Public Hearing Handout November 2012

Transcription

1 West Waukesha Bypass Draft Environmental Impact Statement Waukesha County Department of Public Works I.D Public Hearing Handout November 2012 TBG MKE

2 Handout Packet Contents Page Description 1 Welcome, Purpose of the Public Hearing, Environmental Impact Statement Process, Information for the Public Hearing Record 2 Testimony Instructions 3 Location Map 4 Project Statement 5 Impact Summary Table 6 Alternatives Exhibit (shows remaining alternatives) 7 Description of Hearing Exhibits 8 Property Acquisition/Relocation Assistance and Benefits, Next Steps 9 Waukesha County Contact Information 11 Written Testimony Form 13 Verbal Testimony Form West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing

3 Welcome Thank you for attending today s public hearing on the West Waukesha Bypass project. The public hearing is part of the process for involving citizens in transportation decisions and provides an opportunity to participate in choosing the recommended course of action for this project. Purpose of Public Hearing The main purpose of this public hearing is to obtain public opinion regarding the project aspects listed below so that this input can be considered along with all other judgements and opinions to be reviewed by Waukesha County before further decisions are made on the proposed alternatives. Court reporters are available to take down all testimony which will be entered into the public hearing record along with other public hearing information and materials. Today s public hearing will focus on the following project aspects of the West Waukesha Bypass project: The location and design features of the proposed improvements and alternatives being considered. The National and Wisconsin Environmental Policy Acts require public hearings on projects for which an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared. The EIS is the decision document for the proposed improvements. Copies of the EIS are available for review at today s hearing. Project activities that require authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act for placing fill into waters of the U.S. including wetlands. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Process The EIS process includes developing of a range of design alternatives, evaluating and screening the alternatives, and selecting of a preferred alternative. Numerous factors are considered throughout the EIS process including safety, mobility, engineering design standards, impacts to the environment, cost, and input from the public and state and federal review agencies. The West Waukesha Bypass project is currently at the Draft EIS stage. The Draft EIS documents the purpose and need for proposed improvements, alternatives considered, environmental impacts, and public involvement and agency coordination during development and refinement of the alternatives. The Final EIS identifies the selected alternative, reasons for its selection, and reports the results of the public hearing and comments on the Draft EIS. Information for the Public Hearing Record In addition to the testimony provided at tonight s public hearing, all of the exhibits, handouts, and displays available for viewing at the hearing tonight will be included in the official public hearing record. Page 7 of this handout contains a complete listing of these materials. Other materials, along with written testimony received after the hearing, will be added to the official public hearing record provided they are received prior to the end of the Draft EIS comment period. West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 1

4 Options and Instructions for Providing Testimony There are several options for providing testimony as described below. Your testimony will be reviewed and considered as part of the process for choosing the preferred alternative. Testimony should be limited to tonight s public hearing aspects (see page 1), and statements or opinions about the project. Provide comments on the alterative(s) you support or oppose and your reasons. Questions related to the project can be directed to Waukesha County representatives during informal discussions and will not be recorded by the court reporter or included in the public hearing record. Private verbal testimony This option may be preferred if you wish to make your statement privately to the court reported rather than in front of the audience. This option is available during the entire public hearing (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.). Follow the signs or ask directions to the location for private testimony. Wait for an opening, then sit down and give the court reporter your comments. State your name, address and, if applicable, the group, organization or business you are representing. Public verbal testimony Public verbal testimony will take place between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Complete a Registration Slip for Public Verbal Testimony (included in this handout packet and at the sign-in table). Give it to a Waukesha County representative anytime before, during, or immediately following the presentation. Your name will be called in the order registration slips are received. When you are called to the microphone to provide testimony, please state your name, address, and if applicable, the group, organization or business you are representing. Please limit your testimony to approximately 3 minutes to allow time for others to provide testimony. Written testimony You may provide written testimony in addition to, or in place of, verbal testimony. Complete the Written Testimony Form (included at the back of this handout packet and at the sign-in table). You may also use your own stationery. Include your name, address, and if applicable the group, organization, or business you are representing. If you prepared written comments prior to the public hearing, you may also submit those. There are two options for submitting your written testimony as described below. Submit tonight: Complete the written testimony form and place in comment box. OR Mail in: You may prefer this option if you would like additional time or organize your thoughts/comments. The Written Testimony Form is pre-addressed. You may also send written comments via to westbypass@waukeshacounty.gov. See Waukesha County Contact Information on page 9 of this handout. Mailed or ed comments must be postmarked or received no later than December 10, 2012 to be included in the official public hearing record. West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 2

