The November 2009 public scoping meeting focused on the preliminary alternatives for transportation improvements and the results from Level 1 of the Alternatives Evaluation Process.

Below is a flowchart representing the alternatives evaluation process for transportation improvements within the US 281 corridor that the US 281 EIS Team has been working through since the last public scoping meeting in November.

In Level 1, alternatives were evaluated for fatal flaws, such as not being compatible with regional plans, an unproven technology or major adverse impacts.

Since November 2009 the US 281 EIS team has developed alternatives and more qualitative/quantitative assessments in Level 2 and Level 3 of the alternatives evaluation process:

In Level 2 individual transportation modes (such as transit) were evaluated. Here are a few evaluation measures or questions that were used in this process: (1) Is this option capable of satisfying future travel demand? (2) Is this option safe? (3) Does this option reduce travel time? (4) Is it possible and practical to build this option from an engineering standpoint? (5) Is this option able to connect with a transportation mode planned or currently used in San Antonio?

In Level 3 the individual transportation modes were combined into packages (such as an expressway with frontage roads and main lanes). These packages were evaluated using the Level 2 measures (listed above) and additional measures or questions including: (1) If this option was built, what would be the average vehicle speeds in 2035? (2) How much right-of-way would this option need? (3) Would any homes or businesses be displaced if this option were chosen? (4) What would this option cost to build? (5) Are there any environmental impacts?

Please join us on April 29, 2010 to discuss the Level 2 and Level 3 results of the alternatives evaluation process and the recommendations for Reasonable Alternatives that will be carried forward in the Draft EIS for detailed analysis.

As we move forward with the EIS process, your comments will continue to help shape the future of the US 281 corridor!

To learn more about the US 281 Environmental Impact Statement please visit our website at www.411on281.com/US281EIS and/or join us for Public Meeting #3 on April 29, 2010 at Summit Christian Center, 2575 Marshall Road, San Antonio, Texas 78259. While you're there, please let us know what you think about the Alternatives Evaluation Process and/or the US 281 EIS process.

Both toll and non-toll alternatives for improving US 281 will be evaluated in the Draft EIS. But there is a third type of facility – known as "managed lanes" – that is also being considered. While the managed lane concept includes charging a price to single-occupant vehicles, it also seeks to encourage high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) travel and public transportation use. Travelers who choose to carpool or take public transportation could use these lanes free of charge. Increasing HOV and transit use in the corridor would yield environmental benefits, such as lower amounts of air pollution. These types of facilities – also known as "high-occupancy toll" (HOT) lanes or "congestion pricing" facilities – are currently used on many highways throughout the U.S. including the Katy Tollway in Houston, TX.

Managed lane facilities have the potential to provide a variety of benefits to both motorists and transit users. While no strategy can be expected to eliminate congestion, managed lanes could provide an important transportation management tool to ease congestion for all commuters. No decision has been made yet regarding managed lanes, but if such a facility were to be implemented for US 281, operational policies would need to be determined. Should discounts or free fares be provided to carpools, vanpools, transit or other types of vehicles? How would pricing be determined? Who is charged during non-peak or non-"rush hour" periods? Consensus on these and many other policy choices would be essential in order for the public to embrace and support the concept of managed lanes.

To learn more about the US 281 Environmental Impact Statement please visit our website at www.411on281.com/US281EIS and/or join us for Public Meeting #3 on April 29, 2010 at Summit Christian Center, 2575 Marshall Road, San Antonio, Texas 78259. While you're there, please let us know what you think about Managed Lanes and/or the US 281 EIS process.

Thank you for your past participation and comments during the first US 281 EIS Public Scoping Meeting in August. As promised, you can now read what your friends and neighbors think about the need and purpose for improvements along the US 281 corridor and the range of improvement options presented on August 27, 2009.

Almost 200 comments were received during the comment period for the first US 281 EIS Public Scoping Meeting held in August 2009. These comments and responses have been placed into the official EIS record and complied into a meeting report. Please take the opportunity to read what your friends and neighbors think about the need and purpose for improvements along the US 281 corridor and the range of improvements options. This document is now available for download on www.411on281.com/US281EIS.

Printed copies are also available for viewing at:

1) Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, 1222 N. Main Ave., Ste 1000, San Antonio, TX 78212

2) Bannwolf Library at Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan Dr., San Antonio, TX 78258

3) Brook Hollow Library, 530 Heimer, San Antonio, TX 78232

4) Frank M. Tejeda Middle School, 2909 E. Evans Road, San Antonio, TX 78259

5) San Antonio Central Library, 600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX 78205

Save The Date!

The US 281 EIS Public Meeting #3 is scheduled for April 29, 2010 at Summit Christian Center, 2575 Marshall Road, San Antonio, Texas 78259.

