Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan

Transcription

1 Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement I-275 from Howard Frankland Bridge to North of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and I-4 from I-275 to East of 50th Street Work Program Number: September 2017

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan 1 INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE COORDINATION PLAN DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BACKGROUND Tampa Interstate Study Phase I and Master Plan Tampa Interstate Study Final Environmental Impact Statement Tampa Bay Express Master Plan Regional Transportation Plan Project Goals PROJECT SCHEDULE PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF CONCERNS Human, Social, and Cultural Natural Physical AGENCY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Lead Agencies Cooperating Agencies Participating Agencies Conflict Resolution for Cooperating Agencies AGENCY COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan and Project Schedule Purpose and Need Range of Alternatives Considered Technical Memorandum SEIS Annotated Outline and Methodology National Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard Administrative Draft SEIS Notice of Availability of DEIS and Public Hearings Identification of Locally Preferred Alternative and Level of Design Detail Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page i September 2017

3 8.9 Combined Final SEIS/ROD Separate Final SEIS and ROD Publication of 150-Day Statute of Limitation Notice Completion of Applications, Permits, Licenses, or Approvals Occurring Prior To and After the ROD PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN Federal Requirements Identification of Agencies and Concerned Parties Other Opportunities for Agency Involvement Coordination with the Community, Hillsborough County, HART, and the City of Tampa Title VI, Limited English Proficiency, and Environmental Justice Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Limited English Proficiency Environmental Justice Populations Methodology for Title VI, LEP, and Environmental Justice Outreach Notification Techniques Legal Display Newspaper Advertisements to Announce the Public Hearing News Releases to Local Media Invitational and Informational Newsletters Direct Mail Project Website Fact Sheet Project Telephone Hotline Project Office Public Outreach Activities and Meetings Coordination Meetings with Local Agencies and Officials Alternatives Public Workshop Researching Best Practices in Public Involvement Community Working Groups Speakers Bureau Unscheduled Meetings and Event Participation Coordination with Adjacent Projects ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS PUBLIC HEARING Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page ii September 2017

4 11.1 Public Hearing Sites Hearing Preparation Public Hearing Transcript Non-Discrimination Laws and Regulations Documents and Locations for Public Review PUBLIC HEARING FOLLOW-UP Comments/Responses Public Hearing Scrapbook Project Team Briefing Comments and Coordination Report Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA) Notice Public Hearing Transcript Package PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM EVALUATION PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT DURING DESIGN LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1-1 Tampa Interstate Study SEIS Project Study Area... 2 Figure 4-1 Tampa Interstate Study 1996 TIS FEIS Project Location Map... 4 Figure 4-2 Tampa Interstate Study Completed Improvement Projects... 6 Figure 4-3 Tampa Bay Express Master Plan Project Location... 7 Figure 4-4 TBX Master Plan and TIS SEIS Segments... 9 Figure 5-1 Summary Technical Schedule for the TIS SEIS Project Figure 9-1 Percent of Populations in the Study Area that Speaks English Less than Well or Not Well at All Figure 9-2 Minority Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Figure 9-3 Hispanic Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Figure 9-4 Low-Income Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Figure 9-5 FDOT Approved Nondiscrimination Language Figure 9-6 Community Working Groups Phase 1 Schedule Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page iii September 2017

5 LIST OF TABLES Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan Table 6-1 Historic Properties in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Table 7-1 Participating Agencies Table 8-1 Major Deliverables and Review Schedule Table 9-1 Minority Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Table 9-2 Low-Income Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Table 9-3 Potential News Release Outlets Table 11-1 Potential Public Hearing Locations APPENDICES Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Agency Mailing List Agency Invitation Letters and Responses Potential Meeting Dates Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page iv September 2017

6 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan ADA APE BPAC CAC CAP CEQ CFP CFR CMS CO CRA CRC DBE EIS EJ ERP FAA FAR FAST FDEP FDOT FHWA FRA FR FS FTA GIS HART HFB HOV I LDCA LEP LRTP MAP-21 MIS MLK MoDOT MOA MPO NAC American with Disabilities Act Area of Potential Effect Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee Citizens Advisory Committee Community Awareness Plan Council on Environmental Quality Cost Feasible Plan Code of Federal Regulations Congestion Management System Carbon Monoxide Community Development Area Cultural Resources Committee Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Justice Environmental Resource Permit Federal Aviation Administration Florida Administrative Record Fixing America s Surface Transportation Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Federal Railroad Administration Federal Register Florida Statutes Federal Transit Administration Geographic Information System Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Howard Frankland Bridge High Occupancy Vehicle Interstate Location and Design Concept Acceptance Limited English Proficient Long Range Transportation Plan Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act Major Investment Study Martin Luther King Missouri Department of Transportation Memorandum of Agreement Metropolitan Planning Organization Noise Abatement Criteria Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page v September 2017

7 NAAQS NEPA NHPA NRHP NMFS NOA NOI NPDES NPS NWI PIO PSTA ROD SAFETEA-LU SEIS SHPO SOL STEM STIP SWFWMD TAC TBARTA TBX TIP TIS US USACE USCG USC USDOI USDOT USEPA USFWS WPI National Ambient Air Quality Standards National Environmental Policy Act National Historic Preservation Act National Register of Historic Places National Marine Fisheries Service Notice of Availability Notice of Intent National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System National Park Service National Wetlands Inventory Public Information Office Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Record of Decision Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement State Historic Preservation Office Statute of Limitations Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math State Transportation Improvement Plan Southwest Florida Water Management District Technical Advisory Committee Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority Tampa Bay Express Transportation Improvement Program Tampa Interstate Study United States US Army Corps of Engineers US Coast Guard United States Code US Department of Interior US Department of Transportation US Environmental Protection Agency US Fish and Wildlife Service Work Program Item Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page vi September 2017

8 1 INTRODUCTION The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have initiated the environmental review process for the Tampa Interstate Study (TIS) in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida. The study is a supplement to the 1996 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). FHWA issued the Records of Decision (ROD) in 1997 and FDOT and FHWA are conducting this study based on a proposed design change that includes a new alternative not previously considered, as well as modified alternatives presented in the 1996 TIS FEIS to accommodate other capacity and mobility improvement alternatives. Improvements to the corridors are necessary to provide for the existing and projected traffic demand. The proposed improvements would involve the reconstruction of I-275 from east of Howard Frankland Bridge (HFB) to east of Himes Avenue, I-275 from east of Himes Avenue to East of Rome Avenue, and east of Rome Avenue to North of SR 574 (Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Boulevard), and I-4 from I-275 to east of 50th Street. The proposed improvements are located in the 1996 TIS FEIS Segments 1A, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B (see Error! Reference source not found.). The TIS SEIS Project Team (FDOT in coordination with FHWA) is undertaking an evaluation of the following: Adding tolled express lanes along I-275 and I-4; Community initiated alternatives; Adding overpasses at several locations within the originally approved footprint along I-275 to improve local street access under I-275 to better connect the communities of Tampa Heights and Ybor; and Changes in express lane access to local streets in the Tampa downtown area, to the I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector, and various locations from the general use lanes on I-275 and I-4. The TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) as part of this process in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other regulatory requirements. The FHWA published the Notice of Intent for the SEIS in the Federal Register (FR) on January 17, 2017, wherein the FHWA announced their intention to prepare a combined Final SEIS/ROD. The FHWA is the Federal Lead Agency and FDOT is a State Joint Lead Agency and the Local Project Sponsor under NEPA. 2 PURPOSE OF THE COORDINATION PLAN This Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan (Plan) establishes an approach for coordinating agency (Federal Lead, State Joint Lead, Cooperating, and Participating) outreach efforts that the FHWA and FDOT will undertake during the environmental review process for the TIS SEIS. A key focus of the Plan is to facilitate an understanding with the governmental agencies regarding the study process, key milestones, and decision points. It will also serve to solicit ideas, input, and comments on the study, as well as seek feedback on the potential transportation, social, and environmental consequences. The Plan describes the overall approach and coordination methods that the TIS SEIS Project Team will use to obtain agency insights and satisfy Federal coordination requirements of 23 CFR 139 during the environmental review process. Specifically, the Plan: Provides a brief project background description. Identifies Lead, Cooperating, and Participating agencies to be involved in agency coordination. Identifies the responsibilities of Lead, Cooperating, and Participating agencies. Establishes collaboration at key points throughout the NEPA process. Define how the TIS SEIS Project Team will accomplish coordination Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 1 September 2017

9 SOURCE: FDOT 2017 Figure 1-1 Tampa Interstate Study SEIS Project Study Area Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 2 September 2017

10 Establish predictable project schedule and key mile stones Defines coordination with public and participating local agencies Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan FDOT recognizes the importance of involving the public in an early and continuous information exchange. An effective Plan can foster understanding and communication between FDOT and the public and help develop a transportation system that meets real community needs. The purpose of this Plan is to outline a strategy for providing information to and receiving and considering input from interested stakeholders, special interests/private groups (residential/business), and government agencies. The Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan will help the public understand transportation plans and projects and empower them to participate in the decision-making process. The Plan can help ensure that communication is effective by employing a range of methods, over multiple time frames, among the full range of stakeholders such that both the stakeholders and the project decision makers are fully informed. The Plan includes a schedule of events and a list of documentations exhibiting compliance with all procedures. This program complies with the FDOT's Project Development and Environment Manual (PD&E) (2016), Part 1, Chapter 11; Section , F.S.; 23 CFR 139, and Executive Orders and DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT Project Name: Tampa Interstate Study (TIS) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) WPI No.: FAP No.: N/A Project Limits: I-275 from the HFB to Dr. MLK, Jr. Boulevard and I-4 from I-275 to 50th Street. Figure 1-1 shows a map of the TIS SEIS Project study area. Proposed Activity: Class of Action: The SEIS will present, evaluate, and document new and/or modified alternatives and assess the environmental impacts associated with the provision of new tolled express lanes on I- 275 connecting with the Veterans Expressway tolled express lanes that would differ from those noted in the FHWA-approved 1996 TIS FEIS and all the subsequent reevaluations for the design segments being advanced. The proposed improvements would involve the reconstruction of I-275 from east of HFB to east of Himes Avenue, I-275 from east of Himes Avenue to East of Rome Avenue, and east of Rome Avenue to North of SR 574 (MLK Boulevard) and I-4 from I-275 to east of 50 th Street. The 1996 TIS FEIS identified these improvements as segments 1A, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. FHWA determined the class of action to be an SEIS Contact: Kirk Bogen, P.E. Environmental Management Engineer FDOT District Seven N. McKinley Drive Tampa, FL kirk.bogen@dot.state.fl.us Kris Carson Public Information Director FDOT District Seven N. McKinley Drive Tampa, FL kristen.carson@dot.state.fl.us Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 1 September 2017

11 4 PROJECT BACKGROUND 4.1 Tampa Interstate Study Phase I and Master Plan Much of the Tampa interstate system was designed and constructed in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Because of the need to upgrade the antiquated interstate system, FDOT conducted a preliminary study in 1983 to establish year 2010 traffic conditions for the interstate system to identify potential improvements. These improvements included potential short-term safety solutions and design changes, and long-term high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) related improvements to accommodate traffic volumes and address congestion. An important recommendation from the 1983 study was to consider all transportation needs within the study area, including any concurrent highway, rail, and/or transit improvements. Using the 1983 study and Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 2010 Long Range Transportation Plan for Hillsborough County (LRTP) as a documented base, the TIS began in late The objectives of Phase I of the TIS were to prepare a series of reports documenting the requirements for conceptual design, including existing and predicted conditions, typical sections, right-of-way requirements, environmental constraints, and costs of the recommended improvements. Based on the work performed, FDOT published the TIS Master Plan Report in The overall objective of the TIS Master Plan Report was to identify alternatives and make recommendations regarding the preferred type and location of multi-lane improvements, potential HOV facilities, transit facilities, traffic management techniques, and traffic surveillance and control systems. The TIS Master Plan Report evaluated the following design segments: 1A: I-275 from HFB to East of Himes Avenue (Westshore area); 3.8 miles 2A: I-275 from east of Himes Avenue to east of Rome Avenue (West Tampa area); 1.6 miles 2B: I-275 from east of Rome Avenue to north of Buffalo Avenue (Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard), I-4 from the I-275 junction east to 14 th Street (Central Business District [CBD]); 3.9 miles 3A and 3B: I-4 from 14 th Street to east of 50 th Street (Ybor City area); 3.3 miles 4A through 4C: I-4 from east of 50 th Street to east of I-75 interchange (East Tampa area) 5.5 miles 5A through 5D: I-275 from north Buffalo Avenue to north of Linebaugh Avenue (Seminole Heights and Sulphur Springs areas); 3.8 miles 5E through 5G: I-275 from north of Linebaugh Avenue to north of Livingston Avenue (University North area); 4.7 miles 6A: I-275 from north of Livingston Avenue to the Hillsborough/Pasco County Line; 4.5 miles 6B: I-75 from the Hillsborough/Pasco County Line to south of SR 54 in Pasco County (Wesley Chapel area); 5.5 miles The Hillsborough County MPO adopted the Tampa Interstate Master Plan Concept into the 2010 LRTP in November Tampa Interstate Study Final Environmental Impact Statement Following completion of the TIS Master Plan Report in Phase I, and based on the 2010 LRTP, FHWA, in cooperation with FDOT, began the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the supporting documentation necessary for state and federal approvals and subsequent funding of the TIS Master Plan Report concepts. The EIS analyzed alternatives, addressed agency and citizen concerns, and identified ways to minimize impacts. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 2 September 2017

12 The TIS Master Plan Report established an area for the TIS EIS, which covered TIS Master Plan Report design segments 1A, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. The limits of the study area along I-275 extended from the HFB/Kennedy Boulevard ramps and just north of Cypress Street on Memorial Highway (SR 60) to Dr. MLK, Jr. Boulevard and I-4 from the I- 4/I-275 downtown interchange to east of 50 th Street (US 41). The TIS EIS also included a new controlled access facility known as the I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector (also known as Crosstown Connector) on a new alignment from I-4 south to the existing Selmon Expressway, and improvements to the Selmon Expressway from Kennedy Boulevard east to Maydell Drive. (The Selmon Expressway segments are not part of the current TIS SEIS because they have been constructed.) The total distance of the study area was approximately 16 miles. Figure 4-1 shows the 1996 TIS FEIS study area. When the Hillsborough County MPO adopted the new 2015 LRTP in December 1995, they did not include some portions of the ultimate TIS EIS project originally contained in the 2010 LRTP because of competing transportation priorities and funding constraints. As a result, when FDOT began to prepare the TIS FEIS in 1996, they designated the portion of the ultimate TIS Project contained in the new 2015 LRTP, or the financially-feasible element that is to be advanced, as the Selected Alternative. This designation was intended to distinguish it from the ultimate TIS improvement, previously known as the Preferred Alternative in the Draft EIS, and designated the Long-Term Preferred Alternative in the 1996 TIS FEIS. The 1996 TIS FEIS evaluated the impacts associated with the Selected Alternative, the Long-Term Preferred Alternative, and a No-Action Alternative. The Selected Alternative constructed the outer roadways, leaving room for the Long-Term Preferred Alternative to incorporate express lanes, HOV/transitway lanes in the median, and park-and-ride facilities in certain areas. FHWA approved the FEIS in November 1996, issued the ROD for the 1996 TIS FEIS in 1997, and an amended ROD in June The Selected Alternative addressed the urgent interchange and capacity needs within the limits of the Long-Term Preferred Alternative and included those portions of the Project contained in the Hillsborough County MPO 2015 LRTP, as follows: I-275/I-4 downtown interchange safety and operational improvements; I-4 from I-275 interchange east to 50 th Street; Crosstown Connector (between I-4 and Crosstown Expressway) near the vicinity of 31 st Street, Crosstown Expressway operational improvements and ramp connections from Kennedy Boulevard overpass east to Maydell Drive; and Memorial Highway (SR 60) connection including operational improvements and ramp connections from Memorial Highway to I-275 connecting to the Veterans Expressway. The subsequent 1999 ROD identified and established FHWA and FDOT decisions for advancing TIS Segment 2A (see Figure 4-1) and addressed the impacts specific to the TIS Project, which was consistent with the then-current 2020 LRTP. The Selected Alternative for TIS Project Segment 2A extended from the vicinity of the Himes Avenue half interchange to the vicinity of the Hillsborough River. Once again, the intent of the FHWA and the FDOT was to ultimately construct the Long Term Preferred Alternative as identified in the 1996 TIS FEIS and subsequent RODs. The ROD noted that the TIS Project would be completed as funding becomes available through the Hillsborough County MPO. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 3 September 2017

