Section 4: Public Involvement Following Project Approvals
Anchor: #i1005542Overview
Additional public involvement (opportunity, public hearing, public meeting or limited meeting) following the approval of a CE, FONSI or FEIS is scheduled when:
- substantial change occurs in the project (major design changes, changes in right of way requirements, etc.)
- substantial unanticipated development occurs in the project area
- new significant social, economic, and environmental effects are identified as project related
- An unusually long time passes before major steps are taken to advance the project. Major steps include authority to acquire right of way and issuance of construction letter of authority.
This section covers:
- re-evaluation and public involvement
- additional public hearing
- notice of construction
- participants
- press releases.
Re-evaluation and Public Involvement
|
If the project… |
Then the type of public involvement to use is… |
|---|---|
|
does not cause change in design concept or right-of-way requirements |
none |
|
is minor, necessitating a small amount of additional right-of-way |
MAPOs |
|
is a larger conceptual change |
public meeting or public hearing (in a hearing, the re-evaluation will be approved by FHWA or ENV after review of the hearing documentation) |
Anchor: #i1005613
Additional Public Hearing
An additional public hearing opportunity following environmental and public involvement clearance will be afforded if significant changes occur in land use, design, right of way requirements and traffic volumes or traffic patterns.
This is required only for projects on new locations or that involves the addition of at least one travel lane.
A public hearing will be held if at least 10 individuals request a hearing on a project where a public hearing is not required, such as for CE- type projects. See Section 2, Types of Public Involvement Procedures for more information on public hearings when not required by law.
Anchor: #i1005635Notice of Construction
A notice of construction serves to alert landowners, local governments, and public officials of projects that involve the addition of at least one travel lane or construction on a new location.
See Section 5—Notices and Media Releases for more information on notice of construction.
Anchor: #i1005650Participants
ENV receives an 8 1/2" x 11" location map of project area that must be submitted two weeks before the first publication date. ENV is responsible for mailing a copy of the notice and location map to state and federal agencies before the first publication date.
The district is responsible for mailing copies of the public hearing notice to landowners abutting the roadway within the project limits. At a minimum, tax rolls should be consulted to identify property owners. Other methods, such as city directories, etc., may also be used to identify property owners. Where there are multiple location alternatives, the district will send notices to abutting property owners for all location alternatives. The district may also post flyers, distribute press releases, etc. to further publicize the hearing.
Anchor: #i1005665Press Releases
Press releases can be used at any time to publicize information on projects. Project planning and development decisions are to be publ