You may have seen people walking around along US 281 in bright green vests or received a letter requesting permission for right-of-entry in the mail. We have started the biological surveys for the EIS, specifically the karst surveys and the bird surveys. The karst surveys involve experienced technicians and biologists looking for karst features. Karst is a word used to describe an area where water has dissolved part of the limestone bedrock, creating pathways in the rock (fissures, cracks, sinkholes, caves, etc.). These pathways connect the ground surface to the aquifer that San Antonio relies upon for its water supply. As a result, the water that flows through these pathways can contain contaminants that are not filtered out before reaching the aquifer.

Later this year you may see technicians and biologists digging away and crawling into these features. They are trying to determine the sensitivity of these features by looking for endangered species called karst invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without internal skeletons or backbones similar to beetles or grasshoppers. Although, they are small and seldom seen, spending most of their lives underground, these invertebrates are biologically and ecologically unique.

The bird survey involves experienced biologists looking for and listening for the golden-cheeked warbler. This bird nests only in central Texas in mixed Ash-juniper and oak woodlands, ravines and canyons. They spend the winter in Mexico and Central America then come to Texas in March to nest and raise their young. The golden-cheeked warbler is the only species that nests exclusively in Texas. This species was listed as endangered in 1990 as a result of long-term habitat loss, as mature woodlands have been cleared for development or to grow crops or hay.

It is important to know if any of these endangered species would be affected by the improvements being considered for US 281. The results of these biological surveys will help us avoid threats to endangered species and ensure our drinking water remains safe and clean.

To learn more about the US 281 Environmental Impact Statement please visit our website at www.411on281.com/US281EIS and/or join us for Public Meeting #3 on April 29, 2010 at Summit Christian Center, 2575 Marshall Road, San Antonio, Texas 78259. While you're there, please let us know what you think about the karst and bird surveys and/or the US 281 EIS process.

Our last posting introduced you to the Peer Technical Review Committee (PTRC) that collaborates with the Alamo RMA to ensure technical and environmental concerns are heard and considered in regards to the US 281 EIS. Well, this week we would like to introduce you to another committee that was developed to ensure that community concerns are directly heard and considered.

A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) has been formed that is comprised of representative groups that live or work along the US 281 corridor. The purpose of the Community Advisory Committee is to be a voice of the community related to the EIS process; work together with design, transportation, and environmental professionals to provide input and feedback for the development of long-term mobility solutions in the US 281 corridor. The committee advises the US 281 team on the following aspects of the EIS process:Public involvement and communication activities with stakeholders and the general public related to the development of the EIS; Development of the need and purpose for improvements on US 281; Identification of improvement alternatives; Identification of the Preferred Alternative; and Consideration of potential social, economic and environmental impacts and mitigation measures.

While the Community Advisory Committee is not required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the US 281 EIS, this advisory group has been established by the Alamo RMA to further ensure that members of the community who may be affected by potential improvements to US 281 have ample opportunity for input and feedback.

To learn more about the Community Advisory Committee and to see what organizations are involved click here Community Advisory Committee - US281EIS. While you're there, click on "EIS Comments" to let us know what you think about the Community Advisory Committee and/or the US 281 EIS process.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the US 281 EIS Joint Lead Agencies (TxDOT and the Alamo RMA) have created a Peer Technical Review Committee (PTRC) to provide a range of expertise at key coordination points throughout the EIS process including: Development of the Need and Purpose to improve the US 281 corridor; Identification of the range of improvement options for the US 281 corridor; Collaboration on overall methods used for the US 281 EIS; Completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement; Identification and refinement of the Preferred Alternative; and Completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The Committee, which is chaired by FHWA as the responsible federal agency, had its first meeting in November 2009 and will continue to work cooperatively throughout the project to provide input on data and methodologies for the Environmental impact Statement process.

Members of the Peer Technical Review Committee include: Federal Highway Administration; Alamo Regional Mobility Authority; Texas Department of Transportation; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Edwards Aquifer Authority; Bexar County; San Antonio – Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization; VIA Metropolitan Transit; San Antonio Water System; and City of San Antonio. Learn more about these organizations by visiting their websites.

The next US 281 Public Meeting #3 is now scheduled for April 2010. Keep checking the www.411on281.com website for more information.

In order to better inform the public and connect with users, the Alamo RMA will soon launch an updated, user-friendly, and redesigned website at www.411on281.com/US281EIS. The new site will have a number of interactive elements to keep you up-to-date with what's going on with the US 281 EIS process.

A few features of the new site will include: Transportation 101 Section--Find definitions of the transportation lingo used throughout the process, acronym explanations, and a comprehensive list of participating agencies and their role in the project Interactive Press Room--Media members and the public can subscribe to receive media advisories, press releases, and email updates Info, Info, Info -- FAQs, newsletters, Community Advisory Committee information, previous meeting materials, pictures, comprehensive calendar of events, and more detailed information regarding the US 281 EIS process Stay tuned to learn more about the revamped web site. Once the new site is up and running in the coming weeks, we'll be sending out notices encouraging everyone to check it out.

