Norfolk Southern/Conrail Rail Connection–Bucyrus, Ohio - Surface ...

STB Finance Docket No. 33388
Prime Agricultural Land
C
Permanent loss of Natural Resources Conservation Service-designated prime farmland.
SOCIOECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Executive Order 12898, entitled “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority
Population and Low-Income Populations,” directs federal agencies to analyze the environmental effects
of their actions on minority and low-income communities. Significant and adverse effects which have
a high and disproportionate impact on these communities should be identified and addressed.
In this EA, potential impacts of the proposed construction of a rail line connection in Bucyrus, Ohio on
minority and low-income communities were considered, along with the potential impacts associated with
an alternative alignment. One of the primary goals in selecting alternative alignments for the proposed
project was to minimize impacts on surrounding residents. Information was obtained through site visits
and demographic research. While the “no-build” alternative would have no change in potential impacts
on the community in the vicinity of the proposed connection, neither would it provide any of the
anticipated benefits of the connection described.
D-13