRXJKWRQWKH&KLQDWRZQVWDWLRQGHVLJQ7KH3$LQFOXGHV

    IXUWKHUPHDVXUHVWRGHDOZLWKFXOWXUDOSURSHUWLHVGLVFRYHUHGGXULQJFRQVWUXFWLRQ$5

    DW$5DW3ODLQWLIIVKDYHQRWVXJJHVWHGDQ\UHDVRQDEOHPLWLJDWLRQPHDVXUHVWKDW'HIHQGDQWVFRXOGKDYHXQGHUWDNHQEXWGLGQRWLQRUGHUWRIXUWKHUPLWLJDWH

    LPSDFWVRQ&KLQDWRZQ'HIHQGDQWVKDYHVDWLVILHGWKHDOOSRVVLEOHSODQQLQJ

    UHTXLUHPHQWJLYHQWKHVHPLWLJDWLQJIHDWXUHVGHVFULEHGLQWKH)(,6DQG3$

    B. NEPA Claims (Counts 1-4)

    1. Purpose and Need

    3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDWWKHVWDWHPHQWRISXUSRVHDQGQHHGLQWKH)(,6ZDVWRRQDUURZ

    WKHUHE\GLFWDWLQJWKDWDQHOHYDWHGIL[HGJXLGHZD\UDLOZD\ZRXOGEHWKHRQO\DOWHUQDWLYH

    WKDWFRXOGPHHWWKH3URMHFWVVWDWHGSXUSRVH$Q(,6LVUHTXLUHGEULHIO\WRVSHFLI\WKH

    XQGHUO\LQJSXUSRVHDQGQHHGWRZKLFKWKHDJHQF\LVUHVSRQGLQJLQSURSRVLQJWKH

    DOWHUQDWLYHVLQWKH(,6&)57KHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGVWDWHPHQWLQWKH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 29 of 45 PageID #: 8149

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    30/45

    )HGHUDOUHJXODWLRQVSURYLGHWKDWDQDJHQF\PD\XVHIHGHUDOO\VXSHUYLVHGVWDWH

    GHYHORSHGSODQQLQJVWXGLHVLQRUGHUWRSURGXFHDSXUSRVHDQGQHHGVWDWHPHQW&)5

    Dsee also&)53W$SS[$DW:LWKSURSHUGRFXP HQWDWLRQDQG

    SXEOLFLQYROYHPHQWDSXUSRVHDQGQHHGGHULYHGIURPWKHSODQQLQJSURFHVVFDQOHJLWLPDWHO\

    QDUURZWKHDOWHUQDWLYHVDQDO\]HGLQWKH1(3$SURFHVV7KLVLVWKHSURFHVVWKDW'HIHQGDQW

    IROORZHG

    )(,6KHUHZDVTXLWHOHQJWK\DQGVSHFLILF7KHIROORZLQJSXUSRVHVZHUHVSHFLILHGWR

    SURYLGHKLJKFDSDFLW\UDSLGWUDQVLWLQWKHKLJKO\FRQJHVWHGFRUULGRUEHWZHHQ.DSROHLDQG

    8+0DQRDWRSURYLGHIDVWHUPRUHUHOLDEOHSXEOLFWUDQVSRUWDWLRQWKDQFRXOGEH

    DFKLHYHGE\EXVHVRSHUDWLQJLQFRQJHVWHGPL[HGIORZWUDIILFWRSURYLGHUHOLDEOH

    PRELOLW\LQDUHDVZKHUHSHRSOHRIOLPLWHGLQFRPHDQGDQDJLQJSRSXODWLRQOLYHWR

    VHUYHUDSLGO\GHYHORSLQJDUHDVDQGWRSURYLGHDGGLWLRQDOWUDQVLWFDSDFLW\DQGDQ

    DOWHUQDWLYHWRSULYDWHDXWRPRELOHWUDYHODQGWRLPSURYHWUDQVLWOLQNV$5DWsee

    also$5DWVWDWLQJVLPLODUJRDOVLQWKH12,8OWLPDWHO\RQO\D

    IL[HGJXLGHZD\UDLOV\VWHPZDVGHWHUPLQHGWRPHHWWKLVSXUSRVHDQGQHHGDQGDVD

    UHVXOWWKH)(,6DQDO\]HGWKUHHIL[HGJXLGHZD\UDLOV\VWHPVXVLQJWKHVDPHWHFKQRORJ\

    EXWWUDYHOLQJVOLJKWO\GLIIHUHQWURXWHVDVZHOODVDQREXLOGDOWHUQDWLYH$5DW

    'HIHQGDQWVDVVHUWWKDWWKLVVWDWHPHQWRISXUSRVHDQGQHHGZDVGHYHORSHG

    WKURXJKRXWWKH$$SURFHVVWRUHVSRQGWRORFDOQHHGVDQGIHGHUDOVWDWXWRU\JRDOV

    $JHQFLHVHQMR\FRQVLGHUDEOHGLVFUHWLRQLQGHILQLQJWKHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRIDSURMHFW

    EXWWKH\FDQQRWGHILQHWKHSURMHFWVREMHFWLYHVLQXQUHDVRQDEO\QDUURZWHUPVVXFKWKDW

    RQO\RQHDOWHUQDWLYHZRXOGDFFRPSOLVKWKHJRDOVRIWKHSURMHFWDQGWKH(,6EHFRPHVD

    IRUHRUGDLQHGIRUPDOLW\Natl Parks & Conservation Assn v. Bureau of Land Mgmt.)GWK&LUsee also Davis v. Mineta)GWK

    &LU2QWKHRWKHUKDQGDQDJHQF\PD\QRWIUDPHLWVJRDOVLQWHUPVVR

    XQUHDVRQDEO\EURDGWKDWDQLQILQLWHQXPEHURIDOWHUQDWLYHVZRXOGDFFRPSOLVKWKRVHJRDOV

    Citizens Against Burlington v. Busey)G'&&LU$GLVWULFW

    FRXUWHYDOXDWHVDQDJHQF\VVWDWHPHQWRISXUSRVHIRUUHDVRQDEOHQHVVNatl Parks &

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 30 of 45 PageID #: 8150

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    31/45

    Conservation Assn)GDW

    ,QDVVHVVLQJWKHUHDVRQDEOHQHVVRIDSXUSRVHDQGQHHGVWDWHPHQWLQDQ(,6WKH

    FRXUWPXVWFRQVLGHUWKHVWDWXWRU\FRQWH[WRIWKHIHGHUDODFWLRQDWLVVXHLeague of

    Wilderness Defenders v. U.S. Forest Serv.)GWK&LUsee also

    Citizens Against Burlington)GDWVWDWLQJWKDWDQDJHQF\VKRXOGDOZD\V

    FRQVLGHUWKHYLHZVRI&RQJUHVVH[SUHVVHGWRWKHH[WHQWWKDWWKHDJHQF\FDQGHWHUPLQH

    WKHPLQWKHDJHQF\VVWDWXWRU\DXWKRUL]DWLRQWRDFWDVZHOODVLQRWKHUFRQJUHVVLRQDO

    GLUHFWLYHVCity of New York v. U.S. Dept of Transp.)GG&LU

    )UHTXHQWO\DSHUWLQHQWJXLGHIRULGHQWLI\LQJDQDSSURSULDWHGHILQLWLRQRIDQDJHQF\V

    REMHFWLYHZLOOEHWKHOHJLVODWLYHJUDQWRISRZHUXQGHUO\LQJWKHSURSRVHGDFWLRQ

    ,QWKLVFDVHWKHVWDWHPHQWRISXUSRVHDQGQHHGZKLOHKLJKO\GHWDLOHGZDVEURDG

    HQRXJKWRDOORZWKHDJHQF\WRDVVHVVYDULRXVURXWLQJRSWLRQVDQGWHFKQRORJLHVIRUWKH

    IL[HGJXLGHZD\,QDGGLWLRQWKHVWDWHGSXUSRVHVFOHDUO\DQGIDLWKIXOO\UHIOHFWWKH

    REMHFWLYHVRIWKHVWDWXWHVXQGHUZKLFKWKH)(,6DURVH6SHFLILFDOO\86&I

    RQHRIWKHSURYLVLRQVRIWKH6DIH$FFRXQWDEOH)OH[LEOH(IILFLHQW7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ(TXLW\

    $FW$/HJDF\IRU8VHUV6$)(7($/8SURYLGHVWKDWDIHGHUDOO\IXQGHG

    WUDQVSRUWDWLRQSURMHFWVSXUSRVHVPD\LQFOXGHDFKLHYLQJDWUDQVSRUWDWLRQREMHFWLYHLGHQWLILHGLQDORFDOSODQVXSSRUWLQJODQGXVHDQGJURZWKREMHFWLYHVHVWDEOLVKHGLQ

