Environmental Analysis by State DOT's—A Survey

Abstract

State departments of transportation are found to comply with Federal Highway Administration guidelines governing preparation of environmental documents in varying degrees. The 50 states were queried on present practice and methodologies for various disciplines ranging from air quality to archeology. Differences in practice for the 41 states replying are found attributable in part to geographic differences, presence of state laws on a particular concern, and apparent confusion over interpretation of present regulations. In addition, political, philosophical and professional differences exist which often must be accepted by overseeing agencies as the price of doing business. The various processes or features associated with transportation are classified along with their interactions. A case is made for the advantages to both the engineer and the profession in becoming trained and involved in the environmental process.