129.12 Glossary of Terms

Categorical Exclusion (CE): 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 (NEPA), and for which neither an environmental assessment or 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 have any significant environmental impacts either individually or cumulatively.

Emergency situation: A health or other emergency situation as declared by the Governor, and/or President, and/or a local government jurisdiction which determines an in-person public hearing and/or in-person inspection of documents should be limited out of concerns for public health and/or safety, and/or MoDOT in coordination with FHWA determines that an in-person public hearing should not be held out of concerns for public health or safety.

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 (EIS) or a finding of no significant impact (FONSI).

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 after the completion of an EA it is determined there will be no significant impacts on the quality of the environment, a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) will be prepared to conclude the process and document the decision.

Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Individuals who cannot speak, read, write, or understand the English language at a level that permits them to interact effectively.

Location Study: Prepared to determine the most advantageous location for a proposed highway improvement based on project purpose and need and on engineering and environmental constraints. The location study and the environmental analysis are developed concurrently.

Low-Income: A person whose median household income is at or below the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines.

Low-Income Population: Readily identifiable groups of low-income persons who live in geographic proximity, and if circumstances warrant, geographically dispersed/transient person (such as migrant workers or Native Americans), who will be similarly affected by a proposed DOT program, policy, or activity.

Major Infrastructure Project: An infrastructure project for which multiple Federal authorizations will be required to proceed with construction, the lead Federal agency has determined that it will prepare an EIS under NEPA, and the project sponsor has identified the reasonable availability of funds sufficient to complete the project.

Minority: A person who is:

(1) Black: a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa;

(2) Hispanic or Latino: a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race;

(3) Asian American: a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent;

(4) American Indian and Alaskan Native: a person having origins in any of the original people of North America, South America (including Central America), and who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition; or

(5) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

Minority Population: Any readily identifiable groups of minority persons who live in geographic proximity, and if circumstances warrant, geographically dispersed/transient person (such as migrant workers or Native Americans) who will be similarly affected by a proposed Department of Transportation (DOT) program, policy or activity.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Requirement of Federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. Under the NEPA process, agencies evaluate the environmental and related social and economic effects of their proposed actions and provide opportunities for public review and comment on those evaluations. NEPA applies to a broad range of federal actions that include, but are not limited to, constructing highways and other publicly owned facilities, adopting federal land management actions, and federal permitting.

Notice of Intent (NOI): A notice published in the federal register that an environmental impact statement will be prepared and considered.

Pre-Location Study Meeting: A meeting conducted for projects that require an EA, EIS, or CE2 held prior to the preparation of a location study/environmental report or conceptual study, or a CE2 to gain public input on the draft purpose and need, the range of alternatives and the impact on the local communities and the environmental of the area.

Programmatic Agreement (PA): A document that spells out details the terms of a formal, legally binding agreement between a state DOT and other state, local and/or federal agencies.

Programmatic CE (PCE): An agreement between FHWA and the State DOT to make Categorical Exclusions (CE), (most of which are listed under 23 CFR Part 771.117(d)), more efficient and faster. The PCE agreement allows the State DOT to document, review, and approve CEs without requiring FHWA Division Office review in order to proceed to the next step of the project development process.

Public Hearing: 23 U.S.C. 128. A public gathering for the express purpose of informing and soliciting input from interested individuals regarding transportation issues. Federal requirements apply such as a legal advertisement, prescribed time for notice before the hearing, and full account of all comments and response to comments.

• A formal hearing consists of an opening statement, a period for statements and questions from the public, and a closing statement.
• An open house format public hearing is one where the public can come and go and are able to ask questions of project representatives as well as a station where public comments can be officially recorded. Visual aids, display and handouts are often provided.
• Required for significant amounts of right-of-way, substantially changes the layout or functions of connecting roadways or of the facility being improved, has substantial adverse impact on abutting property, other has a substantial social, economic, environmental or other effect, or for which FHWA determines that a public hearing is in the public interest.

Public Involvement (PI): An integral part of the transportation process which helps to ensure decisions are made in consideration of and to benefit public needs and preferences. It involves seeking public input at key points in the decision-making process where such input has a real potential to help shape the final decision or set of actions. This includes early and continuing opportunities during project development for the public to be involved in the identification of social, economic, and environmental impacts, as well as impacts associated with relocation of individuals, groups, or institutions.

Public Involvement Plan (PIP): An announced meeting conducted by transportation officials designed to facilitate participation in the decision-making process and to assist the public in gaining an informed view of a proposed project at any level of the transportation project development process; also, such a gathering may be referred to as a public information meeting.

Public Meeting: A public gathering for the express purpose of informing and soliciting input from interested individuals regarding transportation issues. There are no formal requirements and can be tailored to meet department or community needs.

Purpose and Need: A clear and well documented section of an EIS or EA or some CEs defining the need for the project and how that need will be fulfilled. The purpose and need drive the development of the range of alternatives.

Virtual Public Involvement (VPI): The use of digital technology to engage individuals or to visualize projects and plans.