How was the public be involved in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process?
The first formal opportunity for public involvement was the scoping process, held in January 2007, where the public was encouraged to provide the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) with comments on issues related to the project that should be addressed in the Draft EIS (DEIS). Following the scoping process, the public continued to provide input throughout the EIS process. Public hearings and open houses were held to solicit comments on the DEIS in March of 2008. In addition, a Regional Citizens’ Liaison Committee (RCLC) was created to provide the opportunity for community members to have input. The RCLC met a total of 5 times throughout the EIS process. Project information, including updates, was also be available to the public on this website and in periodic newsletters and press releases. Following completion and issuance of the DEIS, comments, suggestions and other information gathered at the public hearings were addressed in the Final EIS (FEIS).
