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Tennessee Environmental Procedures Manual

TDOT Environmental Procedures Manual

Table of Contents

  1. 1.0 Environmental Regulations and The Environmental Evaluation Process
    1. 1.1 Federal Regulations
      1. 1.1.1 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
      2. 1.1.2 Council on Environmental Quality
      3. 1.1.3 Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact and Related Procedures
      4. 1.1.4 SAFETEA-LU 2005
      5. 1.1.5 Other Regulations Related to NEPA
    2. 1.2 TDOT's Environmental Review Process
      1. 1.2.1 TDOT Environmental Division
      2. 1.2.2 TDOT's NEPA Process
      3. 1.2.3 TDOT's Program, Project and Resource Management (PPRM) Plan
    3. 1.3 Environmental Evaluation of State-Funded Projects
    4. 1.4 SMART Delivery Management System
      1. 1.4.1 Integration of Transportation Planning and Project Delivery
      2. 1.4.2 Linking the Environmental Review and Permitting Processes through a Multi-agency Collaborative Decision Making Process
      3. 1.4.3 Ensuring and Monitoring the Fulfillment of Commitments across the Transportation Lifecycle
      4. 1.4.4 SDMS Components
    5. 1.5 Environmental Document Quality Training
  2. 2.0 project identification and Development
    1. 2.1 TDOT's Project Development Process
      1. 2.1.1 Long Range Planning
      2. 2.1.2 Project Planning
    2. 2.2 Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)
    3. 2.3 Defining the Project
      1. 2.3.1 Purpose and Need
      2. 2.3.2 Logical Termini and Independent Utility
        1. 2.3.2.1 Development of Logical Termini
        2. 2.3.2.2 Demonstrating Independent Utility
      3. 2.3.3 Defining the Study Area
    4. 2.4 Development and Consideration of Alternatives
      1. 2.4.1 Preliminary Alternatives Development and Refinement
    5. 2.5 Early Project Planning Coordination
      1. 2.5.1 Interdisciplinary Project Planning Team
      2. 2.5.2 Interagency Coordination
      3. 2.5.3 Development of Study Area Inventory and Base Mapping
  3. 3.0 NEPA Process Options
    1. 3.1 Classes of Action
      1. 3.1.1 Significance
        1. 3.1.1.1 Context
        2. 3.1.1.2 Intensity
    2. 3.2 Project Initiation and Determination of Class of Action
    3. 3.3 Administrative Record
    4. 3.4 Environmental Impact Statement
    5. 3.5 Categorical Exclusions
      1. 3.5.1 "C" List CEs
      2. 3.5.2 "D" List CEs
      3. 3.5.3 Programmatic CEs
      4. 3.5.4 Unusual Circumstances
    6. 3.6 Environmental Assessments
  4. 4.0 Early coordination
    1. 4.1 Environmental Review Process
      1. 4.1.1 Project Initiation
      2. 4.1.2 Participating Agencies
      3. 4.1.3 Opportunities for Involvement in Purpose and Need and Alternatives Definition
      4. 4.1.4 Coordination Plan
    2. 4.2 Notice of Intent and Scoping
      1. 4.2.1 Notice of Intent
      2. 4.2.2 Scoping
    3. 4.3 Coordination Packages
      1. 4.3.1 Project Data Summary Sheet
      2. 4.3.2 Exhibits
      3. 4.3.3 General Transmittal Letter
      4. 4.3.4 Special Initial Coordination Letters
        1. 4.3.4.1 Farmland Initial Coordination with Natural Resource Conservation Service
        2. 4.3.4.2 Section 106 Initial Coordination
        3. 4.3.4.3 Cooperating Agencies Invitation
        4. 4.3.4.4 Participating Agencies Invitation
      5. 4.3.5 Coordination List
    4. 4.4 Lead, Cooperating, and Participating Agencies
      1. 4.4.1 Lead Agencies
      2. 4.4.2 Cooperating Agencies
      3. 4.4.3 Participating Agencies
    5. 4.5 Tennessee Environmental Streamlining Agreement
  5. 5.0 Impact Analysis
    1. 5.1 Types of Impacts
      1. 5.1.1 Definition of Impact
        1. 5.1.1.1 Direct Effects
        2. 5.1.1.2 Indirect and Cumulative Impacts
        3. 5.1.1.3 Level of Impact
    2. 5.2 Records Check in Early Project Planning Phase
      1. 5.2.1 Cultural Resources
      2. 5.2.2 Natural Resources
      3. 5.2.3 Hazardous Materials
      4. 5.2.4 Environmental Justice
      5. 5.2.5 Map Review
    3. 5.3 Technical Studies and Other Impact Analyses
      1. 5.3.1 Overview
      2. 5.3.2 Cultural Resources (Section 106 and Section 4(f))
        1. 5.3.2.1 Applicable Regulations
        2. 5.3.2.2 Agency Coordination and Public Involvement
        3. 5.3.2.3 Study Process for Architectural/Historical Resources
        4. 5.3.2.4 Study Process for Archaeological Resources
      3. 5.3.3 Natural Resources
        1. 5.3.3.1 Applicable Regulations
