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Table of Contents
Detailed Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction and Research Approach
  1.1. Problem statement and Research Objectives
  1.2. The Trend toward Environmental Stewardship
  1.3. Scope of Study and Definition of Environmental Stewardship Practices
  1.4. Research Approach
  1.5. Research Uses
  1.6. Disclaimer/Limitation of Liability
Chapter 2: Organizational Environmental Stewardship Practices
  2.1. DOT Environmental Policies and Mission Statements
     

Standards and Performance Measures for Environmental Policy Statements

      Approaches to and Highlights from DOT Environmental Policy and Mission Statements
  2.2. Environmental Strategic Planning at Transportation Agencies
    2.2.1 Staying Abreast of Legal and Other Requirements
     

On-line Legal and Regulatory Resources

     

Mass Highway’s Process for Staying Current on Environmental Requirements

     

Standards and Performance Measures for Organizational Awareness of Legal and Other Requirements

    2.2.2 Identifying Environmental Aspects or Impacts of Operations
      Sample EMS Aspects Analysis Format
     

Washington State DOT’s Activity/Impact Analysis

     

NHDOT’s Process for Identifying Significant Environmental Aspects of Operations—Traffic Bureau

     

PennDOT’s Analysis of Environmental Aspects of Operations

     

NSW RTA Environmental Assessment of Construction, Operation, and Maintenance Activities

     

Standards and Performance Measures for Identifying Environmental Aspects and Impacts

    2.2.3 Organization Wide Strategic Planning for the Environment
     

New York State DOT’s Environmental Initiative

     

MDSHA Environmental Strategic Plan and Management Systems

     

Delaware DOT’s Plan to Support Smart Growth and Implement a “Livable Delaware”

     

NCDOT’s Use of Baldrige as an Environmental Management Framework

     

Environmental Strategic Planning at PennDOT via the Strategic Environmental Management Program (SEMP)

     

New Brunswick, Canada, DOT Strategic Plan and Environmental Protection Plan

     

New South Wales, Australia Roads & Traffic Authority Strategic Plan and EMS

      Resources Developed by DOTs for Environmental Management Systems
  2.3. Setting Objectives and Targets & Tracking Environmental Commitments
    2.3.1 Establishing Environmental Objectives and Targets
     

MDSHA Environmental Objectives and Targets

     

PennDOT’s Targets, Scorecards and Dashboards

     

Standards for Establishing Environmental Objectives and Targets

    2.3.2 Environmental Commitment Tracking Through Construction & Maintenance
     

DOT “Green Sheets” and the Emergence of Electronic Commitment Tracking Systems

     

South Carolina DOT Interdisciplinary Accountability Teams

     

New Jersey DOT Environmental Re-evaluation Checklists, Meetings, and Construction Field Reviews

     

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet “Communicating All Promises (CAP)”

     

Indiana DOT Environmental Compliance Certification

     

New York State DOT Environmental Commitment and Obligations Package for Construction (ECOPAC)

     

Caltrans’ Environmental Commitment Tracking

     

MDSHA Environmental Compliance/Consideration Checklists and Independent Environmental Monitors

     

Washington State DOT EMS and Construction Compliance Program

     

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Database for Tracking Environmental Commitments

     

NCDOT Environmental Control Teams, Field Monitoring, and Permits on the Web

     

Texas DOT Environmental Tracking System

     

Colorado DOT Region 6 Environmental Commitment Tracking Database

     

FHWA’s Domestic Scan on Environmental Commitment Implementation and Lessons Learned

  2.4. Environmental Management Systems
    2.4.1 Why EMS for DOTs?
    2.4.2 Benefits of EMS ? Improved Environmental Performance& Predictability
     

Improve Environmental Stewardship

     

Implement Leadership and Agency Objectives

     

Enhanced Credibility with External Stakeholders

     

Improved Relationships with Regulatory Agencies

     

Improving Compliance and Eliminating Violations

     

Streamlining Regulatory Responsibilities

     

Cost Savings

     

Improving Environmental Performance: Indicators, Protection, and Enhancements

     

Economic Incentives, Including Reduced Liability

     

Other Organizational/Operational Benefits

     

Helping DOTs Respond to the Challenges They Face

    2.4.3 EMS and the ISO 14001 Standard
    2.4.4 Gap Analysis: What Do You Have Already That Could Be Part of an EMS?
   

2.4.5 U.S. Resource Centers for EMS Development

  2.5. Operational Controls, Procedures, and Practices
    2.5.1 Procedures and Manuals
     

New York State DOT Environmental Handbook for Transportation Operations

     

