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RESPONSIBLY AND PROFESSIONALLY 

INVIGORATING DEVELOPMENT 

(RAPID) ACT OF 2013 

HEARING 

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON 

REGULATORY REFORM, 

COMMERCIAL AND ANTITRUST LAW 

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

ON

H.R. 2641 

JULY 11, 2013 

Serial No. 113–42 

Printed for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary 

( 

Available via the World Wide Web: http://judiciary.house.gov 
(II) 

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY 

BOB GOODLATTE, Virginia, Chairman 

F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR., 

Wisconsin 

HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina 

LAMAR SMITH, Texas 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama 

DARRELL E. ISSA, California 

J. RANDY FORBES, Virginia 

STEVE KING, Iowa 

TRENT FRANKS, Arizona 

LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas 

JIM JORDAN, Ohio 

TED POE, Texas 

JASON CHAFFETZ, Utah 

TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania 

TREY GOWDY, South Carolina 

MARK AMODEI, Nevada 

RAU ́ L LABRADOR, Idaho 

BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas 

GEORGE HOLDING, North Carolina 

DOUG COLLINS, Georgia 

RON DeSANTIS, FLORIDA 

JASON T. SMITH, Missouri 

JOHN CONYERS, JR., Michigan 

JERROLD NADLER, New York 

ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT, Virginia 

MELVIN L. WATT, North Carolina 

ZOE LOFGREN, California 

SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas 

STEVE COHEN, Tennessee 

HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR., 

Georgia 

PEDRO R. PIERLUISI, Puerto Rico 

JUDY CHU, California 

TED DEUTCH, Florida 

LUIS V. GUTIERREZ, Illinois 

KAREN BASS, California 

CEDRIC RICHMOND, Louisiana 

SUZAN DelBENE, Washington 

JOE GARCIA, Florida 

HAKEEM JEFFRIES, New York 

SHELLEY HUSBAND, Chief of Staff & General Counsel 

PERRY APELBAUM, Minority Staff Director & Chief Counsel 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM, COMMERCIAL AND ANTITRUST LAW

SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama, Chairman 

BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas, Vice-Chairman 

DARRELL E. ISSA, California 

TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania 

GEORGE HOLDING, North Carolina 

DOUG COLLINS, Georgia 

JASON T. SMITH, Missouri 

STEVE COHEN, Tennessee 

HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR., 

Georgia 

SUZAN DelBENE, Washington 

JOE GARCIA, Florida 

HAKEEM JEFFRIES, New York 

DANIEL FLORES, Chief Counsel 

JAMES PARK, Minority Counsel 
(III) 

C O N T E N T S 

JULY 11, 2013 

Page 

THE BILL 

H.R. 2641, the ‘‘Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development 

(RAPID) Act of 2013’’ ........................................................................................... 4 

OPENING STATEMENTS 

The Honorable Spencer Bachus, a Representative in Congress from the State 

of Alabama, and Chairman, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law ........................................................................................ 1 

The Honorable Steve Cohen, a Representative in Congress from the State 

of Tennessee, and Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, 

Commercial and Antitrust Law .......................................................................... 36 

The Honorable Tom Marino, a Representative in Congress from the State 

of Pennsylvania, and Member, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law .................................................................................. 38 

WITNESSES 

William K. Kovacs, Senior Vice President, Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

Oral Testimony ..................................................................................................... 43 

Prepared Statement ............................................................................................. 45 

Dennis J. Duffy, Vice President and Counsel, Cape Wind Associates, LLC 

Oral Testimony ..................................................................................................... 61 

Prepared Statement ............................................................................................. 63 

Scott Slesinger, Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council 

Oral Testimony ..................................................................................................... 71 

Prepared Statement ............................................................................................. 73 

Nick Ivanoff, President & CEO, Ammann & Whitney, on behalf of American 

Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) 

Oral Testimony ..................................................................................................... 96 

Prepared Statement ............................................................................................. 98 

LETTERS, STATEMENTS, ETC., SUBMITTED FOR THE HEARING 

Prepared Statement of the Honorable Bob Goodlatte, a Representative in 

Congress from the State of Virginia, and Chairman, Committee on the 

Judiciary ............................................................................................................... 40 

Prepared Statement of the Honorable John Conyers, Jr., a Representative 

in Congress from the State of Michigan, and Ranking Member, Committee 

on the Judiciary ................................................................................................... 41 

Material submitted by the Honorable Hakeem Jeffries, a Representative in 

Congress from the State of New York, and Member, Committee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law ................................................. 116 

Material submitted by the Honorable Henry C. ‘‘Hank’’ Johnson, Jr., a Representative in Congress from the State of Georgia, and Member, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law ................. 178 
Page

IV 

APPENDIX 

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE HEARING RECORD

Response to Questions for the Record from William K. Kovacs, Senior Vice 

President, Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber 

of Commerce ......................................................................................................... 188 

Response to Questions for the Record from Dennis J. Duffy, Vice President 

and Counsel, Cape Wind Associates, LLC ......................................................... 191 

Response to Questions for the Record from Scott Slesinger, Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council ............................................................ 192 
(1) 

RESPONSIBLY AND PROFESSIONALLY INVIGORATING DEVELOPMENT (RAPID) ACT OF 

2013 

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2013 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM, 

COMMERCIAL AND ANTITRUST LAW

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY, 

Washington, DC. 

The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:02 a.m., in room 

2141, Rayburn Office Building, the Honorable Spencer Bachus 

(Chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding. 

Present: Representatives Bachus, Goodlatte, Marino, Cohen, 

Johnson, DelBene, and Jeffries. 

Staff present: (Majority) Daniel Flores, Chief Counsel; Ashley 

Lewis, Clerk; Jaclyn Louis, Legislative Director to Mr. Marino; 

Sarah Vanderwood, Legislative Assistant to Mr. Holding; and (Minority) James Park, Minority Counsel. 

Mr. BACHUS. Good morning. The Subcommittee on Regulatory 

Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law hearing will come to order. 

Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess at 

any time. 

We welcome all our witnesses today. 

We are going to have votes on the floor, which we normally do 

not have on a Thursday, but the Farm Bill is back. So we do expect 

to have some interruptions, which we apologize in advance for. 

Our format is for opening statements of Members and then the 

panel. So we will proceed with that. 

And at this time, I would like to recognize Mr. Marino, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, who is the sponsor of the bill, for his 

opening statement. 

Mr. MARINO. I would like to reserve my time. 

Mr. BACHUS. Let me give my opening statement, and then we 

will go back and have the sponsor give his opening statement. 

Summer is what we usually know as a high time for outdoor construction projects. In fact, it is when you sometimes hear complaints from some people that there is too much construction going 

on. I am not sure I have heard that anytime lately. 

But especially when it comes to roads, each of these projects is 

creating jobs, improving safety, and modernizing our transportation 
2 

system. And let me add as an aside I am also one of those who believes we need to be investing more in our infrastructure. 

Unfortunately, there is a big roadblock out there to completing 

all the work that we desperately need to have done on our highways and roads and bridges. That is an inexcusable slow process 

imposed by Washington on the permitting of new construction 

projects. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, Federal 

agencies must review proposed new projects for environmental impacts and that is fine. But it is unacceptable that the progress has 

grown to one that drags out for years. 

Just this past May we heard that President Obama expressed 

similar concerns during a speech in Baltimore, and he said, I quote, 

‘‘One of the problems we have had in the past is that something— 

sometimes it takes too long to get projects off the ground. There are 

all these permits and red tape and planning and this and that, and 

some of it is important to do but we could do it faster.’’ 

Quite frankly, it was the original intent that we do it faster. 

When NEPA was in its infancy, the Council of Environmental 

Quality promised that under its regulations even large, complex energy projects would require only about 12 months for the completion of the entire process. And that is the environmental impact 

statement. And now, instead, it sometimes seems incredibly difficult to get permission in a timely manner for even a small project. 

And when it comes to large projects, such as the construction of the 

Northern Beltline in the Birmingham area that I represent, the 

challenges are even greater. 

There are some who would argue that current economic reviews 

is working well and should not be changed. We have a witness 

today from the National Resources Defense Council who will tell us 

that if the review process is shortened and streamlined, all important environmental factors might not be taken into account. And I 

do not begrudge them for that position, but I find it ironic that a 

witness from the same organization testified here Tuesday that we 

should not take extra time when it comes to assessing the adverse 

job impacts of Federal agency decisions. So they were here 2 days 

ago saying we should get the rules and regs out and not spend time 

seeing whether there is an impact on jobs. So what needed to be 

faster on Tuesday needs to slow up on Thursday I guess. 

The legislation we are considering today, the RAPID Act, would 

streamline the permitting process in a way that would still allow 

all appropriate environmental reviews to be done. It would reduce 

the time it takes to review new construction projects and ensure 

that the permitting process is not endlessly held up in the courts. 

Let me thank Mr. Marino for re-introducing this legislation. I am 

proud to be an original cosponsor of his legislation. 

This legislation is modeled on the successful permitting streamlining provisions of the recent bipartisan SAFETEA-LU and MAP21 transportation bills. Both of those transportation reauthorization bills had my strong support and the support of most Judiciary 

Committee Members on both sides of the aisle. Under SAFETEALU alone, the time for completing environmental impact statements has been cut nearly in half, but further reforms are needed 

and the RAPID Act is a further step forward. 
3 

Let me conclude by saying one thing we all agree on, that we 

need more jobs. Construction jobs can be some of the best paying 

jobs out there, and when you talk about young people, a summer 

construction job can be a way to help pay for college. It was for me. 

I worked every summer for a construction company as I went 

through Auburn and then 1 year at Alabama Law School. To me, 

this is a winning piece of legislation that will create jobs, allow a 

lot of students to help pay for their educations, and others to feed 

their families and allow us to get on with the urgent task of modernizing our Nation’s crumbling infrastructure, whether it is water, 

sewer, or highways. 

And with that, I yield to the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Mr. Cohen, who I think is all excited about this bill too. 

[The bill, H.R. 2641, follows]: 
4 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2641 

To provide for improved coordination of agency actions in the preparation 

and adoption of environmental documents for permitting determinations. 

and for other purposes. 

