ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT COMPLIANCE

Mark Schrader – FHWA –Law and Process Review Findings Bill Bicknell – USFWS –Field Review Examples Sheri Lares - NDDOT –New Process to Improve Environmental Commitment Compliance Greg Wermers – NDDOT –Material Source Approval Process

Critter Crossings in Other Parts of the World

Mark Schrader Environment and Right-of-Way Engineer FHWA – North Dakota Division (701) ext 111

Why Implement Environmental Commitments? It’s the law

23 CFR Sec Applicability and responsibilities. –(b) It shall be the responsibility of the applicant, in cooperation with the Administration, to implement those mitigation measures stated as commitments in the environmental documents prepared pursuant to this regulation. The FHWA will assure that this is accomplished as a part of its program management responsibilities that include reviews of designs, plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E), and construction inspections.

Environmental Commitment Implementation Process Review May 2006 Interagency Team –USFWS, NRCS, NDG&F, NDDOT, and FHWA The following findings resulted from the review

Communication of Environmental Commitments Knowledge and Experience within Design, Construction, and Environmental Process to Track/Monitor Environmental Commitments

Bill Bicknell, Fish & Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bismarck, North Dakota (701)

October 2005 Memorandum of Agreement between North Dakota Department of Transportation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Role of the Fish & Wildlife Service 1. Review and comment on city, county, state, and federal highway construction projects. 2. Develop practical recommendations to minimize impacts to the environment. 3. Work as part of an interagency team.

Interagency Team Approach 1. Includes Engineers, Contractors, Consultants, and Biologist. 2. Focus on developing the best possible projects for North Dakota. 3. Jointly develop recommendations that can be implemented.

Environmental Coordination Engineers, Consultants, Contractors and Biologists

Floating Turbidity Barrier

Highway 200 Bridge Replacement - Goose River

Floating Turbidity Barrier – Goose River

Floating Turbidity Barrier

Box Culvert Placement

Turtle Creek 2 miles SE of Washburn

Turtle Creek U.S. 83 Double Box Culvert

U.S. 83 Double Box Culvert – Raised Lip

U.S. 83 Low Flow Culvert

U.S. 83 Low Flow Culvert For Passage

Stream Channelization

Silt Fences

Material Source Sites

Conclusion Our job is to develop needed transportation projects that benefit North Dakota. This can best be accomplished through a collaborative process aimed at finding practical solutions.

Sheri G. Lares Environmental Section Leader NDDOT NDDOT Engineering & Environmental Section Engineering & Environmental Section

Communicating Environmental Commitments PlanningDesignConstruction

Environmental Commitments During the Planning Process SOV Process Agency Coordination Public Involvement Wetland Table Summary of Commitments

Incorporating Environmental Commitments During the Design Phase Environmental Commitment Plan Sheet Wetland Limits Wetland Impact Table Permit Conditions PS&E Checklist

Compliance with Environmental Commitments During Construction Environmental Commitment Tracking System Project Certification

Process Improvements Design Manual Standard Specifications Scope of Services

Greg L. Wermers Archaeologist NDDOT NDDOT Cultural Resource Section Cultural Resource Section