Note: This information was archived in April 2009. For the current information, see http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/related.asp.
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Linking Planning and Environment Needs
One of the first stages where a linkage can be made is to link the identification of needs in the transportation planning process with the Purpose & Need statement done under NEPA (see Exhibit H).
What Is the Linkage?
Develop a problem statement in the transportation planning process that can be used as the starting point for NEPA analysis.
Why Make the Linkage?
The problem statement would:
- Form a substantial core of the Purpose & Need statement required under NEPA (or its respective state environmental process).
- Communicate the context and justification for potential project concepts.
- Identify specific project concepts that will require special funding sources (e.g., tolls or public-private financing) for potential inclusion in the NEPA Purpose & Need statement.
- Save time in preparing and/or agreeing to the Purpose & Need portion of project development.
What to Consider?
- Difficulty in establishing acceptance of the concept by participants of the project development process at state DOTs and resource agencies.
- Difficulty fitting the systems level data into a NEPA defined Purpose & Need framework.
What Data Informs This Linkage?
Planning data may include information from the following:
- Background/history of the project
- Overall community vision
- Air quality context
- Justification of need
- Multi modal considerations
- Context sensitive concepts
- Roadway deficiency data
- Population and employment data; demographic trends
- Transportation demand and traffic forecasts
- Linkages to other community/state plans, other projects
- Identification of overall planning study area and any subarea relevant to the project
- Established management systems (e.g., congestion, pavement, bridge, safety)
- Documentation of public/stakeholder involvement process
Analysis and Documentation
Individual problem statement or early scoping reports for selected needs/potential projects included in the plan could include information on the following, primarily using GIS level environmental data:
- History of the problem
- Community vision context
- System needs
- Land use context
- Environmental context
- Public involvement
- Linkages to other plans and projects
- Recommended study area
- Multi modal considerations
- Air quality context
One of the most valuable aspects of the linkage between identification of needs and Purpose & Need is to document the potential contribution made by the specific project, especially as it relates to the system as a whole. In particular, the Purpose & Need Statement may need to include important contributions that this individual improvement is making to the functioning of the overall system. Examples include discussing the connectivity or congestion relief offered by the project. Data and analyses from long-range planning can be used to support the inclusion of these elements.
What Decisions Help Make the Linkage?
State and local planning agencies assess the community's transportation needs relative to system performance.
