2016 environmental conferencestatic.tti.tamu.edu/conferences/envr16/program.pdf2 2016 txdot...

2016 Environmental ConferenceSeptember 13–15, 2016

Omni Corpus Christi Hotel900 North Shoreline Blvd.

Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

ScorecardURBAN MOBILITY

2015

AUGUST 2015

2 2016 TxDOT Environmental Conference 3

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Registration Desk Open8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast Exhibit Area8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Exhibits Open 3rd Floor Foyer9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Subject Matter Expert Room Laguna Madre 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. GENERAL SESSION Corpus Christi Ballroom10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. BREAK Exhibit Area10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. GENERAL SESSION Corpus Christi Ballroom11:35 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. GENERAL SESSION Corpus Christi Ballroom2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. BREAK Exhibit Area3:00 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. GENERAL SESSION Corpus Christi Ballroom

4:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. TxDOT ONLY/Town Hall Meetin’ Corpus Christi Ballroom

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Exhibits/Reception 3rd Floor Foyer

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Registration Desk Open

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast/ Meet and Greet Exhibit Area

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Exhibits Open 3rd Floor Foyer9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Subject Matter Expert Room Laguna Madre9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 1–4

Session 1 Corpus B Session 3 Corpus ASession 2 Corpus C Session 4 Nueces A

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. BREAK Exhibit Area10:45 a.m. – Noon Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 5–8


Noon – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Field Trip: Plant ID Workshop Nueces A1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 9–12

Session 9 Corpus B Session 11 Corpus CSession 10 Nueces A Session 12 Corpus A

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. BREAK Exhibit Area3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 13–16


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

8:00 a.m. – Noon Registration Desk Open8:00 a.m. – Noon Exhibits Open 3rd Floor Foyer8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast Exhibit Area

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Field Trip: Community Impacts Training Partnership Boardroom

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 17–21Session 17 Laguna Madre Session 20 Nueces ASession 18 Corpus B Session 21 Corpus ASession 19 Corpus C

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. BREAK Exhibit Area10:45 a.m. – Noon Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 22–25

Session 22 Corpus B Session 24 Nueces ASession 23 Corpus C Session 25 Corpus A

Noon – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 26–28

Session 26 Corpus B Session 28 Corpus ASession 27 Nueces A

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. BREAK Exhibit Area3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Breakout Session: 29 Nueces A

Save the Date:September 12–14, 2017Omni Austin Hotel Southpark

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 (Continued)

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1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. GENERAL SESSION (Corpus Christi Ballroom)

The Urban Mobility Scorecard Bill Eisele, Texas A&M Transportation Institute

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is considered a national leader in providing congestion and mobility information. TTI’s Urban Mobility Scorecard, previously titled Urban Mobility Report, is the most widely quoted report on urban congestion and the associated costs in the United States. Beginning with data in 1982, the report measures system delay, wasted fuel and the annual cost of congestion (both passenger cars and freight) in all U.S. urban areas.

Dr. Eisele serves as a co-author of this highly cited report and will provide an overview of the 2015 Urban Mobility Scorecard measures and findings.

Agency Public Involvement Initiatives and Outcomes Jefferson Grimes, TxDOT Office of Public Involvement (OPI)

As TxDOT moves toward even greater transparency, public involvement initiatives that include consistent guidance, electronic access to information, and a catalog of best practices and innovative outreach and meeting techniques are aiding this effort. This session will offer an overview of agency public involvement initiatives and their successes.

Core Team Success Mike Chavez, TxDOT ENV

Mr. Chavez will provide tips and best practices for implementing the core team process. He’ ll illustrate his points with an overview of an Environmental Assessment completed in nine months from scoping to Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

Environmental Achievement Award Finalists

Video Presentation.

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2016

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Exhibit Area)

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN (3rd Floor Foyer)

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ROOM (Laguna Madre) Drop in to meet with TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division (ENV) subject matter experts in an informal setting and ask questions.

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. GENERAL SESSION (Corpus Christi Ballroom)

Welcome Remarks Carlos Swonke, Division Director, TxDOT ENV

TBA/Nelda Martinez, Mayor of Corpus Christi, with introduction by Chris Caron, TxDOT Corpus Christi District

Preparing TxDOT’s Project Portfolio Randy Hopmann, TxDOT Administration

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. GENERAL SESSION (Corpus Christi Ballroom)

Disruptive Technology Dan Tangherlini, Seamless Docs, President

The increasing pace of change — society and transportation transformations.

11:35 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)

4 2016 TxDOT Environmental Conference

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

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8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST/MEET AND GREET (Exhibit Area)

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EXHIBITS OPEN (3rd Floor Foyer)

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ROOM (Laguna Madre) Drop in to meet with TxDOT ENV subject matter experts in an informal setting and ask questions.