I~ THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 10, 2013 

lVIr. lVUBIKO (for himself, }Ir. BACHUS, l\lr. COBLll:, lVIr. FRANKS of ~lril':olla, 

}Ir. SMITH of Texas. Mr. A:vIODEI. and Mr. OV.-:ENS) introduced the fol101~ing bill; which was rl'ferred to the Conmlittee on the .Judieiary, and 

ill addition to the Committee OIl Natural Resourees, for a period to be 

subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 

of Btll'h provisions as fall within the jurisdietion of the committee eoneerned 

A BILL 

To provide for improved coordination of agency actions m 

the preparation and adoption of environmental doeuments for permitting determinations, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted the Senate a.nel HOII,<;e of Representa2 tives of the United States 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

d)ri'.rl'f'pg~ assembled. 

4 This Act may be cited as the "Responsibly And Pro5 fessionally Invigorating Development Act of 20Hl" or as 

6 the "RAPID Acf' . 
5 

2 

SEC. 2. COORDINATION OF AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE OP2 ERATIONS FOR EFFICIENT DECISIONMAKING. 

3 (a) IN GENERAL.-Part I of chapter 5 of title 5, 

4 United States Code, is amended by inserting after sub5 ehapter II the follovving: 

6 "SCBCHAPTKH, llA-INTERAG8NCY 

7 COORDINATION REGARDING PERMITTING 

8 "§ 560. Coordination of agency administrative oper9 ations for efficient decisionmaking 

10 "(a) CON(lnESSTONAT, DEChi\HA'I'TON OF PUHPOSK11 The purpose of this subchapter is to establish a frame\vork 

12 and procedures to streamline, increase the efficiency of, 

13 and enhanee eo ordination of agency administration of the 

14 regulatory rev~ew, env~rollmental decisionmaking, and per15 mitting process for projects undertaken, reviewed, or fund16 ed by Federal agencies. This subchapter will ensure that 

17 agencies administer' the regulatory process ill a manner 

18 that is efficient so that citizens are not burdened \\~th reg19 ruatory excuses and time delays. 

20 "(b) DEFINITIONS.-For purposes of this sub21 chapter, the term22 "( 1) 'agency' means allY agency, department, or 

23 other unit of Federal, State, local, or Indian tribal 

24 government: 

25 "(2) 'category of projects' means 2 or more 

26 projects related hy project tY11e, potential environ-

.HR 2641 IH 
6 

mental impacts, geographic location, or another 

2 similar prqiect feature or characteristic; 

3 'enviromnental assesslnent' Iueans a con4 Clse puhlic document for which a Federal agency is 

5 responsible that serves to6 "(A) briefly provide tmfficient evidence and 

7 analysis for determining' whether to prepare an 

8 environmental impact statement or a finding of 

9 no significant impact; 

10 "(B) aid an agency's compliance with 

11 NEPA ',,"'hen no enVil"Ollmental impact state12 ment is necessary; and 

13 facilitate preparation of an enVlron14 mental impact statement when one is necessary; 

15 "( 4) 'enVil"Ollmental impact statement' means 

16 the detailed statement of significant environmental 

17 impacts required to be prepared under NEPA; 

18 "(5) 'environmental review' means the j1'ederal 

19 agency procedures for preparing an environmental 

20 impact statement, environmental assessment, cat 

21 egorical exclusion, or other document under ~EPA; 

22 'environmental deeisiomnaking proeess' 

23 means the Federal agency proeedllres for under24 taking and completion of any environmental permit, 

25 decision, approval, review, or study under any Fed-

.HR 2641 IH 
7 

4 

eral law other than ~EP A for a prqject subject to 

2 an environmental review; 

3 "(7) 'environmental document' means an enVl4 ronmental assessment or environmental impart 

5 statement, and includes any supplemental document 

6 or doeument prepared pursuant to a court order; 

7 "( 8) 'finding of no significant impact' means a 

8 document hy a Federal agenry briefly presenting the 

9 reasons why a pn:~ject, not otherwise sUQject to a 

10 categorical exclusion, ,\ill not have a significant ef11 fect on the l111man em~romnent and for which an en12 vironmental impact statement therefore will not be 

13 prepared; 

14 "(9) 'lead agency' means the Fecleral agency 

15 preparing or responsible for preparing the eTl\~rOn16 mental document; 

17 "(10) 'NEPA' means the National Environ18 mental Policy Act of HH:W (42 U.S.C. 4821 et seq.); 

19 "( 11 ) 'proj err means maj or Federal actions 

20 that arc construction activities undertaken with Fed21 eral funds or that are construction activities that re22 quire approval by a permit or regulatory decision 

23 issued by a Federal agency; 

24 "( 12) 'project sponsor' means the agency or 

25 other entity, including any private or public-private 

.HR 2641 IH 
8 

;) 

entity, that seeks approval for a project or is other2 \~rise responsible for undertaking a prQject; and 

3 "( 18) '['ecorcl of decision' means a document 

4 prepared by a lead agency under NEPA follmving an 

5 elnrironmental impact statement that states the lead 

6 agency's decision, identifies the alternatives consid7 ered by the agency in reaching its decision and 

8 states whether all practicahle means to avoid or min9 imize elnrironmental harm from the alternative se10 lected have been adopted, and if not, why they were 

11 not adopted. 

12 "(c) PREPARATION m' ENVlRONlVLENTAL Docc13 lVIENTS.-Upon the request of the lead agency, the project 

14 sponsor shall be authorized to prepare any document for 

15 pmJ)0ses of an environmental re,~ew required in support 

16 of any project or approval by the lead agency if the lead 

17 agency furnishes oversight in such preparation and inde18 pendently evaluates such document and the document is 

19 approved and adopted by the lead agency prior to taking 

20 any action or making any approval based on such docu21 ment. 

22 "(d) _ADOPTION A~'JD CSE OF l)OCUlVIEKTS.-

23 "(1) Docu1VmNTS PRI'JPARTm UNDT<JR NT<JPA.-

24 ~ot more than 1 environmental im25 pact statement and 1 emrironmental assessment 

.HR 2641 IH 
9 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

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shall be prepared under NEPA for a project 

(except for supplemental environmental documetlts pr'epared under KEPA or envirollmental 

documents prepared pursuant to a court order), 

and, except as othervvise provided by la\v, the 

lead ageney :shall prepare the environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. 

luter the lead agency issues a record of necision, no Federal agency responsible for making 

any approval for that prqiect may rely on a docume11t other than the env~ro11melltal docmme11t 

prepared by the lead agency. 

"(B) Upon the request of a project spon-

:SOl', a lead ageney may adopt, u:se, ur rely upon 

secrmcimy a11d eunmlative impact analyses illcluderl in any environmental rlocument preparerl 

under NEPA for prqjects in the same geographie area where the seeondary and eumulative impact analyses provine information anel 

data that pertains to the )JEPA decision for the 

project under review. 

"(2) STATE EJ\iv'1ROffiiENTAL DOCUMENTS; 

23 SUPPLR1\mNTAL DOCUlYmNTS.-

24 "(A) Upon the request of a project spon25 SOl', a lead ag'ency may adopt a document that 

.HR 2641 IH 
10 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

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19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

7 

has been prepared for a project under State 

laws and procedures as the environmental impact statement 01' environmental assessment for 

the prC\ject, provided that the State laws and 

procedures under which the document was prepared pruviue envirunmental prutectiun and upportunities for publie involvement that are substantially equivalent to KEPA. 

"(B) A.n environmental document adopted 

under subparagraph (A) is deemed to satisfy 

the lead agency's obligation under NEPA to 

prepare nn environmental impact statement or 

environmental assessment. 

In the case of a ducument describeu 

m subparagraph (A), rlm-ing the period after 

preparation of the doeument hut before its 

adoption by the lead agency, the lead agency 

shall prepare and publish a supplement to that 

document if the lead agency determines that-

.HR 2641 IH 

"(i) a significant change has becn 

made to the prqiect that is relevant for 

purposes of environmental review of the 

project; or 

"(ii) there have been significant 

changes in eircumstances or availability of 
11 

8 

information relevant to the environmental 

2 review for the prqiect. 

3 "(D) If the agency prepares and publishes 

4 a supplemental document under subparagnlph 

5 (0), the lead agency may solicit comments from 

6 agencies and the public on the supplemental 

7 document for a period of not more than 46 

8 days beginning on the date of the publication of 

9 the supplement. 

10 "(E) A lead agency shall issue its record of 

11 decision or finding of no signifieant impact, as 

12 appropriate, based upon the document adopted 

13 under subparagraph (A), and any supplements 

14 thereto. 

15 ) OlN'I'T<J1:TPOHANEOTJS PHo.mc'I's.-If the 

16 lead agency determines that there is a reasonable 

17 likelihood that the prqject 'will have similar environ18 mental impacts as a similar projeet in geographieal 

19 proximity to the prqject, and that similar prqject 

20 was subject to environmental review or similar State 

21 procedures \\ithin the 5-year period immediately pre22 ceding the date that the lead ageney makes that de23 termination, t11e lead ageney may adopt the emiron24 mental doeument that resulted from that emiron25 mental review or similar State proeedure. The lead 

.1IR 2641 In 
12 

9 

agency may adopt such an environmental document, 

2 if it is prepared under State laws and procedures 

3 only upon making a favorable determination on such 

4 environmental document pursuant to paragTflph 

5 (2)(A). 

6 "(e) PARTICIPATI~G AGENCIES.-

7 "(1) 11\ GE1\ER~ti .. -The lead agency shall be 

8 rC'sponsihle for inviting and clesignating participating 

9 ag'encies in accordance with this subsection. The 

10 lead agency shall provide the invitation or notice of 

11 the designation ill ~wTiting. 

12 FgDgRAL PARTICIPATING AG!<JNCmS.-l\.ny 

13 Federal agency that is required to adopt the envi14 romnental docmnent of the lead agency for a projeet 

15 shall be designated as a partieipating agency and 

16 shall collahorate on the preparation of the ellviron17 mental document, unless the Federal agency informs 

18 the lead ageney, in writing, by a time speeified by 

19 the lead agenry in the designation of the Federal 

20 ageney that the Federal agcney21 has no jurisdiction or authority with 

22 respeet to the projed.; 

23 "(B) has no expertise or informatioll rel24 evant to the project; and 

.HR 2641 IH 
13 

10 

does not intend to submit comments 

2 on the project. 

