18th Annual Northwest Tribal Transportation Symposium

EDC and Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Dan Mathis – Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration Olympia, Washington April 18, 2011

Presentation Goal •P Provide id an overview of the Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) practices

Outline - EDC O Overview i - PEL Overview - Activities involved in the PEL initiative

Overview of Every Day Counts (EDC)

EDC Initiative Purpose: p To identify and deploy innovative t h i techniques and d ttechnology h l th thatt will help p to accelerate p project j delivery.

EDC Initiatives -

Accelerating g technology gy and innovative deployment

- Shortening project delivery toolkit - Accelerating project delivery methods

Shortening g Project j Delivery y Toolkit Purpose: To guide and support Tribal Tribal, State State, and local agencies in the use of underutilized flexibilities in the law and in the development p of p processes and agreements that minimize duplication of effort and reduce delays in project implementation. Goal: Reduce the average time to deliver projects by 50 percent.

Project Delivery j y Toolkit Elements Planning & Environmental Linkages Expanding Use of Programmatic Agreements Use of “In‐Lieu” Fee & Mitigation Banking Enhanced Technical Assistance on Delayed EIS’s Clarifying the Scope of Preliminary Design Legal Sufficiency Enhancement Flexibilities in Right‐of‐Way (ROW) l bl h f ( ) Flexibilities in Utility Accommodation & Relocation Constr ction Manager / General Contractor Construction Manager / General Contractor Design‐Build

Overview O e e o of Planning a g & Environment Linkages (PEL)

PEL Overview An approach to transportation decision decisionmaking that helps Tribes, State DOTs, MPOs and local agencies consider MPOs, environmental issues early in the transportation planning process and use information and analysis conducted in planning in the NEPA process. process

Elements of PEL

Benefits of the Overall PEL Approach • Address complex environmental challenges early and avoid environmentally sensitive natural resources • Design projects that meet mobility, y environmental, and community it needs d • Minimize duplication of efforts ff t and d data d t

Improves project delivery times

Current State of the Practice

Challenges • Underutilization of planning documents – Example: Strategic Highway Safety Plan and Congestion Management Process • Lack of proper documentation

Ideal Future State of the Practice Ideal Future State  Environmental  Analysis in the  Project  Planning/Project  Development  Stage 

Environmental issues are considered early in  the transportation planning process Environmental, regulatory, and resource  agencies are involved early and continuously  in the planning process p gp Planning decisions are documented in a  format that can be appended to the NEPA  d document or incorporated by reference  i db f Planning information that will be used in  NEPA will be identified and communicated to NEPA will be identified and communicated to  agencies and the public

PEL Study • Generic term meaning a planning study at corridor or subarea level • More focused than regional or system level planning studies

When is a PEL Study Done • Transportation project or need identified in l long-range plan l – Perform preliminary analysis, make decisions at finer detail than regional/system level

• Transportation project or need not identified in long long-range range plan – Clearly identify problem, potential solutions for inclusion in future long-range long range plan

When a PEL Study y is NOT Needed • Project started NEPA-level analysis • Other planning study(s) already done to assist in NEPA

Ideal State of the Practice Notice of Intent

Relevant planning information to be utilized in NEPA • Preliminaryy p purpose p and need • Range of alternatives for study

Ideal State of the Practice Transportation Planning

NEPA DecisionMaking

Public Involvement

Project Scoping

Transportation Deficiencies & Needs

Public Involvement

Goals and Vision

Purpose & Need

Solutions Evaluation & Screening

Alternatives

Preferred Solutions

Preferred Alternative

Documentation

Documentation

Regulatory Guidance • 23 CFR 450.212 and 450.318 - Transportation planning studies and project development • 23 CFR 450 Appendix A • 23 CFR 771 771.111 111 (a)(2) - Early coordination coordination, public involvement, and project development • 40 CFR 1501.2 - Apply NEPA early in the process • Environment and Planning Linkage Processes Legal Guidance

Examples of Equivalent A Approaches h Montana: Business Process to Link Planning Studies and NEPA Reviews http://www.mdt.mt.gov/publications/docs/brochures/corridor_study_process.pdf

Massachusetts: Project Development & Design Guide http://www.vhb.com/mhdGuide/mhd_Guidebook.asp

Florida: Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) Process https://etdmpub fla-etat https://etdmpub.fla etat.org/est/ org/est/

Additional Information on PEL Contacts: Spencer Stevens FHWA Office of Planning [email protected]  (202) 366‐1049

Ruth Rentch FHWA Office of Project Development  and Environmental Review [email protected]  (202) 366‐2034

Gina Filosa U S  DOT / RITA / Volpe  U.S. DOT / RITA / Volpe  Center [email protected]  ((617) 494‐3452 7) 494 345

Gina Barberio U S  DOT / RITA / Volpe  U.S. DOT / RITA / Volpe  Center [email protected]  ((617) 494‐3571 7) 494 357

PEL website: http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp

Now What Are Y Your Q Questions? ti ?