    DSSOLFDEOHIHGHUDOVWDWHORFDORUWULEDOSODQVDQGVHUYLQJRWKHUQDWLRQDOREMHFWLYHVDV

    HVWDEOLVKHGLQIHGHUDOODZSODQVRUSROLFLHVSee also $5DW7KHVWDWXWH

    DXWKRUL]LQJWKHIHGHUDO1HZ6WDUWVWUDQVSRUWDWLRQSURJUDPVWDWHVWKDWLWLVLQWKHLQWHUHVWRI

    WKH8QLWHG6WDWHVWRIRVWHUWUDQVSRUWDWLRQV\VWHPVWKDWPD[LPL]HVDIHVHFXUHDQGHIILFLHQW

    PRELOLW\RILQGLYLGXDOVPLQLPL]HHQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFWVDQGPLQLPL]HIXHO

    FRQVXPSWLRQ86&D7KDWVWDWXWHDOVRVWDWHVWKDWRQHRIWKHSXUSRVHVRIWKH

    1HZ6WDUWVSURJUDPLVWRSURYLGHILQDQFLDODVVLVWDQFHWRVWDWHDQGORFDOJRYHUQPHQWVLQ

    RUGHUWRLPSURYHPRELOLW\IRUHOGHUO\DQGHFRQRPLFDOO\GLVDGYDQWDJHGLQGLYLGXDOV

    I

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 31 of 45 PageID #: 8151

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    32/45

    3URYLGLQJKLJKFDSDFLW\UDSLGWUDQVLWLQDVSHFLILFFRQJHVWHGFRUULGRULVDQ

    REMHFWLYHPHDQWWRDFKLHYHDORFDOWUDQVSRUWDWLRQREMHFWLYHDUWLFXODWHGLQDORFDO

    WUDQVSRUWDWLRQSODQFRQVLVWHQWZLWK6$)(7($/8I$3URYLGLQJIDVWHU

    PRUHUHOLDEOHSXEOLFWUDQVLWDQGSURYLGLQJUHOLDEOHVHUYLFHWRWKHSRRUDQGHOGHUO\VLPLODUO\

    VHUYHVWKHJRDOVRIWKH1HZ6WDUWSURJUDPDI6HUYLQJUDSLGO\GHYHORSLQJ

    DUHDVRIWKHVWXG\FRUULGRUVXSSRUWVDORFDOJURZWKREMHFWLYH&)5I%

    )LQDOO\WKHSURYLVLRQRIDQDOWHUQDWLYHWRSULYDWHDXWRPRELOHWUDYHODUJXDEO\VHUYHVWKH

    SXUSRVHRIPLQLPL]LQJHQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFWVDQGIXHOFRQVXPSWLRQD%HFDXVH

    WKHVWDWHPHQWRISXUSRVHDQGQHHGGLGQRWIRUHFORVHDOODOWHUQDWLYHVDQGEHFDXVHLWZDV

    VKDSHGE\IHGHUDOOHJLVODWLYHSXUSRVHVLWZDVUHDVRQDEOH3ODLQWLIIVDUJXPHQWWRWKH

    FRQWUDU\LVDFFRUGLQJO\UHMHFWHG

    2. Reasonable Alternatives

    $Q(,6PXVWLQFOXGHDGHWDLOHGVWDWHPHQWRQDOWHUQDWLYHVWRWKHSURSRVHGDFWLRQ

    86&&LLL7KHDOWHUQDWLYHVDQDO\VLVLVWKHKHDUWRIWKHHQYLURQPHQWDO

    LPSDFWVWDWHPHQWDQGPXVWULJRURXVO\H[SORUHDQGREMHFWLYHO\HYDOXDWHDOOUHDVRQDEOH

    DOWHUQDWLYHVDQGIRUDOWHUQDWLYHVZKLFKZHUHHOLPLQDWHGIURPGHWDLOHGVWXG\EULHIO\

    GLVFXVVWKHUHDVRQVIRUWKHLUKDYLQJEHHQHOLPLQDWHG&)5,QUHYLHZLQJWKHVXIILFLHQF\RIDQ(,6ZHHPSOR\DUXOHRIUHDVRQVWDQGDUGRI

    UHYLHZWKDWLQTXLUHVZKHWKHUDQ(,6FRQWDLQVDUHDVRQDEO\WKRURXJKGLVFXVVLRQRIWKH

    VLJQLILFDQWDVSHFWVRIWKHSUREDEOHHQYLURQPHQWDOFRQVHTXHQFHV Ilioulaokaokalani

    Coal. v. Rumsfeld)GWK&LUTXRWLQJCalifornia v. Block

    )GWK&LUDGGLWLRQDOO\QRWLQJWKDWWKLVVWDQGDUGLVQRWPDWHULDOO\

    GLIIHUHQWWKDQDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXVUHYLHZ7KHDJHQF\PXVWFRQVLGHUWKRVH

    UHDVRQDEOHDOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWDUHZLWKLQWKHUDQJHGLFWDWHGE\WKHQDWXUHDQGVFRSHRIWKH

    SURSRVHGDFWLRQDQGVXIILFLHQWWRSHUPLWDUHDVRQHGFKRLFHFriends of Yosemite Valley

    v. Kempthorne)GWK&LU7KHWRXFKVWRQHIRUWKLVLQTXLU\LV

    ZKHWKHUDQ(,6VHOHFWLRQDQGGLVFXVVLRQRIDOWHUQDWLYHVIRVWHUVLQIRUPHGGHFLVLRQPDNLQJ

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 32 of 45 PageID #: 8152

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    33/45

    E\WKHDJHQF\DQGLQIRUPHGSXEOLFSDUWLFLSDWLRQBlock)GDW

    7KHUHDUHVRPHOLPLWVRQDQDJHQF\VGXW\WRFRQVLGHUDOWHUQDWLYHV$QDJHQF\LV

    XQGHUQRREOLJDWLRQWRFRQVLGHUHYHU\SRVVLEOHDOWHUQDWLYHWRDSURSRVHGDFWLRQQRUPXVW

    LWFRQVLGHUDOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWDUHXQOLNHO\WREHLPSOHPHQWHGRULQFRQVLVWHQWZLWKLWVEDVLF

    SROLF\REMHFWLYHVSeattle Audubon Socy v. Moseley)GWK&LU

    7KHUHLVQRVWDWXWRULO\UHTXLUHGPLQLPXPQXPEHURIDOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWPXVWEHFRQVLGHUHG

    DQGDOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWGRQRWDGYDQFHWKHSXUSRVHRIWKHSURMHFWDUHQRWUHDVRQDEOHNative

    Ecosystems Council v. U.S. Forest Serv.)GWK&LUAkiak

    Native Cmty. v. U.S. Postal Serv.)GWK&LU7KHUHLVDOVRQR

    QHHGVHSDUDWHO\WRDQDO\]HDOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWDUHQRWVLJQLILFDQWO\GLVWLQJXLVKDEOHIURP

    WKRVHDOUHDG\FRQVLGHUHGRUZKLFKKDYHVXEVWDQWLDOO\VLPLODUFRQVHTXHQFHVHeadwaters,

    Inc. v. Bureau of Land Mgmt.)GWK&LU

    3ODLQWLIIVFKDOOHQJH'HIHQGDQWVDVVHVVPHQWRIUHDVRQDEOHDOWHUQDWLYHVXQGHU

    1(3$RQDYDULHW\RIJURXQGV'XULQJWKH$$SURFHVV'HIHQGDQWVFRQVLGHUHGDQ

    LPSURYHGEXVV\VWHPDQGWKH0/$EXWUHMHFWHGWKHPDVLQFRQVLVWHQWZLWKWKHSXUSRVH

    DQGQHHGRIWKH3URMHFWWKRVHWZRRSWLRQVZHUHWKHUHIRUHQRWFDUULHGRYHUWRWKH)(,6

    $5DW$VSUHYLRXVO\GLVFXVVHGWKUHHIL[HGJXLGHZD\URXWHVDQGWKHQREXLOGDOWHUQDWLYHZHUHDQDO\]HGLQWKH)(,6Id.DW3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDWLWZDV

