Canaveral Port Authority-Petition for Exemption To Construct and Operate a Rail Line Extension to Port Canaveral, Florida

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The Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) plans to file a request with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502 for authority to construct and operate approximately 11 miles of new rail line to Port Canaveral (Port) in Brevard County, Florida. The proposed Port Canaveral Rail Extension (PCRE) would also utilize approximately 17 miles of existing rail line at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to make a connection with a main line of the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC). The proposed PCRE would provide the Port with direct access to freight rail service. The new rail line would begin near the Port's North Cargo Area, extend west across the Banana River, enter KSC on Merritt Island south of Kars Park, and then turn north through KSC grounds where it would connect with KSC's existing rail line. The construction and operation of the proposed PCRE has the potential to result in significant environmental impacts; therefore, the Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) has determined that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is appropriate to satisfy the Board's obligations under th