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The Draft EIS Process
Draft EIS Packages
DEIS Package
A: GP + CR + CB85 (updated January 2007)
DEIS Package
B: TEL + BRT (updated January 2007)
DEIS
No Action Alternative (updated April 2007)
About the Draft EIS Process
Since early 2006, the North I-25 EIS project team has been diligently working on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS is an official document and includes the need for the project, describes alternatives considered, analyzes the environment, social and economic impacts for each alternative, and describe any steps to be taken to minimize, mitigate or avoid impacts. The complete DEIS process includes the following:
Step 1 - Development of DEIS Alternatives – Complete
The alternatives that remained after Level Three Screening were defined with a greater level of detail so that a full analysis can be completed. This greater level of detail includes:
- Locating transit stations
- Preliminary interchange and highway designs
- Determining frequency of planned transit service
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- Developing construction, operations and maintenance costs
- Identifying right-of-way needs
- Locating sites for retaining walls and fill slopes
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Step 2 - Analysis of DEIS Packages – Complete
The two DEIS Packages and the No-Action Alternative will be fully analyzed, according to such areas as:
- Transportation impacts and performance
- Impacts to properties (access, right-of-way (ROW), visibility, etc.)
- Impacts to natural resources (wildlife, water resources, wetlands, etc.)
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- Operational impacts such as noise or air quality
- Impacts to social and economic conditions
- Costs and funding possibilities
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Step 3 - Documenting the DEIS Chapters – Complete
The information developed throughout the entire study will be documented in a federally required report. This will include:
- Purpose and need for improvements
- Alternatives considered
- Existing conditions and environmental impacts
- Transportation impacts
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- Funding options
- Summary of costs and benefits
- Summary of public and agency involvement
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Step 4 - Review Process – Complete
The Draft EIS document is reviewed in detail by the several divisions of CDOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Authority Administration (FTA) and several cooperating agencies (RTD, US Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Railroad Administration). Comments and recommendations from these agencies are then incorporated into the document. Local agencies will receive three months to review the document and provide comment on details in their area and the alternatives as a whole. The final version of the Draft EIS will be signed by CDOT, FHWA and FTA and made available for public review.
Step 5 – Public Comment Period – October 31-December 30, 2008
The DEIS public comment period lasts 60 days. Community members that are interested in reviewing and commenting on the DEIS can view hard copies of the document at specific city buildings and libraries or on the project Web site. During this time, the project team will host a series of public hearings to receive input on the DEIS and gather public comments. The comments provided by community members and other interested parties are considered and documented for incorporation into the Final EIS document.
More Public Involvement information |
