Send Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Gov. Hogan's plans to add two private toll lanes in both directions on I-495 and I-270 will bring significant damage to our environment and our communities and will be bad for Maryland taxpayers.
On July 10, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) released an 18,000 page draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Your comments on this DEIS are important to challenge the project.
Public hearings on the DEIS will be held in August and September and written comments will be accepted until October 8. You may provide both verbal testimony and written comments.
Verbal testimony: You will have just 3 minutes to present verbal testimony and therefore it is best to focus on one to three issues that you want MDOT to know.
Written comments: There is no limit to the length of the written statement, so you can include additional issues that you want to get on the record.
Tips on What to Say and Write
Key Issues of Concern: A list of topics with explanations of the issues that you can use to express your concerns.
Tips on Giving Comments on the DEIS: Information on how to develop spoken and written comments.
Note: It is very important to state upfront that you do not support the project and support a no-build option so that this is clearly on the record.
“No-build” is the one MDOT alternative that does not include adding new toll lanes but it does not preclude improvements to I-270 such as those identified in our logo above.
How to Register for a Public Testimony Session or Provide Written Comments
• Provide feedback on the DEIS :General information from MDOT
• Register for a DEIS virtual public testimony hearing (August 18, 20, 25; Sept. 3)
• Provide in-person testimony on the DEIS (Sept. 1, Sept. 10)
• Fill out the Public Comment Form on the DEIS (until October 8)
Additional Resources
• View the DEIS document (the full document or by chapter)
• Dontwiden270.org comment on the DEIS (scroll to July 18, 2020)
• Maryland Sierra Club: “Stop Highway Expansion”
Stay informed and active in fighting this boondoggle!
In addition to commenting on the DEIS, write Governor Larry Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and MDOT Secretary Greg Slater opposing this project.