13 SOURCE: FDOT Final Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation Figure 4-1 Tampa Interstate Study 1996 TIS FEIS Project Location Map Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 4 September 2017

14 The 1996 ROD is the document that has governed the development of all improvements to I-275 and I-4 providing a roadway system that includes general use lanes and separated express lanes in each direction. In addition to the express lanes, the approved concept also provided for a future transit corridor. Since issuance of the 1997 and 1999 RODs, FDOT has taken several major steps to advance the Project to full implementation. The TIS Project has been reevaluated several times to advance various elements of the project, many of which FDOT has already constructed including portions of Segment 1A, Segment 2A, Segment 3A, Segment 3B, and Segment 3C (see Figure 4-4). The following describes the projects that FDOT has constructed. I-275 Widening Southbound and Remainder of Northbound from east of SR 60 to Downtown Tampa Corridor length: 4.2 miles, Construction Cost: $217.3 million, Start: July 2012 Completion: Fall Reconstruction and roadway widening. Improvements included: providing four through lanes in each direction, flattening the profile of the roadway at bridges over the crossroads, aesthetic treatments, improved interchanges, and increased median width for future improvements. I-275 Northbound from Himes Avenue to the Hillsborough River Corridor Length: 2 miles, Construction Cost: $109 million, Start: August 2007 Completion: Spring Reconstruction of a 3-lane roadway into a 4-lane roadway primarily south of the existing alignment. Improvements also included: providing an increased median width reserved for future transportation needs, new bridges with improved height clearances, shouldermounted 8-foot noise walls near densely developed residential areas, aesthetic treatments, and improved lighting and drainage. I-4/I-275 Interchange Operational Improvements (Downtown Tampa Interchange) - Corridor Length: 2.7 miles, Construction Cost: $81 million, Start: October 2002 Completion: December Capacity and safety improvements to the Downtown Tampa Interchange, which widened both interstates to four lanes in each direction. Improvements also included: extending the Ashley Street entrance ramp, providing a local auxiliary exit ramp system, improving weaving movements related to the I-275 southbound to I-4 eastbound flyover ramp, shoulder-mounted 8-foot noise walls near densely developed residential areas, landscaping within infield area and aesthetic treatments. I-4 from West of 14 th Street to East of I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector including I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector Corridor Length: 3.2 miles, Construction Cost: $185 million, Start: February 2004 Completion: Fall Reconstruction of a 4-lane roadway into a 6-lane roadway (three lanes in each direction with auxiliary lanes) to tie into the Downtown Tampa Interchange improvement project completed in December Improvements also included: providing an increased median width reserved for future transportation needs, new bridges with improved height clearances, shoulder-mounted 8-foot noise walls near densely developed residential areas, aesthetic treatments, and improved lighting and drainage. I-4 from East of I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector (also known as the Crosstown Connector) Corridor Length: 1 mile, Construction Cost: $425 million, Start: March 2010 Completion: Spring Construction of a new north-south toll interchange, which connects I-4 with the Selmon Expressway (SR 618). The elevated roadway with an all-electronic toll collection system links these two, major east-west corridors, and provides truck-only lanes for direct access to the Port Tampa Bay to reduce heavy truck traffic from local roads in Ybor City. Aesthetic treatments were also included in this project. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 5 September 2017

15 SOURCE: FDOT Notes: Green line represents TBX Sections 4, 5, and 6, referred to as Segments 2A and part of 2B in the 1996 TIS FEIS; Grey line comprises part of TBX Section 5, referred to as Segment 2A in the 1996 TIS FEIS; Dark blue line comprises part of TBX Section 6, referred to as Segment 2B in the 1996 TIS FEIS; the light blue line comprises part of TBX Section 6, referred to as Segment 3A in the 1996 TIS FEIS; the turquoise line comprises part of TBX Section 6, referred to as Segment 3B in the 1996 TIS FEIS. Figure 4-2 Tampa Interstate Study Completed Improvement Projects Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 6 September 2017

16 4.3 Tampa Bay Express Master Plan In 2011, FDOT released the Florida Transportation Vision for the 21 st Century. The vision focused on innovative financing alternatives, advancing projects, and accommodating economic growth. While the TIS FEIS always included express lanes along the region s interstates, tolling was not a consideration at the time. Therefore, FDOT initiated a master plan study in 2012 to determine the feasibility of dynamically tolling the express lanes on the interstate. The purpose of this Tampa Bay Express (TBX) Master Plan is to evaluate the use of express lanes within interstate corridors in the Tampa Bay Region to achieve two primary objectives: provide drivers with a new mobility choice and improve regional mobility by reducing congestion on the Tampa Bay Region interstate system. The TBX Master Plan (FDOT 2015a), which included the TIS Project limits, established a system-wide framework for implementation of dynamically-tolled express lanes within the Tampa Bay Region (see Figure 4-3). As part of the development of the TBX Master Plan, FDOT conducted extensive outreach beginning with focus groups to better understand public perceptions of the express lanes concept. FDOT created a project specific website, express lanes video, collateral materials, media strategy, and a social media presence. In addition, FDOT conducted outreach to elected officials, appointed and expert leadership, and local stakeholders and government staff, as well as robust communications and engagement with broader Tampa Bay citizen groups, including traditionally underserved communities, and held two public workshops. SOURCE: FDOT 2015a. Figure 4-3 Tampa Bay Express Master Plan Project Location Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 7 September 2017

17 Due to funding constraints for the implementation of the ultimate capacity improvements envisioned in the TBX Master Plan for the Tampa Bay Region, FDOT identified a series of express lane projects in the five-year work program that could be advanced. FDOT could build each of these smaller-scale projects within a five-year window. FDOT considers these shorter-term improvements the Starter Projects. The Hillsborough County MPO formally added the Starter Projects to the fiscally-constrained Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in The Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) also included the Starter Projects in the 2015 Regional Transportation Master Plan Update. The TBX Master Plan refers to the sections that the TIS SEIS Project Team is evaluating in the SEIS as Sections 4, 5, and 6. Figure 4-4 shows the TBX sections from the TBX Master Plan in relation to the segments that the TIS SEIS Project Team will be evaluating in the SEIS. 4.4 Regional Transportation Plan In the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Policy Plan, FDOT identifies I-275, I-4, and the Selmon Expressway as highway corridors with statewide and interregional significance that comprise the state s largest and most significant transportation facilities (2016). FDOT has designated these facilities to receive the highest statewide priority for transportation capacity improvements. FDOT has identified express toll lanes along I-275 and I-4 within the TIS SEIS Project study area as high priority regional projects. The Hillsborough County MPO has also listed them on the cost feasible FDOT SIS Projects list in Imagine 2040: Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, and Hillsborough County, adopted November 2014 (Hillsborough MPO). 4.5 Project Goals The TIS SEIS Project Team defined the following goals for this study: 1. Collect necessary information that will inform decision-makers on the potential impacts of the TIS SEIS Project alternatives and how to balance those impacts with the needs for infrastructure improvements in the best overall public interest; 2. Reevaluate alternatives based on factors related to the design and location of the facility, including transportation needs, cost estimates, social impacts, economic factors, and environmental effects; 3. Involve and update the public and resource agencies on purpose and need, the range of alternatives considered, on alternative development evaluation methods, and project scope of activities; 4. Evaluate alternatives and recommend a locally preferred alternative; 5. Obtain federal approval of the SEIS and ROD; and 6. Obtain funding for all phases of the TIS SEIS Project, including design, permitting, acquisitions, and construction. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 8 September 2017

18 SOURCE: FDOT Tampa Bay Express Draft Master Plan. Figure 4-4 TBX Master Plan and TIS SEIS Segments Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 9 September 2017

19 5 PROJECT SCHEDULE FDOT and FHWA expect the environmental review process to take about 3 years to complete. The TIS SEIS Project Team will hold public and agency meetings and hearings during this timeframe, along with individual stakeholder briefings and other meetings upon request. Each meeting will provide the opportunity to receive comments and input into the study process. Although the TIS SEIS Project Team will solicit input and incorporate comments continuously throughout the duration of the study, the TIS SEIS Project Team will link targeted outreach to agencies and the public to the key study milestones so they can incorporate the input into their decision-making. Section 8 of this document provides information on the key study coordination milestones. The following sections provide a brief description of the key milestones. Figure 5-1 shows the anticipated schedule for the TIS SEIS Project. The design and construction dates listed in Figure 5-1 reflect FDOT s technical timeline for project delivery. Actual dates are subject to funding availability and limitations. 6 PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF CONCERNS The following sections briefly summarize the effects of the TIS SEIS Project as identified in the 1996 TIS FEIS as subsequent re-evaluations. The sections also discuss what will be evaluated in the Draft SEIS. 6.1 Human, Social, and Cultural The 1996 TIS FEIS and the subsequent re-evaluations identified the following impacts to human, social, and cultural resources: Socioeconomic, Community, Land Use, and Environmental Justice (EJ) Impacts: The TIS SEIS Project will enhance the region s existing interstate system and improve area-wide mobility. The TIS SEIS Project will minimize right-of-way acquisition and impacts to existing and future land uses because the proposed improvements involve an existing freeway and land uses near the study area. The TIS SEIS Project will also improve traffic circulation within existing communities. The TIS SEIS Project will require the relocation of 12 places of worship, 3 public educational facilities, 1 fire department communications facility, a Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, Inc. facility, and a building belonging to the Salvation Army. The TIS SEIS Project Team will maintain access to many neighborhoods adjacent to I-275 and I-4. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 10 September 2017

20 NOTE: Design and Construction dates listed here reflect FDOT s technical timeline for project delivery. Actual dates are subject to funding availability and limitations. Figure 5-1 Summary Technical Schedule for the TIS SEIS Project Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 11 September 2017

21 The proposed improvements evaluated in the 1996 TIS FEIS will directly affect predominantly minority and lowincome neighborhoods, where residential and business relocations would occur in an economically depressed with marginal to substandard housing. Possible disproportionately high and adverse effects on community cohesion have been a major concern of the project team from the beginning. Extensive public involvement and creative community sensitive design and mitigation measures have endeavored to protect and, in some instances, enhance community cohesion (see Appendix C for a list of the public involvement activities held to date). Noise barriers will reduce ambient traffic noise levels throughout the neighborhoods and aesthetic treatments will soften the appearance of the nearby roadway. The Urban Design Guidelines (FDOT 1994) established for the TIS SEIS Project discusses the aesthetic treatments developed for the TIS SEIS Project (see Appendix 4 of the 1996 TIS FEIS for a copy of the Urban Design Guidelines) 1. The TIS SEIS Project Team anticipate that that the aesthetic treatments and noise mitigation measures will have a positive effect on community revitalization and renewal, neighborhood identity, and quality of life along the TIS SEIS Project corridor. Section 6.3 further discusses noise mitigation measures and the efforts that FDOT has conducted to date to address noise impacts. As a result of the initial interstate construction in the early 1960s, many established neighborhoods in Tampa were severed. Over the past 30 years, most of these neighborhoods, many of which are predominantly minority and low-income, have reestablished themselves as cohesive units. Any proposed interstate improvement may cause additional impacts to these same neighborhoods. In the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will evaluate potential impacts to minority and low-income neighborhoods in the study area, particularly as it relates to the proposed toll express lanes, and determine whether the effects are disproportionately high and adverse to minority and low-income populations. The analysis will address questions such as: o How will low-income and non-low-income households use the transportation facilities after a toll is imposed? o How would tolls affect the economic status of low-income and non-low-income households on average? o For residents who choose to use tolled routes, how much time will they save? How much extra time will they spend in travel? o How will the potential behavioral changes differ by income status? o What are the options for people without access to credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts to use priced facilities? The TIS SEIS Project Team will also further evaluate areas where noise abatement measures may be needed. The TIS SEIS Project Team will also continue to gather public input throughout the life of the project and strive to include all communities that the TIS SEIS Project could affect. The TIS Urban Design Guidelines (FDOT 1994) will serve as guidelines for implementing mitigation measures to address impacts of the TIS SEIS Project. Historic/Archaeological: The TIS SEIS Project Team identified several properties in the study area that are eligible or listed on the National Register for Historic Places (NRHP) pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended (16 U.S. Code [USC] 470; 36 CFR 800). Table FDOT developed the TIS Urban Design Guidelines knowing that the interstate system would be designed and constructed over decades. Consequently, the process established and design elements included as part of the Urban Design Guidelines continues to provide consistency from project to Project while allowing flexibility for designers and contractors to explore innovative ideas and reflect changing design standards and policies. This flexibility has allowed the Guidelines process to remain effective through the design and construction of I-4, 14 th to 50 th, the I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector Project, and most recently the I-275 from Westshore to the Hillsborough River Bridge Project, as FDOT has moved from standard design/right-of-way/ construction phasing to Design Build projects for the Interstate. To preempt discussions that the Guidelines are an old document, a white paper will be prepared outlining the process, history of the development of the Guidelines as well as the adaptation to the Design Build process. The TIS SEIS Project Team will use this information in the SEIS and in resource analysis technical memorandums, as needed. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 12 September 2017

