At its Dec. 3 meeting, the CA HSR Authority board members unanimously voted to 'decertify' the program EIR to comply with a judge's order in a suit brought by Peninsula cities and rail and environmental nonprofits over the corridor to the Bay Area.
With the Nov. 3 ruling of Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny on the litigation and the Dec. 3 decision of the HSRA made to comply with it now made, there is still uncertainty as to how to how these decisions will affect progress on the project. Altamont Pass (through the East Bay) proponents believe that they now have an opportunity to press their alternative, while HSRA still feel they can go ahead with Pacheco Pass (through the South Bay).
"By a 7-0 vote, the board of the California High Speed Rail Authority on Thursday decertified the massive environmental study that the agency completed last year approving the route. The board directed its staff to draw up new information to add to the study, in particular, various options showing how the trains might go from Gilroy to San Jose if the agency cannot get permission from Union Pacific Railroad to allow high-speed trains to operate in the right of way of existing tracks between the two cities.
Jeff Barker, deputy director of the High Speed Rail Authority, stressed that Thursday's decision does not mean that the agency is abandoning the Pacheco Pass route in favor of a northern route over Altamont Pass, as some groups have urged."
"By no means are we starting from scratch on this," Barker said. "Pacheco Pass is our preferred route."
From SF Chronicle:
"The groups involved in the lawsuit objected to the authority's selection of Pacheco Pass over Altamont Pass as the gateway to the Bay Area, and still consider it a superior choice, said Gary Patton, special counsel for the Planning and Conservation League, which joined in filing the suit.
Peremptory Writ of Mandate (PDF)
Thanks to MTC-ABAG Library
FULL STORY: California high-speed rail route through Pacheco Pass could be adjusted

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service