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FHWA ORDER M 1100.1A, Chg. 52 | PART II, CH. 3 |
May 7, 2007 |
Section 1. Associate Administrator
What is the mission of the Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty? To advance environmental stewardship and streamlining; comprehensive international, interstate, state, metropolitan, and multi-modal planning; and fair and prudent acquisition and management of real property.
What are the functions of the Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty?
Advocacy: Serves as FHWA's advocate and national leader for environmental stewardship and streamlining; comprehensive transportation planning; and fair and prudent acquisition and management of real property.
Strategic Planning and Quality: Develops and implements action/business plan initiatives for environment, planning, and real estate services to advance DOT and FHWA Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Corporate Management Strategies. Initiates quality self-assessments, program evaluations, and system and process improvements to continually improve the quality of the Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty's programs, products, and services.
Legislation, Regulations, Policy, and Guidance: Develops legislative recommendations and administers statutory provisions relating to environment, planning, and realty under Federal environmental laws (e.g., the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Air Act, etc.), Title 23 of the United States Code (U.S.C.), the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (Uniform Act), and the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. Develops regulations, policies, and guidance for these laws. Carries out these functions in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and other Federal agencies, as well as FHWA field offices and other FHWA Headquarters offices.
Technical Assistance and Training: Develops and disseminates technical assistance and guidance materials, develops and updates training courses, and provides specialized training and program assistance to FHWA partners and field offices in the areas of planning, environment, and realty. Coordinates such activities with the National Highway Institute and the Resource Center.
Research and Innovation Deployment: Identifies and conducts research in the areas of planning, environment, and realty to advance the "state of the art." Designs and implements programs which deploy new models, practices, and technologies to continuously advance the "state-of-the-best-practice" industrywide.
Customer Outreach and Consultation: Seeks the views and needs of FHWA's customers, partners, and field offices on environmental, planning, and realty matters, and uses that information in carrying out office functions.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitors and evaluates the performance of FHWA's environmental, planning, and realty programs. Uses results to improve program performance.
Lead Agency for the Uniform Act: Serves as Lead Agency for the Federal Government for the Uniform Act. Advises on legislative changes to the Uniform Act. Provides Uniform Act training, advice, and technical assistance to other Federal agencies. Develops and maintains Uniform Act regulations and guidance.
Federal-aid Discretionary Programs: Establishes uniform requirements and eligibility policies for the following discretionary programs: Scenic Byways; Delta Region Transportation Development; Coordinated Border Infrastructure; and Transportation, Community, and System Preservation (TCSP). Provides for the selection of projects for discretionary funding.
Finance: Promotes sound financial planning in conjunction with the Title 23 statewide and metropolitan planning processes. Promotes Public- Private Partnerships and innovative finance principles in the Border Transportation Program.
Prior Concurrences: Provides prior concurrences on final environmental impact statements, Section 4(f) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) statements, and related actions for projects that are highly controversial or involve issues of national significance.
The Associate Administrator for Planning, Environment, and Realty provides executive direction over the activities of which organizational elements?
Office of Planning
Office of Interstate and Border Planning
Office of Project Development and Environmental Review
Office of Natural and Human Environment
Office of Real Estate Services
What is the mission of the Office of Planning? To advance multimodal/intermodal statewide and metropolitan transportation planning throughout FHWA and with FHWA partners and customers.
What are the functions of the Office of Planning?
Advocacy: Serves as FHWA's principal advocate for statewide and metropolitan planning throughout FHWA and with our partners and customers.
Strategic Planning and Quality: Develops and implements initiatives to advance DOT and FHWA Strategic Goals and Objectives through comprehensive transportation planning. Initiates quality self-assessments, program evaluations, and system and process improvements to continually improve the quality of the Office's programs, products, and services.
Outreach and Consultation: Consults with FHWA's partners, customers, and field offices in advancing planning.
Program Evaluation: In cooperation with FTA, evaluates planning processes and uses results in program administration.
Planning Process: Proposes, develops, and implements regulations, guidance, and procedures in conjunction with FTA and other Federal agencies, for implementing the transportation planning program required by Title 23 U.S.C.
Planning Process Certification: Provides direction to FHWA and FTA field staff on the conduct of planning process certifications. Provides advice to FHWA management on decisions regarding certification actions.
Planning Grant Administration: Administers and monitors the use of Title 23 U.S.C. funds for planning. Coordinates with FTA in the implementation of Consolidated Planning Grants.
Planning Research: Develops and administers a comprehensive program of planning and related research. Administers in-house and contract research program in support of metropolitan and statewide planning programs.
