THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY PROCESS
IDOT—in partnership with FHWA, the CREATE partners and the public—is currently developing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 75th St. CIP. When it is complete, the Draft EIS will describe the solution that IDOT has found best addresses transportation issues in the study area. The Final EIS will describe the preferred solution and explain how decision-makers arrived at that solution. The public will be able to provide comments throughout the entire environmental process.

The steps of the EIS process are:

The process formally begins with a Notice of Intent.

Next, the project’s Draft Purpose and Need is identified.

Public input on the Purpose and Need was gathered at Public Meetings in June 2011.

Possible solutions to the Needs identified in the Purpose and Need are developed as Alternatives.

The public provides input on the proposed Alternatives at a second Public Meeting.

Each reasonable Alternative is evaluated to determine the best and most practical, reasonable alternative
meeting the Needs identified in the Purpose and Need.

The findings of the technical studies, impacts, mitigation, and public input are documented in the Draft EIS.

A Public Hearing is held to formally present the findings of the Draft EIS and receive public comments.

Based on comments and review of the Draft EIS, a Preferred Alternative for the project is included in the
Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The project is officially approved in the Record of Decision, which provides final environmental clearance. 
The next step will be to begin the final design process.