Bryant Kuechle Professional Experience

With The Langdon Group Bryant adds to an experienced career in the public involvement, public relations and journalism fields. Most recently, Bryant served as a Public Affairs Specialist with the Idaho Transportation Department, where he was responsible for media/public relations and public involvement in southwest Idaho, the state’s most populous region. A certified public participation practitioner, he has worked with urban and rural communities to address current transportation needs and to plan for future demands on the transportation system. Bryant is an experienced facilitator with the ability to reach people at varying levels of interest and involvement, resulting in balanced and constructive participation among group members. He also possesses a rich understanding of roadway design and construction and is experienced in working directly with construction contractors and subcontractors.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT/OUTREACH EXPERIENCE

Prosser Airport Runway Relocation EA, Port of Benton, Washington (2006-2008) - The existing Prosser Airport Runway is 3,450 feet long. Its eastern Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) extends over Wine Country Road, Prosser’s primary connection to Interstate 82, and into existing commercial property. An RPZ, often referred to as the “glide path,” is a designated approach and departure area extending from each end of the runway. Recent FAA policy changes now require complete ownership of the RPZ. In Prosser this requires land acquisition within seven residential properties at the airport’s west end. This project is a federal action; funded by the FAA. Therefore, the process is guided by the NEPA process. The Port of Benton hired The Langdon Group to explore the cultural environmental impacts of relocating the runway. Bryant located, contacted, scheduled and conducted personal interviews with the seven property owners directly impacted by the Prosser Airport runway relocation. Through personal meetings with each property owner at the onset and constant communication throughout, these stakeholders developed a thorough understanding of the project. In all cases, property owners have family history and memories, improvements they’ve made and a deep desire to remain on their properties; however, they were accepting of the project and its purpose. Most properties preferred to have all their land purchased by the Port of Benton, rather than only the necessary portion for the RPZ, to avoid any future loss of property value due to the encroaching airport property. These comments were reflected in the EA and the Port with Bryant’s assistance is currently in the process of assessing property values and negotiating the land offers.

SR 129/Fleshman Way Interchange Safety Improvements, Asotin County, Washington (2007-2009) - Completed by The Army Corps of Engineers in 1981, the Southway Bridge over the Snake River is co-owned by the city of Clarkston and Asotin County, Washington and the city of Lewiston and Nez Perce County, Idaho. In Washington, the Bridge becomes Fleshman Way and immediately forms an interchange with SR 129. SR 129 is the primary connection to neighboring communities. Recent traffic counts estimate 25,000 vehicles use the interchange daily. The existing interchange includes a number of left-turn, cross traffic movements that not only slow the progression of traffic, but can and have resulted in vehicle collisions. This project, managed by Asotin County, will develop a safer interchange design that minimizes stopping and left-turn movements while incorporating improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Bryant was hired to facilitate public/agency involvement and build consensus on this project. Major stakeholders in this project include three cities, two counties, WSDOT, Army Corps of Engineers, Nez Perce Tribe, Port of Clarkston, mass transit, bicycling and running groups, state and federal representatives. Bryant has conducted multiple one-on-one interviews to develop a deep understanding of the issues surrounding this project and to prepare for the project kickoff/partnering meeting. Bryant facilitated the multi agency meeting which resulted in a partnering agreement and memorandum of understanding amongst all involved parties. Over the course of the project, the public will be asked through a Community Advisory Committee, public meetings and small group presentations to provide input on interchange design and location, traffic elements and project alternatives.

US 97 Illumination and Pedestrian Improvements in Brewster, WSDOT (2007-2008). US 97 through Brewster is an important roadway for local industry, shopping and downtown access as well as a heavily used cross-state route for recreation and commerce. Due to a high amount of foot traffic from fruit packing workers and an increased emphasis on pedestrian safety by the state legislature, WSDOT has launched a safety improvement project that will address crosswalk locations and illumination, sidewalks, and access points on US 97. Currently, property owners have open access along the highway and many are cold to the idea of limiting access. Bryant has performed all public involvement efforts including one-on-one stakeholder interviews and group mediation to determine agreed upon access locations and widths amongst property owners, WSDOT and the City of Brewster. Working closely with WSDOT Communications, Bryant has worked with the local media and organized/facilitated a Public Informational Meeting.

