October 2, Mr. John Staples U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 927 North Main Street Pleasantville, New Jersey 08232

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1 299 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey U.S.A Fax October 2, 2008 Mr. John Staples U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 927 North Main Street Pleasantville, New Jersey Re: Threatened and Endangered Species Data Request for the New Jersey Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Service Restoration Environmental Assessment, Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties, NJ. Dear Mr. Staples: NJ TRANSIT is currently investigating the restoration of rail service on the Lackawanna Cut-Off formerly operated as part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, as a transportation solution geared toward improving mobility within Morris, Sussex and Warren counties in New Jersey and Monroe, Lackawanna and Northampton Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. The service under consideration would operate between Scranton, Pa. and Hoboken, NJ. The portion of the Lackawanna Cut-Off located in New Jersey is currently inactive and is being assessed on the potential environmental impacts of reactivating commuter rail service between the Delaware River Viaduct and Port Morris, NJ. On behalf of NJ TRANSIT we are requesting an updated database search regarding threatened or endangered species along the project corridor and at proposed candidate station/yard locations. The alignment is highlighted in orange on the attached 11x17 copies of the Portland NJ. - PA., Blairstown, NJ., Tranquility, NJ. and the Stanhope, NJ. USGS 7.5 minute series topographic quadrangles. Proposed candidate station locations are called out and highlighted in tan along the proposed alignment. Each station would generally consist of a platform, pedestrian walkways where necessary, kiss-and-ride areas, and parking areas. Enclosed please find a copy of the previous response letter from May 30, We are requesting an updated response to the enclosed information.

2 Should you have any questions or require additional information to process this request, please contact Stephen Ricucci, Senior Environmental Planner, at (973) , extension 1364 Sincerely, Jayne Yost Senior Planner Enclosures: Previous response letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service New Jersey Field Office, dated May 30, USGS 7.5 minute topographic map quadrangles with the proposed alignment and potential station locations under study; Portland, NJ-PA. Blairstown, NJ. Tranquility, NJ. Stanhope, NJ. Page 2 of 2

3 299 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey U.S.A Fax October 2, 2008 Robert Anderson U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pennsylvania Field Office 315 South Allen Street, Suit 322 State College, PA Re: Threatened and Endangered Species Data Request for the New Jersey Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Service Restoration Environmental Assessment. Monroe, Lackawanna, and Northampton Counties, PA. Dear Mr. Anderson: NJ TRANSIT is currently investigating the restoration of rail service on the Lackawanna Cut-Off formerly operated as part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, as a transportation solution geared toward improving mobility within Monroe, Lackawanna and Northampton Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania and Warren, Sussex and Morris Counties in New Jersey. The service under consideration would operate between Scranton, Pa. and Hoboken, NJ. The portion of the corridor located in Pennsylvania remains active to freight rail service from Scranton to Slateford Junction in Northhampton County. An Environmental Assessment (EA) is in the process of being finalized pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, for the entire 88 mile corridor. On behalf of NJ TRANSIT we are requesting updated database information regarding threatened or endangered species along the project corridor and at proposed station/yard sites. The corridor is highlighted in transparent orange on the attached 11x17 copies of the Scranton, PA., Olyphant, PA., Moscow, PA., Sterling, PA., Tobyhanna, PA., Buck Hill Falls, PA., Pocono Pines, PA., Mount Pocono, PA., East Stroudsburg, PA., Stroudsburg, PA. and the Portland, NJ. - PA. USGS 7.5 minute series topographic quadrangles. Proposed candidate station/yard locations are called out and highlighted in tan along the proposed alignment. Each station would generally consist of a platform, pedestrian walkways where necessary, kissand-ride areas, and parking areas. Enclosed please find a copy of the previous response letter from August 21, We are requesting an updated response to the enclosed information.

