Drone Photo by Butler Smythe
Bridge Meeting & Reports
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The following was provided in an email related to the DRAFT Bridge findings made by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, whose Draft document is available immediately below. |
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Although the Maine Department of Transportation hoped they might have some information about the selection of a "preferred alternative" for the bridge project in November, they have been waiting for a report from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. A draft copy of that report is attached to this email. Below is an explanation from MDOT of the next steps in the process.
Karen Wyatt
Ladies Public Improvement Society
As of December 3, 2018:
"Our Environmental office has been in communication with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission during their review period by addressing questions regarding the Supplemental Supporting Information for a Finding of Effect report. I am told that our Environmental Office expects a formal response from MHPC soon ( NB: see draft attached). Given the significant nature of this project site with regards to potential historical and archaeological impacts, the response may request that the Department provide MHPC with additional information before they release a final response. The Bridge Program is unable to meet to select a preferred alternative until this dialogue between the two agencies is complete.
This leaves us in a place where we are unable to schedule a BAC meeting to make an announcement of a preferred alternative until the steps noted above are complete."
As of December 21, 2018:
"Attached is an updated Draft Supplemental Supporting Information for a Finding of Effect. This document has been reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC). A version of this draft document was previously shared with the Bridge Advisory Committee. The attached copy has been updated from the previous version to include an historic assessment of a property owned by Chris and Paula Niehoff located at 203 Falls Bridge Road. The SHPO has concluded that the property is National Register-Eligible under Criteria C, Architecture. Furthermore, the SHPO has concluded that the Bypass A option (alternate alignment over the Salt Pond) would have an Adverse Effect on the 203 Falls Bridge Road property. The Department has concurred with MHPC’s assessment of the historic significance of this property and on the adverse effect the Bypass A option would create. This concurrence appears in the State of Maine Memorandum that appears on the first page of the attached document. I note this because the rest of the document does not specifically state an adverse effect to the property, but implies the opposite. The intent of the first page memo is to supersede the original findings noted within the body of the attached document.
The Federal Highway Administration has provided the attached document to the Consulting Party members as part of the 106 process under NEPA.
Andrew Lathe is meeting with the Bridge Program on January 4th to review the status our draft NEPA documentation. With satisfactory completion of the draft documentation, he will schedule a meeting with Federal Highway to discuss selection of the preferred alternative."
Karen Wyatt
Ladies Public Improvement Society
As of December 3, 2018:
"Our Environmental office has been in communication with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission during their review period by addressing questions regarding the Supplemental Supporting Information for a Finding of Effect report. I am told that our Environmental Office expects a formal response from MHPC soon ( NB: see draft attached). Given the significant nature of this project site with regards to potential historical and archaeological impacts, the response may request that the Department provide MHPC with additional information before they release a final response. The Bridge Program is unable to meet to select a preferred alternative until this dialogue between the two agencies is complete.
This leaves us in a place where we are unable to schedule a BAC meeting to make an announcement of a preferred alternative until the steps noted above are complete."
As of December 21, 2018:
"Attached is an updated Draft Supplemental Supporting Information for a Finding of Effect. This document has been reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC). A version of this draft document was previously shared with the Bridge Advisory Committee. The attached copy has been updated from the previous version to include an historic assessment of a property owned by Chris and Paula Niehoff located at 203 Falls Bridge Road. The SHPO has concluded that the property is National Register-Eligible under Criteria C, Architecture. Furthermore, the SHPO has concluded that the Bypass A option (alternate alignment over the Salt Pond) would have an Adverse Effect on the 203 Falls Bridge Road property. The Department has concurred with MHPC’s assessment of the historic significance of this property and on the adverse effect the Bypass A option would create. This concurrence appears in the State of Maine Memorandum that appears on the first page of the attached document. I note this because the rest of the document does not specifically state an adverse effect to the property, but implies the opposite. The intent of the first page memo is to supersede the original findings noted within the body of the attached document.
The Federal Highway Administration has provided the attached document to the Consulting Party members as part of the 106 process under NEPA.
Andrew Lathe is meeting with the Bridge Program on January 4th to review the status our draft NEPA documentation. With satisfactory completion of the draft documentation, he will schedule a meeting with Federal Highway to discuss selection of the preferred alternative."