INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Once a federal Environmental Impact Study is released, Indian River County residents and officials will now have 75 days to review it instead of 60.
Also, as requested by city and county governments in a series of resolutions, All-Aboard Florida will hold a local public meeting about the high-speed rail project. All-Aboard Florida is set to run a passenger train 32 times per day through Sebastian, Vero Beach and the unincorporated county at up to 110 miles per hour.
There is no stop slated for Vero Beach or anywhere else on the Treasure Coast. Stops will be in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Miami.
Local governments had asked for more time, even up to 180 days if possible, to review the findings of a federal study of impacts to the area, the study being required because All-Aboard Florida has requested federal loans to help finance the project.
“Our request to extend seems to have been well-received,” said Commissioner Bob Solari.
Solari noted that the 75 days was not the length of time he wanted, but that it was progress. Solari also noted that he heard that the public might not be able to comment live at the local forum, but only to submit comments in writing, and that he would look into that.
Chairman Peter O’Bryan countered Solari’s position, saying, “I would totally disagree that we thank them for increasing it from 60 to 75 days. It’s hard to think that 15 days will really affect their timeline.”
“This should put us on notice that this is going to be a long, hard battle,” O’Bryan continued. “We want and we need the full 90 days.”
The study is expected to come out in June.
