Scoping

The public scoping process begins after the publication of the Notice of Intent (NOI). During scoping, the plan for conducting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process is issued in the form of a Scoping Document, which describes the purpose and need of the project, the range of anticipated impacts to be analyzed and the methodologies to be employed to assess impacts. The document may also include a preliminary range of alternatives (though these may be developed in more detail later on in the process). The public and interested parties are invited to offer comments on the plan, both orally at publicized meetings and in writing.

Public Scoping Meeting
The purpose of the public scoping meeting, held after the publication of the NOI, is to gather input and feedback on the Scoping Document.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meetings
TAC meetings will consist of primarily government agencies that can provide more technical information in the development and evaluation of feasible alternatives.

Regional Citizens’ Liaison Committee (RCLC) Meetings
RCLC meetings provide an open forum for discussion, encourage interaction among key participants, and allow committee members to voice issues and concerns of their constituencies. The RCLC will meet several times throughout the EIS process. The first meeting will review the methodology and criteria by which the alternatives will be screened, as well as the list of alternatives.

Open Houses
Once the Draft EIS (DEIS) is completed, there will be open house meetings that will include formal presentations and informal discussions with study team members and meeting attendees.

Public Hearing
The public will be given an opportunity to comment on the DEIS at a public hearing. The public will be notified 30 days prior to the hearing, and will be given 45 days to comment following the meeting.