    LPSURSHUWRUHPRYHDOWHUQDWLYHVIURPFRQVLGHUDWLRQGXULQJWKH$$SURFHVVWKH0/$

    ZDVUHMHFWHGEDVHGRQEDGGDWDDQGZRXOGLQIDFWPHHWWKHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGRIWKH

    3URMHFWDOWHUQDWHUDLOWHFKQRORJLHVVXFKDVPDJQHWLFOHYLWDWLRQZHUHHUURQHRXVO\

    H[FOXGHGIURPFRQVLGHUDWLRQDVUHDVRQDEOHDOWHUQDWLYHVLQWKH)(,6DQG'HIHQGDQWV

    HUURQHRXVO\UHIXVHGWRFRQVLGHUDURXWHWKDWZRXOGQRWSDVVE\WKHIHGHUDOFRXUWKRXVH

    (DFKRIWKHVHFODLPVLVDGGUHVVHGEHORZLQWXUQ

    a. Use of the AA Process to Screen Alternatives

    )HGHUDOUHJXODWLRQVUHTXLUHWKDWIHGHUDODJHQFLHVFRRSHUDWHZLWKVWDWHDQGORFDO

    DJHQFLHVWRWKHIXOOHVWH[WHQWSRVVLEOHLQRUGHUWRUHGXFHGXSOLFDWLRQEHWZHHQ1(3$DQG

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 33 of 45 PageID #: 8153

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    34/45

    VWDWHDQGORFDOUHTXLUHPHQWV&)5see also Laguna Greenbelt)GDW

    Q$VWDWHSUHSDUHG$$FDQEHXVHGWRFRPSO\ZLWK1(3$DVORQJDVLWPHHWV

    FHUWDLQSUHUHTXLVLWHVLQFOXGLQJWKDWWKHIHGHUDOOHDGDJHQF\IXUQLVKHGJXLGDQFHLQWKH

    $$VSUHSDUDWLRQDQGLQGHSHQGHQWO\HYDOXDWHGWKHGRFXPHQW86&FDQG

    WKH$$ZDVFRQGXFWHGZLWKSXEOLFUHYLHZDQGDUHDVRQDEOHRSSRUWXQLW\WRFRPPHQW

    &)5ELLLLLsee also$5DW$$UHVXOWPXVWEH

    VXEMHFWWRSXEOLFUHYLHZDQGFRPPHQWGXULQJWKHVFRSLQJRIWKH(,6$VDWLVIDFWRU\$$

    FDQEHXVHGWRVFUHHQSUHOLPLQDULO\DQGHOLPLQDWHXQUHDVRQDEOHDOWHUQDWLYHV&)5

    DGsee also &)53W$SS[$DW$OWHUQDWLYHVSDVVHGRYHU

    GXULQJWKHWUDQVSRUWDWLRQSURFHVVEHFDXVHWKH\DUHLQIHDVLEOHRUGRQRWPHHWWKH1(3$

    SXUSRVHDQGQHHGFDQEHRPLWWHGIURPWKHGHWDLOHGDQDO\VLVRIDOWHUQDWLYHVLQWKH1(3$

    GRFXPHQWDVORQJDVWKHUDWLRQDOHIRUHOLPLQDWLRQLVH[SODLQHGLQWKH1(3$GRFXPHQW

    3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDWWKH$$XVHGWRHOLPLQDWHWKH0/$IURPIXUWKHUFRQVLGHUDWLRQ

    ZDVLQDGHTXDWHEHFDXVHLWZDVQRWVXSHUYLVHGE\WKH)7$DQGEHFDXVHLWZDVQRWVXEMHFW

    WRSXEOLFFRPPHQW7KHUHFRUGEHOLHVERWKRIWKHVHDVVHUWLRQV7KHUHDUHDQXPEHURI

    GRFXPHQWVWKDWLQGLFDWHWKDWWKH)7$SOD\HGDQDFWLYHUROHLQVKDSLQJRYHUVHHLQJDQG

    DSSURYLQJWKH$$See$5DW52'DSSURYDORI$$$5LQWHUQDO)7$GLVFXVVLRQDERXW$$ORJLVWLFV$5&LW\UHSUHVHQWDWLYHZURWHWR)7$WRFKHFN

    DERXW0/$VHOLJLELOLW\IRUIHGHUDOIXQGLQJ$5)7$LQGLFDWHGWKDWLWZRXOG

    UHYLHZ$$SULRUWRSXEOLFDWLRQ

    7KHUHZHUHDOVRPDQ\RSSRUWXQLWLHVIRUSXEOLFFRPPHQWRQWKHDOWHUQDWLYHV

    GLVFXVVHGLQWKH$$See$5DW&LW\&RXQFLOFRQVLGHUHGRYHUFRPPHQWV

    IURPWKHSXEOLFRQWKH$$EHIRUHVHOHFWLQJWKHORFDOO\SUHIHUUHGDOWHUQDWLYH$5DW

    $$VWDWHVWKDW&LW\&RXQFLOZLOOFRQGXFWSXEOLFKHDULQJVWRVROLFLWFRPPXQLW\

    YLHZVRQWKHHYDOXDWHGDOWHUQDWLYHV$$QRWHVWKDWRYHUPHHWLQJVZHUHKHOG

    ZLWKPHPEHUVRIWKHSXEOLFZKLOHGHYHORSLQJWKH$$$5$$6FRSLQJ5HSRUWSXEOLVKHGSULRUWRUHOHDVHRI$$$5&LW\&RXQFLOKHOGWKLUWHHQSXEOLFPHHWLQJV

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 34 of 45 PageID #: 8154

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    35/45

    ZKHUHSXEOLFFRPPHQWZDVVRXJKWRQWKH$$

    $OWKRXJKWKH12,PD\KDYHGLVFRXUDJHGSXEOLFFRPPHQWRQWKHDOWHUQDWLYHV

    WKDWKDGDOUHDG\EHHQFRQVLGHUHGDQGUHMHFWHGLQWKH$$WKHUHZDVVXIILFLHQWRSSRUWXQLW\

    RQWKHZKROHIRUSXEOLFFRPPHQWERWKEHIRUHSXEOLFDWLRQRIWKH$$DQGGXULQJWKH&LW\

    &RXQFLOPHHWLQJVIROORZLQJSXEOLFDWLRQ$5DW2WKHUUHDVRQDEOH

    DOWHUQDWLYHVVXJJHVWHGGXULQJWKHVFRSLQJSURFHVVPD\EHDGGHGLIWKH\ZHUHQRW

    SUHYLRXVO\HYDOXDWHGDQGHOLPLQDWHGIRUJRRGFDXVHRQWKHEDVLVRIWKH$OWHUQDWLYHV

    $QDO\VLVDQGDUHFRQVLVWHQWZLWKWKHSURMHFWVSXUSRVHDQGQHHGsee also $5DW

    1(3$6FRSLQJ5HSRUWVWDWHVWKDW>F@RPPHQWVWKDWIRFXVRQDSUHIHUHQFHIRU

    DOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWKDYHSUHYLRXVO\EHHQHYDOXDWHGDQGHOLPLQDWHGIURPFRQVLGHUDWLRQDUH

    LQFOXGHGLQWKHDSSHQGLFHVWRWKLVUHSRUWEXWDUHQHLWKHUVXPPDUL]HGQRUFRQVLGHUHG

    $FFRUGLQJO\XVHRIWKH$$WRUHPRYHDOWHUQDWLYHVIURPFRQVLGHUDWLRQZDVQRWFRQWUDU\WR

    WKHVWDWXWHRUWKHUHJXODWLRQV3ODLQWLIIVDUJXPHQWWRWKHFRQWUDU\LVWKHUHIRUHUHMHFWHG

    b. MLA

    3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDWWKH0/$ZDVH[FOXGHGIURPFRQVLGHUDWLRQDVDUHDVRQDEOH

    DOWHUQDWLYHEDVHGRQLPSURSHUXVHRIDYHUVLRQRIWKHSURSRVDOWKDWZDVGHVLJQHGWRIDLOWR

    PHHWWKHSXUSRVHDQGQHHGLQFRQMXQFWLRQZLWKEDGGDWD7KH\FRQWHQGWKDW'HIHQGDQWVXVHGWKLVYHUVLRQRIWKH0/$DVDVWUDZPDQWRPDNHWKHUDLODOWHUQDWLYHORRNPRUH