22 provides a summary of the number of properties that the TIS SEIS Project will affect. The TIS SEIS Project will not affect archaeological sites. Table 6-1 Historic Properties in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Area Number of Properties Identified Number Affected West Tampa National Register Historic District Contributing Structures Ybor City National Historic Landmark District Contributing Structures Tampa Heights Multiple Property Listing 6 6 Contributing Structures 3 Listed or Eligible Structures Seminole Heights National Register Historic District Area of Potential Effect 24 3 SOURCE: FDOT TIS SEIS Project Final Environmental Impact Statement Section 4(f) Evaluation. For all properties that the TIS SEIS Project will affect, the TIS SEIS Project Team evaluated alternatives to minimize harm to the properties that the TIS SEIS Project will affect. The FHWA determined that there is no feasible and prudent alterative to the use of the land from these properties and that the TIS SEIS Project will not substantially impair the integrity or significance of the West Tampa National Register Historic District or the Ybor City National Historic Landmark District nor compromise its national Register eligibility. The TIS SEIS Project includes all possible planning to minimize harm. In August 1996, the TIS SEIS Project Team, in coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, developed a Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (see Appendix E of the 1996 TIS FEIS). The MOA includes commitments for the mitigation of impacts to historic structures within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) including the proposed moving and rehabilitation of certain historic structures, and numerous design amenities defined in the TIS Urban Design Guidelines (FDOT 1994). FDOT has implemented mitigation activities associated with the MOA. FDOT fulfilled the MOA stipulations related to I-275 (the West Tampa Historic District and one individually significant residence) and documented it in the MOA Cultural Resources Status Reports for TIS SEIS Project. As of April 2017, the FDOT has implemented mitigation activities associated with the Section 106 MOA. As part of final design, FDOT re-established the Cultural Resources Committee (CRC) consisting of representatives from the FHWA, FDOT, City of Tampa, State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), Barrio Latino Commission, and other pertinent organizations. The purpose of the committee has been to ensure that the TIS SEIS Project Team provides appropriate attention to cultural resources and to provide guidance on these issues to FDOT. FDOT has fulfilled the MOA stipulations, as related to I-275 (the West Tampa Historic District and one individually significant residence) and has documented the actions in the MOA Cultural Resources Status Reports for this TIS SEIS Project. As part of the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will update the August 1996 MOA, as appropriate, if the SEIS identifies additional impacts to Section 106 properties. The TIS SEIS Project Team will also consider additional applicable mitigation and minimization methods when evaluating mitigation measures. The TIS Urban Design Guidelines (FDOT 1994) will serve as guidelines and mitigation measures for the Section 106 process by providing design standards for unique areas within the corridor including West Tampa, Ybor City, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, downtown Tampa, and the Westshore area. See Appendix 4 of the 1996 TIS FEIS for a copy of the Urban Design Guidelines. Indirect and Cumulative Impacts: The primary secondary, or indirect, effect of the project will be visual impacts. The TIS SEIS Project Team developed the Urban Design Guidelines (FDOT 1994) to minimize indirect impacts to Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 13 September 2017

23 land uses adjacent to the TIS SEIS Project as well as to users of the interstate. The Urban Design Guidelines address 13 design elements: bridge structures, retaining walls and embankments, noise walls, lighting, fencing, sign supports, stormwater management areas, landscaping, pavement and streetscape, opportunities for public art, utilities, mounds and grading, and recreation facilities and architectural elements. See Appendix 4 of the 1996 TIS FEIS for a copy of the Urban Design Guidelines. The TIS SEIS Project Team did not evaluate cumulative effects in the 1996 TIS FEIS. The TIS SEIS Project Team will evaluate whether there would be any changes to the secondary effects identified in the 1996 TIS FEIS and whether the project would result in cumulative effects. Planning Consistency and Financial Feasibility: The Hillsborough County MPO included the TIS SEIS Project in the 2015 LRTP and 2020 LRTP, as described in Section 4.2. The 1996 TIS FEIS indicates that the TIS SEIS Project was also consistent with the Future of Hillsborough Comprehensive Plan for Unincorporated Hillsborough County (Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission 1989) and the Tampa Comprehensive Plan (City of Tampa). In 2007, Federal Planning Regulations changed to require projects be in the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) prior to NEPA approval (23 CFR 450 and 500). FHWA must consider the broader context of fiscal stewardship and expects that FDOT include projects in the LRTP Cost Feasible Plan (CFP). At a minimum, the FDOT must include the next phase of a project in the LRTP with the project either programmed in the STIP/ Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), or as an informational item in the STIP/TIP. If the project is less than fully funded, FDOT must describe the planned implementation for full funding in the environmental document. In the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will describe what parts of the TIS SEIS Project the Hillsborough MPO has included in the STIP/TIP and the planned implementation for full funding of the TIS SEIS Project. 6.2 Natural This section describes the effects of the TIS SEIS Project on natural resources as identified in the 1996 TIS FEIS and reevaluations. Due to the heavily urbanized nature of the study area, there are no sensitive waterways, wild and scenic rivers, critical habitat, threatened and endangered species, or farmlands within the TIS SEIS Project study area. In the 1996 TIS FEIS, the USFWS made a determination of no effect and determined that the TIS SEIS Project is consistent with the Endangered Species Act. The Office of Planning and Budget, Office of the Governor determined that the TIS SEIS Project is consistent with the Florida Coastal Zone Management Plan. Wetlands: In accordance with Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, the TIS SEIS Project Team identified for the presence of wetlands that the TIS SEIS Project would affect in the 1996 TIS FEIS. The 1996 TIS FEIS identified 15 wetlands that the TIS SEIS Project would affect. The 2008 reevaluation for Section 3C identified nine additional wetlands that the TIS SEIS Project would affect and one that the TIS SEIS Project would no longer affect. The wetlands consist of man-made brackish ponds, man-made freshwater ponds, man-made drainage channels, man-made herbaceous wetlands, scrub/shrub wetlands, and forested wetlands. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory (NWI) classification for wetlands found in the TIS SEIS Project study area include: E1UB3Lx, PUBHx, R2UBHx, PEMIFx, PEMIC, PF03/IA, PUBFx, and PSS3J. They are located within the infields of on-/off-ramps or are surrounded by development and offer limited accessibility to wildlife and provide little value as recreational areas. The TIS SEIS Project will affect wetlands because of filling activities necessary to widen the existing roadway and to construct new roadway. Executive Order 11990, 23 CFR 777, and DOT Order A (Order on Preservation of the Nation's Wetlands), directs FHWA and the USDOT to avoid new construction in wetlands. In order to comply with these requirements, the TIS SEIS Project Team will avoid wetland impacts, if possible, and minimize unavoidable wetland impacts. An alternatives wetlands impact analysis comparison will be one component within the TIS SEIS Project impact matrices. The TIS SEIS Project Team will propose mitigation alternatives for unavoidable wetland impacts to meet State and Federal requirements. The TIS SEIS Project Team will mitigate impacts as directed by the permitting agencies including the creation of water quality treatment/flood volume attenuation ponds, which would compensate for the functions performed by the affected wetland areas. The TIS SEIS Project Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 14 September 2017

24 Team will mitigate wetland impacts that would result from the construction of this project pursuant to , Florida Statutes (FS) to satisfy all mitigation requirements of Part IV, Chapter 373, FS and 33 USC For the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will investigate whether the new alterative will have impacts to wetlands in the study area and evaluate avoidance and minimization opportunities. If the TIS SEIS Project Team cannot avoid impacts to wetlands, they will identify available mitigation options within the SEIS. Stormwater, Drainage, Hydrology, and Water Quality: The 1996 TIS FEIS indicates that the TIS SEIS Project will require that FDOT reconstruct the existing interstate drainage system as an urban or enclosed storm sewer system. The existing interstate storm sewer system will probably not be salvageable under the proposed improvements due to the magnitude of the proposed interstate reconstruction. This will be evaluated in the TIS SEIS. In order to meet regulatory criteria and to minimize impacts to the existing stormwater outfall system, volume storage in the form of excavated detention ponds is proposed. The State and Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) requirements for stormwater treatment (Chapter 40D-40 F.A.C.) will apply throughout the study area, which will mitigate any water quality impacts. In the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will confirm whether there would be any additional impacts to stormwater and water quality. Floodplains and Floodways: In the 1996 TIS FEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team determined that the TIS SEIS Project is within a base floodplain, pursuant to Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management. The TIS SEIS Project Team evaluated and determined that impacts associated with the encroachment will be minimal and not constitute an encroachment and would not involve a regulated floodway. Due to the degree of existing development within the project area, the proposed roadway improvements should not cause incompatible floodplain development or reduce beneficial floodplain values. The proposed roadway is primarily an elevated highway. Roadway overtopping and traffic interruption due to flooding should not occur or will not be significant. The roadway within the project study area currently serves the community as an evacuation route. Modification to the roadway width and drainage structures should improve the use of the facility for emergency services and evacuation purposes. In the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will confirm whether there would be any additional impacts to floodplains and floodways. 6.3 Physical The TIS SEIS Project would affect the following physical resources: Recreation Areas/Section 4(f): FHWA determined in the 1996 TIS FEIS that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of a limited amount of land from Perry Harvey Park for public transportation purposes. The TIS SEIS Project Team prepared conceptual mitigation plans for the park, coordinated the plans with the City of Tampa, and presented them to the community for input. Mitigation includes berms, landscape materials, a noise barrier, realignment of walkways and paths, replacement of the skateboard facility at a location to be designated by the City, and relocation of the Kid Mason Fendall Center into the Perry Harvey Park. As part of the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will update the Section 4(f) evaluation and determination as appropriate. Acquisitions and Displacements: According to the 1996 TIS FEIS, the TIS SEIS Project would require the relocation of 1,014 residences and 159 businesses. There may be additional acquisitions identified as part of the SEIS. The 2008 reevaluation of Section 3C identified an additional 27 single-family residences, 2 duplexes, and 9 businesses that the TIS SEIS Project would displace. The 2017 reevaluation identified eight additional properties that the TIS SEIS Project Team will need to acquire. As part of the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will evaluate whether TIS SEIS Project will require additional acquisitions and relocations. To date, FDOT has acquired 941 properties. The TIS SEIS Project Team will continue to outreach to affected property owners to ensure that they are fully aware of changes to the project, to answer questions, and further explain the relocation process. In order to Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 15 September 2017

25 minimize the unavoidable effects of right-of-way acquisition and displacement of people, FDOT will carry out a right-of-way and relocation program in accordance with Florida Statute and the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970 (Public Law ). Air Quality: The 1996 TIS FEIS indicates that carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations will be lower in the vicinity of the TIS SEIS Project as a result of increased motor vehicle mobility, faster operating speeds, and less stopand-go driving. The microscale analysis in the 1996 TIS FEIS indicates that the TIS SEIS Project will not cause, or contribute to, CO concentrations above the one- and eight-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The SEIS will confirm that the TIS SEIS Project is consistent with the Congestion Management System (CMS) Plan. Noise: The TIS SEIS Project Team estimated that 1,351 noise sensitive sites will experience noise levels approaching or exceeding the FHWA Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC), based on the FHWA STAMINA 2.0 model. The 2008 reevaluation for Section 3C identified 87 residences within the study area that are predicted to experience exterior traffic noise levels that approach, meet, or exceed the NAC. The TIS SEIS Project Team will implement noise barriers as a vertical design element to minimize impacts associated with the project. To date, FDOT has constructed noise walls along much the TIS SEIS Project corridor. As part of the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will evaluate potential noise impacts using FHWA s latest Traffic Noise Model. Visual and Aesthetics: The 1996 TIS FEIS indicates that the relatively flat terrain of the project study area combined with the proposed structural improvements to the interstate system, including areas of continuous noise barriers, result in potential secondary impacts. The TIS Urban Design Guidelines (FDOT 1994) will serve as guidelines and mitigation measures to minimize indirect visual impacts to land uses adjacent to the system and to users of the freeway. The Urban Design Guidelines provide guidance on specific aesthetic design requirements for bridge structures; retaining walls and embankments; noise walls; lighting, fencing, and sign supports; stormwater and surface water management areas; landscaping; public art; utilities; mounds and grading; and recreation facilities. See Appendix 4 of the 1996 TIS FEIS for a copy of the Urban Design Guidelines. Transit: As stated in the 1996 TIS FEIS, closure of the existing I-4/40th Street interchange will result in more circuitous travel for buses accessing the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility on 21 st Street. FDOT will continue the ongoing coordination with HART to explore options that reduce the excess travel distance. In addition, the TIS SEIS Project will result in the relocation of HART's existing Northern Transit Terminal. FDOT is committed to providing a new facility as part of the TIS SEIS Project. With input from HART, the TIS SEIS Project Team will identify and evaluate options for the new location of the Northern Transit Terminal prior to vacating the existing site. As part of the 1996 TIS FEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team also developed bus transit facilities as an integral part of the TIS SEIS Project. The TIS SEIS Project Team proposed an exclusive high occupancy vehicle (HOV) transit way in the central business district area. Additionally, priority HOV access ramps and park-n-ride lots are proposed. In addition, the TIS SEIS Project Team has developed the current TIS SEIS Project in accordance with planned public transit operational improvements. The TIS SEIS Project provides for the construction of a large downtown multi-modal terminal/hov parking structure, transit connected, to accommodate buses and cars and provide commuters with convenient access to existing and future mass transit options. As envisaged, the proposed structure will incorporate the future development of high-speed rail, electric streetcars, and people mover connections. The SEIS will evaluate potential impacts to HART s existing transit services in the study area. Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities: The TIS SEIS Project includes provisions or the future development of pedestrian and bicycle accommodations on cross streets beneath the interstate. FDOT is committed to developing new interstate overpasses, which ensure that all cross streets have sufficient room to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians during future local road improvement projects. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 16 September 2017

26 Utilities: Potential impacts to utility systems would vary throughout the study area. The 1996 TIS FEIS indicates that TIS SEIS Project Team will need to relocate electric lines, sanitary sewer lines, water and natural gas mains, and buried telephone and cable lines. As part of the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team will evaluate whether any additional impacts to utilities would occur. Traffic Operations and Local Street Network: Results of the traffic analyses in the 1996 TIS FEIS show that the locations analyzed in the TIS SEIS Project study area will operate at Level of Service C or better. With neighborhood input, the TIS SEIS Project includes numerous local street modifications to improve access and maintain local circulation. Several existing through streets, located primarily in the downtown area and that currently pass beneath the interstate system will instead terminate at the interstate. In their place, the TIS SEIS Project improvements will open several other streets that currently terminate at the interstate and become through streets. Overall, the TIS SEIS Project Team will maintain access to the many neighborhoods adjacent to I-275 and I-4 and will not substantially alter traffic circulation within existing communities. The TIS SEIS Project Team will evaluate potential traffic impacts of the TIS SEIS Project new alternative in the SEIS. Construction: During construction, some local access points could be temporarily closed as a result of construction activities. Commercial and industrial operations could experience temporary inconveniences over the short-term as a result of this construction; however, the improved access should stimulate long-term business growth within the corridor. Construction activities will cause minor short-term air quality impacts in the form of dust from earthwork and unpaved roads and smoke from open burning. Water quality could be affected in the short-term during the project's construction due to increases in turbidity levels in watercourses directly adjacent to construction activities. Construction activities will be in accordance with Best Management Practices for air and water impacts. The TIS SEIS Project Team will further evaluate potential construction impacts in the SEIS. 7 AGENCY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under 23 USC 139(d), Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decision-making, agencies are responsible for identifying any issues of concern regarding potential environmental, social, or economic impacts that could substantially delay or prevent an agency from granting a permit or other approval needed for the project. 23 USC 139(d) assures that the TIS SEIS Project Team fully engages agencies in the scoping of the project and decisions regarding alternatives that the TIS SEIS Project Team will evaluate in detail in the NEPA analysis. An agency s role related to their areas of expertise may include the following: Provide meaningful and early input to the methodologies and level of detail required in the alternatives analysis and environmental studies; Identify issues that could substantially delay or prevent granting of permits/approvals; Identify opportunities for collaboration, including attending coordination meetings and joint field reviews, as appropriate; and Provide timely review and comment on preliminary environmental documents to reflect the views and concerns of their respective agencies on the adequacy of the documents, alternatives considered, and anticipated impacts and mitigation. Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decision-making (23 USC 139(d)) requires lead agencies to establish a plan for coordinating public and agency participation and comment during the environmental review process. The purposes of the coordination plan are to facilitate and document the lead agencies' structured interaction with the public and other agencies and inform the public and other agencies of how the TIS SEIS Project Team will accomplish effective coordination. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 17 September 2017

