The Environmental Policy staff coordinate environmental processes all ODOT staff must undertake to achieve a safe, efficient and environmentally compliant intermodal transportation system through the following programs and processes:
Documentation for NEPA programs support the creation of environmental policy documentation and processes. In addition, Policy staff ensure that any transportation project that affects publicly owned parks, recreational areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, or public and private historical sites are formally investigated and documented for NEPA compliance in accordance with Section 4(f) and compliance with the Land and Water Conservation Act (Section 6(f)) that applies to the conversion of certain recreation lands to non-recreational purposes.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems), supported by Policy staff, underlie all documentation and investigation by providing graphics and spatial data to be used for scientific investigations, resource management and development planning.
Training courses, for ODOT personnel and consultants whose job it is to comply with NEPA by following guidelines, standards and policies propogated at the federal level and disseminated at the state level by ODOT, OEPA and ODNR, are coordinated and conducted by Policy staff.
Noise and Air Quality staff gather data and evidence in the field, usually before a project even starts, to make informed decisions about ODOT projects as they pertain to noise and air quality. Staff offer guidance and write policy that pertain to ODOT's compliance with federal and state regulations while answering public inquiries and addressing public concerns.
All of this compliance with NEPA is carefully and thoroughly documented during the Project Development Process (PDP) that Environmental Policy Staff monitor and coordinate while conducting Public Involvement activities that include all interested parties in a transportation project while considering the Environmental Justice ramifications of any ODOT activity that affects the unique needs of different socioeconomic groups.