Note: The guidance on this page has been superseded. The current guidance on planning and environment linkages can be found at http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp.
Program Guidance on Linking the Transportation Planning and NEPA Processes
| From: | Burbank, Cindy |
| Sent: | Wednesday, February 23, 2005 5:48 AM |
| To: | ##ALLHDA; ##ALLFLH; ##ALLDFS; Randall, Lisa; Cote, Don; O'Loughlin, Robert |
| Cc: | HEPODs; Peters, Mary; Wright, Frederick (Bud); Capka, Rick; Gribbin, DJ; Marchese, April; Smith, Lamar; Anderson, Larry D.; Peaks, Harold; Schaftlein, Shari; Vozzolo, David <FTA>; Ritter, Robert; Schoener, George <OST>; Mittelholtz, Camille <OST>; Lawson, Linda <OST>; Duvall, Tyler <OST>; Solury, Tony |
| Subject: | IMPORTANT NEW GUIDANCE: FHWA-FTA Program Guidance on Linking the Transportation Planning and NEPA Processes |
| TO THE ATTENTION OF: | Division Administrators, Division Planning staff, and Division Environmental staff in both Federal Lands and Federal Aid Divisions |
As you know, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have spent the past several months developing legal guidance and program guidance on how information, analysis, and products from metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes can be incorporated into and relied upon in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process under existing Federal statutes and regulations.
Yesterday we issued this new guidance. Attached for your information and reference are (a) the legal guidance outlining our authority under current law; and (b) the completed program guidance entitled "Linking the Transportation Planning and NEPA Processes." Utilizing a question and answer format, the program guidance is organized into three primary categories: (1) Procedural Guidance; (2) Substantive Guidance; and (3) Administrative Issues.
This guidance is intended for use by State Departments of Transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit agencies, and supercedes the FHWA's August 23, 1999 memorandum to Division Administrators and Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers entitled "INFORMATION: Results of Environmental Briefing at the Department of Justice."
While this guidance is voluntary to State Departments of Transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit agencies, its implementation will positively affect efforts to link the transportation planning and NEPA decision-making processes. Of equal importance, this guidance does not extend NEPA requirements to transportation plans and programs.
On October 22, 2004, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials convened a session in Washington, DC at which each of you provided valuable insight, input, and feedback to us on the focus, content, and structure of this guidance. This guidance represents a significant milestone, and we greatly appreciate your insights and input. However, we recognize that much work and several challenges remain. We look forward to working with each of you over the coming months and years in implementing this guidance.
If you have any questions on this guidance, please contact: Gloria Shepherd, Director of FHWA's Office of Planning at (202) 366-0106; Fred Skaer, Director of FHWA's Office of Project Development and Environmental Review, at (202) 366-2058; Charlie Goodman, Director of FTA's Office of Systems Planning, at (202) 366-1944; or Joe Ossi, Acting Director of FTA's Office of Human and Natural Environment, at (202) 366-1613
Environment and Planning Linkage Processes Legal Guidance HTML or PDF (121 KB)
Linking the Transportation Planning and National Environmental Policay Act (NEPA) Processes HTML
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To provide Feedback, Suggestions or Comments for this page contact Lamar Smith at lamar.smith@fhwa.dot.gov