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 1–4

SESSION 1 — Public Involvement (Part 1 of 2) (Corpus B)

Roger Beall and Michelle Conkle, TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division and Julie Beaubien and Amy Redmond, TxDOT OPI

Public involvement specialists from the Transportation Planning and Programming Division (TPP) will model innovative strategies and techniques to answer questions, troubleshoot challenges and open the conversation about public involvement needs. Topics to be addressed include best practices from TTP 2040, public involvement challenges with the complexities of statewide planning, engaging stakeholders, and overcoming barriers to good public involvement.

SESSION 2 — Contract Compliance (Corpus C)

Summer Chandler and Samantha Serino, TxDOT ENV

We’ ll cover the contracting process from request for proposal to contract completion, including project management, contract management, invoicing and evaluating contract performance.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 (Continued)

3:00 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. GENERAL SESSION (Corpus Christi Ballroom)

Harbor Bridge: More Than Just A Bridge Replacement Christopher Amy, TxDOT Corpus Christi District

The Harbor Bridge Sustainability Program Linda Figg, FIGG Bridge Group and

Carol Luschen, TxDOT SPD

The Challenge of Sustainability — The Design-Build Procurement Team for the Harbor Bridge Project was tasked with including a sustainability component into the request for proposals. The FHWA INVEST tool was selected for implementation on this Project. This will be the first use of the Project Development Module criteria in Texas. The developer is committed to achieve a platinum rating and will provide a glimpse into its sustainability plan.

Mitigation Through Listening: US 181 Harbor Bridge Northside History Project Lynn Smith, HNTB

The US 181 Harbor Bridge Northside History Project presentation describes the mitigation conducted in response to public comments gathered during the NEPA process. The new Harbor Bridge is designed to cross an area commonly referred to in Corpus Christi as “Northside.” The people who reside in Northside as well as those who were raised and educated there have a strong connection with the neighborhood and wonderful memories of the community.

Few of the built resources that are associated with the fond memories of Northside residents remain, and more change is imminent. Therefore, the project is important to preserve a record of the extraordinary people who grew up in Northside and the events that changed the community forever. On behalf of the TxDOT Corpus Christi District with guidance from District Environmental Coordinator Chris Amy, the HNTB consultant team led by Lynn Smith prepared the Northside History Project. The project includes a report with 21 oral history interviews supported by extensive archival research, 10 large storyboard banners and a photo book.

4:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. TXDOT ONLY/TOWN HALL MEETIN’ (Corpus Christi Ballroom)

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EXHIBITS/RECEPTION (3rd Floor Foyer)


WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 (continued)

10:45 a.m. – Noon CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 5–8

SESSION 5 — Public Involvement (Part 2 of 2) (Corpus B)

Susan Howard and Julie Jerome, TxDOT OPI, and Laura Cruzada, Rebekah Dobrasko and Michelle Lueck, TxDOT ENV

Public involvement is critical to a successful NEPA process. Led by ENV Project Delivery and Cultural Resources Management staff, this session will explore the current status of the public involvement process related to training, MAPOs, ECOS, guidance and rules; and participation in historic preservation, tribal consultation and cultural sensitivity. Bring your public involvement issues, questions and ideas.

10:45 a.m. – Noon SESSION 6 — Precertification: Successfully Navigating the Changes (Corpus C)

Summer Chandler and Samantha Serino, TxDOT ENV

Ever wonder how consultants get precertified to work perform environmental work under TxDOT’s engineering contracts? We’ ll tell you and give you an overview of the Consultant Certification Information System. We’ ll also let you know what’s new in the precertification process, including an introduction to the new categories. Bring your questions; we’ve got answers!

SESSION 7 — Introduction to the Environmental Compliance Oversight System (ECOS) (Corpus A)

Mike Chavez, Clay Churchill, Troy Sykes and Frank Villarreal, TxDOT ENV

The discussion will cover a summary of roll-out phases for the current ECOS application enhancements; a live ECOS demonstration of end-to-end navigation; and an overview of pending consultant access and essential documentation for Categorical Exclusions and Environmental Assessments (how to enter and what is needed).This session is geared toward consultants and new district personnel; however, it is applicable to all current and future ECOS users.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 (Continued)

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 1–4 (CONTINUED)

SESSION 3 — Climate Issues (Corpus A)

This session will present an overview of the pending Commission on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Guidance for Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions. Presentations will offer strategies for addressing requirements in the draft guidance regarding the climate’s impact on a project and GHG emissions analysis.

