Introduction to EIS/EA

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Class 1 - Environmental Impact Statement

Significant Impacts

Class 2 - Categorical Exclusion No Significant Impacts

Class 3 - Environmental Assessment

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Classes of Action

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

ContextEffects upon environment, geographic area, setting, socioeconomic profileWhat’s there?

IntensityMagnitude, severityHow bad is it?

Significant - Context and Intensity

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Scoping Notice of Intent (NOI) Draft Environmental Impact Statement

(DEIS) Circulation Period Public Hearing Final Environmental Impact Statement

(FEIS) Record of Decision (ROD)

EIS Major Steps

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Section 6002 Efficient Environmental Reviews for

Project Decision-making

New Procedures for EISs Optional for EAs and CEs

SAFETEA-LU

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Federal Lead Agency – USDOT (FHWA)

Joint Lead Agency – Project Sponsor

Lead Agencies

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Everything we normally do, plus…. Identify & Involve Participating

Agencies Develop Coordination Plans Provide Opportunities for Involvement Manage the process and resolve issues Ensure the environmental review

process moves forward in a timely manner

Role of Lead Agencies

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Any federal or non-federal agency that may have an interest in the project

Must be invited by lead agency

Participating Agency

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

If a federal agency chooses to decline, the response letter must state they:1.Have no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project2.Have no expertise relevant to the project3.Do not intend to submit comments

If the response does not state their position in these terms, treat them as a participating agency

Declining an InvitationFederal Agencies

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

A state, tribal, or local agency must respond affirmatively in order to be designated as a participating agency

If they fail to respond or decline the invitation, regardless of the reasons, they should not be considered a participating agency

Declining an InvitationNon-Federal Agencies

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Purpose & Need Range of Alternatives Evaluation of Alternatives

Opportunities for Involvement

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Cover Sheet Summary Table of Contents Purpose and Need Alternatives Affected Environment Environmental Consequences List of Preparers EIS Distribution Comments and Coordination Index Appendices

EIS Format

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Timing – prepare an environmental document or prepare an EIS?

Content Proposed action Alternatives Scoping process

Notice of Intent

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Description of Proposed Action Other Federal Actions in the Area Reasonable Alternatives Considered Major Environmental Impacts Areas of Controversy/Unresolved

Issues Other Federal Actions as a Result 404 permit, 106 agreement, etc.

Summary

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Summarize Data Tables and Graphics Pictures Compare Information Minimize Text Technical Information in

Appendices

Make it Reader-Friendly

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Importance What if we don’t do anything? Range of Alternatives

Establishes the yardstick Basic Elements Mobility, safety, system linkage,

economic development etc. Use in Decision-Making Screening, justification, and impacts

Purpose and Need

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Describe how preliminary alternatives were developed and basis for their elimination

Describe how reasonable alternatives were selected

Compare level of detail Include discussion of “no build” Discuss TSM alternative where applicable Graphics Presentation Techniques

Alternatives

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Existing Setting Social Economic Environmental Environmentally Sensitive Features Engineering Features Topography, Facilities, etc. Photographs and Graphics Planning process with maps

Affected Environment

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

1.Relocations

2.Noise, Air, Water

3.Land Use

4.Economic

5.Social

6. Section 4(f) Properties

7. Historic Sites

8. Wetlands/Floodplains

9. Farmlands

10. Other ?????

Environmental Consequences

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

FHWA, state, consultant or other agency persons who made substantial contribution to the preparation Qualifications, including education

background and/or experience. Areas of EIS responsibility

FHWA officials responsible for review If not included above

List of Preparers

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Early coordination process including scoping and Participating Agencies

Meetings with groups and/or individuals Results, not just times, dates, and numbers)

Key issues and pertinent information received from public and government agencies

Every comment deserves a response

Comments and Coordination

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Traditional - “New” document Condensed - Summary of changes Abbreviated - Re-circulate DEIS

Final EIS Options

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Reference & summarize DEIS information

Discuss changes Identify Preferred Alternative & basis Alternatives not selected & basis Mitigation & enhancements Unresolved issues Comment & coordination Final 4(f)

Condensed FEIS

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Minor changes only DEIS attachments contain: Extra sheets New section with items as shown in

condensed version

Abbreviated FEIS

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

File with EPA Cooperating & Participating Agencies DEIS Commenters Requestors Publish Availability in Local

Newspapers Make Available Locally Library, City Hall, District Office, etc.

FEIS Distribution

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Decision, including 4(f) Determination

Alternatives Considered & Preferred Mitigation Monitoring/Enforcement Responses to Comments on FEIS May be submitted concurrent with

FEIS

Record of Decision (ROD)

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

A document prepared for an action where the significance of the environmental impacts is not clearly established

EA

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Early Coordination Environmental Assessment (EA) Circulation Period Finding of No Significant Impact

(FONSI)

EA Major Steps

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Concise Public Document Briefly provide evidence and analysis Include brief discussion of… No long descriptions or detailed

data… CEQ suggested page limits - take a

guess

EA Content

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Cover Sheet Purpose & Need Alternatives Considered Impacts/Mitigation Comments & Coordination Section 4(f) Appendices

EA Suggested Format

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Briefly presents why an action does not have a significant impact

Must include or reference the EA

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Does not need circulated Notice of Availability: Clearinghouse

30 Day Comment Period

EA and FONSI

Managing the Environmental & Project Development Process Presented by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation