Re:NEPA Poll Results

Up to 1:00 PM on 7/22/03. Total: 42 responses.

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| 1)  **Has the Re:NEPA community enabled you to better understand      |
|     NEPA, related environmental issues, and the transportation        |
|     decision-making process? What has been the result?**              |
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| 1)  Yes, yes, and yes. The result has been an opportunity to confront |
|     issues and challenges that I may not normally deal with in the    |
|     course of regular business.                                       |
|                                                                       |
| 2)  Absolutely. It has provided exposure to a larger variety of       |
|     situations, ideas and issues than I could ever experience in one  |
|     career. I am more aware of alternatives and possibilities,        |
|     changing interpretations, differing viewpoints, how the NEPA      |
|     process is and can be applied. Most important, I can gain that    |
|     information at my convenience. I don\'t have to travel anywhere   |
|     to listen to discussions. Everyone I\'ve sent to the site has     |
|     been astonished at how much information is available there.       |
|     Especially now that most states are facing budget cutbacks that   |
|     often include eliminating employee training in NEPA, this web     |
|     site provides training and knowledge upgrades. It also provides a |
|     common reference point that EVERYONE (citizens, special interest  |
|     groups, construction people, project managers, supervisors, local |
|     governments) with Internet access can read, and a place to get    |
|     guidance on issues. I encourage everyone I meet to subscribe.     |
|                                                                       |
| 3)  Somewhat. Issues only appear relevant when working on a similar   |
|     project yourself.                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| 4)  I have found that the information in the site contains may not be |
|     used on a project I have right now, but in the future I am able   |
|     to refer back to this wealth of information that is kept on line. |
|     This flow of information provides a framework that increases my   |
|     awareness of the NEPA, subsequent laws, rules and regulation and  |
|     policies that affect the transportation decision-making process.  |
|                                                                       |
| 5)  I have close to 30 years experience with NEPA and there is always |
|     room for more understanding. I have not directly gained knowledge |
|     from this discussion forum, but appreciate its availability and   |
|     do check it frequently.                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 6)  Yes. I feel more networked in the community.                      |
|                                                                       |
| 7)  Yes - it has been particularly helpful in seeing and              |
|     understanding how other parts of the country are interpreting and |
|     implementing NEPA and associated statutes, regulations, and       |
|     policies.                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| 8)  Re:NEPA helps to keep me in touch with current issues relating to |
|     transportation projects.                                          |
|                                                                       |
| 9)  Yes, and the results have been a balanced view of the national    |
|     interpretation of subjects that sometimes have subjectivity to    |
|     the approach/solution.                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 10) Yes it helps                                                      |
|                                                                       |
| 11) Yes it has, absolutely. The result is my job is now easier        |
|     knowing that I can get expert information on a number of subjects |
|     quickly.                                                          |
|                                                                       |
| 12) Yes! Reading questions and answers from professionals throughout  |
|     the transportation field helps me to understand the NEPA/106/4(f) |
|     process better. As a group we experience many of the same         |
|     problems and situations so questions posed on Re:NEPA often have  |
|     direct application to a wide range of transportation              |
|     professionals.                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| 13) Yes it has. It provides an excellent opportunity to consider      |
|     past, present and potential NEPA and NEPA-related issues and rely |
|     upon the experience of many persons. It also brings thoughts to   |
|     the table from persons of varied experience and backgrounds.      |
|                                                                       |
| 14) I understand how the issues are the same all over the US but the  |
|     level of understanding differs significantly. The result has been |
|     a lot of people are asking questions that are relatively simple   |
|     and others are pushing the boundaries of understanding complex    |
|     issues.                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 15) It is a useful network to find out about new publications,        |
|     revisions, etc. that help me keep up to date in the NEPA field.   |
|     What has been the result? It has reduced the time and effort I    |
|     would have spent on my own to keep informed.                      |
|                                                                       |
| 16) The NEPA exchange has proved beneficial on several occasions.     |
|                                                                       |
| 17) YES. THE NEPA SITE IS VERY VALUABLE AS A RESOURCE AND STAYING IN  |
|     TOUCH WITH ISSUES AND THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY. IT HAS HELPED   |
|     ME BETTER RESPOND TO CLIENT NEEDS AND BE MORE PRODUCTIVE; AND     |
|     ACCURATELY (HOPEFULLY) PORTRAIT ISSUES.                           |
|                                                                       |
| 18) I am not a transportation person. Over the past 4 years I have    |
|     tried to learn more about the process. Everything on Re:NEPA is   |
|     rewarding and I have learned a lot.                               |
|                                                                       |
| 19) Yes. I am relatively new to NEPA and FHWA/DOT. The website has    |
|     been a tremendous asset for questions, obtaining publications,    |