3 Ir-..TVITATIOK.-The lead agency shall iden4 tify, as early as praC'tiC'ahle in the environmental re5 view for a project, any agencies other than an agen6 cy described in paragraph (2) that may have an in7 terest in the projeet, including, where appropriate, 

8 Governors of affected States, and heads of appro9 priate tribal and local (including county) govern10 ments, and shall invite such identified ageneies and 

11 officials to become participating agencies in the envi12 ronmental review for the project. The invitation shall 

13 set a deadline of 30 for responses to be sub14 mitted, which may only be e~'tenueu by the leau 

15 agency for good cause 8110,1'11. Any agency that fails 

16 to respond prior to the deacUine shall be deemed to 

17 have deelined the invitation. 

18 "( 4) J1JFFECT OF DECUNING PARTICIPATING 

19 A(JF])JCY T1\T\!iTATTON.-Any agency that declines a 

20 desiglwtion or invitation by the lead agency to be a 

21 participating ageney shall be precluded from submit22 ting comments OlL auy document prepared under· 

23 NEPA for tllat projeet or taking any measures to 

24 oppose, based on the environmental review, any per25 mit, lieense, or approval related to that prQiect . 

• HR 2641 IH 
14 

11 

"(5) EFFECT OF DESIGNATION.-Designation 

2 as a participating agency under this subsection does 

3 not imply that the participat.ing agency4 "(A) supports a proposed project; or 

5 "(B) has any jurisdiction over, or special 

6 e:Xl-)ertise with respect tu evaluation uf, the 

7 projeet. 

8 "( 6) COOPl£RA'l'INC{ AC{ENCY.-A participating 

9 agency may also be designated by a lead agency as 

10 a 'cooperating agency' under the regulations con11 tailled in part 1500 of title 40, Code of Federal Reg12 ulations, as in effect on January 1, 2011. Designa13 tion as a cooperating agency shall have no effect on 

14 designatiun as participating agency. Nu ageney that 

15 is not a pflrticipating agency may be designated as 

16 a cooperating agency. 

17 "(7) CONCURRENT RE\"'IEWS.-Each Federal 

18 agency 8hall19 "(A) carry out obligations of the Federal 

20 agency under other applicable law concurrently 

21 and in conjunction vvith the review required 

22 under NEPA: and 

23 "(B) in accordance \\~tll tlle rules made 

24 the Council on Environmental Quality pursuant 

25 to subsection (n)(1). make and cany out such 

.HR 2641 IH 
15 

2 

3 

12 

rules, policies, and procedures as may be reasonably necessary to enable the agency to ensure completion of the environmental reVIeW 

4 and environmental decisionmaking process in a 

5 timely, coordinated, and environmentally re6 sponsible manner. 

7 "(8) CO:VIlVIE)JTS.-J.Jach participating agency 

8 shall limit its comments on a project to areas that 

9 are ,\~thin the authority and expertise of such par10 ticipating agency. Each participating agency shall 

11 identifY in such comments the statutory authority of 

12 the participating agency pertaining to the subject 

13 matter of its comments. The lead agency shall not 

14 aet upon, respond to or inelude in any document 

15 prepared under NEPA, any comment submitted 

16 a participating agency that concerns matters that 

17 are outside of the authority and expertise of the 

18 commenting participating agency. 

19 "(f) PnO.JECT T"JTTTATION RW"lUEST.-

20 "(1) NOTICE.-A project sponsor shall prov~dc 

21 the Federal agency responsible for undertaking a 

22 project with notice of the initiation of the project by 

23 prov~ding a description of tl1e proposed project, tl1e 

24 general location of the proposed project, and a state25 ment of any Federal approvals anticipated to be nec-

.HR 2641 IH 
16 

1') _d 

essary for the proposed project, for the purpose of 

2 informing the Federal ag'ency that the environmental 

3 review should be initiated. 

4 LKAD Acn<j~CY I1\-rTL~TION.-The agency 

5 receiving a project initiation notice under paragraph 

6 (1) shall promptly identify the lead agency for the 

7 project, and the lead agency shall initiate the enVl8 ronmental review within a period of 45 days after 

9 receiving the notice required by paragraph (1) by in10 viting or desigl1ating agencies to become partici11 pating agencies, or, where the lead agency deter12 mines that no participating agencies are required for 

13 the project, by taking such other actions that are 

14 reasonable and necessary to initiate the enVlron15 mental review. 

16 "(g) i~.LTEHNAT1Vl<JS ANALYSlS.-

17 "(1) PARTICIPATION.-As early as practicable 

18 during the environmental review, but no later than 

19 during scoping for a project requiring the prepara20 tion of an environmental impact statement, the lead 

21 agency shall provide an opportunity for involvement 

22 cooper'ating ageneies in determining the range of 

23 alterllatives to be eonsidered for a prqjeet. 

24 "(2) RANGE OF ALTER~ATIVES.-Following 

25 participation under paragTaph (1), the lead agency 

.HR 2641 IH 
17 

14 

shall determine the range of alternatives for consid2 eration in any document which the lead agency is re3 sponsible for preparing fOt, the projeet, sutuect to the 

4 follmving limitation8: 

5 "(A) No EVALUATION OF CERTAI~ ALTER6 ~ATIVES,-No Federal agency shall evaluate 

7 any altemative that was identified but not car8 ried forward for detailed evaluation in fin envi9 ronmental document or evaluated and not se10 lected in any environmental document prepared 

11 under NEPA for the same projeet. 

12 "(TI) ONLY j1'EASLBLE ALTERNATIVES 

13 EVALUATED.-\Vhere a prqjeet is being con14 strueted, managed, funded, or undertaken by a 

15 project sponsor that is llot a Federal agellCY, 

16 Federal agencies 8hall only he required to evalu17 ate alternatives that the project sponsor could 

18 feasibly undertake, consistent with the purpose 

19 of and the need for the project, including alter20 natives that can be undertaken by the project 

21 sponsor and that are technically and economi22 cally feasible. 

23 1\fl~THoDOLOmT<JS.-

24 "(A) IN GE~ERAL.-The lead agency shall 

25 determine, in collaboration ,vith cooperating 

.HR 2641 IH 
18 

15 

agencies at appropriate times during the enV1-

2 ronmental review, the methodologies to be used 

3 aud the level of detail required in the analysis 

4 of each alternative for a project. The lead agen5 cy shall include in the environmental document 

6 a description of the methodulogies used and 

7 how the methodologies were selected. 

8 "(B) No 1:<JVALUATlON 01:<' l~APPHOPHlA'l'E 

9 AL'l'ERKA'l'IV'ES.-v\l1en a lead agency deter10 mines that an alternative does not Ineet the 

11 pUll)ose and need for a project, that altenmtive 

12 is not required to be evaluated in detail in an 

13 environmental document. 

14 "( 4) PREFERRED AL'l'ERKA'l'IV'E.-At the dis15 c1'etion of the lead agency, the preferred altenlative 

16 for a project, after heing identified, may he devel17 oped to a higher level of detail than other alter18 natives in order to facilitate the development of miti19 gation measures or conCllrrent compliance \\~th other 

20 applicable laws if the lead agency determines that 

21 the development of such higher level of detail will 

22 not prevent the lead agency from making an impar23 tia] decision as to w11etl1er to accept anot11e1' a1te1'-

24 native which is being considered in the environ25 mental review . 

• HR 2641 IH 
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16 

EMPLOYl\iENT ANAINSIS.-The evaluation 

2 of each alternative in an environmental impact state3 ment or an environmental assessment shall identify 

4 the potential effects of the alternative on employ5 ment, including potential short-term and long-term 

6 employment inereaiSe:.,; anu redudioniS and :.,;hiftiS in 

7 employment. 

8 "(h) COORDINATION AND SCHl:<JDCLING.-

9 "(1) COORDINATION PLAN.-

10 "(A) IN GE~ER,\L.-The lead agency shall 

11 establish and implement a plan for coordinating 

12 public and agency participation in and comment 

13 on the eIl\~rOnmental rev~ew for a project or 

14 category of projectiS to facilitate the e~q)editiou:.,; 

15 resolution of the ellv~rOTnnental rev~ew. 

16 "(B) SCHIWULK17 "(i) IN GENERAL.-The lead agency 

18 shall establish as part of the coordination 

19 plan for a project, after consultation with 

20 each participating agency and, where appli21 cable, the prQiect sponsor, a schedule for 

22 completion of the environmental review. 

23 TIle selledl1le shall include deadlines, con24 sistent ",ith subsection (i), for decisions 

25 under any other Federal laws (includinll 

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the issuance or denial of a permit or license) relating to the project that is covered by the schedule. 

"(ii) FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATIOX-In establishing the schedule, the 

lead ageney shall eonsider faetors such 

as-

"(I) the rC8pon8ihilitie8 of participating agencies under applicable 

laws; 

"(II) resources available to the 

participating agencies; 

"(III) overall size and complexity 

of the projeet; 

"(IV) overall schedule for and 

cost of the project; 

"(V) the sensitivity of the natural 

and historic resources that could be 

affected hy the prqjeet; and 

"(VI) the extent to which similar 

projects in geographic proximity were 

recently subjeet to environmental re-

,~ew or similar State procedures. 

"(iii) COMPL~NCE WITH THE SCHEDULE.-
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"(I) All participating agenmes 

shall comply with the time periods established in the schedule 0[' with any 

modified time periods, where the learl 

agency modifies the schedule pursuant 

to subparagniph (D). 

"(II) The lead agency shall disregard and shall not respond to or include in any document prepared under 

NEP A, any comment or information 

submitted or any finding made a 

participating agency that is outside of 

the time period established in the 

schedule or modification punmant to 

subparagraph (D) for that agency's 

comment, submission or finding. 

