Developing a Purpose & Need Statement

Objectives  Understand when the P&N is developed in the PDP  Understand the importance of a well- written/well-justified P&N statement  Understand how a P&N is used  Understand the public’s role

What is a Purpose & Need Statement and why do I need it?

Regulations  Council on Environmental Quality 40 CFR – Purpose and Need  Federal Highway Administration 23 CFR (f)

Importance of Purpose & Need A well-written Purpose and Need can be used to justify:  The need for a project  Use of taxpayer’s money  Environmental impacts Used to evaluate alternatives

Importance of Purpose and Need Specific enough so range of alternatives developed offer solutions to the existing transportation problem Not so specific as to “reverse engineer” a solution May reflect other priorities and limitations in the area (i.e., environmental resources, growth, land use, and economic development)

Purpose & Need and ODOT’s PDP

ODOT’s PDP

P&N is developed in the Planning Phase –Scoping Task 1.3.G Refined as the project advances through the Preliminary and Environmental Engineering Phases Considered draft until the environmental document is approved

ODOT’s PDP Five Project Paths Path 1Path 5 Least Complex Most Complex

Purpose and Need  Online CE form has P&N format built in for D level projects (not required on C level projects)  Section in EA and EIS PDP PathEnv. Doc. Level— 2015 CE PA Env. Doc. Level— Previous CE PA Formal P&N Required? Paths 1 & 2 C1 and C2Exempt and CE 1No Path 3D1-D2CE 2 and CE 3Likely Paths 4 & 5 D3, EA, EISCE 4, EA, EISYes ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

Roles ODOT District –Research and prepare P&N Include in consultant’s scope, if necessary –LPAs and consultants must send P&N to district for review and concurrence –Seek local stakeholder concurrence –Ensure consistent quality control

Roles ODOT OES –Advise and assist –Concurrence on D2 projects and above –Concurrence and submittal to FHWA for D3, EA, and EIS projects Will not require FHWA concurrence after NEPA Assignment—Only OES concurrence

Roles Public –Especially on more complex projects (Path 3, Path 4, and Path 5) Provide public an opportunity to comment Input can be used to refine the P&N

Developing a Purpose & Need

Project History Background on existing facility –How the project was initiated/developed Prior investigations/studies –Traffic –Safety –Planning

Purpose Statement States primary objectives to be attained Articulates the intended positive outcomes –An alternative that does not achieve primary purposes would be eliminated Do not include any reference to solutions

What Are Needs? Quantified data obtained through technical analysis that determines if well-defined and supported needs exist –Defines: Existing and future conditions Desired condition

Transportation Needs Mobility Congestion Facility Deficiencies Safety System Linkage Modal Inter-relationship Access

Non-Traditional Needs Emergency Evacuation Economic Development/Growth Environmental Protection National Defense Must have a transportation focus!

Goals & Objectives Optional and discretionary –Out of planning Community perspective, not transportation perspective Consistent with and follows local development plans Considers aesthetic design

Logical Termini Transportation problem begins and ends –State, city, or municipal boundaries are not end points

Independent Utility Establishes independent significance/independence from any other action Distinct from project construction phasing

Alternative Analysis The P&N is used to analyze alternatives –Do proposed alternatives meet the P&N? Do they fix the problem? Can Goals and Objectives be met? –May not be able to fix all of the problems. Things to consider: What needs can be met? Relative importance of meeting those needs? Cost-effectiveness of each alternative versus meeting all needs or addressing Goals and Objectives?

Points to Remember Define existing transportation problem(s) –Measurable, quantifiable data –Identify and quantify needs to the level that logical termini and independent utility can be established P&N is needed to adequately evaluate, eliminate, and advance alternatives Update P&N as appropriate

Project Development Process