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1. Is the Elkhorn Ranch Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park included in the study area?

No.
Due to the historical significance of this site, the Elkhorn Ranch Unit of
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is excluded from the project study area. The
exclusion of the property means construction is not, and would not be, proposed
on the Elkhorn Ranch Unit property.

2. When was the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process initiated?

The EIS was initiated when the Notice of Intent was published in the Federal Register on October 12, 2006, Volume 71, No. 197. A second Notice of Intent was published on December 6, 2010, Volume 75 No. 233 due to a change in the study area.

3. What is the difference between the current project and previous efforts by Billings County to construct a crossing over the Little Missouri River?

The
current EIS is different than previous environmental studies because it uses an
expanded study area, considers a greater range of alternatives, and follows
procedures contained in Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

4. Has a Coordination Plan been completed in accordance with SAFETEA-LU requirements?

Yes.
A Coordination Plan was completed in February of 2007, updated in December 2011
and is available under the Public Involvement section of the project website.

5. What is the purpose of the proposed project?

The purpose of the proposed project is to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and commerce through promotion of a reliable transportation system within Billings County. Specifically, the purpose of the proposed project is to:

• Provide
  the public with a centrally accessible, safe, efficient, and reliable link
  between ND Highway 16 and Highway 85 within the study area (system
  linkage); while connecting the transportation network on the east side
  of the Little Missouri River to the transportation network on the west side of
  the Little Missouri River (internal
  linkage).
• Upgrade
  existing roadways and/or create new roadways and construct a river crossing
  over the Little Missouri River to best meet roadway and structure design
  standards.

6. Why is the proposed project needed?

The need for the proposed project is driven by inadequate system linkage within
Billings County, specifically the lack of reliable river crossings, and
increased traffic demands from the oil and gas industry. Historically, Billings
County has seen a need for a new crossing of the Little Missouri River as early
as the 1970s. The County documented concerns that roadways in the area were
unreliable in inclement weather, which made them virtually impassable, while
the ability to cross the river has had to be negotiated with landowners of
private fords. The
County also identified the need for a river crossing to meet socioeconomic
demands within the area, such as industry development.

7. Have alternatives been developed?

A range
of reasonable alternatives were considered during the EIS process, including location alternatives and structure alternatives. Alternatives were developed in collaboration with cooperating and participating agencies using a multiple-step process. The alternatives were developed and analyzed with the intent of avoidance and minimization of impacts in conjunction with meeting the purpose and need of the project. Since the EIS process began in 2006, there have been several modifications to the study area and range of reasonable alternatives due to public and agency input received during the early stages of the EIS. The following alternatives were carried forward for further detailed analysis in this EIS: Alternative A, Alternative K (all options), and Alternative L (no-build).

8. Who is leading the proposed project?

The
lead
agencies of the proposed project are the Federal Highway Administration,
North Dakota Department of Transportation and Billings County.

9. What other agencies are involved in the proposed project?

Along
with the lead agencies, there are agencies that are considered cooperating and participating agencies.
The “cooperating” and “participating” agency status does not imply support for
the project; rather, these agencies have varying levels of responsibility with
the project planning process. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Forest
Service are both cooperating agencies for the project. The participating
agencies for the project are as follows:

• National Park Service (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)
• US Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (ND State Office)
• US Environmental Protection Agency (Region 8)
• US Fish & Wildlife Service (ND Field Office)
• ND Department of Emergency Services (Department of Homeland Security)
• ND Department of Health
• ND Game & Fish Department
• ND Parks and Recreation
• ND State Water Commission
• State Historical Society of ND
• Tribal
  Consultation Committee

10. Who will approve the proposed project?

Throughout
this process, agencies and interested parties, including the general public,
will be asked to provide their comments and feedback through various public and
agency meetings. Input and comments from agencies and the public will be a
large part of the decision-making process for the project.

However,
the three lead agencies (Federal Highway Administration, North Dakota
Department of Transportation, and Billings County) and the cooperating
agencies, using agency and public input as well as relying heavily on technical
studies, will decide whether to approve the project.

11. What approval do the decision-makers give?

Ultimately, the Federal Highway Administration will provide the final approval of the Draft EIS and Final EIS, and will issue the Record of Decision. In addition to their approval, the cooperating agencies (US Army Corps of Engineers and US Forest Service) will adopt the EIS, at their discretion, to fulfill their agencies’ requirements under NEPA.

Furthermore, a Section 404 permit approval may be required from the US Army Corps of Engineers and approval of right-of-way acquisition may need to be approved by the US Forest Service if right-of-way is needed on their land.

12. Who is funding the proposed project?

Billings
County is funding the environmental process and preliminary engineering to meet
NEPA requirements. Possible funding sources for construction of the project may
come from the federal government and Billings County as follows:

• Major
  County Routes:  Federal funding (up to a limited amount) of eligible costs
  with the remainder coming from County funds—typically 80 percent federal and 20
  percent County.
• Forest
  Highway Routes: Federal funding (up to a limited amount) for eligible costs
  with the remainder coming from County funds.
• Non-federal Aid Routes: No federal funding. All funds would come from the County.

These
funding sources reflect user taxes collected and dedicated to these types of
projects. No new taxes are proposed directly as a result of any proposed
alternatives.

13. Who can I direct my concerns to?

Jennifer Turnbow, Project Manager

4585 Coleman Street

Bismarck, ND 58503

jen.turnbow@kljeng.com