        2. 5.3.3.2 Study Process for Natural Resources
      4. 5.3.4 Noise
        1. 5.3.4.1 Legislation, Regulations and Policies
        2. 5.3.4.2 Qualifications Necessary to Conduct Noise Studies
        3. 5.3.4.3 Definitions
        4. 5.3.4.4 Traffic Noise Terminology
        5. 5.3.4.5 Noise Study Requirements
        6. 5.3.4.6 Noise Study Methodology and Procedures
        7. 5.3.4.7 Noise Technical Report
        8. 5.3.4.8 Noise Section of Environmental Document
        9. 5.3.4.9 Final Noise Abatement Decisions
        10. 5.3.4.10 Final Noise Barrier Design
        11. 5.3.4.11 Construction Noise
      5. 5.3.5 Air Quality
        1. 5.3.5.1 Applicable Legislation and Regulations
        2. 5.3.5.2 Air Quality Study Methodology and Procedures
        3. 5.3.5.3 Air Quality Technical Report
        4. 5.3.5.4 Air Quality Section of Environmental Document
      6. 5.3.6 Hazardous Materials
        1. 5.3.6.1 Applicable Regulations
        2. 5.3.6.2 Study Process for Hazardous Materials
      7. 5.3.7 Conceptual Stage Relocation Plan
        1. 5.3.7.1 Applicable Regulations
        2. 5.3.7.2 Study Process for Relocations
        3. 5.3.7.3 Documentation
      8. 5.3.8 Soils and Geology Analysis
        1. 5.3.8.1 Applicable Regulations
        2. 5.3.8.2 Study Process for Soils and Geology
      9. 5.3.9 Sections 4(f) and 6(f) Analyses
        1. 5.3.9.1 Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act
        2. 5.3.9.2 Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act
        3. 5.3.9.3 Section 6(f) and 4(f) Differences
      10. 5.3.10 Other Impact Analyses
        1. 5.3.10.1 Social/Community Impacts
        2. 5.3.10.2 Environmental Justice and Non-discrimination
        3. 5.3.10.3 Economic and Business Impacts
        4. 5.3.10.4 Land Use Planning and Land Use Impacts
        5. 5.3.10.5 Farmland Impacts
        6. 5.3.10.6 Visual Quality Impacts
        7. 5.3.10.7 Traffic and Crash Impacts
        8. 5.3.10.8 Construction Impacts
        9. 5.3.10.9 Wild and Scenic Rivers Impacts
        10. 5.3.10.10 Floodplain Impacts
        11. 5.3.10.11 Pedestrian and Bicycle Considerations
        12. 5.3.10.12 Energy Impacts
        13. 5.3.10.13 Indirect and Cumulative Impacts
      11. 5.4 Refine Alternatives, as Warranted by Impact Findings
  6. 6.0 Prepare Environmental Documentation
    1. 6.1 Requirements for a Categorical Exclusion (CE)
      1. 6.1.1 "C" List CEs
      2. 6.1.2 "D" List CEs
      3. 6.1.3 Bridge CEs
      4. 6.1.4 CE Approval Process
      5. 6.1.5 CE Approval Process
    2. 6.2 Environmental Assessment (EA)
      1. 6.2.1 EA Process
      2. 6.2.2 EA Content
      3. 6.2.3 Sample EA Outline and Format
        1. 6.2.3.1 Required Elements
        2. 6.2.3.2 Mandatory EA Template
        3. 6.2.3.3 Checklist
      4. 6.2.4 EA Approval Process
      5. 6.2.5 Public and Agency Review and Comments
      6. 6.2.6 Selection of the Preferred Alternative
    3. 6.3 Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
      1. 6.3.1 Preparation of FONSI Document
        1. 6.3.1.1 Required Elements
        2. 6.3.1.2 Mandatory FONSI Format
      2. 6.3.2 FONSI Approval Process
      3. 6.3.3 Distribution of the FONSI
    4. 6.4 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
      1. 6.4.1 Overview of the EIS Process
      2. 6.4.2 Preparation of the DEIS
        1. 6.4.2.1 Format and Content of DEIS
        2. 6.4.2.2 DEIS Review and Approval Process
        3. 6.4.2.3 DEIS Distribution and Circulation Process
        4. 6.4.2.4 DEIS Public Hearing
        5. 6.4.2.5 Public and Agency Comments on DEIS
        6. 6.4.2.6 Selection of Preferred Alternative
      3. 6.4.3 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) Process
        1. 6.4.3.1 FEIS Purpose
        2. 6.4.3.2 FEIS Format and Content
        3. 6.4.3.3 FEIS Review and Approval Process
        4. 6.4.3.4 FEIS Distribution and Circulation Process
      4. 6.4.4 Record of Decision (ROD)
        1. 6.4.4.1 ROD Purpose
        2. 6.4.4.2 ROD Format and Content
        3. 6.4.4.3 Approval of ROD and Distribution
        4. 6.4.4.4 Revised ROD
    5. 6.5 Continuous Activities and Reevaluations
      1. 6.5.1 Reevaluations
        1. 6.5.1.1 Reevaluation Timing and Purpose
        2. 6.5.1.2 Reevaluation Format and Content
        3. 6.5.1.3 Approval of Reevaluation
      2. 6.5.2 Supplemental EIS
        1. 6.5.2.1 SEIS Purpose and Scope
        2. 6.5.2.2 SEIS Format and Content
