The NEPA process emphasizes the importance of public involvement. There are two phases during preparation of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) when the public can provide input:  the Scoping Period and the Draft EIS review.

Draft EIS Review Period

The Draft EIS was released for public review on May 31, 2016. The public comment period was set to end July 18 and has been extended by 30 days. The public comment period will now end on August 17, 2016. Notice of this extension was issued in the Federal Register.

Public comments on the Draft EIS are requested pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. All written comments received during the comment period will become part of the public record and will be considered during preparation of the Final EIS.

Comments may be submitted until August 17, 2016 by one of the following methods:

Email: MDA.CIS.EIS@BV.com

Mail:
Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp.
Attn: MDA CIS EIS
6800 W. 115th Street, Suite 2200
Overland Park, KS 66211-2420

Public Meetings

Similar to the scoping meetings held in 2014, public meetings were held in June 2016 to allow attendees to talk with subject matter experts and learn about findings in the Draft EIS. Attendees were able to provide verbal and written comments.

The open house events and dates were as follows:

• June 21, 2016
  5 p.m to 8 p.m.
  Lakeview Middle School
  300 S 28th St.
  Battle Creek, Michigan
• June 23, 2016
  5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Richland Community Center
  9400 E. Cd Ave.
  Richland, Michigan
• June 28, 2016
  5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Carthage Senior High School
  36500 New York 26
  Carthage, New York
• June 30, 2016
  5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Ravenna High School
  6589 N. Chestnut Street
  Ravenna, Ohio

Scoping Period

The MDA held scoping meetings in the local communities of Ravenna, Ohio; Galesburg and Battle Creek, Michigan; Carthage, New York; and Rangeley and Farmington, Maine, to share information about the EIS process, gather feedback and solicit comments.

The meeting dates were as follows:

• Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014: Ravenna High School, Ravenna, Ohio (6 – 9 p.m.)

• Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014: Rangeley Lakes Regional School, Rangeley, Maine (6 – 9 p.m.)

• Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014: Rangeley Lakes Regional School, Rangeley, Maine (9 a.m. – Noon)

• Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014: University of Maine, Farmington, Maine (9 a.m. – Noon, and 6 – 9 p.m.)

• Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014: Carthage High School, Carthage, N.Y. (6 – 9 p.m.)

• Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014: McCamly Plaza Hotel, Battle Creek, Mich. (6 – 9 p.m.)

• Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014: Sherman Lake YMCA, Augusta, Mich. (6 – 9 p.m.)

The public meetings were in an open house format, which provided attendees with the opportunity to talk with and ask questions of representatives from the MDA and local installation.  Additionally, the public had the opportunity to provide verbal and written official comments on the proposed project.

The scoping comment period has closed. However, the draft EIS is being prepared and will be available for public comment. Your input is important to ensure significant environmental issues, other areas of concern, and alternatives are considered early in the EIS process.