|     etc. I even pass on several of the items to others in the section |
|     that have been here much longer than myself.                      |
|                                                                       |
| 20) YES YES YES YES YES YES !!!!!!!!!! RE: NEPA has been invaluable   |
|     to me! I came from a consulting firm where I had 18 years of      |
|     experience with solid waste facilities and RE: NEPA helped me to  |
|     quickly learn transportation issues, language, concerns and ask   |
|     questions in an open forum. I have used a tremendous amount of    |
|     the information on the site pertaining to the NEPA process as it  |
|     relates to transportation; 4(f) issue clarification;              |
|     streamlining; and so many more topics that directly related to my |
|     projects. I have been able to produce quality documents accepted  |
|     by the State DOT and the FHWA and learn about issues both new and |
|     old on a daily basis. I refer to the \"historical\" questions     |
|     often when a concern about a project or issue arises\...and I     |
|     have been able to share this experience with others - on a broad  |
|     scale and in detail on specific project problems.                 |
|                                                                       |
| 21) Yes, we\'re all struggling with how to make NEPA work and Re:NEPA |
|     is a great resource for answering questions and furthering        |
|     consistency. The result has been a more fair, consistent          |
|     application of NEPA.                                              |
|                                                                       |
| 22) Yes. Increased understanding, better practice and teaching on my  |
|     part.                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| 23) Yes. Personally, the result has been my developing electronic and |
|     hard-copy sources of direction and support for use in creating    |
|     approaches to situations similar to those addressed in the        |
|     Re:NEPA threads.                                                  |
|                                                                       |
| 24) Better understanding of NEPA with a more focused environmental    |
|     document.                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| 25) Re:NEPA has enabled me ot answer soem direct questions about      |
|     procedures and their applicability while working in an EIS. It is |
|     nice we do not have to \"know it all\" to succeed.                |
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| 2)  **How has the Re:NEPA community contributed towards innovations,  |
|     breakthroughs, or new approaches?**                               |
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| 1)  Primarily through periodic notices of new rulemaking, and from    |
|     the answers of participants that have found a creative way of     |
|     handling problems.                                                |
|                                                                       |
| 2)  My work situation does not welcome, encourage or tolerate         |
|     innovation, breakthroughs and new approaches, but if that ever    |
|     changes (or I change work situations), I\'m ready.                |
|                                                                       |
| 3)  saves time by not having to \"reinvent the wheel\" where someone  |
|     else has a solution to your problem                               |
|                                                                       |
| 4)  Real time information is provided. This is the state of the art   |
|     today, not the last time I ran across this issue on a project. I  |
|     can get ideas from across the nation.                             |
|                                                                       |
| 5)  Unknown                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 6)  By exposing me to more information sources and experience.        |
|                                                                       |
| 7)  See response above.                                               |
|                                                                       |
| 8)  It is an effective tool to share (via e-mail) what works in       |
|     different parts of the country regarding all sorts of issues. I   |
|     like the fact that certain topics can be \"subscribed to\" where  |
|     each person may have an interest in an area without being swamped |
|     by too many auto responses. One of the best things about it, is   |
|     that it fosters a network of knowledgeable peers. Folks that      |
|     include their contact info usually don\'t mind follow-up          |
|     questions and/or discussion.                                      |
|                                                                       |
| 9)  Feedback has been useful to exchange training manuals and         |
|     receive/provide NEPA mentoring.                                   |
|                                                                       |
| 10) Get many good ideas from other states.                            |
|                                                                       |
| 11) Sharing the current state of the art and practice in itself       |
|     spreads news of innovations and new approaches.                   |
|                                                                       |
| 12) By helping us to share thoughts, ideas and information on a       |
|     nation-wide basis, Re:NEPA contributes greatly towards            |
|     innovations, breakthroughs and new approaches. It allows us to    |
|     talk to each other. It\'s through open communication that         |
|     innovations, breakthroughs and new approaches are fostered and    |
|     Re:NEPA is an excellent format for that to take place.            |
|                                                                       |
| 13) It seems that Re:NEPA is an innovation, itself.                   |
|                                                                       |
| 14) One forum that is searchable to discuss details of issues that    |
|     can happen at any time on any project.                            |
|                                                                       |
| 15) It is helpful to see what judgments other professionals have made |
|     in complying with NEPA. Sometimes I have contacted someone who    |
|     posted information to get more details.                           |
|                                                                       |