        3. 6.5.2.3 Approval of SEIS and Distribution
    6. 6.6 Quality Assurance Process
      1. 6.6.1 Improving the Quality of Environmental Documents
      2. 6.6.2 TDOT's Environmental Document Quality Assurance Process
  7. 7.0 Public Involvement process
    1. 7.1 Background
    2. 7.2 Federal Public Involvement Requirements
      1. 7.2.1 NEPA Requirements
      2. 7.2.2 FHWA Requirements
      3. 7.2.3 Other Related Federal Regulations
    3. 7.3 TDOT's Public Involvement Plan
      1. 7.3.1 Overview of Plan
      2. 7.3.2 Levels of Public Involvement
      3. 7.3.3 When and to What Level Should the Public be Involved
      4. 7.3.4 Who is the "Public"?
      5. 7.3.5 Pre-NEPA Public Involvement
      6. 7.3.6 NEPA Public Involvement
        1. 7.3.6.1 Initial Coordination
        2. 7.3.6.2 Public Involvement or Coordination Plan
      7. 7.3.7 NEPA Meetings and Hearings
      8. 7.3.8 Notification of Meetings and Hearings
      9. 7.3.9 Public Hearing Handout
    4. 7.4 Other Public Involvement Tools
    5. 7.5 Public Involvement Wrap-up
  8. 8.0 Environmental permits
    1. 8.1 Responsibilities
      1. 8.1.1 Parties Responsible for NEPA Phase Permits
      2. 8.1.2 Parties Responsible for Post-NEPA Phase Permits
    2. 8.2 Permitting in the Project Development Process
      1. 8.2.1 NEPA Phase Permits in Project Development Process
      2. 8.2.2 Post NEPA Phase Permits in Project Development Process
    3. 8.3 Typical Permits
      1. 8.3.1 Section 404 Permit
      2. 8.3.2 Navigable Waterways Permit
      3. 8.3.3 TVA Section 26a Permit
      4. 8.3.4 Section 401 Water Quality Certification
      5. 8.3.5 Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit (ARAP)
      6. 8.3.6 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit
      7. 8.3.7 Underground Injection Control Permit
      8. 8.3.8 Reelfoot Lake Watershed Permit
  9. 9.0 Environmental Commitments and Coordination With Design and Construction Activities
    1. 9.1 Types of Commitments
      1. 9.1.1 Avoidance
      2. 9.1.2 Minimization
      3. 9.1.3 Mitigation
    2. 9.2 NEPA Document Commitments
    3. 9.3 Commitments for Technical Areas
      1. 9.3.1 Cultural Resources
        1. 9.3.1.1 Implementing Architectural/Historical Commitments
        2. 9.3.1.2 Implementing Archaeological Commitments
      2. 9.3.2 Ecological Commitments
        1. 9.3.2.1 Environmental Permits Section
        2. 9.3.2.2 Ecology Section
        3. 9.3.2.3 Statewide Storm Water Management Plan
      3. 9.3.3 Noise Commitments
      4. 9.3.4 Hazardous Materials Commitments
    4. 9.4 SMART Delivery Management System
  10. 10.0 Environmental evaluation of State-funded Projects
    1. 10.1 TDOT Policy on State-Funded Projects
    2. 10.2 Types of State-Funded Projects
      1. 10.2.1 State Industrial Access Roads
      2. 10.2.2 Local Interstate Connectors
      3. 10.2.3 Safety Improvements
      4. 10.2.4 State Aid Projects
      5. 10.2.5 Bridge Grant Program
      6. 10.2.6 Other New or Expanded State Roads
    3. 10.3 Determination of Need for a TEER
    4. 10.4 Environmental Evaluation of State-Funded Projects
      1. 10.4.1 Early Coordination
        1. 10.4.1.1 Agency Coordination
        2. 10.4.1.2 Early Coordination Package
        3. 10.4.1.3 Public Involvement
      2. 10.4.2 Identify and Analyze Impacts
        1. 10.4.2.1 Records Check
        2. 10.4.2.2 Technical Studies
    5. 10.5 Preparation of a Minor TEER
    6. 10.6 Preparation of a Major TEER
      1. 10.6.1 Two Stages of a Major TEER
      2. 10.6.2 Draft Major TEER
        1. 10.6.2.1 Content and Format
        2. 10.6.2.2 Quality Assurance Process
        3. 10.6.2.3 Approval of Draft Major TEER
        4. 10.6.2.4 Public and Agency Review and Comment
        5. 10.6.2.5 Selection of the Preferred Alternative
      3. 10.6.3 Final Major TEER
        1. 10.6.3.1 Format of a Final Major TEER
        2. 10.6.3.2 Approval and Distribution
      4. 10.6.4 Continuous Activities and Reevaluations
        1. 10.6.4.1 Environmental Reevaluations
        2. 10.6.4.2 Supplemental Evaluations
    7. 10.7 TEER Public Involvement Requirements
      1. 10.7.1 Early Coordination
      2. 10.7.2 Public Meetings and Hearings
      3. 10.7.3 Notification of Meetings and Hearings
      4. 10.7.4 Meeting and Hearing Handouts
      5. 10.7.5 Opportunities for Public Comments
    8. 10.8 Permits
    9. 10.9 Environmental Commitments and Coordination with Design and Construction Activities

