Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) July 20, 2011 PEL 101: The Tools for Adopting and Implementing a PEL Approach

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Training Objectives 1.Facilitate higher quality integrated transportation and environmental decisions 2.Provide tools and methods for: – Considering environmental, community, and economic goals during the transportation planning process, and – Carrying planning decisions and data into the project development and environmental review process.

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Speakers Spencer Stevens FHWA, Office of Planning Ruth Rentch FHWA, Office of Project Development and Environmental Review

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Agenda Part 1: Overview of PEL Part 2: Integrated Planning – Q & A Session – Part 3: Linking Planning and NEPA – Q & A Session –

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Part 1: An Overview of Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL)

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) What is PEL? A FHWA PROGRAM promoting tools and resources, - and - An APPROACH to transportation decision-making

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Elements of the PEL Approach System-level Planning Project level Decisions Environmental Analysis Process (NEPA ) Conservation & Resource Management Information Transportation Plans Integrated Planning Linking Planning & NEPA Voluntary Required

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Outcomes of the PEL Approach Can make planning more effective: – Comprehensive look at all factors – Broader basis to help determine which projects are priorities – Less backtracking during NEPA Can make agencies more effective: – Create productive interagency relationships – Chance for resource agencies to shape vs. react

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Benefits of PEL Address complex environmental challenges early and avoid environmentally sensitive natural resources. Design projects that meet mobility, environmental, and community needs. Minimize duplication of efforts and data. Improve cost effectiveness Improves transportation decision-making and project delivery timeframes

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) PEL and Every Day Counts EDC Initiative To identify and deploy innovative techniques and technology that will help to accelerate project delivery **PEL is one of the tools promoted in the EDC’s Shortening Project Delivery Toolkit

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Part 2: Integrated Planning A Systems Perspective

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Integrated Planning Land Use System Transportation System Water Resources System Other Natural, Cultural Resource Systems Integrated Approach Opportunities to support multiple community goals and improve quality of life

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Integrated Planning Requires a New Way of Doing Business A focus on delivering transportation outputs A focus on achieving multiple outcomes that are consistent with community and resource agency goals An understanding of the effects of specific transportation modes An understanding of the transportation system and how that system fits within broader human and natural systems Separate planning based on who owns and operates infrastructure and services Collaborative planning based on achieving sound system-wide outcomes Planning transportation and land use separately Planning transportation and land use concurrently and iteratively to achieve desired outcomes Transportation planning often does not recognize environmental factors Environmental affects and advanced mitigation are considered during transportation planning FROM… TO…

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Regulatory Requirements 23 U.S.C. Parts 134 and 135 require: – Resource agency consultation – Potential environmental mitigation Reflected in 2007 Planning Regulations 23 C.F.R. § 450

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Consultation Requirements Requires comparison of transportation plans with available: – State conservation plans or maps – Inventories of natural or historic resources – Consultation with resource and regulatory agency experts STIP overlaid on map of conservation opportunity areas

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Mitigation Requirements A long range transportation plan shall include A discussion of types of potential environmental mitigation activities and potential areas to carry out these activities The discussion shall be developed in consultation with Federal, State, and tribal wildlife, land management, and regulatory agencies - 23 USC 134 and 135

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Tools & Methods j for Integrating Transportation and Environmental Plans and Data

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Education and Training Provides agencies with a common understanding of one another’s roles and responsibilities. Example FHWA’s STARS Workshops

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Formalizing Interagency Coordination Interagency Agreements Can foster the early and continuous involvement of environmental, regulatory, and resource agencies in the planning process. Sample Actions: – Establish interagency work groups or committees – Develop MOUs/MOAs

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Formal Interagency Example Formed in 2002 as a forum to consider transportation decision and environmental stewardship 15 membership agencies – Collaborate during earliest stages of planning Led to PEL Partnering Agreement in 2009 Colorado’s Transportation Environmental Resource Council (TERC)

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Funded Resource Agency Positions Use of Federal-aid and/or State funds to provide dedicated staffing at resource agencies Example California DOT Funded Position for Planning – One year pilot project to fund a US EPA liaison position dedicated to transportation planning

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Analysis and Decision Support Tools Software or web-based systems designed to improve effectiveness of decision-making Examples: Leverage existing software tools, i.e. GIS CommunityViz NatureServe Vista CorPlan MetroQuest PLACE 3 S Index TransView Scenario visualization Metroquest ** FHWA does not specifically endorse any of the tools listed

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Analysis Support Tools – An Example North Carolina’s Conservation Planning Tool

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Joint Scenario Planning Framework for developing a shared vision for the future Tool to analyze various forces that affect growth: oTransportation oLand use oThe economy Sacramento Blueprint

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Corridor and Subarea Planning Opportunity to inform related planning efforts: – Land use – Housing – Transit – Environment Example Places29, Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) QUESTIONS? The operator will now open the phone lines for questions OR Type your question into the chat pod to the left

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Part 3: Linking Planning and NEPA

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Current State of the Practice

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Ideal Future State of the Practice Environmental issues are considered early in the transportation planning process Ideal Future State Environmental Analysis in the Project Planning/Project Development Stage Environmental, regulatory, and resource agencies are involved early and continuously in the planning process Planning decisions are documented in a format that can be appended to the NEPA document or incorporated by reference Planning information that will be used in NEPA will be identified and communicated to agencies and the public

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Regulatory Authority and Guidance Not required, but strongly supported by Federal regulations and guidance: – Transportation planning regulations (23 CFR 450) and Appendix A – Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (23 CFR 771) – Environment and Planning Linkage Processes Legal Guidance (2005) – Guidance on Using Corridor and Subarea Planning to Inform NEPA (2011)