    DSSHDOLQJ,QHVVHQFH3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDW'HIHQGDQWVHUUHGZKHQWKH\GLGQRWFRQVLGHU

    WKHH[DFWYHUVLRQRIWKH0/$SURSRVHGE\+RQROXOX7UDIILFFRPLQWKH$$

    +RQROXOX7UDIILFFRPPDGHDQXPEHURIFRPPHQWVDORQJWKHVHOLQHVWKURXJKRXW

    WKHDGPLQLVWUDWLYHSURFHVVSee $5DW$5DW$5DW

    $5DW,WFRPSODLQHGWKDWWKHFRVWHVWLPDWHVIRUWKH0/$LQ

    WKH$$ZHUHSUHSRVWHURXVEHFDXVHWKH\ZHUHVHYHQWLPHVKLJKHUWKDQDFRPSDUDEOH

    WKUHHODQHH[SUHVVZD\EXLOWLQ7DPSDLWDUJXHGWKDWDFRVWHVWLPDWHRIPLOOLRQZDV

    PRUHDFFXUDWH$5DW+RQROXOX7UDIILFFRPDOVRDVVHUWHGWKDWWKH$$

    XQGHUHVWLPDWHGWKHQXPEHURIULGHUVWKDWZRXOGXVHWKH0/$NLOOHGWKH0/$

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 35 of 45 PageID #: 8155

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    36/45

    DGYDQWDJHE\H[WHQGLQJWKHH[SUHVVZD\VOHQJWKDQGDOORZLQJ+29VWRXVHLWIRUIUHH

    DQGHUURQHRXVO\FRQFOXGHGWKDWWKH0/$ZRXOGQHYHUEHHOLJLEOHIRU1HZ6WDUWV)XQGLQJ

    Id. )LQDOO\+RQROXOX7UDIILFFRPLQVLVWHGWKDWWKH$$VKRXOGKDYHFRQVLGHUHGDWKUHH

    ODQHYHUVLRQRIWKH0/$QRWMXVWDWZRODQHYHUVLRQDVZHOODVDGGLWLRQDOLQJUHVVDQG

    HJUHVVRSWLRQVId.

    ,QVXSSRUWRIWKHDVVHUWLRQVPDGHLQWKH+RQROXOX7UDIILFFRPFRPPHQWOHWWHUV

    3ODLQWLIIVSRLQWWRDQRSHQOHWWHUZULWWHQE\DQRIILFLDOLQYROYHGLQWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQRIWKH

    7DPSDHOHYDWHGH[SUHVVZD\SURMHFW$5DW7KHRIILFLDODOOHJHGWKDW

    'HIHQGDQWVKDGLQWHQWLRQDOO\PLVUHSUHVHQWHGWKHIDFWVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKHFRVWDQG

    RSHUDWLRQRIWKH7DPSDSURMHFWLQRUGHUWRREVFXUHWKHSRVVLELOLW\WKDWWKH0/$FRXOG

    SURYLGHFRQJHVWLRQUHOLHILQ+RQROXOXId.3ODLQWLIIVDOVRFLWHWRFRPPHQWVPDGHE\WKH

    7UDQVLW$GYLVRU\7DVN)RUFHRQWKH0/$$5DWVXJJHVWLQJWKDW

    'HIHQGDQWVH[SORUHQHZLQJUHVVDQGHJUHVVRSWLRQVRQWKH0/$WRDOOHYLDWHFRQJHVWLRQ

    DQGH[SODLQZK\WKH]LSSHUODQHZDVGLVFRQWLQXHGLQWKH$$GHVLJQRIWKH0/$

    )LQDOO\3ODLQWLIIVFLWHWRDQXPEHURIFRPPHQWVPDGHE\)7$HPSOR\HHVDERXWWKH

    0/$See $5)7$HPSOR\HHLQIRUPV&LW\WKDW0/$LVHOLJLEOHIRUIHGHUDODLG

    KLJKZD\IXQGLQJEXWVWDWHV,GRQWVSHDNIRU)7$5HJLRQ$5)7$VWDIIPHPEHUVWDWHVWKDWWKH0/$ZDVVXSSRUWHGE\WKHULJKWPLOHVWRQHVDQGPHWKRGRORJ\

