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Public Meeting 1: August 30, 2000

The first of a series of public meetings to discuss the proposed reconstruction of Highway 212 between Rockvale and Laurel was held on August 30, 2000, at Graff Elementary School in Laurel. The purpose of the meeting, hosted by MDT, was to introduce the project, the planning and design team, and corridors under consideration. Attendees were asked to comment on four alternative corridors and encouraged to stay involved throughout the proposed 2-year Environmental Impact Statement preparation process. The meeting format was an open house with informational displays from 4:30 to 8:30 and presentations at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Approximately 108 people attended, including many property owners, local government representatives from Yellowstone and Carbon Counties, as well as the towns of Laurel, Red Lodge, Silesia, Fort Rockvale, Boyd, Joliet, and Roberts.

Exhibits addressed the NEPA process, project description, the study area, project schedule (Flash or PDF version), and issues to be considered in the EIS. Map displays included an inventory of environmental constraints, land use and alternative corridors under consideration. The difference between a corridor and an alignment was explained. Discussions during the first meeting focused on alternative corridors rather than specific alignments. The attendees were informed that specific alignments would be presented at the second public meeting scheduled for late October or early November.

At two points of the evening, formal presentations were made. Speakers included Bruce Barrett, MDT District Administrator; Steve Alters, Project Manger for CH2M HILL; Denny Mengel of CH2M HILL, Principal Author of the EIS; and Sandy Fischer of Fischer & Associates, the local consultant retained to manage the public involvement process. Following the presentation, a question and answer session provided attendees an opportunity to ask questions. Bruce Barrett answered most of the questions.

The meeting was designed to allow several formats and opportunities for public comment.

  • All attendees were encouraged to sign in at the registration table. The registrants' names were added to the master mailing list. They will receive future meeting notices and newsletters.
  • A member of the design team manned each of five display stations. Comments were recorded and incorporated into the comment record.
  • Four formats for comments were provided at the public comment display, including a tape recorder, a lap top computer, a person to transcribe comments, and a survey form.
  • The meeting incorporated two exercises to encourage dialogue. A large color aerial photo was available for people to comment on. A preliminary list of issues associated with each of four corridors was taped to the wall, and participants were encouraged to add comments.

Products of the first public meeting included the following:

  • Comment Record
  • An expanded mailing list
  • Meeting record
  • Map with participant notes
  • Expanded issue summary for each of four alternative corridors