27 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), signed into law in July 2012, amended 23 USC 139(d) by providing additional guidance on agency participation in the NEPA process. MAP-21 required Cooperating and Participating Agencies to carry out their obligations under applicable laws concurrently with the lead agency's environmental review process, unless doing so would impair their ability to conduct needed analysis or otherwise carry out those obligations. Enacted in 2015, the Fixing America s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) builds on the requirements revised in MAP-21 to accelerate the environmental review process for surface transportation projects. It strives to institutionalize best practices and expedite complex infrastructure projects without undermining critical environmental laws or opportunities for public engagement. Further, the FAST Act clarifies that an agency participating in the environmental review process shall: Provide comments, responses, studies, or methodologies on those areas within the special expertise or jurisdiction of the agency; and Use the process to address any environmental issues of concern to the agency. To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with applicable law, each agency receiving an opportunity for involvement shall limit the comments of the agency to subject matter areas within the special expertise or jurisdiction of the agency. The Federal Lead Agency will consider and respond to comments received from agencies on matters within the special expertise or jurisdiction of those agencies. The FHWA and FDOT have prepared this Project Coordination Plan in compliance with 23 USC 139(d). The Coordination Plan will foster participation and cooperation among federal, state, regional, county, and local agencies, as well as tribal governments during the environmental review process. It describes the roles and responsibilities of each agency involved in the study. 7.1 Lead Agencies The FHWA is the designated Federal Lead Agency for the environmental review process. As such, the FHWA is responsible for implementing NEPA, including compliance with regulatory requirements, legal sufficiency of the SEIS, and ensuring opportunities for agency involvement. FHWA is the Lead Agency and FDOT is the Local Project Sponsor and State Joint Lead Agency that is preparing the SEIS. FDOT is also responsible for ensuring opportunities for public and agency involvement. The FHWA and FDOT identified a list of federal, state, regional, county, and local agencies, as well as tribal governments to invite to become either a Cooperating Agency or Participating Agency for this environmental review process. The following sections describes the Cooperating and Participating Agencies. 7.2 Cooperating Agencies Title 40 CFR and 23 USC 139(d)(5) define Cooperating Agencies areas federal agencies with jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in the study. Other agencies or tribal governments of similar qualifications may also qualify if FHWA concurs. Cooperating Agencies have a slightly greater degree of responsibility and involvement in the environmental review process than Participating Agencies (discussed further below in Section 7.3). The TIS SEIS Project Team will request Cooperating Agencies to provide the following during the development of the SEIS on areas within the special expertise or jurisdiction of the agency: Meaningful and early input on the purpose and need, range of alternatives, methodologies, and level of detail required to evaluate impacts to the agency s jurisdictional resource(s); Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 18 September 2017

28 Attending monthly in-person coordination meetings, including access via teleconference, as well as possible field visits as needed; Timely reviews and written comments on the NEPA documents that explain the views and concerns of the agency on the adequacy of the document, anticipated impacts, and mitigation strategies; Identification of the impacts and important issues that the TIS SEIS Project Team should address in the SEIS pertaining to the intersection of the alternatives with the agency s jurisdictional resource(s); and Make available the necessary professional staff to assist in the SEIS process and development of all technical documents. Identify acceptability of the environmental document in satisfying their jurisdictional requirements. Adopt the Final SEIS after a Cooperating Agency independent review concludes that the document satisfies NEPA and regulations under their jurisdiction. The TIS SEIS Project Team invited two agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to be a Cooperating Agency. The USCG accepted the invitation on April 5, On April 12, 2017, the USACE declined to be a Cooperating Agency and, instead, will serve as a Participating Agency. See Appendix A for agency contact information and Appendix B for the invitation letters. The TIS SEIS Project Team will hold monthly in-person and/or webinar meetings with Cooperating Agencies, along with agency meetings at the remaining key milestones in the environmental review process, as discussed in Section 6. This will include key milestone meetings for the agencies prior to any public information meetings and before the public hearings on the Draft SEIS. 7.3 Participating Agencies Participating Agencies, as defined in 23 USC 139(d)(1), can be federal, state, regional, county, and local agencies, as well as tribal governments that may have an interest in the TIS. The responsibilities of these agencies related to areas within their special expertise or jurisdiction include, but are not limited to: Reviewing this coordination plan with schedule and providing comments or concurrence on its contents (per the FAST Act); Meaningful and early input on the purpose and need, range of alternatives, methodologies, and level of detail required to evaluate impacts to respective jurisdictional resource(s); Identifying issues of concern regarding potential environmental or socioeconomic impacts; Attending key milestone meetings, as well as possible field visits as needed; Providing meaningful and timely input on unresolved issues; and Commenting on the Draft and Final SEIS during the circulation and availability period. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 19 September 2017

29 Table 7-1 lists the agencies invited to be a Participating Agency, along with their response to the invitation. Of those, seven accepted the invitation. The FTA declined to participate and the USACE chose to participate as a Participating Agency rather than a Cooperating Agency. See Appendix A for agency contact information and Appendix B for the invitation letters. Accepting the designation as a Participating Agency does not indicate support for the TIS, nor does it provide the agency with increased oversight or approval authority beyond its statutory limits, if applicable. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 20 September 2017

30 Table 7-1 Participating Agencies Agency Federal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Southeast Regional Office National Park Service (NPS), Southeast Region U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Region IV U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) State Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources (SHPO) Response to Invitation Accept Accept Decline Accept Accept Accept Accept Accept Accept The TIS SEIS Project Team will hold meetings with Participating Agencies to discuss specific subjects of interest, concerns, and recommendations at the key milestones in the environmental review process, as discussed in Section 6. This will include key milestone meetings as defined in Section 8 for the agencies prior to the public information meetings and before the public hearings on the Draft SEIS. The TIS SEIS Project Team anticipates holding these key milestone meetings at various locations throughout the TIS SEIS Project Study Area. 7.4 Conflict Resolution for Cooperating Agencies The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) provided a formal process for resolving serious issues that may delay the proposed project or result in denial of a required approval for the proposed project. Section 1306 of MAP-21 replaced the SAFETEA-LU language on "Issue Resolution." The FHWA Florida Division Administrator, FDOT, or the Governor of Florida may invoke the Section 1306 process for issue resolution at any time. However, the TIS SEIS Project Team will consider the conflict resolution process, discussed below, the first option for issue resolution prior to invocation of Section Should an issue come to an impasse between the FHWA, FDOT, and a Cooperating Agency, the general process for addressing and resolving the issue would be: Involved parties will identify and agree on the issue that the TIS SEIS Project Team will need to resolve at the project manager level; The manager at the area, district, or section level will initiate the conflict resolution process; The TIS SEIS Project Team will notify the Cooperating Agency manager at the regional or deputy level; The TIS SEIS Project Team or the Cooperating Agency will compile and submit all pertinent information to involved parties; Involved parties will determine whether they have received all information necessary for issue resolution; The TIS SEIS Project Team will hold a formal meeting (involving the first three tiers of management) to resolve the issue, followed by a 30-day review/decision period; A decision will be made, recorded, and passed on to the appropriate team members; and The process is completed. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 21 September 2017

31 Under the FAST Act, any issue resolved by the Federal Lead Agency with the concurrence of the Cooperating Agency may not be reconsidered unless significant new information or circumstances arise. If issue resolution does not occur, a discussion of the issue and why resolution could not be reached will be submitted to the heads (e.g., administrator, director, or commander) of the Cooperating Agencies for further review. 8 AGENCY COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION The TIS SEIS Project Team will be seeking input from the Cooperating and Participating Agencies throughout the SEIS process in accordance with 23 CFR 139(h). Specifically, the TIS SEIS Project Team will be requesting the Cooperating and Participating Agencies to review and comment on the major deliverables listed below. FHWA and FDOT will work with Participating and Cooperating Agencies to identify concerns and to resolve issues that could delay completion of the environmental review process or could result in denial of permits under other applicable laws. Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan with Schedule Purpose and Need Alternatives Considered Technical Memorandum SEIS Annotated Outline and Methodology Draft SEIS Combined Final SEIS and ROD National Infrastructure Dashboard Pursuant to the FAST Act, Table 8-1 includes a schedule of major deliverables and review periods for Cooperating and Participating Agencies. The FAST Act requires that each agency conform to the completion period set forth in the project review timetable. Review periods are based on those expressed in 23 CFR 139(g). If an agency fails to meet a deadline, the agency must promptly submit an explanation to FHWA for this failure and a proposal for an alternative deadline, followed by monthly status reports until the agency takes the required action. Table 8-1 Major Deliverables and Review Schedule Major Deliverable Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan with Schedule Schedule for Agency Receipt Cooperating Participating Review Period May 2017 May days Purpose and Need September 2017 September days SEIS Annotated Outline and Collaboration on Methodologies Range of Alternatives Considered Technical Memorandum September 2017 September days December 2017 December Days Administrative Draft SEIS August 2018 Not Applicable 30 days Draft SEIS December 2018 December days Administrative Draft Final SEIS April 2019 Not Applicable 45 days Combined Final SEIS and ROD August 2019 August days The Cooperating and Participating Agencies should submit written comments on the major deliverables to TIS SEIS Project Team within the review periods listed in Table 8-1. Under the FAST Act, Cooperating and Participating Agencies shall limit comments on these major deliverables to subject matter areas within the special expertise or Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 22 September 2017

32 jurisdiction of the agency. The TIS SEIS Project Team will consider and respond to comments received from agencies on matters within the special expertise or jurisdiction of those agencies. The TIS SEIS Project Team will respond within 30 days after the comment period ends, documenting how the TIS SEIS Project Team will address the comments received by the agencies. 8.1 Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan and Project Schedule The Cooperating and Participating Agencies will have an opportunity to provide input on this Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan and project schedule. The FHWA will give the Cooperating and Participating Agencies 30 days [23 CFR 139(g)] from receipt to review and provide a response on the materials provided. At the end of the 30-day review period, the TIS SEIS Project Team will revise, as appropriate, this Plan based on the comments received. The TIS SEIS Project Team assumes that those agencies from which it has not received a response at the end of the 30-day period have no comments that need further consideration. In addition, even if a participating agency declines to participate in the development of the purpose and need and range of alternatives, it must still comply with the schedule developed for the coordination plan. The TIS SEIS Project Team will also provide the Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan and project schedule on the TIS SEIS Project website (TampaBayNext.com) for the public to review. 8.2 Purpose and Need The Cooperating and Participating Agencies will have an opportunity to meaningful provide input on the Purpose and Need statement. The TIS SEIS Project Team will the Purpose and Need to the Cooperating Agency and Participating Agency contact person unless otherwise specified. Once provided, the FHWA will give the Cooperating and Participating Agencies 30 days [23 CFR 139(g)] from receipt to review and provide a response on the materials provided. At the end of the 30-day review period, FHWA in collaboration with FDOT will revise, as appropriate, the Purpose and Need statement based on the comments received. FDOT assumes that those agencies from which it has not received a response at the end of the 30-day period have no comments that need further consideration. 8.3 Range of Alternatives Considered Technical Memorandum Cooperating and Participating Agencies will have an opportunity to provide input on the alternatives development and screening. The TIS SEIS Project Team will the documentation to the Cooperating Agency and Participating Agency contact person unless otherwise specified. Based on the input on the project Purpose and Need, the TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare an Alternatives Considered Technical Memorandum that will include the following: Description of the evaluation criteria that the TIS SEIS Project Team used to evaluate the effectiveness of an alternative in meeting the Purpose and Need of the project and explanation of how the TIS SEIS Project Team used those evaluation criteria; Description of any other factors, besides the Purpose and Need, that the TIS SEIS Project Team considered in the screening of alternatives, such as cost and environmental factors; Methodologies that the TIS SEIS Project Team used in the analysis of each alternative; A summary table of project alternatives that the TIS SEIS Project Team evaluated and their effectiveness in addressing the Purpose and Need of the project; A map showing the location of the project alternatives; Qualitative results of the alternatives analysis and environmental screening (based on existing data sources and GIS inventories); and Discussion and agreement of the elements of the No Further Action Alternative. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 23 September 2017

33 The FHWA will give the Cooperating and Participating Agencies a 30-day period [23 CFR 139(g)] from receipt of the package to review and provide a response. FDOT assumes that those agencies from whom it has not heard at the end of the 30-day period have no comments that need further consideration. 8.4 SEIS Annotated Outline and Methodology Cooperating and Participating Agencies will have an opportunity to provide input on the annotated outline for the Draft SEIS. The FHWA will the annotated outline to the contact person at each Cooperating and Participating Agency unless otherwise specified. The annotated outline will: Describe the draft Purpose and Need of the project; Describe the alternatives that the TIS SEIS Project Team will evaluate in the Draft SEIS; Summarize the potential environmental consequences associated with the studied alternatives; Describe the methodologies to evaluate the potential environmental consequences; Outline the steps for the selection of a preferred alternative; and Summarize the coordination with the public and federal and state agencies. The FHWA will give the Cooperating and Participating Agencies a 30-day period [23 CFR 139(g)] from receipt of the package to review and provide a response. FDOT assumes that those agencies from whom it has not heard at the end of the 30-day period have no comments that need further consideration. 8.5 National Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard The National Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard ( is an online tool for Federal agencies, project developers, and interested members of the public to track the Federal government s environmental review and authorization processes for large or complex infrastructure projects, part of a government-wide effort to improve coordination, transparency, and accountability. The FHWA will upload information about the TIS SEIS Project on the National Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard. 8.6 Administrative Draft SEIS Based on the input received from the Coordinating and Participating Agencies, as well as the public through the public outreach process, and the subsequent detailed investigation of alternatives and analysis of impacts, the TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare an Administrative Draft SEIS document. FHWA will send to the Cooperating Agencies a copy of the Administrative Draft SEIS for a 30-day review [23 CFR 139(g)]. The TIS SEIS Project Team will inquire of Participating Agencies interest in reviewing and commenting on the Administrative Draft SEIS document. If a Participating Agency has interest in reviewing and commenting on the Administrative Draft SEIS, the FHWA will give the Participating Agency 30 days from receipt of the document to review and provide a response; the FHWA will send a reminder to the agencies 7 days before the end of the review period. At the end of the 30-day period, the TIS SEIS Project Team will consider agency input and update the document accordingly. Comments should include input on whether the Administrative Draft SEIS adequately addresses Federal laws and requirements. The FHWA will ask the agencies to specify whether they need additional information to fulfill other applicable environmental reviews or consultation requirements. In addition, the agencies will specify any additional information needed to comment adequately on the Administrative Draft SEIS analysis of site specific effects associated with the granting or approving by the agency of necessary permits, licenses, or entitlements. Based on the output from this coordination point, the TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare the Draft SEIS for FHWA and Cooperating Agency review. Based on FHWA approval of Draft SEIS and the concurrence memos from the Coordinating Agencies, the TIS SEIS Project Team will publish a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register and circulate the Draft SEIS for a minimum 45-day public and agency review period. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 24 September 2017

