Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
NEPANEPA&&
CEQCEQ
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) 40 CFR Part 1500 to Part 1508
Federal Highway Administration & Federal Transit Administration (FHWA & FTA) 23 CFR 771
NEPA & CEQNEPA & CEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
The Law
United States Code(USC)
Code of Federal
Regulations(CFR)
Policy & Guidance
How Federal Agencies How Federal Agencies OperateOperate
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Section 101Congress, recognizing the profound impact of mans activity and the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of man declares that it is the continuing policy of the federal government to use all practical means and measure in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.
NEPANEPA
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Section 102All policies, regulations and laws of the Federal Government be interpreted and administered in accordance with NEPA
Federal agencies required to use an interdisciplinary approach in the planning and decision-making that impacts man’s environment
Requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on all major federal actions that significantly affect the human environment.NEPA Amended in 1975 to Allow States to Prepare NEPA Amended in 1975 to Allow States to Prepare
EISsEISs
NEPANEPA
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
What the Law Provides Examination of alternatives to proposed
action Basis for Cooperating Agency Concept Public and Agency CoordinationWhat it Did Set national environmental policy Basis for EIS Created CEQ
NEPANEPA
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Basic Functions Develop Environmental Policies Monitor Environmental Quality Environmental Quality Report Monitor Federal Actions
CEQCEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1500 - Purpose, Policy and Mandate Information prior to decisions Better decisions, not better documents Concentrate on true significant issues Encourage public involvement in decisions
CEQCEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1501 – NEPA and Agency Planning Integrate NEPA into early planning Systematic, interdisciplinary approach Cooperating agencies Scoping
CEQCEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1502 – Environmental Impact Statement
Major federal actions Recommended format Circulation requirements
Is it Reader Friendly?
CEQCEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1503 – Commenting Inviting comments Specificity of comments Response to comments
CEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1504 – Predecision Referrals to the Council of Proposed Federal Actions Determined to be Environmentally UnsatisfactoryPossible violation of standards or policiesSeverityGeographical scopeDurationImportance as precedentsAvailability of environmentally preferable alternatives
CEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1505 – NEPA and Agency Decision Making:
Adopt agency procedures Record of Decision (ROD) Agency Monitoring
CEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1506 – Other Requirements of NEPA Limitations on actions during the NEPA
process Agency adoption of documents Filing requirements
CEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1507 – Agency Compliance All Federal Government Agencies Agency procedures
CEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation
Part 1508 – Terminology and Index Definition of Terms
CEQCEQ
Managing the Environmental & Project Development ProcessPresented by the Ohio Department of Transportation