Difference between revisions of "127.26 Environmental Classification"

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(EPG article "Environmental Classification" (article from 2007, no appreciable history; 1991 hits) moved to EPG 127.26.)
 
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MoDOT projects are assigned an Environmental Classification as part of the NEPA process by the FHWA based on the magnitude of impact that the project will have on the environment
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MoDOT projects are assigned an Environmental Classification as part of the NEPA process based on the magnitude of impact that the project will have on the environment.
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'''Categorical Exclusion ([[127.14 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Classification and Documents#127.14.3.1 Categorical Exclusion|Programmatic CE,  CE2]]):''' A category of actions that, based on past experience with similar actions, do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required. They are actions which: do not induce significant impacts to planned growth or land use for the area, do not require the relocation of significant numbers of people; do not have a significant impact on any natural, cultural, recreational, historic or other resource; do not involve significant air, noise, or water quality impacts; do not have significant impacts on travel patterns; and do not otherwise, either individually or cumulatively, have any significant environmental impacts.
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'''Environmental Assessment [[127.14 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Classification and Documents#127.14.3.2 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.
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'''Environmental Impact Statement [[127.14 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Classification and Documents#127.14.3.3 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.
  
'''Categorical Exclusion [[127.14 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Classification and Documents#127.14.3.1 Categorical Exclusion|(Programmatic CE, CE, CE2)]]''':  This designation is used for relatively small projects where little or no measurable environmental impact will occur.  These projects may or may not require Section 106 clearance and may have Section 4(f) evaluation concerns.  Submission of the [[127.1 Request for Environmental Services|RES]] to Headquarters Design will initiate any required cultural resource studies.  Additional RES forms are submitted at each project milestone or when the project scope or footprint changes.
 
  
'''Environmental Assessment [[127.14 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Classification and Documents#127.14.3.2 Environmental Assessment|(EA)]]''':  This NEPA document is used to determine whether the project will have significant environmental impacts.  If the project is found to have significant impacts, then an Environmental Impact Statement requiring additional study is prepared.  If the project is determined not to have significant impacts then the NEPA process is terminated with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).  In some cases, the cultural resources obligations are discharged in the EA process but generally a survey will be conducted once the right of way required for the project has been determined.  Submission of the RES to Headquarters Design will initiate any required cultural resource studies.  Additional RES forms are submitted at each project milestone or when the project scope or footprint changes.
 
  
'''Environmental impact statement [[127.14 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Classification and Documents#127.14.3.3 Environmental Impact Statement|(EIS)]]''':  This is a detailed NEPA document developed to study the project impacts when a project is determined to have significant impact on the environment.  This process concludes with the Record of Decision (ROD).  In some cases, the cultural resources obligations are discharged in the EIS process but generally a survey will be conducted once the right of way required for the project has been determined.  Submission of the RES to Headquarters Design will initiate any required cultural resource studies.  Additional RES forms are submitted at each project milestone or when the project scope or footprint changes.
 
  
  
 
[[Category:127 MoDOT and the Environment|127.26]]
 
[[Category:127 MoDOT and the Environment|127.26]]

Latest revision as of 13:48, 4 March 2020

MoDOT projects are assigned an Environmental Classification as part of the NEPA process based on the magnitude of impact that the project will have on the environment.

Categorical Exclusion (Programmatic CE, CE2): A category of actions that, based on past experience with similar actions, do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required. They are actions which: do not induce significant impacts to planned growth or land use for the area, do not require the relocation of significant numbers of people; do not have a significant impact on any natural, cultural, recreational, historic or other resource; do not involve significant air, noise, or water quality impacts; do not have significant impacts on travel patterns; and do not otherwise, either individually or cumulatively, have any significant environmental impacts.

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.