Training and Workshops: Presentations

Eco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects
Kimberly Majerus, FHWA-Resource Center

Slide 2: Agency Challenges & Lessons Learned

• Unknowns & duplicated efforts
• Limits posed by jurisdictions
• Can be piecemeal and ineffective if environmental focus is only:
  • at project level, project by project,
  • site by site,
  • single resource
  • (include environ priorities early - in long-range planning)
• Vanishing opportunities

Image:
Aerial image of developed and undeveloped land along a river

Slide 3: Eco-Logical: Approach to Solutions

1. Exec Orders & Inter-agency Steering Team*
   8 federal agencies (BLM, EPA, FHWA, NOAA, NPS, USACE, USFS, USFWS) and 2 state trans, 1 toll agency)
2. Develop/Publish Eco-Logical framework
3. Engage participants, at all levels, public & private
4. Develop & implement strategies and solutions
   (long-range planning through to project delivery)

Image:
Logos: FLH, EPA, DOT, NOAA, NPS, USACE, USDA, USFS, USFWS
Graphic: Image of signatures of Eco-Logical Steering Team

Slide 4: Eco-Logical: Ecosystem Approach

WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM ?
8 Federal Agency Offices Agree:
An interconnected community of living things and the physical environment within which they exist (humans included)

Slide 5: Ecosystem Approach: Integrated Planning

Integrated planning is focus for today and tomorrow for Linking Conservation & Transportation Planning workshop

Image:
Diagram depicting cycle of "Ecosystem Approach" connecting three components - Integrated Planning, Mitigation Options, and Performance Measurement

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Slide 6: Ecosystem Approach: A Systems Perspective

Image:
Diagram depicting superimposition of map components: natural and cultural resource systems, legally protected wetlands, road improvement proposal, land development proposal. The integrated map is used to guide ecosystem-based integrated outcomes that support multiple benefits and improve quality of life.

Slide 7: Eco-Logical: Solutions

• Fulfill relevant statutes
• Healthy ecosystems support sustainable economies and communities
• Useful at any time in planning & project delivery
• Non-prescriptive: adapt to integrate planning, information, decisions, people -- across all levels

For workshop: Eco-Logical as framework for integrated planning

Image:
Image of silver medal

Slide 8: Eco-Logical: Expand to Broad Landscape Scale, Contiguous Areas, Natural Geog Boundaries

Image:
Graphic 1: Cartoon image of animals crowded together on a "Habitat Island" surrounded by an urban scene.
Graphic 2: Map depicting protected watershed.

Supports Multiple Benefits, Quality of Life for Long-term

Slide 9: Eco-Logical: Integration

Image:
Map 1: Oregon's natural resource priorities and plan
Map 2: Simple integrated map of Oregon including Transportation Plan, Urban areas, and Natural resource areas.

Integrates across:

• Agencies and levels
• Geographic regions
• Multiple resources
• Multiple jurisdictions
• Public & private sectors

Slide 10: Eco-Logical Integrated Planning: can use a Regional Ecosystem Framework

-Overlay maps, use natural & historic resource inventories
-Partners define the "ecosystem" (humans included)
-Interaction of plans, goals, objs, shared multiple benefits
-Establish priorities and steps (short-, mid-, long-term)

Image:
Image 1: Depicts superimposition of four maps
Image 2: Depicts map of natural resource, priority uses

Slide 11: Eco-Logical Implementation & Next Steps

Written multi-agency publication with signatures as "permission" document for: "Eco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects" "Eco-Logical" written guide available online at:
http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecological/eco_entry.asp

FHWA Support:
- FHWA funding & selection of applicants for efforts in 2007-2011
- FHWA Administrator's Award to "Eco-Logical" inter-agency Steering Team Implementation across all levels and organizations (you are invited!)

HWA Headquarters Contact: Carol Adkins (Carol.Adkins@fhwa.dot.gov)

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