126.5 Location Study Procedures
126.5.1 Location Study with CE or CE2 Environmental Classification
Two completed copies of the LS are signed by the preparer and sent to the Design Division for review. The Design Division reviews the LS sending any significant comments to the district engineer in letter form. The district reviews the comments and provides their final recommendations to the district engineer. The study, with all recommendations, is provided to the district engineer for approval. A section is included, following the preparer's signature, for the recommendation or comments and signature of the district engineer. If necessary to add more detail, the district engineer's comments may be included with a separate letter.
Three approved copies of the LS (one for Design’s file, one for Design Environmental and one for FHWA) are submitted to Design Division. A copy of the approved LS is sent to the FHWA with the CE2 form for comment and approval. Once the FHWA approves the CE classification, the district is advised to hold a location public hearing if required or advisable. Preliminary plan design can then begin. If the FHWA reclassifies the project as an EA, the following procedures are used.
126.5.2 Location Study with an EA or EIS Environmental Classification
The LS is written into the EA/EIS as an element of the environmental document. District environmental documents and any location study are not individually prepared because they are redundant. Design Division and district personnel review the completed draft study. Once they review all comments made concerning the draft study, a final draft study is prepared. The final draft study must include a draft Section 4(f) evaluation if applicable. This study is sent to the State Design Engineer for review. The Design Division discusses alternate locations with MoDOT upper management and/or the commission as needed based on the complexity of the project. A copy is then sent to the FHWA for comment and approval. Once the FHWA signs the EA or Draft EIS, the district holds a location public hearing and provides a transcript of the hearing for review by the Design Division and the FHWA so substantive comments can be addressed in the FONSI or final EIS. The location public hearing cannot be scheduled until FHWA has signed the EA or Draft EIS. The district provides a transcript of the hearing with recommendations and summary to the Design Division for consideration in the FONSI or final EIS document. Phase I and Phase II archaeology, if needed, and wetland delineation must be completed on the preferred alternative prior to the EA or final EIS being completed. The district must obtain property owner permission prior to archaeological work. In addition, the FONSI or final EIS must include the final Section 4(f) evaluation if applicable. The final document may be discussed with MoDOT upper management and/or the commission by Design Division as needed. This study will then be sent to the FHWA for approval. Upon receipt of the FHWA's approval of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for an EA or of a Record of Decision (ROD) for an EIS, the district engineer will present the study to the commission for their final location approval. Detailed design can then begin. (There will be approximately a 45-day period between the final EIS being approved by the FHWA and the preparation and approval of the ROD.)
The district is responsible for reproduction of all attachments to the LS report for the Design Division through distribution of the final document. In some instances this may involve approximately 100 copies of the exhibits. The district will coordinate this with the Design Division during the preparation of the report and exhibits.