Hi all, Only an environmental assessment was done for the 35W project--this is a weaker and smaller environmental study. When the expansion of 35-W was initially proposed in the early nineties, an environmental impact study would have been required due to the size of the project. The large project was widely opposed by both citizens and politicians. Much of that initial, larger project is slated to be completed on a smaller, piece by piece basis which will not require a full EIS. That is, even though much of the same construction is being done, less environmental evaluation is required because the project was segmented.
On another note, I am surprised by Dean Zimmerman's argument in support of the project--as I understand it, he seems to suggest that because we do not now have a plan for a radical new mass transit system, we should support an extremely debatable non-mass transit system. (I believe this is a reversal of his position since his vote against the project on Tuesday)I am also very dubious that voting for 35W will bring PRT nearer--how do these two connect? If the 35W project is a bad project, it will still be a bad project even if the city or state approves money to study or build PRT. There are quite plausible arguments for the expansion--which I do not support--but this does not seem to be one of them. Best, Jane Franklin Phillips Neighborhood __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free web site building tool. Try it! http://webhosting.yahoo.com/ps/sb/ REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
