Appendix S: 

Agency Correspondence

Point Defiance Bypass Project

Technical Advisory Group – Operating Plan

Page 1 

Technical Advisory Group Mission: 

The Technical Advisory Group provides an effective and efficient interagency advisory role to the 

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Project Team during the design phase 

of the Point Defiance Bypass Project. The Technical Advisory Group is composed of 

representatives from the cities of DuPont, Lakewood, and Tacoma; Pierce County; the Clover Park 

School District; Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM); Camp Murray; and Sound Transit; as well as 

WSDOT’s ARRA Cascades Rail Program. Other stakeholder agencies and additional WSDOT 

personnel may assist this team on an as-needed basis. 

The Technical Advisory Group has been charged with the following:

• Assist WSDOT with the identification of design options that are consistent with the project’s 

purpose and need;

• Help review those design options in order to determine which options are locally preferred, for 

inclusion in the Environmental Assessment;

• Assist WSDOT with the identification of mitigation measures to reduce adverse project effects, 

and to identify those mitigation measures which are locally preferred;

• Assist WSDOT with the review of relevant project discipline reports and to provide timely 

feedback on those reports; 

• Provide WSDOT with a timely review of the Environmental Assessment during the formal 

review period; 

• Identify opportunities for partnerships between WSDOT and local, state, tribal, and federal 

jurisdictions that result in an improved project. 

Technical Advisory Group Goal: 

The Technical Advisory Group’s goal is to foster excellent project design by proactively involving 

affected stakeholders and jurisdictions. By bringing together individuals from different agencies

early in the project, WSDOT expects to work collaboratively to address member organizations’ 

concerns, and move quickly through the NEPA/SEPA documentation process. 

Technical Advisory Group Roles and Responsibilities: 

• The member organizations may require multiple participants on the Technical Advisory Group. 

Agency and jurisdiction members will provide one primary, and one or more alternate 

representative(s) to participate in Technical Advisory Group meetings. If a primary member is 

unable to attend, a fully briefed alternate will take his/her place.

• Technical Advisory Group members will work proactively to identify project risks, and assist in 

developing management strategies for risks associated with engineering design and 

environmental impact(s).

• Technical Advisory Group members are encouraged to identify strategic partnership 

opportunities at the earliest opportunity.

• Members agree to conduct concurrent or group reviews of the project designs and 

documentation when required. Project reviews will focus on identifying issues and concerns early 

Technical Advisory Group – Operating Plan 
Point Defiance Bypass Project

Technical Advisory Group – Operating Plan

Page 2 

in the process with an emphasis on finding fatal flaws. Members agree to resolve any issue(s) 

quickly and cost effectively. 

• Technical Advisory Group members will keep their executive management informed on project 

issues; clearly identify their organization’s area of responsibility to the Technical Advisory Group; 

and provide input for early resolution of issues, concerns, and conflicts within their jurisdiction. 

Primary Technical Advisory Group Member / Alternate Affiliation 

Larry Mattson (Chairperson)/Dave Smelser WSDOT 

Dean Moberg FHWA

Peter Zahn City of DuPont 

Dan Penrose/Jeff Gonzalez City of Lakewood

Chris Larson City of Tacoma

Mike Galizio/Jesse Hamashima Pierce County

Delphie Nielsen/Michael Forsythe Clover Park School District

Larry Mickel/Steven Perrenot JBLM

Minh Vo Camp Murray

Jodi Mitchell/Jason Suzaka Sound Transit

Steve Kim WSDOT 

Technical Advisory Group Operating Guidelines: 

The Technical Advisory Group will follow these guidelines to promote effective meeting/task 

management:

• Team members or their alternates will participate fully, will have the authority to represent their 

organization, and will keep their respective organization executives informed of project 

progress.

• Meeting notes will be kept and reviewed for each meeting. 

• Team members will acknowledge problems, and deal with them in an open and timely fashion.

• Team members will strive to complete homework assignments on time and come to meetings 

prepared to address items on the agenda. Assignments and due dates will be made at the end 

of each meeting. Team members will set reasonable due dates for assignments. 

• Team members will keep their roles and agency mission in perspective when discussing

project issues. 

• Technical sub-committees may be formed to work on specialty issues (for example, issues 

involving local business/socioeconomics).

• Team members will resolve issues within their power to solve and re-direct those issues that 

cannot be solved in a timely manner. If issue resolution is necessary, team members will strive 

to follow the “Conflict Identification and Resolution” process identified in this operating plan. 

