DOT Memorandum of Understanding Gives California Greater Environmental Processes Control
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced that on June 29, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator J. Richard Capka executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of California to allow the state to assume DOT's environmental responsibilities for many of its federal-aid highway projects.
Under a pilot program authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005, California's Department of Transportation will administer federal environmental reviews on a large number of high priority congestion relief projects. FHWA will conduct regular audits to ensure environmental compliance.
FHWA said the program will help eliminate needless redundancies when it comes to environmental decision making and save precious time and limited funds. For more information, contact Ian Grossman at 202-366-0660.