    $5)7$VWDIIPHPEHUUHFRPPHQGVWKDWWKH0/$EHFRQVLGHUHGLQWKH'(,6

    $5)7$VWDIIPHPEHUZULWHVWKDW0/$DSSHDUVWREHUHDVRQDEOHRQLWVIDFH

    'HIHQGDQWVGHFLVLRQWROLPLWWKHLUDQDO\VLVWRWKHWZRODQHYHUVLRQVRIWKH0/$

    H[SORUHGLQWKH$$GLGQRWYLRODWHWKHUXOHRIUHDVRQ,QGHHG'HIHQGDQWVDGGUHVVHGWKH

    PDQ\GHVLJQDOWHUDWLRQVVXJJHVWHGE\3ODLQWLIIVFRPPHQWVDQGIRXQGWKDWWKH\ZHUHQRW

    VXEVWDQWLDO$5DWH[SODLQLQJWKDWWKHUHZHUHQRVXEVWDQWLDOGLIIHUHQFHV

    EHWZHHQWKHDOWHUQDWLYHVWXGLHGLQWKH$$DQGWKHLGHDOPDQDJHGODQHVRSWLRQWKDW

    ZRXOGKDYHUHVXOWHGLQDGLIIHUHQWRXWFRPH$5DWUHVSRQVHOHWWHUWR

    +RQROXOX7UDIILFFRPH[SODLQLQJWKDW]LSSHUODQHZDVHOLPLQDWHGWRLQFUHDVHFDSDFLW\LQ

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 36 of 45 PageID #: 8156

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    37/45

    ERWKGLUHFWLRQVDQGWKDWDOORIWKHVXJJHVWHGFKDQJHVWRWKH0/$GHVLJQZRXOGVWLOOQRWIL[

    WKHSULPDU\LVVXHZLWKWKH0/$WKHSHUIRUPDQFHRIEXVHVRQORFDOVWUHHWV

    H[SODLQLQJWKDWLQFUHDVLQJWKHQXPEHURIODQHVLQWKH0/$ZRXOGQRWKDYHUHOLHYHG

    FRQJHVWLRQDQGZRXOGKDYHLQFUHDVHGFRVW

    'HIHQGDQWVDOVRDGHTXDWHO\GHIHQGHGWKHLU0/$FRVWHVWLPDWHVWKH7UDQVLW

    $GYLVRU\7DVN)RUFHIRXQGWKDWWKH7DPSDSURMHFWZDVQRWDJRRGFRVWFRPSDUDWRU

    EHFDXVHRIWKHPDQ\GLIIHUHQFHVEHWZHHQWKHWZRSURMHFWVsee $5DWWKDW

    WKHFRVWHVWLPDWHVLQWKH$$ZHUHIDLUDQGDFFXUDWHDQGWKDWWKHVDPHFRVWLQJ

    WHFKQLTXHVZHUHXVHGWRSULFHDOORIWKHDOWHUQDWLYHVDQDO\]HGLQWKH$$$5DW

    ,WZDVQRWXQUHDVRQDEOHIRU'HIHQGDQWVWRUHIXVHWRUHDVVHVVDQHZYHUVLRQRIWKH0/$LQ

    WKH)(,6EHFDXVHWKHUHZDVQRLQGLFDWLRQWKDWWKH$$VDVVHVVPHQWRIWKH0/$ZDV

    LQDFFXUDWHRUWKDWFKDQJHVWRWKH0/$GHVLJQZRXOGKDYHPDGHDGLIIHUHQFHSee

    Headwaters)GDWQRQHHGWRVHSDUDWHO\DQDO\]HDOWHUQDWLYHVWKDWDUHQRW

    VLJQLILFDQWO\GLVWLQJXLVKDEOHIURPWKRVHDOUHDG\FRQVLGHUHG$FFRUGLQJO\3ODLQWLIIV

    FODLPWKDW'HIHQGDQWVHUUHGLQUHIXVLQJWRFRQVLGHU0/$IXUWKHULVUHMHFWHG

    c. Alternatives to Steel-Wheels-on-Steel

    3ODLQWLIIVDOVRDUJXHWKDW'HIHQGDQWVIDLOHGWRFRQVLGHUUHDVRQDEOHDOWHUQDWLYHWHFKQRORJLHVLQWKH)(,6LQFOXGLQJOLJKWUDLOPRQRUDLOPDJQHWLFOHYLWDWLRQDQGUXEEHU

    WLUHGUDLO7KHVHWHFKQRORJLHVZHUHH[FOXGHGIURPIXUWKHUFRQVLGHUDWLRQE\DSDQHORI

    H[SHUWVGXULQJWKH'(,6VFRSLQJSURFHVVLQIDYRURIVWHHORQVWHHOWHFKQRORJ\3ODLQWLIIV

    FRPSODLQWKDWWKHSDQHORIH[SHUWVPDGHWKHLUGHFLVLRQZLWKRXWSURSHUSXEOLFLQSXWDQG

    EDVHGRQFRQFHUQVVXFKDVFRVWSHUIRUPDQFHDQGUHOLDELOLW\UDWKHUWKDQWKH

    HQYLURQPHQWDODGYDQWDJHVDQGGLVDGYDQWDJHVRIHDFKWHFKQRORJ\

    'HIHQGDQWVGHIHQGWKHLUGHFLVLRQWRH[FOXGHDOWHUQDWHUDLOWHFKQRORJLHVRQWKHEDVLV

    WKDWDOOILYHWHFKQRORJLHVZHUHHVVHQWLDOO\HQYLURQPHQWDOO\HTXLYDOHQWDQGDQ(,6QHHG

    QRWFRQVLGHULQGLVWLQJXLVKDEOHDOWHUQDWLYHVSee Headwaters)GDW7KHUHLV

    HYLGHQFHLQWKHUHFRUGWKDWLQGLFDWHVWKDWWKHSDQHORIH[SHUWVFRQVLGHUHGWKH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 37 of 45 PageID #: 8157

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    38/45

    HQYLURQPHQWDOHIIHFWVRIWKHYDULRXVWHFKQRORJLHVLQFOXGLQJDLUSROOXWLRQHQHUJ\XVHDQG

    QRLVHLPSDFWV$5DWSDQHOUHSRUWVWKDWLWFRQFOXGHGWKDWVWHHOZKHHO

    WHFKQRORJ\KDVQRLVHLPSDFWVFRPSDUDEOHWRRWKHUWHFKQRORJLHVEHWWHUHQHUJ\HIILFLHQF\

    DQGORZHUDLUTXDOLW\LPSDFWVWKDQWKHRWKHUIRXURSWLRQV

    ,QWKH)(,6'HIHQGDQWVH[SODLQHGWKDWWKHDOWHUQDWHUDLOWHFKQRORJLHVZHUH

    HOLPLQDWHGEHFDXVHWKH\DUHSURSULHWDU\DQGGLGQRWRIIHUVXEVWDQWLDOSURYHQSHUIRUPDQFH

    FRVWDQGUHOLDELOLW\EHQHILWVFRPSDUHGWRVWHHORQVWHHOWHFKQRORJ\$5DW

    see also$5VWHHOZKHHOWHFKQRORJ\LVUHOLDEOHVDIHKLJKVSHHGDQGQRQ

    SURSULHWDU\7KH)(,6QRWHGIXUWKHUWKDWPDJQHWLFOHYLWDWLRQLVXQSURYHQIRUJHQHUDOXVH

    DQGWKDWVWHHOZKHHOV\VWHPVFDQEHGHVLJQHGWRPDWFKWKHQRLVHOHYHOVRIPDJQHWLF

    OHYLWDWLRQV\VWHPVZKHQLQRSHUDWLRQId.see also$5DW&LW\OHWWHU

    H[SODLQVWKDWWKHUHLVRQO\RQHPDJQHWLFOHYLWDWLRQV\VWHPRSHUDWLQJLQWKHZRUOGWKDWLW

    ZRXOGUHTXLUHPRUHHQHUJ\DQGEORFNPRUHYLHZVDQGWKDWRWKHUV\VWHPVFDQEHGHVLJQHG

    WRPDWFKLWVQRLVHOHYHObut see$5DWUDZQXPEHUVLQGLFDWLQJWKDW

    PDJQHWLFOHYHOQRLVHOHYHOVDUHORZHUEHIRUHPLWLJDWLRQ

    1HLWKHUWKHSDQHORIH[SHUWVQRUWKH)(,6LQFOXGHGDVLGHE\VLGHFRPSDULVRQRI

    WKHHQYLURQPHQWDOHIIHFWVRIWKHYDULRXVWHFKQRORJLHVWRPDNHFOHDUWRWKHSXEOLFZKLFKWHFKQRORJLHVSURYLGHGWKHPRVWHQYLURQPHQWDOEHQHILWSee Block)GDWWKH

    WRXFKVWRQHIRU1(3$UHYLHZLVZKHWKHUDQ(,6VHOHFWLRQDQGGLVFXVVLRQRIDOWHUQDWLYHV

    IRVWHUVLQIRUPHGGHFLVLRQPDNLQJE\WKHDJHQF\DQGLQIRUPHGSXEOLFSDUWLFLSDWLRQ,WLV

    QHYHUWKHOHVVFOHDUWKDWWKHUHZHUHH[WHQVLYHRSSRUWXQLWLHVIRUSXEOLFFRPPHQWRQWKH

    YDULRXVSURSRVHGUDLOWHFKQRORJLHVSee $5DW)(,6GHVFULEHVVFRSLQJSURFHVV

    $5DWOHWWHUIURP&LW\QRWLQJWKDWSXEOLFFRPPHQWVRQHDFKWHFKQRORJ\

    ZHUHDFFHSWHG$5DW1(3$VFRSLQJUHSRUWGHVFULEHVSXEOLFFRPPHQWV

    UHFHLYHGDWVFRSLQJPHHWLQJVDQGLQZULWLQJ

    %HFDXVH'HIHQGDQWVKDYHSUHVHQWHGDGHTXDWHHYLGHQFHWKDWWKHHQYLURQPHQWDO

    DGYDQWDJHVRIHDFKWHFKQRORJ\ZHUHFRQVLGHUHGE\WKHSDQHODQGKDYHVKRZQWKDWWKH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 38 of 45 PageID #: 8158

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    39/45

    SXEOLFKDGDPSOHRSSRUWXQLW\WRFRPPHQWWKHLUGHFLVLRQWRH[FOXGHDOWHUQDWHUDLO

    WHFKQRORJLHVIURPWKH)(,6ZDVQRWDUELWUDU\DQGFDSULFLRXV

    d. Alternatives to Route Past Courthouse

    )LQDOO\3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDW'HIHQGDQWVIDLOHGWRFRQVLGHUUHDVRQDEOHDOWHUQDWLYHV

    WRDURXWHUXQQLQJSDVWWKHIHGHUDOFRXUWKRXVHEHFDXVHVXFKURXWHVZRXOGUHTXLUHDSSURYDO

    IURPWKH&LW\&RXQFLO)RUVXSSRUW3ODLQWLIIVUHO\RQDOHWWHUZULWWHQE\ORFDOO\EDVHG

    IHGHUDOMXGJHVH[SUHVVLQJWKHLUFRQFHUQDERXWWKHSRVLWLRQLQJRIWKHUDLOSURMHFWSDVWWKH

    FRXUWKRXVH$5DW3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDWWKHOHWWHUVWDWHVWKDWWKHMXGJHVVSRNH

    WRWKH&KLHIRIWKH&LW\V5DSLG7UDQVLW'LYLVLRQZKRWROGWKHPWKDWDOWHUQDWLYH

    DOLJQPHQWVZHUHXQOLNHO\WREHFRQVLGHUHGbecauseWKH\ZRXOGUHTXLUHWKHDSSURYDORIWKH

    &LW\&RXQFLO,QIDFWWKHMXGJHVOHWWHUVWDWHVWKDWWKH&KLHIVDLGKHGLGQRWIHHOWKHUHDUH

    DQ\YLDEOHDOWHUQDWLYHVandWKDWDQ\FKDQJHZRXOGUHTXLUH&LW\&RXQFLODSSURYDOId.