"(III) If a participating agency 

fails to object in writing to a lead 

agency rlecision, finding or request for 

concurrence w'ithin the time period established under law or by the lead 

agency, the ageney shall be deemed to 

llave eoneurred in tlle deeision, finding 

or request . 
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"(C) COKSISTENCY vv'ITH OTHER TIME PERIODS.-A schedule under subparagraph (B) 

shall be consistent with auy other relevant time 

periods established under Federal law. 

"(D) l\!IODIFICATION.-The lead agency 

may-

"(i) lengthen a schedule established 

under subparagnlph (B) for good cause; 

and 

"(ii) shorten a schedule only with the 

concurrence of the cooperating agencies. 

"(E) DlSSBlVll~A'l'lO~.-A copy of a schedule under subparagraph (B), and of any modificatiuns to the sehe(lule, shall be-

"(i) pro,~ded vv~thin 15 days of completion or modification of sUe'h schedule to 

all participating agencies and to the 

project sponsor; and 

"(ii) made available t.o the public. 

"(F) ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITY OF 

LEAD AGE-"JCy.-\Vith respect to the environmeutal review for any projeet, the lead agency 

Sl1311 11ave authority and responsibility to ta lee 

such actions as are necessary and proper, v\cithin the authority of the lead agency, to facilitate 

.HR 2641 IH 
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the e}q)editious resolution of the environmental 

review for the prqiect. 

3 "(i) DEADLINES.-The following deadlines shaH 

4 apply to any projert snl)jert to review under NEPA and 

5 any decision under any Federal la,v relating to such 

6 prqject (induding the issuance or denial of a permit or 

7 license or any required fincling): 

8 "(1) El\VlRON~\lENTAL REVIEW Dl<JADLINl<J8.-

9 The lead agency shall complete the environmental 

10 review ,vi thin the following deadlines: 

11 "(A) E~TVlnO~MENTAIj IMPACT STATEl2 .\lENT PROJECTS.-For projects requiring prep13 aration of an environmental impact statement14 "(i) the lead agency shall issue an en15 vlronmental impart statement ,\~thin 2 

16 years after the earlier of the date the lead 

17 agency receives the prqject initiation re18 quest or- a Notice of Inteut to Prepare an 

19 Elwironmental Impact Statement is puh20 lished in the Federal Register; and 

21 "(ii) in circumstances where the lead 

22 agency has prepared an envir·OUIllental as23 sessment and determined that an em~ron24 mental impact statement yvill be required, 

25 the lead agency shall issue the environ-

.HR 2641 IH 
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mental impact statement ",cithin 2 years 

after the date of publication of the Notice 

of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register. 

"(B) ENViRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 

PROJECTS.-For projeets requiring preparation 

of an environmental assessment, the lead agency shall issue a finding of no sigllificant impact 

or publish a Kotice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal 

Register \\~thin 1 year after the earlier of the 

date the lead agency receives the project initiation request, makes a decision to prepare an 

envcironmental assessment, or sends uut partieipating agency invitations. 

"(2) EXTl£~S10NS.-

REQDREl\iE:-JTS.-The environmental 

review deadlines may be extended only if-

• HR 2641 IH 

"(i) a different deadline is established 

by agreement of the lead agency, the 

prqiect sponsor, and all participating ageneies; or 

"(ii) the deadline is extended by the 

lead ageney for good cause . 
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"(13) LnvIiTATION.-The environmental 1'evie"v shall not be eA'iended by more than 1 year 

for a projeet requiring preparation of atl enVlronmental impad statement or hy more than 

180 days for a project requiring preparation of 

an environmental assessment. 

E)J,71ROKMENTAIJ RE,TIEW COM1VIENTS.-

"(A) COl\llv1l£N'l'8 ON DRM''l' l:<Jl\V1RON1IENTi'1L IMPACT STATEMENT .-For comments 

by agencies and the public on a draft emironmental impact statement, the lead agency shall 

establish a comment period of not more than GO 

after publication m the Federal Register 

of notice of the uate of public availability of 

such document, unless-

"(i) a different deadline is established 

by agreement of the lead agency, the 

project sponsor, and all participating agencies; or 

"(ii) the deadline is extended by the 

lead agency for good cause. 

"(B) OTHER COM:VIENTS.-}1'Ol' all otber 

comment periods for agency or public comments 

in the environmental review process, the lead 

8/lency shall establish a comment period of no 

.HR 2641 IH 
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more than 30 days from availability of the materials on which comment is requested, unless-

"(i) a different deadline is established 

hy agreement of the lead agency, the 

project sponsor, and all participating agencies; or 

"(ii) the deadline is extended by the 

lead agency for good cause. 

"( 4) DEADLINES FOR DECISIOKS UNDER 

10 OTHER LAWS.-Kotvvithstandinll any other provision 

11 of law, in allY case in which a decision ullder any 

12 other Federal law relating to the undertaking of a 

13 project being reviewed under NEPA (including the 

14 i8suance or denial of a permit or licen8e) is required 

15 to be made, the following deadlilles shall npply: 

16 "(AJ D1£C181O~S FlUOR TO R1£COlW O}1' D1£-

17 CISIO~ OR, FINDING OF NO SIG~-rFICANT IM18 PACT.-If a j11

edeml agency is required to ap19 prove, or otherwise to aet upon, a permit, li20 cense, or other similar application for approval 

21 related to a pr~ieet prior to the record of deci22 SlOn or finding of no significant impaet, such 

23 Federal agency s11a11 approve or othen'\~se aet 

24 not later than the end of a 90-day period begin25 ning-

.HR 2641 IH 
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"(i) after all other relevant agency review related to the prqject is eompletej and 

"(ii) after the lead agency publishes a 

notiee of the availability of the final environmental impact statement or issuance of 

other final enviromnental documents, or no 

later thall such other date that is otherwise 

required by law, whichever event occurs 

first. 

"(B) OTHER DECISIONS.-\Vith regard to 

any approval or other action related to a projeet 

by a Federal agency that is not subject to subparagraph (A), each Federal agency shall approve or otherwise act not later than the end of 

a period of 180 days beginning-

.HR 2641 IH 

"( i) after all other relevant agency review related to the prqject is eomplete: and 

"(ii) after the lead agency issues the 

reeord of deei8ion or finding of no significant ilnpact, unless a different deadline is 

established by agreelnent of the Federal 

agency, lead agency, and the prqjeet sponsor, where applieable, or the deadline is extended by the Federal agency for good 

cause, provided that such extension shall 
28 

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not extend beyond a period that is 1 year 

2 after the lead agency issues the record of 

3 decision or finding of no significant im4 part. 

5 "(C) FMLURE TO ACT.-In the event that 

6 any Federal agency fail!-; to approve, or other7 wise to act upon, a perlnit, license, or other 

8 similar appliration for approval related to a 

9 project vvithin the applicable deacUine described 

10 in subparagraph (A) or (B), the permit, license, 

11 or other similar application shall be deemed ap12 proved by such agency and the agency shall 

13 take action in accordance v",ith such approval 

14 ,,,ithin 30 days of the applicable deadline de15 scribed in subparagraph (A) or (B). 

16 "(D) FLKAL A{}I£NCY ACTION'--L~lJ- ap17 proval under subparagraph (C) is deemed to be 

18 final agency action, and may not be reversed by 

19 any agency. In any aetioll lmder chapter 7 seek20 ing review of such a final agency action, the 

21 court may not set aside such agency action by 

22 reason of that ageney aetion having oecuI'red 

23 under tllis paragraph. 

24 "(j) ISSUE IDENTIFICATION Al'l"D RESOLUTION.-

.HR 2641 IH 
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"(1) COOPERATION.-The lead agency and the 

2 participating- agencies shall work cooperatively in ac3 cordance with this section to identi~y and ['eso1ve 

4 issues that could delay completion of the environ5 mental review or could result in denial of any ap6 pruvals required for the prqject under applicable 

7 laws. 

8 Ll£AD Af}l£NCY lU'~8PON8LBlLl'l'm8.-The 

9 lead agency shall make information available to the 

10 participating ag'encies as early as practicable in the 

11 environmental rev-iew regarding the ern-ironmental, 

12 historic, and socioeconomic resources located vvithin 

13 the project area and the general locations of the a1-

14 ternatives under eunsideratiun. Suell infurmatiun 

15 may be based on existing data sonrces, including geL 6 ographic information systems mapping. 

17 PARTICIPATI~G AGENCY RESPO~SIBIL18 ITIES.-Based on information received from the lead 

19 agency, participating agencies shall identifY, as early 

20 as practicable, any issues of concern regarding the 

21 project's potential environmental, historic, or socio22 economic impacts. In this paragraph, issues of COtl23 eern iTl(~lude any issues tlmt eould substantially delay 

24 or prevent an agency from granting a permit or 

25 other approval that is needed for the prQiect . 

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"( 4) ISSUE RESOLUTION.-

"(A) MEETING OF PARTICIPATING AGENCIEs.-At any time upon request of a project 

sponsor~ the lead agency shall promptly convene 

a meeting ,,,,ith the relevant participating agencies and the project sponsor, to resolve issues 

that could delay completion of the environmental review or eould result in denial of any 

approvals reqlured for the prqject under applicable laws. 

"(B) NOTTeR THAT TIESOIjUTION CANNOT 

BliJ ACHmvED.-If a resolution cannot be 

13 achieved "ithin 30 days following such a meet14 ing and a determination by the lead agency that 

15 all information llecessary to resolve the issue 

16 has heen ohtained, the lead agency shall notify 

17 the heads of all participating agencies, the 

18 IJr'ojed sponsor, a.nd the Council on j1Jnviron19 mental Quality for further proeeedings in ac20 cordance ,,,,ith section 204 of ~EPA, and shall 

21 publish such notification in the Federal Reg22 Lster. 

23 "(k) Rl'JPORT TO CO~GRl'JSS.-The head of eacll Fed24 eral agency shall report annually to Congress-

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"(1) the projects for which the agency initiated 

2 preparation of an environmental impact statement or 

3 environmental assessment; 

4 "(2) the projects for which the agency issnerl a 

5 record of decision or finding of no significant impact 

6 and the length of time it took the agency to COHl7 plete the environmental review for each such project; 

8 the filing of any lawsuits against the agen9 cy seeking' judicial review of a permit, license, or ap10 prova1 issued by the agency for an action suqject to 

11 NEPA, including the date the complaint was filed, 

12 the court in which the complaint was filed, and a 

13 summary of the claims for which judicial review ,vas 

14 sought; and 

15 "( 4) the resolution of any lawsuits against the 

16 agency that sought judicial review of a permit, li17 cense, or approval issued by the agency for an action 

18 subject to NEPA. 