| 16) Some benefit from discussions on related environmental issues.    |
|                                                                       |
| 17) INNOVATIONS/BREAKTHROUGHS/APPROACHES ARE POSTED AND THERE IS      |
|     INFORMATION EXCHANGE. IT IS UP TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY TO        |
|     CONTRIBUTE CASE STUDIES, EXAMPLE METHODOLOGIES, BEST PRACTICES,   |
|     ETC. THAT ASPECT COULD BE BETTER BECAUSE IT IS ON A VOLUNTARY     |
|     BASIS THAT INFORMATION IS DISSEMINATED. MORE OUTREACH TO GET      |
|     INNOVATIONS IN AND TO CULL AND ASSESS INNOVATION ETC. WOULD BE    |
|     APPRECIATED.                                                      |
|                                                                       |
| 18) From my standpoint, it has led to greater understanding of the    |
|     environmental process. I think the one clear thing I have found   |
|     is that there is not always ONE answer. Also, many in             |
|     transportation interpret environmental rules and law in different |
|     ways.                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| 19) I have found resources and other state\'s examples of doing       |
|     things. I don\'t know that we have directly used anything but I   |
|     suspect maybe we will at some time.                               |
|                                                                       |
| 20) Just being able to learn about what is \"up and coming\" \...     |
|     draft documents becoming available, new legislation, it all       |
|     contributes to learning something new all the time and keeping    |
|     \"up to speed\" on current issues \... (for example) I love to be |
|     able to answer when someone says isn\'t there something about     |
|     such and such being adopted \... to be able to answer \... \' it  |
|     has or hasn\'t been adopted yet \... I saw this information on    |
|     RE: NEPA and etc. etc. etc. \' It is GREAT to have the answers    |
|     before the question is asked !!! and be ahead of the curve !!!    |
|                                                                       |
| 21) Many environmental laws such as 4(f) require constant             |
|     interpretation and new approaches. Re:NEPA permits discussion of  |
|     new ways to approach these perpetually changing interpretations.  |
|                                                                       |
| 22) That I couldn\'t really say.                                      |
|                                                                       |
| 23) Personally, again, has contributed to approaches taken (not sure  |
|     I\'d call them innovations, breakthroughs or new approaches).     |
|     Re:NEPA appears to be a particularly useful tool for folks just   |
|     starting involvement in the disciplines covered by Re: NEPA.      |
|                                                                       |
| 24) By sharing real solutions to real issues.                         |
|                                                                       |
| 25) In reviewing some of the streams I see more problem solving and   |
|     approaches rather than innovation. However, I think we are just   |
|     beginning to see it used for innovation as more of us get on line |
|     and ask questions or pose solutions. I think it has great         |
|     potential for helping streamline.                                 |
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| 3)  **If you have been able to find answers in Re:NEPA instead of     |
|     through traditional means, how much time did it save?**           |
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| 1)  N/A                                                               |
|                                                                       |
| 2)  Re:NEPA is my one-stop source for NEPA information, the first     |
|     place I look. I get almost all of my answers or links to answers  |
|     there, wouldn\'t know how to calculate the time it saves, but it  |
|     is a lot.                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| 3)  N/A                                                               |
|                                                                       |
| 4)  This is very hard to measure, but the timesavings are very        |
|     significant. Even if my specific question is not posted, this     |
|     site can direct and focus research in a specific topic. I can be  |
|     sure that the links to various websites and on line documents     |
|     will provide me with a complete record of the policies and        |
|     procedures that are available on line. I can also reach the       |
|     policy interpreters directly to get a definitive answer on an     |
|     issue.                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 5)  Based i the daily emails, I have not found answers. I have found  |
|     useful information on the FHWA website from time to time and it   |
|     has saved time.                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| 6)  Hard to measure, but the specificity has great value.             |
|                                                                       |
| 7)  The time-savings is difficult to assess. Like many modern         |
|     computer-based tools, the contribution is not just a time-savings |
|     but also an improvement in the quality of the final \"products\"  |
|     that comes with improved access to information.                   |
|                                                                       |
| 8)  Re:NEPA usually saves some amount of time. It\'s difficult to     |
|     quantify how much, but there is a time savings and the networking |
|     benefit described above is immeasurable (in a good sense).        |
|                                                                       |
| 9)  This can save at least 40 hours per subject area and possibly     |
|     prevent repetitive processing errors.                             |
|                                                                       |
| 10) On average save 8-16 hours per issue.                             |
|                                                                       |
| 11) hours and perhaps days or weeks of research time.                 |
|                                                                       |
| 12) Finding answers on Re:NEPA can saves hours or even days of        |
|     seaching. There are times when I\'m not even sure of the question |
|     until I see it posed on this website.                             |
