I Larry Heil, FHWA October 15, 2003 Environmental Streamlining.
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Transcript of I Larry Heil, FHWA October 15, 2003 Environmental Streamlining.
II
Larry Heil, FHWA October 15, 2003
Environmental StreamliningEnvironmental Streamlining
Why integrate planning into Why integrate planning into NEPA?NEPA?
Hoosier Heartland Corridor Study – 1995Ohio River MIS (ORMIS) - 1997US 231 & SR 641 FEIS/ROD – 2000Indiana NEPA/404 Merger Agreement was
a limited success
Desired OutcomeDesired Outcome
ONE decision-making process that is efficient, inclusive, structured, that resolves issues as early as possible, and results in high-quality transportation decisions and NEPA documents
Why integrate planning into Why integrate planning into NEPA?NEPA?
Section 1308 of TEA-21 (June 9, 1997), entitled Major Investment Study (MIS) Integration – shall eliminate the MIS as a separate
requirement, and– integrate the MIS requirement into NEPA
Why integrate planning into Why integrate planning into NEPA?NEPA?
Section 1309 of TEA-21 (June 9, 1997), entitled Environmental Streamlining – Develop/Implement coordinated environmental
review process– Environmental reviews for all Federal permits
& approvals conducted concurrently– Establish time frames for reviews– Dispute Resolution
How did Indiana integrate How did Indiana integrate planning into NEPA?planning into NEPA?
Environmental Streamlining Task Group – 1st Draft and agency expectations/issues
discussed at January 19, 2001 Meeting– 2nd Draft and response to agency comments
discussed at February26, 2001 Meeting– 3rd Draft and 30-minute presentation on each
active EISs and EA/Corridor Studies presented at March 28-29,2001 Interagency Meeting
– Final EIS Procedures issued July 6, 2001
Basic Elements of EIS Basic Elements of EIS ProceduresProcedures
Establish “Project Coordination Team” to provide a structured mechanism for INDOT, FHWA-IN, and the MPO to guide consultant EIS development
Eliminate the duplication of effort between planning and NEPA studies (eliminate MIS, per Section 1308 of TEA-21)
Basic Elements of EIS Basic Elements of EIS Procedures (cont.)Procedures (cont.)
Provide a structured interagency coordination process with deadlines and a dispute resolution process (per Section 1309 of TEA-21)
Seek agency input at key decision pointsResult in timely decisions that avoid project
delay
Key Coordination Points with Key Coordination Points with AgenciesAgencies
Required: NOI (early coordination), DEIS, FEIS, ROD
Three Interagency Review Meetings: – Purpose and Need/Preliminary Alternatives– Preliminary Alternatives Analysis and
Screening– Preferred Alternative and Mitigation
Interagency Review MeetingsInteragency Review Meetings
Face-to-face meetings with agencies held 30 days into 60-day review period
Minutes documenting issues sent 7 days after meeting.
Any remaining agency issues may be submitted in writing by the deadline
Purpose and Need and Purpose and Need and Preliminary AlternativesPreliminary Alternatives
Purpose and Need Package:– 2-page summary – Core objectives & evaluation criteria– Map of conceptual alternatives– Discuss study area problems/issues– Supporting documentation/details
Purpose and Need and Purpose and Need and Preliminary Alternatives(cont.)Preliminary Alternatives(cont.)Seeking agency feedback on:
– Statement of core project objectives– Evaluation criteria for alternatives– Additional alternatives– Modification of existing alternatives– Specific resource issues– Response to FHWA invitation to be
Cooperating Agency
Preliminary Alternatives Preliminary Alternatives Analysis and ScreeningAnalysis and Screening
Preliminary Alternatives Analysis and Screening Package:– Revised 2-page P&N– Alternatives Screening Summary Table– Map of alternatives retained/discarded– Preliminary alternatives analysis (GIS)– Rationale for dropping/retaining alternatives– Scope of special studies
Preliminary Alternatives Preliminary Alternatives Analysis and Screening Analysis and Screening
(cont.)(cont.)Seeking agency feedback on:
– Clarity of preliminary alternatives analysis– Alternatives retained– Methodologies for evaluating impacts– Scope of study needed for critical impacts
Preferred Alternative and Preferred Alternative and MitigationMitigation
Package:– 2-page summary with map– Summary of major public and agency issues
and responses– Recommended Selected Action with rationale– Preliminary proposed mitigation
Preferred Alternative and Preferred Alternative and Mitigation (cont.)Mitigation (cont.)
Seek Agency Feedback on:– Response to agency issues– Rationale for selecting Preferred Alternative
and not others
EA/Corridor Study vs. EISEA/Corridor Study vs. EIS
INDOT/MPO Funding CommitmentClarity from INDOT and MPO 20-year
Transportation PlansCongressionally Mandated Feasibility
StudyNew Transit Start
Option 1 – Planning in Context Option 1 – Planning in Context of EISof EIS
NOI P&N Interagency
Meeting Preliminary
Alternatives Analysis and Screening Interagency Meeting
DEIS
Preferred Alternative and Mitigation Interagency Meeting
FEIS/ROD Final Design
Option 2 – Planning in Context Option 2 – Planning in Context of EA/Corridor Studyof EA/Corridor Study
Early Coordination Letter
P&N Interagency Meeting
Preliminary Alternatives Analysis and Screening Interagency Meeting
EA/Corridor Study
NOI DEIS Preferred Alternative
and Mitigation Interagency Meeting
FEIS/ROD Final Design
Contacts Contacts
Janice Osadczuk
INDOT
317-232-5468
Virginia LaszewskiUSEPA - Region [email protected]
Larry [email protected]