19 "(1) LnvTrl'A'1'TONS ON CT,ATMS.-

20 "(1) I1\ GEI\J3JRAL.-Notwithstanding any other 

21 provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law 

22 seeking judicial review of a per'mit, license, or ap23 proved issued by a Federal agelley for an action sub24 ject to NEP A shall be barred unless-

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"(A) III the case of a claim pertaining to 

2 a project for which an environmental review 

3 was eonductecL and an opportunity for comment 

4 was provided, the claim is filed by a party that 

5 submitted a comment during the environmental 

6 review on the issue on ~which the party seeks ju7 dicial review, and such comment was suffi8 ciently detailed to pnt the lead agency on notice 

9 of the issue upon which the party seeks judicial 

10 review; and 

11 "(B) filed within 180 days after publica12 tion of a notice in the Federal Register ann nouncing that the permit, license, or approval is 

14 final pursuant to the law under which the agen15 cy action is taken, unless a shorter time is spec16 ified in the Federal law pnrsuant to which jndi17 cial review is allowed. 

18 "(2) NEW INFORlVIATION.-The preparation of 

19 a supplemental environmental impact statement, 

20 ,vhen required, is deemed a separate final agency ac21 tion and the deadline for filing a claim for judicial 

22 review of sueh action shall be 180 days after the 

23 date of publieation of a notice in tl1e Federal Reg24 ister announcing the record of decision for such ac25 tion. ~Any claim challenging agency action on the 

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basis of information in a supplemental enVlron2 mental impact statement shall be limited to chal3 leuges 011 the basis of that illfonnation. 

4 RULE OF CC)l\STRUCTIOx-Nothing m 

5 this subsection shall be construed to create a right 

6 to judicial review or plaee any limit on filing a daim 

7 that a persou has violated the terms of a permit, li8 ccnsc, or approval. 

9 "(m) CATEGORIES OF PROJECTS.-The authorities 

10 granted under this subchapter may be exercised for an in11 dh~dual project or a eategory of projeets. 

12 "(n) Ej1'j1'BCTIVE DNl'B.-The requirements of this 

13 subchapter shall apply only to environmental reviews and 

14 environmental deeisionmaking proeesses initiated after the 

15 date of enactment of this subehapter. 

16 1lPPLICABILlTY.-Exccpt as providcd in suh17 seetion (p), this subchapter applies, aceording to the provi18 sions thereof, to all projeets for which a Federal agency 

19 is required to undertake an en\~ronmental rev~ew or make 

20 a decision under an environmental law for a projeet for 

21 Ivhieh a Federal ag'ency is undertaking an environmental 

22 reVIew. 

23 "(p) SAv'lNGS CLAUSK-Nothillg in tllis section s11a11 

24 be construed to supersede, amend, or modify sections 13!1, 

25 135, 139, 325, 326, and 327 of title 23, l~nited States 

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81 

Code, sections 5303 and 5304 of title 49, United States 

2 Code, or subtitle C of title I of division A of the }Ioving 

3 ~~head for Progress in the 21st Century Act and the 

4 amemIments marIe hy such subtitle (Public Law 112-

5 In).". 

6 (b) TECH~ICllL AlvIEl\"TIMENT.-The table of :section:-; 

7 for chapter 5 of title 5, U uited States Code, is amended 

8 by inserting after the item relating to subchapter II the 

9 follmving: 

""TJBI:HAP'I'ER TTA-TN'I'ERAGENI:Y C:OOFmTNA'I'JON RE<1AFmTN(+ PER,MT'I''I'TNG 

"560. Cuordination of ageney administrative uperatiom fur effieient deei~iolllnaking. l: . 

10 (c) RT<JG·ULAl'TONS.-

11 (1) COUNCIL ON ENv"IRONMEKTAL QUALITY.-

12 Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 

13 of this title, the Council onBJnvironmeutal (~uality 

14 shall amend the regulations contflined in part 1500 

15 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to imple16 ment the provisions of this title and the amendments 

17 made by this title, and shall by rule designate States 

18 with laws and procedures that satisfy the criteria 

19 under section ;S60(d)(2)(A) of title 5, United States 

20 Code. 

21 (2) FEDERAl, AttENCTES.-Not later than 120 

22 days after the date that the Council on Em~ron23 mental Quality amends the regulations contained in 

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part 1500 of title 40, Code of Federal Reg'ulations, 

2 to ilnplement the provisions of this title and the 

3 amendments made this title, each Federal agency 

4 ,,,ith regulations implementing the National Environ5 mental Policy Act of 1969 ("12 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 

6 :shall amend :sueh regulation:s to implement the pro7 visions of this subchapter. 

o 

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36 

Mr. COHEN. War Eagle. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I am excited. Not really. 

The RAPID Act, otherwise known as the Responsibly and Professional Invigorating Development Act of 2013, creates a new subchapter of the APA to prescribe how environmental reviews required by NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act, should be 

conducted for Federal construction projects. I do have sympathy 

that we want to get projects like this completed quickly, but I do 

not want to bypass safety concerns. The bill imposes deadlines for 

agency permit approvals, once the NEPA review process is complete, and would deem approved any application for a permit when 

an agency does not meet those deadlines. 

President Nixon signed NEPA into law, that great liberal, on 

January 1, 1970, which passed the Congress with bipartisan support. Among other things, NEPA requires that for proposals for legislation and other major Federal actions significantly affecting the 

quality of the human environment, Federal agencies must prepare 

a detailed environmental review. NEPA also created the Council on 

Environmental Quality which issued regulations and guidance implementing NEPA. NEPA’s purpose is to provide a framework for 

wide-ranging input from all affected interests when a Federal agency conducts an environmental review of a proposed project. 

I certainly appreciate Mr. Marino, my colleague, who reached out 

to me on the floor whether changes could be made to the RAPID 

Act which could earn my support and asked for my support on the 

floor. I appreciated that, and I immediately went to staff and 

sought out the possibly that I could do so. And I do hope we can 

work together on future legislation. 

But as this specific act, I continue to have concerns about the 

fundamental structure of the bill based on our previous consideration of this bill in the last Congress. And I hate to see the record 

of Richard Nixon, which has been tarnished by himself over the 

years, tarnished any more by this Congress. 

As an initial matter, it is unclear to me why all of the changes 

to our codifications of NEPA practice contemplated in the RAPID 

Act belong in the APA. If the bill’s proponents would like to amend 

or add to NEPA’s environmental requirements, go ahead and 

amend NEPA. I am very wary of using the APA as a back door way 

to amend other statutes or substantive law, particularly those over 

which this Committee seems to lack jurisdiction or substantive expertise, not that we do not have expertise on other subjects, including the SEC, not to be confused with the Securities and Exchange 

Commission. But we do not with NEPA. 

As I said earlier this week and have said many times before, the 

APA is our administrative constitution. Like the actual Constitution I would be very concerned about changing it, only in most important times. Using the APA to amend other statutes or substantive law simply by adding subchapters is not the purpose or 

function of the APA and we ought to guard against this temptation. 

Another overreaching concern that I have is the RAPID Act may 

be aimed at the wrong target. It is my understanding the RAPID 

Act’s purpose is to reduce delays in permitting or project approval 

purportedly caused by the environmental review process. As we 
37 

learned in testimony from Dinah Bear who served for 24 years 

under Republican and Democratic administrations as General 

Counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, 

which oversees NEPA’s implementation, most of the delays in the 

process are not the result of NEPA. Specifically Ms. Bear testified 

the principal causes of unjustified delay in implementing the NEPA 

review process are inadequate agency resources, inadequate training, inadequate leadership in implementing conflict dispute resolution mechanisms, and lack of coordination between Federal agencies and agencies at the county, tribal, and State levels, including 

and particularly coordinated single environmental review processes 

in cases where governmental agencies at other levels have environmental review procedures. Causes of justified delay include the 

complexity of the proposed projects and associated impacts of them, 

changes in the proposed project, the extent and nature of public 

controversy, changes in budget and policy direction, including directional oversight and new information. 

To the extent that RAPID Act’s proponents would like to address 

unjustified causes of delay, their attention might be better focused 

on addressing inadequate agency resources which, I am sure, are 

being cut with the sequester, and other sources of such delay that 

Ms. Bear outlined. 

And to the extent that any delay in the environmental review is 

justified, it would be inappropriate to short-circuit the existing 

NEPA process. 

Another broad concern with the bill is that it would establish a 

separate environmental review process for Federal construction 

projects. Here it is important to note that NEPA applies to a broad 

range of Federal projects, not just construction. For instance, 

NEPA can apply to hunting permits, land management plans, 

hunting permits, guns—it might affect guns—land management 

plans, military base realignment and closure activities, and trout 

ESUs. The RAPID Act, however, would only apply to a subset of 

the Federal projects, namely construction activities, potentially 

adding further confusion as to the fact that there is no definition 

of construction activities in the bill. This could mean two different 

environmental review processes would apply in the same project. 

For example, the construction of a new nuclear reactor could be 

a construction activity in the building phase, but may not be with 

respect to the transportation of new or spent nuclear fuel or any 

licensing required to operate a new reactor. It is quite possible that 

two different review processes could apply on the same project as 

a result. 

These are some of the concerns, and there are many about this 

bill that Ms. Bear raised last year and that Mr. Slesinger will discuss in greater detail today. 

In raising criticisms of the RAPID Act, I do not mean to suggest 

we cannot seek common ground in some limited ways to make the 

rulemaking process better for everyone. That is what we should be 

doing in this Committee, in this Congress, and in this world. But 

we do not seem to be doing that. 

As with many of the other regulatory bills we have considered so 

far, this bill makes a lot of sweeping changes to current law, in this 

case substantive changes to a statute over which we are not the 
38 

Committee of jurisdiction, with which I cannot be comfortable. And 

therefore, I cannot support the bill. 

