FHWA Resource Center
ENVIRONMENT TEAM
Solutions
Interagency Funding Guidance for Environmental Streamlining
Problem: Streamlining Environmental Reviews Demands Agency Resources
To implement environmental streamlining initiatives, Federal, State, and local transportation and resource agencies must coordinate their activities throughout the environmental review process. However, many of these agencies lack sufficient staff to expedite this process. To help overcome this obstacle, many State departments of transportation (DOT) are using interagency funding agreements to hire additional staff for resource agencies. Section 1309(e) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA- 21) allows States to use Federal-aid project funds through interagency agreements (cost reimbursement) to provide additional resources to Federal and State agencies involved in environmental streamlining activities. However, establishing interagency agreements can be challenging and intimidating, so the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is helping facilitate this process.
Solution: Provide Guidance to Expedite Interagency Agreements
To expedite the development of interagency funding agreements, FHWA finalized its Interagency Guidance: Transportation Funding for Federal Agency Coordination Associated with Environmental Streamlining Activities in February 2002. FHWA developed the guidance with input from the Federal Transit Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and State DOTs. The guidance provides a common understanding among USDOT, State DOTs, local transit operators, and Federal resource agencies regarding funding options under TEA-21 to help Federal and State resource agencies streamline reviews of Federal-aid transportation projects. The guidance is intended to provide a common understanding between Federal and State departments of transportation (DOT), local transit operators, and Federal resource agencies regarding options for using funding under Title 23 and Section 1309(e) of TEA-21. These agencies may develop interagency agreements to support Federal resource agency coordination for streamlining the review of Federal-aid transportation projects.
The guidance includes:
- Instructions for developing interagency funding agreements, including key elements to include.
- A recommended template for interagency funding agreements.
- Examples of current interagency funding agreements.
- A summary of lessons learned and best practices used by States to expedite reviews.
- Descriptions of eligible activities and other funding mechanisms.
Putting it in Perspective
Funding agreements should:
- Include job descriptions and performance measures to set expectations and ensure funded staff's involvement in the transportation process.
- Provide dispute resolution procedures for participating agencies.
- Establish agreements for at least 2--3 years to allow time to recruit and train qualified staff.
- Designate one State DOT staff member to administer funding agreements.
- Require States to work closely with resource agencies to interview and select candidates.
- Provide guidance for training new hires in the transportation project development and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes.
- Require frequent meetings between funded staff and resource agencies to discuss what is and is not working.
Successful Applications: Current State DOT Funding Agreements Purpose.
| Maryland | 3 positions since
2000 (EPA, FWS, USACE). | Assure resource agency involvement in planning and project development
Expedite permitting and project reviews | Improved interagency
communication and understanding
of other agencies' missions. |
| North Carolina | 22 positions since
early 1990s (EPA, FWS, State agencies). | Expedite the project development process as the number of projects and complexity of environmental
regulations continue to grow.
Identify and resolve problems early.
Help implement a NEPA/404 merger. | Improved interagency
communication, program delivery,
and project quality. |
| Pennsylvania | 18 positions since
early 1993 (EPA,
FWS, USACE,
State agencies). | Expedite document review.
Encourage early coordination. | Improved quality of the project development process by identifying sensitive areas and issues early.
Improved coordination with
metropolitan planning organizations and resource agencies (next step). |
| South Carolina | 4 positions since
2001 (FWS, State
agencies). | Provide staff for quick reviews
(required by an accelerated State
bonding program). | Reduced section 401 permit time by 30 percent.
Reduced State Historic Preservation Office review time from 30 to 7 days. |
| Washington | 32 liaisons since
late 1990s (EPA,
FWS, National Marine Fisheries Service, USACE, State agencies). | Provide adequate staff to participate in pilot projects and streamlining
activities. | Allowed quick processing of
backlogged reviews and permitting work.
Develop performance measures
and Memoranda of Agreement for positions (next step). |
Benefits
- Interagency agreements help improve coordination among many agencies.
- Funded staff are dedicated to reviewing transportation projects and making permit decisions, and help reduce the time it takes to complete environmental reviews on specific projects.
- State DOTs develop quality transportation and environmental solutions efficiently and cost-effectively.
For more information, contact:
Ruth Rentch, FHWA Office of Project Development and Environmental Review
Phone: (202) 366-2034
E-mail: ruth.rentch@fhwa.dot.gov
FHWA Publication No: FHWA-RC-BAL-04-0015
TRAINING
What's New
