As the Authority moves forward preparing for construction on Phase 2A (Pasadena to Azusa), next steps on Phase 2B (Glendora to Montclair) are also in progress. Phase 2B has been significantly analyzed – and it’s now ready for the last step in the planning process: environmental review.

What does this mean? A quick summary of federal and state guidelines… The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) set rules for reviewing projects’ environmental impacts, as well as possible ways to mitigate these impacts. These laws also ensure the public has ample time to comment and participate in the review process. The results of these analyses are compiled in a document, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS – for NEPA) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR – for CEQA). The report will take approximately 18 months to complete — and once approved, Phase 2B is environmentally cleared. This means the project has completed all of the necessary steps to ready it for state and federal funding opportunities.

The first round of meetings in the environmental process allows the public to provide initial feedback on issues to be addressed in the EIS and EIR. These scoping meetings are scheduled for January 2011 — so mark your calendars:

January 12, 2011
6 – 8 p.m.
Ganesha Community Center
1575 N White Avenue
Pomona, CA

January 13, 2011
6 – 8 p.m.
Timothy Daniel Crowther Glendora Teen and Family Center
241 W Dawson Street
Glendora, CA

January 19, 2011
6 – 8 p.m.
Oakmont Elementary School
120 W Green Street
Claremont, CA

January 20, 2011
6 – 8 p.m.
Ekstrand Elementary
400 N Walnut Avenue
San Dimas, CA