The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the US 97 Bend North Corridor Project explains in detail the project's purpose and need; describes the different alternatives considered, including the No Build Alternative; compares and contrasts the adverse and beneficial direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the alternatives; and discusses measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts to the community and environment. The Draft EIS also explains why other alternatives were withdrawn from further consideration. Attached to the Draft EIS is a Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation that considers the project's impacts to publicly owned park lands and significant historic resources.
The release of the Draft EIS on July 29, 2011 was a major project milestone, and ODOT and FHWA welcomed your comments on the document during a 45-day comment period. The comment period closed on September 12, 2011.
ODOT and FHWA have been considering all of the substantive comments received on the Draft EIS and have explored opportunities to reduce and/or mitigate the impacts of the alternatives. The agencies have used this input to identify a recommended preferred alternative, a East DS2 Modified Alternative, that substantially reduces the overall area of potential impacts as compared to the previously considered East DS1 and East DS2 Alternatives. ODOT and FHWA anticipate publishing the Final EIS, which will include analysis of the impacts and benefits of the East DS2 Modified Alternative, in early 2014.
Download the complete Draft EIS  (88 MB)
Download individual chapters and appendices of the Draft EIS and the Section 4(f) Document:
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