Along with more than 100 other concerned members of the public, we attended Caltrans’ standing-room-only meeting concerning the draft environmental impact statement and draft environmental impact report (DEIS/DEIR).

In our previous post, we outlined just some of our concerns with the proposed Albion River Bridge replacement project (starting with the fact that this proposed project used to include the word rehabilitation). Caltrans’ meeting only added to our concerns—attendees asked many questions that were met with answers like “we don’t know yet” or “that depends” or “that will be determined later.”

It’s hard to comment with specifics on plans that are vague.

Despite many still-raised hands, Caltrans ended the meeting promptly at 7:30 pm. When we suggested the meeting be extended, the meeting facilitator refused, noting simply that ”we’re hearing your feedback.” Implied in that response: “But we’re ignoring it.”

Here’s a short news report on the meeting that ran on KZYX, Mendocino County Public Broadcasting.

Here’s the recording of the meeting itself.

What’s Next: August 27 Community Commenting Meeting

On August 27, we will host a community commenting meeting aimed at enabling anyone concerned about Caltrans’ plans to provide public comment, which is due to the agency by September 9.

We’ll share more information about this important meeting this week.