2026-8-24_CDS_SS_Briefings (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Patricia Garvey Darda c/o Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest 215 Melody Lane Wenatchee,Washington 98801 David Farmer,Acting Forest Supervisor c/o Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest 215 Melody Lane Wenatchee,WA 98801 Re: I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East—Public Safety/Wildlife Closure, Project No. 349472 Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Draft Decision Notice Dear Ms. Garvey-Darda and Mr. Farmer: Kittitas County submits these comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment(Draft EA), Draft Finding of No Significant Impact(Draft FONSI), and Draft Decision Notice for I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Public Safety/Wildlife Closure, Project No. 349472. The County supports the objectives of protecting public safety,maintaining wildlife connectivity across I-90, and ensuring the effectiveness of the substantial public investment in wildlife crossing structures. These comments focus on the adequacy and clarity of the proposed action, the public notice and participation process,public availability of document relied upon in the environmental review, the rationale for a permanent rather than a time limited closure, and the scope and impacts of the closure at Keechelus Lake. 1. The public notice and Draft EA described materially different actions The July 29, 2026,Notice of Opportunity to Comment states that areas adjacent to eight miles of I-90 have been subject to short term emergency closures since 2019 and that the Okanogan- Wenatchee National Forest proposes to "extend the temporary closure for 5 years" and add areas adjacent to another seven miles of 1-90. In contrast, the Draft EA states that the Forest Service proposes to implement a permanent Public Safety/Wildlife Closure on National Forest land and adjacent to the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East