| No. | Date | Commenter (Name, Agency) | Topic of Comment | Comment | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12/30/03 | James Hamrick Oregon State Historic Office | Historic property | The Oregon SHPO would like more data and analysis on why alternatives that preserved the existing bridge were eliminated from further study in the EIS. For example, detail or evidence is needed on structural concerns, barge traffic safety concerns, etc. | FEIS will need to provide a more detailed explanation on why all alternatives that retained the existing Hood River Bridge were not considered. Documented evidence, such as structural reports or incidences of barge accidents involving the bridge, need to be presented. The FEIS will also need to determine the eligibility of listing the Hood River Bridge on the National Register of Historic Places. If it is eligible, a determination of effect must be prepared. And, if an adverse effect is determined, then a Memorandum of Agreement must be prepared. |
| 2 | 12/26/03 | Fred Thomas | General support | Bridge is beyond its design and needs to be replaced. Especially a problem for wide body vehicles. | Comment recorded. No further analysis or action is needed. |
| 3 | 1/6/04 | Glenn Phillips, President Gorge Networks Inc. | General support | Full support of a new bridge connecting Hood River to Bingen/White Salmon. New bridge will encourage economic growth on both sides of river by removing barriers. | Comment recorded. No further analysis or action is needed. |
| 4 | 1/6/04 | Bill Fujii Natural Resources Specialist III Oregon Water Resources Dept | Ground water | Our Agency is in charge with water allocations and well construction standards. Typically our involvement in projects such as yours is in regard to monitoring wells, abandonment of wells, water rights and / or limited licenses. The attached document relates to the need to properly abandon wells before any environmental damage occurs. | FEIS will need to identify if any monitoring wells, wells that would be abandoned, water rights, or water licenses would be affected by the project. If any such resources would be affected, then measures would need to be identified that comply with OWRD guidance. |
| 5 | 1/12/04 | Patsy Baumgarden | General support | Must travel to Hood River for doctor and shopping. Have witnessed large trucks clip mirrors. Feel that the current bridge has been unsafe for many years and a new bridge is needed. | Comment recorded. No further analysis or action is needed. |
| 6 | 1/12/04 | Jonathan May | Pedestrian facilities Interpretive facilities Regulatory processes | Recommends keeping current bridge for pedestrians if new bridge is not near old bridge and doesn't accommodate pedestrians. Plaque for new bridge should tactfully remark upon the time it takes to plan for new bridge. Seek state/federal legislation granting waivers from all federal/state regulations. Build as unregulated demonstration bridge project. | The preferred alternative would accommodate pedestrian facilities. It was previously determined that retaining the existing bridge in combination with a new bridge would create adverse impacts to visual aesthetics, fish habitat, and river navigation. Specific interpretive signs that would be placed on a new bridge have not been determined; however, the FEIS could investigate options for interpretive themes, such as regulatory compliance processes. At this time, there are no options for waiving the environmental review and other federal/state regulatory processes. |
| 7 | 2/7/04 | Nancy White | Tolls | Opposed to current and future tolls, because it restricts commerce and unfairly taxes local residents. | FEIS may need to include more data and analysis from the Financial Feasibility Study to document the need for tolls. |
| 8 | 2/17/04 | Wayne Wooster | General support | Supports the need for new bridge and concur with the recommended preferred EC-2 West alignment. Felt the DEIS is comprehensive and complete. Does not support the other two alternatives and gave reasons, which are similar to those given in the DEIS. | Comment recorded. No further analysis or action is needed. |
| 9 | 2/17/04 | Judith Leckrone Lee, EPA, Region 10 | Air toxics Tribal consultation Environmental justice Invasive species Vegetation surveys SR-14 connection | Have no environmental objections to the selection of Alternative EC-2 and have rated the DEIS as Environmental Concerns, insufficient information. The environmental analysis should be strengthened on the following subjects: air toxics, tribal consultation, environmental justice, control of invasive species, rare plant surveys, and intersection design at SR-14. | Air Quality section will need to further disclose the effects of air toxics and particulate matter and identify sensitive receptors (e.g., Native Americans using the in lieu fishing sites and construction workers). Mitigation measures should also be identified. Efforts to engage the Yakama, Nez Perce, Umatilla and Warm Springs Tribes should be continued. If adverse effects on historic properties are determined, an MOA should be prepared and fully executed prior to the ROD. Environmental Justice: Further outreach to census block groups that higher proportions of minority or low-income populations is recommended. The project effect on invasive species needs to be disclosed, including the prevention and control of outbreaks. Revegetation efforts and ongoing maintenance should be specified. Further vegetation surveys should be conducted for rare plants during appropriate growing/flowering seasons. Consider different intersection design, such as a roundabout, at the terminus of the bridge at SR-14. |
| 10 | 2/17/04 | Brian Litt, Columbia River Gorge Commission | Consistency with CRGNSA Management Plan | Appreciated modification made from preliminary draft. DEIS accurately describes the lack of applicable guidelines in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan and that additional guidance will be needed. DEIS also reflects recent Gorge Commission direction to develop policies. | Project Team will continue to work with Gorge Commission to develop guidance. FEIS is expected to determine that the new bridge would be consistent with the CRGNSA Management Plan. |
| 11 | 1/15/04 | Russel Holter, Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation | Historic property | Look forward to opportunity to review and comment on SR-35 project. Request that Determination of Eligibility be sent to this office, when conducted. | The FEIS will also need to determine the eligibility of listing the Hood River Bridge on the National Register of Historic Places. If it is eligible, a determination of effect must be prepared. And, if an adverse effect is determined, then a Memorandum of Agreement must be prepared. |
| 12 | 1/22/04 | Dave Harlan, Port of Hood River | Bridge weight limits Tolling and bridge replacement fund Connecting transportation facilities Plan consistency | Comments focused on several topics, including ability of the existing bridge to carry legal weight limits; current and future plans for one-way toll booths or electronic toll machines; establishment of a bridge replacement fund; need for improvements to nearby I-84 interchanges; impacts on adjacent properties; and minor inconsistencies in the document | The FEIS will need to review these comments and validate the statements regarding whether the bridge is currently weight restricted. Further study should be conducted on the use of toll booths, toll machines, and one-way toll collection. In addition, funding strategies should be coordinated with the Port of Hood River. Continued coordination with ODOT should occur regarding the connection of bridge approach road and nearby I-84 ramps. The FEIS should reevaluate plan consistency with the marina master plan and the river walk conceptual plan. Several minor references should be corrected, including misspellings and punctuation. |
E-mail or phone:
Dale Robins
Regional Transportation Council
1351 Officers Row
Vancouver WA 98661
Tel: 360-397-6067
Fax: 360-696-1847
       
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