    7KHUHLVQRWKLQJLQWKHUHFRUGWRLQGLFDWHWKDW'HIHQGDQWVHYHUGHFLGHGQRWWRHYDOXDWH

    DOWHUQDWHURXWHVEHFDXVHWKH\ZDQWHGWRDYRLGWKHQHHGIRU&LW\&RXQFLODSSURYDOSee,

    e.g.$5DW&LW\OHWWHULQUHVSRQVHWRIHGHUDOMXGJHVOHWWHUH[SODLQLQJZK\WKH

    DOLJQPHQWKDGEHHQVHOHFWHG3ODLQWLIIVFODLPLVXQVXSSRUWHGE\WKHUHFRUGDQGLV

    WKHUHIRUHUHMHFWHG3. Analysis of Environmental Consequences

    $Q(,6PXVWFRQWDLQDUHDVRQDEO\WKRURXJKGLVFXVVLRQRIDSURMHFWV

    HQYLURQPHQWDOFRQVHTXHQFHVDQGPLWLJDWLRQPHDVXUHVNatl Parks & Conservation

    Assn)GDWsee also86&&7KH(,6PXVWGLVFXVVWKH

    SURMHFWVGLUHFWHIIHFWVDQGUHDVRQDEO\IRUHVHHDEOHLQGLUHFWDQGFXPXODWLYHHIIHFWV

    LQFOXGLQJJURZWKLQGXFLQJHIIHFWV&)5+RZHYHUDQ(,6QHHGQRW

    GLVFXVVVSHFXODWLYHFRQVHTXHQFHVRUGLVFXVVHYHU\FRQFHLYDEOHHQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFW

    Ground Zero Ctr. for Non-Violent Actions v. U.S. Dept of the Navy)G

    WK&LU:KLOHWKH(,6PXVWGLVFXVVPLWLJDWLRQLQVRPHGHWDLOD

    FRPSOHWHPLWLJDWLRQSODQLVQRWQHFHVVDU\Robertson v. Methow Valley Citizens Council

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 39 of 45 PageID #: 8159

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    40/45

    86

    $FRXUWVUHYLHZRIWKHGLVFXVVLRQRIHQYLURQPHQWDOFRQVHTXHQFHVLQDQ(,6LV

    OLPLWHGWRDVVHVVLQJZKHWKHUWKH(,6LQFOXGHVDKDUGORRNDWWKHHQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFWV

    RIWKHSURSRVHGDFWLRQNatl Parks & Conservation Assn)GDW7KLV

    UHTXLUHVDSUDJPDWLFMXGJPHQWDERXWZKHWKHUWKHIRUPFRQWHQWDQGSUHSDUDWLRQRIWKH(,6

    IRVWHULQIRUPHGGHFLVLRQPDNLQJDQGLQIRUPHGSXEOLFSDUWLFLSDWLRQId.

    3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDWWKH)(,6GRHVQRWVXIILFLHQWO\H[DPLQHWKHIRUHVHHDEOH

    HQYLURQPHQWDOFRQVHTXHQFHVRIWKH3URMHFWEHFDXVHLWGRHVQRWDFFRXQWIRUSRWHQWLDO

    LPSDFWVRQDLUTXDOLW\DVVRFLDWHGZLWKIDEULFDWLQJDQGLQVWDOOLQJWKHJXLGHZD\DQG

    WUDQVSRUWLQJPDWHULDOVWRWKHDUHDVZKHUHWKHJXLGHZD\ZLOOEHEXLOWDQGLWIDLOVWR

    DFFRXQWIRUWKHLQGLUHFWDQGFXPXODWLYHHIIHFWVRQODQGXVHDQGJURZWKWKDWZLOORFFXU

    DORQJWKHUDLOOLQHDQGGRHVQRWH[SODLQZKHWKHUWKHUHDUHVHQVLWLYHHQYLURQPHQWDO

    UHVRXUFHVWKDWFRXOGEHDIIHFWHGLQWKRVHDUHDV

    $VWRWKHILUVWDUJXPHQW'HIHQGDQWVJDYHWKHUHTXLVLWHKDUGORRNWRWKH

    HQYLURQPHQWDOFRQVHTXHQFHVWKDWFRXOGUHVXOWIURPFRQVWUXFWLRQLQWKH)(,6See$5

    DWGHVFULELQJDLUSROOXWDQWHPLVVLRQVWKDWZLOORFFXUGXHWRWKHSURMHFW

    GHVFULELQJHIIHFWVRIWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQSKDVHH[SODLQLQJWKDWDLUSROOXWLRQHIIHFWVIURPFRQVWUXFWLRQZLOOEHOLPLWHGWRVKRUWWHUPLQFUHDVHVLQIXJLWLYHGXVWDQGDLUERUQH