Mass Highway’s Facility Environmental Handbook

     

North Carolina DOT BMPs for Construction and Maintenance Activities

     

Oregon DOT Right-of-Way BMP Manual

     

Standards & Measures for Implementing Environmental Programs & Process Improvements: ISO 14001 Practices

    2.5.2 Standards for Evaluating Procedures
     

Standards and Measures for Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedures

     

FHWA and AASHTO On-Line Clearinghouse for DOT Specifications

    2.5.3 Construction and Maintenance Decision Support Systems
     

Roadkill Data and Habitat Linkage Area Assessment, with Feedback to Design

     

Maintenance Facilities Management and Auditing

     

Stormwater Facility Evaluation and Prioritization of Improvements

     

Culvert and Fish Passage Evaluation and Prioritization of Improvements

     

Selection of Appropriate Environmental Measures

     

Field Compliance Management

     

Roadside Vegetation Management

     

Winter Operations

  2.6. Measuring Environmental Performance
     

Special Challenges with Environmental Measures

     

Individual Performance Accountability

    2.6.1 Program Measures for DOT Environmental Process Improvement Efforts, EMS, and Strategic Plans
     

Six Pillars at Oregon DOT

     

New York State DOT Initiative Tracking and Participation in State Pollution Prevention Audits

     

Maine DOT’s EMS Performance Measures

     

North Carolina DOT’s Delegated Sediment and Erosion Control Program

     

New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department Environmental Measures

     

New Brunswick DOT, Canada, Environmental Measures

     

Pennsylvania DOT SEMP Maintenance Performance Measures

     

WSDOT’s Maintenance Accountability Process and Environmental Factors

    2.6.2 Measuring Environmental Outcomes
     

Washington State DOT’s Success Standards for Wetlands Restoration

     

NCDOT’s Ecosystem Enhancement Program

    2.6.3 Utilizing a Combination of Program and Environmental Indicators
     

Maryland State Highway Administration Environmental Outcome & Program Performance Measures

     

Washington State DOT’s Environmental Indicators and Public Reporting

     

State Environmental Agency Reporting on the State of the Environment

     

Canada’s Sustainable Transportation Indicators

    2.6.4 Environmental Auditing
     

New South Wales Construction Auditing Program

     

New Jersey DOT Construction Audits, Contractor Performance Rating System, and Environmental Factors

     

New York State DOT Environmental Auditing and Self-Reporting

     

Maine DOT’s Environmental Audit Program

     

Mass Highway’s Compliance Tracking and Self-Audit Programs

     

Mississippi DOT Maintenance Facility Auditing Program

     

PennDOT Stockpile Audits and Award Program

     

Missouri Contractor Performance Measures and Evaluation

     

Standards and Measures of Environmental Performance Audit Programs

     

Standards and Measures for Nonconformance Detection and Corrective and Preventive Action

     

Standards and Performance Evaluation for Monitoring and Measurement

  2.7. Environmental Staffing, Roles, and Responsibilities
    2.7.1 Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities to Ensure Environmental Performance
     

Mass Highway District Environmental Roles and Responsibilities and Associated Training

     

PennDOT Environmental Role and Responsibility Identification for SEMP Implementation

     

Caltrans Construction Compliance and Stormwater Roles and Responsibilities

    2.7.2 Staffing: Environmental Support for Construction & Maintenance
     

Mn/DOT and WSDOT Environmental Staff Supporting Maintenance & Operations

     

NCDOT’s Environmental Coordinators in the Field

     

Indiana DOT’s Environmental Compliance Coordinator

     

Virginia DOT’s Residency Environmental Specialists for Maintenance

     

NYSDOT Construction & Maintenance Environmental Coordinators

  2.8. Environmental Training and Certification
    2.8.1 Competency-Based Training Systems
     

PennDOT’s Transportation University

     

Caltrans Work Breakdown System

    2.8.2 Environmental Training for Construction and Maintenance
     

Alabama DOT’s Waste Management and Hazardous Materials Awareness Training

     

Oregon DOT Environmental Outreach and Training for Maintenance Staff

     

Montana (MDT) Environmental Training for Maintenance Field Staff

     

Caltrans Environmental & Equipment Training for Construction and Maintenance

     

VTrans Regional Environmental Training Workshops for Construction Staff

     

VTrans Environmental Training for Maintenance

     

Mississippi DOT Maintenance Training for Facility Environmental Compliance and Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

