126.7 Glossary of Terms
Corridor: A band of varying width, different for each project, that is used in the environmental document to represent the study alternatives. The corridor is wide enough to accommodate the maximum expected right of way plus contains adequate room to allow for minor modifications of the alignment.
Environmental Assessment (EA): A concise public document prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), that briefly discusses the purpose and need for an action, alternatives to such action, and provides sufficient evidence and analysis of impacts to determine whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no significant impact.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): A detailed written statement required by Section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), analyzing the environmental impacts of a proposed action, adverse effects of the project that cannot be avoided, alternative courses of action, short-term uses of the environment versus the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources.
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI): If it is determined that there will be no significant impacts, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be prepared to conclude the process and document the decision. A FONSI is issued when environmental analysis and interagency review during the EA process find a project to have no significant impacts on the quality of the environment.
Location Approval: Location approval is granted by the MHTC at one of its regular monthly meetings. Location approval cannot be granted until after a FONSI for an EA or a ROD for an EIS has been approved. For CE projects, an approved conceptual plan is required prior to location approval. For EA or EIS projects, location approval is required before final design can begin on the selected alternative.
Preferred Alternative: The alternative within the range of alternatives presented in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement that the agency believes would best fulfill the purpose and need of the proposed action.
Reasonable Range of Study Alternatives: The final study alternatives are presented and evaluated in the environmental document. They are the preliminary study alternatives that are found to satisfy the purpose and need and are the least environmentally, economically and socially damaging to the area. The final study alternatives are presented to the public at the Location Public Hearing.
Record of Decision (ROD): A concise public record of decision prepared by the federal agency, pursuant to NEPA, that contains a statement of the decision, identification of all alternatives considered, identification of the environmentally preferred alternative, a statement as to whether all practical means to avoid or minimize environmental harm from the alternative selected has been adopted (and if not, why), and a summary of monitoring and enforcement where applicable for any mitigation.
Selected Alternative: In an EA or EIS, the FONSI or ROD must declare a selected alternative. The preferred only becomes the selected after all comments have been addressed after the Location Public Hearing.
Study Area: The area defined at the beginning of a location study which is used by the environmental specialists for preliminary screening, scoping and early constraint identification.
Transportation Systems Management (TSM): Measures taken to improve the operation or efficiencies of an existing transportation facility, usually small scale improvements that focus on improving existing systems such as traffic signals or changes in access.