• Departing members will recommend an appropriate team member to replace them. The 

departing member or a designated team mentor will allocate the time necessary to bring a new 

member up to speed. 
Point Defiance Bypass Project

Technical Advisory Group – Operating Plan

Page 3 

WSDOT Project Team Role: 

The WSDOT Project Team will: 

• Deliver the project in accordance with the endorsed Technical Advisory Group Operating Plan.

• Actively communicate progress on the project to the Technical Advisory Group and other 

agencies to inform them of any changes. 

• Work to understand the agencies’ and jurisdictions’ needs and expectations.

• E-mail meeting agendas and handouts in advance of the meeting date. 

• Send meeting notes out within two weeks of the meeting. Notes will consist of the highlights of 

the meeting, recap of discussions, action items, and commitments made.

• Provide decision-makers and other stakeholders with information and documentation 

developed by the project team and/or Technical Advisory Group that is needed to support a 

timely decision.

Conflict Identification and Resolution: 

The Technical Advisory Group will work to resolve any conflicts with integrity and respect, and will 

strive for consensus during the decision-making process. If consensus cannot be achieved and 

conflict results, the involved parties will meet with each other and apart from the group to try to 

resolve the conflict on their own. If consensus still cannot be achieved, the involved parties shall 

elevate the issue to their next higher authority for resolution.

Executive Team

The Executive Team provides a direct communication forum between WSDOT executives and the 

responsible executives for jurisdictions through which the project travels. The Executive Team 

meets monthly or as-needed in order to receive project updates. While most conflicts will be 

resolved at the Technical Advisory Group meetings, the Executive Team may be involved in limited 

conflict resolution as well. The four primary purposes of the Executive Team are to: 

• Review & comment on technical advisory group mitigation recommendations

• Provide feedback to the technical advisory group

• Collaborate to finalize recommendations

• Provide recommendations for the EA document

Members of the Executive Team Affiliation

Dawn Masko, Assistant City Manager City of DuPont

Andrew Neiditz, City Manager City of Lakewood

Dave Bugher, Director of Community Development City of Lakewood

Brian Zeigler, Director of Public Works Pierce County

Eric Beckman, Rail Program Manager Sound Transit

Ray Miller, Administrator for Business & Operations Clover Park School District

Thomas Knight, Garrison Command Joint Base Lewis-McChord 

Dean Moberg Federal Highway Administration

Jerry Lenzi, Chief Engineer, Engineering & Regional Operations WSDOT
Point Defiance Bypass Project

Technical Advisory Group – Operating Plan

Page 4 

Dave Dye, Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Secretary WSDOT

Ron Pate, Cascades High-Speed Rail Program Manager WSDOT

Kevin Dayton, Olympic Region Administrator WSDOT

Technical Sub-Committees

If needed, the Technical Advisory Group will identify any necessary technical sub-committees and 

potential sub-committee members. 

Technical Sub-Committee Expectations:

Technical sub-committees will meet as needed. The primary purpose of each technical subcommittee will be to review project alternatives, and provide feedback on risks and opportunities

related to their discipline to the Technical Advisory Group. WSDOT decision makers will use 

information provided by the technical sub-committees to make informed project decisions.



1

Cleveland, Leandra L.

From: Mattson, Larry

Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 12:34 PM

To: Littauer, Erin; Williams, Scott

Cc: Foisy, Myria

Subject: FW: Point Defiance Bypass Project, Pierce County

Fyi, Scott and Erin.

Larry Mattson, PMP

Environmental Manager ‐ Large Projects,  

Cascades High‐Speed Passenger Rail Program

mattsol@wsdot.wa.gov

  

(509) 577-1922 (direct)

(509) 930-4464 (mobile)

From: Margaret Henry [mailto:mhenry@squaxin.us] 

Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:05 AM 

To: Mattson, Larry 

Cc: Rhonda Foster; Margaret Henry 

Subject: Re: Point Defiance Bypass Project, Pierce County 

Dear Mr. Mattson,

We wanted to inform you that there is a significant Cultural Site within 3 miles of your project area. 

 After looking at the map, we can see that our site will not be jeopardized for now.

Please notify us in the future if DOT plans to do more projects in this area.

Thank you,

Traditionally,

Margaret Henry for 

Rhonda Foster, Director &

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

Cultural Resources Dept.

Squaxin Island Tribe 

On Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 10:45 AM, Mattson, Larry <MattsoL@wsdot.wa.gov> wrote: 

Ms. Henry‐

A project map is attached, per your request. The orange line is the route of the proposed Point Defiance Bypass.