34 8.7 Notice of Availability of DEIS and Public Hearings FHWA will publish a NOA in the Federal Register to announce the issuance and public availability of the Draft SEIS, solicit comments on the Draft SEIS, and indicate the date for the Public Hearings. The NOA will once again notify the public that the FHWA intends to combine the Final SEIS/ROD using the following text: The FHWA will issue a single Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision document pursuant to Pub. L , 126 Stat. 405, Section 1319(b) unless FHWA determines statutory criteria or practicability considerations preclude issuance of the combined document pursuant to Section In preparation for the Public Hearings, the TIS SEIS Project Team will: Notify stakeholders via a project mailing; Prepare and execute a media advisory for appropriate broadcast and print outlets; Conduct outreach to community organizations, local elected officials, and municipalities; Conduct outreach to Environmental Justice communities and prepare outreach materials in English and Spanish; Arrange for the recordation of formal testimony; Make provisions for comments to be submitted verbally during the Public Hearings or via comment forms at the Public Hearings and during the public comment period by mail, , or via the project website; Maintain an internal database of all submitted comments and prepare a chapter for the Final SEIS summarizing the comments and responses; and Make provisions for translation services. 8.8 Identification of Locally Preferred Alternative and Level of Design Detail Traditionally, and in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations (40 C.F.R (b)(2)), FEIS and ROD documents are issued separately with a minimum 30-day period between the FEIS and ROD. The FAST Act, to the maximum extent practicable, directs the lead agency to expeditiously develop a combined FEIS/ROD unless: The Final SEIS makes substantial changes to the proposed action that are relevant to environmental or safety concerns; or There are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and that bear on the proposed action or the impacts of the proposed action. To implement the FAST Act combined FEIS/ROD provision, the TIS SEIS Project Team will consider identifying a locally preferred alternative (LPA) in the Draft SEIS. The identification of an LPA will be based on the results of the comparative alternatives evaluation. The LPA, or Selected Alternative, will become the Lead Federal Agency Recommended Alternative if no substantial controversy or issues arise through the public and agency comment period. If the FHWA approves the Selected Alternative, the TIS SEIS Project Team will document the Selected Alternative as the Recommended Alternative in the Final SEIS/ROD and discuss the basis for its selection. FHWA will not accept the identification of a LPA until completion of sufficient scoping and analysis to support the identification. If FHWA determines that the LPA does not meet the conditions described above as a result of the public hearing/agency/public comments, then FHWA will not combine the Final SEIS/ROD. The coordination to determine the Recommended Alternative may occur through various mechanisms, including verbal communication, a letter, or identification in the Final SEIS. The TIS SEIS Project Team will describe the Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 25 September 2017

35 coordination and deliberative process in the SEIS and will maintain all documentation of the deliberative process in the project file 8.9 Combined Final SEIS/ROD If FHWA determines that the conditions described in Section 8.8 are met, the TIS SEIS Project Team will complete the environmental review process with the preparation of a combined Final SEIS and ROD. The Final SEIS will respond to comments received on the Draft SEIS and identify the Selected Alternative. In addition, the combined Final SEIS/ROD will confirm the Selected Alternative; present the basis for the decision; describe the alternatives considered; specify the "environmentally preferable alternative;" and provide strategies to avoid, minimize, and compensate for environmental impacts. In either case, FHWA will send the Cooperating Agencies a copy of the Administrative Draft Final SEIS/ROD for a 30-day review. The TIS SEIS Project Team will inquire of Participating Agencies interest in reviewing and commenting on the Administrative Draft Final SEIS/ROD document. If a Participating Agency has interest in reviewing and commenting on the Administrative Draft Combined Final SEIS/ROD, the FHWA will give the Participating Agency 30 days from receipt of the document to review and provide a response; the FHWA will send a reminder to the agencies 7 days before the end of the review period. At the end of the 30-day period, the TIS SEIS Project Team will consider agency input and update the document accordingly. After the TIS SEIS Project Team addresses comments from the Cooperating and Participating Agencies, FHWA will publish an NOA in the Federal Register to announce the issuance and public availability of the combined Final SEIS/ROD. In accordance with 40 CFR , no decision on the proposed action shall be made or recorded by a federal agency until the later of the following dates: (1) 90 days after the NOA published for the DEIS, or (2) 30 days after publication of the NOA for the Final SEIS Separate Final SEIS and ROD If the FHWA decides not to issue a combined Final SEIS/ROD because conditions are not met (see Section 8.8), the TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare a Final SEIS that addresses comments received during the 45-day comment/review period for the Draft SEIS. The TIS SEIS Project Team will provide the Cooperating Agencies with An Administrative Draft of the Final SEIS for a 30-day review. The TIS SEIS Project Team will inquire of Participating Agencies interest in reviewing and commenting on the Administrative Draft Final SEIS/ROD document. If a Participating Agency has interest in reviewing and commenting on the Administrative Draft Final SEIS, the FHWA will give the Participating Agency 30 days from receipt of the document to review and provide a response; the FHWA will send a reminder to the agencies 7 days before the end of the review period. At the end of the 30-day period, the TIS SEIS Project Team will consider agency input and update the document accordingly. Once the FHWA approves the Final SEIS, the FHWA will publish in the Federal Register an NOA for the Final SEIS. The TIS SEIS Project Team will make the Final SEIS available for public and agency review for a minimum of 30 days. Upon addressing the substantive comments received in the Final SEIS comment periods, the TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare a ROD indicating the Selected Alternative. FHWA approval of the ROD is the final step in the EIS process. The ROD identifies the selected alternative, presents the basis for the decision, identifies all the alternatives considered, specifies the "environmentally preferable alternative," and provides information on the adopted means to avoid, minimize and compensate for environmental impacts. s Publication of 150-Day Statute of Limitation Notice Section 139(I) of Title 23, USC establishes a 150-day statute of limitations (SOL) for any lawsuits challenging FHWA and other Federal agencies for certain environmental and other approval actions. A Federal agency may publish a notice in the Federal Register, pursuant to 23 USC 139(l), indicating that one or more Federal agencies have taken final action on permits, licenses, or approvals for a transportation project. If such notice is published, claims seeking Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 26 September 2017

36 judicial review of those Federal agency actions will be barred unless such claims are filed within 150 days after the date of publication of the notice, or within such shorter time period as is specified in the Federal laws pursuant to which judicial review of the Federal agency action is allowed. If no notice is published, then the periods of time that otherwise are provided by the Federal laws governing such claims will apply. FHWA files the SOL Notice in the same manner as it filed the Notice of Intent. If no SOL notice is published in the Federal Register, then the applicable statutory or regulatory period for filing claims applies. For example, 28 USC 2401(a) imposes a 6-year statute of limitation for every civil action brought against the U.S. unless there is another law that create a specific statute of limitations period Completion of Applications, Permits, Licenses, or Approvals Occurring Prior To and After the ROD The TIS SEIS Project Team anticipates that the following permits, licenses, and approvals will be required prior to construction: Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Environmental Resource Permit (ERP). The USACE Individual 404 (dredge and fill) Permit. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Generic Permit Stormwater Discharge from Large and Small Construction Activities. Tampa Port Authority coordination and authorization. Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission Miscellaneous Activities in Wetlands Permit. USEPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The TIS SEIS Project Team does not anticipate any other permits, licenses, or approvals for this Project. The TIS SEIS Project Team will apply for all permits approximately one year prior to the construction start date. The FHWA Division Office, in cooperation with FDOT, will be responsible for tracking these decision-making timelines as a part of their management of the project. The FHWA Division Office will address schedule problems as soon as they occur. 9 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN The purpose of this public outreach component of the study is to outline a strategy for providing information to and receiving and considering input from interested citizens (the public), residential organization, business groups, and other stakeholders. The TIS SEIS Project has and will continue to have a robust and broad public involvement and outreach program throughout the development, planning, and implementation of the TIS SEIS Project (see Appendix C for a list of meetings that the TIS SEIS Project Team has held to date). The public involvement activities will help the public understand the TIS SEIS Project by becoming educated about project issues and possible choices, by voicing concerns and providing suggestions on those choices or by identifying new choices, by engaging in discussion about issues and concerns. The public involvement and outreach plan is intended to be strategic, collaborative, and inclusive. 9.1 Federal Requirements The TIS SEIS Project Team will conduct public outreach and planning for the TIS SEIS Project in compliance with federal requirements (Title 40 CFR ). These federal requirements state that public participation enables all interested parties to have the opportunity to provide input and comment on the process and be made aware of study developments. NEPA requires agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their actions, document their analysis, and make this analysis available to agencies, tribal governments, and the public for review prior to taking action. NEPA also Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 27 September 2017

37 requires federal agencies to use an interdisciplinary approach as they plan and make decisions that may affect the environment, working collaboratively with other agencies that have jurisdiction or special expertise in the project s issues. This includes agency-provided public notice of hearings and public meetings, and the availability of environmental documents to inform those persons and agencies that may be interested or affected. Public involvement plays an important role in NEPA. The TIS SEIS Project Team will invite the public to participate in the environmental review process by receiving study information, attending public meetings, and submitting comments to the TIS SEIS Project Team. Public comments provide valuable information on issues that the TIS SEIS Project Team will need to address as part of the environmental analyses. During the development of the SEIS, FHWA and FDOT will document and incorporate input from the public and agencies into its decision-making process. 9.2 Identification of Agencies and Concerned Parties The TIS SEIS Project Team identified the following groups that have concern in this study due to jurisdictional review or expressed interest, and may be contacted at the outset of the study in accordance with the FDOT s PD&E Manual (FDOT 2016). As the TIS SEIS Project Team identifies other concerned stakeholders and public agencies throughout the study, they will be listed and contacted. Appendix A contains the Project mailing list. FEDERAL, STATE, REGIONAL, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL AGENCIES Federal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) US Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) US Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries (NMFS) US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) US Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Eastern Region (BIA) US Department of Interior National Park Service, Southeast Region (NPS) US Department of Interior US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) US Department of Interior US Geological Survey Chief (USGS) US Environmental Protection Agency Region IV (EPA) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs State Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forestry Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO) Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources (SHPO) Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) Regional Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 28 September 2017

38 Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) West Central Florida MPOs Chairs Coordinating Committee Tribal Officials Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Chairman Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Section 106 and NAGPRA Coordinator Muskogee (Creek) Nation, Tribal Chair Muskogee (Creek) Nation, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Chief Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Principal Chief Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Seminole Tribe of Florida, Chairman Seminole Tribe of Florida, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS Federal Officials US Senator Bill Nelson US Senator Marco Rubio US Representative Kathy Castor (District 14) US Representative Charlie Crist (District 13) State Senators and Representatives Senator Jeff Brandes (District 24) Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson (District 19) Representative Jackie Toledo (60 th District) Representative Sean Shaw (61st District) Representative Janet Cruz (62 nd District) Hillsborough County Commissioner, District 1 Sandra Murman Commissioner, District 2 Victor Crist Commissioner, District 3 Les Miller, Jr. Commissioner, District 4 Stacy White Commissioner, District 5 Ken Hagan Commissioner, District 6 Pat Kemp Commissioner, District 7 Al Higginbotham Development Services Director Adam Gormly Emergency Management Preston Cook Fire Rescue Dennis Jones MPO Executive Director Beth Alden Planning and Zoning Division Joe Moreda Parks and Recreation Director Dale Dougherty Public Works Director John Lyons Sheriff David Gee School Superintendent Jeff Eakins Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 29 September 2017

39 Planning Commission Melissa Zornitta Environmental Protection Commission Janet Dougherty County Administrator Mike Merrill City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn Commissioner, District 1 Mike Suarez Commissioner, District 2 Charlie Miranda Commissioner, District 3 Yvonne Yolie-Capin Commissioner, District 4 Harry Cohen Commissioner, District 5 Frank Reddick Commissioner, District 6 Guido Maniscalco Commissioner, District 7 Luis Viera Architectural Review Commission Peter Carlin Architectural Review & Historic Preservation Dennis Fernandez Barrio Latino Commission Chair Dennis Fernandez Chief of Police Eric Ward Community Partnerships & Neighborhood Engagement Miray Holmes Convention Center and Tourism Rick Hamilton Economic and Urban Development Bob McDonaugh Emergency Management Chauncia Willis Fire Chief Thomas Forward Historic Preservation Commission Owen LaFave Housing and Community Development Vanessa McCleary Land Development Gloria Moreda Mayor s African American Advisory Council Chandra Lee Parking Division Charles Dummett Parks and Recreation Greg Bayor Planning and Urban Design Catherine Coyle Planning and Development Thomas Snelling Public Works and Utility Services Brad Baird Transportation and Stormwater Director Jean Duncan Tampa Housing Authority Jerome Ryans Utilities Elias Franco West Tampa Development Jeanette Fenton OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES Neighborhood Organizations Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan Carver City/Lincoln Gardens Civic Association Dr. Maurice Harvey, President Dana Shores Civic Association Allison Roberts, President Downtown River Arts Neighborhood Association Jeffrey Zampitella, President East Ybor Historic & Civic Association* Fran Costantino, President Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association* Christopher Vela, President Historic Seminole Heights* Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association Debi Johnson, President North Bon Air Neighborhood Association Richard Reavis, President Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 30 September 2017

40 Northeast MacFarlane (MacFarlane Park Assoc.) Missy Martin North Hyde Park Civic Association * Robert Allen, President Old West Tampa Neighborhood Association * Steven Michael Vannetta, President Seminole Heights Foundation, Inc. Randy Baron, President Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association Stan Lasater, President Tampa Heights Civic Association* Ricardo Fernandez, President Tampa Heights Community Garden Kitty Wallace Westshore Residential Neighborhood Improvement Committee Margaret Vizzi, Chair Ybor Heights Neighborhood Association Jon Dengler, President Westshore Palms, Inc. Alan Johnson, President West Riverfront Ruth McNair, President * - Historically significant Parks & Recreation Centers Borrell Park Central Park Skate Park Cuscaden Park Doyle Carlton Drive Park Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park Jose Marti Park Macfarlane Park Schools Academy Preparatory School Blake High School BT Washington Elementary School Carver Junior High School Dunbar Elementary Magnet School Hillsborough Community College ITT Technical Institute - Tampa Lee School Transit/Transportation CSX Transportation Florida Trucking Association Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Hillsborough County School Transportation Places of Worship Allen Temple AME Church Bible Church of God Holiness Church of Jesus Church of Christ Christ Of Calvary Community Church Eben-Ezer Baptist Haitian Church Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Faith Tabernacle of Tampa First Baptist Church of West Tampa Oaklawn Cemetery Perry Harvey, Sr. Park Robles Park Salcines Minipark Tampa Heights Greenway Tampa Water Works Park Ulele Spring Water Works Park Patricia Sullivan Partnership School St. Peter Claver Catholic School Tampa Preparatory School Troy University University of Phoenix University of Tampa West Tampa Head Start Center Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Public Transportation Commission Tampa International Airport Tampa Port Authority Friendly Missionary Baptist Church Friendship Missionary Baptist Florida Bahamas Synod Grace Evangelical Church Grace Baptist Church Igl Faro De Restauracion Deeper Life Christian Church Immanuel Lutheran Church MacFarlane Park Baptist Church Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 31 September 2017

