Integrating Environmental Justice Into DOT Programs

1. Integrating Environmental Justice Into DOT Programs Gloria Shepherd Director, Office of Human Environment Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation

2. U.S. DOT Policy on Environmental Justice • Longstanding Policy to • Ensure nondiscrimination in Federally funded activities • Continuing Policy to • Identify and prevent high and adverse human health and environmental impacts • Ensure nondiscrimination in receipt of benefits • Meaningful public involvement

3. Integrating Title VI and EJ into Planning and NEPA • Ensure low-income and minority communities’ issues have been identified and addressed in transportation activities • Ensure opportunities for meaningful public involvement • Provide examples and tools for integration

4. Upcoming Planning and NEPA Activities • Planning Assistance • NEPA Guidance • Other EJ Products

5. Planning Assistance • Provides assistance with implementing the October 7, 1999 memorandum for Title VI requirements in planning • Presents a Q and A format accompanied with examples and tools • Highlights the Q’s and A’s for a RTP, TIP, UPWP and Certification

6. NEPA Guidance • Provides a framework for integrating Title VI and EJ into each step of the NEPA process by: • Identifying key issues • Suggesting appropriate public involvement techniques • Providing specific examples of data needs

7. Summary • DOT is committed to fully integrating EJ into its programs-Planning and Project Development • DOT wants to have partnerships with both transportation community and community-based organizations.