Public involvement is of primary importance in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires full and honest disclosure of potential environmental impacts to the public. The Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) provides multiple opportunities for public involvement. The public has an important role in providing input during this process to help the National Guard Bureau (NGB) make a more informed decision about implementing this proposal.
The first opportunity for public involvement was the process called “public scoping.” During scoping, federal agencies, American Indian Tribes, state agencies, local governments, non-governmental organizations, stakeholders, and the general public had the opportunity to identify the scope of issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Using input obtained during the scoping period, the NGB refined the study to focus on relevant issues, as well as eliminate issues that are not relevant from further detailed study.
The scoping period for this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) began with the publication of the Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register on February 7, 2018 and formally ended on April 6, 2018. A second public comment period took place from August 9, 2019 through November 1, 2019, during which time the public was invited to review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and provide their comments on the analysis in writing or at the public meetings. Public meetings were held at each alternative location in August or September of 2019. Public Meetings for the Draft EIS were held at:
| August 27, 2019 Open House – 5 to 6:30 p.m. Formal Presentation – 6:30 to 8 p.m. DoubleTree Hotel, Jacksonville Airport, Aviation Ballroom 2101 Dixie Clipper Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32218 Map | August 29, 2019 Open House – 5 to 6:30 p.m. Formal Presentation – 6:30 to 8 p.m. Montgomery Regional Airport First Floor Rotunda and Conference Room 4445 Selma Highway, Montgomery, AL 36108 Map |
| September 5, 2019 Open House – 5 to 6:30 p.m. Formal Presentation – 6:30 to 8 p.m. Boise State University Stueckle Sky Center Double R Ranch Club 1910 University Drive MSC 1335, Boise, ID 83725 Map |
| September 10, 2019 Open House – 5 to 6:30 p.m. Formal Presentation – 6:30 to 8 p.m. L’Anse Creuse Public Schools Wheeler Community Center 24076 Frederick V. Pankow Blvd., Clinton Township, MI 48036 Map | September 12, 2019 Open House – 5 to 6:30 p.m. Formal Presentation – 6:30 to 8 p.m. Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713 Map |
For More Information.
For more information on public participation in the NEPA process, please consult the following publication: A Citizens Guide to NEPA: Having Your Voice Heard