fort drum connector (i-81 to rte 11) i-81 and the north gate of fort drum. improve the current and...

Fort Drum ConnectorFort Drum Connector(I(I--81 to Rte 11)81 to Rte 11)

PIN 780426PIN 780426

Preliminary Environmental Review (PER)Preliminary Environmental Review (PER)MeetingMeeting

with Cooperating/Regulatory Agencieswith Cooperating/Regulatory Agencies

April 11, 2007April 11, 2007

Purpose of PER MeetingPurpose of PER Meeting

Purpose:Purpose: Encourage effective collaboration with Cooperating &Encourage effective collaboration with Cooperating &

Regulatory Agencies, at an early stage in projectRegulatory Agencies, at an early stage in projectdevelopmentdevelopment

Goals:Goals: Promote dialogue between Agencies & improve the EISPromote dialogue between Agencies & improve the EIS

review processreview process Verify the project aspects (as presented in the PreVerify the project aspects (as presented in the Pre--DraftDraft

EIS): purpose and need, alternative selection (includingEIS): purpose and need, alternative selection (includingavoidance measures), and potential environmental impactsavoidance measures), and potential environmental impacts

Identify any major concerns (fatal flaws) and permittingIdentify any major concerns (fatal flaws) and permittingissuesissues

Purpose of PER MeetingPurpose of PER Meeting

Focus:Focus: Candid feedback from each Agency, addressing theCandid feedback from each Agency, addressing the

specific Review Topicsspecific Review Topics

Review Topics:Review Topics: The Purpose and Needs of the projectThe Purpose and Needs of the project The Project Objectives.The Project Objectives. The development of the alternatives (& initialThe development of the alternatives (& initial

avoidance measures)avoidance measures) The selection of the Feasible Alternatives, that meetThe selection of the Feasible Alternatives, that meet

the project objectivesthe project objectives The measures taken to avoid, minimize and mitigateThe measures taken to avoid, minimize and mitigate

potential environmental impactspotential environmental impacts All potential regulatory permitting issuesAll potential regulatory permitting issues

Early EnvironmentalEarly EnvironmentalCoordination ProcessCoordination Process

April 15, 2005April 15, 2005 NEPA Scoping LettersNEPA Scoping Letters May 26, 2006May 26, 2006 NEPA Issues MeetingNEPA Issues Meeting April 11, 2007April 11, 2007 PrePre-- DEIS Review MeetingDEIS Review Meeting Previous and onPrevious and on--going reviews during thegoing reviews during the

development of the Environmentaldevelopment of the EnvironmentalDocuments (EIS/TechnicalDocuments (EIS/TechnicalMemorandums)Memorandums)

Next StepsNext Steps(Proposed Schedule)(Proposed Schedule)

April 17, 2007April 17, 2007 Deadline for comments (to PreDeadline for comments (to Pre--DEIS)DEIS)from Cooperating/Regulatory Agenciesfrom Cooperating/Regulatory Agencies

April 24, 2007*April 24, 2007* DEIS is published & released (45 dayDEIS is published & released (45 dayagency review/comment period begins)agency review/comment period begins)

May 23May 23,, 2007*2007* Public HearingPublic Hearing

June 8, 2007*June 8, 2007* Official responses due from Coop/Official responses due from Coop/RegRegAgenciesAgencies (if DEIS released by April)(if DEIS released by April)..

Mid Sept., 2007*Mid Sept., 2007* FEIS published & releasedFEIS published & released

End Oct., 2007*End Oct., 2007* Official responses due fromOfficial responses due fromCooperating/Regulatory AgenciesCooperating/Regulatory Agencies

Basis for Fort DrumBasis for Fort DrumConnector ProjectConnector Project

Initiated to address Fort DrumInitiated to address Fort Drum’’s Needss Needs-- Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons

(Protect Fort Drum in BRAC Review)(Protect Fort Drum in BRAC Review)-- Area Transportation NeedsArea Transportation Needs

