Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Review topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Officials warn Forest Service reviews and environmental surveys could reshape schedule for Buffalo Gap Road
Summary
County members cautioned that Forest Service permitting and the results of environmental surveys could require alignment changes or halt the project; firms urged early engagement and corridor definition to reduce risk.
Multiple board members and firm representatives stressed that permitting and Forest Service review are the chief schedule risks for the Buffalo Gap Road project and that environmental surveys should occur early to avoid surprises. One presenter cautioned that environmental findings could force major changes: "it might say, well, the whole project's dead in the water because we can't do it this way," an exchange that spurred agreement on early corridor definition.
Presenters recommended meeting with the Forest Service early, using state LIDAR to define preliminary corridor options and then conducting ground surveys during the appropriate seasonal window. Staff and firms agreed that environmental clearances and any required easements must be resolved before committing to construction contracts or bidding timelines.
