The Osprey Group
Conflict Assessment
Page 8
III. T
HE
C
HALLENGE
We think the current challenge can be captured is a single question:
"How can the State and the community get to
a transportation solution for West Eugene
that has widespread understanding and acceptability?"
This challenge is clearly complicated by the issues of substance and dynamics in the
community cited above. We see any meaningful solution as being at the intersection of a
technically sound transportation approach and something the community understands and
accepts from growth management and environmental perspectives.
IV. O
PTIONS FOR
M
OVING
F
ORWARD
T
OWARD A
D
ECISION
We have identified three options that have merit. None is a panacea and each has its own
problems.
We have termed the approaches:
Proceed with Current NEPA Review Process
A Collaborative Process
Heightened Commitment to Public Engagement
The following narrative describes the approaches. Without a doubt, there are many
permutations for each, but we offer them as fairly distinct choices that could address the
current challenge. We describe below how each approach is functioning or could
function. For each there is discussion about the upsides and downsides of the specific
choice.
It is important to recognize that at "the end of the day" the various agencies must exercise
their statutory responsibilities and make decisions consistent with their legal mandates
and in accordance NEPA procedures. All options cited below recognize the authority and
responsibility of ODOT and FHWA, as well as other decision-making agencies, such as
the USACE. What is significantly different in the three options is the nature and extent
of public involvement.
Option I: Proceed with Current NEPA Review Process
We see this option as a "continue the current course" option. It means that ODOT,
working with FHWA, will complete the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (FSEIS). ODOT and FHWA have indicated a desire to have the FSEIS
complete by the end of the 2006 calendar year. In our opinion, this deadline will likely