In its continued efforts to ensure comprehensive public participation, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) will extend the public review and comment period for the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Fresno to Bakersfield Section of the High-Speed Train Project to 90-days ending on October 19, 2012.

“We recognize the magnitude of the document and by extending the review and comment period to 90-days we provide the public with ample access, time and ability to respond,” said Jeff Morales, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. “When released in July, the Authority provided a 60-day public review and comment period, which is 15-days more than required by law.”

The extension is a result of stakeholder interest and time extension requests, including that of the Citizens for California High-Speed Rail Accountability, and the Authority’s commitment to public engagement.

The Authority will accept public comment on the revised documents from July 20 to October 19, 2012. Comments can be sent via regular mail, email, through the Authority website or at public hearings scheduled on the dates noted below. Comments received during the public comment period will be reviewed and considered, and responses to comments will be provided in the Final EIR/EIS document, anticipated for public release in early 2013.

Comments on the Draft EIR/EIS circulated in 2011 will also be addressed in the Final EIR/EIS.