Sample Letter for DEIS CommentsJon A. Carnegie, AICP/PP, Senior Project Manager
Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
33 Livingston Avenue, Suite 500
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901Re: Penns Neck Area DEIS
July 2003
Dear Mr. Carnegie:
As presented in the Penns Neck Area Draft Environmental Impact Statement, I write in support of Alternative D.2. It has Route 1 in a cut, frontage roads with a diamond interchange between Harrison Street and Washington Road, a Vaughn Drive connector to Alexander Road , but no east-side connector road. This option meets the NJ DOT's objectives of providing traffic congestion relief and removing three traffic signals on Route 1.
This alternative would protect the serenity of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, protect the water supply in the D&R Canal, protect the Washington Road Elm Allee, preserve the Millstone River corridor, avoid wetlands, protect forests, protect threatened and endangered species such as the NJ Threatened long-eared owl, and preserve National Register-listed and eligible archaeological and historic sites.
I support all efforts to provide congestion relief by implementation of Travel Demand Management practices, creation of transit-based actions, inclusion of a Commute Options Package, and bicycle and pedestrian enhancements.
I concur with the NJ State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) March 2003 letter that an east-side connector road would adversely affect "archaeological sites, located in proximity to the environmentally important Millstone River." The SHPO letter also suggests that the DOT focus on, "avoiding adverse effects to the Delaware and Raritan Canal Historic District and Washington Road Elm Allee" and "eliminating the proposed east-side connector road."
I concur with the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program) letter of April 2003 that "the proposed bypass alternatives that are routed through the Sarnoff property would essentially destroy the documented habitat of this state-threatened species [long-eared owl]. It does not appear that onsite mitigation will be possible as little additional habitat exists in the vicinity."
I concur with a 30 January 2001 letter from the engineer hired by the West Windsor Planning Board that the Sarnoff "property contains some of the most spectacular views that can be found anywhere in West Windsor. The bluffs overlooking the Millstone need to be preserved so that future generations can enjoy them," and "The potential for rare or endangered species to be present on site is possible."
Alternative D.2 may be expensive, but the preponderance of important cultural, historical, and environmental sites concentrated in this area make this expenditure an absolute necessity.
Sincerely yours,
Your signature here
Your name printed here
Your return address here
We also recommend that your comment letters also be mailed to to the following:
Anthony Sabidussi, Section Chief
NJDOT - Bureau of Environmental Services
1035 Parkway Avenue, P.O. Box 600
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0600Young Kim
Federal Highway Administration
840 Bear Tavern Road
W. Trenton, New Jersey 08628
John F. Lettiere, Jr., Commissioner
Department of Transportation
PO Box 601
1035 Parkway Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08625Governor James E. McGreevey
New Jersey State House
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625John M. Fowler, Executive Director
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
The Old Post Office Building
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, #809
Washington, DC 20004Mr. Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner
Department of Environmental Protection
401 East State Street
PO Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625
Mr. Marc A. Matsil, Assistant Commissioner,
NJDEP
Historic Preservation Office, 3rd Fl
501 East State Street
PO Box 404
Trenton, NJ 08625Thank you!
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