I thank Mr. Marino very much for his concept, his reaching out 

to me, and hope that we could find and can find—and with the distinguished Chairman, who went to both Alabama and Auburn, we 

can find common ground, and I am sure we will. 

And I thank our witnesses. I look forward to their testimony. 

And further deponent sayeth not. 

I yield back the remainder of my time. 

Mr. BACHUS. Thank you very much. We appreciate those conciliatory remarks, Mr. Cohen. 

And with that, we will recognize the sponsor of the legislation, 

Mr. Marino, for his opening statement. 

Mr. MARINO. Thank you, Chairman. 

And like President Nixon, another great liberal, my good friend, 

Mr. Cohen, who I know down somewhere there is some conservatism—I have traveled with him and I have sensed that—I am 

sure that we will be able to reach an agreement on this issue. 

Let me preface by saying I live out in the country in rural Pennsylvania. I am on about 10 acres. I get my water from a well. I 

enjoy seeing the bear and the deer walk through my front yard 

every day. I like going outside and breathing the fresh air and 

making sure that my children and my land and my constituents 

are protected. So there is no one, I don’t think, who has any greater passion for making sure that we have clean air, clean water, and 

that our children are protected. 

But with that, the American historical record has always been, 

‘‘The worse the recession, the stronger the recovery.’’ However, although the National Bureau of Economic Research states the recession ended 4 years ago, I think we can agree the recovery has been 

anything but strong. Besides losing paychecks, millions of Americans have lost the dignity and satisfaction that comes from earning 

a living and supporting a family. No government benefit can compensate a person for that. 

Americans are ready to work and employers are eager to create 

jobs if government could just get out of the way. As we will hear 

from the witnesses today, the job opportunities are here on U.S. 

soil. 

One of our witnesses today describes the U.S. Chamber’s study, 

Project No Project, which looked at the potential economic impact 

of permitting challenges faced by U.S. companies attempting to 

propose new energy projects. For example, Penn-Mar Ethanol attempted to construct an ethanol producing plant in Conoy Township, Pennsylvania. Neighboring Hellam Township sent a letter to 

the Conoy Township board of supervisors objecting to the ethanol 

plant. Hellam Township’s objections included environmental risk to 

the surrounding area and a ‘‘risk of causing the beautiful area surrounding the Susquehanna River to become an undesirable sight.’’ 

Is that what we mean when we talk about negative environmental 

impact? An obstructed scenic view? 

Certainly job creators cannot be effective in creating jobs under 

such an over-expansive, extreme regime. 

After hearing about the numerous projects currently awaiting approval in the testimony today, many of us might be asking our-
39 

selves ‘‘if the workers are here and the jobs are here, then what 

is keeping American workers idle.’’ 

Well, I will tell you. It is our outdated, burdensome, convoluted 

Federal permitting process that has become a hotbed for the environmental extremists looking to hold up infrastructure building 

and growth that our country so desperately needs. 

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 serves worthy 

goals which should be preserved. Federal agencies should have an 

awareness of how their actions affect the environment, and this decision-making process should be transparent to the public. It seems 

the Administration, the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, and legislation adopted by our strong bipartisan majority 

in our 109th and 112th Congresses all recognize that an overly burdensome and lengthy environmental review and permitting process 

undermines economic growth. 

My bill, the RAPID Act of 2013, aims to restore the balance between thorough analysis and timely decision-making in the Federal 

permitting process. It does not seek to force agencies to approve 

more or fewer permit applications. It simply says be transparent. 

Put one agency in charge. Follow a rational—a rational—process 

and approve or deny the project in a reasonable amount of time. 

Then get out of the way. 

Job creators and workers alike deserve to know that a fair decision will be made by a date certain. When a project gets stuck in 

limbo, companies spend their resources on lawyers instead of using 

their budget to hire new employees. 

The RAPID Act is modeled on existing National Environmental 

Policy Act, NEPA, regulations and guidance, including guidance 

from this Administration issued to the agency heads, as well as 

recommendations from the President’s own Job Council and regulatory reforms adopted with broad bipartisan support in the 109th 

and 112th bodies of Congress. Americans are ready to get back to 

work. The RAPID Act of 2013 will remove the red tape and allow 

job creators to take projects off the drawing board and on to the 

work site. 

In closing, I want to thank my cosponsors, Chairman Bachus, 

Mr. Coble, Mr. Smith, Mr. Franks, and Mr. Amodei, for their support. Thanks especially to Mr. Bachus for calling this hearing and 

giving us the opportunity to bring this issue to light. 

I would also like to thank our witnesses for attending and sharing their valuable expertise with us. I look forward to a lively debate. 

And I reserve the balance of my time. Thank you. 

Mr. BACHUS. Thank you, Mr. Marino. 

At this time, I would ask unanimous consent to introduce for the 

record the statements of both the Chairman of the full Committee 

and the Ranking Member, Congressman Goodlatte and Congressman Conyers, into the record. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Goodlatte follows:] 
40 

Prepared Statement of the Honorable Bob Goodlatte, a Representative in 

Congress from the State of Virginia, and Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary 

Over 4 years into nominal recovery, America’s economy remains far too weak, and 

America’s workers have far too few jobs. 

The June jobs report showed an increase of 240,000 in the number of discouraged 

workers—those who have simply quit looking for a job out of frustration or despair. 

The number of people working part-time—but who really want full-time work— 

passed 8.2 million. That represents a jump of 322,000 in just one month. 

Worst of all, the truest measure of unemployment—the rate that includes both 

discouraged workers and those who cannot find a full-time job—continues to exceed 

20 million Americans. And that rate rose from 13.8% back to 14.3% in June. 

In the wake of this bad news, I cannot thank Mr. Marino enough for reintroducing 

the RAPID Act. This legislation represents one of the most important things Congress can do to stimulate the job creation that America’s workers desperately need. 

The federal government’s outdated and overly burdensome environmental review 

process keeps jobs and workers waiting for approval from Washington’s government 

agencies for far too long. 

A recent study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce identified 351 proposed energy 

projects that, if approved, could generate up to two million jobs annually. 

Yet these projects and others like them are held up by an environmental review 

process that takes years, sometimes more than a decade, to reach a conclusion. The 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, under which this process takes 

place, serves important goals, which should be preserved. But the NEPA process 

today does not resemble what its authors envisioned. 

Because there are no mandatory deadlines for NEPA review, investment capital 

is tied up indefinitely or until it finally goes away, while the bureaucratic review 

process grinds on. A 2008 study found that federal agencies take nearly 31⁄2 years 

on average to complete an environmental impact statement. 

Incredibly, in the midst of the Nation’s historic economic difficulties, that length 

of time is increasing. 

In addition, agencies can deny permit applications based on ‘‘new information’’ not 

to be found in the environmental study documents—and perhaps provided by a special interest group that opposes the project altogether. 

Making matters worse, after bureaucratic review is finished, a whole new cycle 

of frustration begins. That is the cycle of litigation that sprawls out under the 6- 

year statute of limitations applicable to permit challenges. The fear of a lawsuit 

filed up to 6 years after a permit is granted, alleging that some portion of environmental review was defective, further discourages projects from moving forward. 

The Empire State Building, the Hoover Dam, the Pentagon, and even the New 

Jersey Turnpike were built in less than 6 years. Surely litigants can prepare and 

file lawsuits in less time as well. 

Navigating this endless review-and-litigation process can cost job creators millions 

of dollars when they need to hire consultants and lawyers. But the cost to the economy is exponentially greater. 

The key is finding the right balance between economic progress and the proper 

level of analysis. The RAPID Act strikes this balance. It does not force agencies to 

approve or deny any projects. It simply ensures that the process agencies use to 

make permit decisions—and the timeline for subsequent litigation—are transparent, 

logical and efficient. 

To do that, the RAPID Act draws upon established definitions and concepts from 

existing NEPA regulations. It also draws on common-sense suggestions from across 

the political spectrum—including from the President’s Jobs Council and the Administration’s Council on Environmental Quality. 

In many respects, the bill is modeled on the permit streamlining sections of Congress’ SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21 transportation legislation, which commanded bipartisan support. A study by the Federal Highway Administration found that this 

legislation has cut the time for completing an environmental impact statement nearly in half. 

I urge my colleagues to support the RAPID Act and cut down the time it takes 

America’s workers to see a real Jobs Recovery. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Conyers follows:] 
41 

Prepared Statement of the Honorable John Conyers, Jr., a Representative 

in Congress from the State of Michigan, and Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary 

The title of bill that is the subject of today’s hearing, namely—the ‘‘Responsibly 

and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2013’’—is unfortunately very 

misleading. 

Rather than effectuating real reforms to the process by which federal agencies undertake environmental impact reviews as required by the National Environmental 

Policy Act, or NEPA, this legislation will actually result in making this process less 

responsible, less professional, and less accountable. 

Worse yet, this measure could jeopardize public health and safety by prioritizing 

speed over meaningful analysis. 

To begin with, the bill—under the guise of streamlining the approval process— 

forecloses potentially critical input from federal, state and local agencies and other 

interested parties for construction projects that are federally-funded or that require 

federal approval. 

As a result, this measure could allow projects to proceed that put public health 

and safety at risk. 

For example, as Mr. Slesinger aptly explains in his prepared testimony for today’s 

hearing, this bill could effectively prevent the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 

exercising its licensing authority pertaining to nuclear power reactors, waste management sites, and nuclear waste disposal facilities. 

This measure could even allow such projects to be approved before the safety review is completed. 

This failing of the bill, along with many others, explains why the Administration 

and the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, along with 25 respected environmental groups, including the Audubon Society, League of Conservation Voters, 

Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and The Wilderness Society, vigorously opposed this bill’s predecessor in the last Congress. 

In issuing its veto threat regarding that prior measure, the Administration noted, 

for example, that the bill ‘‘would create excessively complex permitting processes 

that would hamper economic growth.’’ 

Another concern that I have with this bill—like other measures that we have 

considered—is that it is a solution in search of a problem. 

