Next Steps

Analysis of Alternatives

The next step in the study process is working with the public and project stakeholders to identify possible improvement alternatives and potential evaluation criteria. This phase concludes with the selection of those improvement alternatives that should be evaluated in detail. Under the provisions of NEPA, alternatives, including the “no action” alternative, will be examined during this process and impacts to the surrounding community and environment will be evaluated. Public involvement and context sensitivity will continue to be applied throughout this part of the study.

Further Evaluation of Selected Alternatives and Preferred Alternative Selection

The further detailed analysis of selected alternatives includes an evaluation of the potential effects on the environment. These findings, in addition to the findings from previous steps, are reported in the Environmental Assessment document. The last step in this process includes further detailed technical and design evaluation associated with the alternatives, resulting in a recommendation of a preferred alternative.