Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

An environmental impact statement is a document developed under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements that looks at the effects of a proposed transportation project on the human and natural environment.

Three crossing locations will be studied in detail in the Salem River Crossing draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The project team is currently studying these locations (as well as the alternatives located within each location) and how they relate to the topic areas below. Updates on the development of the DEIS will be posted on the What's New page. The DEIS will also look at what is on the ground now (existing conditions) in the project area.

Once the DEIS is complete, it will be reviewed by government agencies and the public. A final environmental impact statement (FEIS) responds to all comments that were made about the DEIS and describes the preferred alternative that will move forward for construction. Read more about the difference between an DEIS and FEIS.

DEIS Topic Areas

The DEIS will describe impacts of the build alternatives and the no build alternative that are located within three river crossing locations on the following subject areas:

Air Quality - regional air quality
Biological Resources - wildlife, fish, rare plants and their habitat
Cultural Resources - archaeological and historical resources
Economic - impacts to businesses, business districts, and impacts to the local economy
Energy - energy use during construction and operation
Environmental Justice - minority and low-income communities
Geological Resources - site geology and seismic hazards
Hazardous Materials - existing hazardous materials in the area
Land Use - existing land use plans and zoning
Noise - noise impacts on businesses, residences, parks, and other uses in the project area
Right-of-Way - costs and possible impacts of right-of-way acquisitions
Section 4(f) - Impacts on historic, park, and recreational properties (as designated by the federal government) be impacted
Social Elements - social events/structures, neighborhoods, and community services in the project area
Transportation - auto/truck, pedestrian, bicyclist, and transit facilities
Visual Resources - landscape and visual characteristics of the area
Water Resources - water sources, including the Willamette River

Results of this study will be used to support the selection of a locally preferred alternative. The locally preferred alternative must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Project Schedule

February - November 2010 - Preparation of technical reports and the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS)
November 2010 - April 2011 - Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) review of the DEIS
April - August 2011 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) review of the DEIS prior to publication
Fall 2011 - Publication of the DEIS, followed by a public review and comment period. Check this page for more information or join the mailing list to be notified of project updates.

We will keep you informed of the progress made to the DEIS and when it is finished, you will be able to review it here.

Updates on the DEIS

If you want to learn what the project team is doing on the DEIS, read the updates on the What's New page and join the mailing list to stay informed.