We appreciate your comments on the aboriginal use and inhabitants of this territory, and we will continue consulting

with the Puyallup Tribe.
2

Larry Mattson, PMP

Environmental Manager ‐ Large Projects,

Cascades High‐Speed Passenger Rail Program

mattsol@wsdot.wa.gov

(509) 577-1922 (direct)

(509) 930-4464 (mobile)

From: Margaret Henry [mailto:mhenry@squaxin.us] 

Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 10:11 AM 

To: Mattson, Larry 

Cc: Rhonda Foster; Margaret Henry 

Subject: Re: Point Defiance Bypass Project, Pierce County

 

Dear Mr. Mattson, 

 

Could you please send us a map of the project area? Thank you in advance! 

 

Traditionally, 

Margaret Henry 

Cultural Resources Dept. 

Squaxin Island Tribe 

 

On Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 4:12 PM, Margaret Henry <mhenry@squaxin.us> wrote: 

Dear Mr. Mattson, 

 
3

We would like to take the opportunity to respond to your request for our comments and concerns about the 

proposed project. While the project is located within the Squaxin Island Tribe's aboriginal territory, and the 

Squaxin people may have traveled to the area for social and/or resource gathering purposes, the area was 

permanently inhabited by the Puyallup Tribe. Therefore, we recommend that further consultation be conducted 

with the Puyallup Tribe to acquire their concerns on places of cultural importance to their people. The Squaxin 

Island Tribe requires no further consultation on the proposed project. 

 

Traditionally, 

Margaret Henry for 

Rhonda Foster, Director &

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

Cultural Resources Dept.

Squaxin Island Tribe

 











1

Cleveland, Leandra L.

From: Mattson, Larry

Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 12:51 PM

To: Foisy, Myria

Subject: Nisqually Tribe Response: Pt. Defiance Bypass Project

From: colleen.vaughn@dot.gov [mailto:colleen.vaughn@dot.gov] 

Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 7:24 AM 

To: Longley, Jim; Mattson, Larry 

Subject: RE: Nisqually Tribe Response: Pt. Defiance Bypass Project 

Good morning, 

Thank you for your response regarding the proposed project. Please do not hesitate to contact either Larry 

Mattson or myself if you have any questions or comments in the future. 

Thanks again, 

Colleen 

Colleen Vaughn 

Environmental Protection Specialist 

Office of Passenger and Freight Programs

Federal Railroad Administration 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

(202) 493-6096-office 

(202) 570-2964-cell 

colleen.vaughn@dot.gov

From: Jim Longley [mailto:longley.jim@nisqually-nsn.gov] 

Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 7:03 PM 

To: Vaughn, Colleen (FRA); mattsol@wsdot.wa.gov

Subject: Nisqually Tribe Response: Pt. Defiance Bypass Project 

Ms. Vaughn and Mr. Mattson, 

I am responding tardily to a letter sent to the Nisqually Tribe on December 11, 2011 regarding the Point 

Defiance Bypass project. 

We have considered the many aspects of the project and have determined it will not impact the Nisqually Tribe 

adversely. In fact, we strongly support this project to shorten the Amtrak passenger train route between Portland 
2

and Seattle, straighten it, and reduce travel time. We will have no further comment on this beneficial project, at 

this time. 

Thank you for asking for our input. 

-- 

Jim Longley 

Nisqually Transportation Planner 

Olympia, WA 

(360) 456-5221 
1

Cleveland, Leandra L.

From: Mattson, Larry

Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 2:54 PM

To: 'Adam Osbekoff'

Subject: RE: Point Defiance Bypass Project

Hello Mr. OsbekoffSorry it took me until today to reply to your e-mail. Thanks for getting in touch with me. 

This project hasn’t generated much tribal interest, so we don’t have an inter-tribal group formally set up. 

Instead, my office and the Federal Railroad Administration are reaching out via letters and phone calls to 

potentially affected tribes, and meeting with them if they wish, either on the project site or at their offices. 

I’d like to extend that same offer to you. Our office has enjoyed a good working relationship with the 

Snoqualmie Nation. A few years ago, I worked with Andrea Rodgers to coordinate with the Snoqualmie 

Nation on the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East project. 

I am based at the WSDOT office in Yakima, so when I travel to Olympia, I pass near the Snoqualmie Nation 

tribal offices as I drive I-90. I don’t have any driving trips planned for January or February, but I’d be happy to 

meet with you at your office in March or April when things warm up a bit. 

If a spring meeting works for you, let me know and I’ll put a tickler in my schedule to call you in March and 

set up a time and place to meet. 

