The Osprey Group
Conflict Assessment
Page 14
O
PTION
1.
P
ROCEED WITH
C
URRENT
NEPA R
EVIEW
P
ROCESS
ODOT and FHWA, with reviews from the Corps of Engineers and BLM as cooperating
agencies, continue with the NEPA process as planned and make a decision. USACE, in
consultation with the USFWS, then decides whether to issue a 404 permit.
Pros
Cons
Is ostensibly less time consuming
Requires fewer public resources to
reach a decision
Recognizes years of transportation
analysis and impact assessment
Recognizes two community votes
supporting the WEP
Increases the likelihood that funds for a
specific transportation priority in West
Eugene will remain available
Demonstrates that the agencies can
make a decision on a tough issue
There does not have to be a
presumption about any "build" or "no
build" alternative
Perpetuates lack of community
understanding
Exacerbates lack of community
acceptance
Has limited transparency
Falls short of openly addressing
suspicion about both adequacy and
completeness of alternatives analysis
Will continue to raise questions about
agency motives
Increases vulnerability to litigation over
wetlands preservation and endangered
species issues
Invites high stakes political and legal
interventions by both opponents and
proponents
There could be an extensive period
before all parties would sign a ROD
There could be an extensive period
before other Federal agency approvals
and permits are granted, if at all