Meeting convened at 8:10 pm by Robert Juravich.

Question: Why don’t we capitalize on what we already have here? Worried about scenic byways preservation and attractiveness of the region if funds are channeled into highway. What happens when consultant goes away and decisions are left to locals?

Response: State and federal processes mandate consideration of key environmental issues. Don’t want to take away scenic byway status.

Question: Have we connected with Clarkson regarding sustainability approaches?

Response: Make sure Jim Donovan (WSA) contacts Clarkson regarding this.

Question: Major issues are financing and environmental; need to be presented to public before document is finalized. (1) Concerned about fragility of ecology in this area, including wetlands. This area has many highways built through wetlands, and many frogs give their lives each year to automobiles. (2) How does highway compare with a rail line from Watertown to Plattsburgh? Need strong comparative analysis. (3) Quality of life issues – Washington County, NY example vis-à-vis Northway impacts. (4) Bypasses remain big issue and need. (5) Subsidizing bus transportation – need analysis. (6) Sustainability issue – this area has many of the most polluting industries in the state, and trend is "dirty" jobs.

Response: Regarding rail transportation, this is an element of the overall multimodal plan; must consider both freight and passenger movements.

Question: Concerns are social: Truncating region into two areas; hamlets being bypassed will result in their slow death; there will be takings of homes and businesses; destruction of a way a life; and environmental: Loss of wildlife habitat; concerned about the wildlife corridor between Algonquin Park and the Adirondack Park.

Response: Valid points.

Comment: Why can’t we get trucks off the roads through the downtowns? Need to get through vehicles out of town – bypasses are needed. Need more publicity of this process.

Question: Rt. 812 has not been upgraded, plans 40 years old to go to Canada. $1 billion is not outrageous compared to other projects in the state.

Question: How do we start process for scientific data collection on animal migration patterns now?

Response: While certainly very important, the level of detail involved is more in line with a detailed environmental review process that occurs after final alignment options are identified.

Question: How many acres, length, who will pay for any land purchased?

Response: Cannot determine until actual alignments are identified.

Question: Is there enough right of way for a 4-lane highway along Rt. 11?

Response: In many areas, yes. In others, some property acquisition may be needed.

Question: A lot of farmers use Rt. 11 for their machinery, would make it more difficult to be a farmer?

Response: Options are many for accommodating farmers; there are examples from Vermont involving farmer-controlled signals, for example, that could be used. No plans can or will go forward until resident and public concerns are heard and addressed.

Comment: St Lawrence County is relatively less connected to the world now than 100 years ago; disinvestments in region’s transportation over the years. Important to retain the jobs the region has now.

Question: Similar projects in similar regions to use as examples? What issues may come up in this development effort?

Response: We included this sort of information in the full report.

Questions: Before we look at a 4-lane highway, look at 37, 3, 11, 58, 812, 30 complex and try to make it better. Concerned bypassing downtowns will kill the businesses there.

Question: Live on Rt 11 in Potsdam, own about 1/3 of an acre. Concerned about how much ROW might be acquired that would affect them? What is timetable?

Response: Cannot determine until actual alignments are identified.

Question: Aren’t you making some efficiency improvement conclusions based on shaky assumptions about timeframe for highway upgrade?

Response: We consider the timeframe proposed reasonable, based on experiences in NYS and elsewhere. Also, we’re on same timetable as the current northern New England highway proposal, a project that would integrate with this one.

Question: How will this hook into Lake Placid, the tourism hub?

Response: It will not directly affect access to Lake Placid, but would certainly improve mobility throughout the general region and for tourists traveling to Lake Placid from the north and west.