41 Mount Olive AME Church Mount Sinai AME Zion Church Mount Vernon Primitive Baptist Church New Bright Morning Star First Baptist Church-W Tampa New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church New Salem Primitive Baptist Church Pentecostal Church of God Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Saint James House of Prayer Saint Mary Missionary Baptist Church Soldiers of the Cross of Christ Evangelical International Church Tampa United Methodist Centers Rosa Valdez Day Care The General Assembly Church of the First Born Civic and Business Organizations Downtown Tampa Partnership Christine Burdick, President Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Bob Rohrlack, President Heights Urban Core Chamber Kimberly Overman, President Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay Ileana DeLeon Martin, CHair National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Dr. Bennie Small, Chair North Hyde Park Community Development Area (CRA)Board Kari Kutrz, President Sunshine Citizens Christopher Vela, President Tampa Bay Black Chamber of Commerce Willis K.C. Bowick, President Tampa Bay and Company Santiago Corrada, President Tampa Bay Partnership Brian Lamb, Chair Tampa Downtown Partnership, Inc. Christine Burdick, President Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association Patrick Sneed, Executive Administrator V.M. Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association* Chrissy Gesmundo, President West Tampa Chamber of Commerce Deborah Palmer, Director West Tampa CRA Community Advisory Committee Joe Robinson, Chair Westshore Alliance (Westshore Business District) Ann Kulig, Director Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Copeland Moré, Chair * Community Engagement Charrettes/Meetings The TIS SEIS Project Team will seek out and add other organizations and public/special interest groups that may have an interest in the TIS SEIS Project throughout the study. 9.3 Other Opportunities for Agency Involvement Those agencies that are not Participating Agencies as defined in 23 USC 139(d) will have opportunities to provide input and comments on the TIS SEIS Project as it moves forward. The TIS SEIS Project Team identified three Federal agencies that may have an interest in the TIS SEIS Project. They include the HUD, the HHS, and the U.S. Department of Veteran s Administration (VA). These agencies may have information on a resource within the TIS SEIS Project study area. Therefore, the Project Team will inform these agencies of major decisions and solicit them for information as necessary. The TIS SEIS Project Team will maintain a database of agencies developed as part of ongoing coordination efforts and update it throughout the EIS process. The agencies will be points of contact for data required for the SEIS, and the TIS SEIS Project Team will provide them with project information, including project Fact Sheets and project updates. The TIS SEIS Project Team will also notify them of the Draft SEIS and the Final SEIS/ROD. In addition, meetings with these agencies may occur to discuss topical information, but their overall role is expected to be minimal. The agencies may submit comments at any point during project development. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 32 September 2017

42 9.4 Coordination with the Community, Hillsborough County, HART, and the City of Tampa The TIS SEIS Project Team recognizes that it is critical that the Tampa Bay regional community embraces the TIS SEIS Project as an integral element of improving the transportation network serving the driving and commuting public, as well as facilitating the efficient and effective transport of goods and services. As such, the TIS SEIS Project Team intends this outreach plan to be strategic, collaborative, and inclusive. There will be a robust and broad public outreach plan every step of the way during the development, planning, and implementation of the TIS SEIS Project. Stakeholder coordination provides local, state and federal agencies and FDOT with an effective means of working together to increase compliance and streamline the project delivery process. The TIS SEIS Project Team developed a core team of agency representatives from HART, Planning Commission, City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, FHWA, and FDOT to participate in the engagement meetings. The TIS SEIS Project Team will hold additional meetings with the City of Tampa Architectural Review Committee, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Barrio Latino Commission. The TIS SEIS Project Team will make project materials available for review on the TIS SEIS Project website at TampaBayNext.com, as well as notices sent to all parties when they are posted and/or updated. 9.5 Title VI, Limited English Proficiency, and Environmental Justice This section outlines the approach the TIS SEIS Project Team will take with regards to Title VI, Limited English Proficient (LEP) populations, and environmental justice populations Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Specifically, 42 USC 2000d states that, No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. All Recipients of federal funding must comply with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. FDOT s policy is to comply with all Federal and State authorities requiring nondiscrimination. FDOT does not and will not exclude from participation in; deny the benefits of; or subject anyone to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or income. In addition, the Department complies with the Florida Civil Rights Act, and does not permit discrimination on the basis of religion or family status in its programs, services or activities. (Florida Department of Transportation Title VI/Nondiscrimination Program Implementation Plan 2013) FDOT has a Public Involvement Program that is designed to provide early, continuous, and extensive outreach to all communities, but particularly to ensure that project selection does not subject minority populations, as well as low income, disabled, and elderly populations to disproportionately high and adverse effects. FDOT s detailed and comprehensive PD&E Manual (2016) describes how FDOT complies with environmental requirements in project development. The Manual includes extensive chapters on both public involvement and Title VI compliance, which the TIS SEIS Project Team will adhere to throughout the life of the TIS SEIS Project. More information on the PD&E Manual can be found on FDOT s website at Limited English Proficiency Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, requires agencies to develop plans so that people for whom English is not their native language and/or who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English can have meaningful access to the services provided. In the development of any outreach program, a project sponsor must consider those that do not speak English well by notifying and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals that do not speak or read English well in the language in which Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 33 September 2017

43 they are proficient. In response to this directive, US DOT published a document titled Implementing the Department of Transportation's Policy Guidance Concerning Recipients' Responsibilities to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons: A Handbook for Public Transportation Providers (2007) and Enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 National Origin Discrimination Against Persons With Limited English Proficiency; Policy Guidance (65 FR 159) to provide guidance to federal, state and local agencies. FHWA has also published, How to Engage Low-Literacy and Limited-English-Proficiency Populations in Transportation Decisionmaking (2015). Based on that guidance, FDOT has determined that if demographic data within a project area indicates that five percent of the population (or 1,000 persons) or more speak a language other than English, then LEP accommodations will be required. As shown in Figure 9-1, U.S. Census Bureau demographic data indicate that 22 percent of the population in the TIS SEIS Project study area is a Spanish-speaking and 7 percent do not speak English well or not well at all; therefore, the TIS SEIS Project Team determined that they will make Spanish translation materials available for this project. The TIS SEIS Project Team will ensure that all interested parties, including those with limited English proficiency, have an opportunity to participate in the transportation decision-making process. The TIS SEIS Project Team will develop all project materials in both English and Spanish, including advertisements, brochures, meeting invitations, and newsletters. Spanish interpreters will also be available (free of charge) at public meetings and the public hearing. SOURCE(S): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Figure 9-1 Percent of Populations in the Study Area that Speaks English Less than Well or Not Well at All Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 34 September 2017

44 9.5.3 Environmental Justice Populations Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (1994), addresses minority and low-income populations. USDOT Order (a) on environmental justice requires that project sponsors consider environmental justice principles in all USDOT programs, policies, and activities. Environmental Justice at FHWA means identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse effects of the agency's programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations to achieve an equitable distribution of benefits and burdens. This includes the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process. In the context of transportation, effective and equitable decision-making depends on understanding and properly addressing the unique needs of different socioeconomic groups. The USDOT Environmental Justice Strategy identifies three fundamental principles of environmental justice that guide USDOT actions: 1. To avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority and low-income populations; 2. To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decisionmaking process; and 3. To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income populations. Table 9-1 and Figure 9-2, Figure 9-3, and Figure 9-4, show the percentages of minority and low-income populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area. Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino populations are the largest minority groups in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area at 47 percent and 28 percent, respectively. Approximately 35 percent of the population in the TIS Study Area are low-income, i.e. have incomes below the poverty level (or threshold), as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2015, the U.S. Census Bureau s poverty threshold for a family of four was $24,257 and $12,082 for one person. Table 9-1 Minority Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Area Total Population Percent White Alone Percent Black or African American Alone Percent American Indian & Alaska Native Alone Percent Asian Alone Percent Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone Percent Some Other Race Alone Percent Two or More Races Hispanic or Latino TIS SEIS Project Study Area* 34,041 46% 47% 0.3% 1% 0.0% 4% 2% 28% City of Tampa 355,603 65% 25% 0.4% 4% 0.1% 3% 3% 23% Hillsborough County 1,302,884 71% 17% 0.4% 4% 0.1% 5% 3% 26% SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates NOTES: *The TIS SEIS Project Study Area includes all 2015 Block Groups within or partially within the study area Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 35 September 2017

45 Table 9-2 Low-Income Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Area Total Population for whom Poverty Status is Determined Population with Income Below Poverty Level Percent of Population with Income Below Poverty Level TIS SEIS Project Study Area* 33,773 11,806 35% City of Tampa 344,530 75,079 22% Hillsborough County 1,282, ,684 17% SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates NOTES: *The TIS SEIS Project Study Area includes all 2015 Block Groups within or partially within the study area SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Figure 9-2 Minority Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 36 September 2017

46 SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Figure 9-3 Hispanic Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 37 September 2017

47 SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Figure 9-4 Low-Income Populations in the TIS SEIS Project Study Area Methodology for Title VI, LEP, and Environmental Justice Outreach To appropriately provide reasonable accommodation to all persons within the communities involved and potentially affected by the TIS SEIS Project, the study will use a process to identify techniques to address and reduce linguistic, cultural, institutional, geographic, and other barriers to meaningful participation with regards to Title VI, LEP, and environmental justice. Many of these techniques overlap with tools that also reach the public at large, with a goal of providing access so everyone can participate: Translating all public involvement materials (included newspaper advertisements) into Spanish Providing Spanish interpretation at all public meetings and hearings, as well as other languages Including Spanish language graphics for download on the TIS SEIS Project website (TampaBayNext.com), as well as other languages Integrating elected officials, intergovernmental liaisons, and special interest groups into the process Using visualization tools to augment communications to all populations Holding public meetings in locations that are easily accessible and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and at times to garner the best representation of the affected community Holding public hearings along transit lines for those who are transit dependent Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 38 September 2017

48 Notifying of and providing reasonable accommodation to interested individuals with disabilities Holding additional public meetings in environmental justice population areas that may require focused attention Choosing media outlets and other disbursement networks to ensure access to traditionally underserved and LEP populations 9.6 Notification Techniques The TIS SEIS Project Team will use various techniques to notify the public of the proposed transportation improvements and to provide continuing opportunities for public interaction in the decision-making process. All forms of public communication will comply with the Governor's Plain Language Initiative (Section 2 of Executive Order 07-01). This includes letters, advertisements, notices, newsletters, and any other communication meant for public use. This initiative requires the use of clear and simple language that presents necessary information in a logical sequence. It also calls for short sentences written in the active voice making it clear who is responsible for what. The TIS SEIS Project Team will develop all project materials using the 2007 FDOT Plain Language Initiative Guidelines. The TIS SEIS Project Team will add the non-discrimination language shown in Figure 9-5 to all meeting notices, letters, ads, newsletters, boards, and other notification activities. At a minimum, the TIS SEIS Project Team will employ the following techniques to notify the public of opportunities to obtain information and participate in the transportation improvement project development process. Figure 9-5 FDOT Approved Nondiscrimination Language Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Chris Speese, Community Liaison Administrator, at the Florida Department of Transportation, N. McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, or call (813) or christopher.speese@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the meeting Legal Display Newspaper Advertisements to Announce the Public Hearing The TIS SEIS Project Team will handle advertisements for public meetings per State requirements outside of the Federal requirements for the public hearing. General Circulation Print: The TIS SEIS Project Team will publish two legal advertisements announcing the TIS SEIS Project public hearing at least 21 days prior (but no more than 30 days prior) to and again 7 to 12 days before the meeting. Legal advertisements will be published in one of the following newspapers to notify the public of the location, date and time of the public hearing. Tampa Bay Times 1000 N Ashley Street Tampa, FL Centro Tampa 200 S Parker Street Tampa, FL Florida Administrative Register: The TIS SEIS Project Team will also publish a notice in the Florida Administrative Register (FAR) at least 7 days prior to the public hearing. The TIS SEIS Project will submit the FAR ad online, after registering with the Department of State's e-rulemaking website. FDOT Website: The TIS SEIS Project Team will post an announcement of the public hearing on the FDOT public notices website (TampaBayNext.com). by the district s Public Information Officer (PIO) at least 21 days prior to the meeting date. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 39 September 2017

49 9.6.2 News Releases to Local Media Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan The District PIO is responsible for delivering credible information, while interacting with the media, government officials, and the public. The media contact person for the study is Kris Carson, District PIO, or The District PIO News will review and distribute news releases to the media by 3-5 days prior to the public hearing. Table 9-3 lists media outlets that may receive periodic news releases about the project. Table 9-3 Potential News Release Outlets NEWSPAPERS & INTERNET The Tampa Tribune Tampa Bay Times 200 S Parker Street, Tampa, FL N Ashley Street, Tampa, FL Gaceta Latina Tampa Bay Business Journal 5854 Argerian Drive, Suite W. Cypress Street, Suite 800 Wesley Chapel, FL Tampa, FL LaGaceta Florida Sentinel Bulletin 3210 E. 7 th Avenue, Tampa, FL E. 21 st Avenue, Tampa, FL Centro Tampa The Weekly Challenger 200 S Parker Street PO Box Tampa, FL St. Petersburg, FL Florida Courier BLANK PO Box 48857, Tampa, FL RADIO WQYK 99.5 FM and WRBQ FM WUSF 89.7 FM 5510 W Gray Street, Suite E Fowler Avenue, WRB 219 Tampa, FL Tampa, FL WTMP 96.1 FM WDUV FM 5207 Washington Boulevard th Street N, Suite 300 Tampa, FL St. Petersburg, FL WFLA 970 AM WMNF 88.5 FM 4002 Gandy Boulevard 1210 Martin Luther King Boulevard Tampa, FL Tampa, FL TELEVISION Channel 28 WFTS, ABC Channel 10 WTSP, CBS 4045 N Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL Gandy Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL Bay News 9, Hillsborough Bureau Channel 8 WFLA, NBC 4400 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 200 S Parker Street, Tampa, FL Tampa, FL Univision 62 WVEA Tampa (Spanish) 2610 W Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, FL Channel 16, WUSF, PBS 4202 E Fowler Avenue, TVB 100 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Community, Network Channels 19 & North B Street, Tampa, FL Channel 13 WTVT, Fox 3213 W Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Channel 22 HTV 28th Floor County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL City of Tampa Television (CTTV) 202 W. 7th Avenue Tampa, FL Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 44 September 2017

