Description:
The goal of this seminar is to support the efficient and effective management of environmental processes in the development and construction of transit and multi-modal transportation projects by providing current information on federal requirements, identifying best practices, and facilitating the sharing of information and insight among advanced practitioners.
Seminar topics include:
Streamlining and Stewardship for Success
Explore what streamlining really means for a successful environmental review process under NEPA. In addition to defining streamlining principles and initiatives, this section will lay the foundation for how good stewardship of the natural and human environment can expedite not only the environmental review processes, but the entire project development process. The importance of public involvement and agency coordination will also be addressed. Panelists including federal and local project sponsors, regional planning agencies, and resource agencies will review how the streamlining and stewardship principles discussed were applied in a variety of projects.
Coordinating, But Not Confusing, Section 106 and Section 4(f)
Review the differences and similarities between Section 4(f) and Section 106, the relationships between the two processes and related content, and how to avoid duplication of effort while making sure all requirements are met. The different statutory bases for Section 4(f) and Section 106, the types of resources regulated, commonalities and differences in the analyses required to comply with both regulations, and public involvement and agency coordination requirements will be discussed.
Managing NEPA and New Starts Interface
Address the key interfaces between the processes, as well as procedural and technical areas that need to be coordinated including purpose and need, definition of alternatives, travel demand forecasting, cost estimation, and environmental benefits. Common misperceptions about the role of New Starts during the NEPA process, as well as how and when to coordinate requirements during project development will be covered.
Addressing the NEPA and State Environmental Requirements
Discuss how to successfully navigate the challenges inherent in managing federal and state environmental requirements (e.g., California Environmental Quality Act) during NEPA review. A panel of FTA representatives, project sponsors, and resource agencies will focus on what has worked well, what has not been successful, and what they would do “next time” in terms coordination, process management, technical analysis and documentation.
Enhancing Environmental Documentation
Learn how to improve the quality of environmental documentation by considering the “dos” and “don’ts” of traditional documentation, the importance of capturing environmental benefits as part of the NEPA documentation, and innovations in documentation, including reader-friendly documents.
Managing Mitigation
Focus on improving the effectiveness of how mitigation is addressed during and after the environmental review process. A review of USDOT mitigation requirements and policies will set the foundation for developing effective mitigation plans; this is followed by the opportunity for participants to apply these principles to scenarios and explore how to develop a comprehensive approach to mitigation over the course of the NEPA process. The role of effective mitigation planning and implementation in stewardship and streamlining, as well as mitigation monitoring, will be explored. A panel discussion of mitigation case studies will highlight project experiences and outcomes.
Future Challenges
Assess how burgeoning initiatives such as green design, climate change, and liveable communities may be integrated into the environmental review process.
