Environmental Requirements for Transportation Enhancement Projects
Whether you’re thinking about applying for Transportation Enhancement funds or have received notification your Enhancement project application has been awarded funds, Sponsors should become familiar with the environmental requirements associated with these projects.
Because each Enhancement project is federally funded, a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document, often called an “Environmental Document” is required before any land acquisition or construction can begin. The NEPA document is an “umbrella” document that demonstrates compliance with a number of different environmental laws, regulations, and Executive orders, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (sometimes referred to as “cultural resources”), the Clean Water Act, and many others.
When a Sponsor enters into a Project Administration Agreement with VDOT for an Enhancement project, the agreement indicates the roles and responsibilities of each party. It is the responsibility of the Enhancement Sponsor to complete the environmental studies necessary to allow FHWA to approve the environmental document for the project. VDOT will verify to FHWA that the environmental documentation is complete and valid at several points in project development, so close coordination between the Sponsor and the VDOT District Environmental Manager will be necessary. Please remember, any land acquisition or construction activity performed prior to written approval of the environmental document by FHWA cannot be reimbursed!
VDOT understands environmental compliance may be new to Enhancement Sponsors and recommends contacting the appropriate VDOT District Environmental Manager for technical advice and guidance related to environmental compliance. However, all required documentation (environmental documents, reports, agency correspondence, forms, etc.) should be sent to the VDOT Enhancement Project Coordinator, with a copy provided to the VDOT District Environmental Manager. You will be informed who the VDOT Enhancement Project Coordinator is upon notification of a successful Enhancement application.
If you have questions about the Enhancement Program, please contact the VDOT Local Assistance Division, Enhancement Program staff.
- Environmental Document Preparation
- Cultural Resource Coordination
- Water Quality & Natural Resource Coordination
- Hazardous Materials Coordination
- Enhancement Sponsor - Environmental Checklist
Forms:
- Project Early Notification form (EQ-429) – must be completed to initiate State Environmental Review Process (SERP)
- NEPA Documentation Concurrence form – must be completed to initiate NEPA documentation
- Categorical Exclusion Form – type of NEPA documentation
- Programmatic Categorical Exclusion form– type of NEPA documentation
- Water Quality Permits and Natural Resource Due Diligence Certification form (EQ-555) – must be completed by Sponsor and submitted to VDOT
- Hazardous Materials Due Diligence Certification form (EQ-121) – must be completed by Sponsor and submitted to VDOT
Guidance:
- VDOT District Environmental Manager Contacts
- NEPA Documentation Concurrence form Guidance – guidance on completing NEPA form
- Categorical Exclusion Form Guidance – guidance on completing CE form
- Programmatic Categorical Exclusion form guidance – guidance on completing PCE form
- Right-of-Way Reevaluation –completed by VDOT Environmental Manager prior to Enhancement project authorization for Right-of-Way purchase. Agency coordination allows this to be completed.
- Plans, Specifications & Estimates Reevaluation –completed by VDOT Environmental Manager prior to Enhancement project authorization for construction. Agency coordination allows this to be completed.
- Environmental Certification –completed by VDOT Environmental Manager prior to Enhancement project authorization for construction. Agency coordination information allows this to be completed.
- State/Federal Agency links – links to state/federal regulatory agencies
Related links:
- FHWA Enhancement Website – guidance information
- American's with Disabilities Act
- FHWA's policy on ADA – directly related to Enhancement Projects
- National Transportation Enhancement Clearinghouse
- Environmental Document Preparation
- Cultural Resource Coordination
- Water Quality Permits and Natural Resource Coordination
- Hazardous Materials Coordination
- Enhancement Sponsor Checklist