     

WSDOT Environmental Training for Construction Inspection and Maintenance

     

Nova Scotia Department of Transportation & Public Works Short EMS Toolbox Meetings

     

WSDOT Training Partnership with Local Governments and Other Transportation Professionals to Deliver Statewide Training and Certification

     

KYTC Environmental Leadership Training

     

Contractor Outreach and Training

    2.8.3 Train the Trainer Programs
     

PennDOT’s Instructor Development Program for Internal Subject Experts

     

NYSDOT’s Training Pipeline for Environmental Coordinators, Construction, & Maintenance Staff

     

Qualities to Consider in Identifying and Growing Good Instructors

    2.8.4 Recommended Practices in Implementing Adult Learning Programs that Benefit Construction and Maintenance
     

Tailgate Resources: Pocket Guides and Bulletins

     

Standards and Measures for Training, Awareness, and Competency Programs

    2.8.5 On the Job Training? Promoting Continuous Learning in the Workplace
    2.8.6 Contractor Certification Programs
     

Virginia DOT Specification and Certification for Erosion Control Contractors

     

Maine’s Voluntary Contractor Certification Program

     

WSDOT Partnership with AGC to Deliver Statewide Training and Certification

     

Iowa DOT Certification for Construction Inspection, Material Testing, and Spill Prevention

     

Certifications Provided by Private Associations

    2.8.7 Sources of Training, Materials, and Information
     

State Transportation Agency Training Programs

     

Pooled Fund Cooperative (SICOP) and On-Line Programs

     

Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council

     

National Highway Institute

     

Local Technology Assistance Centers

     

University Transportation Research Centers

     

Listservs

  2.9. Regional DOT Stewardship Practice Exchange & Discussion
Chapter 3: Designing for Environmental Stewardship in Construction & Maintenance
  3.1. Beyond Mitigation: Projects to Achieve Environmental Goals
    3.1.1 Environmental Betterments and Dual Purpose Projects
     

Dual Purpose Projects at Caltrans

     

NYSDOT’s Guidelines and Procedures for Environmental Betterments

    3.1.2 Maintaining or Improving the Natural Environment as Transportation is Built
    3.1.3 Cultural Resource Enhancement Efforts
  3.2. Context Sensitive Design/Solutions
    3.2.1 State DOT CSD/CSS Policies, Plans, Guidelines, Agreements, Training, and Examples
    3.2.2 Context Sensitive Design/Solutions References and Resources
    3.2.3 Designing for Rapid Construction/Renewal
  3.3. Avoiding Impacts to Historic Sites
    3.3.1 Archaeological Sites
  3.4. Designing to Accommodate Wildlife, Habitat Connectivity, and Safe Crossings
    3.4.1 Identifying Locations for Wildlife Crossings
    3.4.2 Monitoring Wildlife Crossings
    3.4.3 Wildlife Crossing Research, Resources, and Techniques
    3.4.4 State DOT Initiatives to Address Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Needs in Planning and Design
     

Maine DOT Initiatives to Limit Disruption of Habitat and Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality

     

Caltrans Interchange Removal and Partnership to Identify and Address Habitat Connectivity Needs

     

Florida DOT Partnership to Determine and Prioritize Connectivity Needs and Contribute to “Green Infrastructure”

     

New Hampshire DOT’s Pilot Project for Identifying Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Crossing Needs

     

Maryland SHA’s Net Gain Wetland Mitigation Policy & Contribution to Regional Restoration/Connectivity Goals

     

VTrans Habitat Connectivity Training

     

VTrans Habitat Linkage Area Assessment

    3.4.5 Maintenance and Management of Created, Modified, or Restored Habitat
  3.5. Culverts and Fish Passage
    3.5.1 Forms of Stream Crossings
    3.5.2 Bridges versus Culverts
    3.5.3 Potential Adverse Impacts of River and Stream Crossings
    3.5.4 Stream Crossing Design Considerations
     

Collecting Adequate Survey Information

     

Designing for Target Species

     

Avoiding Channel Constriction

     

Energy Dissipation at Culvert Exits

     

Other Hydraulic Considerations

     

Mitigating Fish Passage Effects through Culvert Design Modifications

     

Measures for Non-Embedded Culverts

     

Other General Recommendations

    3.5.5 Design Methods for New and Replacement Culverts
     

Active Channel Design Method

     

Stream Simulation Design Method

     

Hydraulic Design Method

     