Land Use/Smart Growth/Transportation, Community, and System Preservation (TCSP) Program/Livability: Serves as the agency focal point for addressing land use considerations in the transportation planning process. Identifies and develops technical tools for assessing the relationship between land use and transportation investments. Identifies, develops, and implements guidance and procedures for integrating land use with transportation decisionmaking. Administers the TCSP program, focusing on livability issues.
Native American Planning: Serves as the focal point for Native American planning and coordination in the development and implementation of transportation plans and programs.
Public Involvement in Planning: Promotes citizen participation in transportation planning. Serves as the primary location in FHWA for effective techniques and strategies to improve citizen participation. Develops training courses, publications, and conferences to improve citizen participation in transportation planning.
Title VI: Provides guidance and assistance to FHWA field offices in support of Title VI in the planning process, coordinating with the Office of Civil Rights as appropriate. Develops training courses, publications, and other approaches to promote Title VI. Works with FHWA field offices to identify and avoid potential concerns or complaints.
Congestion Management: Jointly with the Office of Operations and the FTA, oversees the congestion management provisions of Title 23 U.S.C.
Community Impacts: Provides guidance and tools for assessing the cumulative social, economic, and environmental impacts of transportation plans and programs, on a systems basis. Promotes utilization of such information and analyses in all phases of transportation decisionmaking, at both the statewide and metropolitan levels.
Training: Develops and provides training courses for transportation planning. Coordinates with the National Highway Institute, the National Transit Institute, other training institutions and programs. Provides for the identification, training, and utilization of FHWA field personnel as trainers for conveying the program of courses.
Regulatory Development: Provides overall staff direction, coordination, and support for planning-related regulations, utilizing as appropriate the technical expertise of staff in other offices. Coordinates regulatory development with other DOT offices and appropriate Federal agencies outside of DOT.
Legislative Coordination: Conducts legislative reviews relating to planning. Initiates and develops planning-related legislative proposals and coordinates with Office of Chief Counsel. Provides technical assistance to congressional offices and staff, coordinates testimony, and develops briefing materials for FHWA executives.
Service: Provides support and assistance to FHWA Headquarters and field offices in matters relating to planning.
What is the mission of the Office of Interstate and Border Planning? To advance interstate and international transportation planning.
What are the functions of the Office of Interstate and Border Planning?
Advocacy: Serves as FHWA's principal advocate for the advancement of transportation planning for the Interstate System, National Highway System, Multi-State Corridors, and international highway transportation, especially at the northern and southern borders.
Strategic Planning and Quality: Develops and implements action/business plan initiatives in the advancement of DOT and FHWA Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Corporate Management Strategies related to interstate and international transportation planning.
Outreach and Consultation: Consults with FHWA's Office of International Programs on international planning activities, to ensure consistency with overall international policy direction. Consults with FHWA's field offices and partners and customers to advance interstate and international transportation planning.
Program Evaluation: Evaluates interstate and international transportation planning. Uses results in program administration and policy development.
Training and Program Assistance: Develops and updates training courses, and provides training, guidance, and assistance in the application of sound transportation analysis and modeling.
Interstate, National Highway, and Other System Modifications: Develops policies and administers procedures and standards for modification of the Interstate, the NHS, and NHS connectors, and the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET) and STRAHNET connectors.
Border Planning: Serves as the focal point for FHWA in coordinating border planning activities between the U.S. and Mexico, and the U.S. and Canada. Serves as Chair and provides support to committees and working groups designed to coordinate border planning activities. Works with the General Services Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies to jointly plan and coordinate infrastructure improvements at international land borders.
Multi-state, National, and International Planning: Oversees Congressional and special studies and planning applications for interstate and international planning activities.
Programs: Develops policies, regulations, and/or guidelines to implement the Delta Region Transportation Development Program, the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program, economic development initiatives, and the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications: Leads efforts to develop and support application of GIS technology and spatial data for transportation planning, transportation conformity analyses, environmental processes, and system evaluation/performance management.
National Defense: In cooperation with the Department of Defense Military Traffic Management Command, evaluates changes to STRAHNET and STRAHNET connectors.
Planning Models and Technical Tools: In partnership with the Resource Center and division offices, develops and provides technical planning methodologies and training on the use of planning methodologies to customers and stakeholders. Develops new or advanced methodologies and, in cooperation with field units, deploys advanced planning methodologies, including the Transportation Analysis and Simulation System (TRANSIMS).
Research and Innovation Deployment: Administers the Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty's Research Program. Leads implementation of the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program. Identifies and carries out research and innovation deployment for interstate and international planning, planning models, and other technical planning tools.
Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS)/Linear Reference System Data: Leads reviews of linear reference system data submitted by the States through HPMS or other systems.
Presidential Permits: Serves as the FHWA focal point on coordination and review of Presidential Permits and provides technical assistance on requests from Division Offices.
What is the mission of the Office of Project Development and Environmental Review? To advance environmental stewardship and streamlining for FHWA-funded projects through application of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) principles and the NEPA process.
What are the functions of the Office of Project Development and Environmental Review?
Advocacy: Serves as FHWA's principal advocate for the improvement of transportation and environmental decisionmaking through application of NEPA principles and the NEPA process at the project level.
Strategic Planning and Quality: Develops and implements action/business plan initiatives to use the NEPA process to advance DOT and FHWA Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Corporate Management Strategies. Initiates quality self-assessments, program evaluations, and system and process improvements to continually improve FHWA's management of the NEPA process.
Outreach and Consultation: Consults with FHWA partners, customers, and field units to more effectively use NEPA principles and the NEPA process to advance FHWA's goals.
Program Evaluation: Evaluates FHWA's management of the NEPA and project development process, and uses results in program administration.
NEPA: Develops agency regulations, policies, standards, and guidelines to comply with the Council of Environmental Quality regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; Title 23 U.S.C. 109(h), 128, and 138; Title 49 U.S.C. 303, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Clean Water Act and other related laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.
Environmental Streamlining: Develops and promotes programmatic and project level approaches to accelerate, enhance, and integrate environmental decisionmaking in transportation planning, programming, and the project development process. Establishes national goals, objectives, and priorities for interagency environmental coordination, the use of cooperating agencies, early resolution of conflicts, and "one stop" environmental processing during project development.
Prior Concurrence: Provides Headquarters' prior concurrence for FHWA approval of final environmental impact statements and/or NEPA Section 4(f) evaluations for designated national interest projects.
Environmental Dispute Resolution: Provides assistance in identifying and resolving environmental disputes involving projects in the NEPA process.
Interagency Environmental Coordination: Performs interagency environmental coordination with Federal agencies including DOT entities, the Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, EPA, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Agriculture on: (1) specific highway projects to resolve conflicts and/or expedite development and decisionmaking and (2) policy, regulatory, and/or operational issues to unify and integrate Federal coordination and decisionmaking relating to funding, permits, land transfers, and other Federal actions or approvals.
Tribal Coordination: Develops policies and guidelines and provides advice on coordinating with tribes during the NEPA/project development process.
Public Involvement: Establishes policies and guidelines and promotes successful approaches for engaging citizens in project level public involvement activities.
Environmental Process Pilots: Establishes and supports environmental process pilot projects, in conjunction with States and FHWA field offices, in order to test and develop better decisionmaking in the planning/environmental process.
Context Sensitive Solutions: Promotes transportation planning, design, and construction practices that show a high level of sensitivity to the natural and community setting in which transportation decisions are made, while showing due consideration of safety.
Research and Training: Administers contracts for and/or recommends research to improve environmental processing and project development. Develops and provides training courses for the same purpose.
Cumulative Impacts: Advances consideration of cumulative impacts in conjunction with NEPA documents.
What is the mission of the Office of Natural and Human Environment? To protect and enhance the natural and human environment through FHWA programs and activities.
What are the functions of the Office of Natural and Human Environment?
Advocacy: Serves as FHWA's principal advocate for minimizing the adverse impact of transportation on the natural and human environment; interfaces with other DOT operating administrations, other Federal agencies, and partners and stakeholders on legislation, policies, regulations, and administrative procedures related to the natural and human environment.
Strategic Planning and Quality: Develops and implements action/business plan initiatives in the advancement of DOT and FHWA Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Corporate Management Strategies. Initiates quality self-assessments and process improvements to continually improve the natural and human environment. Provides guidance to FHWA field and Headquarters offices on measuring progress in meeting natural and human environmental goals. Assists in the utilization of business metrics.
Outreach and Consultation: Consults with FHWA Headquarters and field offices, partners, stakeholders, and customers to advance natural and human environmental goals. Provides agencywide expert professional review, comment, advice, and oversight to, and maintains close relationships with other FHWA offices, State highway agencies, other Federal and State agencies, environmental organizations, the general public, and international organizations.
Program Evaluation: Evaluates environmental programs and processes, and uses results in program administration.
Process Management: Provides training, guidance, and assistance on programs, policies, and processes to meet natural and human environmental goals. Convenes national conferences, workshops, and other events, jointly with EPA, FTA, and other Federal agencies, to explore issues and disseminate information.
