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<br />88 <br />Page 1 <br /> <br />~-..~ <br />--.- CALIFORNIA <br />',' High-Speed Rail Authority <br /> <br />ca,_. <br /> <br />August 28, 2009 <br /> <br />Dear Mayor Foust: <br /> <br />As you are aware, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, in cooperation with the Federal <br />Railroad Administration, has initiated the preparation of a project environmental impact <br />report jenvironmental impact statement (EIRjEIS) and engineering studies to determine <br />the best route alignment and design of the proposed San Francisco to San Jose section of <br />the statewide high-speed train system. <br /> <br />To support this effort, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has recently undertaken a <br />comprehensive public outreach and communication assessment. Over the past several <br />months our local team has met with representatives from each of the 22 cities within San <br />Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties along the proposed high-speed train <br />corridor to help guide us in our public outreach processes and approaches. <br /> <br />Our objective in working with you and your city is to ensure the highest level of awareness <br />about the project and the many opportunities for public engagement and input <br /> <br />Our effort reflects the Authority's commitment to fostering public engagement along the <br />Peninsula rail corridor. We want to ensure that cities, counties, transportation and other <br />agencies, and the public actively participate in the development of a statewide high-speed <br />train system that best meets the needs of the region and statewide objectives. <br /> <br />OUf assessment has resulted in six key commitments by the Authority to encourage public <br />engagement in this section. These commitments include: <br /> <br />1. Create and facilitate an advisory Policymaker Working Group composed of elected <br />officials from each of the cities to provide policy-level input; <br /> <br />2. Provide regular public updates regarding project details through use of Cable TV, <br />e-newsletters, web sites and other communication vehicles; <br /> <br />3. Coordinate and participate as a sponsor in high-speed train system, public Design <br />Workshops, includIng Alternatives Development Workshops this fall; <br /> <br />4. Incorporate Context Sensitive Design Principles into project planning and outreach; <br /> <br />5. Provide outreach to community groups such as home owner associations, business, <br />labor, environmental and civic organizations, etc; and <br />