Beta Test of Scoping Comment Search Discovers One Issue: "Form Letter" Fix In Progress

Thus far, the beta test of the Scoping Comment Search has revealed one issue related to a single submission that had unique characteristics.  A fix is underway and should be complete by Thursday, July 9th.

The submission that baffled the search engine logic, as described in the previous post, was very complex, consisting of a cover/transmittal letter signed by two people, a main comment document signed by about one hundred other people, and six attachments.  For purposes of comment content analysis associated with the environmental analysis, a submission made by a group of people is referred to as a "form letter" (which should not to be confused with submissions made on the Comment Form provided at public meetings during the scoping comment period and still available online).  The particular form letter in question was the only group submission in which the cover/transmittal letter was separate from the document that contained the comments, so the search feature didn't recognize this unique pattern, causing it to fixate on the transmittal and ignore the comment document.  The result was that the search returned zero comments -- clearly a surprising and unacceptable result for those who carefully researched and wrote the submission and who would understandably be concerned that all their hard work had been overlooked.

Of course, while the Scoping Comment Search improperly handled this single submission, the good news is that the paper submission itself had been properly received, processed, and that it provided many comments incorporated in the analysis.

This illustrates an important point to remember: while every effort has been made to ensure that the Scoping Comment Search engine is as comprehensive and accurate as modern database and search design allows, we should remember that it was not used in the comment analysis process integral to development of the Environmental Impact Statement.  Instead, the Scoping Comment Search was developed solely for this website and is provided as an information tool meant to significantly and meaningfully improve public access to over 20,000 comments.

The beta testing continues through the remainder of this week.  Please contact me directly (at jable@fs.fed.us, or by voice or text at 520-405-4256) if you find any other issue with the Scoping Comment Search.

Thanks.