Expansion @ Fort Drum (3Expansion @ Fort Drum (3rdrd Brigade)Brigade)-- Population increase of 10,000Population increase of 10,000-- Commercial development (Commercial development (WalWal--mart)mart)-- Greater trafficGreater traffic

Political SupportPolitical Support

High Priority SAFETEAHigh Priority SAFETEA--LU ProjectLU Project(Federal Legislative line item).(Federal Legislative line item).-- Congress proposed the project to meetCongress proposed the project to meet

Fort DrumFort Drum’’s needss needs

NYSDOT project of StatewideNYSDOT project of StatewideSignificanceSignificance-- New York StateNew York State proposed the project dueproposed the project due

toto Fort DrumFort Drum’’s regional importances regional importance

Importance of Fort DrumImportance of Fort Drum --Military InfluenceMilitary Influence

Essential for National SecurityEssential for National Security-- Power Projection Platform (Airport);Power Projection Platform (Airport);

Deployment Center for NortheastDeployment Center for Northeast

-- Home of the 10Home of the 10thth Mountain Division;Mountain Division;Most Deployed Army (LI) DivisionMost Deployed Army (LI) Division

-- Premiere Military Training FacilityPremiere Military Training Facility

Importance of Fort DrumImportance of Fort Drum --Economic InfluenceEconomic Influence Regional Economic ImportanceRegional Economic Importance

-- Direct Economic ImpactsDirect Economic Impacts2004 Spending, $653 million2004 Spending, $653 million2005 Spending, $822 million2005 Spending, $822 million2006 Spending, $1.252006 Spending, $1.25 bbillionillion

Total Spending (1988Total Spending (1988--2006),2006), $9.115$9.115 bbillionillion

-- Indirect/Secondary Economic ImpactsIndirect/Secondary Economic ImpactsResidential & Commercial DevelopmentResidential & Commercial DevelopmentCommunity GrowthCommunity GrowthRegional Economic GrowthRegional Economic Growth

Project Purpose & NeedsProject Purpose & Needs

Enhance the Strategic Viability of Fort DrumEnhance the Strategic Viability of Fort Drum-- 44-- Lane Connection to InterstateLane Connection to Interstate-- Improved Redundant Deployment RouteImproved Redundant Deployment Route-- Enough Housing for MilitaryEnough Housing for Military

Address the increased and anticipated trafficAddress the increased and anticipated trafficvolumes.volumes.

Address safety concerns.Address safety concerns.

Strategic Viability ofStrategic Viability ofFort Drum (BRAC)Fort Drum (BRAC)

Need regional infrastructure that supports theNeed regional infrastructure that supports theoverall function of the Army Base in theoverall function of the Army Base in thecontext of the Base Realignment & Closurecontext of the Base Realignment & Closure(BRAC) review(BRAC) review

A 4A 4--lane connection to Interstate (tolane connection to Interstate (toserve operational / logistical needs)serve operational / logistical needs)

Desirable Redundant RouteDesirable Redundant RouteEnough offEnough off--base housing for militarybase housing for military

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

Enhance the longEnhance the long--term strategic viability of the Fort Drum Army Base byterm strategic viability of the Fort Drum Army Base bymeeting the United States Department of Defensemeeting the United States Department of Defense’’s operational needs fors operational needs forrapid deployment of troops and material, as well as the day to drapid deployment of troops and material, as well as the day to day operationsay operationsand transportation needs of those stationed at or living on Fortand transportation needs of those stationed at or living on Fort Drum.Drum.

Improve the highway safety conditions for users of the transportImprove the highway safety conditions for users of the transportation linkation linkbetween Ibetween I--81 and the North Gate of Fort Drum.81 and the North Gate of Fort Drum.

Improve the current and projected traffic capacity and operationImprove the current and projected traffic capacity and operational conditionsal conditionsof the highway system between Iof the highway system between I--81 and the North Gate of Fort Drum.81 and the North Gate of Fort Drum.

