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2016 Multimodal/NEPA Peer Exchange

This mini-peer exchange, held February 18, 2016, provided an overview of NCHRP 25-43: Navigating Multi-agency NEPA Processes to Advance Multimodal Transportation Projects. The research objectives were to: (1) characterize the challenges inherent in satisfying the NEPA requirements of more than one U.S. DOT agency; (2) identify strategies and tactics used to overcome these challenges; and (3) suggest new and innovative strategies.

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Past Events

Alternative Project Delivery and the NEPA Process

AASHTO hosted a Virtual Peer Exchange (VPE) that featured three State DOTs discussing their experience with alternative project delivery and the NEPA process. The three states that presented are Pennsylvania,…

AASHTO Resources

NEPA Overview

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) establishes policy and goals for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the environment across the United States, and it provides a process for implementing these goals within federal agencies.

Learn more about when NEPA is required, who oversees the process, and why it is important. 

NEPA Assignment

NEPA Assignment is a process states can choose to undertake where they assume federal responsibility for transportation projects in exchange for a faster federal review process.

Learn more about NEPA Assignment. 

NEPA Case Law for Highway, Transit and Rail Projects: 2015 Year in Review

This paper highlights key court decisions involving the NEPA process for transportation projects in 2015. The Case Law Updates on the Environment (CLUE) Database on the Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO website features 18 case summaries from 2015, with issues spanning from alternative analysis and traffic forecasts to claims of predetermination and the very existence of “federal action”.

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FHWA and FTA NEPA Case Law: 2014 Year in Review

This paper highlights key court decisions involving the NEPA process for transportation projects in 2014. The Case Law Updates on the Environment (CLUE) Database on the Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO website features 18 case summaries from 2014.

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Examples of Effective Techniques for Preparing High-Quality NEPA Documents (2014)

This report is to help practitioners bridge the gap between the theory and practice of producing high-quality NEPA documents, by providing examples that illustrate specific techniques.

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NEPA Process & Transportation

The NEPA process impacts every transportation project across the country.

We dive deep into how to successfully navigate NEPA and take it into account when planning and conducting transportation projects.

External Links

EPA NEPA Website: including information on filing EISs, e-NEPA electronic filing, NEPAssist, NEPA and Environmental Justice, and the EIS database.

Evaluation Guidance Needed for States with National Environmental Policy Act Authority (Government Accountability Office, Jan. 2018) – a review of provisions to expedite the NEPA process for transportation projects, including assignment of NEPA authority to states