C06B ImplementingEco-Logical

Kristin SchusterMichigan Department of Transportation

FHWA Eco-Logical Program

FHWA program after publication in 2006

Eco-Logical is multi agency program

Goal is implementation through outreach, barrier busting, training

Collaboration

Recognizing common challengesFinding mutually beneficial solutionsMeeting goals of agenciesCreating partnerships

Better Decisions

• Ecosystem-based approaches can be easier, more practical, and a management priority. As a result, it can be widely implemented.

Eco-Logical, C06A, and C06B

1. Eco-Logical program launched in support of 2006 publication

2. SHRP2 C06 A & B developed to learn more about/in support of Eco-Logical

3. SHRP2 Research conducted simultaneous to FHWA and Signatory Agency Eco-Logical programs

4. SHRP2 Work Completed/To Be Completed

5. SHRP 2 products and research to be implemented through integration into FHWA and Signatory Agency Eco-Logical programs

C06 Purpose1. Create an ecological framework for making

decisions about transportation capacity enhancements and the surface environment at the planning stage

- A way to integrate transportation planning and conservation planning- Basis for step-wise guidebook

2. To develop scientific and technical approaches to the implementing an integrated conservation and transportation planning process described in Eco-Logical

3. Understand barriers to implementation of Eco-Logical and ecosystem approaches as well as interests, incentives, and potential solutions

Eco-Logical and SHRP2Using an Outcome-Based Ecosystem Approach (C06A) 1. Integrated Ecological Framework2. Agency specific integrated approach to conservation and transportation planningThrough Development of an Outcome-Based Ecosystem-Scale Approach and Corresponding Credit System (C06B)3. Cumulative Effects and Alternatives Analysis 4. Regulatory Assurances 5. Ecosystem Crediting

C06 Outcomes• C06A: Process and business cases for integration of

conservation and transportation planning.

• C06B: Three areas of focus for tools developed by the C06B team, placed within the context of the step-wise Framework developed by C06A:

(1) Cumulative Effects and Alternatives Analysis (2) Regulatory Assurances (3) Ecosystem Crediting

• Interactive database of methods, tools, systems and case studies that support the Ecological Assessment methods

the way forward….

Time and cost savings:

• Eliminating duplication

• Ecosystem scale mitigation

• Greater interagency collaboration

• Stronger environmental outcomes

Eco-Logical / Planningand Environmental Linkages

A FHWA PROGRAM promoting tools and resources,

- and -

An APPROACH to transportation decision-making

Implementation Goals

Define success factorsshort termlong term

Evaluate strategies

Define performance measures

How to get there….

• Dec 2012 Webinar

• Jan 2013 FHWA solicit demo projects

• Feb 2013 Proposals due to FHWA

• April 2013 Project selection

Questions?