We always look forward to hearing from you; please send your comments to the EIS email box at US281EIS@AlamoRMA.org.

The Alamo RMA is going full speed ahead in 2010 with the US 281 Environmental Impact Process! We want to keep you updated about what's been going on within the EIS process...

Enthusiastic feedback was received at the second Public Scoping Meeting held in November 2009. Once all results from the Public Scoping Meeting have been recorded, it will be available for public viewing at www.411on281.com/US281EIS. We hope you'll check out what your friends and neighbors think about the preliminary alternatives for the US 281 corridor.

Also, to allow for additional technical input from the various cooperating and participating agencies involved in the US 281 EIS, the Federal Highway Administration established a US 281 EIS Peer Technical Review Committee. This Committee will meet periodically throughout the EIS process as the alternatives are being considered and evaluated for US 281. This will help ensure all agencies are involved as the EIS moves forward. As we look forward to the year ahead...

It was originally estimated that the US 281 EIS Public Meeting #3 would be held in February 2010; however this meeting has now been moved to April 2010 to allow for a more thorough analysis of the alternatives. Please be on the lookout for updated information regarding the EIS process, and as always, please continue to stay involved. We'll also be launching a revamped 4-1-1 on 2-8-1 web site in the near future... Stay tuned!

Your feedback is welcome anytime. Please send all comments to the EIS email box at US281EIS@AlamoRMA.org.

Thanks again and we look forward to your continued involvement in the US 281 EIS process during this New Year!

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2nd US 281 EIS Public Scoping Meeting on November 17th. Attendees at the meeting learned about the preliminary range of alternatives being considered for the US 281 corridor and the process for evaluating these alternatives. Also, a big thank you to everyone who submitted a comment at the public meeting, or through the EIS web site, the EIS email box (US281EIS@AlamoRMA.org), fax or regular mail. Your comments are a vital part of the EIS process, so we appreciate you taking the time to let us know what you think. Although comments are welcomed anytime during the EIS process, to be included in the public meeting record for the November meeting, comments had to be received by the November 30th deadline. Any comments received after that date will be included in the meeting record for the 3rd public meeting taking place during Spring 2010.

What is the public meeting record? The public meeting record documents all aspects of the public meeting including the purpose of the meeting, how it was publicized, what was presented at the meeting, and the response from the community. All comments received by the November 30th deadline will also be responded to within the second public meeting record. When this record is completed, it will be available for public viewing at www.411on281.com/US281EIS. Everyone who included their contact information with their comment will receive notification once the public meeting record has been posted to the web site. We hope you will check out this meeting record to read what your friends and neighbors think about the alternatives for the US 281 corridor.

Thanks again and we look forward to your continued involvement in the US 281 EIS process!

Plan on attending the second US 281 EIS Public Scoping Meeting on November 17th! This will be unlike any other public meeting you've attended for the US 281 corridor...here's how it will work:

• There will be display exhibits full of information and EIS team members around to answer your questions from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Spring Hill Event Center. A court reporter and comment cards will be available throughout the meeting if you'd like to submit a comment for inclusion in the EIS public record. Feel free to arrive any time during this open house period, but please make sure you're at the meeting by 6:30.

• At 6:30 p.m. we'll begin a presentation that describes the preliminary range of alternatives being considered for the US 281 corridor and the process for evaluating and developing them.

• At 7:00 p.m. we'll break into small working groups of 8 to 10 people. Each group will have a facilitator to guide you through exercises to help you answer the following questions: Do these preliminary alternatives capture the range of alternatives that should be considered in the US 281 corridor? Do the objectives define the type of improvements you would like to see in the US 281 corridor? Do the alternatives that have been carried forward represent options you would like to see studied in more detail?

• Finally at about 8:00 p.m., we'll come back together as a large group to share each other's thoughts and ideas that were discussed in the small groups.

These small working groups are what make this public meeting different from previous meetings, because they give you an opportunity to share with your neighbors, and other users of US 281, what type of improvements you think should be considered for this corridor. If you're one of the many people who want to share your opinion, but you get stage fright speaking in front of large groups, then the November 17th meeting will be a good time to let us know what's on your mind.

As we move forward with the EIS process, alternatives will continue to be evaluated, so now is your chance to participate in the alternatives development process from the beginning. Even if you attended the first public meeting, or you've already submitted a comment, please continue to be involved in the EIS process by attending the November 17th meeting. Remember to tell your friends and neighbors; don't forget your participation is vital to the success of this EIS process...

2nd US 281 EIS Public Scoping Meeting: November 17, 2009 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Open House: 5:30–6:30 p.m. Presentation: 6:30–7:00 p.m. Small Group Work Sessions: start at 7:00 p.m.

Spring Hill Event Center (Traveling north on US 281, turn right immediately before Overlook Parkway) 2455 Celebration Drive San Antonio, Texas 78261

See you there!