|                                                                       |
| 13) I estimate it saved an average of 30 minutes per search (compared |
|     to traditional means) and possibly 15 minutes per search compared |
|     to internet searches.                                             |
|                                                                       |
| 14) The posting of links to important regulations/issues is a time    |
|     savings that is immeasurable. Usually I would have to wait for    |
|     the information to be passed through the \"grapevine\' and it is  |
|     not as precise as linking directly to the regulation/impacts.     |
|                                                                       |
| 15) I don\'t know how much time it has saved, but I think it has      |
|     saved time and effort. I know it is very convenient and I like    |
|     the email notification system.                                    |
|                                                                       |
| 16) Again, some interesting discussions on the transportation         |
|     decision making process. Hopefully, the result is a better        |
|     knowledge and information basis from which to make decisions and  |
|     provide assistance and guidance to the State.                     |
|                                                                       |
| 17) I USE RE; NEPA AS MY PRIMARY, ALL STOP SHOPING NETWORK. SAVES     |
|     PERHAPS AN HOUR ON A PER TOPIC. ALTHOUGH MISSES ON SOME REALLY    |
|     INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND BEST PRACTICES BECAUSE SOMEONE NEEDS TO |
|     SIT DOWN AND LIST WHAT ITEMS ARE IMPORTANT AND INNOVATIVE AND     |
|     TAKE STOCK OF THE DISCIPLINE OR ISSUE OF CONCERN.                 |
|                                                                       |
| 18) I always go to re:NEPA for information. I have told many,         |
|     including transportation officials, about the site.               |
|                                                                       |
| ```{=html}                                                            |
| <!-- -->                                                              |
| ```                                                                   |
| 20) It is a tremendous help to be able to perform a search and find a |
|     list of related topics \... even if the answer is not there \...  |
|     many times there will be a link or a suggestion on where to go    |
|     for additional help !!! Yes it is a time saver \... especially on |
|     gray area questions - it is so helpful to be able to take this    |
|     information and say - here are possible solutions \... let\'s     |
|     check them out !!!                                                |
|                                                                       |
| 21) Many hours have been saved through just having all this           |
|     information in one place and with the added ability to ask a      |
|     question and get it answered by many knowledgeable people.        |
|                                                                       |
| 22) Lots \-- probably days or weeks, or I wouldn\'t have gotten the   |
|     answers at all and would have had to guess.                       |
|                                                                       |
| 23) Found answers a couple of times to specific/related questions.    |
|     Probably a fair amount of time was saved because the option was   |
|     to make a bunch of phone calls, during which time the discussions |
|     seem to be a bit less focused. I don\'t think that time savings   |
|     is the main value of the Re:NEPA venue. A major value added that  |
|     is realized through use of Re:NEPA is support for open and        |
|     thoughtful communication involving a broad audience. This         |
|     generates tools for sound technical analyses and public process.  |
|                                                                       |
| 24) Hours.                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 25) I have saved \"days\" and also aggrevation from others expecting  |
|     answers from me that I may not have but now have or confirmation  |
|     of answers I may have been hesitate to present.                   |
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| 4)  **What would happen if the Re:NEPA community went away? Would     |
|     that have an impact?**                                            |
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| 1)  Yes. I have referred others to Re:NEPA and it is clear that       |
|     people are \"meeting\" others and passing information between     |
|     themselves. The community, while still growing, is an excellent   |
|     exchange for ideas.                                               |
|                                                                       |
| 2)  I did NEPA work before Re:NEPA, and do not want to go back to     |
|     those days. It was ugly. I\'m spoiled now. If the Re:NEPA         |
|     community went away, I\'d stop doing NEPA work.                   |
|                                                                       |
| 3)  It would impair the free flow of information between              |
|     environmental planners necessary to understand the scope of NEPA  |
|     and its application to specific circumstances. projects would     |
|     slow down while information was researched through other means.   |
|     planners could reach inconsistent results when dealing with       |
|     similar problems, subjecting the project to litigation.           |
|                                                                       |
| 4)  Please do not short-circuit this nationwide network of            |
|     environmental professionals. This is a vital service that the     |
|     federal government is providing to the state DOTs. I have no      |
|     other way of being linked to the nation.                          |
|                                                                       |
| 5)  I see daily use of the interactive site and think that people     |
|     would miss it.                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| 6)  I would be diminished in my capacity to excel in my position.     |
|                                                                       |
| 7)  The impact to losing this direct access to government experts and |
|     to other experienced and knowledgeable persons would be a return  |
|     to getting the needed feedback later in the process (i.e., during |
|     document reviews or worse, when a project runs into a             |
