At present it would be an in-house evaluation, but maybe we should get community input as well. The FHWA Environmental Policy Statement commits us to involving stakeholders via public input through maintenance and operations. This seems to occur best if there is a formal Citizens Advisory Committee associated with the project, with a defined construction role. For general post-construction concerns the public usually contacts the local construction or maintenance office. The response, too often, is not an interdisciplinary consideration with input from public involvement specialists.
DOTs carry out state policies.
If the state's policy is to encourage economic development, then the planning, design, and construction of a new highway in an environmentally proactive manner helps everyone. Greg Rawlings, FHWA-New Mexico Division . In all projects, we must look at both benefits and impacts. The usual scenario in New Mexico is concern for a project that impacts one area, with the benefits provided elsewhere. Your concern is more for a rural area that would be both impacted and benefited.