Pending CEQ Climate/GHG Guidance and TxDOT Climate Best Practices Jackie Ploch, TxDOT ENV

FHWA Climate Change and Extreme Weather Vulnerability Assessment Becky Lupes, Environmental Protection Specialist, FHWA

Questions and Answers

SESSION 4 — Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best: Building a Project File and Administrative Record (Nueces A)

Lisa Mitchell, J.D., LL.M, Strategic Projects, TxDOT ENV

Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date project file is a vital part of preparing an environmental document. This session explains the difference between a project file and administrative record, presents tools for producing and maintaining a project file and administrative record, and offers attorney perspectives and reflections on administrative records they have defended in court.

Consultants Presenting Project File Tools

Tricia Bruck, PMP, AICP, Jacobs

Janice Jaafari, AECOM

Tami Smith, Database Development, Michael Baker International

Panelists

Ken Ramirez, J.D., Law Office of Kenneth Ramirez

Jessica Gray, J.D., Assistant General Counsel, TxDOT Office of General Counsel

Shane Neldner, J.D., MELP, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Texas Attorney General


1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 9–12 (CONTINUED)

SESSION 10 — Case Studies: Approaches to Reducing Hazards and Impacts of Transportation Infrastructure (Nueces A)

Copano Bay Causeway Demolition — Integrated Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) Abatement David Morley, TxDOT ENV

The TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division, Pollution Prevention and Abatement, Hazardous Materials Management team will explore strategies for integrating ACM abatement activities into bridge demolition Plans, Specifications and Estimates and ongoing, long-duration demolition fieldwork. The team will take questions on similar abatement topics for other projects.

Quantifying Wildlife-Vehicle Interactions on South Texas Roadways John Maresh and Jason Kord, TxDOT ENV

An effort to address brown pelican vehicle strikes in South Texas will be presented, including a review of the problem, the methodology to assess the problem, potential solutions, and how similar efforts might be applied to other wildlife-vehicle issues across the state.

Pollinator Partnership — How TxDOT Is Helping Bees and Monarchs Jill Seed, TxDOT ENV

A decline in pollinator species and Monarch butterflies throughout their range has garnered much attention and concern about the health of our environment. Find out what TxDOT does to support these species and how certain management, maintenance and construction activities can have a positive impact.

SESSION 11 — Traffic Noise Workshop (Corpus C)

Ray Umscheid, TxDOT ENV

This session will discuss the basics of when and how to conduct a traffic noise workshop. The purpose, timing, attendees, voting and documentation will be discussed.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 (continued)WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 (Continued)

10:45 a.m. – Noon CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 5–8 (CONTINUED)

SESSION 8 — Policy Update and Current Developments in Natural Resources (Nueces A)

Sharon Mattox, Attorney, Sharon M. Mattox, PLLC and Alan M. Glen, Nossaman, LLP

This session will provide an update on natural resource policy and trends, including recent developments with the Endangered Species Act, an update on the status of the Waters of the United States amendment, a review of any proposed changes to Nationwide Permits (if available), an update on pertinent case law (if applicable), and a discussion of other emerging issues that may impact transportation.

Noon – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)

12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. FIELD TRIP: PLANT ID WORKSHOP (Nueces A)

Christopher Amy, TxDOT Corpus Christi District, and Andy Blair, TxDOT ENV

This half-day workshop will be held in the field rather than a classroom. The workshop objective is to introduce participants to common wetland vegetation found in the areas of the Texas Lower Gulf Coast. Participants will visit two sites comprised of tidal marsh/coastal prairie and inland freshwater wetland communities. By the end of the workshop, participants will walk away with a basic understanding and ability to identify vegetation specific to this region. Transport vans will depart from the Omni at 12:30 p.m. The registration fee covers a box lunch. Vans will return to the Omni around 6:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 9–12

SESSION 9 — Overview of Recent Changes to TxDOT’s Environmental Review Rules (Corpus B)

Patrick Lee, TxDOT ENV

Earlier this year, TxDOT made various revisions to its environmental review rules, codified at 43 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 2. These rules govern how TxDOT prepares and processes environmental review documents for transportation projects. We’ ll discuss several of these rule changes and how they will affect TxDOT’s environmental review process.


1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 9–12 (CONTINUED)

SESSION 12 — Reviewing an ECOS Project File (Part 1 of 2) (Corpus A)

Chad Davis and Bobby Jones, TxDOT ENVThis session will cover how to look at a project file in ECOS. The instructors will explain what they look for to determine whether or not a file is complete and to appropriately document compliance with applicable laws and regulations according to TxDOT standards and procedures. This course will enable TxDOT staff, consultants and local governments to make a file easy to review and to consistently and logically document their decision-making process in the project file.

