This settlement agreement brings an end to the final California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit challenging the Merced to Fresno project section Environmental Impact Report. The agreement provides for the preservation of important farmland and mitigation of effects of high-speed rail construction on agricultural operations.

"On behalf of the CHSRA's Board of Directors, we are committed to working in harmony with the agricultural community to preserve farmland in the Central Valley," said CHSRA Chairman Dan Richard. "This settlement clears the way for the CHSRA to move forward with construction of the first high-speed rail system in the nation and shows we can build high-speed rail while preserving precious resources."

http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/