    SDUWLFXODWHPDWWHUDQGPRELOHVRXUFHHPLVVLRQVDQGLGHQWLI\LQJPLWLJDWLRQPHDVXUHV

    $FFRUGLQJO\3ODLQWLIIVDUJXPHQWWRWKHFRQWUDU\LVUHMHFWHG

    $VWRWKHVHFRQGLWLVQRWHQWLUHO\FOHDUZKDWVSHFLILFHQYLURQPHQWDOUHVRXUFHV

    3ODLQWLIIVFRQWHQGZLOOEHWKUHDWHQHGE\WKHJURZWKLQGXFLQJHIIHFWVRIWKH3URMHFWEXWLW

    LVSODLQWKDW'HIHQGDQWVDOVRJDYHWKHUHTXLUHGKDUGORRNDWWKLVLVVXHSee $5DW

    QRWLQJWKDWIXWXUHGHYHORSPHQWZLOOEHJUHDWO\LQIOXHQFHGE\IDFWRUVRXWVLGHRIWKH

    FRQWURORI'HIHQGDQWVH[SODLQLQJWKDWWKHSURMHFWZLOOQRWDIIHFWUHJLRQDO

    SRSXODWLRQEXWZLOOLQIOXHQFHGLVWULEXWLRQDQGLQWHQVLW\RIGHYHORSPHQWLQWKHVWXG\

    FRUULGRUDQGDZD\IURPWKHOHVVGHYHORSHGPRUHHQYLURQPHQWDOO\VHQVLWLYHDUHDVRI

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 40 of 45 PageID #: 8160

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    41/45

    2DKXREVHUYLQJWKDWWKHSURMHFWLVEHLQJEXLOWLQDQXUEDQL]HGHQYLURQPHQWWKDWZLOO

    UHPDLQXUEDQL]HGLQWKHIXWXUHDQGWKDWWKHSURMHFWFRXOGUHVXOWLQWKHSUHVHUYDWLRQRID

    ODUJHUYROXPHRIXQGLVWXUEHGODQGRXWVLGHRIWKHSURMHFWFRUULGRUZKLFKZRXOGEHQHILW

    HFRV\VWHPVDQDO\]LQJWKHGLUHFWLQGLUHFWDQGFXPXODWLYHLPSDFWVRIWKHSURMHFWRQ

    ZDWHUVWUHHWWUHHVDQGDUFKDHRORJLFDOFXOWXUDODQGKLVWRULFUHVRXUFHV7KLVDUJXPHQWLV

    WKHUHIRUHUHMHFWHGDVZHOO

    4. Segmented Analysis

    3ODLQWLIIVFODLPWKDW'HIHQGDQWVLPSURSHUO\VHJPHQWHGWKHLU1(3$DQDO\VLVE\

    SUHSDULQJDQ)(,6IRUWKHUDLOSURMHFWZKLFKZLOOUXQIURP.DSROHLWR$OD0RDQD&HQWHU

    ZLWKRXWDOVRLQFOXGLQJHQYLURQPHQWDODQDO\VLVRIWKHLPSDFWVRISODQQHGH[WHQVLRQVRIWKH

    UDLOSURMHFWEHWZHHQ$OD0RDQD&HQWHUDQG8+DQG:DLNLNL)HGHUDOUHJXODWLRQV

    SURYLGHWKDW>S@URSRVDOVRUSDUWVRISURSRVDOVZKLFKDUHUHODWHGWRHDFKRWKHUFORVHO\

    HQRXJKWREHLQHIIHFWDVLQJOHFRXUVHRIDFWLRQVKDOOEHHYDOXDWHGLQDVLQJOHLPSDFW

    VWDWHPHQW&)5D7KLVLQFOXGHVFRQQHFWHGDFWLRQVFXPXODWLYHDFWLRQV

    DQGVLPLODUDFWLRQVDVGHILQHGLQ&)5D)HGHUDOUHJXODWLRQVIXUWKHU

    VSHFLI\WKDWDQDFWLRQDVVHVVHGLQDQ(,6GHDOLQJZLWKDWUDQVSRUWDWLRQLPSURYHPHQWVKDOO

    FRQQHFWORJLFDOWHUPLQLDQGEHRIVXIILFLHQWOHQJWKWRDGGUHVVHQYLURQPHQWDOPDWWHUVRQDEURDGVFRSHKDYHLQGHSHQGHQWXWLOLW\RULQGHSHQGHQWVLJQLILFDQFHi.e.EHXVDEOHDQG

    EHDUHDVRQDEOHH[SHQGLWXUHHYHQLIQRIXUWKHULPSURYHPHQWVLQWKHDUHDDUHPDGHDQG

    QRWUHVWULFWFRQVLGHUDWLRQRIDOWHUQDWLYHVRURWKHUUHDVRQDEO\IRUHVHHDEOHWUDQVSRUWDWLRQ

    LPSURYHPHQWV&)5I

    3ODLQWLIIVDVVHUWWKDWWKH.DSROHLWR$OD0RDQDUDLOOLQHDQGWKH$OD0RDQDWR

    8+:DLNLNLUDLOOLQHDUHFRQQHFWHGDFWLRQV$FWLRQVDUHFRQQHFWHGLIWKH\

    DXWRPDWLFDOO\WULJJHURWKHUDFWLRQVZKLFKPD\UHTXLUHDQ(,6FDQQRWRUZLOOQRWSURFHHG

    XQOHVVRWKHUDFWLRQVDUHWDNHQSUHYLRXVO\RUVLPXOWDQHRXVO\RUDUHLQWHUGHSHQGHQWSDUWVRI

    DODUJHUDFWLRQDQGGHSHQGRQWKHODUJHUDFWLRQIRUWKHLUMXVWLILFDWLRQD

    3ODLQWLIIVLQVLVWWKDWWKHUDLOSURMHFWZDVDOZD\VLQWHQGHGWRH[WHQGWR:DLNLNLDQGWKDWWKH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 41 of 45 PageID #: 8161

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    42/45

    VHJPHQWDWLRQRIWKHSURMHFWLQWRVPDOOHUVHFWLRQVZDVDQDWWHPSWWRDYRLGDQDO\]LQJ

    HQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFWVWRDUHDVEH\RQGWKH$OD0RDQD&HQWHUSee $5DW

    GHVFULELQJQHHGIRUEHWWHUUDSLGWUDQVLWVHUYLFHWR:DLNLNLDVDWRXULVWFHQWHUDQG8+

    $512,VWDWHVWKDW'HIHQGDQWVLQWHQGWRSUHSDUHDQ(,6RQDSURMHFWUXQQLQJ

    IURP.DSROHLWR8+DQG:DLNLNL$512,VWDWHVWKDWWUDYHOFRUULGRUH[WHQGV

    IURP.DSROHLWR8+DQG:DLNLNL$5DWOHWWHUIURPWZR&LW\

    &RXQFLOPHPEHUVVXJJHVWLQJWKDWWKHEUDQFKWR:DLNLNLZDVLQWHQWLRQDOO\OHIWRXWRIWKH

    '(,6WRDYRLGDGGUHVVLQJQHJDWLYHHQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFWV

    7KH1LQWK&LUFXLWDSSOLHVDQLQGHSHQGHQWXWLOLW\WHVWWRGHWHUPLQHZKHWKHU

    PXOWLSOHDFWLRQVDUHVRFRQQHFWHGDVWRPDQGDWHFRQVLGHUDWLRQLQDVLQJOH(,6Great

    Basin Mine Watch v. Hankins)GWK&LU7KHFRXUWDVNVZKHWKHU

    HDFKRIWKHWZRSURMHFWVZRXOGKDYHWDNHQSODFHZLWKRUZLWKRXWHDFKRWKHUDQGWKXVKDYH

    LQGHSHQGHQWXWLOLW\Id.$QXPEHURI1LQWK&LUFXLWFDVHVKDYHDSSOLHGWKLVWHVWSee, e.g.

    id. FRQFOXGLQJLQDFKDOOHQJHWRWZR52'VWKDWWKHWZRSURMHFWVZHUHLQWHUGHSHQGHQW

    DQGWKHUHIRUHVKRXOGKDYHEHHQDVVHVVHGWRJHWKHUWetlands Action Network v. U.S. Army

    Corps of Engrs)GWK&LUabrogated on other grounds by

    Wilderness Socy v. U.S. Forest Serv.)GWK&LUHQEDQFILQGLQJLQFKDOOHQJHWRDVLQJOHSHUPLWLVVXDQFHWKDWSHUPLWWHGSURMHFWKDGLQGHSHQGHQW