|     \"brickwall\").                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| 8)  I think the impact would be negative if the site went away, see   |
|     above.                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 9)  This would not be a good thing for the transportation planning    |
|     community. Efficiency with problem solving would be diminished.   |
|                                                                       |
| 10) Very Disappointed.                                                |
|                                                                       |
| 11) This would be an incredible loss for struggling NEPA and          |
|     transportation practitioners.                                     |
|                                                                       |
| 12) If Re:NEPA went away it would have a tremendous impact on our     |
|     ability to be kept informed of and understand nation-wide         |
|     transportation issues. It allows us to work together as a         |
|     community instead of individuals struggling with shared problems  |
|     and concerns. This site connects with a far larger audience than  |
|     might be indicated by the number of responses to any one          |
|     question. And the value of this site will only increase if and    |
|     when proposed changes in 4(f) take place and we\'re all           |
|     struggling with a whole new range of questions.                   |
|                                                                       |
| 13) I would lose a forum of discussion that is otherwise not          |
|     available to me. Where else will I find a candid discussion       |
|     regarding NEPA and related issues within the realm of FHWA        |
|     activities and actions? Or even simply regarding NEPA?            |
|                                                                       |
| 14) It would have an impact training, legislation and legal           |
|     interpretation.                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| 15) It would be a loss of one of the tools I use to keep up with      |
|     NEPA.                                                             |
|                                                                       |
|     17. IT\'S LIKE TURNING THE AC OFF ON A 100 DEGREE DAY. LIFE WOULD |
|         BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE AND THE INFORMATION I GIVE OUT MIGHT     |
|         STINK.                                                        |
|                                                                       |
|     18. Don\'t even think about it! One of the many problems with the |
|         interpretation of environmental rules is that all 50 states   |
|         take different approaches. Combining federal and state        |
|         knowledge is a very valuable tool to standardization.         |
|                                                                       |
|     19. I think we would lose a valuable resource - people\'s         |
|         experience nationwide with NEPA. With NEPA there is always    |
|         multiple ways of arriving at the end point. Some means work   |
|         better than others, but it is always good to see what others  |
|         have done. Your input as a FWHA staff member is invaluable. I |
|         realize you must put in a great deal of time, but it is       |
|         wonderful information.                                        |
|                                                                       |
|     20. I would keel over !!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a wonderful forum and a |
|         wonderful educational resource allowing the free flow of      |
|         ideas and in an anonymous fashion - if desired !!! Please - I |
|         hope this forum is not in any jeopardy                        |
|         !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know it takes a lot of work -  |
|         but please keep it going !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                   |
|                                                                       |
|     21. I hope it doesn\'t but I guess I would just resort to Google  |
|         or Yahoo searches of the subject that I was researching,      |
|         without the FHWA bent on the answers. I imagine that the      |
|         answers on the Re:NEPA site take some of the pressure off of  |
|         the FHWA Highway Engineers in the field, as a central         |
|         discussion can clarify an issue for all folks. Please don\'t  |
|         do away with this valuable resource!                          |
|                                                                       |
|     22. Sure, it would be one less source of useful information, and  |
|         maybe more importantly, it would remove an opportunity for    |
|         the free exchange of ideas and perspectives on issues that    |
|         are seldom clear-cut and can use discussion.                  |
|                                                                       |
|     23. I hope your asking this question doesn\'t mean that somebody  |
|         is thinking of axing Re:NEPA as part of some form of myopic   |
|         streamlining (cost saving)scheme! The primary adverse impact  |
|         would be we\'d loose a known point of communication and an    |
|         opportunity for our community\'s growth in understanding the  |
|         complex issues addressed by Re:NEPA.                          |
|                                                                       |
|     24. Most definitely.                                              |
|                                                                       |
|     25. If Re:NEPA went away - where would we go is the question?     |
|         Where is everyone willing to be open in asking questions. We  |
|         are just getting started with it!!!!                          |
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| 5)  **Do you have suggestions for improving the Re:NEPA community?**  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1)  Need to find better ways to publicize it.                         |
|                                                                       |
| 2)  My suggestion for improving the Re:NEPA community? Do more of it. |
|     Make it bigger and faster.                                        |
|                                                                       |
| 3)  More information about the specific response should be included   |
|     in the listserver message. it is too cumbersome to visit the      |
