07.08 - Update on Highway 371 Project

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Highway 371 North Technical Advisory Committee(TAC)-#5 December 17,2003 Page 2 C. Selection of Preferred Alternative Process—The TAC discussed the process that Mn/DOT will be following before selecting a preferred alternative. Chris indicated that the Draft EIS will be published and made available for review and comment on Monday, December 22, 2003. A 45- day comment period will extend through February 9,2004,during which time comments can be submitted regarding the analysis presented in the document or statements of preference on the alternatives being considered. Furthermore, a public hearing/open house will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2004. The purpose of the hearing/open house is to present the social, economic, and environmental impact findings of the Draft EIS and to afford an opportunity for all interested persons, agencies, and groups to comment on the project. The technical information presented in the Draft EIS along with the comments received on the project will be used by Mn/DOT in selecting a preferred alternative. Craig Robinson indicated that the final decision on the selection of the preferred alternative is made by the Commissioner of Transportation and then concurred upon by the Federal Highway Administration. D. Final EIS and Layout — Chris indicated that following the selection of a preferred alternative, more detailed layouts and a Final EIS will be prepared. The tentative schedule for completing the preliminary design and EIS process is the end of 2004. IV. PUBLIC/AGENCY INVOLVEMENT A. August 66' Community Meetings — Chris briefly summarized the open house meeting held in August,which focused on the detailed traffic analysis completed for Pequot Lakes,Jenkins, and Pine River. Chris indicated that the traffic simulation models presented back in August would again be presented at the January 14,2004 Draft EIS public hearing/open house. B. Newsletter#3—the third project newsletter is being mailed December 180'and 19th to the entire project mailing list that includes more than 1,300 residents and property owners along the Highway 371 corridor. The newsletter provides a project update as well as announces the upcoming public hearing/open house. C. Website — the project website has been updated and includes aerial images or the four build alternatives (Alts. 2, 3, 4, and 5) as well as an electronic copy of the Draft EIS. Due to the relatively large size of these files it may take several minutes to download the information if you do not have access to a high-speed internet connection. V. NEXT MEETING The next TAC meeting will occur following the selection of a preferred alternative. A date and time will be announced to the TAC at a later date. Remember to visit the Highway 371 North Improvement Project Web Site at the following address: www.projects.dot.state.mn.us/seh/371 w:NkoUmm>PX 17MwordWinutesUw\12.17-03 tacldm I