Appendices

  1. pdf fileAppendix A: Acronyms [pdf 22 kb]
  2. pdf fileAppendix B: NEPA, CEQ, FHWA, SAFETEA-LU and Section 4(F) Regulations [pdf 1.50 MB]
  3. pdf fileAppendix C: Table of Authorities [pdf 67 kb]
  4. pdf fileAppendix D: FHWA Technical Advisory T 6640.8A [pdf 201 kb]
  5. pdf fileAppendix E: Sample Forms, Letters, and Notices [pdf 4.40 MB]
  6. pdf fileAppendix F: Examples of CE Documents and Checklists for EA and EIS Documents [pdf 627 kb]

List of Figures

      1. Figure 1.1 TDOT Environmental Division Organizational Chart
      2. Figure 1.2 NEPA Flow Chart - Categorical Exclusions (CE)
      3. Figure 1.3 NEPA Flow Chart - Environmental Assessments (EA)
      4. Figure 1.4 NEPA Flow Chart - Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
      5. Figure 1.5 PPRM Flow Charts (a, b, c, d)
      6. Figure 1.6 TEER Process
      7. Figure 2.1 CSS Project Development "Bridge Graphic"
      8. Figure 3.1 Determination of Class of Action
      9. Figure 5.1 Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSATs) Work Flow
      10. Figure 5-2 Project-Level Conformity Work Flow
      11. Figure 6.1 Reader-Friendly EIS Question and Answer Headings
      12. Figure 6.2 Example of New Blueprint for Reader Friendly EIS
      13. Figure 6.3 Environmental Document Quality Process
      14. Figure 6.4 TDOT Internal QA Coversheet
      15. Figure 6.5 QA Sub-Coversheet, Submitted by Consultant
      16. Figure 6.6 QA Master Coversheet
      17. Figure 10.1 Determination of Need for TEER Documentation
      18. Figure 10.2 Process to Conduct a Major TEER

List of Tables

      1. Table 1-1 PPRM Tasks Assigned to Environmental Division
      2. Table 5-1 Summary of Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Impacts
      3. Table 5 2 Substantial Noise Level Increase
      4. Table 5-3 Noise Abatement Criteria
      5. Table 5-4 Short-Term Measurement Durations
      6. Table 5-5 Building Noise Reduction Factors
      7. Table 5-6 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
      8. Table 5-7 Tennessee Counties NAAQS Designations(1)(2)
      9. Table 5-8 Exempt Projects per 40 CFR 93.126
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