In addition to the States visited in the Domestic Scan, many States and agencies are successfully addressing environmental commitment implementation in the transportation project development process. The following is a sample of other successes in this area. Contact information for these projects is included with the descriptions.

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

Caltrans — District 4 has introduced the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge East Span Biological Mitigation Website for permitting agencies and environmental groups. The website, www.biomitigation.org, includes all biological reports, work plans, permits, and monitoring protocols related to the East Span Project. Mara Melandry, Environmental Manager, San Francisco Bay Bridge, Caltrans, 510-286-5582, Mara_Melandry@dot.ca.gov

Caltrans — District 11's Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Record (MMRR) summarizes the environmental commitments to be completed as part of the project. MMRR helps identify specific sections and staff responsible for follow-through to not only get the item into the PS&E but also to make sure the mitigation measure is constructed. Kelly Dunlap, Senior Environmental Planner, Caltrans, 916-651-8164, Kelly_Dunlap@dot.ca.gov

Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA)

Environmental Compliance/Consideration Checklists are prepared for all major projects and summarize all environmental mitigation and project commitments, as well as identify areas that require further study or analysis during subsequent phases of the project. Additionally, NEPA documentation reevaluation occurs at least twice during design activities to assess whether the approved environmental documentation remains valid. The review occurs at the 30 percent, 65 percent, and 90 percent design completion stage or when major design modifications are proposed. Cynthia D. Simpson, Deputy Director, Office of Planning and Preliminary Engineering, MDSHA, 410-545-8500, csimpson@sha.state.md.us

Independent environmental monitors work on projects with significant impacts and projects that require individual Section 404 permits from the USACE. Environmental monitors ensure that environmental commitments are adhered to and that the project is constructed in the most environmentally sensitive manner practicable. Susie Ridenour, Chief, Environmental Programs Division, MDSHA, 410-545-8610, sridenour@sha.state.md.us

Montana Department of Transportation (MDT)

A process review focusing on MDT's commitment to protect the State's natural resources and water quality was conducted with a joint agency team of MDT and FHWA members. The process review analyzed existing processes and developed recommendations for improvement. The joint agency team developed a work plan, identified existing processes, completed numerous interviews, and gathered, reviewed and analyzed relative data to compile a final report. Carl James, ROW Program Manager/Environmental Specialist, FHWA-MT, 406-449-5302 x238, carl.james@fhwa.dot.gov and Jean Riley, Engineering Section Supervisor, MDT, 406-444-9456, jriley@state.mt.us

Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and FHWA-NV

NDOT and FHWA-NV have voluntarily created wildlife habitat areas within the ROW of projects that exceed permits requirements. These agencies have developed agreements with FWS to maintain created habitat areas. Ted Bendure, Environmental Program Manager, FHWA-NV, 775-687-5322, Ted.Bendure@fhwa.dot.gov and Chris Ennis, Water Quality Specialist, NDOT, 775-888-7690, cennis@dot.state.nv.us

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)

The North Carolina Board of Transportation adopted the Department's first environmental stewardship policy on February 7, 2002. The policy stresses the importance of balancing daily operations and environmental responsibility and strongly encourages employees to incorporate the principles of safety, environmental stewardship, and customer focus into their daily activities. The policy can be viewed at: http://www.ncdot.org/download/about/board/eppc/espolicy/environmental_policy.pdf. Julie A. Hunkins, PE, Director, Office of Environmental Quality, NCDOT, 919-733-7384, jhunkins@dot.state.nc.us

Each of North Carolina's 14 statewide transportation divisions employs a Division Environmental Officer to assist, coordinate, and facilitate environmental issues that may occur in the field. The Division Environmental Officer acts as a liaison between field operations and the resource agencies and ensures NCDOT's implementation of environmental commitments. Don G. Lee, State Roadside Environmental Engineer, Roadside Environmental Unit, NCDOT, 919-733-2920, dlee@dot.state.nc.us

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)

ODOT employs the services of erosion and sediment consultants to inspect major construction projects. These consultants work to reduce project issues and proactively address problems before erosion gets to the streams. Timothy M. Hill, Administrator, Office of Environmental Services, ODOT, 614-644-0377, Tim.Hill@dot.state.oh.us

ODOT has a rigorous consultant and employee-training program. This program requires consultants and ODOT staff to be trained in specific disciplines and to have appropriate experience before they can be pre-qualified to work. In addition, ODOT's environmental classes include a testing component that requires all participants to pass the tests before they will receive class credit. The end result is better plans and higher quality work, which equates to a better final product for ODOT and the citizens of Ohio. Timothy M. Hill, Administrator, Office of Environmental Services, ODOT, 614-644-0377, Tim.Hill@dot.state.oh.us

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT)

PENNDOT's Cultural Resources Section has made several changes to their program in the last five years to improve stewardship and streamlining. Archaeologists and architectural historians have been added to each of the five (multi-district) regions to scope projects early on, then follow projects through the Section 106 process and act as liaisons with the SHPO, FHWA, consulting parties, and design team. PENNDOT has established a broad outreach effort that includes a web presence (www.penndotcrm.org), a publication series for both technical and popular audiences, and an annual conference, "Byways to the Past" (www.pennbyways.org). Ira Beckerman, Cultural Resources Section Chief, PENNDOT, 717-772-0830, ibeckerman@state.pa.us

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC)

In an effort to promote environmental accountability and stewardship during final design and construction, the PTC has utilized a set of computerized spreadsheet/database tracking systems that identify and monitor (1) additional ROW requirements not addressed in the final NEPA document, (2) changes in environmental impacts that may result during final design, and (3) fulfillment and incorporation of all mitigation commitments into the PS&E packages as well as implementation during construction. Dave Willis, Environmental Manager, PTC, 717-939-9551 x3570, dwillis@paturnpike.com; Joseph Shalkowski, Practice Leader — Environment and Transportation Planning, HDR Engineering, 412-497-6076, jshalkow@hdrinc.com

Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)

UDOT has implemented a program where contractors are required to use a trained Environmental Control Supervisor during construction projects to maintain erosion/sediment control measures, ensure permit compliance, and monitor protection of sensitive environmental resources. Jerry Chaney, Environmental Engineer, UDOT, 801-965-4317, jchaney@utah.gov

Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD)

WFLHD is establishing a process to more effectively review and monitor how well environmental mitigation is being addressed in the final design/PS&E approval stage, which occurs just prior to the advertisement for construction bids. The same environmental staff prepare the NEPA documents, carry the mitigation commitments into design, obtain permits as needed, and review the final design plans and specifications. Following this process, a detailed summary of the status of the project's environmental commitments is developed. The same environmental staff also provides field assistance during construction and conducts a post construction review to verify the successful implementation of the mitigation measures. Allan J. Stockman, Senior Environmental Engineer, WFLHD, 360-619-7751, Allan.J.Stockman@fhwa.dot.gov

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)

A renewed partnership between WisDOT and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources began in 2001 to foster and promote collaboration to identify and implement practicable improvements to WisDOT erosion control and stormwater management. This partnering focuses on design and construction activities and includes efforts to improve erosion control training for WisDOT staff, consultants, contractors, and utilities as well as updating and revising applicable erosion control and stormwater management regulations. Dan Scudder, Chief, Environmental Services Section, WisDOT, 608-267-3615, dan.scudder@dot.state.wi.us

Domestic Scan:

Environmental Commitment Implementation Innovative and Successful Approaches

APPENDIX C: Additional Nationwide Success