The primary organizations and groups involved in the project are shown in the decision-making structure graphic and explained in detail below.
Public open houses and workshops, an interactive project Web site, and on-line surveys will provide opportunities for meaningful participation and information exchange between the public and project team throughout the project. A series of newsletters will provide updates on project progress to those on the mailing list.
The Task Force (TF) will provide a balanced representation of stakeholder interests, nearby communities, and geographic areas as well as a communication link with those interests and communities. Members of the Task Force include leaders of neighborhood and civic groups on both sides of the river, public agency staff, and representatives of interest groups with a stake in the project. Members were identified by the Project Management Team.
Responsibilities of the Task Force members include:
The Task Force members are:
The Oversight Team (OT) includes elected or appointed officials of local agencies and jurisdictions with regulatory responsibility for, or strong interest in, the project.
Responsibilities of the Oversight Team include:
In addition, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) staff participates in an advisory (non-voting) capacity. FHWA will be represented by Phillip Ditzler, Oregon Division Administrator.
The Project Management Team (PMT) is comprised of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), City of Salem, Polk County, SKATS MPO, and consultant project managers, along with other key staff from these agencies and the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments as needed.
CETAS has been established to coordinate and streamline the regulatory reviews and permitting functions of the key agencies involved with Draft EISs (EIS). Members include representatives from key federal and state agencies responsible for protecting air, water, wildlife, and cultural and land use resources. This committee must formally concur on the Salem River Crossing project’s decisions related to the Purpose and Need, Evaluation Framework, Range of Alternatives, and Preferred Alternative.
In accordance with the requirements of the federal SAFETEA-LU legislation of 2005, invitations were sent to government agencies who might be interested in participating in the project, including a number of agencies who are not otherwise involved in the project. Agencies that have expressed a desire to participate in the project development process will be given the opportunity to comment at each of the decision points.
Elected officials of jurisdictions in the project area will be briefed as needed, or upon request, during the project. The elected officials will recommend the preferred alternative before forwarding it to ODOT/FHWA.
The Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments (MWVCOG) is a voluntary association of 42 local governments in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties.
The Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study (SKATS) is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) responsible for coordinating transportation planning and investments for the Salem-Keizer area. New transportation projects in the area must receive approval from the SKATS Policy Committee. The SKATS Policy Committee will be briefed regularly during the Salem River Crossing project. Also, many Policy Committee members participate on the project Oversight Team.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is the lead state agency for the Salem River Crossing project. In addition to serving on the project Oversight Team and Task Force, ODOT must approve the preferred alternative from the EIS process before it is forward to FHWA.
The FHWA is the lead agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process that governs proposed actions requiring FHWA funding or approval. FHWA is the agency that will approve the Draft EIS and the Record of Decision.
