# Presentation: 881142

## Slide 1

## Initiatives & Approaches

- Two separate yet related initiatives in California have addressed cumulative and/or indirect impacts analysis:
- Merced PIP Cumulative Impacts Advisory Panel (FHWA CA-Division, EPA, Caltrans, other federal, state and local agencies)
- Interagency Work Group (FHWA CA-Division, EPA, Caltrans) aka Mare Island Accord Work Group (MIAWG)

*Both were the result of the Mare Island Accord...*

## Background

- In 2000, the Mare Island Accord agreement between FHWA, EPA Region IX, and Caltrans addressed lack of early involvement in transportation projects

- The Mare Island Accord called for the future  joint development of cumulative and indirect impacts assessment guidance

## Background

- Mare Island Accord also called for a MPO pilot project to test & document new methods of linking planning & projects

- Selected MPO pilot project, the Merced County Partnership for Integrated Planning (PIP) had a strong cumulative effects analysis component, including a interagency Cumulative Impacts Advisory Panel

## California Challenge

- Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs) prepared by the MPOs as part of the Federal planning process must also meet certain California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements.
-  Preparation and approval of a CEQA document, Environmental Impact Report (EIR) precedes the issuance of the RTP.
- Despite state-level environmental considerations traditionally there has been little or no opportunity for federal resource/regulatory agencies to make a meaningful contribution at this stage.

## Merced PIP Cumulative Impacts Advisory Panel

- Facilitated meetings  (2/03 to 11/03)
- Other federal, state, and local agencies participated in the effort in addition to FHWA, EPA, and Caltrans
- Panel members were drawn from the agencies that most commonly prepare or comment on cumulative impacts analyses
- Produced Cumulative Impacts Analysis Outline of considerations for analyzing the cumulative impacts of an RTP
- Writer of the RTP EIR also participated in meetings and helped determine the practicality and utility of the Cumulative Impacts Analysis Outline

## Merced PIP Cumulative Impacts Advisory Panel

- Participation of EIR writer provided a direct way for Panel to align the contents of the cumulative impacts analysis chapter of the EIR with the recommendations in Cumulative Impacts Analysis Outline
- Panel members, particularly those from federal agencies, recognized that the ultimate utility of the Panel’s recommendations is likely to be seen in the future during the reviews of cumulative impacts analyses for the individual transportation projects in the RTP.
- No one left screaming

## Cumulative and Indirect ImpactsInteragency Work Group

- FHWA, EPA, and Caltrans (several participants were also members of the Merced PIP Cumulative Impacts  Advisory Panel)
- Work plan laid down the ground rules and guided the initiative throughout
- Decision made “upfront” to _separately_ prepare guidance documents to address cumulative and indirect impact analysis for surface transportation projects in California.
- Facilitated meetings and many, many teleconferences (2003 through 2006)
- Consultant team prepared guidance and issue papers with the direct participation of the group

## Cumulative and Indirect ImpactsInteragency Work Group

- Cumulative impacts guidance focuses on skill building for preparers; providing direction on improving the quality of cumulative impacts assessments and identifying methodologies which the Work Group agreed were reasonable
- Indirect impacts guidance focuses on land use and growth inducement
- To the extent practicable, guidance is provided in the context of both NEPA and CEQA
- All guidance was distributed for peer review

## Keys to Success

- Put work plan in place early
- Establish common goal(s)
- Maintain open dialogue
- Have a shared vocabulary
- Seek experts as necessary
- Build on existing guidance
- Retain a skilled facilitator
- Be flexible !

## Additional  information:

- "The art of fortifying does not consist of
- applying rules or following a procedure, but in good sense and experience."
- Maréchal Sébastien le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707, Military Engineer to King Louis XIV)

- Merced PIP Cumulative Impacts Advisory Panel:
- _http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/orip/Collaborative_Planning.htm_
- Cumulative and Indirect Effects Guidance:
- _http://www.dot.ca.gov/ser/_

*Additional  information:*