Public Involvement Objectives

The project team has developed a multi-faceted public involvement approach for the 11400 South Environmental Impact Statement. This approach was designed to accomplish the following objectives:

• Inform the public regarding the project and the process
  
  
• Provide a mechanism for the public to provide input and comments
  
  
• Foster communication and establish trust between UDOT and the public
  
  
• Provide a process to implement the principles of Context Sensitive Solutions
  
  
• Meet the requirements for NEPA and the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement
  
  

Summary of public involvement activities to date:

• Meeting with the mayors, state representatives and the transportation commissioner from the 11400 South study area in July 2003 and again in March 2004.
  
  
• Conducting small group meetings with groups from each of the four cities involved in the project, for example, neighborhood groups and chambers of commerce.
  
  
• Conducting four “focus groups ” in July 2003. Each group consisted of 10 to 12 participants with diversity in terms of age, employment, gender, homeowner/renter, and race.
  
  
• Holding public meetings. Four Public Scoping Open House Meetings were held the last two weeks in September 2003, one each in Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, and Riverton. These meetings presented the purpose and need which has been developed as the first phase of the 11400 South EIS project, and invited public comments. Additional public open houses were held in November 2003 to present the preliminary alternatives that were being considered. In January, three public meetings were held to present the five alternatives to be advanced in the draft EIS. The public hearing was held November 18, 2004.
  
  
• A 1,000-person telephone survey of residents/business owners within the 11400 South study area was conducted in September 2003. Summary results of the telephone survey are currently available.
  
  
• Conducting in-depth interviews with individuals in the study area. Interviewees have included PTA presidents, school principals, business owners/managers, residents, and group leaders. Interested individuals may request an in-depth interview by calling the project information line at 801-904-4029.
  
  
• Forming a community input group called the Transportation Ideas Exchange or TIE. TIE members were selected from people who attended the September 2003 public open houses and expressed an interest in serving on the TIE, focus group participants, and city and agency representatives. The purpose of the group is to provide additional public and community input into the project. The TIE meets at key milestones in the project.
  
  
• Establishing a telephone information line for the project (801-904-4029). This phone line is available for individuals to provide comments and to ask questions about the project.
  
  
• Conducting a community social assessment survey.

Check back for updates and additional information.