Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as lead Federal agency, and the Niagara Frontier Transit Metro System, Inc. (Metro), as local project sponsor and joint lead agency have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation for the Buffalo-Amherst-Tonawanda Corridor Transit Expansion (the Proposed Project).

In the DEIS, FTA and Metro evaluated three alternatives, the No Action Alternative (No Build), the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Build Alternative, and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Build Alternative which is the Locally Preferred Alternative. The DEIS describes the potential social, economic, and environmental effects that may result from the Proposed Project. Where adverse impacts are identified, potential measures to mitigate those effects are described. The Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation documents the Proposed Project in terms of its compliance with the requirements of Section 4(f).

The DEIS and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation are available for a 45-day public review period (July 25, 2025 to September 8, 2025).

During this time, a public hearing will be held on August 19 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Sweet Home Middle School, 4150 Maple Rd, Amherst, NY 14226. You are invited to attend the public hearing and provide comments.

Public comments can also be provided, between July 25 and September 8, 2025, in one of the following ways:

To request a translator for a specific language, assistive listening system, or any other accommodation to facilitate review and comment of the DEIS, please contact Metro using the contact information above.


Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Chapters

  1. Abstract
  2. Executive Summary
  3. Chapter 1 Purpose and Need
  4. Chapter 2 Alternatives Considered
  5. Chapter 3 Transportation
  6. Chapter 4 Environmental Considerations
    1. 4.1 Property Acquisitions and Displacements
    2. 4.2 Land Use
    3. 4.3 Socioeconomic Conditions
    4. 4.4 Neighborhoods and Communities
    5. 4.5 Visual Quality
    6. 4.6 Historic and Cultural Resources
    7. 4.7 Parklands and Recreational Resources
    8. 4.8 Geology, Soils, and Prime Farmlands
    9. 4.9 General Ecology and Wildlife
    10. 4.10 Water Resources
    11. 4.11 Noise
    12. 4.12 Vibration
    13. 4.13 Air Quality
    14. 4.14 Energy
    15. 4.15 Hazardous Materials
    16. 4.16 Utilities
    17. 4.17 Construction Effects
    18. 4.18 Indirect and Cumulative Effects
    19. 4.19 Commitment of Resources
  7. Chapter 5 Section 4(f)
  8. Chapter 6 Comparison of Alternatives

Appendices

  1. A1 Project Purpose and Need
  2. A2 Alternatives Considered

  3. B1 Alternatives Considered Supplemental Information
  4. B2 Conceptual Design Plans

  5. C1 Transportation Technical Report
  6. C2 Travel Demand Forecasting
  7. C3 Access Modification Report

  8. D1 Potential Property Acquisitions Supplemental Information
  9. D2 Land Use Supplemental Information
  10. D3 Socioeconomic Conditions Supplemental Information
  11. D4 Neighborhoods and Communities Supplemental Information
  12. D5 Visual Impact Assessment
  13. D6 Parklands and Recreational Resources Supplemental Information
  14. D7 Noise and Vibration Supplemental Information
  15. D8 Air Quality Supplemental Information
  16. D9 Energy Supplemental Information
  17. D10 Construction Effects Supplemental Information
  18. D11 Indirect and Cumulative Effects Supplemental Information

  19. E1 Hazardous Materials Supplemental Information
  20. E2 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
  21. E3 Phase I Memo and Detailed Table Review

  22. F1 Historic and Cultural Resources Supplemental Information
  23. F2 Historic Resources Report
  24. F3 Historic Effects Assessment
  25. F4 Phase 1A
  26. F5 Archaeological Testing Work Plan
  27. F6 Supplemental Background Research
  28. F7 Section 106 Documentation

  29. G1 Detailed Geology, Soils, and Prime Farmlands Supplemental Information
  30. G2 Geotechnical Recommendations Report
  31. G3 Geotechnical Data Report

  32. H General Ecology and Wildlife Supplemental Information

  33. I1 Water Resources Supplemental Information
  34. I2 Wetland Determination Report
  35. I3 Stormwater Treatment Documentation
  36. I4 Hydraulics Analysis

  37. J1 Public Outreach and Coordination Report
  38. J2 Listening Sessions and Survey

  39. K Section 4(f) Evaluation Supplemental Information