5 Project Location Project I.D West Waukesha Bypass Waukesha, Wisconsin N WAUKESHA CO. 74 Menomonee Falls PROJECT LOCATION Oconomowoc DE 18 D 16 TT Waukesha 59 J Brookfield 18 New Berlin Elm Grove X XX Fox R Muskego TBG MKE B&W.v3 West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 3

6 Project Statement Waukesha County is leading a multi-jurisdictional effort undertaking an environmental and engineering analysis of the proposed West Waukesha Bypass. In this hearing packet you will find a detailed description of the purpose and need for the project, a description of all hearing exhibits and handout materials, the extent of property acquisitions and impacts, the nature of the relocation and acquisition program and an exhibit showing Build Alternatives still under consideration. The alternatives under consideration include the No Build Alternative, the Sunset-to-County X Alternative, the Pebble Creek West Alternative, and the Pebble Creek Fat West Alternative. The alternatives have varying degrees of impacts to the built and natural environment which are detailed in this handout packet on page 5 and the Draft EIS. Hearing exhibits include detailed designs for each alternative under discussion, the purpose and need for the project, including traffic and crash data, and a comparison of impacts. Property acquisition for this improvement is scheduled to begin in 2013 if a Build Alternative is selected. Depending upon the availability of funds and the anticipated completion of relocations by 2014, construction could begin in The West Waukesha Bypass study area is currently located within the mapped 100-year floodplains of Pebble Creek. Construction of the West Waukesha Bypass crossing would be consistent with local floodplain management goals and objectives. Additional detail can be found in the Draft EIS in Section Floodplain Impacts. Purpose and Need for the Project The purpose of the West Waukesha Bypass is to provide a safe and efficient north-south arterial roadway on the west side of the City of Waukesha to complete the long-planned circumferential route around Waukesha; to accommodate growing traffic volumes along the corridor; and to improve roadway deficiencies that include tight curves, steep hills, narrow lanes, and lack of shoulders. The proposed improvements have two objectives: Improve safety by providing a roadway that meets current design standards. Accommodate traffic demand generated by existing and planned development within and outside the study corridor. The need for the proposed action is demonstrated through a combination of factors that include the following, each of which is discussed in the Draft EIS: Project history Regional/local transportation and land-use planning Traffic demand Safety concerns Existing roadway deficiencies System linkage Environmental aspects West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 4

