Planning, Environment, & Realty

Transportation planning and project development must reflect the desires of communities, and take into account the impacts on both the natural and human environments. Transportation projects are closely looked at to see how they might impact the community, the natural environment, and our health and welfare. Before any project can move forward to construction, the FHWA must address and comply with laws related to the environment. These laws cover social, economic, and environmental concerns ranging from community cohesion to threatened and endangered species. To get through this detailed process, FHWA and FTA use the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to evaluate impacts associated with each individual project.

Two Offices within the Federal Highway Administration focus on environmental protection and enhancement. The Office of Natural and Human Environment primarily focuses on environmental programs associated with air quality, noise, and water quality, and on programs associated with the built environment, including transportation enhancements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and scenic byways. The Office of Project Development and Environmental Review focuses on NEPA project development process as a balanced and streamlined approach to transportation decisionmaking that takes into account the potential impacts on both human and natural resources and the public's need for safe and efficient transportation improvements. Information regarding the full range of FHWA environmental programs can be found on this website. If you don't see the topic you are looking for, check our Subject Index.

Upcoming events for Environment.

• Air Quality
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
• Environmental Justice
• Environmental Performance Measures
• Environmental Review Toolkit
  • Environmental Competency Building
  • Environmental Guidebook
  • Historic Preservation
  • NEPA Project Development
  • Streamlining/Stewardship
• Human Environment
• Natural Environment
• Noise
• Public Involvement
• Re: NEPA Forum
• Recreational Trails Program
• Smart Growth
• Transportation Enhancements

• Final Transportation Conformity Rule that Reflects SAFETEA-LU Changes. (or PDF, 205KB)
• Interim Guidance on SAFETEA-LU Planning, Environment, and Air Quality Provisions - Joint FHWA/FTA Authorities; September 2, 2005
• Interim Guidance on SAFETEA-LU Planning, Environment, and Air Quality Provisions - FHWA Authorities; September 2, 2005
• Sec. 1805: Use of Debris from Demolished Bridges and Overpasses; March 7, 2006
• Sec. 1808: CMAQ Evaluation and Assessment; October 2008
  • Publication of Interim Guidance on the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program (or PDF, 5,526KB); Dec. 19, 2006 Federal Register
  • Interim Guidance on the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Under the Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users - October 31, 2006
• Sec. 1904: Interim Guidance on FHWA Major Projects; January 27, 2006
• Sec. 5207: Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program
  • Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program, Implemenation Strategy (or PDF, 53KB); August 4, 2006, Federal Register
  • FY 2007 Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) Research Plan
  • Revisions to the Implementation Strategy and Request for Suggested Lines of Research for the FY 2008 STEP (or PDF, 54KB); June 25, 2007, Federal Register
• Sec. 6002: Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decision Making
  • Notice of Availability of Guidance on Section 6002 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (or PDF, 97KB); Nov. 15, 2006, Federal Register
    • SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process Final Guidance
  • 23 CFR Part 771, Environmental Impact and Related Procedures; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (or PDF, 114KB); August 7, 2007, Federal Register
• Sec. 6004: State Assumption of Responsibility for Categorical Exclusions
  • California Department of Transportation Categorical Exclusion Delegation;
  • FHWA Monitoring Reviews of SAFETEA-LU Section 6004 Categorical Exclusion Assignments; March 28, 2007
  • Information: Guidance on the State Assumption of Responsibility for Categorical Exclusions (CE); April 4, 2006
  • Utah Department of Transportation Categorical Exclusion delegation
• Sec. 6005: Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program;
  • Final Rule (effective 3/14/07) (or PDF, 80KB); February 12, 2007, Federal Register
  • Announcement of Solicitation and Application Procedure for State Participation in the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program (or PDF, 54KB); July 9, 2007, Federal Register
• Sec. 6006: Environmental Restoration and Pollution Abatement; Control of Noxious Weeds and Aquatic Noxious Weeds and Establishment of Native Species
  • Guidance on 23 U.S.C. §328 Environmental Restoration and Pollution Abatements; August 17, 2006
  • Guidance on 23 U.S.C. §329 on the Control of Noxious Weeds and Aquatic Noxious Weeds and Establishment of Native Species; May 16, 2006
• Sec. 6007: Exemption for the Interstate System
  • Guidance for Applying the 4(f) Exemption for the Interstate Highway System; January 13, 2006
  • Final List of Nationally and Exceptionally Significant Features of the Federal Interstate Highway System (or PDF, 55KB); Dec. 19, 2006, Federal Register
  • Final List of Nationally and Exceptionally Significant Features of the Federal Interstate Highway System (or PDF, 162KB)
• Sec. 6009: Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and Waterfowl Refuges, and Historic Sites
  • Guidance for Determining De Minimis Impacts to Section 4(f) Resources; December 13, 2005
  • Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); request for comments. (or PDF, 103KB); July 27, 2006, Federal Register
• Sec. 6011: Interim Guidance for Implementing the Transportation Conformity Provisions in SAFETEA-LU; February 14, 2006
• Sec. 6018: Use of Granular Mine Tailings
  • Criteria for the Safe and Environmentally Protective Use of Granular Mine Tailings Known as "Chat"; Reopening the Comment Period; May 22, 2006, Federal Register

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Activities
• Climate Change & Planning
• Critter Crossings
• Context Sensitive Solutions Program Activities
• FHWA Resource Center Environment Team Newsletters and Publications
• FHWA Resource Center Planning Team Newsletters and Publications
• FHWA's Vital Few Goal for Environmental Stewardship and Environmental Streamlining
• GIS in Transportation

• Interim Guidance on Air Toxic Analysis in NEPA Documents
• It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air Exchange
• Keeping It Simple: Easy Ways to Help Wildlife Along Roads
• Mobile Source Air Toxics
• Official Blog of the Secretary of Transportation
• Planning & Environment Linkages Implementation Resources New 8 Oct 2008
• Roadside Vegetation Management
• Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle Emissions