4 Should you have any questions or require additional information to process this request, please contact Stephen Ricucci, Senior Environmental Planner, at (973) , extension Sincerely, Jayne Yost Senior Planner Enclosures; Previous response letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pennsylvania Field Office, August 21, USGS 7.5 min series topographic quadrangles under study; Scranton, PA. Olyphant, PA. Moscow, PA. Sterling, PA. Tobyhanna, PA. Buck Hill Falls, PA. Pocono Pines, PA. Mount Pocono, PA. East Stroudsburg, PA. Stroudsburg, PA. Portland, NJ-PA. Page 2 of 2

5 299 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey U.S.A Fax October 2, 2008 Kevin Mixon Environmental Review Specialist Bureau of Land Management Pennsylvania Game Commission 2001 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA Re: Threatened and Endangered Species Data Request for the New Jersey Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Service Restoration Environmental Assessment. Monroe, Lackawanna, and Northampton Counties, PA. Dear Mr. Mixon: NJ TRANSIT is currently investigating the restoration of rail service on the Lackawanna Cut-Off formerly operated as part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, as a transportation solution geared toward improving mobility within Monroe, Lackawanna and Northampton Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania and Warren, Sussex and Morris Counties in New Jersey. The service under consideration would operate between Scranton, Pa. and Hoboken, NJ. The portion of the corridor located in Pennsylvania remains active to freight rail service from Scranton to Slateford Junction in Northhampton County. On behalf of NJ TRANSIT we are requesting updated database information regarding threatened or endangered species along the project corridor and at proposed station sites. The corridor is highlighted in transparent orange on the attached 11x17 copies of the Scranton, PA., Olyphant, PA., Moscow, PA., Sterling, PA., Tobyhanna, PA., Buck Hill Falls, PA., Pocono Pines, PA., Mount Pocono, PA., East Stroudsburg, PA., Stroudsburg, PA. and the Portland, NJ. - PA. USGS 7.5 minute series topographic quadrangles. Proposed candidate station/yard locations are called out and highlighted in tan along the proposed alignment. Each station would generally consist of a platform, pedestrian walkways where necessary, kissand-ride areas, and parking areas. Enclosed please find a copy of the previous response letter from June 12, We are requesting an updated response to the enclosed information.

6 Should you have any questions or require additional information to process this request, please contact Stephen Ricucci, Senior Environmental Planner, at (973) , extension Sincerely, Jayne Yost Senior Planner Enclosures: Previous Pennsylvania Game Commission response letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, June 12, USGS 7.5 min series topographic quadrangles under study; Scranton, PA. Olyphant, PA. Moscow, PA. Sterling, PA. Tobyhanna, PA. Buck Hill Falls, PA. Pocono Pines, PA. Mount Pocono, PA. East Stroudsburg, PA. Stroudsburg, PA. Portland, NJ-PA. Page 2 of 2

7 299 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey U.S.A Fax October 2, 2008 Ellen M. Shultzabarger Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry P.O. Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA Re: Threatened and Endangered Species Data Request for the New Jersey Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Service Restoration Environmental Assessment. Monroe, Lackawanna, and Northampton Counties, PA. PER NO: Dear Ms. Shultzabarger: NJ TRANSIT is currently investigating the restoration of rail service on the Lackawanna Cut-Off formerly operated as part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, as a transportation solution geared toward improving mobility within Monroe, Lackawanna and Northampton Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania and Warren, Sussex and Morris Counties in New Jersey. The service under consideration would operate between Scranton, Pa. and Hoboken, NJ. The portion of the corridor located in Pennsylvania remains active to freight rail service from Scranton to Slateford Junction in Northhampton County. On behalf of NJ TRANSIT we are requesting updated database information regarding threatened or endangered species along the project corridor and at proposed station sites. The corridor is highlighted in transparent orange on the attached 11x17 copies of the Scranton, PA., Olyphant, PA., Moscow, PA., Sterling, PA., Tobyhanna, PA., Buck Hill Falls, PA., Pocono Pines, PA., Mount Pocono, PA., East Stroudsburg, PA., Stroudsburg, PA. and the Portland, NJ. - PA. USGS 7.5 minute series topographic quadrangles. Proposed candidate station/yard locations are called out and highlighted in tan along the proposed alignment. Each station would generally consist of a platform, pedestrian walkways where necessary, kissand-ride areas, and parking areas. Enclosed please find a copy of the previous response letter from May 18, 2007 and August 13, We are requesting an updated response to the enclosed information.

