Environmental & Design POP Worksheet Question Descriptions

Environmental & Design POP Question Descriptions

1. How will increased traffic noise negatively impact area residents and businesses after the project is complete?

Increased traffic noise from a road project, or the perception that traffic noise will increase as the result of the project, is a sound measure for analyzing outreach need. Consider the presence of the receptors (residents and businesses) to the current noise source. Will your project be adding a through lane or shifting traffic closer to receptors? If so, will the noise level increase beyond the accepted threshold? Will noise abatement measures be implemented?

As a general rule, consider the following criteria when making your selection:

None: Traffic noise will not increase as a result of this project.
Minimal: Traffic noise will increase but it will not exceed the established threshold that would require noise abatement.
Major: Increased traffic noise will likely require noise abatement.

Care should be taken not to assume too much based solely on the number of affected properties. While a larger number provides a good case for a larger effort, intense impacts directly to a small number of stakeholders can be just as demanding in terms of public outreach and involvement.

Refer to the Environmental Process Manual and navigate to Section 1300 in the table of contents for specifics about traffic noise.

2. To what degree do you anticipate minority or low income populations will be negatively impacted?

By law, federally funded projects must identify and address disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority or low-income populations. Project teams need to consider the local community surrounding a project and determine if either of these populations live in the project area.

From a public involvement perspective, outreach to minority and low-income populations often require efforts and resources beyond what might be considered traditional means. For example, low-income populations may not subscribe to the newspaper or have internet, therefore additional outreach in the form of mailers and door-to-door visits may be necessary to effectively involve this public. For many minority populations, English is not a primary language, therefore bi-lingual materials and translators may be needed.

Refer to the Environmental Process Manual and navigate to Section 2000 in the table of contents for specifics about environmental justice (i.e., minority and low-income populations).

3. What is the anticipated level of interest or involvement from Native American Tribes?

Native American tribes have ancestral history and rights throughout Idaho; they have inherent authority over tribal lands and play a significant role in state politics. All of these factors need to be considered when determining their level of interest in a project.

Any project on or adjacent to a Native American Reservation land should be considered to have significant interest, because outreach to tribal representatives will likely be key to a successful outcome. Projects on ground not on or adjacent to tribal land still may hold cultural, archeological or historical significance. During the project, the tribes must be consulted at every step, regardless of the location of tribal cultural properties. An initial meeting with the tribes may be held, discussing the particulars of the project. On site discussions are also effective in getting tribal input.

Early in every project, ITD coordinates with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Refer to the Environmental Process Manual, navigate to Section 1800 in the table of contents and read Section 1840 for specifics about tribal consultation coordination as it relates to the historical, cultural and archeological components of NEPA.

4. What is the likelihood of permanent system changes to the road (such as a closure, new connections, access control changes, rerouting, etc.)?

New roads or bridges, additional lanes and rerouting existing highways can significantly impact local residents and land owners as well as affect how the public gets from Point A to Point B. Projects that will have impact beyond the constraints of the existing roadway inherently impact a greater portion of the public, requiring a higher level of outreach.

5. What is the potential for impact to historical properties and bridges, historic districts, landmarks, a Main Street or downtown corridor?

Early coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is required by ITD on all projects. This is an early indicator of the potential for impact to historical properties, bridges, districts and landmarks, but should not be the only indicator. Public involvement efforts are measured by the public's level of interest and not always by what is required. Regardless of SHPO's recognition, there may be public interest in the preservation of a particular bridge or building.

Project teams need to consider the public's relationship with the project area and all the potentially significant bridges, buildings, streets and landmarks within it. Refer to the Environmental Process Manual and navigate to Section 1800 in the table of contents for specifics about historical, archaeological and cultural resources.

6. What is the potential for negative impact to recognized places of distinction, such as conservation areas, public parks and recreation areas, scenic byways, wild and scenic rivers, and other similar areas of importance upon project completion?

Idaho's history, unique landscapes and natural resources attract visitors from throughout the state and the world. The state highway system is the key link to accessing, visiting and viewing these features. Roadways used for these purposes are typically more heavily used and therefore have greater public interest when there is the potential for change. Additionally, transportation impacts near places of distinction have the potential for greater interest from the public and environmental/activist organizations.

