Details
Type: Directive
Topic or Program: Environmental | NEPA
Final Number: GE10-01(D)
Effective Date: 05/05/2010
Updated Date: 04/28/2020
Signature on File: Susan Haupt, Environmental & Hydraulic Engineering Section Manager
Purpose
The purpose of this directive is to provide guidance for drafting Environmental Impact
Statements (EIS) for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Class I projects in order to
meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Guidance
The EIS Annotated Template applies to ODOT and local government projects with an FHWA nexus and requiring an EIS due to the creation of significant environmental impacts. This guidance supersedes EIS guidance contained in pages 62-68 of the Environmental Procedures Manual, Volume 1.
Definitions
- Environmental Impact Statement
- An EIS is a document required by NEPA for federal
government agency actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.”
- FHWA Nexus
- The project is receiving FHWA funding or needs some kind of
FHWA approval (e.g., interstate access).
Background/Reference
ODOT continually strives to improve the environmental review and permitting process while
meeting environmental stewardship goals and meeting the spirit and intent of environmental
laws and regulations. The quality of NEPA documents has been identified as an area that
needs to be strengthened to ensure that ODOT prepares clear and consistent EIS documents
that meet FHWA expectations, reduces the amount of time and cost associated with EIS
review and revision, and is compliant with environmental laws.
NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare EISs for major federal actions that significantly
affect the quality of the human environment. An EIS is a full disclosure document that
describes the problem to be solved, includes consideration of a reasonable range of alternatives, describes the affected environment, analyzes the potential impacts resulting
from the alternatives, describes mitigation measures to be implemented, and demonstrates
compliance with other applicable environmental laws and executive orders. Ultimately, the
purpose of an EIS is to provide decision-makers with the proper context to make informed
decisions.
A NEPA EIS Annotated Template has been developed by ODOT and the FHWA to be used
by project teams to help improve the environmental review and permitting process.
Explanation
This EIS Annotated Template serves as both a template and guidance document for project
teams that are preparing an EIS. The annotated template is color-coded in order to delineate
EIS headings and subheadings, to provide boilerplate and sample text, and to highlight both
regular and special attention guidance to the EIS preparers. Links to references are provided
at the end of the sections.
The intent is to update the EIS Annotated Template when enough pertinent information is
received from project teams to warrant an update. Therefore, when a project team uses the
EIS Annotated Template, the version and date should be noted.
Responsibilities
This guidance will primarily affect Environmental Project Managers, Region Environmental
Managers, and Project Leaders.
Action Required