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<br />statement wi1t be distributed much <br />statement with this one exception. <br />the draft statement will receive a <br />know that their comments have been <br /> <br />in the same manner as the original <br />Anybody who responds to us about <br />copy of the final statement so they <br />considered. <br /> <br />The distribution is made only after the official transmittal of the <br />document to the Council on Environmental Quality. It is usually made <br />within a day or two after that transmittal. <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: Thank you. Now, does the board have some questions with <br />regard to the Narrows? <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: One of the problems, as you know, Mr. Hall, in connection <br />with this project has been the long delay in dealing with the landowners <br />in the affected area. We have been telling these people now for a <br />number of years that we intend to purchase or condemn their property. <br />As a result they have been hanging in limbo for a number of years, <br />undecided about making improvements on their property and unable to do <br />meaningful planning for the future. This has generated a considerable <br />problem because of the uncertainty of the time schedule for land <br />acquisition. <br /> <br />You state that you anticipate the filing of the final environmental impact <br />statement in April. Concurrently with preparation of the EIS, will you <br />be making appraisals and negotiating with the landowners? Or are you <br />going to wait until April to do this? <br /> <br />MR. HALL: Some more work will need to be done, Mr. Sparks, before the <br />environmental impact statement is completed. We cannot acquire land, <br />because that is a construction activity, prior to the time it is actually <br />filed. But along the same lines as other engineering work or whatever, <br />where we are firming up final design criteria that surely it would be <br />in order to do some preliminary work. We met this morning with some <br />representatives of the people in the area. I share your concern. These <br />people have very real problems. The school is a very real problem if, <br />indeed, this project becomes a reality. They are thinking about that. <br />We are trying to establish some lines of communication with them through <br />a representation group, so that we can keep them current on project <br />planning. Then as far as acquisition procedures, to meet with them to <br />let them know where and what will take place and how it will transpire <br />and to receive their input as to procedures. As far as any preliminary <br />analysis of the lands themselves, it is reasonable that we would, based <br />on what the draft of the environmental impact statement looks like, <br />that we move ahead in that area too, making some preliminary estimates. <br />We can't just wait until the zero hour and then go out and start acquir- <br />ing land. I hope I answered your question. <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: Can't some of the appraisal work be done now so that when <br />the environmental impact statement is filed and accepted payment for <br />lands can be started? Will appraisals be going on concurrently from <br />now on? I realize you cahnot-makepayment until the EIS is filed and <br />accepted. We are talking about another six months. It seems to me <br />that the appraisals could be accomplished, so that when the statement <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />-4- <br />