How does SAFETEA-LU effect the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?
The environmental review process defined in Section 6002 and later summarized in the Final Guidance provides a framework for carrying out existing requirements under NEPA and other laws; it does not supersede those existing procedures. In other words, this process is best understood as an “overlay” on existing environmental review procedures, which continue to apply to highway and transit projects. Specifically, the new environmental review process creates a new category of “participating agencies” and establishes specific review and comment points prior to issuing the draft EIS. It also requires the development of a coordination plan with an optional schedule. The review and comment points added to the traditional NEPA steps are: • Public and agency involvement when developing the project’s purpose and need; • Public and agency involvement when developing the project’s alternatives; and • Collaboration with the participating agencies (no public involvement is required) in determining
