On January 14, 2013, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued guidance on Section 1319 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Pub. L. 112-141, July 6, 2012. MAP-21 is a measure that reauthorizes transportation funding through the end of 2014, and is the product of a robust effort by transportation advocates to streamline the lengthy, complex, and cumbersome federal environmental process. As we reported here, MAP-21 includes several meaningful reforms that could expedite the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, thereby accelerating project delivery.
Section 1319 attempts to expedite project delivery by providing a process by which agencies will begin to consolidate their NEPA documents. Specifically, Section 1319 authorizes (1) the use of errata sheets attached to a draft EIS (DEIS) in lieu of the traditional final EIS (FEIS), and (2) the use of a combined FEIS and Record of Decision (ROD). While the guidance provides details for transportation agencies regarding how to prepare and process these consolidated documents, it indicates that these devices are not likely to be applicable to controversial projects or where there are unresolved inter-agency disagreements.
Use of Errata Sheets in Lieu of FEIS. Pursuant to Section 1319(a), agencies may attach errata sheets to a draft EIS, in lieu of preparing a traditional FEIS. The guidance indicates that errata sheets should only be used if the lead agency has modified the DEIS “in response to comments that are minor and are confined to factual corrections or explanations of why the comments do not warrant additional agency response.” The errata sheets should also include the information required in a FEIS, as set forth in applicable regulations.
Use of a Combined FEIS and ROD. Section 1319(b) directs agencies to prepare a combined FEIS and ROD “to the maximum extent practicable.” The guidance indicates that a combined FEIS/ROD should not be prepared if the FEIS makes substantial changes to the proposed action that are relevant to environmental or safety concerns, or there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns that impact the proposed action. The guidance includes factors that an agency should consider when deciding whether a joint FEIS/ROD is appropriate, including whether the proposed action involves a substantial degree of controversy or whether there are unresolved inter-agency disagreements regarding the proposed action. Any combined FEIS/ROD should also meet the requirements of applicable regulations.
Prior to MAP-21, NEPA regulations prohibited agencies from approving a ROD any sooner than 30 days after the notice of availability of an FEIS. Combining these processes, as well as encouraging the use of errata sheets to prepare an FEIS, may streamline and expedite the environmental review process for some projects. The guidance suggests, however, that the use of these streamlining devices may not be appropriate for controversial projects or where there are unresolved inter-agency disagreements.
The Section 1319 guidance was issued on an interim basis. At a later date, FHWA and FTA will conduct a formal rulemaking to propose revisions to the FHWA/FTA NEPA regulations (23 C.F.R. Part 771) to reflect the changes made as a result of MAP-21.
