REGISTER and ASK City Council to insist on an ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT for PennDOT’s Bayfront Project 5:30PM Thursday / September 24, 2020 / To attend and speak for no more than five minutes YOU MUST:
I. Register here: https://cityof.erie.pa.us/2020/09/14/bayfront-parkway-public-hearing/
II. Email City Clerk Laurie Watson to let her know if you will be speaking in opposition, or in favor of PennDOT’s plan: Lwatson@erie.pa.us.
III. Get a confirmation of your registration, because you are not registered unless you get a confirmation!
IV. Plan out your remarks! Five minutes goes quickly - its only 500 - 600 words. SAMPLE OUTLINE
1. Say your NAME clearly and follow it with your street ADDRESS.
2. Next, THANK City Council for holding the Public Hearing.
3. Then, state your VIEWPOINT “I am hear tonight to speak against PennDOT’s Bayfront plan and to ask for the full ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.
4. Give a particular REASON for your viewpoint. “I’m against PennDOT’s plan because I’m concerned about . . .” (OPTIONS INCLUDE: air pollution / water pollution / noise pollution / social (in) justice / the needs of the poor / the danger from the traffic / the increased harm to the Eastside / walkablity concerns / public health / noise / economic development / lack of access / lack of transparency / focus on vehicular traffic / expanding the existing barrier / the fact that other cities are removing highways.)
5. EXPLAIN your reason by offering specific personal OR community OR a technical reason. For instance, “I’m opposed to PennDOT’s plan because it will double traffic and double air pollution. Asthma runs in my family, and, I want to be able to enjoy the outdoors without breathing fumes from 29,000 cars, trucks and tractor trailers.”
6. Repeat your VIEWPOINT. “I appreciate this chance to explain know I oppose PennDOT’s Bayfront plan and request a full ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.
7. Close with THANKS. “City Council, please block PennDOT’s Bayfront highway plan THANK YOU!.
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that on Thursday, September 24, at 5:30 PM, Erie City Council will conduct a public hearing via Zoom to hear public comment on the PA Department of Transportation’s “preferred alternative” plan to redesign the Bayfront Parkway. PennDOT’s plan may be viewed at www.bayfrontparkwayproject.com. To participate in the public hearing, you must click on the Zoom link, which will be provided on the city of Erie website, https://cityof.erie.pa.us/. Speakers will be limited to five minutes. Additional remarks and comments by those unable to participate in the public hearing may be submitted to Erie City Council by emailing City Clerk Laurie A. Watson at Lwatson@erie.pa.us. Comments should be emailed by Sept. 30.
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING click on the ZOOM LINK at the CITY OF ERIE website - https://cityof.erie.pa.us/ - and/or send an email by September 30, 2020 to Lwatson@erie.pa.us
Until March 2020, PennDOT’s Bayfront roadway expansion plan was scheduled for a NEPA Environmental Assessment and a Public Hearing.
However, after claiming that their $100M plan to double waterfront traffic would have little / no environmental impact AND after claiming their controversial plan was not controversial, the Federal Highway Association granted PennDOT a “Categorical Exclusion” eliminating the more complex environmental review and allowing PennDOT to avoid a Public Hearing.
City Council, in a 6 to 1 vote, decided to hold their own Public Hearing:
City Council will conduct a virtual Public Hearing regarding the PennDOT Bayfront Parkway Plan on Thursday, September 24th at 5:30 p.m. Specific information regarding the hearing will be available on the City of Erie website at cityof.erie.pa.us