NEPA
Process – How decisions are made
As with every significant federally funded transportation
project, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires that
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared for the Red and Green
Line Studies. The purpose of the EIS document is to conduct a thorough and
public study of potential human, cultural, and natural environmental impacts
for each of the transit types (modes) and routes (alignments) under consideration.
Study Steps:
| Notice of Intent The Notice of Intent (NOI) is an announcement to the public and to interested agencies that a project is being developed and that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) willbe prepared. |
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| Scoping Scoping identifies the alternatives and impacts that will be examined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). An important part of this phase is to go out to the public for their ideas, comments and concerns. Scoping identifies the key resources and issues that the project needs to address. |
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| Alternatives Analysis The information collected during the Scoping phase will be used to identify, consider, and analyze types of transit (modes) and routes (alignments) that are reasonable, feasible, and practical from a technical and economic standpoint. |
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| Draft Environmental Impact Statement The MTA will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that includes examination of the natural, cultural and socioeconomic environmental impacts of various alternatives. The DEIS will be available for public review prior to hearings. |
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| Final Environmental Impact Statement The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) identifies a preferred alternative, responds to comments received on the DEIS, shows compliance with related environmental statutes such as the National Historic Preservation Act, and identifies commitments made to mitigate impacts of the project. |
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| Record of Decision The Record of Decision (ROD)
is the final step in the EIS process. The ROD is a concise report
that states FTA's determination that NEPA has been completed
for the proposed project. It describes the basis for the decision,
identifies alternatives that were considered and summarizes specific
mitigation measures that will be incorporated into the project.
With a ROD, the project may proceed into final design and construction. |
