News Release: HEC, CARR, ELPC, Andy Ruff
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a written clarification of its position on the routing of I-69 in Indiana. In recent weeks, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has been touting a "hybrid" route for I-69 as being backed by EPA.
That hybrid route was not included in INDOT's draft environmental impact statement, and in fact was announced 6 days after the close of the official public comment period for the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for I-69.
In a letter dated November 22, EPA Region V Administrator Tom Skinner states: "I want to emphasize that EPA does not endorse any hybrid alternative at this time, nor have we drawn any conclusions about the viability of the example (hybrid) or any other hybrid that FHWA or INDOT may choose to evaluate. We expect to review and comment on a detailed analysis of any hybrid alternatives you decide to evaluate. In the meantime, our position on the I-69 Tier 1 DEIS remains as stated in our November 7, 2002 comment letter."EPA's letter is addressed to John Baxter of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Bryan Nicol, Commissioner of INDOT. The letter also states that the EPA suggested that INDOT "may want to look at hybrid alternatives as a concept" and that EPA provided "an example" of a possible hybrid route. The letter states: "We are pleased you are evaluating that (example) hybrid, and we await the results of that analysis. You may wish to evaluate other hybrid options as well, to determine their environmental and transportation performance."
In its November 7 letter, EPA said the agency "believes Alternative 1 (i.e. utilize existing US 41/I-70 corridor) is a viable alternative. Alternative 1 has, at least, 2 to 3 times less impact on multiple resources when compared to the 'preferred alternatives,' with the lowest construction costs and very low operation and maintenance costs. EPA recommends that FHWA and INDOT reevaluate Alternative 1 before choosing a (preferred alternative)."
In a related development, the U.S Department of Interior (DOI) has urged INDOT to select the I-70/US 41 route for I-69.
In a letter to FHWA's Baxter dated November 14 (and only recently obtained by HEC, CARR, and ELPC), the DOI states: "The DEIS clearly reveals that Alternative 1 would have the least impact on fish and wildlife resources, including federally threatened and endangered (T&E) species and their habitats, karst features, and rivers listed on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI). Because Alternative 1 would have the least impacts on forests, wetlands, floodplains, rivers listed to the NRI, karst features, water quality, and section 4(f) resources, the Department supports this route as the most environmentally preferable of the build alternatives. In light of its many environmental (and cost) advantages, we recommend the FHWA and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) consider removing Alternative 1 from the list of "non-preferred" alternatives and selecting it as their preferred alternative." (page 4 of DOI letter)
Full text of EPA letter
Dear Mr. Baxter and Mr. Nichol:
Thank you for your letter of November 13. 2002. I am writing to clarify the U.S. Environnmenta1 Protection Agency's (EPA) position on the hybrid alternative currrent1y being looked at by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Indiana. Department of Transportation (INDOT) for the Interstate 69 Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
Our November 7, 2002, comment letter on the DEIS included several recommendations. Among them was a recommendation that FHWA and INDOT consider developing additional alternatives that combine or connect portions of the 12 alternatives studied in the DEIS to determine if any would have less adverse environmental impact than the DEIS's 5 "preferred alternatives" while meeting the project's transportation goals." That recommendation followed discussion during our Agency's October 17th meeting with you in which we suggested FHWA and INDOT may want to look at hybrid alternatives as a concept and provided an example. Your November 13th letter confirms that FHWA and INDOT are evaluating that examp1e. We are pleased that you are evaluating that hybrid. and we await the resu1ts of that analysis. You may wish to evaluate other hybrid options as well, to determine their environmental and transportation performance.
I want to emphasize that EPA does not endorse any hybrid alternative at this time, nor have we drawn any conclusions about the viability of the example referenced above or any other hybrid that FWHA or INDOT may choose to evaluate. We expect to review and comment on a detailed analysis of any hybrid alternatives you decide to evaluate. In the meantime, our position the 1-69 Tier 1 DEIS remains as stated in our November 7,. 2002, comment letter. We look forward to continued cooperation with your agencies on this important project.
Very truly yours,
Thomas V. Skinner
Regional Adminstrator
