As part of environmental review, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) prepared an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project, pursuant to the requirements of both the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act. Both laws require that projects with a potential for significant adverse environmental effects be reviewed in an EIS and EIR, respectively. The Final EIS/EIR identified the environmental effects that would result from the Van Ness BRT Project. The document also identified measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts. On September 17, 2013, the SFCTA Board adopted the findings from the Final EIR and adopted statements of overriding considerations with respect to potential significant and unavoidable environmental impacts to approve the project. On December 20, 2013, the Federal Transit Administration issued a Record of Decision for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project, determining that the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act have been met through the Final EIS document and process.
Pursuant to requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, and reflecting refinements made during final design, the SFCTA has issued an Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project and made it available on the agency website. The addendum provides analysis on additional tree removals and replacements caused by four (4) conflicts with streetlight and support pole placement locations, as well as an increase in the proposed number of trees to be planted by the project. It also includes analysis on the cumulative scenario that incorporates additional sidewalk tree replacements proposed by Public Works through its separate Van Ness Avenue Streetscape Project.
For more information, please contact Sean Cronin, Public Relations Assistant, at sean.cronin@sfmta.com or 415.646.2302.