8 Should you have any questions or require additional information to process this request, please contact Stephen Ricucci, Senior Environmental Planner, at (973) , extension Sincerely, Jayne Yost Senior Planner Enclosures: Previous PNDI response letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, May 18, 2007 and August 13, USGS 7.5 min series topographic quadrangles under study; Scranton, PA. Olyphant, PA. Moscow, PA. Sterling, PA. Tobyhanna, PA. Buck Hill Falls, PA. Pocono Pines, PA. Mount Pocono, PA. East Stroudsburg, PA. Stroudsburg, PA. Portland, NJ-PA. Page 2 of 2

9 299 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey U.S.A Fax October 2, 2008 Christopher Urban, Chief Natural Diversity Section Division of Environmental Services Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission 450 Robinson Lane Bellefonte, PA Re: Threatened and Endangered Species Data Request for the New Jersey Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Service Restoration Environmental Assessment. Monroe, Lackawanna, and Northampton Counties, PA. Dear Mr. Urban: NJ TRANSIT is currently investigating the restoration of rail service on the Lackawanna Cut-Off formerly operated as part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, as a transportation solution geared toward improving mobility within Monroe, Lackawanna and Northampton Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania and Warren, Sussex and Morris Counties in New Jersey. The service under consideration would operate between Scranton, Pa. and Hoboken, NJ. The portion of the corridor located in Pennsylvania remains active to freight rail service from Scranton to Slateford Junction in Northhampton County. On behalf of NJ TRANSIT we are requesting updated database information regarding threatened or endangered species along the project corridor and at proposed station sites. The corridor is highlighted in transparent orange on the attached 11x17 copies of the Scranton, PA., Olyphant, PA., Moscow, PA., Sterling, PA., Tobyhanna, PA., Buck Hill Falls, PA., Pocono Pines, PA., Mount Pocono, PA., East Stroudsburg, PA., Stroudsburg, PA. and the Portland, NJ. - PA. USGS 7.5 minute series topographic quadrangles. Proposed candidate station/yard locations are called out and highlighted in tan along the proposed alignment. Each station would generally consist of a platform, pedestrian walkways where necessary, kissand-ride areas, and parking areas. Enclosed please find a copy of the previous response letter from June 19, We are requesting an updated response to the enclosed information.

10 Should you have any questions or require additional information to process this request, please contact Stephen Ricucci, Senior Environmental Planner, at (973) , extension Sincerely, Jayne Yost Senior Planner Enclosures: Previous response letter from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, June 19, USGS 7.5 min series topographic quadrangles under study; Scranton, PA. Olyphant, PA. Moscow, PA. Sterling, PA. Tobyhanna, PA. Buck Hill Falls, PA. Pocono Pines, PA. Mount Pocono, PA. East Stroudsburg, PA. Stroudsburg, PA. Portland, NJ-PA. Page 2 of 2

