Public Scoping Meeting

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be hosting a public scoping meeting to discuss potential highway improvements for US 89 between Thayne and Etna on March 30, 2016, at the Thayne Community Center at 250 Vannoy Parkway in Thayne. There will be no formal presentation and interested parties may drop by the Thayne Community Center anytime between the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
 
As traffic population growth increases, capacity and safety improvements are needed for the route to continue serving as an important local and regional connection. The purpose of this meeting is to present the project's purpose and need, history, and issues and to obtain public input on any transportation, environmental, and socioeconomic issues. Comments received at the meeting will be considered in the environmental assessment being prepared for this study.
 
US 89 is functionally classified as a Rural Principal Arterial route and designated as part of the National Highway System (NHS). The primary function of this route is the safe and efficient movement of people and goods over long distances while allowing for limited access to adjacent lands. As part of the National Highway System, US 89 is considered a strategic national highway that is critical to national security and economic viability. This highway also provides visitors a route to the Jackson Hole region and two major national parks.
 
This scoping meeting is a critical component of the process required by NEPA, or the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA helps agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision making processes by considering the environmental impacts of the proposed actions. For more information about NEPA, visit www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa.
 
WYDOT officials and other team members will be on-hand to answer questions and discuss any concerns residents may have. In addition, there will be several different opportunities to provide your comments, including a court reporter to take verbatim statements.