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APPENDIX C 

Public Involvement/Comment Summary 

A comprehensive Public Involvement Program was carried out for this study. The program 

began early in the study and continued throughout the process. The following summarizes this 

program and detailed information is contained within Section 6 of the 2005 FEIS. 

The Notice of Intent was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2002 and an Advance 

Notification package was distributed to federal, state, and local agencies and to appropriate 

United States and State senators and representatives on April 3, 2002. Written comments were 

received from several of the agencies and have been addressed during the coordination and 

development of the FEIS. 

Throughout the project, FHSRA organized meetings to provide interested parties with project 

updates. FHSRA held two agency coordination meetings: April 30, 2002 and July 30, 2003. 

FHSRA also held meetings with the local MPO and committees, elected officials, small groups, 

and non-governmental organizations. In addition, the FHSRA established a Cultural Resource 

Committee (CRC) to assist in the evaluation of significant cultural resources, potential effects, 

and methods for mitigation. 

Two series of Public Information Workshops were held in each of the four counties located 

within the proposed FHSR corridors. The first series of public workshops was held in May 2002 

to provide the attendees with an opportunity to review the proposed conceptual corridors, 

engineering design concepts, and the proposed high speed rail technologies, and to submit their 

comments. The second series of public meetings was held in January 2003 to provide the 

attendees with an opportunity to review the retained alignments, eliminated alignments, proposed 

high speed rail technologies, and construction schedules, and to submit their comments. 

A series of Public Hearings was held in October 2003 in three of the four counties at locations 

along the FHSR corridor. The purpose of this series of Public Hearings was to solicit public 

comment on the Draft EIS, the proposed FHSR alternatives, the proposed technologies, 

construction schedules, and other issues related to the development of a high speed rail system. 

• Approximately 75 individuals participated in the Hillsborough County public hearing. 

Ten total comments were received that evening. 

• Approximately 112 individuals participated in the Polk County public hearing. Twenty 

total comments were received that evening. 

• Approximately 260 individuals participated in the Orange/Osceola public hearing. Fiftynine total comments were received that evening. 

Comments received through the public hearings are summarized in Chapter 6 of the 2005 FEIS. 

The public hearings were also documented in detail in the Public Hearing Comments Summary 

Report prepared under separate cover as a part of the 2005 FEIS. 

A newsletter was mailed to all property owners, interested citizens, and local and state officials 

that summarized the first series of Public Information Workshops, provided a summary of 

project activities, announced the second series of Public Information Workshops, and listed 

upcoming events and key project dates. 
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A web page was developed to provide updated information on FHSR. The following 

information was displayed on-line: Florida High Speed Rail Screening Report, project schedule, 

workshop announcements, schedule of elected official and small group meetings, schedule of 

MPO and committee meetings, workshop results, and handout materials from the meetings. The 

website also provided a list of frequently asked questions, displayed meeting minutes of all 

public meetings, and offered viewers the opportunity to submit questions and comments to the 

project team. 

Comments from the following agencies and organizations were addressed in the FEIS: 

• Environmental Protection Agency 

• Federal Highway Administration 

• US Army Corp of Engineers 

• Federal Aviation Administration 

• Florida Department of Transportation 

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

• South Florida Water Management District 

• Southwest Florida Water Management District 

• City of Auburndale/Town of Polk City 

• City of Lakeland, Community Development Department 

• Pinellas County MPO 

• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council 

• Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County 

• School Board of Orange County 

• Polk Group of Sierra Club, Florida Chapter 

• League of Environmental Organizations 

• Sierra Club, Florida Chapter 

• East Polk Committee of 100 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement for Florida High Speed Rail from Tampa to Orlando 

was released in July, 2005. No comments on the FEIS were received. 

A comprehensive agency and public outreach program was carried out for the FHSR FEIS 

Reevaluation. By meeting with interested citizens and agencies during the reevaluation phase, 

FDOT ensured public participation and input on the changes to the preferred alternative and the 

resulting potential environmental impacts. Members of the public received direct communication 

in the form of mailings and the project website. 

The public awareness program was developed to insure federal, state, and local officials, 

property and business owners, interested groups and organizations, and county residents receive 

the latest information concerning project changes and the status of the reevaluation activities. 