|     website everytime there is a post. by providing the post in the   |
|     email, a person can determine whether it is relevant or           |
|     discontinue reading it if it is not. the way the system currently |
|     works, you don\'t know if its relevant without visiting the site  |
|     and reading the message.                                          |
|                                                                       |
| 4)  I have no suggestions at this time.                               |
|                                                                       |
| 5)  I am very interested in the concept of interactive education      |
|     regarding NEPA and document preparation. I would like to be       |
|     involved in the development of an interactive teaching process on |
|     the web that would help consultants and communities prepare       |
|     appropriate NEPA documents for FHWA projects. I find that many    |
|     documents are poorly organized and do not communicate the issues  |
|     required by law or promote understanding by the interested        |
|     public. I think that many FHWA reviewers experience major         |
|     problems with draft document review and that costly time is spent |
|     on repairs that may be preventable. It is sad to find consultants |
|     building documents to 80% completion and effeciency and trying to |
|     pass them through. THe complaint is budget. I believe the true    |
|     problem is that lower level staff does not have the knowledge     |
|     base to prepare the document in the first place. The managers who |
|     have the experience have priced themselves out of the process.    |
|     The fix might involve an interactive system that assisted         |
|     document writers learn the process while in the process. Bring    |
|     the document to class so to speak.                                |
|                                                                       |
| 6)  Keep up the good work!                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 7)  I agree with the previously mentioned need to provide some        |
|     response to all questions within a certain timeframe, even if it  |
|     is a standard response requesting clarification.                  |
|                                                                       |
| 8)  Sometimes I feel that I may miss out on other areas that I\'m not |
|     subscribed to. If I subscribed to all areas I would feel          |
|     inundated with e-mails. I can\'t think of how that could be       |
|     overcome. Limitations on e-mail storage space is also a limiting  |
|     factor that is not Re:NEPA\'s doing\...Thanks! Overall I find it  |
|     extremely valuable. Tom                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 9)  Clear responses to all questions would be useful. Some things go  |
|     unanswered and maybe they should be removed after a certain time  |
|     frame or replied to with a standard, \"The nature and extent of   |
|     your comment(s) are not clear and further clarification is need   |
|     from you at this time.\"                                          |
|                                                                       |
| 10) Add a CE Topic. Give this program to CEQ so that they can         |
|     incorporate it nationally and include other federal agencies.     |
|     This should be included in the NEPA Improvement Recommendations   |
|     being made this month.                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 11) Add a spell check and more subject areas. Is it possible to       |
|     provide tutorials? Is there a way to inspire responders to        |
|     identify themselves.                                              |
|                                                                       |
| 12) It is a compliment to Re:NEPA that I can\'t think of any          |
|     suggestions. I agree with an earlier comment that asked about     |
|     spell-check and a tutorial. Other than that this site is a        |
|     well-oiled machine.                                               |
|                                                                       |
| 13) I do not at this time. I appreciate the opportunity to comment.   |
|                                                                       |
| 14) Keep posting information as it comes out - I like the \'breaking  |
|     news\" aspect and sharing what different states do. Let the       |
|     consultants know this is out there! We have a good representation |
|     of PA firms but we could do better!                               |
|                                                                       |
| 15) I think that it is great as a NEPA community of practice and also |
|     I think it is useful beyond the transportation arena. p.s. I      |
|     posted one question to ReNEPA in April about significance         |
|     criteria for transportation impacts. I am surprised that no one   |
|     commented. I suppose you can\'t do much about that.               |
|                                                                       |
|     17. YES!                                                          |
|                                                                       |
|         A.  NEED TO BROADCAST MORE THE TOPIC OF INNVOVATONS/BEST      |
|             PRACTICES/METHODS ETC. IF I WERE TO GO TO THE SITE TO     |
|             LOOK FOR A BEST EXAMPLE/PRACTICE/METHOD WRITTEN IN AN EA  |
|             OR EIS ON SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS\...I WOULD NOT |
|             BE ABLE TO LOCATE. NO INFORMTION AVAILABLE.               |
|                                                                       |
|         B.  RELATE TO THE ABOVE. A SYNTHESIS IS NEEDED OF BEST        |
|             PRACTICES UNDER PRESSING NEPA RELATED ISSUES SUCH ICEA,   |
|             4(F), DIFFERENCES IN AGENCIES APPROACHES TO NEPA, 404     |
|             INTEGRATION.                                              |
|                                                                       |
|         C.  KEEP UP THESE AUDITS AND OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY        |
|                                                                       |
|     18. I would like to see more case histories. That is, more actual |
|         environmental documents that can be accessed and studied.     |
|                                                                       |
|     19. I like others suggestions about an online NEPA class. I would |
|         also like to see people identify themselves more often.       |