And, that is just not my opinion. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service 

issued a report last year stating that the primary source of approval delays for construction projects ‘‘are more often tied to local/state and project-specific factors, primarily local/state agency priorities, project funding levels, local opposition to a 

project, project complexity, or late changes in project scope.’’ 

CRS further notes that project delays based on environmental requirements stem 

not from NEPA, but from ‘‘laws other than NEPA.’’ 

So I have to ask, why do we need a bill such as the so-called RAPID Act that 

will undoubtedly make the process less clear and less protective of public health and 

safety? 

My final major concern with this bill is that it is a thinly disguised effort to 

shift power away from governmental agencies that are accountable to the public and 

to instead give greater control to politically unaccountable industry so that it can 

run roughshod over everyone else. 

This general tack is highlighted by a number of the bill’s provisions. 

For example, the bill limits the opportunity for public participation and imposes 

deadlines that may be unrealistic under certain circumstances. 

In addition, the bill creates a separate, but only partly parallel environmental review process for construction projects that will only cause confusion, delay, and litigation. 

As I noted at the outset, the changes to the NEPA review process contemplated 

by this measure apply only to proposed federal construction projects. 

NEPA, however, applies to a broad panoply of federal actions, including fishing, 

hunting, and grazing permits, land management plans, Base Realignment and Closure activities, and treaties. 

In contrast, the bill applies only to a subset of federal activities. In fact, even this 

subset is ill-defined under the measure as it fails to define what actually would constitute a construction project. 

This could lead to two different environmental review processes for the same 

project. For instance, the bill’s requirements would apply to the construction of a 

nuclear reactor, but not to its decommissioning or to the transportation and storage 

of its spent fuel. 
42 

Rather than streamlining the NEPA process, this bill only adds complication, confusion, and potential litigation to the process. 

But, more importantly, this bill is yet another effort by my friends on the other 

side of the aisle to undermine regulatory protections. 

As with all the other bills, this measure is a thinly disguised effort to hobble the 

ability of federal agencies to be able to do the work that we in Congress have assigned them to do. 

Mr. BACHUS. And with that, we have a very distinguished group 

of panelists, and I would like to start by introducing them to the 

Committee. 

Bill Kovacs, who is no stranger to our Committee, provides the 

overall direction, strategy, and management for the Environmental, 

Technological, and Regulatory Affairs Division of the U.S. Chamber. Since he joined the Chamber in March 1998, he has transformed a small division concentrating on a handful of issues in 

committee meetings into one of the most significant in the organization. His division initiates and leads national issue campaigns on 

energy legislation, complex environmental rulemaking, telecommunications reform, emerging technologies, and applying sound 

science to Federal regulatory processes. 

Mr. Kovacs previously served as chief counsel and staff director 

with the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Commerce. 

He earned his J.D. from Ohio State University College of Law 

and bachelor of science degree from the University of Scranton, 

magna cum laude. 

Welcome, Mr. Kovacs. 

Mr. Dennis Duffy, we welcome you. He is the Vice President of 

Energy Management, Incorporated, a leading developer of traditional renewable energy projects. Prior to joining EMI, Mr. Duffy 

was a partner of the law firm of Partridge, Snow & Hahn, and he 

was chairman of the firm’s public utilities practice group. Where? 

Was that in Boston? 

Mr. DUFFY. Boston, yes, sir. 

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Duffy served as special counsel to the Rhode Island Energy Facilitates siting board and the Rhode Island Partnership for Science and Technology. He was also a member of the 

Northeast Roundtable of the NEPA Task Force. 

He has been an adjunct professor of law at Boston College Law 

School since 2010. 

He received his B.A. in history from the University of Rhode Island and his J.D. from Columbia University Law School. 

Mr. Scott Slesinger is the Legislative Director of the National Resources Defense Council, and we welcome you back to the Committee again. In his capacity, he works with the NRDC staff to develop strategies for advancing environmental legislation. 

Prior to joining NRDC, Mr. Slesinger served as Vice President for 

Governmental Affairs at the Environmental Technology Council, an 

industry trade association that represents companies that recycle, 

destroy, or dispose of hazardous waste. 

Mr. Slesinger also worked at EPA’s Office of Legislative Analysis. 

Additionally, he served in the offices of Representative Henry 

Nowak of New York and the late Senator Frank Lautenberg of 

New Jersey. So I am sure you were saddened by his death, but we 

lost a great statesman. 
43 

He earned his undergraduate and law degrees at the State University of Buffalo. And you did not freeze to death while you were 

getting those degrees. 

Mr. SLESINGER. No. It is getting warmer. 

Mr. BACHUS. Is it? [Laughter.] 

It is. 

Mr. Nick Ivanoff is President and CEO of Ammann & Whitney, 

an architecture and engineering firm headquartered in New York 

City. In this capacity, Mr. Ivanoff has technical, marketing, administrative, and financial responsibility for company operations worldwide. 

Mr. Ivanoff is currently First Vice Chairman and Executive Committee Member serving on the board of directors and Chairman of 

the International Affairs Advisory Council for the American Road 

& Transportation Builders Association, a trade association with 

more than 5,000 members which advocates strong investment in 

transportation infrastructure. 

Now, I will tell you just an aside. Chairman Bill Shuster gave 

a speech yesterday morning calling for greater infrastructure 

spending across the board. And if you travel to countries like 

China, Singapore, or anywhere, you come back here and you realize 

that we are behind. You cannot have a leading Nation in the world 

with a third world infrastructure. 

Mr. Ivanoff is a registered professional engineer and professional 

planner with 39 years of experience. He received his B.S. in civil 

engineering and M.S. in traffic engineering and transportation 

planning from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. 

We welcome you. 

And with that, Mr. Kovacs, we will proceed from my left to right 

with your opening statements in 5 or so minutes. We do not stop 

people exactly on the clock. So if you have got 6 minutes of things 

you need to say, say them. 

TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM K. KOVACS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ENVIRONMENT, TECHNOLOGY & REGULATORY AFFAIRS, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

Mr. KOVACS. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Cohen, and Members of the Committee, thank you very much for asking me to testify today on the Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2013, commonly referred to as RAPID. 

The RAPID Act continues a long line of bipartisan efforts by Congress, the President, and a few States to streamline the Nation’s 

permitting process. A few examples include the President’s asserted leadership on the role of permit streamlining in his State of 

the Union Address, his May and June 2013 presidential memoranda on streamlining permits on infrastructure projects, and his 

March and June executive orders on improving performance of Federal permitting on infrastructure projects. 

Congress is not to be left behind. Congress has taken a leadership role in a bipartisan way on the enactment of permit streamlining provisions in the American Recovery and Investment Act, 

SAFETEA-LU, and MAP-21, and most recently the Senate on 

WRDA. The Governors of California and Minnesota are also pro-
44 

moting permit streamlining to expedite infrastructure projects and 

job creation. 

The RAPID Act—and this is so important—is modeled after 

SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21, which addressed the long administrative delays in completing permit reviews for transportation 

projects. Both were passed by large bipartisan majorities in both 

houses of Congress and both signed by the President. By adopting 

the common sense approach that is in these bills, the RAPID Act 

merely imposes a common sense management process on Federal 

agencies that will make a huge difference in building projects and 

creating jobs, and it does this in three ways. 

One, it is literally all procedural. It requires a Federal lead agency to coordinate and manage the environmental review process 

within specified time periods. 

Two, it requires concurrent rather than sequential review. 

And three, it establishes a 6-month statute of limitations rather 

than a 6-year one. And this 6-month statute of limitations is literally 4 months longer than the statute of limitations for challenging any other administrative action under the Administrative 

Procedure Act, and it is the same time limit as in SAFETEA-LU, 

and MAP-21 is only 5 months. 

These very simple procedural changes will help our country create millions of jobs by getting rid of excess administrative delays. 

It does not go into what the outcome is or what the substance of 

any of the environmental laws are. 

Let me provide a clear illustration of the impact on jobs in the 

economy. A few years ago, the Chamber undertook a study called 

Project No Project which identified 351 electric generating and 

transmission projects around the United States that were seeking 

permits but could not secure a permit to begin construction. The 

most surprising aspect of our study was the fact that on renewable 

projects, there were 140 renewable projects seeking a permit and 

not being able to get it, and only 111 coal-fired power plants. 

And the main finding was that the opponents of these projects— 

and I think some of this you can address in the bill and some of 

it you cannot—brought a series of administrative and legal challenges at the local, State, and Federal level against the projects, 

causing such long delay that usually the project sponsor either lost 

financing or literally abandoned the project or moved the project to 

some other locality. 

Often many of these same groups that are arguing before this 

Congress to think globally about renewable fuels and renewable energy are acting locally to stop these projects. And that is what the 

140 were all about, stopping them. 

The Chamber believes that the approach taken by RAPID will 

great accelerate the administrative permitting process, thereby allowing projects to be built and jobs to be created. The best illustration—and we know that it works—is the study that the Federal 

Highway Administration did of the SAFETEA-LU requirements in 

2010, and they found that just through the use of the SAFETEALU process, the time cut for granting a permit dropped in half from 

73 months to 37 months. 

RAPID is a common sense solution to a broken administrative 

process. Congress has it in its power to fix it. They fixed it in sev-
45 

eral other ways in a bipartisan fashion. The President has very 

clearly gotten behind permit streamlining. And so this is one issue 

where I hope at some point in time we all can work together because I think whether or not the bill stays in exactly the form it 

is in, the fact is that we have to do something to break the logjam 

and the time delays. 

Thank you very much. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Kovacs follows:] 
46 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation 

representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, 

and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. 

More than 96% of Chamber member companies have fewer than 100 

employees, and many of the nation's largest companies are also active members. 

We are therefore cognizant not only of the challenges facing smaller businesses, 

but also those facing the business community at large. 

Besides representing a cross-section of the American business community 

with respect to the number of employees, major classifications of American 

business-e.g., manufacturing, retailing, services, construction, wholesalers, and 

finance-are represented. The Chamber has membership in alISO states. 

The Chamber's international reach is substantial as well. We believe that 

global interdependence provides opportunities, not threats. In addition to the 

American Chambers of Commerce abroad, an increasing number of our members 

engage in the export and import of both goods and services and have ongoing 

investment activities. The Chamber favors strenf:,rthened international 

competitiveness and opposes artificial U.S. and foreign barriers to international 

business. 

