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<br />July 5, 2006 <br />Lane Council of Governments <br />POage 2 <br /> <br />.\, <br />\~ <br />. '{ \\ <br /> <br />As a steward of taXpayer dollars, anaT is critically concerned about obligating additional <br />funds on top of the money already spent. For this reason, onOT believes that the current <br />NEP A process needs to be brought to a conclusion, even if that conclusion is a "no build" on <br />the project as it is defined in the WEP environmental document. <br /> <br />UDue to these concerns, we recommend that a collaborative process be initiated only if <br />there is no time limit placed on the deliberations. " <br /> <br />The letter further indicates that ODaT would likely incur substantial costs to support such a <br />process. Additionally, further time delay will likely mean escalating project costs to construct <br />beyond the current estimates. <br /> <br />This is not acceptable to aDaT . We need to bring the current NEP A process to closure. If the <br />City of Eugene cannot accept either the current proposed alignment or the FHW A southern <br />alte~ative, then aDaT h~ been advised by FHW A that ~ "no build" NEP A document could be <br />submitted immediately based on the obs'ervations in the Osprey report. A "no build" decision <br />would bring closure to the WEP and will be the action recommended if the City of Eugene <br />cannot accept the current proposed alignment or the FHW A southern alternative. <br /> <br />With regard to funding dedicated to the WEP, a "no build" decision would result in the <br />re~aining funds currently allocated in the STIP for the WEP being restored to the Department's <br />modernization funds for reallocation by the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC). <br /> <br />This decision does not come lightly. It is extremely difficult for our agency, tasked with state <br />transportation project development and delivery, to take this action. It is no small thing to come <br />to the end of a costly, decades-long effort to reach this outcome, particularly when, with one <br />exception, all of the regional partners continue to support the WEP. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />'rI~ <br /> <br /> <br />Matthew L. Garrett <br />Director <br />