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14 <br /> Attachment C <br /> Recommended Changes to the Draft Orange County Transit Plan <br /> 1, 2, 3. Section 4.6 will be updated with a new sub-section: <br /> "Agreements for Making Changes to the Project <br /> As the project moves forward into the Engineering Phase, GoTriangle will evaluate changes to <br /> the track alignment and station location at several sections to optimize the project's <br /> performance and the counties' financial investment.The goals of these changes include <br /> minimizing conflicts with vehicular& pedestrian traffic, and maximizing development <br /> opportunities and access for transit passengers. <br /> The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires GoTriangle to re-evaluate any change to the <br /> project to assess the environmental effects of the proposed change. FTA requires GoTriangle to <br /> evaluate the proposed change for its effects on the human and natural environment. If the <br /> proposed change results in environmental effects, GoTriangle must demonstrate that the <br /> effects would be avoided, minimized, or mitigated through the existing commitments in the <br /> Amended Record of Decision before the change may be advanced in the design. <br /> Before advancing the proposed design change, the FTA must review and concur with the <br /> findings in the environmental re-evaluation. If FTA believes that additional environmental <br /> documentation is required to further assess the environmental effects, FTA will instruct <br /> GoTriangle to prepare and publish supplemental environmental documentation for public <br /> review and inspection. This supplemental environmental documentation will include any <br /> additional measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the effects of the change. The additional <br /> measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the effects of the change are then included in an <br /> Amended Record of Decision. This was recently completed for the addition for the design <br /> refinement associated with the addition of a station at North Carolina Central University. <br /> While all design changes must be comprehensively re-evaluated for environmental effects, not <br /> all design changes will result in the preparation and publication of supplemental environmental <br /> documentation or amendments to the Record of Decision. The FTA makes this determination. <br /> At this time, GoTriangle is evaluating the following proposed refinements to the project design: <br /> • A shift of the Patterson Place station towards the east, beyond Sayward Drive. As <br /> previously stated, this proposed station refinement will be re-evaluated, just as all <br /> proposed design changes for environmental effects. FTA must review this re-evaluation <br /> and concur with the findings before GoTriangle can incorporate this proposed change <br /> into the final design of the project. <br /> GoTriangle is aware of the proximity of the Patterson Place station to New Hope Creek, <br /> a sensitive watershed. GoTriangle must comply with all local and state regulations and is <br /> required by FTA to carry out the mitigation commitments outlined in the Amended <br />