 McCormick Taylor, Inc.
Telephone: 717-540-6040
E-Mail: dmnulton@mtmail.biz
Years experience in current field: 20
Position/Title: Associate/Senior Project Manager
EDUCATION: The Pennsylvania State University, B.S., Biology/Ecology, Minor in Marine Science, 1987
Professional Training:
- NHI 3.5-day Instructor Development Course, November 2006
- NHI 3-day NEPA Training Course, August 2003
- Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP)
- Wetland Evaluation Technique (WET 2.0)
- 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual
- 1989 Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands
- Wetlands Training Institute One-week seminar in designing wetland replacement sites
EXPERTISE: NEPA/Environmental Process Generalist
RELATED TOPICS/EXPERIENCES: Diane Nulton possesses 20 years experience as an Environmental Scientist and Project Manager. Through her involvement in the preparation and review of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA), Section 4(f) Evaluations, and other environmental documents, she has acquired extensive knowledge of the NEPA Process as well as the myriad of other regulatory procedures that must be complied with concurrently with the NEPA process. Diane is well versed in preparing action plans to expedite completion of EISs and EAs. She has been involved in expediting several high profile, fast-paced, controversial projects through to Records of Decision including the Mon/Fayette and Southern Beltway Projects in southwestern Pennsylvania, and the Inter-County Connector in Maryland.
In addition to reviewing and preparing environmental documents, Diane’s role in developing guidance documents and conducting training sessions has identified her as an expert in many subject areas including NEPA and Section 4(f). Diane’s extensive experience conducting training sessions includes:
- National Highway Institute 3-day Advanced NEPA course - Navigating the NEPA Maze (in development)
- National Highway Institute 3-day NEPA training - NEPA and the Transportation Project Decisionmaking Process
- Section 4(f) Handbook and Training
- Section 4(f) Training Video
- The Transportation Project Development Process Video
- Concise Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
- CE/EA Handbooks and Training
- Agricultural Resources Handbook and Training
Some of Diane’s accomplishments are described in further detailed below:
NHI NEPA Training – Diane is one of McCormick Taylor’s primary trainers for the National Highway Institute’s contract for course-delivery of the three-day NEPA training course - NEPA and the Transportation Project Decisionmaking Process (NHI #142005). This intensive and interactive course covers all aspects of NEPA requirements including the history of NEPA, purpose and need, alternatives development, agency and public involvement, environmental analysis, EIS, EA, and CEE documentation, integration of other federal and state laws under the NEPA umbrella, Section 4(f), mitigation and enhancement, stewardship, and streamlining the NEPA process. She has conducted sessions in Washington D.C., South Carolina, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Montana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, New York and Washington State.
NHI Advanced NEPA Course Development – Diane is currently assisting NHI and FHWA in the development of a 3-day advanced NEPA course - Navigating the NEPA Maze (NHI #142055). Using an intensive interactive seminar format, this course will pick up where the first NEPA course left off, allowing participants to implement the principles of the NEPA process while solving complex problems and addressing common challenges.
Section 4(f) Handbook and Training – Diane was the leader of a Task Force and primary author of a Handbook (PennDOT Publication 349) prepared to provide guidance on evaluation, documentation and approval of Section 4(f) Evaluations. This Handbook addresses all of the laws, policies and guidance that apply to Section 4(f) Evaluations. In concert with the preparation of the handbook, Diane developed a Section 4(f) Training Program. Diane was the primary instructor for the program, and conducted a series of training sessions for PennDOT and its consultants. She is currently involved in updating the handbook and developing an updated training session.
Environmental Assessment Handbook, Categorical Exclusion Evaluation Handbook and Training – Diane was the primary author of PennDOT’s Handbook on preparing EAs (PennDOT Publication 294). Subsequent to completion of the EA Handbook, Diane developed a training program on preparation of both EAs and CEEs and was one of the primary presenters for the program administered to PennDOT and its consultants.
Concise EIS White Paper – Diane led a Task Force in preparing a White Paper on rendering EISs more concise in accordance with NEPA and the CEQ implementing regulations. Several pilot projects in Pennsylvania have successfully implemented the concise EIS principles outlined in the White Paper, substantially reducing the volume of these EISs. Diane has given presentations at various forums, including transportation conferences, on preparing concise EISs and other environmental documents.
Categorical Exclusion Evaluation (CEE) Benchmarking – Diane participated in a PennDOT Task Force to evaluate (“map”) the existing CEE clearance process and to “benchmark” this process against that followed by other State DOTs and agencies/entities participating in similar clearance processes. The goal was to identify “best practices” which could improve and streamline the existing CEE clearance process in Pennsylvania. A presentation describing the task force findings and recommendations was prepared.
Transportation Project Development Process Video for Technical Reference Video Library – As part of a PennDOT initiative to create a library of training videos, Diane prepared a video on the Transportation Project Development Process. This video provides an overview of the activities required to take a project from planning and programming into preliminary engineering and environmental clearance, and through the final design and construction phases of the Transportation Project Development Process.
Section 4(f) Video for Technical Reference Video Library – As part of a PennDOT initiative to create a library of training videos, Diane prepared a video on the Section 4(f) Evaluation process. This video utilized an illustrated fairy tale to highlight and define the key terms and thought processes involved in conducting and documenting Section 4(f) analyses.
Previous to her work at McCormick Taylor, Diane worked on several private development projects for another consulting firm conducting wetland delineations, developing replacement wetland designs, and preparing wetland/stream encroachment permits. She also spent a year working for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection conducting bioassays, and interned with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Recent Projects, Publications and Accomplishments Include:
- Section 4(f) Video, “A Knight’s Tale” – Prepared for PennDOT Technical Reference Video Library – June 2004.
- “Common Sense and Section 4(f), Compatible or Mutually Exclusive,” D.M. Nulton, October 2002, Transportation Research Board, December 2002 Publication.
- Categorical Exclusion Evaluation Benchmarking Presentation – Prepared as part of PennDOT Task Force – November 2002.
- Transportation Project Development Process Video – Prepared for PennDOT Video Library – September 2001.
- CE/EA Handbooks Training Sessions, May/June 2000.
- NAEP Annual Conference, June 2000 - One of two presenters for the “Section 4(f) Evaluation Training Session.
- Environmental Assessment Handbook (PennDOT Publication No. 362), June 1999.
- NAEP Annual Conference, June 1999 - Participated in Panel Discussion on Transportation Issues; discussed “An Interagency Approach to NEPA Compliance.”
- Section 4(f) Evaluation Training Sessions, April – June 1998.
- Section 4(f) Handbook (PennDOT Publication No. 349), March 1998.
- Agricultural Resources Training Sessions - June 1997.
- APC Conference, February 1997 - Gave presentation on preparing Concise Environmental Impact Statements.
- Concise EIS White Paper – Prepared for PennDOT -July 1996.
Pofessional Affiliations:
- ASHE Harrisburg Chapter
- Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEP)
- Transportation Research Board – ADC1O Committee Friend
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