Specifications include, but are not limited to: TASK 1: INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE TRANSPORTATION ANALYSIS The Independent Review Team (IRT) will review the LSRD transportation analysis work conducted by WSDOT’s consultant to develop an independent assessment of the analysis, assumptions, stakeholder engagement and cost and impact estimates. At this time, the anticipated components of the WSDOT LSRD transportation analysis include: • Highway, road, and freight rail transportation needs, options, and impacts from shifting the movement of freight and goods that currently move by barge through the lower Snake River dams to highways, other roads, and rail. The study should generate volume estimates and evaluate scenarios for changes in infrastructure and operations that would be necessary to address those additional volumes. • The assessment must include quantitative analysis based on available data in terms of both financial and carbon emission costs.1 The IRT will work with the WSDOT consultant team to develop and implement a process to receive information, discuss any potential discrepancies, and resolve possible data gaps with the WSDOT LSRD transportation analysis consultant(s). The IRT will create a dashboard style or other succinct summary that clearly identifies where the two teams’ analyses are aligned, where differences or concerns have been identified, and what information is missing/still to be gathered/analyzed. Deliverable: Quarterly written assessments of status to date that summarize findings succinctly. The quarterly reports will be provided to WSDOT, the River Transportation Work Group, the Governor’s office and to members of the House and Senate Transportation Committees and posted on the JTC website. Quarterly reports must be completed (including all comments addressed) by September 1, 2024; December 1, 2024; March 1; 2025; June 1, 2025. TASK 2: INDEPENDENT STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT EFFORT The Consultant will convene a “River Transportation Work Group” to provide data and guidance to the independent review team. The overall goal of this engagement effort is to ensure that work group members have an avenue to provide additional data or information, raise concerns or ask questions to inform the independent review. As such there must be opportunities for input and feedback separate from the WSDOT stakeholder engagement effort. River Transportation Work Group membership invitations must be extended to representatives of the following entities/organizations as outlined in the project proviso. JTC staff will work with the Consultant to identify the groups invited, which must include but are not limited to this list: • farming and agricultural production • fishing industry • tug and barge operators • shippers and receivers • public ports • railroad operators • cruise lines • Federal Highway Administration • Army Corps of Engineers The River Transportation Work Group should have a combination of in-person and virtual meeting options. Meetings or interviews with smaller groups of stakeholders may be used in addition to full work group meetings. The work group agendas and meeting frequency should take into consideration the effort WSDOT will also have underway with stakeholders and seek to not duplicate efforts or overburden stakeholders for their time. JTC staff may assist in securing locations and providing food and refreshments for any in-person meetings. All other meeting organization tasks will be the responsibility of the Consultant. In addition, the Consultant will participate along with the WSDOT consultants in consultations with federally recognized tribes. Deliverable: The Consultant will work with the JTC Project Manager to determine the best way to capture work group input which is likely to include written summaries of work group feedback.