Optimize the transportation link between IOptimize the transportation link between I--81 and the North Gate of Fort81 and the North Gate of FortDrum to meet the needs of current and future users.Drum to meet the needs of current and future users.

Enhance the overall economic viability of the businesses and comEnhance the overall economic viability of the businesses and communitiesmunitieswithin the study area.within the study area.

Provide a transportation system that avoids and/or minimizes impProvide a transportation system that avoids and/or minimizes impacts to theacts to theenvironment in accordance with State and Federal policies andenvironment in accordance with State and Federal policies andguidelines.guidelines.

Project Location MapProject Location Map

2222 Sq.MiSq.Mi..Study AreaStudy Areato evaluateto evaluate

Endpoints:Endpoints:Fort DrumFort Drum& I& I--8181

WatertownWatertown

Fort DrumFort Drum

Development of AlternativesDevelopment of Alternatives

Strategy used to develop alternatives that wouldStrategy used to develop alternatives that wouldminimize the impacts to resources:minimize the impacts to resources: Initial Avoidance Measure: Define possibleInitial Avoidance Measure: Define possible alignmentsalignmentsthatthat avoidavoid known resourcesknown resources** Secondary Measure: Compare possibleSecondary Measure: Compare possible

alternatives for effectiveness and impactsalternatives for effectiveness and impacts**, when, whenselecting the Feasible Alternativesselecting the Feasible Alternatives

Further evaluation of Feasible Alternatives forFurther evaluation of Feasible Alternatives forSocial, Economic & Environmental impactsSocial, Economic & Environmental impacts

Investigate further means to avoid, minimize orInvestigate further means to avoid, minimize ormitigate during Final Design of Preferred Alternativemitigate during Final Design of Preferred Alternative(* using Constraints Map as screening tool)(* using Constraints Map as screening tool)

ConstraintsConstraintsMapMap

CorridorCorridorOptionsOptions

Northern Corridor

342 Corridor

Southern Corridor

20 Potential20 PotentialAlignmentAlignmentAlternativesAlternatives

(3) Feasible(3) FeasibleAlternativesAlternatives

Northern AlternativeNorthern AlternativeView from I81View from I81Facing East (Existing)Facing East (Existing)

Northern AlternativeNorthern AlternativeView from I81View from I81Facing East (Proposed)Facing East (Proposed)

Northern AlternativeNorthern AlternativeView from Fort DrumView from Fort DrumFacing West (Existing)Facing West (Existing)

Northern AlternativeNorthern AlternativeView from Fort DrumView from Fort DrumFacing West (Proposed)Facing West (Proposed)

Middle AlternativeMiddle AlternativeView towards I81View towards I81Facing West (Existing)Facing West (Existing)

Middle AlternativeMiddle AlternativeView towards I81View towards I81Facing West (Proposed)Facing West (Proposed)

Middle AlternativeMiddle AlternativeView towards Fort DrumView towards Fort DrumFacingFacing N.EastN.East (Existing)(Existing)

Middle AlternativeMiddle AlternativeView towards Fort DrumView towards Fort DrumFacingFacing N.EastN.East (Proposed)(Proposed)

Southern AlternativeSouthern AlternativeView from I81View from I81Facing East (Existing)Facing East (Existing)

Southern AlternativeSouthern AlternativeView from I81View from I81Facing East (Proposed)Facing East (Proposed)

Southern AlternativeSouthern AlternativeView towards Rte 342View towards Rte 342FacingFacing N.EastN.East (Existing)(Existing)

Southern AlternativeSouthern AlternativeView towards Rte 342View towards Rte 342FacingFacing N.EastN.East (Proposed)(Proposed)

Southern AlternativeSouthern AlternativeView from Fort DrumView from Fort DrumFacing West (Existing)Facing West (Existing)

Southern AlternativeSouthern AlternativeView from Fort DrumView from Fort DrumFacing West (Proposed)Facing West (Proposed)

Evaluation and ComparisonEvaluation and Comparisonof Feasible Alternativesof Feasible Alternatives

