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DRAFT Subject to modifications is required with applicable Federal and State laws. However, no additional permitting from FRA is typically required. The FRA anticipates publishing a draft EIS this Spring, which will initiate a public comment period of 45 days or longer at the discretion of the FRA. The FRA will schedule up to six workshops along the corridor. Public comment can be provided at the workshops or via U.S mail or email. After receipt of comments, FRA will publish a final EIS, followed by publication of a "Record of Decision," which will recommend a preferred alternative. Evaluation The reintroduction of passenger rail service on the Florida East Coast rail corridor has been a long-standing regional priority that can provide improved mobility and varied economic and environmental benefits. However, the service as currently proposed concentrates public benefits in communities where stations are planned (West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando), bypassing the three northern counties entirely. All local governments along the corridor will have costs and impacts of different forms. There are modifications to the project and ancillary activities that could more fairly distribute benefits throughout the corridor and lessen impacts to local governments. Each of these is described below. (1) Additional Passenger Rail Stations Access to passenger rail service is the key benefit the AAF project can provide to the Treasure Coast Region. FECI has indicated it intends to initiate the AAF service with only four new stations — in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando. No stations are currently proposed for Martin, St. Lucie, or Indian River counties. To expand the benefits of passenger rail service, the following mitigating measures are suggested: • Advance the Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project: Currently funded in the FDOT Five - Year Work Program, the Amtrak/FEC project has previously identified station locations in Stuart, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach which could also accommodate AAF trains. FECI, FDOT, Amtrak, and local governments should work together to enable the Amtrak/FEC project to be constructed concurrent with the AAF project. • Add Additional AAF Stops in Stuart, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach: The most meaningful benefit the AAF project can offer to the Treasure Coast is its ability to provide connections within the communities it passes through. To more fairly distribute the project's benefits, FECI, FDOT and local governments should work together to evaluate ways in which additional stops can be added in Stuart, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach as part of AAF's initial service pattern. The introduction of regularly scheduled AAF service three or four times daily in these smaller communities, in addition to the Amtrak intercity service, would provide significant connectivity and expanded market potential. (2) Grade Crossing Improvements and Quiet Zones To accommodate both passenger and freight service in the corridor, FECI is proposing to install a second track from Miami to Cocoa within FEC's current right-of-way, which 2 o 0.A -a,.