PREFACE

This [begin deletion] Final [end deletion] Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR) [begin deletion] is presented in two volumes:  Volume I is the SEIS/SEIR with text changes resulting from responses to comments on the Draft SEIS/SEIR, and from the Public Hearing, and also includes Staff Initiated Changes between the Draft and Final SEIS/SEIR.  Volume II includes copies of all comment letters on the Draft SEIS/SEIR, copies of comment forms from the Public Hearings, and the transcript from the Public Hearing.  Each comment letter and form is followed by responses to comments.  The staff-initiated text changes follow by Chapter of the SEIS/SEIR.  Text additions are noted by an underline and text deletions are noted by a [begin insertion] strikethrough [end insertion] .  The two volumes constitute the Final SEIS/SEIR. [end deletion]

[begin deletion] The SEIS/SEIR [end deletion] is prepared pursuant to the requirements of both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  There are a number of differences between the guidelines for CEQA and NEPA that affect reporting in this document.  CEQA provides an Initial Study Checklist (Appendix G of the State CEQA guidelines) that describes thresholds for determining significance for environmental topics.  These thresholds along with other City requirements were used throughout the analysis and the levels are shown in Chapter 7.0, Table 7-1, CEQA Significance Criteria.  CEQA requires identification of and mitigation for significant adverse impacts in an EIR, while under NEPA, measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate affects are considered for all of the adverse impacts of a project, regardless of significance.  The affected environment or existing conditions are described in Chapter 4.0, while in Chapter 5.0 of this combined NEPA/CEQA document, operational and cumulative impacts are described for each of the alternatives regardless of whether they would be considered significant under CEQA and mitigation measures are described wherever practicable to reduce identified adverse impacts.  Construction methods and construction-related impacts and mitigation measures are described in Chapter 6.0.  Specific discussion of the level of impact significance before and after mitigation and or improvement measures, as well as a summary of unavoidable significant impacts, growth-inducing impacts, and cumulative impacts in accordance with CEQA is provided in Chapter 7.0.

Another important difference between CEQA and NEPA is that CEQA only considers impacts to the physical environment, while NEPA includes impacts to the human environment, such as socioeconomic impacts and environmental justice.  These NEPA topics are included in Chapters 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0, while the topics that relate only to CEQA are addressed in Chapter 7.0.

For Department of Transportation projects, as is the case for the Central Subway because it would need the approval of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to qualify for federal New Starts funding, the SEIS must also address the financial feasibility of the project, including a revenue analysis, a cost analysis, and a cash flow analysis.  This information is included in a separate Chapter 8.0 of this SEIS/SEIR.  Environmental documents for New Starts transportation projects must also evaluate, or compare, all alternatives for mobility, environmental benefits, operating efficiencies, cost effectiveness, transit supportive land use, and local financial commitment (Chapter 9.0).

Federal regulations require that transportation projects must address potential impacts to public parks and recreation areas and significant historic resources or wildlife/waterfowl refuges as part of a Section 4(f) analysis in the EIS.  Because of potential impacts to Union Square, Willie “Woo Woo” Wong playground, Washington Square park and historic resources in Chinatown, a Section 4(f) Report is included as Chapter 10.0. [begin deletion]   Concurrence with a “de minimis” finding for impacts to Union Square Park by the Recreation and Parks Commission is attached as Appendix J.  This satisfies the Section 4(f) requirement for the Project. [end deletion]

Technical studies, which were prepared as part of the environmental analysis for the Central Subway Project, are available for review by appointment  at the San Francisco Planning Department, 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, California.