7 Impact Summary Table Alternative Resource No-Build Sunset-to-County X Pebble Creek West Pebble Creek Far West Residential displacements New right-of-way acquired 0 59 acres 67 acres 66 acres Transportation travel time between I-94 and WIS 59 Traffic level of service in 2035 (on A to F scale) Transportation predicted crash rate For segment south of railroad tracks Travel time will increase over time 38-second to 1.5-minute less travel time than No- Build Alternative in to 3-minute less travel time than No-Build Alternative in to 3-minute less travel time than No-Build Alternative in 2035 C to F B to D B to C B to C Predicted crash rate 220 per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (73 injury and fatal, 147 property damage only) in 2035 Predicted crash rate 146 per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (59 injury and fatal, 119 property damage only). 34 percent lower than No-Build Alternative Predicted crash rate 128 per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (40 injury and fatal, 88 property damage only). 42 percent lower than No-Build Alternative Predicted crash rate 128 per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (40 injury and fatal, 88 property damage only). 42 percent lower than No-Build Alternative Cost ($2011) $0 $53 million $55 million $55 million Previous Public Information Meeting input and CSS advisory group ratings favor Pebble Creek Alternatives over Sunset-to-County Public input X Alternative and No-Build Alt, though there have been comments in support of the Sunset-to-County X and No-Build Alternatives Groundwater Threatened and endangered resources Wetland Water quality Noise None None None Less than Build Alternatives, but untreated run-off will continue to run directly into Pebble Creek from existing bridges. None No major cuts into slope required; would affect groundwater fed wetland north of Sunset Drive. Mitigation measures would reduce groundwater impacts. Seaside crowfoot population would be eliminated; potential for transplant exists, although DNR has no experience with transplanting this plant species. 7.8-acre impact to Butler s garter snake. Greatest impact on Butler s garter snake 1 and Blandings turtle because of wider Sunset Dr. barrier between habitat areas. 12 acres of wetland affected. Potential for on-site/ near-site mitigation. Net increase of 9 acres of impervious area south of railroad. Run-off from roadway would discharge adjacent to Pebble Creek. 70 houses with noise impact; some are eligible for mitigation measures. Approx 25-foot cut into slope may affect groundwater flow. Would directly affect fen south of Sunset Drive. Mitigation measures would reduce groundwater impacts. 8.3-acre impact to Butler s garter snake habitat. Less impact on Butler s garter snake and Blandings turtle because it lies on the edge of habitat area. 14 acres of wetland affected. Would affect 0.3 acre of a fen just south of Sunset Drive. Potential for on-site/near-site mitigation Net increase of 13 acres of impervious area south of railroad. Run-off would discharge several hundred feet from Pebble Creek. 55 houses with noise impact; some are eligible for mitigation measures. Approx 32-foot cut into slope required; more likely than other alternatives to intercept groundwater that supports down-slope wetlands. Mitigation measures would reduce groundwater impacts. 6.5-acre impact to Butler s garter snake habitat. Less impact on Butler s garter snake and Blandings turtle because it lies on the edge of habitat area. 11 acres of wetland affected. Potential for on-site/ near-site mitigation Net increase of 13 acres of impervious area south of railroad. Run-off would discharge several hundred feet from Pebble Creek. 55 houses with noise impact; some are eligible for mitigation measures. Floodplain None 10-acre floodplain impact 7-acre floodplain impact 7-acre floodplain impact 1 The DNR is considering removing the Butler s garter snake and Blandings turtle from the state s threatened species list. West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 5

8 Grandview Boulevard Roll in g Ridge Drive Meadow Brook School Crites Field Northview Road Town of Delafield City of Pewaukee Faith Baptist Church Fiddlers Creek Substation Meadowbrook Road Pebble Creek Good Times Meadowview Park Summit Avenue Kisdon Hill Park City of Waukesha Grandview Park Moreland Boulevard Retzer Nature Center Kame Terrace Merrill Hills Road Madison Street St. Paul Avenue Brandy Brook Waukesha School District Property Waukesha Christian Academy MacArthur Road Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Legend River/Stream Railroad Wetlands Municipal Boundary FEMA Floodplain Parcel Isolated Natural Resource Area Primary Environmental Corridor Secondary Environmental Corridor Notes: Aerial Photography from the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) Sunset Drive Legend Glacial Drumlin State Trail Sunset Park Town Line Rd. Town of Genesee Town of Waukesha Apostolic Life Tabernacle Green Lane Merrill Hills Country Club Genesee Road Pebble Creek Saylesville Road Pebble Creek Pebble Creek Park Sunset-to-County X Fox River Shoppes at Fox River Sunset Drive St. John Neumann Congregation City of Waukesha River/Stream Railroad Wetlands Municipal Boundary FEMA Floodplain Parcel Isolated Natural Resource Area Primary Environmental Corridor Secondary Environmental Corridor Notes: Aerial Photography from the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) 0 1,400 2,800 Feet Exhibit 2-25 Build Alternatives Still Under Consideration Draft Environmental Impact Statement Waukesha Bypass - Waukesha County TBG MKE WB_2-25_BuildAltStillUnderConsideration_v1.ai mjl West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 6