50 9.6.3 Invitational and Informational Newsletters The TIS SEIS Project Team will develop three bi-lingual newsletters, in English and Spanish, for the TIS SEIS Project and distributed at the following times: The TIS SEIS Project Team will distribute the first newsletter at the initiation of the project as will serve as a kickoff newsletter. The second newsletter will serve as an invitation to the public hearing. The TIS SEIS Project Team will mail the third newsletter at the completion of the study and will serve to notify the public about the approval of the Draft SEIS Direct Mail It is critical to the success of the public involvement efforts to identify and target interested citizens. The TIS SEIS Project Team will create and maintain a mailing list using the TIS SEIS Project contact list, as well as information provided by Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, neighborhood associations, chambers of commerce, utility companies, civic organizations, professional business associations, government agencies, and elected officials. Additionally, the TIS SEIS Project Team will add everyone who participates in public involvement activities or otherwise expresses any interest in the TIS SEIS Project to the mailing list. The TIS SEIS Project Team will notify the following by direct mail of opportunities to provide input into the project development process and/or obtain project information. The TIS SEIS Project Team will use Newsletters, as described below, as the primary tool used for direct mail. Property Owners - Those whose property lies, in whole or part, within 300 feet (at a minimum) on either side of the centerline of each project alternative (Section F.S.). The property owners list will be compiled from the Property Appraiser's office using a Geographic Information System (GIS) database containing current tax maps and ownership records. For the public hearing, notification must be received by the property owner at least 21 days prior to the date of the hearing. Public Officials - Elected and appointed officials in the area (county, state, and federal), as well as community leaders who have been identified or have requested to be put on the mailing list. Interested Parties - Neighborhood associations, civic organizations, and individuals who request to be placed on the mailing list for this project. The TIS SEIS Project Team will notify elected and appointed officials days prior to the meeting/hearing. The TIS SEIS Project Team will notify other groups 21 days prior to the meeting/hearing Project Website The TIS SEIS Project Team will post all pertinent study information including maps, handouts, meeting materials, and documents on the TIS SEIS Project website. The TIS SEIS Project website can be found at: TampaBayNext.com. The TIS SEIS Project Team will also provide information on Facebook at /TampaBayNext and on Twitter Within 30 days of the public hearing, the public hearing, scheduled for January 2019, the TIS SEIS Project Team will also provide a notice on the FDOT s website: www2.dot.state.fl.us/publicsyndication/publicmeetings.aspx/publicmeetings. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 45 September 2017

51 9.6.6 Fact Sheet The TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare a bi-lingual fact sheet in Spanish and English for this project and will update it throughout the duration of the project. It will include general information regarding the project such as work program item (WPI) section number, project description, project location map, TIS SEIS Project website address, and the project manager's contact information. The TIS SEIS Project Team will modify the fact sheet to use as a handout at presentations and meetings Project Telephone Hotline The TIS SEIS Project Team will establish a hotline for the project that will be updated with project information. The project hotline will include a recorded message that will provide information on upcoming project events/meetings, a brief project status, and other project contact information. When a person calls, he or she may leave a projectrelated message that the TIS SEIS Project Team will incorporate into the project file Project Office The TIS SEIS Project Team will establish a TIS SEIS Project office where individuals interested in the project can visit to get more information. The TIS SEIS Project Team will establish the office in Summer The TIS SEIS Project Team will record all visits into the project file. 9.7 Public Outreach Activities and Meetings The following subsections describes the public outreach activities and meetings that will take place as part of the TIS SEIS Project Coordination Meetings with Local Agencies and Officials Coordination meetings will present the most current project information and the TIS SEIS Project Team will hold them when deemed appropriate by FDOT or when specifically requested by local officials/agencies. The TIS SEIS Project Team will accomplish coordination with local agencies and officials through presentations to the Hillsborough County MPO, Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), and/or the Board of County Commissioners. In addition to the presentation, the TIS SEIS Project Team may also provide fact sheets, graphic displays, and aerial photography. Appendix C references potential meeting dates Alternatives Public Workshop The TIS SEIS Project Team will hold an Alternatives Public Workshop to present alternatives that the TIS SEIS Project Team is considering and solicit comments from the public on alternatives and the project overall. The TIS SEIS Project Team will use a sign-in sheet to record attendance at the workshop; give a presentation to summarize the findings of the study and explain the alternatives under consideration. Public notification of the meeting will be consistent with the guidelines outlined in this program Researching Best Practices in Public Involvement The TIS SEIS Project Team conducted a peer exchange visit to St. Louis in April 2017 to research best practices in public involvement strategies for urban interstate improvements. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) won an USDOT award for public involvement in the I-64 reconstruction project. The TIS SEIS Project Team organized a delegation of transportation planners, elected officials, business leaders, and interested citizens to Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 46 September 2017

52 participate in the peer exchange. The peer exchange provided an opportunity for the TIS SEIS Project Team to explore best practices and lessons learned. It also allowed the TIS SEIS Project Team to open a productive dialogue with delegation members and demonstrate a collaborative approach to transportation planning. Because the TIS SEIS Project Team is committed to applying the MoDOT best practices to the TIS SEIS Project, the TIS SEIS Project Team will: approach public involvement discussions in the context of a broader conversation about each community s values and transportation needs; develop inclusive opportunities for feedback and participation in the decision-making process; engage in candid but sensitive conversations with the affected communities about the difficulty of balancing regional level transportation needs with community level needs and concerns; work to develop context-sensitive solutions that meet both local and regional needs; adjust project plans whenever feasible to respect the values and concerns of local communities; explore opportunities for workforce development, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education programs related to the project; and continually solicit feedback regarding the effectiveness of public involvement products and activities Community Working Groups The TIS SEIS Project Team will invite the local and regional agencies and organizations to participate in ongoing, productive dialogue with Community Working Groups, using a third-party, independent facilitator to ensure maximum benefit and foster greater collaboration. The TIS SEIS Project Team s goals for the Community Working Groups are to: Engage Tampa Bay in a collaborative, productive conversation to develop a regional action plan for transportation. Ensure two-way dialogue with the community on FDOT s current projects and provide a new mechanism for incorporating community feedback into the planning process. The TIS SEIS Project Team will focus the Community Working Groups discussions on producing actionable results that balance regional level goals with community level concerns. The TIS SEIS Project Team will get the group s input on TIS SEIS Project alternatives and potential mitigation measures. In addition, the TIS SEIS Project Team will focus on the following: What does the community see as Tampa Bay s biggest transportation challenge(s)? What types of transportation options do they want? What are some examples in other communities, states, etc. of transportation solutions that work for a growing region? What do they see as areas of opportunity in Tampa Bay? A core team of agency representatives from HART, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), MPOs, Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Association (TBARTA), City of Tampa, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, and Pinellas Counties, FHWA, and FDOT will participate in the Community Working Groups. There will be six Community Working Groups, spread throughout FDOT District 7 s area of responsibility, but weighted toward the TIS SEIS Project impact areas in Hillsborough County. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 47 September 2017

53 1. Downtown Interchange 2. Westshore/South Tampa 3. North Hillsborough/West Hillsborough County 4. Pasco/Hernando 5. Pinellas 6. East Hillsborough/Polk Figure 9-6 shows the schedule for the Community Working Groups. The TIS SEIS Project Team will host a kick-off meeting on May Speakers Bureau Figure 9-6 Community Working Groups Phase 1 Schedule To reach community organizations and agencies, speakers bureaus are employed to share information with interested parties through the use of existing community meetings. The TIS SEIS Project Team will bring speakers bureau presentations to regularly scheduled community and business organization meetings by FDOT staff and members of the consultant team as needed to present information at project milestones: Project initiation, during alternatives development, and at the time of the selection of the preferred alternative. This form of outreach generates feedback from existing groups and uses established organizations to help disseminate project information and share upcoming opportunities for public involvement. Feedback received from these meetings will not only help guide the project s development, but also assist in identifying other ways to effectively communicate with the local community Unscheduled Meetings and Event Participation Unscheduled meetings may consist of presentations to specific groups or the public as well as participation in local community events. Group presentations are typically informal and may occur anytime throughout the project. Unscheduled meetings, as requested, may also include briefings with the local chambers of commerce, civic groups, Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 48 September 2017

54 or environmental agencies. Due to Tampa Bay s interest in this project, numerous such meetings may occur during this study. The TIS SEIS Project Team will use sign-in sheets to record participation in meetings or events and provide attendees with TIS SEIS Project information. In an effort to actively engage the community, the TIS SEIS Project has launched an extensive public outreach campaign. Similar to the efforts undertaken during the construction of I-4 in 2004, the TIS SEIS Project has initiated and participated in a series of neighborhood meetings and project charrettes all aimed at providing in-person dialogue and dispelling misinformation. In addition to participating in civic and neighborhood meetings, the department will re-engage the cultural resources committee established as part of the TIS Master Plan (1989). This committee played a vital role in the development of the TIS Urban Design Guidelines (1994) which were developed to ensure consistent, aesthetically pleasing design treatments and to provide guidance on approved aesthetic features. Participation in local and community events may also occur. Taking the project to where people are offers the community additional opportunities to review the alternatives under consideration and to provide their comments Coordination with Adjacent Projects The TIS SEIS Project Team will coordinate with other projects within or adjacent to the study limits. Four such projects are currently underway: I-275 from north of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to north of Bearss Avenue ( ) I-4 from east of 50th Street to west of Polk Parkway (SR 570) ( ) Howard Frankland Bridge ( ) Northwest Hillsborough Expressway ( ) Community support and public understanding is imperative when projects involve interstate expansion through a metropolitan area. As part of the coordination effort for the downtown interchange, joint meetings and/or hearings may be conducted. This will allow project teams the opportunity to share specific project information with those most affected as well as provide a larger-scale overview of how the individual projects work together to compliment the interstate system. 10 ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS This activity will occur throughout the duration of the study and consists of maintenance of files, newspaper clippings, letters, s, and other direct contact, and summarizing comments received as a result of public meetings or other public outreach. The TIS SEIS Project Team will develop a comments and coordination report to document public meeting results and recommendations. The report will also include the overall input received through other public involvement techniques used in the project development process. The TIS SEIS Project Team will consider all comments received during the development, evaluation, and selection of project alternatives. 11 PUBLIC HEARING In compliance with FDOT's Project Development and Environment Manual (2016), 23 CFR 771 and Section , the TIS SEIS Project Team will hold a formal public hearing to present the study findings to the public. The TIS SEIS Project Team will hold the hearing in or near the project area and advertisements will be consistent with this program. The advertisements will state compliance with Non-discrimination laws and regulations and will also Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 49 September 2017

55 provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 information. The TIS SEIS Project Team will use a sign-in sheet to record attendance at the hearing. A presentation summarizing and explaining the study findings and the recommended alternative will be shown. A court reporter will prepare a verbatim transcript of the hearing as well as an audio recording. The TIS SEIS Project Team will include the transcript, along with comments received and affidavits of publication of legal ads in the TIS SEIS Project s public hearing scrapbook. Attendees will be able to ask questions and make comments in several ways in a one-on-one setting with the court reporter, by making a statement during the formal portion of the hearing or in writing. The TIS SEIS Project Team will accept written comments from those who are unable to attend. The public comment period remains open for ten days following the public hearing date. The TIS SEIS Project Team will add comments received during this period to the official public hearing record Public Hearing Sites While the TIS SEIS Project Team has not yet determined the public hearing location, the TIS SEIS Project Team will hold the hearing at an appropriate facility convenient to the project location. Prior to selection, the TIS SEIS Project Team will inspect the meeting location for size, adequate parking, transit access, and compliance with ADA requirements. The TIS SEIS Project Team has identified several potential locations near the TIS SEIS Project study area (see Table 11-1). These locations may be appropriate for a public workshop or hearing but would require onsite inspections and additional coordination before making a final selection Hearing Preparation The TIS SEIS Project Team will develop an audio/visual presentation, conceptual design plans, brochure, and other exhibits to supplement the oral public hearing presentation. The TIS SEIS Project Team will edit the presentation for use on local public access television following the hearing Public Hearing Transcript A court reporter will prepare a verbatim transcript of the formal public hearing session. The transcript will include written and verbal comments received at the hearing as well as verbiage from the hearing presentation. The TIS SEIS Project Team will identify any corrections, such as spelling errors or name clarification, on an errata sheet and include it as part of the Final SEIS Non-Discrimination Laws and Regulations Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the TIS SEIS Project Team will take all reasonable steps to ensure that LEP persons receive the language assistance necessary to afford them meaningful access to programs and services and to reach minority communities; collect data on effects (23 CFR 200.9(b)(4)); and evaluate the results to determine effectiveness. The TIS SEIS Project Team will provide a Spanish language interpreter and translation services free of charge. Per FDOT guidance dated March 21, 2013, the TIS SEIS Project Team will add the non-discrimination language shown below to all meeting notices, letters, ads, newsletters, boards, and other project-related materials. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Lee Royal, Community Liaison Administrator, at the Florida Department of Transportation, N. McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, or call (813) at least seven days prior to the meeting. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 50 September 2017

56 Table 11-1 Potential Public Hearing Locations Name & Location Hillsborough Community College 2112 N. 15 th Street Tampa, FL Children s Board of Hillsborough County 1002 E. Palm Avenue Tampa, FL Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District 1700 East 9 th Avenue Tampa, FL John F. Germany Public Library 900 N. Ashley Drive Tampa, FL Hillsborough County Government Center 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Central Tampa Baptist Church 2923 N. Tampa Street Tampa, FL Hillsborough Community College 4001 Tampa Bay Boulevard Tampa, FL Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore 4400 W. Cypress Street Tampa, FL Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Airport- Westshore 4500 W. Cypress Street Tampa, FL Tampa Marriott Westshore 1001 N. Westshore Boulevard Tampa, FL Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center 522 N Howard Ave Tampa, FL Distance from Project Phone Number < 1 mile (813) Comments Classroom - holds Congregation Rm holds Good Parking, Security; Good Access < 1 mile (813) They are open to having public meetings < 2 miles (813) < 2 miles (813) < 3 miles (813) < 2 miles (813) < 1.5 mile (813) < 1 mile (813) < 1 mile (813) < 1 mile (813) < 1 mile (813) Large public meeting space; Good Parking; Good Access They are open to having public meetings; Good Parking They are open to having public meetings; Good Parking; Good Access They are open to having public meetings; they do not operate an on-site pre-school; Good Parking Classroom - holds Auditorium holds >200; Good Parking, Security; Transit Access, ADA; Multiple Rooms for display & video; easy to find; good for joint hearings Large meeting spaces; Good Parking, Security/Lighting, Transit Access, ADA, easy to find; good for joint hearings Large meeting spaces; Good Parking, Security/Lighting, Transit Access, ADA, easy to find; good for joint hearings Large meeting spaces; Good Parking, Security/Lighting, Transit Access, ADA, easy to find; good for joint hearings Large meeting spaces; Good Parking, Security/Lighting, Transit Access, ADA, Multiple rooms for displays, easy to find; good for joint hearings Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: The TIS SEIS Project Team will provide notification in meeting and public hearing advertisements and invitational newsletters that the TIS SEIS Project Team will comply with the ADA. The TIS SEIS Project Team will also select ADA-compliant public meeting and hearing sites Documents and Locations for Public Review The study documents will be available for public review for 45 days beginning 21 days prior to the hearing and for 10 days after the hearing. The TIS SEIS Project Team will provide locations of study documents in the public hearing Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 51 September 2017

