What is an Environmental Impact Statement?
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that evaluates and identifies effects a proposed project will have on the natural and human environment. This evaluation includes discussions of existing conditions, the proposed alternatives, and the effects the proposed project may have on the environment.
What is the EIS process for the I-90 project?
WSDOT began studying the project corridor in 1998 and is currently finishing the NEPA process. WSDOT formed an Inter Disciplinary Team (IDT) to act as an advisory body to assist WSDOT decision-makers in selecting a preferred alternative. WSDOT and the IDT developed a purpose and need for the project and alternate alignment routes. A specific route has been recommended for construction by the IDT.
Several design alternatives within the recommended route were developed and the IDT determined two major decisions remain. These two decisions are:
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Which proposed Keechelus Lake alignment will be recommended?
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Which proposed Connectivity Emphasis Area (CEA) option will be recommended in combination with other improvements at each CEA location?
What discipline studies were developed to support the EIS?
The following studies have been done to support the information in the EIS:
- Aquatic Species
- Terrestrial Species
- Wetlands
- Water Resources
- Cultural/Archaeological Resources
- Air Quality
- Noise (Acoustics)
- Hazardous, Toxic and Radiological Waste
- Visual/Aesthetic Resources
- Recreation/4(f) Evaluation
- Land Use
- Geology & Soils/Material Sources
- Transportation & Traffic
- Energy
- Utilities
- Public Services
- Socio-Economics
- Environmental Justice
- Right-of-way
Time and resources have been allocated to study these subjects and the effects of each alternative. WSDOT has documented baseline conditions, evaluated habitat quality, and assessed impacts to federally listed species throughout the project.
After collecting data and inventorying the social, economic and environmental effects of the project, the IDT produced a list of recommended alternatives to be considered in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
When was the draft EIS published?
The Draft EIS for this project was released June 10, 2005 for public review. Starting on June 10, 2005, public comments were collected on the Draft EIS. This period ended August 12, 2005. To facilitate taking public comments, WSDOT held three public hearings, one in Ellensburg, one in Hyak, and one in Seattle.
Where have all your comments gone?
In response to the I-90, Snoqualmie Pass East Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), WSDOT has received over 3,300 comments. Public comments are an important part of the project development process. Please be patient as we consider these comments in our design decision process as part of our final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Many of these comments are helping us address issues as we move forward with decisions related to the identification of our preferred alternative and our early design. We will address these comments either within the FEIS or in the appendix of the FEIS, which will be finalized in the winter of 2008. We would like to thank you for your participation and attentive consideration given to the development of this project.
A Record of Decision explains the logic behind the preferred alternatives selection and will be included into the Final EIS. The Record of Decision signifies the end of the environmental impact statement portion of the project. It also contains all comments received from the DEIS review period and a written response to each comment.
If you would like to receive a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and/or be added to the project mailing list, please fill out the information request form.