AASHTO Board of Directors Meeting, October 20, 2008
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Environment
STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
ACTIVITIES REPORT TO THE AASHTO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
OCTOBER 20, 2008
The following report is provided to the AASHTO Board of Directors regarding the activities of the
AASHTO Standing Committee on Environment from October, 2007 to October, 2008.
Officers
Chair
Vice Chair
Secretary
Matthew Garrett, Director, Oregon DOT
Dianna Noble, Director Environmental Affairs, Texas DOT
Shannon Eggleston, Program Director for Environment, AASHTO
Summary of Activities and Accomplishments:
Monterey Annual Meeting Highlights
On July 13-17, 2008, the AASHTO Standing Committee on Environment (SCOE) held a joint
meeting in conjunction with the Standing Committee on Highways Maintenance Subcommittee
and the Standing Committee on Planning Transportation Asset Management Subcommittee in
Monterey, California. Joint committee sessions included: a review of the National Surface
Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission report and sustainability in climate
change and energy. Through peer-to-peer problem solving sessions attendees were provided
with the unique opportunity to express problems and/or barriers they were experiencing within
specific interdisciplinary topics and receive input and advice from fellow practitioners.
Discussion topics included: incorporating environmental management systems into
maintenance management systems, stormwater and wetlands and vegetation management and
invasive species. SCOE independently held panel sessions discussing transportation
authorization, air quality, 4(f), endangered species issues, and EPA and ACOE agency updates.
Engaging in Policy and Guidance
SCOE devoted considerable time to reviewing and commenting on federal policymaking,
rulemaking and guidance in a variety of areas including the following:
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Comments on Proposed Amendments to 49 CFR 662 and 23 CFR 771, FHWA and FTA
– September 26, 2007
Comments on EPA’s proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone, EPA
– October 9, 2007 (Prepared and submitted in cooperation with AMPO)
Comments on the September 18, 2007 Draft of the NEPA Programmatic Guidance, CEQ
– October 26, 2007
Comment on EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Guidance Regarding Clean Water Act
Jurisdiction after Rapanos, ACOE and EPA – December 12, 2007
Letter of support to congress to permanently authorize the Preserve America and Save
America’s Treasures grant programs, Honorable, Brad Miller, Congressman and The
Honorable, Peter V. Domenici, Senator – January 7, 2008
Comment on EPA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the National Ambient
Air Quality Standard for Lead, EPA – January 16, 2008
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AASHTO Board of Directors Meeting, October 20, 2008
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Environment
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Comments on WGA’s Wildlife Corridors Initiative, Western Governors Association – April
17, 2008
EPA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for
Lead, EPA – August 4, 2008
Comments on Proposed Rule and Draft Environmental Assessment for Take
Authorizations under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Fish and Wildlife
Service – September 15, 2008
Comments on Proposed Rules for Interagency Cooperation under the Endangered
Species Act in 50 C.F.R. Part 402, Fish and Wildlife Service – September 15, 2008
SCOE work with the Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO
SCOE worked closely with the Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO (Center) to
progress the following programs of mutual interest.
Practitioners’ Handbooks
The Center, with input from SCOE, developed additional documents in its Practitioners’
Handbooks series. The Handbooks provide practical advice on a range of environmental issues
that arise during the planning, development and operation of transportation projects. The
Handbooks are intended primarily for use by project managers who are responsible for
coordinating compliance with a wide range of regulatory requirements. Each Handbook
includes, key issues to consider, a background briefing and practical tips for achieving
compliance.
Three Handbooks have been published this year and posted on the Center website:
 Developing and Implementing an Environmental Management System in a State
Department of Transportation
 Using the SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process (23 U.S.C. 139) and
 Using the Transportation Planning Process to Support the NEPA Process
Above and Beyond
The Center published an update to the Taking the High Road, the Environmental and Social
Contributions of America’s Highway Programs Report. The Report is titled Above and Beyond.
The publication provides the most recent data and information regarding contributions of
highway programs.
Integrating Transportation Planning and NEPA Decision Making Webcast
The Center produced a webcast on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 that focused on addressing
environmental issues during the transportation systems and corridor planning phase to more
effectively protect and enhance the environment. The webcast included presentations on
transportation planning, NEPA decision-making, how the two can be mutually supportive, and
case studies demonstrating successful integration. The webcast can be downloaded on the
Center website.
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AASHTO Board of Directors Meeting, October 20, 2008
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Environment
CSS Peer to Peer Workshops
The Center held two CSS Peer to Peer workshops in which eleven state DOTs participated.
Topics of discussion included: defining CSS, challenges, principles, stakeholder involvement
and organizational changes.
Case Law Updates for the Environment Database (CLUE)
CLUE was developed in association with SCOE to track and share environmental case law.
The database includes recent court decisions involving challenges to environmental reviews
and permits for highway and transit projects.
