Project Process


Environmental documents are prepared for projects that may have effects on the environment.  The process involves the following:

  • Determination of Purpose and Need Deficiencies in the current system
  • Consideration of a variety of alternative strategies
  • Preparation of documentation to assess the transportation, social, economic and environmental effects of alternatives which fit the purpose and need
  • Public involvement

The type of documentation is dependent upon project type and funding.  Documents that may be prepared include:

  • Federal Categorical Exclusion (CE)
  • Federal Environmental Assessment (EA)
  • Federal or State Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
  • Federal Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
  • State Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)

Environmental documents will provide useful information for determining the preferred alternative that will be the best balance of meeting the identified needs, while minimizing the impacts.  Documents are written for both public and technical reviews, focusing on key transportation issues, and the effects of the alternative strategies being considered.  Some of the information is preliminary, and will not be finalized until the permit preparation and final design phase of the project.

Environmental documents are prepared and processed to satisfy both federal and state requirements, and may include:

  • Summary
  • Project Description
  • Purpose of and Need for Action
  • Alternatives Considered Including Proposed Action (if one has been identified)
  • Affected Environment
  • Environmental Consequences
  • List of Agencies, Organizations and Persons (to whom copies of the document are sent)
  • Comments and Coordination/Public Involvement

Purpose and Need for Action
This section identifies and describes the transportation problems that the project is intended to resolve.  It demonstrates that a need exists.  The following items may be included in the needs explanation:

  • Lack of roadway capacity for the volume of traffic
  • The demand for specific transportation services
  • Social demands or economic development needs
  • The interrelationship between transportation modes (such as roads and rail)
  • Existing or potential safety hazards or problems

Alternatives
This section contains a discussion of the reasonable alternatives that were chosen for detailed study.  Alternatives that may have been eliminated earlier in the study process would also be briefly discussed, along with the basis for their elimination.  The alternatives to be considered may include:

  • Do-Nothing Alternative (No-Build)
  • Upgrade and rehabilitation of the existing transportation system
  • Transportation System Management - Types of activities that would optimize transportation system operations using the present system
  • Transit and roadway "new construction alternatives"
  • Alignment variations which would minimize adverse impacts

Generally, each alternative in the document is developed to a comparable level of detail.


Affected Environment/Environmental Consequences
This section provides a concise description of the existing environment and the potential direct and indirect social, economic and environmental concerns for the area affected by the study alternatives.  Also included are any adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided and possible mitigation measures.  Topics of consideration can include:


Air Quality
Regional and localized air quality impacts, and the associated relationships with airborne pollutants are discussed in this section.  Microscale air quality impacts that include predicted estimates of carbon monoxide (CO) for the preferred alternative, along with the comparison of the CO concentrations of the study alternatives are noted.


Noise
A summary of the effects of traffic noise for all alternatives is included.  The summary would include identification of sensitive areas and the extent of impact, in decibels.  In addition, noise abatement measures which may be considered, and situations where no prudent abatement measure is feasible or reasonable are covered.


Water Quality
This section includes an analysis of the effects on surface and ground water quality, both during and after construction.


Wetlands
This section will include the following:

  • Description of the wetlands in project area (including functions and values)
  • Description of potential wetland impacts/loss of functions and values
  • Alternatives to avoid wetland impacts
  • Practicable measures to minimize harm to these wetlands (during and after construction)
  • Identification of any required permits
  • Types of mitigation measures for the impact wetlands
  • Coordination with Federal and State agencies

Social and Economic Resources
This section may include a discussion of changes in neighborhood or community cohesion, and social groups either benefiting or harmed by the alternatives.  Changes in travel patterns and land use are discussed, as well as effects on school districts, recreation areas and churches.  Also reviewed are the effects on tax revenues, employment opportunities and accessibility.  The estimate of households displaced, including, where available, characteristics such as effects on minorities, income levels, the elderly, owner/tenant status, and businesses affected and/or displaced are also discussed.


Fish and Wildlife Impacts
The potential effects (i.e. loss or modification of habitat) of the alternatives to fish and wildlife resources are discussed.


Pedestrians and Bicyclists
This section considers the effect of the alternatives on pedestrian and bicyclist activities.


Construction
This section covers the effects and mitigation during construction activities that would include such things as:

  • Noise impacts
  • Disposal of waste materials
  • Erosion and sedimentation controls
  • Protection and safety of traffic and pedestrians
  • Fugitive dust controls

Hazardous/Contamination Risk
All alternatives are screened for hazardous/contaminated risk areas, and general mitigation measures for such areas are discussed.


Public Outreach
The extent of public outreach varies for each project.  It is dependent upon the anticipated extensiveness of the study corridor, and the potential effects an alternative or proposed action may have upon the region or neighborhoods.  The type of environmental documentation will also dictate the minimum requirements for public outreach in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Generally, the public is given the opportunity to participate in the process at various decision‑making points during the development of the proposed actions.  Results of the coordination with local and state officials and impacted groups are documented.

Information is made available to local, state and federal agencies, the general public, interested parties, and participating groups.  The public outreach plan may include:

  • Mailing lists
  • Newspaper advertisements
  • Television or radio infomercials
  • Informational meetings and/or public hearings