TEA-21: National Corridor Planning and Development Program and the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program

	TEA-21 - Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century *Moving Americans into the 21st Century*

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One DOT Listening Session:
Planning and Environment
Providence, Rhode Island
November 6, 1998

The U.S. Department of Transportation will conduct a listening session relating to the planning and environmental aspects of the recently enacted Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The goal of this session is to provide persons and organizations who are outside the Federal government with an opportunity to recommend to the DOT how it should implement TEA-21. The DOT anticipates hearing a variety of viewpoints concerning what the language of TEA-21 means and concerning the appropriate mechanism for administering the law: through regulations, guidance, or perhaps administering directly from the statutory language. The Department also invites comments concerning how the changes brought about by TEA-21 should be integrated with other laws and regulations which did not change.

Format: At the session, top level DOT officials will listen to invited speakers' comments regarding how the Department should implement the planning and environmental provisions of TEA-21. The session format will provide for audience comments, but, due to time constraints, the opportunity may be limited. A preliminary agenda is attached. This meeting will be held at the Providence Marriott Hotel, Charles and Orms Streets, Providence, RI 02904.

For further information: Contact the FHWA's Environmental Operations Division at 202-366-0106 or the Metropolitan Planning Division at 202-366-4044.

One DOT Listening Session:
Planning and Environment
Providence, Rhode Island
November 6, 1998

8:30 AM Registration

9:00 AM Welcome, Introductions, Opening Remarks

10:00 AM Panel A - Integrating Planning and Environment
(10 minutes per panelist, then audience comments)
Panelists will focus on the items of cross-over interest between planning and environment: integrated decisionmaking (including environmental streamlining and MIS integration); NEPA "fire-wall " in planning vs. using NEPA in planning; environmental area/factor in planning; transportation and community and system preservation pilot.

11:30 AM Lunch Break

1:00 PM Panel B - Planning Issues
(10 minutes per panelist, then audience comments)
Panelists will focus on key issues in the planning process, e.g., illustrative projects, MIS, streamlining of planning factors, coordination of federally funded non-emergency services, involvement of non-metropolitan local officials, retention of planning area boundaries in relation to air quality boundaries, project selection, consideration of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, etc.

2:30 PM Break

2:45 PM Panel C - Environmental Issues
(10 minutes per panelist, then audience comments)
Panelists will focus comments on a variety of TEA-21 related environmental issues, including: CMAQ; transportation and transit enhancements; STP and NHS funding eligibility for environmental items; clean vehicle initiatives; environmental research; environmental issues relating to design build, consultant selection, innovative financing projects, high priority projects, and early acquisition; and bicycle and pedestrian projects.

4:00 PM Open Mike

5:00 PM Adjourn

TEA-21 Home | DOT Home | Calendar of Events United States Department of Transportation

8:30 AM	Registration
9:00 AM	Welcome, Introductions, Opening Remarks
10:00 AM	Panel A - Integrating Planning and Environment (10 minutes per panelist, then audience comments) Panelists will focus on the items of cross-over interest between planning and environment: integrated decisionmaking (including environmental streamlining and MIS integration); NEPA "fire-wall " in planning vs. using NEPA in planning; environmental area/factor in planning; transportation and community and system preservation pilot.
11:30 AM	Lunch Break
1:00 PM	Panel B - Planning Issues (10 minutes per panelist, then audience comments) Panelists will focus on key issues in the planning process, e.g., illustrative projects, MIS, streamlining of planning factors, coordination of federally funded non-emergency services, involvement of non-metropolitan local officials, retention of planning area boundaries in relation to air quality boundaries, project selection, consideration of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, etc.
2:30 PM	Break
2:45 PM	Panel C - Environmental Issues (10 minutes per panelist, then audience comments) Panelists will focus comments on a variety of TEA-21 related environmental issues, including: CMAQ; transportation and transit enhancements; STP and NHS funding eligibility for environmental items; clean vehicle initiatives; environmental research; environmental issues relating to design build, consultant selection, innovative financing projects, high priority projects, and early acquisition; and bicycle and pedestrian projects.
4:00 PM	Open Mike
5:00 PM	Adjourn