9 Description of Hearing Exhibits Display Boards and Roll Plots (on easels and tables) Alternatives Still Under Consideration Maps Shows each alternative s alignment over an aerial photograph and highlights resources throughout the project corridor. Typical Finished Sections Shows cross sections of the proposed West Waukesha Bypass 4 lane roadway. Environmental Impact Maps and Matrix Shows the environmental impacts of each of the remaining alternatives. Roadway Level of Service Shows the effectiveness of the current roadway and remaining alternatives by giving a grade to each segment and intersection in the project corridor Average Weekday Traffic Volumes Shows traffic volumes for each of the remaining alternatives. Groundwater Flow Maps Shows groundwater flow patterns and locations where groundwater discharges at the surface in and around the project area. Stormwater Recharge, Management and Mitigation Maps Shows areas with permeable surface and potential strategies for managing and mitigating stormwater impacts. Noise Receptor Location Maps Shows impacted noise receptors and possible noise barrier locations. Soil Boring Locations Shows soil boring locations and soil profiles. Handouts (at sign-in table) Handout Packet Registration Slips for Public Verbal Testimony Forms to fill out for individuals wishing to present verbal testimony in front of the audience. These are also attached to the Handout Packet. Written Testimony Forms Forms that can be filled out to provide written testimony which can be placed in the comment box or mailed in after the hearing. These are also attached to the Handout Packet. Wisconsin Relocation Rights Business, Farm and Nonprofit Organizations Wisconsin Relocation Rights Residential The Rights of Landowners Under Wisconsin Eminent Domain Law Documents Available for Viewing (limited copies provided; please do not remove from tables) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) This is the current version of the report that has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration and made available for public review. Legal Notice Notice that was published in Waukesha Freeman advertising the Public Hearing and the availability of the Draft EIS for public review. Impact Analysis Methodology Document that explains how the project s potential impacts will be evaluated during the Environmental Impact Statement EIS process. Coordination Plan Document that identifies how project information will be communicated and how input from agencies and the public will be solicited and considered during the EIS process. West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 7

10 Property Acquisition/Relocation Assistance and Benefits Before any property acquisition activities are initiated, the Waukesha County Department of Public Works real estate staff will contact the property owner to explain the details of the acquisition process and Wisconsin s Eminent Domain Law. All properties to be acquired will be inspected and appraised by one or more professional appraisers. The property owner will be asked to accompany the appraiser during inspection of the property to be acquired, to assure that its value is recognized in the appraisal. Based upon the appraisal or appraisals made, the fair market value of the property to be acquired will be determined, and that amount will be offered to the owner. Relocation assistance will be made available to anyone displaced by this project. A survey of available housing and business locations was completed in June This survey indicates that there will be sufficient housing and business locations available in the project vicinity at the time of the proposed relocations, within the means of the relocates and meeting the requirements for replacement housing and businesses. The Relocation Assistance brochure made available to you tonight answers many of the frequently asked questions concerning relocation assistance. In addition to the cost of replacement housing and/or business locations, additional monies are available to cover moving expenses, increased rental and mortgage payments and interest rates, and any closing costs incurred. No person shall be required to vacate until a comparable replacement property is made available. In the event a relocated person is dissatisfied with the decision as to eligibility for payments or amounts offered under the relocation assistance program, he or she will be promptly advised of the procedure to follow in making an appeal. Property acquisition for this project is scheduled to take place throughout 2013 and The locations of displaced homes and businesses are shown on the public hearing displays and detailed information is provided in the Draft EIS. Next Steps At the end of the public comment period all public hearing testimony and comments received on the Draft EIS will be reviewed and considered. This input will assist in selecting the preferred alternative. Upcoming milestones in completing the engineering and environmental study for the West Waukesha Bypass project include the following: Winter 2012 The Final EIS will be available for public review. The Final EIS will identify the preferred alternatives and will summarize input received from this public hearing and comments on the Draft EIS. Spring 2013 Anticipated Record of Decision from FHWA. The Record of Decision identifies the selected alternative, mitigation measures that will be taken, and is the final environmental approval that is needed before a project may proceed to design and later to construction. Summer 2013 and beyond If a Build Alternative is selected, final design and engineering, real estate acquisition and utility relocations, would occur in The earliest construction would begin is Public participation in the design and construction planning will continue in the upcoming months and years ahead. West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 8