Legislation: Reviews or initiates legislative changes to the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other Federal environmental laws affecting transportation. Represents FHWA in Federal interagency work groups developing legislative proposals relating to the environment and transportation. Provides technical assistance to Congress on the transportation impacts of environmental legislation being considered by Congress.
Policies, Regulations, Procedures, and Guidelines: Develops specific FHWA policies, regulations, procedures, and guidelines in the following areas: (1) highway traffic noise; (2) air quality; (3) global climate change; (4) ecosystems; (5) water quality and Clean Water Act issues; (6) wetlands; (7) threatened and endangered species; (8) fish and wildlife; (9) hazardous waste and brownfields; (10) coastal zones and coastal barrier protection; (11) right-of-way vegetation management; (12) wild and scenic rivers; (13) agricultural land; (14) watersheds; (15) bicycle and pedestrian activities; (16) National Scenic Byways; (17) National Recreational Trails Program and other trail-related activities; and (18) Transportation Enhancement activities.
Clean Air Act: Effectively implements highway-related Clean Air Act requirements, including the Transportation Air Quality Conformity process, sanctions limitations, and the integration of transportation and air quality planning activities.
Title 23 Environmental Funding Programs: Provides policy guidance and agencywide oversight for Title 23 environmental funding programs: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, Transportation Enhancements, Scenic Byways, and Recreational Trails. Works with FHWA Divisions to resolve eligibility issues.
Environmental Research: Identifies and carries out comprehensive research program to address natural and human environmental issues related to the transportation program.
Technical Tools and Training: Develops and distributes technical manuals, computer programs, case studies, technical advisories, audiovisual materials, and special reports related to the natural and human environment. Develops and provides training on natural and human environment programs and activities.
What is the mission of the Office of Real Estate Services? To plan, develop, execute, and administer policies and programs implementing the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (Uniform Act), in connection with projects administered by the FHWA and to carry out Federal Lead Agency responsibilities related to the Act. To administer Title 23 U.S.C. programs involving relocation, private land donations, right-of-way (ROW) aspects of project financing, and use of acquired ROW. To administer the Highway Beautification Program.
What are the functions of the Office of Real Estate Services?
Advocacy: Serves as FHWA's advocate for fair and prudent acquisition and management of real property, and for protecting the rights of property owners and tenants affected by the use of eminent domain in Federal programs.
Strategic Planning and Quality Improvement for the Office of Real Estate Services: Develops and implements action/business plan initiatives to advance DOT and FHWA Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Corporate Management Strategies relating to real estate functions. Initiates system and process improvements to continually improve the quality of FHWA's realty programs, products, and services.
Legislation, Regulations, Policy, and Guidance: Develops legislative recommendations and interprets statutory provisions relating to real estate programs under the Uniform Act (Title 42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.), and Federal highway laws (Title 23 U.S.C.). Develops and issues regulations, policies, and guidance for these laws. Carries out these functions in cooperation with other Federal agencies, as well as FHWA field offices and other FHWA Headquarters offices.
Technical Assistance and Training: Provides specialized training and technical assistance on real estate matters directly to FHWA division offices, other Federal agencies, State DOTs, Local Public Agencies, and others. Partners with the National Highway Institute and others in developing and evaluating training courses. Develops technical and guidance materials and, in some cases, provides instructors.
Research and Technology Delivery: Identifies and conducts research and technology transfer in the area of real property acquisition and management as well as highway beautification.
Customer Outreach and Consultation: Seeks the views and needs of FHWA's customers, partners, and field offices on real estate matters, and uses that information in carrying out office functions.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitors and evaluates the performance of FHWA's real estate programs. Uses results to improve program performance.
Uniform Act: Serves as Lead Agency for the Federal Government for the Uniform Act and prepares annual reports for DOT to provide to OMB. Advises on legislative changes to the Uniform Act. Provides Uniform Act training, advice, and technical assistance to FHWA divisions and other Federal agencies. Issues and maintains the Uniform Act regulations and guidance. Monitors the Uniform Act implementation by other Federal agencies. Develops and administers policies, procedures, and specific standards relating to real estate appraisal, appraisal review, negotiation and relocation assistance and payments, consistent with the Uniform Act. Serves as a clearinghouse for information necessary to implement the Uniform Act.
Real Property Management: Develops policies and procedures for the management of ROW, including airspace, acquired for Federal-aid transportation projects. Such activities include corridor preservation, the leasing of land and improvements, rest area development, disposal of excess property, and access management strategies.
Highway Beautification: Develops regulations, policies, and guidance to States and others on the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, as amended. Monitors effectiveness in providing for billboard and junkyard controls. Administers the Outdoor Advertising "Bonus" program.
(September 4, 2002)
Figure 3-1