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Litigation Risk Planning activities are not considered a Federal action subject to review under NEPA [see 23 CFR and ]

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Linking Planning and NEPA A variety of planning studies can inform NEPA: Statewide & Metropolitan Long-Range Plans Strategic Highway Safety Plan Congestion Management Process Feasibility Studies Corridor and Subarea Studies

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Using Planning Products in NEPA To help inform project level purpose and need statement Identify general travel corridor and/or general mode definition Preliminary screening of alternatives and elimination of unreasonable alternatives Preliminary identification of environmental impacts

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Considerations Before using information in NEPA consider: o Were relevant entities offered the opportunity to participate in planning study? o The age, relevance, and reliability of the planning study, its data, and its analysis o Was the planning level information documented and available for public review during the study process?

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Using Planning Products in NEPA Transportation Planning Transportation Goals & Objectives Problem Statement NEPA Decision Making NEPA Decision Making Project Scoping Purpose & Need Documentation Travel Corridor or Mode Solutions Evaluation & Screening Context & Baseline Conditions Mode of Study Alternatives Affected Environment & Consequences Documentation Project Scoping Purpose & Need

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Inform Purpose & Need Transportation Planning Transportation Goals & Objectives Problem Statement Documentation NEPA Decision Making NEPA Decision Making Project Scoping Purpose & Need Documentation Travel Corridor or Mode Solutions Evaluation & Screening Context & Baseline Conditions Mode of Study Alternatives Affected Environment & Consequences Documentation

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Identify Travel Corridor or Mode Transportation Planning Transportation Goals & Objectives Problem Statement Documentation NEPA Decision Making NEPA Decision Making Project Scoping Purpose & Need Documentation Travel Corridor or Mode Solutions Evaluation & Screening Context & Baseline Conditions Mode of Study Alternatives Affected Environment & Consequences Documentation

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Screening of Alternatives Transportation Planning Transportation Goals & Objectives Problem Statement Documentation NEPA Decision Making NEPA Decision Making Project Scoping Purpose & Need Documentation Travel Corridor or Mode Solutions Evaluation & Screening Context & Baseline Conditions Mode of Study Alternatives Affected Environment & Consequences Documentation

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Preliminary Identification of Environmental Impacts Transportation Planning Transportation Goals & Objectives Problem Statement Documentation NEPA Decision Making NEPA Decision Making Project Scoping Purpose & Need Documentation Travel Corridor or Mode Solutions Evaluation & Screening Context & Baseline Conditions Mode of Study Alternatives Affected Environment & Consequences Documentation

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Making the Connection between Planning and NEPA Notice of Intent Relevant planning information to be utilized in NEPA: –Preliminary purpose and need. –Range of alternatives for study.

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Example: I-95 Improvement Project “Improvements to the I–95 corridor are considered necessary to improve safety and to provide for increases in projected traffic volumes. Alternatives under consideration include, but are not limited to: (1) taking no action and (2) addition of a third travel lane in each direction. The EIS will use data and findings from two major deficiency and needs studies entitled ‘‘Southeastern Connecticut Corridor Study’’ dated January 1999 and ‘‘I–95 Corridor Feasibility Study, Branford to Rhode Island’’ dated December Copies of these studies are available from ConnDOT’s Office of Environmental Planning.” Reference: Federal Register/Vol.72, No.162 /Wed, August 22, 2007

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Documentation Critical to document: – Thought process underlying analytical conclusions and planning decisions, – Information used at the planning stage, including what that information is, how current or complete it is, and how reliable it is over time; and – Public and agency involvement.

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Tools and Methods for Linking Planning and NEPA

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Cross Training Staff Example: Oregon DOT – “Planning for Nonplanners” for ODOT project delivery staff – NEPA training for planning staff

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) PEL Questionnaire Purpose: 1.Serves as a guide for the planning project team on the questions/issues to address in the study, 2.Provides a summary of the planning process, and 3.Provides a documented transition from planning to NEPA analysis.

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Questionnaire Sections Background Methodology used Agency coordination Public coordination Purpose and need Range of alternatives Planning assumptions and analytical methods Environmental resources Cumulative impacts Potential strategies for mitigation

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Example: Arapahoe Road Corridor PEL Questionnaire completed as part of corridor study NEPA study is incorporating the analysis and documentation Helped to develop a more focused and detailed scope of work for associated EA

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Formalize Business Processes Montana DOT’s Business Process to Link Planning Studies and NEPA/MEPA Reviews 1: Identify Corridor Study Candidate 2: Develop Corridor Study Work Plan 3: Develop Existing and Project Conditions Report 4: Identify Needs, Issues, Goals and Screening Criteria 5: Determine Alternatives Advanced and Not Advanced 6: Recommend Alternatives 7: Prepare Draft Corridor Study Report 8: Make Recommendations Establishes eight steps to linking corridor planning and NEPA Includes a Corridor Planning Checklist to use at the beginning and throughout the process

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) Example: Libby North Corridor Study Used Appendix A as a guide for corridor study MDT held monthly meetings with USFS, FHWA, county staff, and elected officials Conducted preliminary alternatives analysis and developed the P&N Resulted in a shift from EIS to CE on Hwy 567

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) QUESTIONS? The operator will now open the phone lines for questions OR Type your question into the chat pod to the left

Planning & Environment Linkages (PEL) PEL Website and Contacts PEL Website: EDC Website: Spencer Stevens FHWA Office of Planning (202) Ruth Rentch FHWA Office of Project Development and Environmental Review (202)