Public Involvement

Opportunities for Public Involvement

Public involvement is the process by which FDOT invites public participation during the project development process. Community input is solicited throughout the PD&E process. During the Port Manatee Connector PD&E Study, opportunities for public involvement will be provided through public meetings, public workshops, a public hearing, newsletters and through this project website. All these public involvement techniques will be used to gather information essential to the transportation decision-making process. Public involvement is integral during the initial stages of the project to provide awareness of community values and concerns and to gain insight on existing constraints and issues that may affect the development of alternatives. Therefore, early and continual opportunities for public participation will be provided throughout the project.

Please visit this website often to get the most up-to-date information on the Port Manatee Connector PD&E Study. All public meetings and newsletters will be advertised on this website, in addition to updated project information.

Early Project Coordination

FDOT invites initial public involvement opportunities through the Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) Process which allows for agency and public input during the planning phase of the project. Through ETDM, early agency and public comments are obtained to provide project information on environmentally sensitive areas and identification of project issues. For more information about the ETDM process conducted for the Port Manatee Connector, visit the ETDM website and search for “Project Number” 7619.

Public Meetings

The initial process through which the scope of project issues is discussed and significant issues are identified through the participation of agencies, project stakeholders and the interested public is called scoping. Scoping is required early in the project development process to provide an opportunity to identify significant issues, exchange information and identify consultation requirements. The information gained through agency meetings, the ETDM process, and additional public involvement opportunities will be used for the scoping process.

Coordination with affected Federal, State, and local agencies; project stakeholders and the interested public who have expressed interest in this project has been undertaken and will continue. Agency scoping was initiated during ETDM to provide an opportunity for input into the project’s purpose and need and to identify significant project concerns.

As part of the scoping process, a Purpose and Need Public Meeting was held on September 30, 2008 to provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on the draft purpose and need statement developed for the project. A subsequent Alternatives Public Meeting is anticipated for spring 2009 to provide the public an opportunity for input into the alternatives analysis and development.

Public Workshops

Public workshops will be held to present to the public the results of the study to date and obtain comments on the alternatives that are being considered. A Corridor Public Workshop was held on December 11, 2008 to provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on the potential corridors developed for the project. An Alternatives Public Workshop is tentatively scheduled for fall 2009.

Public Hearing

A public hearing is tentatively scheduled in fall 2010 to provide an opportunity for public input on the preferred alternative(s). The public hearing date will be finalized after the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describing the alternatives considered and the potential impacts to the affected environment is available for public review in fall 2010.

Other Meetings

We are also available to schedule other meetings with interested individuals and local groups or neighborhood associations. To request a meeting, please Contact Us.

Newsletters

Newsletters will be distributed at various key points during the study to local officials, property owners, businesses and interested persons. During the PD&E Study, we will send newsletters and notifications of upcoming public meetings to the property owners within the study area. Click here to download the newsletter(s). Click here to be added to the mailing list for this project.

Provide Comments

We welcome your comments and questions. If you would like to be added to our project mailing list, schedule a meeting, or if you have any comments or questions about the project, please submit a comment form or contact us by using the information provided here.