Introduction to EIS/EA Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Class 1 - Environmental Impact Statement Significant Impacts  Class 2 - Categorical Exclusion No Significant Impacts  Class 3 - Environmental Assessment ??????? Classes of Action Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Context  Effects upon environment, geographic area, setting, socioeconomic profile  What’s there? Intensity  Magnitude, severity  How bad is it? Significant - Context and Intensity Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Scoping  Notice of Intent (NOI)  Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)  Circulation Period  Public Hearing  Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)  Record of Decision (ROD) EIS Major Steps Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Section 6002 Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decision-making  New Procedures for EISs  Optional for EAs and CEs SAFETEA-LU Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Federal Lead Agency – USDOT (FHWA)  Joint Lead Agency – Project Sponsor Lead Agencies Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Everything we normally do, plus….  Identify & Involve Participating Agencies  Develop Coordination Plans  Provide Opportunities for Involvement  Manage the process and resolve issues  Ensure the environmental review process moves forward in a timely manner Role of Lead Agencies Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Any federal or non-federal agency that may have an interest in the project  Must be invited by lead agency Participating Agency Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

If a federal agency chooses to decline, the response letter must state they: 1. Have no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project 2. Have no expertise relevant to the project 3. Do not intend to submit comments If the response does not state their position in these terms, treat them as a participating agency Declining an Invitation Federal Agencies Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 A state, tribal, or local agency must respond affirmatively in order to be designated as a participating agency  If they fail to respond or decline the invitation, regardless of the reasons, they should not be considered a participating agency Declining an Invitation Non-Federal Agencies Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Purpose & Need  Range of Alternatives  Evaluation of Alternatives Opportunities for Involvement Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Cover Sheet  Summary  Table of Contents  Purpose and Need  Alternatives  Affected Environment  Environmental Consequences  List of Preparers  EIS Distribution  Comments and Coordination  Index  Appendices EIS Format Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Timing – prepare an environmental document or prepare an EIS?  Content Proposed action Alternatives Scoping process Notice of Intent Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Description of Proposed Action  Other Federal Actions in the Area  Reasonable Alternatives Considered  Major Environmental Impacts  Areas of Controversy/Unresolved Issues  Other Federal Actions as a Result 404 permit, 106 agreement, etc. Summary Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Summarize Data  Tables and Graphics  Pictures  Compare Information  Minimize Text  Technical Information in Appendices Make it Reader-Friendly Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Importance What if we don’t do anything?  Range of Alternatives Establishes the yardstick  Basic Elements Mobility, safety, system linkage, economic development etc.  Use in Decision-Making Screening, justification, and impacts Purpose and Need Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Describe how preliminary alternatives were developed and basis for their elimination  Describe how reasonable alternatives were selected Compare level of detail Include discussion of “no build” Discuss TSM alternative where applicable  Graphics  Presentation Techniques Alternatives Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Existing Setting Social Economic Environmental  Environmentally Sensitive Features  Engineering Features Topography, Facilities, etc.  Photographs and Graphics  Planning process with maps Affected Environment Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

1.Relocations 2.Noise, Air, Water 3.Land Use 4.Economic 5.Social 6.Section 4(f) Properties 7.Historic Sites 8.Wetlands/Floodplains 9.Farmlands 10. Other ????? Environmental Consequences Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 FHWA, state, consultant or other agency persons who made substantial contribution to the preparation Qualifications, including education background and/or experience. Areas of EIS responsibility  FHWA officials responsible for review If not included above List of Preparers Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Early coordination process including scoping and Participating Agencies  Meetings with groups and/or individuals Results, not just times, dates, and numbers)  Key issues and pertinent information received from public and government agencies  Every comment deserves a response Comments and Coordination Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Traditional - “New” document  Condensed - Summary of changes  Abbreviated - Re-circulate DEIS Final EIS Options Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Reference & summarize DEIS information  Discuss changes  Identify Preferred Alternative & basis  Alternatives not selected & basis  Mitigation & enhancements  Unresolved issues  Comment & coordination  Final 4(f) Condensed FEIS Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Minor changes only  DEIS attachments contain: Extra sheets New section with items as shown in condensed version Abbreviated FEIS Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 File with EPA  Cooperating & Participating Agencies  DEIS Commenters  Requestors  Publish Availability in Local Newspapers  Make Available Locally Library, City Hall, District Office, etc. FEIS Distribution Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Decision, including 4(f) Determination  Alternatives Considered & Preferred  Mitigation  Monitoring/Enforcement  Responses to Comments on FEIS  May be submitted concurrent with FEIS Record of Decision (ROD) Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 A document prepared for an action where the significance of the environmental impacts is not clearly established EA Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Early Coordination  Environmental Assessment (EA)  Circulation Period  Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) EA Major Steps Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Concise Public Document  Briefly provide evidence and analysis  Include brief discussion of…  No long descriptions or detailed data…  CEQ suggested page limits - take a guess EA Content Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Cover Sheet  Purpose & Need  Alternatives Considered  Impacts/Mitigation  Comments & Coordination  Section 4(f)  Appendices EA Suggested Format Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Briefly presents why an action does not have a significant impact  Must include or reference the EA Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

 Does not need circulated  Notice of Availability: Clearinghouse  30 Day Comment Period EA and FONSI Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation