ODOT’s Public Involvement Process PI and the Project Development Process Minimum PI Requirements

PI and the PDP Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services

The PDP  A project management and transportation decision-making tool  Facilitates project development and risk management  Enhances decision-making  Eliminates duplicate efforts among disciplines  Minimum PI requirements incorporated Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 3

A Phased Approach  Projects categorized as one of five paths  Each path advances through five phases  PI is “right-sized” within each phase to better support decision-making  Provides flexibility  Appropriate PI activities conducted Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 4

Project Manager Role  The DEC or District Environmental Staff may act in this role  Ensures the level of PI is commensurate with the project’s type and complexity  Ensures stakeholders and the public are informed appropriately of decisions made  Ensures appropriate opportunities to participate are given  Responsible for executing PI Plan Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 5

Minimum PI Requirements Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services

Level of PI  Minimum requirements are built-in to assure appropriate PI is conducted  Project-by-project  Not interpreted to mean that each project will only require the minimum  The PI approach is commensurate with a project’s type and complexity Anticipated impacts and unusual circumstances may require elevated PI  Ensures legal requirements are met and decision-making is enhanced Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 7

Level of PI  Avoid oversimplifying and failing to anticipate the need for PI  Conversely, do not build more into the process than is reasonably required  Be flexible, as it may become necessary to elevate the level of PI  Be proactive (not just reactive)  Consider and address community needs appropriately as a project progresses Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 8

Path 1  Traditional maintenance type actions  No right-of-way (ROW) or utility impacts  Include PI conducted per the STIP process  List active projects on district website  Provide contact information  Public Notifications  Standard plan notes executed by the contractor (e.g. construction schedule coordination, detours, roadway closures) Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 9

Path 1 Considerations  Internal consultation with specific ODOT divisions may be needed  Consultation may be requested by or needed with local officials or stakeholders  Maintenance of traffic concerns  Minor local controversy  Circumstances may warrant additional PI  Property Owner Notification Letters  Resource specific PI Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 10

Path 2  Involve minor ROW acquisitions  Culvert and bridge replacements  Addition of turn lanes and shoulders  Property Owner Notification Letters  If impacted by the project Access restrictions, ROW acquisition  A PI activity Not just right-of-entry notification  Stakeholder Consultation  Public Notifications Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 11

Path 2 Considerations  Internal consultation with specific ODOT divisions may be needed  Consultation may be requested by or needed with local officials or stakeholders  Maintenance of traffic concerns  Minor local controversy  Circumstances may warrant additional PI  Resource Specific PI Section 106, Noise, or Aesthetic Design 12 Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services

Path 3  Involve a higher level of complexity  ROW acquisition/minor utility impacts  Can be Non-Complex or Complex, depending on the range of technical issues and impacts  Property Owner Notification Letters  If impacted by the project  A PI activity  Potential exists for increased contact with property owners Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 13

Path 3  Stakeholder Consultation  As appropriate  Press Release  Public Notifications  May require a higher level of District PIO involvement than for a Path 1 or Path 2  May include project updates via list, direct mailings, fliers, as appropriate  Public Meeting, as appropriate Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 14

Path 3 Considerations  Complex Path 3 projects generally require preparation of a Feasibility Study  Stakeholder consultation occurs at the completion of the Feasibility Study  Stakeholder consultation occurs at the completion of an AER (if needed)  Stakeholder meetings may be appropriate prior to presenting Feasible Alternatives to the public  Comments received are addressed as the project continues through the PDP Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 15

Path 4  Involve complex roadway/structure work  May add capacity  May involve substantial utility and ROW impacts or relocations  Typically involve multiple alternatives  Property Owner Notification Letters  If impacted by the project or as appropriate  A PI activity  Increased contact with property owners Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 16

Path 4  Stakeholder Consultation  More involvement than Path 2 or Path 3  Press Release  More numerous and specific in nature  Potential for local media attention  Public Notifications  Greater emphasis on providing project updates via list, direct mailings, fliers, newsletters, surveys, etc.  Use of social media more prominent Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 17

Path 4  Public Meetings  Open House or Formal format recommended  Open mic strongly encouraged for higher level CEs; required for EAs and EISs  Public Hearings are required for Path 4 projects that are an EA or EIS Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 18

Path 4 Considerations  Stakeholders are provided an opportunity to review Feasibility Studies and Alternative Evaluation Reports (AERs)  Stakeholder consultation typically occurs after the Feasibility Study and the AER have been completed Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 19

Path 5  A higher level of complexity and the potential to involve a high level of impacts  Substantial ROW relocations and impacts  Involve multiple alternatives  Property Owner Notification Letters  If impacted by the project or as appropriate  Treat as PI related activity  Increased contact with property owners Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 20

Path 5  Stakeholder Consultation  Potential more involvement than Path 4  Involves multiple stakeholder meetings  Press Release  Numerous and specific in nature  High level of local media attention  Public Notifications  Higher level of project updates via direct mailings, fliers, newsletters, surveys, etc.  Use of social media prominent Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 21

Path 5  Public Meetings  Open House style or formal presentation  Open mic strongly encouraged for higher level CEs; required for EAs and EISs  Public Hearings are required for Path 5 projects that are an EA or EIS Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 22

Path 5 Considerations  Stakeholders are provided an opportunity to review Feasibility Studies and Alternative Evaluation Reports (AERs)  Stakeholder consultation typically occurs after the Feasibility Study and the AER have been completed Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 23

Summary  District Environmental Staff, the PM and the Project Management Team ensure the appropriate level of PI is conducted  The level of PI is commensurate with a project’s type and complexity  Anticipated impacts and unusual circumstances may require elevated PI Public Involvement Training Class – Presented by the Office of Environmental Services 24