Structural Design and Flood Capacity

    3.5.6 Culvert Evaluation for Fish Passage and Ranking for Remediation Efforts
    3.5.7 DOT Practice and Design Guidance for Culvert Installation, Design, and Prioritization for Fish Passage
     

Alaska Programmatic Agreement for Fish Passage Improvements

     

Maine DOT’s Fish Passage Policy and Design Guide

     

Oregon DOT Culvert Retrofit and Replacement Program Agreement

     

WSDOT Fish Passage Improvements on a System and Project-by-Project Basis

     

MDSHA Incorporates Stream Morphology Concepts in Culvert Design

     

Alberta Transportation Practices and Measures for Protection of Fish & Aquatic Ecosystems

    3.5.8 Resource Agency and Other Design Guidance for Fish Passage
    3.5.9 Post-Construction Evaluation and Long Term Maintenance and Assessment
  3.6. Stream Restoration and Bioengineering
    3.6.1 Planning Considerations for Stream Restoration and Bioengineering
     

Information Requirements

    3.6.2 Coordination and Communication on Bioengineering Projects
    3.6.3 Available Guidebooks and Research in Progress
    3.6.4 Bioengineering Technique Selection
    3.6.5 Bank Protection and Stabilization Techniques
     

Riprap

     

Gabions

     

Toe Protection

     

Vegetated Concrete Blocks

     

Live Crib Walls

     

Root Wads

     

Live Staking

     

Large Woody Debris

     

Live Fascines

     

Brush Layering or Branch Packing

     

Brush Mattresses

     

Coir Fiber Logs

     

Ditch Lining, Turf Reinforcement Mats, and Geocellular Containment Systems

     

Other Vegetative Streambank Stabilization and Bank Protection Practices

     

Borrow

     

Drains and Trenches

      Wire Mesh/Cable Net Slope Protection
    3.6.6 River Training and Channel Rehabilitation Techniques
     

Grade Control Structures

     

Log and Check Dams

     

Flow Deflection/Concentration Practices

     

Stream Deflectors

     

Vanes

     

Bendway Weirs

     

Boulder Placement In-Stream for Habitat Creation

     

Other Flow Redirection Techniques

    3.6.7 Stream Restoration Evaluation and Monitoring
  3.7. Design Guidance for Stormwater and Erosion & Sedimentation Control
     

Federally Sponsored Stormwater BMP Manuals

      Guidance on Low Volume Road Design
     

State Sponsored Stormwater BMP Manuals

  3.8. Drainage Ditches, Berms, Dikes, and Swales
     

Design and Construction Considerations and Practices for Ditches, Dikes, and Swales

     

Slope Diversions for Intercepting Stormwater

     

Level Spreaders

  3.9. Design for Sustainable, Low Maintenance Roadsides
    3.9.1 Pre-Construction Soil Considerations
     

Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E) for Soil Preparation

    3.9.2 Planning for Native Vegetation and Consistent Roadside Design
     

WisDOT Uses STURRA to Fund the Ongoing Use and Preservation of Native Plants

     

WSDOT’s Roadside Classification Plan

    3.9.3 Designing for Salt Resistant Vegetation
  3.10. Designing to Reduce Snow, Ice, and Chemical Accumulation
    3.10.1 Designing Roads to Minimize Snow Drift
    3.10.2 Designing Snow Fences
     

Snow Fence Site Design and Placement Tools

     

Plastic Snow Fence Research Results

     

Living Snow Fence

    3.10.3 Designing Drainage to Minimize Anti-Icing and Deicing Impacts to Natural Resources
     

Structural Roadside BMPs to Control Deicing and Anti-Icing Chemical and Abrasive Laden Runoff

    3.10.4 Snow Disposal and Snow Storage Site Design
     

Control of Chloride through Detention and Dilution

     

Control of Particulates and Subsequent Mobilization of Metals and PAHs

     

Environmental Stewardship Practices in Design and Operation of Snow Storage Sites

  3.11. Designing to Minimize Air Quality Problems
    3.11.1 Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO Air Quality Resources
    3.11.2 New England Governors & Eastern Canadian Premiers Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiatives
    3.11.3 Promoting Carpooling and Transit
     

Georgia DOT HOV Land Promotion

     

Virginia DOT Commuter Choice Program

     

Transit Promotion Activities

    3.11.4 Promoting Telecommuting
    3.11.5 Bicycling Promotion Activities
     

Virginia DOT Bicycle Facility Guidelines

     

NCDOT Commitment to Integrating Bicycle and Walking into Transportation System and Long-Range Plan

     

