After the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) became a separate agency within the Department of Transportation (DOT), it published its final Order on Agency procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) on March 1, 2004. Specifically, FMCSA developed its own environmental procedures for complying with NEPA, other pertinent environmental regulations, Executive Orders, statutes, and laws to ensure that it actively incorporates environmental considerations into informed decisionmaking.

NEPA establishes broad Federal policies and goals for the protection of the environment and provides a flexible framework for balancing the need for environmental quality with other essential societal functions, including national defense. FMCSA is expected to manage those aspects of the environment affected by FMCSA activities, comprehensively integrating environmental policy objectives into planning and decisionmaking. Thus, FMCSA has actively incorporated environmental considerations into informed decisionmaking, in a manner consistent with NEPA. Communication, cooperation, and collaboration between government and extra-government entities is an integral part of the NEPA process. Therefore, FMCSA personnel engaged in the NEPA process as participants, preparers, reviewers, and approvers have balanced environmental concerns raised by stakeholders with mission requirements, technical requirements, economic feasibility, and long-term sustainability of FMCSA operations. While carrying out its missions, FMCSA has also encouraged the wise stewardship of natural and cultural resources for future generations. Environmental analyses reflect appropriate consideration of non-statutory environmental issues identified by Federal and DOT orders, directives, and policy guidance, which helps ensure FMCSA compliance with NEPA. FMCSA has taken steps to ensure that the NEPA program is effective and efficient.

For further information, please see the PDF of FMCSA's NEPA Implementing Procedures.

Contact:
Michael Johnsen
FMCSA Office of Analysis, Research and Technology
Michael.Johnsen@dot.gov