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Environmental Scoping Guidance

Environmental Scoping Guidance. Jerry Vogt Region Environmental Coordinator ODOT – Region 3. Objectives. Raise awareness of the potential for environmental permits and clearances Identify the types of permits and clearances that might be required

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Environmental Scoping Guidance

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  1. Environmental Scoping Guidance Jerry Vogt Region Environmental Coordinator ODOT – Region 3

  2. Objectives • Raise awareness of the potential for environmental permits and clearances • Identify the types of permits and clearances that might be required • Identify the types of construction activities that may trigger the need for additional study or a permit

  3. Session Topics • Benefits of Environmental Scoping • Types of resources that require permits/clearances • Activities that trigger permits and clearances

  4. Benefits of Environmental Scoping • Better cost estimates when preparing grant applications or funding requests • Gives project team an idea of the types of environmental disciplines that will be needed • Aids in preparation of prospectus Part 3 • Used in the development of scopes of work for environmental consultants • Better avoidance/minimization of impacts • ELIMINATES SURPRISES!!!

  5. Air Quality Archaeology Biology Floodplain/Floodway Land Use Hazardous Materials Historic Resources Parks 4(f) and 6(f) Traffic Noise Socioeconomic/ Environmental Justice Visual Resources Water Quality Wetlands Waterways Other Permits Environmental Disciplines

  6. Environmental Disciplines • The environmental disciplines needed for a project will depend on the size and type of project and the resources present • Focus of this presentation is on CatEx projects

  7. Air Quality In Air Quality Maintenance or Non-Attainment Area • Regional air quality analysis (Usually done by MPO) • Project-level air quality analysis • Signalization • Channelization • Add capacity

  8. Archaeology • Projects that involve any ground disturbing activities • Includes work within existing roadways and previously disturbed areas • Surveys include pedestrian, subsurface probing, construction monitoring & data recovery

  9. Biology • Evaluate impacts to listed species • No Effect • Biological Assessment • Programmatic BO • Listed Fish: • Work within stream channel will likely require BA or Programmatic BO • BA could be needed to assess stormwater impacts

  10. Biology, continued • Listed Plants • Plant surveys are needed for projects involving ground disturbing activities • Biological Evaluation and consultation with USFWS needed if project will impact listed plants • Listed Wildlife • BA needed if project is located within or near critical habitat Even if project has no effect, documentation is still required to justify determination

  11. Floodplain/Floodway • Projects that involve work within a floodplain may require review/approval by local planning department • May require hydraulic analysis

  12. Land Use Projects that: • impact protected land use zonings (Exclusive Farm Use, Open Space Reserve, Forest) • displace buildings • construct new road through resource lands • create new land parcels

  13. Hazardous Materials • All projects should be evaluated for the presence of hazardous materials • Level of evaluation will be determined by proximity of known sites or probability of contamination of project area • Can include asbestos or lead paint on old bridges or in old buildings

  14. Historic Resources • All projects should be evaluated for historic resources • Any buildings, bridges or other structures over 50 years old may be historic • Documentation requirements will vary depending on presence/absence of resources and severity of impacts

  15. Parks – 4(f) and 6(f) 4(f) Evaluation needed for: • Projects that receive FHWA funding and • “Use” parks, wildlife refuges, recreational areas and historic sites 6(f) Evaluation needed for: • Conversion of lands that have received LWC funds These evaluations can require extensive coordination with FHWA, resource managers and National Park Service

  16. Traffic Noise • Significant shift in horizontal or vertical alignment of highway • Construction of new roadway on a new alignment • Removal of noise-shielding topographic features • Construction of additional through travel lanes that increase capacity

  17. Socioeconomic/Environmental Justice • Benefits of a project should be stated • Project should be evaluated to determine if there are disproportionate adverse impacts to Environmental Justice populations (low-income, minority, elderly) • Determine if project will disrupt or divide an established community or neighborhood.

  18. Visual Resources Coordination on visual resources may be needed for projects: • Within a State Scenic Waterway Corridor (OPRD) • Within a Wild and Scenic River Corridor (BLM/USFS) • Within a Scenic Byway (BLM/USFS/ODF)

  19. Water Quality Stormwater Management Plan • Project requires Corps permit • Project adds impervious surface area • Changes runoff patterns to receiving waterways • May need to include both water quality treatment and detention

  20. Wetlands • Wetland determination • Wetland delineation (for unavoidable wetland impacts) • Corps/DSL Permits • Compensatory Wetland Mitigation

  21. Waterways • Includes streams, some ditches, irrigation canals, lakes • Permits are required for placement of fill material or removal of material (Corps/DSL) • Instream Work Period

  22. Other Permits & Approvals • Fish Passage Plan Approval (ODFW) • Tree Removal Permits • Riparian Vegetation Permits • Noise variance for night work • Farmland Conversion Impact Rating (NRCS) • 1200-C Permit for construction (DEQ)

  23. Summary • With few exceptions, all Federal Aid projects will require some type of documentation for historic resources, archaeology, biology, Hazmat, and water quality • For more information on environmental permits and clearances, refer to the Local Agency Guidelines Manual at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/LGS/Certification.shtml#LAG_Manual

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