INFORMATION: Vital Few - Guidance on Integrated Approaches 03/15/2004
To the Attention of: Division Administrators/Engineers, ADAs, Environmental Coordinators, Division Planners
Summary: This guidance is to assist in implementing the Environmental Vital Few Goal element dealing with adopting "integrated approaches."
Background: Attached for your information and use, is guidance on the Vital Few Target of Integrated Approaches. This guidance has been prepared in response to inquiries from Division Offices for a fuller explanation of the intent of the Environmental VFG performance objective that calls upon FHWA to promote the use of integrated approaches at the systems level and how this applies to transportation decision-making. In developing the guidance, it became evident that integrated approaches extend beyond planning and environment, to project development, right of way, civil rights and construction. This guidance not only emphasizes the need to integrate planning and project development activities, but also promotes an interdisciplinary approach in these other areas. Another important focus of this guidance is to maximize opportunities to better integrate the processes of transportation agencies with those of environmental and land management agencies.
The quality of transportation decision-making will be improved by integrating environmental and community values into transportation decisions at an early point in planning and continuing the integration through project design and construction. This objective will result in higher quality decisions, better environmental documents, greater consensus, and timelier project delivery. To achieve this objective, we are encouraging constructive partnerships with environmental agencies and communities. This objective challenges all States/FLH Divisions to reach beyond their normal processes at the systems planning or project level to search for solutions that demonstrate an improved compatibility between the natural and built environment. The results will demonstrate that a strong environmental ethic is compatible with good transportation solutions.
The attached guidance provides a framework for evaluation of the progress States and Federal Lands Highways Divisions are making toward integration. It is not a checklist, and encourages each state to approach this goal in a manner that best suits its individual circumstances. The guidance was developed by an interoffice team in HQ in consultation with the FHWA field advisory group for planning, environment, and realty.
Carol Adkins is the HQ contact for information on Integrated Approaches. She may be reached at carol.Adkins@fhwa.dot.gov <
mailto:carol.Adkins@fhwa.dot.gov> and by phone at 202-366-2054.
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Download integrated approaches guidance 03-08-04 draft.doc
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This page last updated on 03/02/2008 12:39:25 AM |
United States Department of Transportation -- Federal Highway Administration
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