Environmental Study Available for Gold Line's Next Move

From the Gold Line Construction Authority:

The Construction Authority (last month) released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Foothill Extension from Azusa to Montclair. This important environmental review evaluates the impacts of the proposed 12.3-mile light rail extension, which includes six new stations (Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair) and two new grade-separated crossings (at Lone Hill in Glendora and Towne Avenue in Pomona). The proposed extension is planned to run mostly at street level and parking is planned at each station.

Potentially long-term significant unavoidable impacts listed in the EIR include:

• Traffic impacts at three intersections – one in San Dimas and two in La Verne

•  Vibration impacts at two locations  - one in Glendora and one in San Dimas

• Visual impacts at two locations – one in Pomona and one in La Verne.

Also found in the EIR were short-term significant unavoidable air quality and noise impacts from construction. According to the GLCA, all other impacts evaluated were found to be either less than significant or can be mitigated.

However, the EIR identified one property, the Coast Foundry at 2707 North Garey Avenue in Pomona as part of the Cortese list of hazardous sites known to be contaminated from long-term industrial use of this property.

While , spokesperson Lisa Levy Buch said approval of the EIR is essential before funding can be secured.

"We are moving forward to be able to be in the right position to seek funding and that’s what this process allows us to do," said Buch.

Where can you access the Draft EIR?

The Draft EIR is available for review at the Construction Authority's offices and on the Authority's website at  www.foothillextension.org. Hard copies are also available at public libraries in the corridor cities (Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont and Montclair), and at the Pomona Planning Department while their library is temporarily closed.

Public Meetings

The Construction Authority will be hosting two public meetings to receive comments on the Draft EIR:

September 20, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Montclair Senior Center
5111 Benito Street
Montclair, CA 91763

Meeting flyer

September 24, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Hillcrest Meeting House
2705 Mountain View Drive
La Verne, CA 91750    

Meeting flyer

The public is encouraged to review the Draft EIR and provide comments by the close of the comment period on October 5, 2012. For details on comment submission please click here.

Upon completion of the public review period, a Final EIR will be prepared to include any comments received on the Draft EIR, as well as any responses to those comments. The Final EIR will also include any revisions to the Draft EIR that are necessary to address issues raised during the comment period.