The further detailed evaluation of an alternative(s), called Part C, includes evaluation of the affect of the alternative(s) on the environment. These findings, in addition to the findings in Parts A and B, are reported in the Environmental Impact Statement. Part C also includes further detailed evaluation of the technical factors associated with the alternative(s). The technical findings will be reported in the Design Report. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and a Draft Design Report will be prepared. Following an extensive public comment period, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), and a Final Design Report will be issued that identifies a preferred alternative. This step will conclude the Preliminary Engineering Study.
The FEIS and Final Design Report will define the preferred alternative that can be developed further in final design and constructed. It should be noted that no funding has been identified for final design or construction.
Part C has two major components, the EIS and Design
Report. These components are developed at the same time. As the
preliminary design is developed for the Design Report, there is
always an awareness of the potential affect on the environment that
is documented in the EIS.
Depending on the results of the Part B screening, there may be a
recommendation of "no action", or an alternative(s) may be carried
forward for detailed study in Part C. As each alternative is developed, environmental
evaluations are performed to identify, measure the possible impact,
and develop possible measures to mitigate the impact on many sensitive
factors. Among these many factors are context sensitivity, socio-economic,
cultural, ecologic, agricultural, air and water quality, noise,
natural resources, special waste, special lands, indirect and cumulative
impacts.
As each alternative is developed engineering evaluations
are performed to identify and measure the effect on many technical
factors. Among these many factors are safety, mobility, logical
beginning and end of project, access, intersection and interchange
operations, river and railroad crossings, aesthetics, earthwork,
cost, utilities, geotechnical, bridges, drainage, floodplains, right
of way, and geometry.
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and
a Draft Design Report will be prepared. Following an extensive public
comment period, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), and
a Final Design Report will be issued. The final documents will define
the alternative that can be developed further in final design and
constructed.
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