Resource Agency Interests in Transportation Decision Making

Resource agency participation in the decision making consistently ensures the process:

·         Includes conservation planning to the extent possible.

·         Is inclusive of the public and stakeholders.

·         Conforms to environmental regulations.

·         Is based on factual information and reasonable assumptions.

In specific phases there are additional interests as listed below.

Long Range Transportation Planning

Ensure that the long range planning process/resulting plan:

·        Incorporates and documents large scale avoidance and minimization.

·        Considers indirect and cumulative impacts/land use issues.

Corridor Planning

Ensure that the corridor planning process/resulting plan:

·        Is consistent with any agreements made in long range planning and can inform NEPA.

·        Provides clear expectations of how the results of environmental review can be used.

·        Broad geographic scale information is obtained and shared.

Programming Integrated with Fiscal Constraint

Ensure programming and the resulting TIP/STIP:

·        Consider the environmental issues identified in setting cost and schedule.

·        Provide a project description adequate for resource agencies to identify when their input is needed.

·        Accurately reflect the plans/intent of the state/MPO.

Environmental Review

Ensure the environmental review process/environmental document:

·        Addresses a true need/deficiency.

·        Is based on an agreement among all partners as to the content of the NEPA document.

·        Follows an appropriate sequence - avoid, minimize, mitigate.

·        Is coordinated with other permitting requirements.