USDOT Survey of the Use of Categorical Exclusions in Transportation Projects Since 2005, is required by Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) section 1318

This collection of information is voluntary and will be used to review the use of categorical exclusions in transportation projects since 2005 and publish the review that includes a description of the types of actions categorically excluded, and any requests previously received by the Secretary for new categorical exclusions. Public reporting burden is estimated to average 2 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 2125-XXXX. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Highway Administration, Office of administration HAIM-40, Suite 64-433, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Questionnaire for MAP-21, Sec. 1318. Programmatic Agreements and Additional Categorical Exclusions

Background: DOT must “not later than 60 days after the date of enactment (October 1, 2012) (1) review the use by the Department of categorical exclusions in transportation projects since 2005 and (2) publish the review that includes a description of (A) the types of actions categorically excluded, and (B) any requests previously received by the Secretary for new categorical exclusions. DOT also must (3) solicit requests from State departments of transportation, transit authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, and other government agencies for new categorical exclusions. The responses should be limited to the period since 2005.

Questions:

1. Please identify the name of your organization and the State in which you work. [please provide a name, an email address, position, and phone number for a contact should we need follow up]

2. How many actions does your agency conduct that are processed annually as categorical exclusions, and what proportion of your agency’s program is processed as categorical exclusions? (an estimate is acceptable)

3. Does your agency have forms, checklists, or standardized forms for documenting actions processed as categorical exclusions? (Please attach any you might have.)

4. How does your agency assess that the categorical exclusion class of action is appropriate (if your agency routinely makes this type of assessment)?

5. Please list the top 10 actions most frequently processed as categorical exclusions.

6. What additional actions would you like to propose, especially for new c-list- categorical exclusions (actions that normally do not require any further NEPA approvals), including any that currently require documentation (d-list)?

Please provide any materials that could be used to substantiate the new CE action [see http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_NEPA_NPRM_docket_documentation_3-14-12.pdf for example information and http://ceq.hss.doe.gov/nepa/regs/Categorical_Exclusion_Draft_NEPA_Guidance_FINAL_02182010.pdf for substantiation information]; (either attach material or indicate a point of contact at your agency for follow up).

7. Please identify any new CE(s) that you have proposed to USDOT since 2005.

8. Does your agency track the number of CEs and amount of time required to complete the documentation for each action processed as a categorical exclusion? If yes, please describe mechanism(s) used to track each action. If not, who in your organization would be available to provide input on whether and how such a tracking system would be helpful and what it should include?

9. Does your agency require or offer training related to NEPA reviews, and if so, what type?