FDOT to Assume Federal Environmental Review Responsibilities
Effective in Florida as of 12/14/2016, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will take on the Federal Highway Administration's environmental review responsibilities for highway projects in the state, under a proposed application and memorandum of understanding announced by the two agencies. Read more here:
Pursuant to 23 United States Code (U.S.C.) 327, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has assumed Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for highway projects on the State Highway System (SHS) and Local Agency Program (LAP) projects off the SHS. In general, FDOT's assumption includes all highway and roadway projects in Florida whose source of federal funding comes from FHWA or which constitute a federal action through FHWA. This includes responsibilities for environmental review, interagency consultation and other regulatory compliance-related actions pertaining to the review or approval of NEPA projects. Therefore, whereas FHWA was previously identified as the Lead Federal Agency, this function is now served by FDOT with approval authority resting in the Office of Environmental Management (OEM).
Assignment Scope:
FDOT would accept the Assignment of the USDOT Secretary's responsibilities for all NEPA document types (CE, EA and EIS) and all environmental regulations/laws (Section 4(f), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, etc.) for highway projects.
http://www.fdot.gov/environment/NEPAAssignment.shtm
NEPA Assignment Contact
Ken Morefield is the primary FDOT contact leading the NEPA Assignment effort for FDOT.
Please contact Ken with any questions.
Ken Morefield, Director, Environmental Management Office 850-414-4316
Ken.Morefield@dot.state.fl.us