Maryland DOT Bicycle Safety and Operations Guidelines

     

TAC Bicycle Traffic Pavement Marking Guidelines

    3.11.6 ITS Facilitated Air Quality Improvement in Ohio and Kentucky
    3.11.7 Funding for Air Quality Improvement: The Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CMAQ)
     

CMAQ Strategy Cost Per Pound of Emissions Reduced

     

State DOT CMAQ Measures and Strategies

     

Strategies to Enhance the Role of State DOTs in Supporting Cost-Effective Alternative Mode Strategies

    3.11.8 Tree Shading for Emissions Reduction
  3.12. Design and Specification for Recycling
    3.12.1 The Growing Need for and Importance of Waste Minimization and Recycling
    3.12.2 Common Recycling Applications in the U.S. and Europe
    3.12.3 General Recommendations for DOTs with Regard to Recycling and Waste Management
    3.12.4 Life Cycle Cost-Benefit Analysis
    3.12.5 Areas for Recycling Applications
    3.12.6 Specifications for Recycled Materials in Transportation Applications
  3.13. Designing to Minimize Noise
    3.13.1 Noise Effects and Regulation
     

Effects of Highway Noise on People

     

Effects of Noise from Roads on Birds and Terrestrial Wildlife

     

Effects of Noise from Pile Driving during Construction

    3.13.2 Designing for Roadway/Traffic Noise Source Control
     

Pavement Alterations to Reduce Roadway Noise

     

Traffic Noise Barriers

     

Receptor Controls

     

Noise Reduction Resources, Research, and Research Needs

  3.14. Lighting Control/Minimization
    3.14.1 Public and DOT Interest in Lighting Control/Minimization
    3.14.2 Environmental Impacts of Overlighting
    3.14.3 Recent and Upcoming Guides in Lighting Design
    3.14.4 Common Lighting Approaches and Deciding How Much Light Is Enough
     

Arizona DOT Research to Improve Lighting Practices

     

Comparison of Lighting Sources, Issues, and Costs

     

Florida DOT’s Coastal Roadway Lighting Manual

     

Lighting Environmental Stewardship Practices

     

FDOT’s Embedded Roadway Lighting Study

     

Caltrans Light Minimization Efforts

     

Tennessee DOT Light Reduction and Maintenance Cost Savings

  3.15. Design for Sustainability and Energy Conservation
     

New York City Transit’s Green Building and Design for the Environment Programs

     

Design for Efficient Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning of Facilities

     

Design for Lighting Conservation

  3.16. Safety Rest Areas, Traveler Services, and Parking Area Design
    3.16.1 Planning for Conservation in Rest Area Design
     

Vegetated/Bioinfiltration Swales in Parking Facility Design

     

Permeable Pavements

     

Porous Concrete Pavement

Chapter 4: Construction Practices for Environmental Stewardship
  4.1. General Construction Site Stewardship Practices
  4.2. Work Area
    4.2.1 Preparing Access and Staging Areas
    4.2.2 Construction Phasing, Sequencing, or Acceleration
    4.2.3 Preserving Local Fish and Wildlife through Attention to Timing Restrictions
    4.2.4 Accelerated Construction
    4.2.5 Pre-Contract and Pre-Construction Activities
  4.3. Construction Involving Historic Properties and/or Other Cultural Resources
    4.3.1 Common Procedures Established for Construction in Areas Involving Historic Properties or Other Cultural Resources
    4.3.2 Discovery of Historic Properties or Other Cultural Resources During Construction
  4.4. Construction in and around Drainage Areas and Streams, Wetlands, and Other Environmentally Sensitive Areas
    4.4.1 Wetlands and Riparian Areas
    4.4.2 Vegetation Protection
    4.4.3 Fish & Wildlife Protection
     

Migratory Birds, including Bald Eagles

     

Removal of Beaver Dams

    4.4.4 Stewardship Considerations to Avoid Watercourse Contamination
    4.4.5 State Resources and Fact Sheets for Stream Crossings
    4.4.6 Erosion Control in Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  4.5. Erosion and Sedimentation Control
    4.5.1 Regulatory Requirements
     

Preventing the Imposition of Numeric Effluent Limits

     

Programmatic Approaches to Standards Attainment

     

Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – Considerations & Components

    4.5.2 Manuals for Stormwater and Erosion & Sedimentation Control
    4.5.3 Procedural Management Practices for Water Quality
    4.5.4 Dewatering and Managing the Watercourse
     

Dewatering

     

Flow Diversion