SCOPING FOR COMPLICATED PROJECTS · 2017-01-04 · Scoping Complex Projects September 10, 2015 . Core Team Function (from EA and EIS Handbook) –Facilitating communication, as appropriate

Scoping Complex Projects September 10, 2015

SCOPING FOR COMPLICATED PROJECTS TxDOT scoping process for EAs and EISs

September 10, 2015


Scoping for Complicated Projects

Mike Chavez, Project Delivery Manager, TxDOT ENV

This session will look at the TxDOT scoping process for EAs and EISs in compliance with 43 TAC §2.44. The TAC scoping process

calls for determining the scope of issues to be addressed, identifying key environmental issues related to a proposed action,

and delineating roles and responsibilities in the environmental review process. This session will cover scoping roles and

responsibilities for ENV, districts, and consultants, and will include an overview of scoping in ECOS.

2


Table of Contents

3

6-7

8

9-14

15-25

5 Types of Scoping

Environmental Process Overview

TAC Scoping

Core Team

Scope Development

1

2

3

4

5


Scoping for Complicated Projects

Communication Collaboration Concurrence

4


Types of Scoping

5

Identifies what needs to done and the schedule Preparation of the environmental review document and performance of

related tasks.

Scope of Work

Describes the work activities, deliverables, timelines and milestones, pricing, quality requirements, and governance terms and conditions.

Identifies tasks that need to be completed to accomplish the contract objectives. Tasks can be structured by milestones, deliverables, or process.

40 CFR Sec. 1501.7

Early and open process for determining the breadth of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a proposed action.

Allocates assignments for the preparation of the EIS among agencies.

Indicates the relationship between the timing of the preparation of environmental analyses and the agency's tentative planning and decision making schedule.

43 TAC §2.44

Identifies key environmental issues related to a proposed action.

Delineates roles and responsibilities in the environmental review process.

Describes the work activities, tasks, deliverables, timelines and milestones.

Scales the environmental effort to the context and intensity of a project’s anticipated impacts.

Contract NEPA – CEQ (for an EIS) Texas Administration Code (TAC)


Environmental Process Overview

6


TAC Scoping Process

7

Initial assessment

Review Planning Studies

Early Constraints

Analysis

Scope Development

ECOS/ Paper Scope Form

Planning Project Initiation

Core Team Formation

Prepare Draft EA/EIS


Core Team

Members

– ENV Project Delivery Manager

• Represents Project Delegate

– District Environmental Project Manager

• Represents Project Sponsor

– District

– Local Government

8


Core Team

Project environmental team

– Local Government Sponsor Representative(s)

– Consultants

– Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

– Planners

– Public Involvement Specialists

– Engineers

9


Core Team

Function (from EA and EIS Handbook)

– Facilitating communication, as appropriate for the level of complexity of the project

– Developing the project scope in collaboration with the project sponsor

– Forming the project environmental team as appropriate

– Reviewing all studies, reports, notices, and documents related to the project

– Tracking and managing the clock for review timelines

– Verifying that the project is ready to move forward at key decision points

10


Scope Development

Scope Development Tool

11


Scope Development

The scope development tool is an interactive, decision-making engine that:

– Filters the universe of environmental requirements that may apply to TxDOT projects based on project-specific information to identify those requirements that apply to the specific project;

– Generates findings and provides file documentation for those requirements that can be easily resolved based on readily available project information; and

– Identifies tasks that must be undertaken to resolve remaining issues.

12


Scope Development

Scope Development Tool –Example Snap Shot

13


Scope Development

Scope Development Tool – Example Snap Shot

14


Scope Development

Example of complex issues

– Water – PCN vs. IP acreage threshold

– Endangered Species concentration

• Formal consultation

– Cultural Resources

• Cemeteries

• Sufficient time for additional studies

– Public Involvement

• Controversial Projects

15


Summary and Conclusion

Questions?

Contact Information:

– Michael Chavez

• [email protected]

• (512) 416-2514

16

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

SCOPING FOR COMPLICATED PROJECTS · 2017-01-04 · Scoping Complex Projects September 10, 2015 . Core Team Function (from EA and EIS Handbook) –Facilitating communication, as appropriate