Visit the following resources to assist in determining if your project is near any of the following places of distinction and therefore has the potential for negative impact:

State or National Park(s): The Idaho State Parks and Recreation website provides a list and map of all state parks. Craters of the Moon National Monument on U.S. 20 is the only park operated by the National Park Service in Idaho that borders a highway. Yellowstone National Park is partially in Idaho but not adjacent to any highways, however U.S. 20, 26 and State Highway 31, 33 could be considered impacted by Yellowstone travelers.
Scenic Byways: Idaho's Scenic Byways website provides a listing of all scenic, all-American and historic byways in the state.
Wild & Scenic River: The National Wild & Scenic Rivers website provides a list of all waterways in Idaho designated Wild & Scenic Rivers. Refer to Section 1500 of the Environmental Process Manual for specifics about wild and scenic rivers.

7. Is work anticipated on public lands or easements not owned by ITD (city, county, state or federal)?

Projects that may require right-of-way or easements on public lands will require additional agency coordination. Consider the degree to which the project and any potential alternatives will impact federal, state, city and county owned lands. Early outreach and coordination with representatives from potentially impacted agencies is typically a good consideration in any public involvement plan.

8. What is the potential for impacts to natural resources during construction and after project completion?

Potential impacts to water quality, surface water, wetlands, wildlife, fish and vegetation are all important considerations for their inherent affect on the natural environment. These types of impacts also have the potential for significant public interest by individuals and groups charged with both protecting these natural resources and by those determined not to let natural resources get in the way of a desired outcome. Both perspectives demand attention equal to the level natural resources are impacted by the project.

In some situations, the actual impact to natural resources is far less than the perceived impact, but it is the level of perceived impact that will demand greater communication with the public. Refer to the Environmental Process Manual and navigate to Section 700 (Water Quality/Surface Water), Section 1000 (Wildlife, Fish and Vegetation), and Section 1100 (Wetlands) for specifics about natural resources.

9. What is the anticipated level of interest from government elected officials or influential appointed government officials?

Transportation decisions are based primarily on technical analysis and other environmental and public considerations, which must include political weight and opinion. Gaining and maintaining political credibility with elected officials at all levels of government has long been a goal of the Department. To ensure political capital is not expended unnecessarily, project teams must take into account the potential political impacts associated with a transportation project.

Consider the elected officials in the project area. Is there a Mayor, County Commissioner or State Representative particularly interested in the success of this project? Conversely, sometimes project on the state system are not supported by local elected officials, requiring targeted outreach to help the process go smoothly.

Political interest is also not limited to elected officials. Some cities have highly influential appointed city managers, and some projects may be strongly supported or opposed by an Idaho Transportation Board member.

10. How much agency and special interest involvement do you anticipate?

Closely related to political considerations is the level of interest and coordination necessary with affected agencies and special interest groups. A rotomill and overlay project along a minor arterial within the limits of one city, for example, will require far less agency coordination than would a proposed freeway running through multiple cities and spanning several counties. Care should also be taken to consider non- and quasi-governmental agencies (such as school districts), environmental and other special interest groups, utility companies, and neighborhood and other citizen/community groups. Close coordination with existing groups will provide a strong foundation upon which other outreach activities can be built, be it coordination with one neighborhood and one city or multiple agencies and municipalities.

11. Historically, how has the public reacted to transportation impacts in the area?

Over time, Department personnel and project teams come to know and recognize geographic areas or special groups of people who have a history of particular reactions to transportation projects. This historical perspective is important to consider in planning for public involvement and outreach. Reviewing project histories and conversing with past project managers or team members is useful in finding out which areas or groups have strong opinions about the Department in general or about specific transportation issues.

12. What is the potential for stakeholder conflict surrounding this project?

Many factors are indicators for potential stakeholder conflict: access management, right-of-way, severe lane restrictions or full closures, impacts to business districts, etc. All of these provide ingredients for conflict with stakeholders. Taking these less technical - but no less important - considerations into account can guide project teams in planning appropriate public involvement and outreach.

Additional Scoring Consideration: Do you anticipate this could be an EA or an EIS?

NEPA has specific requirements for public involvement at each level of environmental document. These requirements increase with the complexity of the document. An Environmental Assessment (EA) and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are inherently more complex and therefore demand more rigorous public outreach. It has been determined that assessing an additional .5 for EA's and 1 for EIS's will help guide project teams to the appropriate POP Level.

Reminder: NEPA has specific requirements regarding public involvement. Please refer to the NEPA section, page 11 of the ITD Guide to Public Involvement to determine if there are specific tools required for your project.

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