11 Additional Information and Waukesha County Contact Information Additional Information A Draft EIS that discusses the need for the proposed improvements, alternatives considered, and environmental effects has been prepared and filed according to the State and National Environmental Policy Acts. The Draft EIS is available at the public hearing and is available for review and copying at the repositories listed below and on the project website: City of Waukesha Public Library 321 Wisconsin Avenue Waukesha, WI City of Waukesha Department of Public Works 130 Delafield Street Waukesha, WI WisDOT Southeast Region Office 141 N.W. Barstow Street Waukesha, WI Town of Waukesha Town Hall W250 S3567 Center Road Waukesha, WI Waukesha County Department of Public Works 515 Moreland Boulevard Waukesha, WI WisDOT Bureau of Equity and Environmental Services 4802 Sheboygan Avenue Room 451 Madison, WI Submittal of written testimony Additional written public hearing testimony and/or comments on the Draft EIS after today s public hearing should be sent to the Waukesha County project manager at the address given below. Additional testimony and comments should be received or postmarked no later than December 10, 2012 to be included in the public hearing record and considered in the Final EIS. Gary Evans, PE Waukesha County Department of Public Works 515 Moreland Boulevard Waukesha, WI (262) westbypass@waukeshacounty.gov Property acquisition/relocation questions Questions specific to property acquisition and/or relocation of homes and businesses can be most efficiently answered by Waukesha County s real estate staff. Karen Braun Waukesha County Department of Public Works 515 Moreland Boulevard Waukesha, WI (262) Kbraun@waukeshacounty.gov Scan with your smart phone to West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 9

12 West Waukesha Bypass Study Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Hearing Written Testimony Form You may leave this completed form with us today by dropping it into the COMMENT BOX. This form may be mailed to the address shown on the back of this form on or before December 10, You may also your comments to Gary Evans, Waukesha County Project Manager, at Name: Address: City: State: Zip: West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 11

13 Registration Slip for Public Verbal Testimony West Waukesha Bypass Project Public Hearing Waukesha North High School November 13, 2012 Verbal public testimony will be heard from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Complete this Registration Slip for Public Verbal Testimony and give it to a Waukesha County representative. Your name will be called in the order registration slips are received. When you are called to the microphone to provide testimony, please state your name, address, and if applicable, the group, organization or business you are representing. Please speak slowly and clearly. A court reporter will record your testimony. Please limit your testimony to approximately 3 minutes to allow time for others to provide testimony. If you do not wish to speak, but would like to use this registration slip to record your position on the alternatives being considered at the public hearing, please check the applicable boxes below. Name: Address: If applicable - group, organization, or business you are representing: o Wishing to speak o Not wishing to speak, but please record my position on the alternatives being considered at the public hearing: No Build Alternative o Support o Do not support Pebble Creek West Alternative o Support o Do not support Pebble Creek Far West Alternative o Support o Do not support Sunset-to-County X Alternative o Support o Do not support West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 13

14 Fold Here Place Stamp Here Gary Evans Waukesha County Department of Public Works 515 Moreland Boulevard Waukesha, WI Fold Here West Waukesha Bypass Study Public Hearing 12