Successful Approaches for Using the Section 4(f) Net Benefit Programmatic Evaluation to streamline Section 4(f) compliance.
Focus Area
NEPA Process
Subcommittee
Environmental Process
Status
Current
Cost
$100k-$249k
Timeframe
1-2 years
Research Idea Scope
The Section 4(f) Net Benefit Programmatic Evaluation was created in 2005. It provides a streamlined opportunity for Section 4(f) compliance when compared to completing an Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation. The programmatic has the potential to be used for projects where a Section 4(f) de minimis finding cannot be made. Informal previous inquiries into State DOT’s use of the Net Benefit Programmatic by the submitter revealed it had been used in only about half of the States. The proposal would formally quantify the use of the programmatic through a national survey of all States, gain insight into factors limiting it’s use, and highlight notable projects successfully using the programmatic to streamline Section 4(f) compliance. The proposal could include the development of a handbook or other desk reference materials to further the understanding and use of this Section 4(f) compliance tool.
Urgency and Payoff
The anticipated benefit of the proposal would be improved Section 4(f) compliance by increasing the awareness and understanding of the Net Benefit Programmatic Evaluation. The proposal has the potential to streamline Section 4(f) compliance for projects with a greater than de minimis use of a protected resource, when compared with the time and expense required to complete an individual Section 4(f) evaluation.
Submitted
06/16/2021