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Where are we at?

The Final Environmental Impact Statement is being released for public review in April 2009.  The document can be viewed online at www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/eis_ea.shtml or at any of the locations listed in the FEIS News Release. The review period for the FEIS begins April 10, 2009 and comments are being accepted until May 11, 2009, and can be submitted either by:

  • Visiting the Final Environmental Impact Statement web site
  • Sending written comments to Tom Martin, MDT, PO Box 201001, 2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, MT 59602-1001.

The schedule (PDF version) for the project and the tasks that are included are driven by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, described below. A diagram of the NEPA process is also provided.

What is NEPA?

NEPA is the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The goal being to "encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment." NEPA encourages good planning by defining an analysis process for sound decision-making considering the technical, economic and environmental factors.

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WHAT DOES NEPA REQUIRE OF AGENCIES?
  • Consider appropriate environmental factors when making decision, not basing decisions solely on technical and economic factors.
  • Involve the affected and interested public early in its environmental analysis process.
  • Document the environmental analysis process in plain language for the decision-maker and the public. On the Rockvale to Laurel Road Reconstruction Project, the environmental documentation will be an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

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WHAT PROCEDURE DOES NEPA REQUIRE?

NEPA has three Principal Procedural Requirements:

  • Give appropriate consideration to unqualified environmental amenities in decision making, along with economic and technical considerations.
  • Make diligent efforts to invite and solicit comments for the affected and interested public.
  • Write detailed statements (EA or EIS) that clearly describe the potential environmental impacts of the proposed actions and other environmental documents that clearly present the rational for the decision.

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WHAT IS THE EIS USED FOR?

The EIS is a historical record of the environmental analysis. It functions in the following ways:

  • Is used by the decision maker to make sound decisions
  • Informs the public of the results of analysis
  • Serves as a springboard for public comment
  • Proves that the NEPA procedural requirements have been followed.

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WHAT WILL THE FINAL EIS INCLUDE?

The EIS is a disclosure summary with legally important supporting information in appendixes and the analysis file. It includes:

  • Purpose & Need…What are the issues?
    Who wants to do what; where and when they want to do it; and why (objectives)
  • Alternatives… Proposed actions will be described
    Alternatives and the environmental consequences will be described. Discussion will focus on potential actions, outputs and mitigation. All alternatives must meet project objectives (fulfill the need) and be environmentally acceptable.
  • Affected Environment
    The existing environment is described including physical, biological, social, and economic features of the environment.
  • Environmental Consequences
    Technical and scientific support used by the decision-maker (Montana Department of Transportation), information to select the alternative that best fulfills objectives and meets minimal environmental guidelines.

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