Cloverdale Road Concept Design: Boise, Idaho (2007). The Langdon Group was hand picked by the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to oversee the public involvement on this project, a first of its kind for ACHD. The objective of the project is to answer key questions early and identify the long range needs of the Cloverdale Road corridor, an important roadway in a rapidly growing area of the Treasure Valley. The corridor is also shared by a primary Boise City sewer line and is intersected by an interstate and Federal highway, requiring careful multi-agency coordination. Bryant has conducted over 100 interviews with neighborhood associations, businesses, schools, emergency response, law enforcement, utilities and local agencies to begin identifying areas of concern and potential improvements. This year and one half long project will include two public informational meetings and regular community and technical advisory group meetings.

Road 100 Extension: Franklin County, Washington (2004-2007). Due to rapid growth in Pasco and rapidly changing traffic patterns, Franklin County saw the need for a roadway extension and connection to the local freeway. This extension would involve significant impact to the oldest irrigation district and rural farming center of the county. To address this challenge, The Langdon Group designed a public involvement process that included meeting with local farmers, residents, business, water districts, rural EMS, etc. to learn of the community needs before engineering would ever take place. Guidelines for this process were founded in Context Sensitive Design. Three years later Bryant drew on those established relationships with property owners and held personal interviews to provide a project update and discuss right-of-way issues.

Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Bond Election: Buhl, Idaho (2006). Since the original construction of its wastewater collection and treatment system in the mid-1960’s, the City of Buhl has experienced steady residential, commercial, and industrial growth, and anticipates continued development in the future. Faced with serious environmental and public health threats, EPA sanctions, and a poor history with bond elections (a recent $8 million school bond took three attempts to pass), Buhl enlisted The Langdon Group to lead a public awareness campaign. TLG conducted informational presentations and question/answer sessions with city civic groups, a media outreach campaign, distributed print materials to the voting public, and called on a citizens’ advisory committee to participate in the campaign. The committee was initially organized by The Langdon Group during the development of a wastewater facilities plan in 2005. On Aug. 1, 2006 more than two-thirds of voters approved the $15 million bond, despite the fact that passage of the bond would raise user rates to an estimated $35-$65 per month. Current monthly user fees are $18.

TreeTop, Inc. Prosser Plant Sprayfield Expansion Study and EIS Amendment: Prosser, Washington (2006-2008). Tree Top’s Prosser, Washington Plant is a highly-productive facility, processing more than 211,000 tons of fruit annually. During the year when production peaks the need to effectively treat process water the plant generates also increases. Tree Top hired The Langdon Group to facilitate community outreach and education for potential expansion of their process water disposal system and the different options under consideration. Public involvement steered Tree Top’s preferred method of expansion and I am currently working with the company on an amendment to their Environmental Impact Statement.

U.S.

20-26 Chinden Boulevard Widening: Boise/Garden City, Idaho (2006). Chinden Boulevard, a major commuter route connecting the east and west ends of the Treasure Valley, has reached it’s traffic capacity between Cloverdale Road and Garden City, requiring a road widening from three lanes to five. The Langdon Group has been hired to handle public information during construction of this heavily traveled roadway. Efforts will include coordinating the construction schedule with area businesses and residents plus extensive media and public outreach to the traveling public.

No See Um Road/SR 150 Intersection: Chelan, Washington (2006). Significant private development is being proposed in the area of the No See Um Road and SR 150 intersection in the City of Chelan. Vehicular, pedestrian and bicyclist traffic is expected to dramatically increase and The Langdon Group has been asked to seek public input that will help J-U-B determine the type of improvements this intersection will need. Public outreach will include personal visits to key stakeholders, a public open house to receive comment and suggestions; and a second public meeting to present and receive comment on the proposed mitigation improvements.

Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District Feasibility Study: McCall, Idaho (2005-2006). Community input will steer the sewer district’s course of action on this important project. Bryant is assembling a citizen’s advisory committee comprised of representatives from unique perspectives to advise the sewer district board on the district’s future method of wastewater treatment. Regulatory agency members and sewer treatment method experts will educate the committee, in turn making them experts capable of providing educated recommendations to the sewer district board.

Cloverdale Southwest Relief Sewer: Boise, Idaho (2005-2006). Bryant is overseeing the public involvement and outreach efforts during the design and construction phases of this sewer line replacement. This project involves coordinating the construction schedule with three schools, funeral and cemetery facilities, three neighborhoods and a major shipping center, as well as easement temporary and permanent easement negotiations with a number of property owners.