    XWLOLW\EHFDXVHLWGLGQRWGHSHQGRQFRPSOHWLRQRIODWHUQRW\HWSHUPLWWHGSKDVHVRIWKH

    SURMHFWThomas v. Peterson)GWK&LUILQGLQJWKDWDQ($

    DSSURYLQJQHZURDGZDVLPSURSHUO\VHJPHQWHGZKHQWKH($GLGQRWFRQVLGHUWKHLPSDFW

    RIWLPEHUVDOHVWKDWZHUHWKHVROHUHDVRQIRUEXLOGLQJWKHURDG

    7KHUDLOSURMHFWDVGHILQHGLQWKH)(,6UXQQLQJIURP.DSROHLWRWKH$OD0RDQD

    &HQWHUVDWLVILHVWKHLQGHSHQGHQWXWLOLW\WHVW:KLOHLWLVWUXHWKDWIXWXUHH[WHQVLRQVWR

    :DLNLNLDQG8+PD\QRWKDYHLQGHSHQGHQWXWLOLW\3ODLQWLIIVFKDOOHQJHLVQRWWRDQ(,6

    GHDOLQJZLWKWKRVHH[WHQVLRQVDQGVRWKHFRXUWQHHGQRWDGGUHVVWKHLQGHSHQGHQWXWLOLW\RI

    VSHFXODWLYHIXWXUHGHYHORSPHQWV7KHUHFRUGDPSO\VXSSRUWVWKHFRQFOXVLRQWKDWWKHURXWH

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 42 of 45 PageID #: 8162

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    43/45

    'HIHQGDQWV FRQWHQGWKDWWKH)(,6GLGLQIDFWDQDO\]HLP SDFWV RIIXWXUH

    H[WHQVLRQV WR:DLNLNLDQG8+7KHUHLV VRPH HYLGHQFHLQWKH UHFRUG WRVXSSRUWWKLV

    FRQWHQWLRQSee$5DW$5DW7KHUHLVKRZHYHUQRQHHGWR

    GHFLGHWKDWTXHVWLRQDWWKLVWLPH

    LQWKH)(,6ZLOOVHUYHDSXUSRVHHYHQLIWKHSURSRVHGH[WHQVLRQVDUHQHYHUEXLOW$5

    DW)(,6H[SODLQLQJWKDWSODQQHGH[WHQVLRQVZHUHQRWLQFOXGHGEHFDXVHQRIXQGLQJ

    KDGEHHQLGHQWLILHGIRUWKHPEXWWKDWWKHUDLOSURMHFWKDGORJLFDOWHUPLQLDQGLQGHSHQGHQW

    XWLOLW\IURPDQ\H[WHQVLRQVWKDWPD\EHFRQVWUXFWHGLQWKHIXWXUH$5DW$OD

    0RDQD&HQWHULVVHUYHGE\PRUHWKDQZHHNGD\EXVWULSVDQGYLVLWHGE\PRUHWKDQ

    ILIW\VL[PLOOLRQVKRSSHUVDQQXDOO\:KLOHWKHH[LVWHQFHRIWKH3URMHFWPD\VWURQJO\

    LQIOXHQFHIXWXUHGHFLVLRQVDERXWZKHWKHUDQHOHYDWHGUDLOOLQHLVEXLOWIURP$OD0RDQDWR

    :DLNLNLDQG8+0DQRDWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQRIDQH[WHQVLRQLVQRWDIRUHJRQHFRQFOXVLRQ

    3ODLQWLIIVDUJXPHQWWKDWWKH1(3$DQDO\VLVZDVLPSHUPLVVLEO\VHJPHQWHGLVDFFRUGLQJO\

    UHMHFWHG

    C. NHPA

    3ODLQWLIIVDUJXHWKDW'HIHQGDQWVKDYHIDLOHGWRPHHWWKHLUGXW\WRDVVHVVWKHLQGLUHFW

    HIIHFWVWKDWKLVWRULFUHVRXUFHVRWKHUWKDQ&KLQDWRZQDQG0HUFKDQW6WUHHWORFDWHGQHDUWKH

    UDLOVWDWLRQVZLOOVXIIHUGXHWRWKHSURMHFW7KH1+3$UHTXLUHVDJHQFLHVWRDVVHVVZKHWKHU

    KLVWRULFSURSHUWLHVZLOOVXIIHUDGYHUVHHIIHFWVZKLFKRFFXUZKHQDQXQGHUWDNLQJPD\

    DOWHUGLUHFWO\RULQGLUHFWO\DQ\RIWKHFKDUDFWHULVWLFVWKDWTXDOLI\DSURSHUW\IRULQFOXVLRQ

    LQWKH1DWLRQDO5HJLVWHU&)5D7KHDJHQF\PXVWWKHQFRQVXOWZLWKUHOHYDQWSDUWLHVWRGHYHORSDQGHYDOXDWHDOWHUQDWLYHVDQGPRGLILFDWLRQVWRWKHXQGHUWDNLQJ

    WKDWFRXOGDYRLGPLQLPL]HRUPLWLJDWHWKRVHDGYHUVHHIIHFWV&)5D

    Muckleshoot Indian Tribe)GDWREVHUYLQJWKDWLVDVWRSORRNDQG

    OLVWHQSURYLVLRQUHTXLULQJDJHQFLHVWRFRQVLGHUWKHHIIHFWVRIWKHLUSURJUDPV$3$FDQ

    VHUYHDVHYLGHQFHRIWKHDJHQF\VFRPSOLDQFHZLWKWKHVHUHTXLUHPHQWV&)5

    F

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 43 of 45 PageID #: 8163

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    44/45

    $UHYLHZRIWKHHQWLUHUHFRUGUHYHDOVWKDW'HIHQGDQWVVXIILFLHQWO\DVVHVVHGWKH

    KDUPWKDWUDLOVWDWLRQLQGXFHGJURZWKFRXOGFDXVHWRKLVWRULFVLWHVQHDUUDLOVWDWLRQVDQGVHW

    XSDQXPEHURIPLWLJDWLRQPHDVXUHVWRGHDOZLWKVXFKHIIHFWVSee DW

    UHFRJQL]LQJWKDWWKHSURMHFWPD\LQFUHDVHWKHGHQVLW\RIGHYHORSPHQWQHDUVWDWLRQV$5

    DW3$SURYLGLQJWKDWWKH&LW\VKDOOHPSOR\DDUFKLWHFWXUDOKLVWRULDQZKRVKDOO

    PRQLWRUWKHLQWHJUDWLRQRIWUDQVLWRULHQWHGGHYHORSPHQWDQGKLVWRULFSUHVHUYDWLRQLQWKH

    YLFLQLW\RISURMHFWVWDWLRQV&LW\VKDOOPRQLWRUSURSRVHGGHPROLWLRQRIUHVRXUFHV

    EXLOWEHIRUHZLWKLQDIRRWUDGLXVRIHDFKVWDWLRQSURYLGHVIRUPHHWLQJ

    ZLWKFRQVXOWLQJSDUWLHVWRGLVFXVVQH[WVWHSVLIDVLJQLILFDQWDGYHUVHLQGLUHFWRUFXPXODWLYH

    HIIHFWRFFXUVWRDKLVWRULFUHVRXUFH'HIHQGDQWVKDYHWKHUHIRUHVDWLVILHGWKHLUGXW\WR

    FRQVXOWZLWKWKH6+32DQGWRGHYHORSDOWHUQDWLYHVWRPLWLJDWHSRVVLEOHDGYHUVHHIIHFWVRQ

    KLVWRULFSURSHUWLHV$FFRUGLQJO\3ODLQWLIIV1+3$FODLPLVUHMHFWHGSee Tyler v. Cuomo

    )GWK&LU

    III. Conclusion and Remedy

    )RUWKHUHDVRQVVHWIRUWKDERYH

    A. 7KH&RXUWJUDQWV3ODLQWLIIV0RWLRQIRU6XPPDU\-XGJPHQW'RFZLWK

    UHVSHFWWRWKHLU6HFWLRQIFODLPVWKDW'HIHQGDQWVDUELWUDULO\DQGFDSULFLRXVO\IDLOHGWRFRPSOHWHUHDVRQDEOHHIIRUWVWRLGHQWLI\DERYHJURXQG7&3VSULRUWR

    LVVXLQJWKH52''HIHQGDQWVIDLOXUHDGHTXDWHO\WRFRQVLGHUWKH%HUHWDQLD

    6WUHHW7XQQHODOWHUQDWLYHSULRUWRHOLPLQDWLQJLWDVLPSUXGHQWDQG'HIHQGDQWV

    IDLOXUHDGHTXDWHO\WRFRQVLGHUZKHWKHUWKH3URMHFWZLOOFRQVWUXFWLYHO\XVH0RWKHU

    :DOGURQ3DUN

    B. 7KH&RXUWJUDQWV'HIHQGDQWV0RWLRQIRU6XPPDU\-XGJPHQW'RF

    ZLWKUHVSHFWWRDOORWKHUFODLPVUDLVHGLQVDLGPRWLRQ

    C. 7KH&RXUWGRHVQRWHQWHUDILQDOMXGJPHQWDQGRUDSHUPDQHQWLQMXQFWLRQDW

    WKLVWLPH:KLOHDQLQMXQFWLRQPD\EHDSSURSULDWHLQWKLVFDVHLVVXDQFHRIDQ

    LQMXQFWLRQGRHVQRWDXWRPDWLFDOO\IROORZQRUGRWKHWHUPVRIDQ\VXFKLQMXQFWLRQ

    Case 1:11-cv-00307-AWT Document 182 Filed 11/01/12 Page 44 of 45 PageID #: 8164

  • 7/31/2019 Judge's decision in rail transit lawsuit

    45/45

    See N. Cheye