127.1 Request for Environmental Services

Forms

Request for Environmental Services (RES) Form. (This is the new electronic system.)

Instructions for the RES Form

127.1.1 Introduction

127.1.1.1 Overview

The Request for Environmental Services (RES) provides the Design Division staff the necessary information to obtain approvals and clearances from FHWA and the resource agencies (i.e., Corps of Engineers, Missouri Department of Natural Resources etc.), ensuring project compliance with state and federal regulations thus preventing project delays or stoppages. The district will submit an RES at each project development milestone (see EPG 127.1.2 Project Development Milestones) or at least once annually for all MoDOT projects.

127.1.1.2 Process

RES

RES is a Webform Application that sends an electronic copy to a selected group of Administration and Environmental/Historic Preservation staff for each district when submitted. The distribution ensures that the RES submissions do not wait on an individual who may be out of the office for an extended period of time. In addition to submitting the RES, the appropriate Design Liaison Engineer should be entered in as a district contact when submitted. The electronic application was developed for a faster submittal process and response from the Environmental/Historic Preservation staff.

The RES needs to be created, prepared and submitted when the information is ready for that stage of the project. Do not wait to submit the RES, for example, until the preliminary plans are sent for approval. Prepare the electronic RES and upload with attachments. Once completed, select the “Submit Request to Env. Services.” This will send an RES email to the selected Administration and Environmental/Historic Preservation Staff assigned to that District.

The Design Division staff will examine the RES and the project location to determine what environmental or historic preservation concerns, if any, are associated with the project. An RES response will be prepared and submitted by e-mail to the sender of the RES and the project manager. The Design Division keeps copies of all RES-related correspondence on file.

A response will be prepared and returned to the district in 30 days from the date an RES is received. This 30-day turn-around time could be affected by the completeness of the submitted RES, staff workload, and changing priorities. The RES response indicates identified concerns and advises the district of what actions remain to be accomplished by both district and design staff. The goal of this process is to position projects to be compliant with environmental law and regulation before letting.

Most projects will require RES submittals at all the major milestones or at least annually. Some projects involve activities that cause very little disruption to the natural and human environment. These projects will require only one RES submittal, as long as the scope and location of the project does not change and project construction begins within one year of the submittal. However, an RES must be submitted for any project that has had no activity for a year since the last RES. The types of projects that require only one RES to be submitted at final design stage, are those that involve:

• No excavation
• No soil disturbance
• No new or additional right of way (including donated right of way)
• No easements

The examples below are not an exhaustive list but illustrate the type of project activities that, if conducted properly, are considered to have minimal environmental impact. A single RES submittal is needed to alert Environmental staff to the project location and schedule. In a few cases, these projects may require that job special provisions (JSPs) be added to the construction contract or other special considerations; this is determined from the RES.

Types of Project Activities that Require Only One RES Submittal*
diamond grinding	resurfacing
traffic signals	pavement markings
contract level course	contract mowing
scrub seal	microsurfacing overlay
cold milling	chip and seal
lighting installation	full depth pavement repair
on-call guardrail repair	on-call fence repair
crack pouring and sealing	rumble strip milling
snow/ice removal	epoxy bridge deck sealing
striping	joint repair
*This list is for example only and does not include every possible project that may require only a single RES.

127.1.2 Project Development Milestones

Indicate the project’s current development milestone on the RES. The milestones are:

127.1.2.1 Initial Screening Stage

RES attachments required:

• 8½" x 11" location map (county map) and
• topographic map showing project limits—include quadrangle name.

At the initial project screening stage, Design Division staff will conduct initial constraints screening. When the RES response is prepared for this milestone, the NEPA environmental classification for the project may be determined. Depending on complexity, FHWA needs to review some projects before a NEPA classification can be assigned. Also at this stage, project core team members from the Design Division staff are selected.

127.1.2.2 Location/Conceptual Plan Stage

RES attachments required:

• 8½" x 11" location map (county map) and
• topographic map showing project limits—include quadrangle name;
• if available, preliminary plan sheets showing alternatives.

At the location/conceptual plan stage, we should have obtained or be well on the way toward gaining NEPA approval for a particular project. If NEPA has been completed and approved, environmental staff update the NEPA Approval Date field on the Right of Way and Construction Program Project Status software at this time. Other issues on-going at this stage include resource agency coordination and identification of potential wetland mitigation sites.

127.1.2.3 Preliminary Plans Stage

RES attachments required:

• 8½" x 11" location map (county map),
• topographic map showing project limits—include quadrangle name, and
• 11" x 17" preliminary plan sheets showing alternatives.

At this milestone, preliminary plans are approved and the project moves to detailed design. All NEPA approvals need to be in hand before preliminary plans are approved. Detailed design of the project cannot proceed without first obtaining NEPA approval or risk the loss of federal funds. Also at this stage, preparation of Section 404 permits begins, so the permit application is submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) between this milestone and right-of-way plans milestone.

127.1.2.4 Right of Way Plan Stage

RES attachments required:

• 8½" x 11" location map (county map),
• topographic map showing project limits—include quadrangle name, and
• 11" x 17" right of way plan sheets.

At the right-of-way plan stage, the Design Division staff continue to monitor the project for changes in location and scope, relying heavily on the district to highlight all changes in project scope or location, and further ensure that all permits or approvals are in hand or have been requested.

127.1.2.5 Final Design Stage

RES attachments required:

• 11" x 17" copy of final plans.

At final design stage, all environmental and historic preservation concerns are addressed as well as all permits and approvals obtained to enable project letting. If issues have been addressed and permits/approvals acquired, environmental staff can update the All Environmental Issues Finalized field on the Right of Way and Construction Program Project Status software. This field covers all environmental issues that do not have their own stand-alone field within the software (e.g., threatened or endangered species, public lands, or socioeconomic concerns). Cultural Resources and Section 404 have separate fields that can be updated by the project manager.