Fremont County Transportation Plan: Fremont County, Idaho (2005-2006). Bryant is facilitating the public involvement process for this transportation plan update. Outreach includes two rounds of three open houses in each geographic area of the county, facilitating regular meetings with a citizens advisory committee that will help shape the new plan and prioritize projects, plus interviews with key-persons such as city leaders, law enforcement and emergency services who lend unique perspectives to the area’s transportation needs. Additionally, Bryant has employed the Pair Wise Analysis method of strategically ranking and prioritizing future transportation projects for the final report. This requires the semblance and participation of a technical advisory committee consisting of 25 members of the community.

Old US 30 Portneuf River Bridge: Lava Hot Springs, Idaho (2005). This project could result in a tremendous inconvenience during construction for a number of residents who rely on it for every day use. Bryant conducted a number of television and print interviews and mailed postcards to all local residents to announce a public open-house for this project. He also conducted one-on-one interviews with the affected residents in their homes. The overall public input helped decide how to best construct the bridge with minimal impact to the community.

Piert Road Extension: Benton County, Washington (2005-2008). This project required careful coordination amongst four major land owners whose properties will be heavily impacted by the extension of this rural freight route. Bryant facilitated a series of workshops with the major property owners and county engineers, ultimately coming to an agreed upon route for the new roadway. Public outreach also included a public meeting and personal interviews with the local farming community.

Columbia Center Boulevard/BNSF Grade Separation: Kennewick, Washington (2005). This project included massive excavation to lower the railroad grade beneath Columbia Center Boulevard, requiring the construction of a new bridge deck for this heavily used road. The Langdon Group provided extensive outreach and availability and coordinated detours and sound wall construction with area businesses and residents.

Boise Ave. to Surprise Valley Bike Path Extension: Boise, Idaho (2005). Bryant negotiation easements and facilitated a public meeting to educate local residents and the biking community on a new section of the Boise Ridges to Rivers bike path system. Public input heavily impacted the alignment and aesthetics of the project design.

Communities in Motion Long Range Transportation Plan: Treasure Valley, Idaho (2004-2005). Bryant served on the public involvement planning team for the Communities in Motion project, a six-county, 25-year plan to address transportation issues in a six-county region. Representing the Idaho Transportation Department, Bryant facilitated a series of scenario workshops geared towards shaping a preferred transportation plan for the valley.

U.S. 95 Thorncreek Road to Moscow Realignment: Latah County, Idaho (2004). Bryant facilitated community focus groups to help determine a preferred alignment for nearly 6.5 miles of U.S. 95 through Latah County. Public Involvement was crucial due to the area’s numerous environmental concerns including threatened and endangered wildlife and plants, cultural and historic resources, prime farmland, wetlands, residential displacement and socioeconomic effects.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION/PUBLIC AND MEDIA RELATIONS

Idaho Transportation Department, Public Affairs Specialist: Boise, Idaho (2003-2005). As a member of the Idaho Transportation Department’s pubic affairs team, Bryant served as a point-of-contact for the media and public in southwest Idaho. In that role he conducted numerous television and print interviews, job-site tours and public meetings; and disseminated all department messages in the form of news releases, media packets and brochures.

Continental Basketball Association, Media/Public Relations Director: Boise, Idaho (2001-2003). Bryant served as the primary contact and spokesperson for the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) premier developmental league and the oldest professional basketball league in the world. Among his many responsibilities, Bryant oversaw all league communication to the media, public and NBA.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

3^rd Place, 2007 Idaho Press Club Award for Public Relations: News Release

1^st Place, 2006 Idaho Press Club Award for Public Relations: News Release

1^st Place, 2004 Idaho Press Club Award for Public Relations: News Release

3^rd Place, 2003 Idaho Press Club Award for Public Relations: News Release

Washington State University, Media Writing Instructor (COM 295): Pullman, Washington (2000-2001). Bryant instructed a college media writing course covering all disciplines of communication writing including print, broadcast, advertising and news release.

Lewiston Morning Tribune, Feature Writer: Lewiston, Idaho (1997-1998). Bryant wrote a weekly feature article for the Lewiston Morning Tribune covering a wide-range of topics for the front page, local and outdoors sections of the daily newspaper.

CURRENT AND PAST PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Association for Conflict Resolution (2006-2007)

State of Idaho Notary Public (2005-2011)

International Association of Public Participation (2006-2007)

Capital City Communicators (2003-2006)

Idaho Press Club (2003-2004)

Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers (2000-2003)