A total of 11 meetings were held with local governments, as shown on Table C-1, to obtain 

information about changes to transportation facilities and land use plans that have occurred since 

the 2005 FEIS. 
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Table C-1: Local Government Coordination Meetings 

Organization(s) Date Location 

Various Transportation / Transit Agencies June 29, 2009 FDOT District Seven; Tampa, Florida 

Various Planning and Transportation Agencies June 30, 2009 FDOT District Five Urban Office; Orlando, Florida 

Orange County July 20, 2009 Orange County Offices; Orlando, Florida 

City of Lakeland, Polk County, Polk County TPO July 20, 2009 City of Lakeland Offices; Lakeland, Florida 

City of Tampa July 21, 2009 FDOT District Seven; Tampa, Florida 

Greater Orlando Airport Authority July 21, 2009 GOAA Annex Building; Orlando, Florida 

City of Orlando August 12, 2009 City of Orlando; Orlando, Florida 

Tampa Bay Area Regional Authority and 

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority 

August 13, 2009 FDOT District Seven; Tampa, Florida 

City of Plant City and Hillsborough County August 13, 2009 FDOT District Seven; Tampa, Florida 

University of South Florida Polytechnic August 13, 2009 FDOT District One; Bartow, Florida 

International Drive/ETC August 14, 2009 Embassy Suites; Orlando, Florida 

Source: PBS&J, Sept. 2009 

In addition an environmental agency coordination meeting was held on September 11, 2009. 

Invitees included the Environmental Technical Advisory Teams from Districts One, Five, and 

Seven. Three Public Information Meetings were held along the project corridor in September 

2009. This series of meetings provided the public with an opportunity to review the information 

on the FHSR reevaluation process and results. The meeting included a video presentation and 

aerial exhibits and displays for the purpose of enhancing public understanding of the changes 

expected to the proposed project. All oral and written comments received were documented as 

part of the project records. A summary of these meetings are included in Public Involvement, 

Section 7 and Appendix C of the FEIS Reevaluation. 

• Approximately 77 individuals participated in the Tampa Public Information Meeting. Ten 

written comments were submitted at the meeting, including two from elected officials: St. 

Petersburg City Councilman Wengay “Newt” Newton, and Florida Representative Betty 

Reed (District 59). One comment and one request for information were received via 

email. 

• Approximately 160 individuals attended the Lakeland Public Information Meeting. Fortyeight written comments were submitted at the meeting, and one was received by mail. 

One request for project information was received by email. 

• Approximately 65 individuals attended the Orlando Public Information Meeting. A total 

of six (6) written comments were submitted at the meeting. 

The Florida High Speed Rail Corridor including Tampa to Orlando and continuing to Miami has 

received substantial support from federal and state elected officials, counties and cities 

throughout the corridor, local and regional planning organizations, business development 

organizations and partnerships, transit agencies and major businesses. Table C-2 identifies 

resolutions and letters of support throughout Florida for the continued advancement and 

construction of high speed rail in the state. 
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Table C-2: Resolutions and Letters of Support 

Sender # Date Type 

State of Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Cabinet September 15, 2009 Resolution 

Florida State Senator Mike Fasano, 11th District August 13, 2009 Letter 

Florida Legislator- Arthenia Joyner State Senator, 18th District; Paula 

Dockery State Senator, 15th District;; Mike Bennett State Senator, 

21st District; Evelyn Lynn State Senator, 7TH District; Dennis Jones 

State Senator, 13th District; Steve Oelrich State Senator, 14th District; 

Faye Culp State Representative, 57th District; Janet Long State 

Representative, 51st District; Jim Frishe State Representative, 54th

District; Peter Nehr State Representative, 48th District; Bill Galvano 

State Representative, 68th District; Ken Roberson State 

Representative, 71st District; Joe Gibbons State Representative, 

105th District; Richard Steinberg State Representative, 106th District; 

Bill Heller State Representative, 52nd District; Michael Scionti State 

Representative, 58th District; Mike Horner State Representative, 79th

District 

 August 18, 2009 Letter 

Florida State Senator Nan Rich, 34th District August 17, 2009 Letter 

Congress of the United States, Suzanne M. Kosmas September 8, 2009 Letter 

Congress of the United States, Kathy Castor October 1, 2009 Letter 

Congress of the United States, Adam H. Putnam September 30, 2009 Letter 

Florida House of Representative Ronald A. Brise September 11, 2009 Letter 

Florida State Representative Seth McKeel, 63rd District August 14, 2009 Letter 

Florida House of Representative Tom Anderson, 45th District August 31, 2009 Letter 

