Managing the Environmental Review Process Seminar

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Description:

FTA is undertaking a number of initiatives to go “back to basics” and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the environmental review process to expedite project delivery.   This seminar has been developed to provide current information on federal requirements, identify best practices, and facilitate the sharing of information and insights among practitioners. For each topic covered, special emphasis will be provided as to how the FAST Act will affect the environmental review process. This interactive seminar offers a unique forum to discuss proven approaches and techniques to proactively manage the environmental review process with FTA Headquarters and Regional environmental protection specialists, community planners, and other project sponsors.  Topics to be covered include:

  • Understanding FTA expectations in environmental review
  • Fast Act provisions affecting environmental review
  • Scoping and risk management
  • Project definition and class of action
  • Using Categorical Exclusions
  • Developing purpose and need
  • Alternatives development and evaluation
  • Effective and efficient environmental Documents
  • Assessing impacts to the human and natural environment, with special emphasis on cultural resources, parklands, environmental justice and biological resources
  • Agency coordination and public participation necessary to support environmental review

Audience:

This course is intended for transportation professionals from transit agencies and metropolitan planning organizations with a minimum of two-year’s experience in the environmental process relative to project development.

Length:  2 days

Objectives:

At the end of this course, participants will:

  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the major components of the federal environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
  • Identify how the FAST Act requirements will affect environmental review
  • Understand how to coordinate with FTA Regional offices during environmental review
  • Determine agency roles and responsibilities to support decision-making
  • Know the three classes of action under NEPA – categorical exclusions, environmental assessments and environmental impact statements – and what is required for each
  • Be able to identify potential impacts associated with transit projects, and the major laws, regulations and guidance governing potential impacts
  • Know how to develop appropriate environmental documentation
  • Recognize agency coordination and public involvement requirements associated with environmental review

CEUs: 1.3

Contact:

Andrea Dixon
andrelam@nti.rutgers.edu