FEDERAL-AID POLICY GUIDE
December 9, 1991, Transmittal 1
NS 23 CFR 650H
Attachment
ATTACHMENT
OPI: HNG-31
USCG/FHWA PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING
PROJECTS WHICH REQUIRE A USCG BRIDGE PERMIT
Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA/State) Activities
1. System Planning Activities
2. Project Initiation Activities
3. Preliminary Environmental/Location Studies.
(a) Data Gathering
(b) Determine if a USCG permit is required.
(c) If a permit is required, initiate coordination with USCG (District) to be cooperating agency as per CEQ Regulations.
(d) Assess navigation needs in cooperation with USCG; provide information to USCG if preliminary notice is to be issued; i.e., plans, clearances, description of project, etc. Clarify environmental review scoping responsibilities as necessary.
(e) Advise the USCG district ASAP of proposed Programmatic Section 4(f).
4(a) Issue draft EIS or EA and include discussion of navigation needs and potential highway impacts; continue coordination with Coast Guard.
4(b) Consider joint FHWA/State and Coast Guard public notice and hearing(s), especially in controversial cases.
5. Select highway location and prepare final EIS or FONSI; respond to comments received on navigation and environmental aspects of highway bridges. If the USCG has not provided comments on the navigation aspects, contact the USCG and obtain their views on the adequacy of the proposed clearances.
.U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
Activities
3(d) Assess navigational needs and assist FHWA/State with draft EIS or EA; consider, as appropriate, preliminary public notice of project location(s) and evaluation of possible effects on waterway. Advise FHWA/State whether the proposed project meets the reasonable needs of navigation or is controversial.
4(a) Comment on navigational and environmental aspects of draft EIS or EA, concentrating on the bridge(s) and approaches, with particular emphasis on adequacy of proposed clearances
4(b) Participate in joint public and hearings(s)
(1) where requested by FHWA/State
(2) when sufficient information is available on a given bridge to avoid separate USCG hearing.
5. Upon request, assist in preparing responses to any navigational issues received on environmental document.
Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA/State) Activities
6. Furnish preliminary final EIS or FONSI to USCG for review, as appropriate.
7. Whenever practicable submit application for USCG permit. (Permit application(s) may include alternate bridge designs.) Resolve any outstanding issues.
8. FHWA approval of final EIS or FONSI. Complete submission for permit application of required. If Programmatic Section 4(f) is used, provide USCG with the supporting information for determining its applicability including alternatives, mitigation measures, and FHWA/SHPO agreement.
9. If permit has not been previously submitted, apply for permit as soon as practicable after design work commences.
10. Complete bridge design. If alternate designs submitted, notify USCG of alternate selected within 30 days of bid award.
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
Activities
6. Review preliminary final EIS or FONSI and comment, as appropriate.
7. When permit application is included, review for completeness and issue formal public notice.
.
9(a) District concurs in resolution of any outstanding issues; forwards permit application with recommendation to Washington Headquarters or acts on permit application where appropriate.
