NJDOT's recent statement to our legislators adds to the list of false and more misleading information and supports the need for an Immediate Environmental Impact Statement for the Rockfall Project.

Recent flagrant incompetence:

• Not even competent and responsible enough to properly inspect the retaining wall WE THE PEOPLE flagged as failing in 2020. NJDOT OKs study of Route 80 retaining wall 'subject to sudden failure' (njherald.com)
• Did not even seek required permits from the Army Corp of Engineers for the retaining wall erosion hole repair Delaware River: NJ DOT told to remove rocks at Water Gap (njherald.com)
• Hideously destroyed the beautiful bank of our federally protected National Wild and Scenic Delaware River
• Closed an EB lane for almost two years, disrupting our lives again for work that now must fixed,
• The Route 46 Rockfall Jurassic Fence broke earlier this month - It failed to hold back a mud slide (likely created by destabilization due to building the fence) - now we are paying for them to fix their broken fence and "stabilize" the slope.

Read this hysterical statement from NJDOT’s wacky world of woo - Highlighted are the lies and misleading statements:

NJDOT continues to say what they want, to whom they want, when they want - yet CAN NOT show documents to support their claims!!! We are creating a rebuttal laying out the body of evidence that shows how each line of the above statement is false and misleading.  

It is time for outside intervention, for the NJDOT to answer our questions, produce requested documents, conduct a regional traffic and economic impact study, and examine ALL mitigation alternatives by way of an Environmental Impact Statement.

It is also time for NJDOT to give the public the public hearing/meeting we deserve as per NJDOT Public Involvement Policy:

Here what the policy states: "For controversial projects, public meetings are an essential intermediary step before conducting public hearings."

Public Meetings

Public meetings are a versatile public involvement technique, as they have a dual purpose - to furnish information to the general public, and to obtain public comments on a current or proposed project. Public meetings could be held throughout the life of a project to heighten community awareness, obtain public feedback and involve the public in project decisions. For controversial projects, public meetings are an essential intermediary step before conducting public hearings.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) conducts a public meeting when a Public Information Center will not address the public need and a more organized process is required; when a concept for a project is being introduced to the public for the first time; or when a new comprehensive design for a project has been developed.

The NJDOT notifies interested agencies, groups and individuals of any public meeting through general letters of invitation. These letters are mailed to elected officials and the affected and interested public three weeks prior to the public meeting. A press release is submitted to all newspapers covering New Jersey by Communications one to two weeks prior to the meeting. This encourages general news coverage of the scheduled meeting but publication of the press release is at the discretion of the newspaper. This information will also be included on the Internet at a website available to the public

Public meetings are considered a formal process and are recorded as part of the project record. A facilitator runs the meeting and NJDOT representatives provide a presentation of the project, its alternatives and the anticipated impacts. The public is then provided an opportunity to comment and ask questions. Normally questions are answered as part of the meeting. When the information is not available, a response may be provided after the meeting when sufficient details have been gathered.

A handout describing the proposed project including the estimated cost and project schedule may be available for distribution at the meeting but only at the discretion of the NJDOT.

The length of a public meeting is contingent upon the size of the audience. With a large audience, the meeting facilitator may impose time limits on each speaker but all public comment must be exhausted before the meeting is adjourned.

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Thank you for helping us find the best possible outcome.

Make the most of your day!

Tara Mezzanotte / Founding Member I80DWG Coalition 908-656-4603 I80DWGCoalition@gmail.com