During the project development process, the environmental impacts of proposed projects are identified and evaluated. These impacts to sensitive resources should be avoided or, if unavoidable, minimized and mitigated. Many decisions are made throughout the project development process in relation to environmental impacts.

During the project development process, the environmental impacts of proposed projects are identified and evaluated. These impacts to sensitive resources should be avoided or, if unavoidable, minimized and mitigated. Many decisions are made throughout the project development process in relation to environmental impacts. A project's environmental commitments - which are contained in either the document required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or in the project's mandated permits - represent how these environmental impacts will be avoided, minimized, and mitigated. Environmental mitigation and enhancements have become integral parts of the preliminary project-planning component of the NEPA process. However, it is in the implementation of these commitments that the benefits of an environmentally based planning process are realized. State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) offer examples of how best to meet environmental commitments. Often their experience with resource-specific issues and implementation practices has allowed them to gain the trust of the public and resource agencies and to further build on environmental stewardship efforts.

Recognizing this State DOT expertise and the importance of successful implementation of environmental commitments to both transportation and environmental agencies, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored an effort to review and gather best practices in this area. The FHWA Office of Project Development and Environmental Review conducted a domestic scan to review selected successful State processes, procedures, and methodologies for implementing environmental commitments. Between September and December 2002, the domestic scan team participated in four trips and visited seven States.

External Links:

More Information: environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/domScanRpt/index.htm