YesYesYesNoMinimizes Impacts to Environment(see Environmental section below)

YesYesYesNoSupports Economic Viability of

Businesses & Communities

Yes (Best)YesYes (Better)NoOptimizes Transportation Link

YesYesYesNoImproves Operational Capacity

YesYesYesNoImproves Highway Safety

No 2YesYesYesSupports New Housing

YesNoYesNoNew Redundant Route

YesYesYesNoFour-Lane Connection

Yes (Better 2)Yes (Poorly)Yes (Best)NoSupports Strategic Viabilityof Fort Drum:

SouthernAlternative

MiddleAlternative

NorthernAlternativeNullIssue

Project Objectives1


MinimalMinimalMinimalNoneUtility Impacts

Yes (Best)Yes (Slightly)Yes (Better)NoImproves Safety

Yes (Best)Yes (Poorly) 6Yes (Better)NoImproves Level of Service

Yes (Better)YesYes (Better)NoImproves Geometrics 5

FullPartial / Full 4FullUnrestrictedAccess Control

2.601.531.46N/ABenefit/Cost Ratio 3

777063N/ATotal

222N/AReal Estate

756861N/AConstruction

Cost ( $ Millions):

SouthernAlternative

MiddleAlternative


Engineering Considerations


NoneNoneNoneNoneImpact to Social Groups

NoneNoneMinimalNoneImpact to Police, Fire, AmbulanceServices

MinimalMinimalMinimalNoneImpacts School Districts, Rec. Areas,Churches, Businesses

YesYesYesNoChanges in Travel Patterns/Accessibility

MinimalModerateModerateNoneCommunity Cohesion Impact 7

SouthernAlternative

MiddleAlternative


Social Consequences


Environmental Consequences

MinimalMinimalMinimalN/AGroundwater Impacts

NoneNoneNoneN/AFloodplain Impacts

2.323.423.94N/ATotal

0.001.201.24N/ANon-Jurisdictional 8

2.322.222.70N/AJurisdictional 8

Wetland Impacts (Acres):

MinimalMinimalMinimalN/ASurface Waters Impacts

31230Total Acquisitions

0200Commercial Properties

31030Residential Properties

Property Acquisitions (No. Each)

Diversion OfTraffic

Change InAccessibility

Diversion OfTraffic

IncreasedCongestion

Highway Related Business Impacts

PositivePositivePositiveNegativeLong Term Affect toRegional and Local Economies

SouthernAlternative

MiddleAlternative


Economic Consequences


MinimalMultipleMinimalN/APotentially Hazardous Sites

111N/AProposed Sound Barriers

306850N/ASubstantially Higher

591N/AGreater than NAC

Noise Impacts (# Properties):

NoneNoneNoneYesAir Quality Impacts

1599576N/AFarmland Soils Impacts (Acres)

MinimalMinimalMinimalN/AVisual Impacts

See Text9See Text9See Text9N/AHistoric: Section 106/Section 4(f)

MinimalNoneNoneN/AOther Species:

10325N/AIndiana Bat (Habitat/Trees) 10

Impact to Endangered Species:

SouthernAlternative

MiddleAlternative


Environmental Consequences Continued

Questions & CommentsQuestions & Commentsfrom each Review Agencyfrom each Review Agency

Are you in agreement with the Purpose andAre you in agreement with the Purpose andNeed? (Seek input & reach consensus)Need? (Seek input & reach consensus)

Do you agree with the environmentalDo you agree with the environmentalstrategies used to develop the alternatives?strategies used to develop the alternatives?(avoid/minimize/mitigate)(avoid/minimize/mitigate)

Are the alternativesAre the alternatives permittablepermittable? (Are? (Arethere any "fatal flaws"?)there any "fatal flaws"?)

PER Meeting RePER Meeting Re--capcap

Issues brought up at the Meeting.Issues brought up at the Meeting. Issues resolved/ or to be resolved.Issues resolved/ or to be resolved. Next StepsNext Steps

Thank YouThank Youfor your participation!for your participation!