11 299 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey U.S.A Fax October 2, 2008 Mr. Herbert Lord Office of Natural Lands Management Natural Heritage Program P.O. Box South Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey Re: Threatened and Endangered Species Data Request for the New Jersey Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Service Restoration Environmental Assessment Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey. Dear Mr. Lord: NJ TRANSIT is currently investigating the restoration of rail service on the Lackawanna Cut-Off formerly operated as part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, as a transportation solution geared toward improving mobility within Morris, Sussex and Warren counties in New Jersey and Monroe, Lackawanna and Northampton Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. The service under consideration would operate between Scranton, Pa. and Hoboken, NJ. The portion of the Lackawanna Cut-Off located in New Jersey is currently inactive and is under study to assess the potential impacts of reactivating commuter rail service between the Delaware River Viaduct and Port Morris, NJ. On behalf of NJ TRANSIT we are requesting an updated database search regarding threatened or endangered species along the project corridor and at proposed candidate station locations. The alignment is highlighted in orange on the attached 11x17 copies of the Portland NJ. - PA., Blairstown, NJ., Tranquility, NJ. and the Stanhope, NJ. USGS 7.5 minute series topographic quadrangles. Proposed candidate station locations are called out and highlighted in tan along the proposed alignment. Each station would generally consist of a platform, pedestrian walkways where necessary, kiss-and-ride areas, and parking areas.

12 Enclosed please find a copy of the previous response letter. We are requesting your concurrence with this previous response or an updated response to the enclosed information. Should you have any questions or require additional information to process this request, please contact Stephen Ricucci, Senior Environmental Planner, at (973) , extension Sincerely, Jayne Yost Senior Planner Enclosures: Previous response letter from the Office of Natural Lands Management, Natural Heritage Program, May 22, USGS 7.5 min topographic map quadrangles with the proposed alignment and potential station locations under study; Portland, NJ-PA. Blairstown, NJ. Tranquility, NJ. Stanhope, NJ. Page 2 of 2

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29 299 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey U.S.A Fax December 24, 2008 Elaine Moyer U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pocono Field Office RR1, Box 1487 Gouldsboro, PA Re: Wetland Delineation Reports and Threatened and Endangered Species Assessment for the Non- MOS Segment of the New Jersey Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Service Restoration Project. Dear Ms. Moyer: As requested by Sam Reynolds, enclosed please find a copy of the Lackawanna Cut-off Passenger Rail Service Restoration Project Supplemental Threatened and Endangered Species Assessment for the Non- MOS segment of the project, which runs from Andover, NJ to Scranton, PA and copies of the Wetland Delineation Reports prepared for the New Jersey and Pennsylvania portions of the Non-MOS segment for your review. Previously Sam had provided comments on the MOS portion of the project, through a letter sent to FTA on September 5, We are assuming he will provide comments on the Non-MOS segment, with your input. Should you have any questions or require additional information to process this request, please contact me at (973) , extension 1202 or Kimberly.Glinkin@Jacobs.com. Sincerely, Kimberly Glinkin, AICP/PP Project Manager Jacobs Engineering Group cc: Vincent Truncellito, NJ TRANSIT Donald Burns, FTA

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37 Glinkin, Kimberly From: Glinkin, Kimberly Sent: Thursday, December 11, :04 PM To: Subject: NJ TRANSIT Lackawanna Cut-Off Rail Project Attachments: Pocono_Mtn._Analysis.pdf Pamela, The only project element that would have an impact to forests is the Pocono Mountain Station. This station would disturb approximately acres of forest. This same station is also the only project element in the vicinity of potential Bog turtle habitat, at a distance of more than 380 feet, as shown on the attached map. The other potential Bog turtle habitat locations identified in the Threatened and Endangered Species Assessment (PA-A, PA-B, PA-C, PA-D, and PA-E) are not located near any proposed sidings or stations or any other project element. Please let me know if any additional information or mapping would be useful for your review of the project. Thank you very much, Kim Glinkin Jacobs Engineering Group 299 Madison Avenue Morristown, NJ : x1202 : : kimberly.glinkin@jacobs.com Pocono_Mtn._Analy sis.pdf (2 MB...

38 Pocono Mountain Candidate Station Coolbaugh Township o Lynchwo d Lake Haw key R Feet ft t. 387 f 0 P Hawkey ond 1 To PA 61 - un Acres

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