Larry Mattson, PMP

Environmental Manager ‐ Large Projects,  

Cascades High‐Speed Passenger Rail Program

mattsol@wsdot.wa.gov

  

(509) 577-1922 (direct)

(509) 930-4464 (mobile)

From: Adam Osbekoff [mailto:adam@snoqualmienation.com] 

Sent: Friday, January 06, 2012 12:34 PM 

To: Mattson, Larry 

Subject: Point Defiance Bypass Project 

Hello Mr. Mattson

My name is Adam Osbekoff, I work in the Snoqualmie Indian Tribes Cultural Department. I am responding to the letter

initiating government to government consultation written in Sept. of last year.

I am in the process of doing some initial outreach to connect with people I may be working with at some point in the

future. If you are setting up any inter tribal discussions I would love to be included.

Thank you for your time.

Adam Osbekoff

Snoqualmie Tribe

Cultural Dept.

Assistant Director of Archeaological and Historic Preservation

Office: 425‐292‐0249 x5










1

Cleveland, Leandra L.

From: colleen.vaughn@dot.gov

Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 8:34 AM

To: MattsoL@wsdot.wa.gov; Ostrem, Meagan K.; Cleveland, Leandra L.

Cc: MOLLY.MACQUEEN@stvinc.com; RoalkvC@wsdot.wa.gov

Subject: FW: Pt. Defiance Consultation

Morning,

Please include this  email within the Agency Coordination Appendix.

Thanks,

Colleen

Colleen Vaughn 

Federal Preservation Officer 

Environmental Protection Specialist 

Office of Passenger and Freight Programs

Federal Railroad Administration 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

(202) 493-6096-office 

(202) 570-2964-cell 

colleen.vaughn@dot.gov

From: Michael Grady [mailto:michael.grady@noaa.gov] 

Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 11:19 AM 

To: Vaughn, Colleen (FRA) 

Subject: Re: Pt. Defiance Consultation 

Thanks so much Colleen. The NMFS has analyzed the potential effects and concurs with your NO-effect 

determination. Please keep me updated on the project status and let me know if you need any help from the 

NMFS. 

Thanks again! 

mike grady 

chief, transportation branch 

noaa fisheries (nmfs)-nwr 

206-526-4645 

On Wed, Aug 22, 2012 at 8:38 AM, <colleen.vaughn@dot.gov> wrote: 

Good Morning, 

 
2

Per our conversation yesterday afternoon, I am sending this email to respectfully request concurrence with the 

No-Effect Determination made for work being proposed as part of the Point Defiance Bypass project. An email 

response concurring with the findings presented within the July 17, 2012 letter to your office will suffice for our 

files. 

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Colleen 

 

Colleen Vaughn

Federal Preservation Officer

Environmental Protection Specialist

Office of Passenger and Freight Programs

Federal Railroad Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 493-6096-office

(202) 570-2964-cell

colleen.vaughn@dot.gov

 

 






From: colleen.vaughn@dot.gov

To: MattsoL@wsdot.wa.gov; Ostrem, Meagan K.; Cleveland, Leandra L.

Cc: MOLLY.MACQUEEN@stvinc.com; RoalkvC@wsdot.wa.gov

Subject: FW: Pt. Defiance Consultation

Date: Thursday, August 23, 2012 8:33:47 AM

Morning,

Please include this  email within the Agency Coordination Appendix.

Thanks,

Colleen

Colleen Vaughn

Federal Preservation Officer

Environmental Protection Specialist

Office of Passenger and Freight Programs

Federal Railroad Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 493-6096-office

(202) 570-2964-cell

colleen.vaughn@dot.gov

From: Michael Grady [mailto:michael.grady@noaa.gov] 

Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 11:19 AM

To: Vaughn, Colleen (FRA)

Subject: Re: Pt. Defiance Consultation

Thanks so much Colleen. The NMFS has analyzed the potential effects and concurs with

your NO-effect determination. Please keep me updated on the project status and let me know

if you need any help from the NMFS.

Thanks again!

mike grady

chief, transportation branch

noaa fisheries (nmfs)-nwr

206-526-4645

On Wed, Aug 22, 2012 at 8:38 AM, <colleen.vaughn@dot.gov> wrote:

Good Morning,

Per our conversation yesterday afternoon, I am sending this email to respectfully request

concurrence with the No-Effect Determination made for work being proposed as part of the

Point Defiance Bypass project. An email response concurring with the findings presented
within the July 17, 2012 letter to your office will suffice for our files.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you.

Colleen

Colleen Vaughn

Federal Preservation Officer

Environmental Protection Specialist

Office of Passenger and Freight Programs

Federal Railroad Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 493-6096-office

(202) 570-2964-cell

colleen.vaughn@dot.gov