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WRITING A BETTERPURPOSE AND NEED
A COMMON SENSE APPROACH
Kevin E. DavisEnvironmental Supervisor
ODOT-OES
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What’s the Purpose?
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What’s the Need?
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Is there aPurpose and Need?
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FHWA Definition
PurposeStates concisely and clearly why the
project is being proposed and articulates the positive outcomes that are intended
NeedDescribes the key transportation
problem(s) to be addressed and, to the extent possible, explains the underlying causes of those problems
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CEQ Definition
40 CFR 1502.13 The statement shall briefly specify
the underlying purpose and need to which the agency is responding in proposing the alternatives including the proposed action
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Importance of P&N
The P&N, in many ways, is the most important chapter of an environmental document
Explains to the public and decision-makers that the expenditure of funds is necessary and worthwhile, and that the priority the project is being given relative to other needed highway projects is warranted
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Importance of P&N
Justifies why significant environmental impacts are acceptable based on the importance of the undertaking
Serves as the cornerstone for the Alternatives Analysis, but is not designed to discuss solutions to a transportation problem
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Importance of P&N
Avoid developing an ill-conceived project
Defines transportation problems and objectives
Coordinate and communicate with stakeholders
Manage controversy
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Importance of P&N
Justifies impacts
Guide development of and evaluate alternatives
Establish logical termini and independent utility
Ensure decisions are legally defensible
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Transportation Needs
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Transportation Needs
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Transportation Needs
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Transportation Needs
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Transportation Needs
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Transportation Needs
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Economic Development How does it fit?
Most (if not all) communities have a vision for how they want their communities to evolve and prosper
A desired outcome of a majority transportation project is the facilitation of growth/economic development
However, transportation facilities are rarely the sole cause of economic development
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Economic DevelopmentHow does it fit?
Transportation infrastructure and other public infrastructure collectively help determine the growth of a community
Provision of transportation infrastructure can facilitate the changing of land uses, which can lead to community growth/economic development
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Economic DevelopmentHow does it fit?
When growth/economic development is part of the P&N, identify sources to support this information, such as:
MPO Long Range Transportation Plan or Comprehensive Transportation Plan
County and/or municipal land development plans or visioning documents
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Economic DevelopmentHow does it fit?
When growth/economic development is desired, the Purpose Statement should not be written as:
“the purpose is to promote growth/economic development.”
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Economic Development How does it fit?
The Purpose Statement should be grounded in transportation:
“The purpose is to provide transportation infrastructure to support community development as identified in [a plan].”
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Economic DevelopmentHow does it fit?
Do not include in P&N if economic development can not be substantiated
Focus on the transportation problems
Avoid defining a purpose so broad that it requires consideration of a vast range of non-transportation alternatives in order to promote economic development
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Putting it all together!
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Basic Ingredients
Project History Status of the undertaking Background of previous studies Legislative mandates (i.e. earmarks) Long range plans, MPO studies, etc
Purpose Statement Clear and succinct Intended positive outcomes The “driver” behind the undertaking
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Basic Ingredients
Need Elements Transportation problem(s) Existing, Future, and Desired
Conditions
Goals and Objectives Desired outcomes Important to consider
Summary
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Basic Ingredients
Logical Termini Transportation problem begins/ends Rational end points
Independent Utility Interaction with intersecting
elements Does not rely on separate actions
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“Just the Facts”
Eliminate FLUFF Opinions do not count Factual data
Words to avoid: May, maybe, likely, and could;
subjective Significant, segment, and hazardous;
Legal interpretations
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What we’re looking for Categorical Exclusion projects One or two paragraphs per need element
EA or EIS projects Can be more detailed No more than three to five pages of text
Tangible, quantifiable data
Comprehensive, specific, and concise
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End Result
Defines the transportation problem(s)
Needs establish logical termini and independent utility
Creates a baseline to evaluate, eliminate or advance alternatives
Does not restrict consideration of alternatives for other transportation improvements
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THANKS FOR COMING!
Always contact respective ODOT District
You can always contact ODOT-OES Erica L. Schneider - AEA Policy Kevin E. Davis - Environmental Supervisor Libby Rushley - NEPA/Document ReviewODOT Districts 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 12 Amber Hewitt - NEPA/Document ReviewODOT Districts 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11