57 advertisements and through mailed invitational newsletters/letters. Project documents will be available at FDOT District Seven headquarters as well as at a location near the TIS SEIS Project study area that is open to the public. Potential sites for public review of study documents: FDOT District Seven Headquarters North McKinley Drive Tampa, FL Mon Fri 8:00am 5:00pm West Tampa Public Library 2312 W. Union Street Tampa, FL Mon-Sat 10:00am 6:00pm Sun closed Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library 1505 N. Nebraska Avenue Tampa, FL Mon-Tues10:00am 8:00pm Wed-Sat 10:00am 6:00pm Sun closed 12 PUBLIC HEARING FOLLOW-UP This section describes the activities and products that the TIS SEIS Project Team will develop after the public hearings Comments/Responses FDOT will respond to correspondence received during the hearing process and questions and comments not answered during the public hearing process in writing if a return address or working has been provided for the response. The TIS SEIS Project Team will also prepare a master list of comments received during the 45-day public comment period and the responses to each comment Public Hearing Scrapbook The TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare an 11" x 17" scrapbook containing reproductions of the public hearing display boards, concept plans, presentation material, brochure, and sign-in sheets. The scrapbook will also include a project description, project location map, description of alternatives evaluated and shown, a list of documents on display and a summary of the hearing. The TIS SEIS Project Team will also include a CD/DVD containing the electronic files in.pdf format Project Team Briefing Following the close of the official hearing comment period, the TIS SEIS Project Team will hold a project team debriefing at the FDOT offices. The TIS SEIS Project Team will hold the meeting with appropriate department staff and the consultant's representatives to discuss public issues or concerns raised at the public hearing or in written comments received at the hearing or during the comment period. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 52 September 2017

58 12.4 Comments and Coordination Report A Comments and Coordination Report will be produced and submitted at the conclusion of the study. This report will document the study coordination efforts, including public participation opportunities, comments received, responses sent, coordination with local officials and agencies, public meeting/hearing materials, etc Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA) Notice Upon approval of final documentation from the FHWA, the TIS SEIS Project Team will place a legal classified Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA) notice in the Tampa Bay Times and the Centro Tampa and the TIS SEIS Project Team will mail the final project newsletter to the project mailing list Public Hearing Transcript Package The TIS SEIS Project Team will produce a transcript package and submit it to FDOT following the public hearing. The transcript package will include a verbatim hearing transcript prepared by an approved court reporter, an errata sheet detailing any transcript discrepancies, and copies of all correspondence received by the department as part of the public hearing record. 13 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM EVALUATION Public meeting attendance does not always indicate the success of a project's public involvement efforts. In order to determine if the public involvement activities are achieving the desired results, it is important to use of systematic evaluation efforts to assess their effectiveness throughout the study. This process will allow the TIS SEIS Project Team to improve techniques and add new public involvement activities, including identification of appropriate public involvement tools, establishment of performance measures, performance evaluations, and/or identification of improvement strategies. 14 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT DURING DESIGN Following completion of the SEIS, the TIS SEIS Project Team may document additional proposed public involvement activities in a Community Awareness Plan (CAP). The TIS SEIS Project Team will prepare a CAP at the start of any future design phase and will outline procedures to keep the public informed of the project's progress and specific issues that may come up during the design, right-of-way, and construction phases. Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page 53 September 2017

59 APPENDIX A AGENCY MAILING LISTS Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS September 2017

60 COOPERATING AND PARTICIPATING AGENCIES - FEDERAL Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan 1 Virginia Lane, Environmental Specialist Federal Aviation Administration Orlando Airports District Office 5950 Hazeltine National Dr., Suite 400 Orlando, FL virginia.lane bart.vernance@faa.gov 2 Michael Johnsen, Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist Federal Railroad Administration Office of Program Delivery 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC Michael.johnsen@dot.gov 3 5 Tarrie Ostrofsky United States Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Regulatory Division Palm Beach Gardens Office 4400 PGA Blvd, Suite 500 Palm Beach Gardens, FL Tarrie.l.ostrofsky@usace.army.mil David Rydene, Ph.D., Fish Biologist United States Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office Habitat Conservation Division th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL david.rydene@noaa.gov Zakia Williams United States Department of Interior United States Fish & Wildlife Service North Florida Ecological Services Office 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200 Jacksonville, FL zakia_williams@fws.gov 4 6 Randall D. Overton Federal Permitting Agent, Bridge Management Specialist United States Coast Guard Brickell Plaza Federal Building 909 SE 1st Avenue Miami, FL Randall.d.overton@uscg.mil Larry Williams, Program Supervisor United States Department of Interior United States Fish & Wildlife Service South Florida Ecological Office th Street Vero Beach, FL larry_williams@fws.gov Cynthia Walton United States Department of Interior National Parks Service, Southeast Region National Historic Landmarks Program Manager 100 Alabama Street, SW, 1924 Bldg. Atlanta, GA cynthia_walton@nps.gov Amanetta Somerville United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4 Resource Conservation and Restoration Division Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth Street, SW Mail Code 9T25 Atlanta, GA somerville.amanettaheard.anne@epa.gov Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page A-1 September 2017

61 PARTICIPATING AGENCY - STATE 1 Alyssa McManus Florida Department of State Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources R.A. Gray Building 300 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida alyssa.mcmanus@dos.myflorida.com AGENCY - FEDERAL 1 Dean Stringer, Manager Federal Aviation Administration Orlando Airports District Office 5950 Hazeltine National Dr., Suite 400 Orlando, FL Major Phillip May, Regional Administrator Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, GA James Christian, Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration 3500 Financial Plaza, Suite 400 Tallahassee, FL Sarah Feinberg, Administrator Federal Railroad Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC Dr. Yvette G. Taylor, Regional Administrator Federal Transit Administration, Region Peachtree, NW, Suite 800 Atlanta, GA Donnie Kinard U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Regulatory Division 701 San Marco Boulevard Jacksonville, FL John Fellows U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Coast Area Office Princess Palm Avenue, Suite 120 Tampa, FL Thomas Tidwell, Chief U.S. Forestry Service 1400 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC Dr. Roy Crabtree, Administrator U.S. Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Southeast Regional Office th Avenue S. St. Petersburg, FL Sylvia Matthews Burwell, Director U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Environmental Health 4770 Buford Highway NE Atlanta, GA Ed Jennings, Jr., SE Regional Administrator U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Richard B. Russell Federal Building 40 Marietta Street Atlanta, GA Franklin Keel, Regional Director U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs 545 Marriott Drive Suite 700 Nashville, TN David Vela, Regional Director U.S. Department of Interior National Parks Service 100 Alabama Street, SW, 1924 Bldg. Atlanta, GA Larry Williams U.S. Department of Interior US Fish & Wildlife Service South Florida Ecological Office th Street Vero Beach, FL Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page A-2 September 2017

62 15 Jess Weaver, Regional Director U.S. Department of Interior US Geological Survey 3039 Amwiler Rd #130 Atlanta, GA Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4 Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth St. SW Atlanta, GA Rafael Rodriguez Director Florida Water Science Center U.S. Department of Interior USGS Florida Water Science Center 4446 Pet Lane, Suite 108 Lutz, FL Heinz Mueller, Chief U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water Management Division Region Four NEPA Program Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth St. SW Atlanta, GA AGENCY - STATE James R. Karels, Director Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Florida Forest Service 3125 Conner Boulevard Tallahassee, FL Lauren P. Milligan Florida Department of Environmental Protection 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 47 Tallahassee, FL Mary Yeargan, Director Florida Department of Environmental Protection Southwest District North Telecom Parkway Temple Terrace, FL Chris Wynn, Regional Director Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Southwest Region 3900 Drane Field Road Lakeland, FL Hunting F. Deutsch, Executive Director Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Caldwell Building 107 East Madison Street Tallahassee, FL Robert Bendus, Division Director Florida Department of State State Historic Preservation Officer R.A. Gray Building 500 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida Jason Watts, Director Florida Department of Transportation Environmental Management Office 605 Suwannee Street, MS 37 Tallahassee, FL BLANK AGENCY REGIONAL 1 Blake Guillory, Executive Director Southwest Florida Water Management District Brooksville Service Office 2379 Broad Street Brooksville, FL Manny L. Pumariega Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council 9455 Koger Boulevard, Suite 219 St. Petersburg, FL Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page A-3 September 2017

63 3 Ray Chiaramonte, Executive Director TBARTA 4350 W. Cypress St, Ste 700 Tampa, FL Beth Alden West Central Florida MPOs Chairs Coordinating Committee C/O Hillsborough County MPO 601 E Kennedy Blvd,18th Floor Tampa, FL TRIBAL OFFICIALS 1 3 Billy Cypress, Chairman Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Tamiami Station PO Box Miami, FL James Floyd, Principal Chief Muscogee (Creek) Nation /Office of the Administration PO Box 580 Okmulgee, OK Fred Dayhoff Section 106 and NAGPRA Coordinator Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida HC-61, SR Box 68 Old Loop Road Ochopee, FL Darrell Proctor Cultural Preservation Department Officer Muscogee (Creek) Nation I Cultural Preservation PO Box 580 Okmulgee, OK Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair Poarch Band of Creek Indians 5811 Jack Springs Road Atmore, AL The Honorable Leonard Harjo Principal Chief Seminole Nation of Oklahoma PO Box 1498 Wewoka, OK Robert Thrower Acting Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Poarch Band of Creek Indians 5811 Jack Springs Road Atmore, AL Natalie Harjo Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Seminole Nation of Oklahoma PO Box 1498 Wewoka, OK Marcellus Osceola Chairman Seminole Tribe of Florida 6300 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL Paul Backhouse, Ph.D. Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Seminole Tribe of Florida Josie Billie Hwy PMB 1004 Clewiston, FL Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page A-4 September 2017

64 ELECTED OFFICIALS - FEDERAL The Honorable Bill Nelson US Senate Sam Gibbons Federal Court House 801 N. Florida Avenue,4th Floor Tampa, FL The Honorable Marco Rubio US Senate 3802 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 106 Tampa, FL The Honorable Kathy Castor United States Congress 4144 N. Armenia Avenue, Suite 300 Tampa, FL ELECTED OFFICIALS - STATE The Honorable Jeff Brandes The Florida Senate th Street North, Suite 200 St. Petersburg, FL The Honorable Dana Young Florida House of Representatives 2909 West Bay to Bay Boulevard, Suite 202 Tampa, FL The Honorable Janet Cruz Florida House of Representatives 2221 North Himes Avenue, Suite B Tampa, FL The Honorable Arthenia L. Joyner The Florida Senate 508 West Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Suite C Tampa, FL The Honorable Edwin Narin Florida House of Representatives 2109 East Palm Avenue, Suite 201 Tampa, FL LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS & AGENCY CONTACTS Hillsborough County 1 Commissioner Sandra Murman Hillsborough County BOCC County Center 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Commissioner Victor Crist Hillsborough County BOCC County Center 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Commissioner Les Miller, Jr. Hillsborough County BOCC County Center 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Commissioner Stacy White Hillsborough County BOCC County Center 601 E. Kennedy Blvd Tampa, FL Commissioner Ken Hagan Hillsborough County BOCC County Center 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Commissioner Kevin Beckner Hillsborough County BOCC County Center 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page A-5 September 2017

65 7 Commissioner Al Higginbotham Hillsborough County BOCC County Center 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Adam Gormly Hillsborough County Development Services Director County Center, 19th Floor 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Preston Cook Emergency Management Services Director 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Fire Chief Dennis Jones Hillsborough County Fire Rescue 2709 E. Hanna Ave. Tampa, FL Beth Alden, Executive Director Hillsborough County MPO County Center, 18th Floor 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Joe Moreda Planning and Zoning Director 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Forest Turbiville, Director Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, Conservation County Center, 23rd Floor 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL John Lyons Hillsborough County Public Works Director County Center, 22nd Floor 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Sheriff David Gee Hillsborough County Sheriff s Office P.O. Box 3371 Tampa, FL BLANK City of Tampa 1 Mayor Bob Buckhorn Tampa Municipal Office Building 306 E. Jackson Street Tampa, FL Councilman Mike Suarez City of Tampa City Council 315 E Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Councilman Charlie Miranda City of Tampa City Council 315 E Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Councilwoman Yvonne Yolie Capin City of Tampa City Council 315 E Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Councilman Harry Cohen City of Tampa City Council 315 E Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Councilman Frank Reddik City of Tampa City Council 315 E Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Councilman Guido Maniscalco City of Tampa City Council 315 E Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Councilwoman Lisa Montelione City of Tampa City Council 315 E Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Elliot Wheeler, Chair City of Tampa Barrio Latino Commission 1400 North Boulevard Tampa, FL Chief Eric Ward City of Tampa Police Department One Police Center 411 N. Franklin Street Tampa, FL Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page A-6 September 2017

66 Fire Chief Thomas Forward City of Tampa Fire Rescue 808 Zack Street Tampa, FL Vanessa McCleary Community Development Director City of Tampa Municipal Office Building 306 E. Jackson Street Tampa, FL Greg Bayor, Director City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department 3402 W. Columbus Drive Tampa, FL Kelly Stephens, Operations Supervisor City of Tampa Parking Division 107 N. Franklin Street Tampa, FL Project Coordination and Public Involvement Plan Owen LaFave City of Tampa Historic Preservation Director Tampa Municipal Office Building 306 E. Jackson Street Tampa, FL Gloria Moreda Planning and Urban Design Director City of Tampa Municipal Office Building 306 E. Jackson Street Tampa, FL Jean Duncan, Director City of Tampa Transportation & Stormwater Services 306 E. Jackson Street, 4 th Floor East Tampa, FL BLANK Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page A-7 September 2017

67 APPENDIX B AGENCY INVITATION LETTERS AND RESPONSES

68 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-1 September 2017

69 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-2 September 2017

70 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-3 September 2017

71 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-4 September 2017

72 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-5 September 2017

73 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-6 September 2017

74 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-7 September 2017

75 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-8 September 2017

76 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-9 September 2017

77 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-10 September 2017

78 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-11 September 2017

79 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-12 September 2017

80 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-13 September 2017

81 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-14 September 2017

82 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-15 September 2017

83 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-16 September 2017

84 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-17 September 2017

85 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-18 September 2017

86 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-19 September 2017

87 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page B-20 September 2017

88 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-1 September 2017

89 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-2 September 2017

90 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-3 September 2017

91 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-4 September 2017

92 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-5 September 2017

93 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-6 September 2017

94 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-7 September 2017

95 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-8 September 2017

96 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-9 September 2017

97 Tampa Interstate Study Supplemental EIS Page C-10 September 2017