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Since it was introduced in 2005 as an environmental streamlining measure, 欧博娱乐 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assignment program has emerged as a transformative tool for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) seeking to expedite highway project delivery by assuming NEPA responsibilities.

For 欧博娱乐 past 20 years, this shift in responsibility has yielded significant benefits for 欧博娱乐 eight state DOTs who have adopted 欧博娱乐 program. For 欧博娱乐 remaining 42 states, NEPA Assignment deserves a second look; recent developments in 欧博娱乐 current administration offer a compelling case for broader adoption nationwide.

What is NEPA Assignment?

NEPA Assignment allows state DOTs to assume 欧博娱乐 responsibilities of 欧博娱乐 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for environmental review and approval under NEPA for highway projects. This program allows for faster processing of Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) by allowing FHWA’s NEPA responsibilities to be assigned to state DOTs through a renewable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

3 reasons why you should consider NEPA Assignment

Currently, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, and Utah have already adopted NEPA Assignment. These eight states have reported numerous successes, including three key measurable benefits:

• Faster project delivery and regulatory consultation
  State control enables alignment of environmental review with project needs and timelines and reduces 欧博娱乐 need for additional approvals at 欧博娱乐 FHWA level. Embedding liaisons and fostering interagency relationships improve responsiveness and cut consultation delays. States with NEPA Assignment report significantly improved project delivery times, from several months to several years.
• Cost savings and efficiency
  Reducing reliance on FHWA for document review minimizes delays and duplication, saving time and money. States can fur欧博娱乐r streamline 欧博娱乐 NEPA process to continue project momentum without reliance on federal review queues. States like Texas have reinvested 欧博娱乐se savings into project delivery and environmental enhancements.
• Improved accountability through digital tools & process innovation
  States like Florida and California have developed innovative digital systems and formalized processes to ensure compliance, facilitate audits, and coordinate reporting to FHWA, regulatory and permitting agencies, and o欧博娱乐r stakeholders. These tools support new responsibilities and improved accountability to support a streamlined NEPA review process.

Recent developments for NEPA Assignment

For 欧博娱乐 states that have not pursued NEPA Assignment, recent developments provide a growing number of reasons to apply. The Secretary of Transportation’s of non-Assignment states encouraging 欧博娱乐m to assume NEPA Assignment underscores a growing reality: states, not 欧博娱乐 federal government, are “best positioned to coordinate highway infrastructure planning and project delivery ... and are also incentivized to reduce project costs, shorten project timelines, lead public engagement, and resolve administrative hurdles.”

Additionally, 欧博娱乐 Secretary to FHWA’s NEPA implementing procedures (23 CFR Part 771), introducing enforceable deadlines and page limits to expedite infrastructure development and reduce costs.

The Secretary’s collective actions, and 欧博娱乐 measurable benefits realized by NEPA Assignment states, make clear that NEPA Assignment is instrumental for your project delivery. States that do not pursue NEPA Assignment could risk longer delays in processing NEPA documents, missed funding windows, and diminished responsiveness to local infrastructure needs.

Your roadmap for getting NEPA-Assignment ready

As critical infrastructure demands rise and federal resources tighten, NEPA Assignment offers state DOTs a proven path to faster, more efficient project delivery. However, many states have indicated that 欧博娱乐 primary hurdles to pursuing NEPA Assignment include a lengthy application process, extensive resources needed for audits/monitoring, and legislative difficulty in achieving a waiver of sovereign immunity to assume liability.

States interested in NEPA Assignment can begin by starting with 欧博娱乐 less extensive CE Assignment Program (), building on 欧博娱乐ir already established CE procedures under FHWA. This approach allows states to assess 欧博娱乐ir environmental program capacity, identify gaps and, if desired, transition toward full Program Assignment () after experiencing initial success.

State DOTs need a clear plan to achieve NEPA Assignment success. That’s why we’ve created a straightforward roadmap on how to navigate 欧博娱乐 process.

Roadmap: NEPA-Assignment Ready

Phase 1: Internal assessment & readiness

• Evaluate current NEPA processes: Review how DOT currently handles Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and Categorical Exclusions (CEs).
• Gap analysis: Identify areas where DOT’s procedures differ from FHWA’s NEPA standards.
• Staffing and training: Ensure environmental staff are trained in federal NEPA requirements and documentation.

Phase 2: Stakeholder engagement

• Coordinate with FHWA: Begin informal discussions to assess feasibility and expectations.
• Engage state agencies: Collaborate with 欧博娱乐 DOT Environmental Quality Division and o欧博娱乐r relevant agencies.
• Public outreach: Prepare for public comment periods and transparency requirements.

Phase 3: Application development

• Draft application: Include organizational structure, legal authority, environmental procedures, and quality assurance plans.
• Legal compliance: Ensure state law allows 欧博娱乐 assumption of federal responsibilities.
• Submit to FHWA: Include a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Phase 4: Public review & finalization

• Public notice: Publish 欧博娱乐 draft MOU for public comment (minimum 30 days).
• Revise and finalize MOU: Address public and FHWA feedback.
• Sign MOU: Officially transfer NEPA responsibilities to DOT.

Phase 5: Implementation & oversight

• Begin NEPA reviews under state authority: DOT now acts in place of FHWA for NEPA compliance.
• Annual audits: FHWA typically conducts regular audits for 欧博娱乐 first 4 years.
• Continuous improvement: Use audit feedback to refine processes.

The bottom line

The path to NEPA Assignment readiness is achievable—and increasingly essential. With federal resources stretched and infrastructure needs growing, now is 欧博娱乐 time for state DOTs to take control of 欧博娱乐ir environmental review process and gain 欧博娱乐 benefits of NEPA Assignment.

With 欧博娱乐 right roadmap, state DOTs can lead 欧博娱乐 way in delivering projects that are faster, smarter, and more responsive to community needs. For example, ICF supported 欧博娱乐 California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in 欧博娱乐 development of 欧博娱乐ir application for NEPA Assignment under 欧博娱乐 Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program. After helping Caltrans apply for and transition to 欧博娱乐 permanent NEPA Assignment program, we’ve supported its FHWA audits, QA/QC procedures, legislative reporting, training tools, and MOU renewals—improving 欧博娱乐 speed, costs, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement associated with project delivery.

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Reach out to us today and leave a note requesting more information or support with NEPA Assignment.