The American public has long expressed a desire to preserve its heritage
as well as to protect both the human and natural environment.
While it’s the primary job of the Federal Highway Administration,
the FHWA, to improve the Nation’s highways,
we also make transportation decisions that are in the best public interest.
We do this by balancing the need for safe and efficient transportation
with a project’s potential impact
to parks, recreation areas, historic sites, wetlands,
businesses, neighborhoods, and other resources.
In other words, we must look before we leap.
The National Environmental Policy Act, known as NEPA,
established the requirements and processes Federal agencies must consider
related to the environmental effects of FHWA proposals and actions.
For recipients of Federal funds, that means that before proceeding with final design,
right-of-way acquisition, and construction,
you must first disclose any environmental consequences and evaluate alternatives that
would avoid or lessen your project’s impacts.
Agencies that understand the NEPA process and use it to improve decision-making
tend to proceed more efficiently and effectively with their projects.
Let’s look at the NEPA framework and the resources available to you.
Other laws and regulations, such as Section 4(f),
the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act, for example,
may affect your project and guide its decisions.
NEPA is the process for achieving compliance with these and other requirements.
Consideration of environmental impacts, alternative approaches to achieving transportation goals,
and the evaluation of possible mitigation measures,
such as constructing noise walls or replacement wetlands, is done under the “NEPA umbrella.”
When following the NEPA process,
one of the first steps is to determine the significance of the impact your project is likely to have.
The significance of its impact, not its size or cost,
determines the class of action and its requirements for documentation and public involvement.
Categorical exclusions are prepared for projects that have no significant impact.
Environmental assessments are prepared for projects when there is
uncertainty about whether the proposed action will have a significant impact.
Finally, environmental impact statements are required for projects that
are expected to significantly effect the quality of our environment.
It’s FHWA policy that the NEPA decision-making process be open and collaborative,
with full disclosure of the steps taken along the way.
Therefore, documentation, government agency coordination and public involvement are essential elements of NEPA.
Working with your State Department of Transportation, or DOT,
will help you recognize what actions you’ll need to take to comply with NEPA and other laws.
Your State DOT has extensive knowledge and expertise in all areas of compliance.
The people there can also help you find a qualified consultant,
determine the significance of any environmental impact and prepare NEPA documentation.
The FHWA partners with your State DOT to provide oversight and technical assistance,
and to consult with other Federal agencies throughout the NEPA process.
The FHWA is the final authority when determining NEPA compliance.
Therefore, it’s essential that you engage your State DOT
and, when appropriate, the FHWA early and throughout the project’s development process.
Since most of your interaction on a Federally-funded project will be with your State DOT,
it’s advisable that you establish and maintain good communication with its coordinators.
A list of State DOT coordinators is available on this Web site
along with additional resources about the NEPA process.