utah’s environmental document quality improvement group acec-utah chapter, fhwa-utah division,...
TRANSCRIPT
Utah’s Environmental Document Quality
Improvement Group
ACEC-Utah Chapter, FHWA-Utah Division, Utah DOT Partnerships and Strategies
Presenter: Carlos Braceras, UDOT Deputy Executive Director
AASHTO-ACEC-FHWA Workshop, June 8, 2004
Vision:
Quality Environmental Documents
Today’s Situation – Recognizing the Challenge and the Need
Today’s Situation – Recognizing the Challenge and the Need The performance standard for
environmental documents prepared several years ago is not the same today.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
RHAAAA
MBTA FWCA
HSBAA
FIFRA
CAA
AHPA
LWCF
CAA
WA CRASWDA
HBA
NHPA
4(f)FAHA
FAHAFAHA
CAA
WSRA
EAA
NEPA
RRA
URA
WBA
CWA
CZMA
ESA
SDWA
FNWA
MSFCMA
RCRA
CWA
EO11990
EO11998
ARPA
CERCLA
ANILCA
LAA
FPPA
CBRA
HSWA
SDWA
EWRA
CWA
URA
STURAA
STURAA
NAGPRA
CZARA
ADA
CAA
ISTEA
SNRTA
EO12898
EO13007SDWA
EO13061EO13089
TEA-21
EO13112
EO13148
EO13186
CAA
Federal Environmental Legislation and Executive Orders Affecting Transportation
CU
MU
LAT
IVE
NU
MB
ER
OF
LA
WS
AN
D A
ME
ND
ME
NT
S
YEAR
Study Area Techniques
City Center
Project
Course Module 3 - Initial Scoping
Project AreaPolitical BoundariesCommuteshedHabitat AreaUrbanGrowth BoundaryFinal Study Area Boundary
So how do we meet the challenges for environmental document quality?
Addressing Environmental Documentation Challenges UDOT & ACEC-UT Liaison Committee Establish the Quality Improvement
Team Goals & Objectives Brainstorming Prioritization Team Member Assignments
UDOT-ACEC Liaison Committee Offered an existing collaborative
mechanism Launched the idea for an
Environmental Document Quality Improvement Team
Establishing the Team
UDOT Central Environmental Services
UDOT Region Environmental Representatives
FHWA-Utah Division ACEC- Utah
The Team and AdvisorsACEC FHWA UDOT Advisors
Jim Horrocks,Horrocks Engineers
Jeff Berna Jerry Chaney, Central
Carlos Braceras, UDOT
Vince Izzo, HDR
Sandra Garcia
John Higgins,Region
Wes Bollinger, FHWA
Jon Nepstad, Fehr & Peers
Greg Punske Brent Jensen,Central
Mike Brehm,Utah ACEC
Tom Twedt, Bio-West
Reed Soper,Central
Fred Doehring,UDOT
Rob Wight,Region
Clint Topham,PB
Objectives for Document Quality Improvement Investigate National Issues and Best
Practices Identify Critical Local Issues Identify Potential Fatal Flaws Identify Targets for Success Identify Local Best Practices
Brainstorming
Initial meetings captured and framed issues
Prioritization
About 25 proposed improvements and solutions were ranked and prioritized by the team.
Brainstorming
Ideas
Priorities
High Med. Low
Fundamental Findings – the High Priorities Teamwork Technical Expertise Realistic Schedules and Budgets Specific QC/QA Process and
Procedures
Coordination
Roles & Responsibilities
TeamworkPartnering
Commitment
Communication
Solutions
Local Government Manual of Instruction
Challenge: Local governmental entities are sometimes unclear on UDOT and NEPA requirements and time frames.
Solution: Developed the environmental chapter for the Local Government Manual of Instruction.
Summary of Comments & Responses
Challenge: Problems have been experienced in tracking comments and responses in the environmental study phase.
Solution: Develop a standard comment and response process.
Development of an EA Guidance Manual
Challenge: The current guidance (FHWA T6640.8A) for the development of EAs is outdated and does not address many new requirements.
Solution: Develop a guidance manual for EAs that includes all current issues, applicable Executive Orders and requirements
Determining Realistic Schedules for EAs and EISs
Challenge: Schedules for environmental studies are often critical path activities.
Determining Realistic Schedules for EAs and EISs
Solution: Develop a CPM schedule template for EAs and EISs to assist in predicting time frames.
Identify all tasks Identify all tasks
Determine dependency Determine dependency of tasks of tasks
Identify key milestonesIdentify key milestones
Build in review timeBuild in review time
Allow time for re-Allow time for re-submittalssubmittals
Estimate task durationEstimate task duration
Separate out EAs and EISs from the Design/Construction Phase Challenge: Complex environmental
documents (EAs and EISs) were prepared in the design phase and often impacted the overall project schedule.
Solution: Prepare EAs and EISs in the concept phase of projects, independent of the design phase.
Early reviews with FHWA at milestone points
Challenge: Early coordination is vital in order to maintain project schedules.
Solution: Hold meetings at critical milestone points to consult with lead agencies on proposed methodologies and impacts analysis techniques.
Milestone Review Checklist:
Purpose and Need
Alternatives
Environmental Consequences
Description of Roles and Responsibilities
Challenge: Roles and responsibilities of DOT environmental staff are not always clear.
Solution: A Quality Improvement Team was formed that studied the variety of activities performed by environmental staff and best ways to increase efficiencies.
Process outline for QC/QA reviews
Challenge: The quality of some environmental documents submitted for review is lacking.
Solution: Develop a list of process activities and milestone points when quality control and quality assurance should take place.
Process outline for QC/QA Reviews
Summary of Quality Improvement Solutions to Date
Local Government Manual of Instruction Summary of comments & responses Development of an EA Guidance Manual Determining realistic schedules for EAs and EISs Separate out EAs and EISs from the Design Phase Early reviews with FHWA at milestone points Description of roles and responsibilities Process outline for QC/QA reviews
Next Steps: Continue Team Efforts
Complete High Priority Items
Distribute Completed Items: Email Items to Internal & External Customers Provide Description & Information in Monthly
Newsletters
Evaluate Results of Implemented Improvements
Begin Medium Priority Items