Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO September 29, 2007 AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways

PRACTITIONER HANDBOOKS Two Handbooks recently published: Two Handbooks recently published: Defining the Purpose and Need and Determining the Range of Alternatives for Transportation Projects Defining the Purpose and Need and Determining the Range of Alternatives for Transportation Projects Implementing an Environmental Management System in a State DOT Implementing an Environmental Management System in a State DOT Three Handbooks developed this year: Three Handbooks developed this year: Considering Environmental Issues in Statewide and Metropolitan Transportation Planning Considering Environmental Issues in Statewide and Metropolitan Transportation Planning Achieving Environmental Streamlining through the SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process Achieving Environmental Streamlining through the SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process Project Management Project Management

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  Experts available to assist states with environmental matters. Hiring consultants in energy, global warming, sustainability and GIS. Hiring consultants in energy, global warming, sustainability and GIS. Technical experts implementing the Environmental Management System Technical Assistance Program. Technical experts implementing the Environmental Management System Technical Assistance Program. Applications for EMS technical assistance sent to the states in the spring. Applications for EMS technical assistance sent to the states in the spring. Round table discussions on EMS development and implementation at the annual meetings of SCOP, SCOE, Design, Construction, Maintenance, and Materials. Round table discussions on EMS development and implementation at the annual meetings of SCOP, SCOE, Design, Construction, Maintenance, and Materials.

CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS The Center will conduct two CSS peer to peer workshops to: Share information and experiences on the how incorporate CSS; Share information and experiences on the how incorporate CSS; Collaboratively identify best practices that are transferable; Collaboratively identify best practices that are transferable; Discuss innovative strategies, actions, tools and technologies for advancing CSS implementation; Discuss innovative strategies, actions, tools and technologies for advancing CSS implementation; Develop work plans for their state to progress along the CSS continuum; and Develop work plans for their state to progress along the CSS continuum; and Collaboratively identify areas for research. Collaboratively identify areas for research.

CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS The Center will develop a CSS training program for state DOT executives. Training will discuss integrating CSS into agencies as the way of doing business and how CSS cans assist states with: Community acceptance; Community acceptance; Environmental compatibility; Environmental compatibility; Functionality; Functionality; Financial feasibility; Financial feasibility; Timeliness of delivery; Timeliness of delivery; Sustainable decisions and investments; and Sustainable decisions and investments; and Developing and implementing multi-modal projects. Developing and implementing multi-modal projects.

TAKING THE HIGH ROAD REPORT UPDATE Topics include: Topics include: Transportation Enhancements Transportation Enhancements Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources, Including Tribal Consultation Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources, Including Tribal Consultation Recycling and Waste Management Recycling and Waste Management Air Quality Air Quality Context-Sensitive Solutions Context-Sensitive Solutions Brownfields Redevelopment Land Use Brownfields Redevelopment Land Use Bicycle and Pedestrian Bicycle and Pedestrian Wetlands and Water Quality Wetlands and Water Quality Wildlife and Ecosystems Wildlife and Ecosystems Noise Abatement Noise Abatement Scenic Byways Scenic Byways Vegetation Management Vegetation Management EMS EMS Energy Energy Sustainability Sustainability Partnerships Partnerships

CENTER ADVISORY BOARD Carlos Braceras, SCOH and Maintenance Neil Pedersen, SCOH Richard Land, Design Bob Pieplow, Construction Gary McVoy, Maintenance

CENTER FOCUS AREAS Improve Planning and Environmental Processes to Achieve Better Results and Timeliness Improve Planning and Environmental Processes to Achieve Better Results and Timeliness Advance Awareness of SAFETEA-LU Environmental Provisions and Good Practices Advance Awareness of SAFETEA-LU Environmental Provisions and Good Practices Advance Use of Technology, Geospatial Tools, and Decision Support Tools to Support Integrated Decision Making Advance Use of Technology, Geospatial Tools, and Decision Support Tools to Support Integrated Decision Making Integrate CSS Throughout all Aspects of Planning, Project Development, Construction, Maintenance and Operations Integrate CSS Throughout all Aspects of Planning, Project Development, Construction, Maintenance and Operations Advance Environmental Review Process Innovation to Support Congestion Relief and Public Private Partnerships Advance Environmental Review Process Innovation to Support Congestion Relief and Public Private Partnerships Promote Commitment Tracking Methods and Environmental Management Systems Promote Commitment Tracking Methods and Environmental Management Systems Advance and Showcase Exemplary Ecosystem and Human Environmental Initiatives Advance and Showcase Exemplary Ecosystem and Human Environmental Initiatives Increase Availability and Access to Information-Sharing/Problem Solving Activities Increase Availability and Access to Information-Sharing/Problem Solving Activities Build Partnerships to Leverage and Coordinate the Center’s Activities and Other Related Research Efforts Build Partnerships to Leverage and Coordinate the Center’s Activities and Other Related Research Efforts Advance National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Cost Estimating and Project Oversight Tools Advance National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Cost Estimating and Project Oversight Tools

COMMENTS/INFORMATION Shannon Eggleston (202)