I'm afraid I find the answer disingenuous.

1. Failure to file 4(f) at this time (or until the decision to request funding is made) does NOT eliminate FTE's option to request such funding in the future.

2. Filing for Federal funding is not a single form but is a process, one which has clearly been started the FTE. The first step of that process is the announcement filed in the Federal Register, the second is the scope meeting, the first is the Advanced Notification package, the fourth is the submission for 4(f) review. I do not see how this process constitutes a position of "not asking for Federal funding at this time".

Although substantively, I know the real answer from the evidence and filed documents, I am quite saddened and disillusioned by the circuitous conversation that has made it plain to me how much real information I can expect from FTE with regard to this project.