Programmatic Agreement Survey

(3) Keys to Success
Limiting original project scopes to what is outlined in the PA & making sure that all possible recipients of the funds understand what can be accomplished through the agreement.

(4) Problems w/ PA
While this has made the NEPA Approval process easy some land managers feel that it limits projects & does not always accomplish issues that need to be addressed most with trails in the state.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
(1) For the nonmotorized projects only.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided.

Comments
No comment.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided

Comments
We are going to work on a three way agreement with Federal Highways, Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Parks.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
See Letter of Concurrence.

(3) Keys to Success
Staff willing to work through draft agreements. Having knowledgeable Cultural Resources staff to carry out the details of a PA from draft through signatures.

(4) Problems w/ PA
The final signature step has taken a very long time. I don't quite appreciate why it has taken so long.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Yes.

Comments
"Delaware has a draft PA for RTP that has been reviewed by SHPO but receives other reviews before it is formally accepted and signed. Our Department has a Cultural Resource Specialist that reviews both our federal and state funded projects undertaken by DNREC. She coordinates with SHPO. It is a very good working relationship for all and we generally receive quick review and field checking of proposed projects."

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No.

Comments
Here in DC we do not have an agreement and have not had any need so far. We would do a case by case process. Also, our RTP budget is so small that we only do about 1 project a year (if that!).

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided.

Comments
Right now Georgia utilizes a check list that is part of the application to handle the majority of environmental/historical impacts. We do require approved projects be reviewed by the SHPO and our local office of USFWS prior to signing our agreements with the division office of FHWA.

(3) Keys to Success
Since we're using an existing process, we didn't have to develop anything new for RTP.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
But we don't call it such. IL DNR certifies to IL DOT that RTP projects are environmentally OK. We have our own process for all DNR grants & our own capital projects (Comprehensive Environmental Review Process-CERP) & RTP projects are reviewed/cleared using this existing process.

(3) Keys to Success
Good knowledge of the regulatory requirements and steps necessary to move a project from the application stage through construction.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
No comment.

(3) Keys to Success
The 106 process is a lengthy process and hard to relate to as successful.

(4) Problems w/ PA
The SHPO in Indiana has expressed a dislike for the PA as it is not specific to individual projects & the interpretation of the law but goes w/ it.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
(1) Yes & No - We have a PA w/ our SHPO office to start the Section 106 process. But not w/ total environmental clearance specifically relating to receiving the Categorical Exclusion which is required by our DOT & FWHA to start a project. (2) Relating to the PA for section 106 it works so each individual project doesn't need separate application clearance. (5) We plan on researching it if it can get a project on the ground more quickly.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Yes.

Comments
(1) Not yet. KS has not had the need to develop one yet, but will do one within a year of so.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided.

Comments
In Mi. the RTP program is primarily an internal program, so an existing internal review process is used for RTP projects.

(3) Keys to Success
It streamlines the process, as far as getting environmental approval for very small development projects or others (such as purchase of equipment) that pose no issues.

(4) Problems w/ PA
None.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
See sample Programmatic Agreement.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No.

Comments
No comment.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided.

Comments
(1) No formal program agreement, but a required process of review for CE. (5) Undecided - at this point in time, our system is working rather well.

(3) Keys to Success
A good working relationship with the state with our state FHWA office.

(4) Problems w/ PA
The agreement has worked out so far.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
See sample Programmatic Agreement.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Yes.

Comments
No comment.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided.

Comments
No comment.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided.

Comments
Considering adopting.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
R.I. tried the Programmatic Agreement (PA) route Jan '02 & did not get very far. In RI RIDEM serves as the administrator of RTP & serves as Chair of RI Trails Advisory Committee. RIDOT is the funding conduit, all FHWA funds for RTP are channeled through RIDOT, we pay project sponsors directly upon receiving project invoices from RIDEM. RIDOT's Environmental Programs office reviews all RTP projects for wetland impacts, etc. Once both our Cultural Unit & Envir. Unit review an RTP proect, & project qualifies for a CE - CE is issued, we forward it RIDEM & they notify trail project sponsor to proceed w/ construction.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided.

Comments
No comment.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
Utah has NO Programmatic Agreement. Current FHWA personnel discouraged it, former FHWA encouraged the signing of such an agreement.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Undecided.

Comments
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this survey.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
No comment.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
No comment.

Comments
We have a draft Programmatic Agreement being circulated for signatures right now. We have used it in its draft form for two years with the assistance of the Division for Historic Preservation and it appears that the Section 106 approval process will be much quicker with it in place. I have attached a copy of our draft for your review and I would be interested in receiving a copy of the survey results.

(3) Keys to Success
No comment.

(4) Problems w/ PA
Local FHWA Office not yet ready to allow this.

(5) Plan to Adopt PA in 1-3 Yrs?
Yes.

Comments
(5) We would like to do so. Our Agency's Mission Involves providing grants for recreation, habitat conservation, salmon recovery, etc. We are not a "DOT" organization.