Privately Funded Projects:
Introduction
ADOT Environmental Planning Group
The Environmental Planning Group (EPG) provides environmental
services for transportation activities through compliance with
regulatory requirements, providing the highest level of professional
technical support and education to our agency and customers, while
building cooperative relationships with other government agencies
and the public.
EPG includes two sections, Technical and Planning, comprised
of 40 staff members in three locations: Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff.
The Planning and Technical sections assure that all ADOT construction
projects comply with environmental law, and help protect sensitive
environmental areas within the state. The Group has also assumed
responsibility for certain additional environmental issues within
ADOT, and provides technical assistance, education, and expert
advice on numerous environmental matters. The functions performed
in and by the Planning and Technical Sections of the group are,
for the most part, mandated by either state or federal law. ADOT
EPG maintains a web site www.adotenvironmental.com, which provides
not only guidance to ADOT environmental partners, but also presents
information about the group for the general public.
At the present time, EPG maintains in-house expertise in air
quality, archaeology, biology, environmental planning, noise,
and hazardous materials.
NEPA Overview
On January 1, 1970 the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) was signed into Law. NEPA established a national environmental
policy intentionally focused on Federal activities and the desire
for a sustainable environment balanced with other essential needs
of present and future generations of Americans.
NEPA established a supplemental mandate for Federal agencies
to consider the potential environmental consequences of their
proposals, document the analysis, and make this information available
to the public for comment prior to implementation. The environmental
protection policy established in NEPA, Section 101, is supported
by a set of "action forcing" provisions in Section 102
that form the basic framework for Federal decision making and
the NEPA process.
While NEPA established the basic framework for integrating environmental
considerations into Federal decision making, it did not provide
the details of the process for which it would be accomplished.
Federal implementation of NEPA was the charge of the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ), which interpreted the law and addressed
NEPA’s action forcing provisions in the form of regulations
and guidance.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and NEPA
NEPA requires, to the fullest extent possible, that the policies,
regulations, and laws of the Federal Government be interpreted
and administered in accordance with its environmental protection
goals. NEPA also requires Federal agencies to use an interdisciplinary
approach in planning and decision making for any action that adversely
impacts the environment.
NEPA requires and FHWA is committed to the examination and avoidance
of potential impacts to the social and natural environment when
considering approval of proposed transportation projects. In addition
to evaluating the potential environmental effects, we must also
take into account the transportation needs of the public in reaching
a decision that is in the best overall public interest. The FHWA
NEPA project development process is an approach to balanced transportation
decision making that takes into account the potential impacts
on the human and natural environment and the public’s need
for safe and efficient transportation.
It is FHWA’s policy that (23 CFR § 771.105):
- To the fullest extent possible, all environmental investigations,
reviews, and consultations be coordinated as a single process,
and compliance with all applicable environmental requirements
be reflected in the environmental document required by this
regulation.
- Alternative courses of action be evaluated and decisions
be made in the best overall public interest based upon a balanced
consideration of the need for safe and efficient transportation;
of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the proposed
transportation improvement; and of national, state, and local
environmental protection goals.
- Public involvement and a systematic interdisciplinary approach
be essential parts of the development process for proposed actions.
- Measures necessary to mitigate adverse impacts be incorporated
into the action.
Levels of Environmental Actions
Federal
- Environmental Impact Statements: Actions that significantly
affect the environment;
- Categorical Exclusions: Actions that do not individually or
cumulatively have a significant environmental effect;
- Environmental Assessments: Actions in which the significance
of the environmental impact is not clearly established.
State Level
- State Level Environmental Assessments: Actions in which the
significance of the environmental impact is not clearly established;
- Environmental Determinations: Actions that do not individually
or cumulatively have a significant environmental effect;
- Environmental Overviews: Actions that are not funded or anticipated
to be programmed in the foreseeable future.
NEPA applies for any activity which involves a federal action.
Federal actions include involvement of a federal regulatory agency,
such as 404 permitting, involvement of a federal land managing
agency such as the Bureau of Land Management or USDA Forest Service,
or requiring a change of access approval from FHWA for activities
on the Interstate System.
NEPA Process Flowchart
This comprehensive flowchart illustrates the various steps in
the environmental process from the beginning of a highway project
to the final environmental clearance. It includes hazmat, air/noise,
archaeology, and so much more! A must for all practitioners involved
in environmental work for ADOT.
 NEPA
Process Flowchart (file size: 732KB)
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