Transportation and Environmental Research Ideas Database (TERI)
In association with the SCOE subcommittees, the Center conducted a spring clean up of the
TERI database and added 54 new ideas to the database. SCOE subcommittee members
reviewed the problem statements and held conference calls to develop priorities for submission
to NCHRP and NCHRP 25-25.
SCOE's Environmental Technical Assistance Program
One of SCOE’s strengths is its Environmental Technical Assistance Program (ETAP), funded by
the states to deliver news, consultant services and products to state DOTs in a far more costeffective manner than a state could achieve alone. One of the program’s primary
communication tools is the Transportation/Environment Alert produced by the Bureau of
National Affairs, Inc. Published specifically for environmental professionals in the AASHTO
member organizations. This publication is sent by email weekly to states that have subscribed
annually to the ETAP program. Below are additional accomplishments.
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Conducted a survey of Transportation/Environment Alert recipients. Results indicated
that customers are pleased with current services.
Supported Caltrans in planning and conducting a National Stormwater Meeting, June 23
– 25, 2008 in San Diego, California. Forty-one states participated.
Organized and conducted a meeting with State DOTs and FHWA May 20 – 21, 2008 in
Washington DC regarding revisions to the Environmental Technical Advisory. Fifteen
member states participated.
Conducted bi-monthly conference calls with the Community and Cultural Concerns 106
Work Group to discuss 106 issues and authorization topics. The work group contains
participants from DOTs, FHWA, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP),
National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO), State Historic
Preservation Officers (SHPOs) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
NCHRP research proposals were developed on the following topics:
o Smart Growth Strategies for Rural Interchanges with a Focus on Indirect Effects and
Cumulative Impacts Associated with Interchange Projects
o Developing Regional Historic Contexts for Post-World II Housing
o Determining the Qualitative Probability of the Dispersal of Invasive Plant Species by
Clearing and Grubbing Machinery
o Integrating Watershed Protection with Habitat Fragmentation Avoidance During
Transportation Planning and Project Development
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AASHTO Board of Directors Meeting, October 20, 2008
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Environment
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NCHRP 25-25 research proposals were developed on the following topics:
o Evaluate the Interactions between Transportation-Related Particulate Matter, Ozone,
Air Toxics, Climate Change, and Other Air Pollutant Control Strategies
o Methods to Address Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation
Construction/Maintenance/Operations Activities
o Best Practices for Establishing and Maintaining Statewide Cultural Resource
Databases at State DOTs
o Improving the Effectiveness of Outreach to Traditional and Non-Traditional Groups
by Integrating the Expertise of Existing and Emerging Citizen Coalitions into
Transportation Analysis and Decision Making
o Increased Use of Environmentally Preferable, Non-Toxic Products to Reduce Costs,
Liabilities, and Pollution at DOT Offices, Maintenance Facilities and Rest Stops
o Cost and Benefit of Transportation Specific MS4 and Construction Permitting
o Framework for New Multi-State Collaborative Program to Appraise Effectiveness of
Highway Stormwater Runoff Treatment Options
o Long-Term Cost/Benefit Analysis of Traditionally-Sized Hydraulic Structures versus
Aquatic/Wildlife Friendly Structures
o Synthesis of State DOT’s Best Practices for Roadside Treatment of Stormwater
Runoff
Provided consultant assistance to the SCOE Subcommittees at the Annual meeting
Provided travel funding for State DOTs to attend the SCOE Steering Committee Meeting
at the AASHTO Annual Meeting and the SCOE Annual Meeting
Provided the following technical assistance to the following states:
o California – Air Quality
o Nebraska – Environmental Management Systems
Names of other committees involved or with an interest in each activity:
2007/2008
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2008 Joint Annual Meeting – Subcommittees on Maintenance and Asset Management
Air Quality Policy and Guidance – SCOP
Using the Transportation Planning Process to Support the NEPA Process Practitioners’
Handbook – SCOP
Integrating Transportation Planning and NEPA Decision Making Webcast – SCOP
CSS Peer to Peer Exchange – SCOP, SCOH, Design, Project and Program
Development and Delivery Task Force
TERI Database – All AASHTO committees/subcommittees
National Stormwater Meeting – SCOH, Design, Construction, Maintenance
2008/2009
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Air Quality Practitioners Conference – SCOP
Air Quality Community of Practice – SCOP
Climate Change Community of Practice – Climate Change Steering Committee
Water Quality Community of Practice – SCOH, Design, Construction, Maintenance
Practitioners’ Handbooks – Various committees
Climate Change webinars – Climate Change Steering Committee
Sustainability Peer Exchanges – Various committees
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AASHTO Board of Directors Meeting, October 20, 2008
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Environment
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CSS Implementation Assistance and Action Planning – SCOP, SCOH, Design, Project
and Program Development and Delivery Task Force
TERI Database – All AASHTO committees/subcommittees
Dates and locations of future committee meetings:
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Air Quality Practitioners Conference – Albany, New York, November 17-20, 2008
SCOE Annual Meeting – Portland, Oregon, August 2009
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