1. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

2. ODOT’S ENVIRONMENTAL REALITY

3. ODOT Environmental Guidance Statement
ODOT will carry out its mission consistent with sound environmental stewardship and best management practices. We strive to meet the spirit and intent of environmental laws. We comply with regulations, and we will enhance the environment, balancing such enhancement with the scope and purpose of our ODOT mission.
Valuing Oregon’s environment is the responsibility of every ODOT employee and it is reflected in our decision and actions.

4. Definition of the term “Environment”
All of the external factors affecting an organism, including living organisms and non-living variables such as water, soil, climate, light and oxygen. All of these factors together make up the environment.

5. Best Management Practices
Avoid
Minimize
Mitigate

6. Resource Topics Archaeology Historic Resources
Biology and Endangered Species
Water Quality
Wetlands
Air Quality
Noise Quality
Erosion Control
Hazardous Materials

7. Archaeology in ODOT

8. Potential range of impacts:
Ground disturbance:
Staging of equipment and material
Embankment
Guardrail installation/flaring
Culvert extensions, etc.
Other ground disturbing activities beyond backslope of ditch

9. Historic Resources What are Historic Resources?
Buildings, Sites, Objects, etc., which are significant in history
Must be at least 50 years old
Must meet eligibility criteria for the National Register of Historic Places for federal regulatory laws to apply

10. Maintenance Project Issues - Historic Resources
Bridge rails, transition rails, guardrail
Masonry features - parapet rails, culverts, stone facing, pedestrian features
Memorial features - historic signs, plaques, markers
Effects to setting - fill, removal of landscaping, new visual elements

11. Biology and Endangered Species

12. SMA’s for Plants and Wildlife
Sensitive Management Area (SMA) is a voluntary program initiated by Environmental Services in 1994 in response to the increasing number of state and federally listed species and resources found along ODOT right-of-way. There are approximately 40 SMA sites found along ODOT right-of-way

13. RES and RAZ Mapping Tools
a tool that field crews could use to help avoid impacts to sensitive resources.
RES (Resource and Sensitive Area)
RAZ (Restricted Activity Zone)

14. RAZ Map example

15. Endangered Species
The federal Endangered Species Act (1973) requires agencies “insure that their actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat of such species.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulates listed plants, wildlife, invertebrates (including birds), and resident fish.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries) regulates listed ocean-going (anadromous) fish and marine mammals.

16. Endangered Species Act
ESA defines “take” to include:
-- “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect…”
-- “Harm” is further defined to include:
“…significant habitat modification or degradation that results in death or injury…”
-- “Harass” is further defined to include:
“…significantly disrupt normal behavior patterns which include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering”.
--Critical Habitat - “the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the listed species on which are found those physical or biological features which:
-- are essential to the conservation of the species.
-- may require special management considerations .
-- PERMITTED WORK required

17. Clean Water Act Section 404
Federal Law enacted in 1972
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulates
Establishes a federal connection (nexus) if a permit is required.
Authorized States to administer their own general permit program for dredged or fill material.
Oregon Division of State Lands (DSL) has regulatory control.

18. ODFW In-Water Work Period

19. Clean Water Act Section 404

20. Riparian Area Critical Habitat Designations
(NOAA Fish, and USFWS) can include an area up to 300 linear feet from the Ordinary High Water Elevation.

21. Areas adjacent to the stream that provide:
Riparian Area
Areas adjacent to the stream that provide:
Shade
Sediment transport control
Nutrient or chemical regulation
Streambank stability
Inputs of large woody material or organic matter

22. Wetlands 3 defining characteristics of a wetland
Hydrology- ground and surface water
Hydric Soil – abundance of moisture
Vegetation

23. Resource Topics
Water Quality runoff treatment, floodway, floodplain.
Air Quality – alignment, traffic lanes, signalization, regulatory study.
Noise Quality – alignment, traffic lanes, sound barriers, restrict work periods.
Erosion Control – sedimentation into waters of the STATE (loss of soil)
Hazardous Materials – spills, cleanup, remediation

24. Examples of Non Compliance (Courtesy of NOAA Fish Enforcement Staff)

26. Water Quality

28. Habitat Destruction

30. Riparian Loss

32. Culvert Cleaning

34. Road Construction Slide

36. Bank Hardening

38. Unauthorized Fill

39. Unregulated In-stream Work

40. Unauthorized Flood Control

41. Side Channel Modification

42. Culvert Cleaning

43. DEWATERING

44. Acronyms BMP – Best Management Practice CWA – Clean Water Act
DSL – Oregon Division of State Lands
ESA – Endangered Species Act
FHWA – Federal Highway Administration
IVM – Integrated Vegetation Management
NOAA Fish – National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Fisheries
ODA – Oregon Department of Agriculture
ODF – Oregon Department of Forestry
ODFW – Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

45. Acronyms ODF – Oregon Department of Forestry
ODFW – Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
RAZ – restricted activity zone
RES – Salmon Resource and Sensitive Area
RMA- Riparian Management Area
SHPO – State Historic Preservation Office
SMA – Sensitive Management Area
USACE – US Army Corps of Engineers
USCOE – US Army Corps of Engineers
USFWS – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service