|                                                                       |
|     20. I think it has been continuously improving ever since I       |
|         started using it over two years ago \... I believe the        |
|         commenter who noted - - publicize it more was correct !!!!    |
|         PLEASE KEEP THIS SITE GOING - IN MY OPINION IT IS WELL WORTH  |
|         THE EFFORT !!!!!!!                                            |
|                                                                       |
|     21. I really appreciate receiving the Re:NEPA updates. Just the   |
|         discussion on 4(f), always a tough law to comply with, is     |
|         worth the Re:NEPA discussion group alone. Re:NEPA shows       |
|         FHWA\'s commitment to the environmental compliance community. |
|         It is really helpful to see how many of our questions have    |
|         nationwide application.                                       |
|                                                                       |
|     22. Nope                                                          |
|                                                                       |
|     23. No. Keep up the good job!                                     |
|                                                                       |
|     24. Possible show the original post with the new response.        |
|                                                                       |
|     25. I have no suggestions now but as it matures maybe             |
|         highlighting innovations for all and a catalogue or library   |
|         and maybe FAQ (and why they are asked and how we can answer   |
|         outside Re:NEPA.                                              |
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| **Unstructured Feedback**                                             |
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| -   **L**amar: This site has been invaluable for our cultural         |
|     resources staff at the Idaho Transportation Dept. I have 3-ring   |
|     binders sitting here on my desk full of pertinent                 |
|     exchanges\--these topics are often, sooner or later, reiterated   |
|     by our districts and consultants. Many topic exchanges contain    |
|     both correct answers AND standard misconceptions\--it is useful   |
|     to have both. All too frequently there is a question or dilemma   |
|     that we share with other subscribers, thus we learn and solve     |
|     problems through these exchanges. When you personally weigh in,   |
|     we know we have the most correct and comprehensive answer.        |
|                                                                       |
| -   I am returning to graduate school but will continue subscribing   |
|     to your site because as an archaeologist, I plan to keep          |
|     \'transportation\' and its regs my career focus. This site is one |
|     of the few means to examine discussions                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   I think this is an excellent feedback mechanism. It makes         |
|     government feel like there are human beings out there who can     |
|     answer a question yes or no, rather than provide an impossible    |
|     beauracratic cleansed regulation or guidance document. On the     |
|     other hand, the nature of the questions users ask are so basic    |
|     that they should be an embarrasment for rule makers. Say what you |
|     mean in clear english when writing rules. Then you may not need   |
|     this exchange.                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   I believe this site allows for a more uniform interpretation of   |
|     the regulations across the United States. This has been helpful   |
|     to the agency that I work for.                                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   While I do not have direct responsibility for NEPA activites here |
|     at the NYSDOT, I refer to the Re:NEPA to keep abreast of          |
|     interpretations and applications of NEPA. On those occaisions     |
|     where I have used Re:NEPA to assist others in my agency, I have   |
|     found the link to be very time saving (several minutes on each    |
|     inquiry). Our agency, in fact, also has \"no admittance\" fire    |
|     walls for many internet sites that for no rational reason denies  |
|     access to sites that could be useful sources (we can and do       |
|     petition to have site access allowed, but the instant need for    |
|     information has usually passed by that time). The Re:NEPA is      |
|     always available and access is compeltely acceptable to the ITS   |
|     folks here in NYSDOT.                                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   I think if Re: NEPA were to go away, a very useful and concise    |
|     short history of NEPA activities and opinions would be lost -     |
|     these discussion threads are quite important to those thinking    |
|     about and practicing NEPA.                                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Re:NEPA is a wonderful site that allows NEPA professionals to     |
|     bounce ideas off each other, request information and/or guidance, |
|     and confirm our understanding of issues. It saves a lot of time,  |
|     and also (and sometimes more importantly) gives us access to      |
|     people, ideas, and approaches we wouldn\'t otherwise be exposed   |
|     to. My only suggestion (and I\'m not sure this is feasible to     |
|     implement) is to add a subject index for various threads so that  |
|     people (myself included) could look through and see if the        |
|     particular question they have has been answered in the past. One  |
|     thought for an improvement. When writing a response to a comment, |
|     the body of the original document is shown below the \"writing    |
|     box.\" It would be helpful if the name and organization of the    |
|     person who wrote the original document were visible as well to    |
|     provide context.                                                  |
|                                                                       |
| -   Just starting a new position including EJ, Title VI and DBE in    |
|     the planning areas I\'ve used this site daily. It has been an     |
|     extraordinary tool in a time where many mentors are having added  |
|     tasks making their availability to mentor much less. At times the |
|     requested information has been difficult to find, particularly    |
|     reference materials suggested by individuals answering questions. |
|     In addition, having a specific link in each area to general       |