Miami-Dade County Chairman Dennis Moss August 21, 2009 Letter 

Walt Disney World Co. September 28, 2009 Letter 

Universal Studio October 2, 2009 Letter 

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce July 1, 2009 Resolution 

City of Orlando August 13, 2009 Resolution 

MetroPlan Orlando 09-18 

09-19 

09-20 

August 12, 2009 Resolution 

University of South Florida September 2, 2009 Letter 

Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce August 26, 2009 Resolution 

Citrus Connection –Lakeland Area Mass Transit 09-02 September 21, 2009 Letter 

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority August 19, 2009 Resolution 

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council 2009-04 September 14, 2009 Resolution 

Richard Crotty, Orange County Mayor July 1, 2009 Letter 

Orange County Board of County Commissioners 2009-M-34 

2009-M-36 

August 11, 2009 Resolution 

Osceola County Board of County Commissioners 09-066R 

09-067R 

August 17, 2009 Resolution 
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Table C-2: Resolutions and Letters of Support 

Sender # Date Type 

Polk County Board of County Commissioners August 18, 2009 Resolution 

Seminole County Board of County Commissioners August 17, 2009 Letter 

Polk County Board of County Commissioners 2009-182 August 18, 2009 Resolution 

Volusia County Metropolitan Planning Organization 2009-21 August 25, 2009 Resolution 

Volusia County Council 2009-140 October 1, 2009 Resolution 

City Council of the City of Tampa 2009-942 September 24, 2009 Resolution 

City of Plant City 127-2009 

128-2009 

August 10, 2009 Resolution 

City of Lakeland 4778/09-

0444 

September 8, 2009 Resolution 

City of St. Cloud September 9, 2009 Letter 

City of Maitland, Douglas Kinson, Mayor August 11, 2009 Letter 

Florida Transportation Commission September 3, 2009 Resolution 

Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce September 30, 2009 Resolution 

South Florida Regional Business Alliance July 9, 2009 Resolution 

Miami Dade Expressway Authority 09-05 July 28, 2009 Resolution 

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau September 29, 2009 Resolution 

Tampa Bay Partnership August 21, 2009 Letter 

Central Florida Partnership August 24, 2009 Letter 

Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council August 5, 2009 Letter 

Audubon of Florida August 24, 2009 Letter 

Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers August 20, 2009 Letter 

Connect Us August 24, 2009 Letter 

Connect Us October 1, 2009 Letter 

Central Florida Development Council August 19, 2009 Resolution 

Florida Building & Construction Trades Council August 24, 2009 Letter 

Amalgamated Transit Union November 15, 2008 Resolution 

Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization August 4, 2009 Letter 

Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission September 28, 2009 Letter 

Polk County Transit Authority 09-02 August 26, 2009 Resolution 

Polk Transportation Planning Organization 2009-04 August 13, 2009 Resolution 

Polk County Tourist Development Council October 1, 2009 Resolution 

Manatee Chamber of Commerce August 25, 2009 Resolution 

Tampa Downtown Partnership May 21, 2009 Resolution 

Efficient Transportation for the Community of Central Florida (ETC) September 14, 2009 Letter 

Floridians for Better Transportation October 2, 2009 Letter 

Winter Haven Area Transit Policy Board 2009-01 September 9, 2009 Resolution 

Florida Transportation Builders Association, Inc September 28, 2009 Letter 
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Table C-2: Resolutions and Letters of Support 

Sender # Date Type 

Ross Vecchio Attorneys at Law, Dennis Ross September 15, 2009 Letter 

Ming Court September 29, 2009 Letter 

Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando August 26, 2009 Resolution 

Polk County Board of County Commissioners July 22, 2009 Letter 

Central FL MPO Alliance 2009-03 October 16, 2009 Resolution 

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce September 29, 2009 Letter 

Town of Melbourne Village 2008-09 September 23, 2009 Resolution 

City of Margate 11-548 October 7, 2009 Resolution 

East Polk Committee September 4, 2009 Resolution 

City Commission of the City of Hollywood R-2009-354 November 18, 2009 Resolution