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 13–16

SESSION 13 — Improved Documentation Requirements for Open-Ended D-list CEs, NEPA Document Reevaluations and Section 4(f) Evaluations (Corpus B)

Jenise Walton, ENV and Owen Lindauer, FHWAWe’ll discuss types of documents that you don’t prepare often, including the updates associated with each of them. The topics include documenting a request for classification for an open-ended d-list CE, deciding when to prepare a reevaluation consultation checklist and how to document the proposed changes, working with the new and improved Section 4(f) checklists.

SESSION 14 — Contract Compliance (Repeat) (Corpus C)

Repeat of Session 2.

SESSION 15 – Reviewing an ECOS Project File (Part 2 of 2) (Corpus A)

Chad Davis and Bobby Jones, TxDOT ENV

Continuation of Session 12.

SESSION 16 – Introduction to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Statewide Permit (Part 1 of 2) (Nueces A)

Adrienne Boer, TxDOT ENV

This session will cover TxDOT’s MS4 statewide permit, discussing specific implementation components of the permit. We will also cover the annual report template, providing training on this new reporting format for the statewide permit. Thursday morning we will host a hands-on session for the annual report template.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 (Continued)


THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

8:00 a.m. – Noon REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

8:00 a.m. – Noon EXHIBITS OPEN (3rd Floor Foyer)

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Exhibit Area)

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 FIELD TRIP: COMMUNITY IMPACTS TRAINING (Partnership Boardroom )

Nicolle Kord, TxDOT ENV

This session will include discussion of how to define a community impacts study area and demonstration of the new Community Impacts Technical Report Form. This session will also include a visit to a local neighborhood where participants will practice how to conduct and document a community impacts field visit.

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 17–21

SESSION 17 — Introduction to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Statewide Permit (Part 2 of 2) (Laguna Madre)

Adrienne Boer, TxDOT ENV


SESSION 18 — Reviewing an ECOS Project File (Part 1 of 2) (Repeat) (Corpus B)

Chad Davis and Bobby Jones, TxDOT ENV


SESSION 19 — Initial Site Assessment (ISA) and Issues, Identification, and Resolution (IIR) Questions and Answers, (Part 1 of 2) (Corpus C)

Doug Mack, TxDOT ENV and Terry Dempsey, TxDOT ENV

The ENV PPA-HMM team will be available to take questions related to HMM project scoping and the ISA and IIR processes.

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9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 17–21 (CONTINUED)

SESSION 20 — Air Quality Training for Roadways (Part 1 of 4) (Nueces A)

Tim Wood, TxDOT ENV

This training session will cover air quality compliance requirements for highway transportation projects. The training covers processes for project-level conformity determinations, hot-spots, Carbon Monoxide Traffic Air Quality Analysis, (CO TAQA), Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) analyses and Congestion Management Process (CMP). Learn to use the Air Quality Toolkit. This session is specific to TxDOT districts located in non-attainment and maintenance areas.

SESSION 21 — Introduction to the Environmental Compliance Oversight System (ECOS) (Corpus A)

Mike Chavez, Clay Churchill, Troy Sykes and Frank Villarreal, TxDOT ENV


10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. BREAK (Exhibit Area)

10:45 a.m. – Noon CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 22–26

SESSION 22 — Reviewing an ECOS Project File (Part 2 of 2) (Corpus B)


SESSION 23 — Initial Site Assessment (ISA) and Issues, Identification, and Resolution (IIR) Questions and Answers, (Part 2 of 2) (Corpus C)


SESSION 24 – Air Quality Training for Roadways (Part 2 of 4) (Nueces A)


THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 (Continued)

10:45 a.m. – Noon CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 22–25 (CONTINUED)

SESSION 25 — NEPA Classification/Documentation (Part 1 of 2) (Corpus A)

Bryan Ellis and Sonya Hernandez, TxDOT ENV

This course will highlight project classification and documentation requirements for CE and EA-type projects. Quality Assurance/Quality Control measures for these types of projects will also be discussed to ensure proper NEPA classification and clearance.

Noon – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS

SESSION 26 — New Guidance and Tools for Project Delivery (Corpus B)

Patrick Lee, TxDOT ENV

TxDOT ENV has been active in developing new tools and guidance documents to improve the consistency, quality and efficiency of the environmental process. We’ ll introduce and explain several of these new tools and guidance documents.



SESSION 28 — NEPA Classification/Documentation (Part 2 of 2) (Corpus A)


2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. BREAK

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSION: 29



THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 (Continued)


Thanks to our exhibitors:

2016 environmental conferencestatic.tti.tamu.edu/conferences/envr16/program.pdf2 2016 txdot...

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