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169 <br /> C. Fewer Harmful Effects Correspond to the Farrington Road Rail Operations and <br /> Maintenance Facility <br /> In addition to studying different alignment routes, the DEIS reviewed different possible <br /> locations for a rail operations and maintenance facility("ROMF"), where trains will be serviced <br /> and stored, and where the technical operations for the system will be based. The Farrington <br /> Road ROMF included in the NEPA Preferred Alternative surpasses each of the alternative <br /> ROMF locations. Leigh Village would permanently impair use of the historic Walter Curtis <br /> Hudson Farm, and the Patterson Place ROMF is incompatible with the Preferred Alternative <br /> New Hope Creek Element("NHC 2"), as well as the perhaps "second best"New Hope Creek <br /> route possibility of NHC 1.61 Because the Patterson Place ROMF would rule out these two <br /> environmentally-preferable routes, we oppose the Patterson Place ROMF and strongly concur <br /> with the NEPA Preferred Alternative's selection of the Farrington ROMF. While the Cornwallis <br /> and Alston Avenue ROMF locations may result in fewer impacts to water resources, and natural <br /> resources in the case of the Alston Avenue ROMF, the resulting operational difficulties, higher <br /> costs, and community impacts render these locations less desirable to the NEPA Preferred <br /> Alternative location.62 Specifically, the Cornwallis Road location would have significant <br /> impacts on the Judea Reform Congregation, Levin Jewish Community Center, and the Lerner <br /> Jewish Community Day School.63 The Alston Avenue Location would be located in an area <br /> with high low-income and minority populations, result in a net loss of jobs, and displace multiple <br /> businesses.64 Such significant community impacts would undermine the community support and <br /> longevity of the D-O LRT project. <br /> In sum, the NEPA Preferred Alternative utilizes existing transportation right-of-ways and <br /> follows a route that minimizes new impacts to sensitive environmental resources. By sticking <br /> close to established transportation corridors, most of the NEPA Preferred Alternative's <br /> environmental impacts are to already disturbed environments. As such, we are pleased with the <br /> identified NEPA Preferred Alternative and strongly support GoTriangle's continued selection of <br /> this route and ROMF location as the NEPA Preferred Alternative. <br /> III. GoTriangle Should Continue to Analyze Certain Environmental Impacts and Develop <br /> Further Mitigation Measures <br /> On the whole, the DEIS carefully and thoroughly documents the possible impacts to <br /> natural resources, streams and wetlands, water quality, and air quality within the project area. <br /> We are pleased with the consistent recommendation of best management practices to avoid and <br /> reduce certain environmental impacts. The below comments applaud some of the specific <br /> aspects of the DEIS's discussion of the affected environment and environmental consequences, <br /> 61 Id. at 8-20. <br /> 62 Id. at 8-21-8-22. <br /> 63Id. at 8-21. <br /> 64Id. at 8-22-8-23. <br /> 11 <br />