|     educational materials and those suggested by individuals          |
|     answering a question would cut down on research time. Finally any |
|     assistance would be appreciated.                                  |
|                                                                       |
| -   This site is always my first stop with a question. It is also the |
|     site I recommend to anyone else who has a question. It is         |
|     extremely valuable. I wish other agencies had something similar.  |
|                                                                       |
| -   You mean to tell me that when I type in crashes in construction   |
|     zones, including about a million variations of this description,  |
|     there isn\'t anything listed? I typed in crashes and nothing came |
|     up. Nothing. This site is terrible. All I need is the number of   |
|     crashes in work zones for the past five years, something I think  |
|     this site would be have in abundance. The word crash brings up    |
|     nothing. Incredible.                                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Maybe I should have gone a bit farther and said that Re:NEPA is   |
|     the best thing I\'ve seen a federal agency do with my tax money   |
|     in a long time? But, maybe not\... Thank you for removing my      |
|     identifiers. Oh, gosh, Lamar, I do hope that no one would         |
|     consider lowering or eliminating your funding. And thanks again   |
|     to you and to your staff for the good work you are doing with     |
|     this site. I support what you are doing any way and any time I    |
|     can.                                                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Lamar and his group are doing a wonderful job and providing a     |
|     very much needed service. I\'ve been on the listserver for about  |
|     1.5 years and depend on it for the latest NEPA news and           |
|     discussions. Hope whoever is in charge of funding this            |
|     understands what a good use it is of available money and will     |
|     increase the budget.                                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   I have found this website to be extremely useful. I especially    |
|     like the ability to read the dialogue among my fellow             |
|     practitioners. In some cases it gives me reassurance that I am    |
|     \"on-track\" with my evaluation of issues. It Also gives me       |
|     valuable insight. One point I especially appreciate is the fact   |
|     that someone from FHWA monitors the site and provides guidance if |
|     we go astray. Keep up the good work everyone and thank you for    |
|     sharing your thoughts.                                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   One suggestion, conduct surveys during an off time such as just   |
|     after the start of school. Thanks                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   I have had access the Re:NEPA site and its varied contents for a  |
|     very short time now \-- and I have had to \"reintroduce\" myself  |
|     to environmental regs and procedures now because of agency        |
|     down-sizing. I have experience and training in several            |
|     environmental areas, but have not kept up to date with the policy |
|     and procedures. I am using Re: Nepa to augment materials I have   |
|     to facus on particular areas that I have to deal with and bring   |
|     myself back up to speed. I hope this service is not \"at risk\"   |
|     in any way\.... I\'m still do a lot a data mining of the site     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Re:NEPAhas been great and regret I did not take advantage of it   |
|     sooner. It has allowed networking within our community of         |
|     practice, ideas and solutions without incurring huge costs. I     |
|     cannot think of another forum right now that allows this quantity |
|     and quality of information to flow between practioners. Often we  |
|     are limited to our immediate circle for ideas and solutions -     |
|     networking only at conferences and so forth\...Re:NEPA really     |
|     expands our horizons. It is more than an answer - it is about the |
|     process to get to the answer.                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   This site is of real importance to me and my staff of about 100   |
|     located througaround the country. Given the diversity of          |
|     interpretation of guidelines and regulations it really helps to   |
|     be able to point to a precedent in another state or division.     |
|     Please keep it going- I know it takes a whole lot of Lamar\'s     |
|     time but it is really helpful and really worthwhile.              |
|                                                                       |
| -   I agree with the previous responder\'s response to the last       |
|     question, what could be improved. Consultants are not putting     |
|     their best foot forward when it comes to document preparation.    |
|     The EAs and EISs that I review appear to be given to the new      |
|     employee or the intern that has no experience in document         |
|     preparation or with NEPA mechanics. The document is then          |
|     forwarded for State/Federal review without quality                |
|     control/quality assurance review by the consultant firm. Some     |
|     firms have the expectation that the State will do it for them.    |
|     That is not why we hire consultants. I would also volunteer to    |
|     help set up an online assistance/course, not only for consultants |
|     but many of our state counterparts have questions or just need    |
|     reassurance on how to prepare/review documents. Documentation     |
|     preparation is one of the most important tasks of a project. A    |
|     poor or misleading document can break a project that has done     |
|     everything right to that point.                                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   My organization is very good about helping the newer employees    |
|     with document preparation and making sure the document is up to   |
|     par, but as a brand new engineer myself, I would be very          |
|     interested in more online courses/assistance. At my first staff   |
|     meeting, I had terms whizzing around (FONSI, DOE/FOE, EA, EIS)    |
|     that I had never heard! Even the most simple of introductory      |
|     courses would be helpful to brand new engineers.                  |
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