Positions on issues are developed by Chan1ber members serving on 

committees, subconunittees, councils, and task forces. Nearly 1,900 

businesspeople participate in this process. 
47 

BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF 

REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM, 

COMMERICAL AND ANTITRUST LAW 

The "Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2013" 

Testimony of William L. Kovacs 

Senior Vice President, Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

July 11,2013 

Good morning, Chairman Bachus, Ranking Member Cohen, and distinguished Members 

of the Subcommittee. My name is William L. Kovacs and I am senior vice president for 

Environment, TechnolOb'Y and Regulatory AtTairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. You have 

asked me to come before the Subcommittee today to discuss the "Responsibly and Professionally 

Invigorating Development Act of 2013," or the RAPID Act. One of the most significant 

problems plaguing our current regulatory process is the Byzantine maze of approvals and legal 

challenges that must be navigated before a major development project can be permitted. The 

RAPID Act is designed to address that problem by speeding up the pennitting process for jobcreating infrastructure projects. On behalf of the Chamber and its members, I thank you for the 

opportunity to testify here today in support of this legislation. 

I. BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR PERMIT STREAMLINING 

The RAPID Act would be the strong action needed to speed up the permitting process 

and let important projects to move forward, allowing millions of workers to get back to work. 

Permit streamlining has traditionally drawn bipartisan support and transcended political parties 

for decades, but little progress had been achieved until several recent narrow tixes that achieved 

big results. 1 

Democrats, Republicans, the White House, and the business community all agree that we 

must remove needless red tape that stalls and often kills major development projects: 

President Obama pledged to cut "red tape" and speed up "new oil and gas permits" in his 

2013 State of the Union address. 

1 Piet deWitt, Carole A. deWit~ "How Long Does It Take to Prepare an EnvirOllllentai Impact Statement?" 

Fm'ironmental Practice 10 (4), December 2008 ("Concern about strcamliningthc ETS preparation process 

transcends political party"). As described latcr in this testimony, streamlining provisions in SAFETEA-LU and the 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have yielded positive and substantial results. 

2 
48 

Democratic Governor Jerry Brown of California, in his January 24, 2013 State of the 

State, called upon lawmakers to "rethink and streamline our regulatory procedures" so 

that they are "based upon more consistent standards that provide greater certainty and cut 

needless delays." 

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party) has increased his 

efforts to expedite the permitting process by announcing in January of this year that he 

had directed the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota 

Pollution Control Agency to issue or deny permits within 90 or 150 days (depending on 

the nature and complexity of the permit), rather than allowing applications to laflb>uish 

indefinitely. 

• In February of this year, the Department of Interior announced that it had identified 23 

renewable energy projects as priority projects for pushing through the federal permitting 

process this year and next year. 2 

On March 5, 2013, the White House Council on Environmental Quality released new 

guidelines aimed at making environmental reviews under the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEP A) more efficient. According to CEQ, the b>uidelines will "promote 

informed federal decisions on projects that impact American communities and help 

agencies improve efficiency, maximize staff resources and reduce costs."'; For example, 

the National History Preservation Act and NEPA have duplicative requirements that 

agencies must examine how a proposal may afJect historic properties. The CEQ 

guidelines call for combining those requirements in an environmental review. 

• The President's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget, which the White House released on April 10, 

2013, seeks to expedite "infrastructure projects by modernizing the Federal permitting 

process to cut through red tape while creating incentives and better outcomes for 

communities and the environment" and establish "a new goal of cutting timelines in half 

for major infrastructure projects in areas such as highways, bridges, railways, ports, 

waterways, pipelines, and renewable enerb'Y.".j 

• In April 2013, Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) was quoted in April 2013 as saying, "[t]he 

environmentalists don't like to have any deadlines set so that they can stall projects 

forever. . .I think it's wrong, and I have many cases in California where absolutely 

necessary flood control projects have been held up for so long that people are suffering 

from the adverse impacts of flooding." 5 She also added that she did not think that 

environmentalists' concerns about potentially rushed permit approvals were 

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5 April 28. 2013 T.os .ll1gele.l Times article by Richard Simon. '·Sen. Boxer finds herself at odds with 

cnvironmcntnlists." (.lvailahle al htlp.lalimcs.com/nc\Ys/natiomvorldJnationila-na-bo.':cr-cll\,ironmcntalists2013M29,0,1134896.stOlY) 
49 

6 Jd. 

"legitimate"" The Senator made these comments in support ofiegislation that would 

impose deadlines for environmental reviews of water projects. 

Tn May 2013, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum aimed at modernizing 

the Federal infrastructure permitting process by directing all relevant agencies to institute 

best practices for efficient review and permitting of projects and developing a fast track 

procedure for infrastructure projects through the expanded use ofTT tools like geospatial 

systems. According to the White House, streamlining the permitting process will mean 

that the U.S. can "start construction sooner, create jobs earlier, and fix our Nation's 

infrastructure faster." 7 

o In support of this initiative, the White House announced that, since the President 

issued a March 2012 Executive Order calling for improved etliciency in the 

Federal permitting process, agencies have expedited the review and permitting of 

50 major projects, 22 of which have completed the Federal permitting and review 

process. 

o Similarly, the time it takes to pennit these projects has been significantly 

shortened. For example, concurrent reviews on projects like the Southwest Light 

Rail Transit project in Minneapolis and the Central Valley segment of the 

California High Speed Rail are expected to cut project timelines by as much as 

30%. Also, close collaboration between Federal, State and local governments has 

reduced the timeline for the Tappen Zee Bridge in New York by 2-3 years. 

On June 7, 2013, President Obama issued a Memorandum calling for improvements in 

the performance of Federal siting, pennitting, and review processes for modernizing and 

expanding the nation's electric grid8 

According to a Department of Energy study released in April 2013, residential solar 

systems are cheaper in cities with streamlined permitting processes. The study states that 

"all else being equal, streamlining the permitting process could potentially reduce the 

price of a 4-kW residential PV [photovoltaic] system by $1,000 or more, on average, and 

cut development time by about a month.,,9 

• In March 2012, President Obama issued Executive Order 13604, aimed at "Improving 

Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects. 10 The 

Executive Order directs federal agencies to ramp up efforts to improve the federal 

permitting process by institutionalizing best practices, reducing the amount of time 

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f~4~n1l::2mni!tjl!g..:<:m4::-gyj§~!I-=iHtl:. 

4 
50 

required to make permitting and review decisions, and improving environmental and 

community outcomes. 11 

Tn 201 1, the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness developed-in 

consultation with the Chamber and a wide range of stakeholders-a set of common-sense 

initiatives to boost jobs and competitiveness. Chief among these initiatives was a set of 

ideas to "simplify regulatory review and streamline project approvals to accelerate jobs 

and growth.,,12 Recommendations included early stakeholder engagement, reduced 

duplication among local, state and federal agency reviews, and improved litigation 

management. 13 

II. DEFINING THE PROBLEM 

The Hoover Dam was built in five years. The Empire State Building took one year and 

45 days. The Pentagon, one of the world's largest office buildings, took less than a year and a 

half The New Jersey Turnpike needed only four years from inception to completion. Fast 

forward to 2013, and the results are much diiTerent. Cape Wind needed over a decade to obtain 

the necessary pennits to build an oiTshore wind fann. After obtaining federal leases in 2005, it 

took Shell Corporation seven years to obtain oil and gas exploration pennits for the Beaufort 

Sea. And the Port of Savannah, Georgia spent thirteen years reviewing a potential dredging 

project, with the end of the review process not coming until late last year. 

At a February 5, 2013 hearing before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, a 

representative from the Institute for Energy Research testified that it currently takes more than 

300 days to process a permit to drill for oil and gas on federal lands onshore. This is in contrast 

to the time it takes to process a pennit for the same drilling activities on private and state landsless than one month. 

11 The Federal Pian for impiementingExecutive Order 13604 identifies two comprehensive goals: (I) more efficient 

and cffccli\,c rcvic\..\' oflargc-sca1c and complex infrastructure projects, cuhniTk1ting in beller projects, impro\'cd 

outcomes for conmmnities, and faster permit decision-making and revie\", timelines; and (2) transparency, 

predictability, accountability, and continuolls impro\'cmcnt of routine infraslnlclurc permitting and rcvlc\vs. 

~,fvailable at https://pennits.peIionmmce gm'/si.tcs/all!themes/pennits2/files/federal pian.pdf. 

l~ "Interim Report of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, availahle at httrrJL\'L\1\'v,ioits: 

\~oJ!n~j!S\!Wi!~~\JiJVU~Rq<1JtQ!l_sl~JI~~1JllJi!lt;_,:~guhHLql}~,:H~lJ:Jml1-j9b:'9J:~~JioJ1~. 

11 ]d. 

5 
51 

Time Required for PrOCI!S$lng, PermU to Drm-Federal liS. Stale$ 

Thi~ is a s~'ste01ic problem that is peIVading our country across geographic and industry lines 

Indl'ed, the United Stales ra nks 1711 in the wood in the time it lakes to obtain a government green 

light for development - one of the ten criteria that the International Monetary Fund considers 

when looking for the d ease of doing busi ess ~ 

If our great nation is going 10 begin creJtingjobs at a faster fDte. we mllst gel back in tile 

business of building things, But we need to figure out how to do it without endless penni' ddays 

rdRled to our complex regulotory proceS5 that allow almost anyone 10 smll or stop Rny projccL 

A, T he P""ie('/ No Pr"il!t'/ h1\'clltory and ~ Signilkance 

In 2009. the Chamber unveiled !'roje", No I'rojecf. an initiative that catalO!:,'lIed the broad 

fange of energy project~ that were delayed or halted be;:au~ of the inability to obtain pemlits 

and l'lldlcss legal challcnges by opponents of development Rcsul1s of the assessment are 

compiled onto the l'r(Jj~c/ Nfll'rOj""/ Website (hup'!!www proiectnOllroiect,eom), nu~ purposc 

of the pr(~iec/ Nfl Projeci initiative was to understand the impacts of serious project impediments 

on our nation It ternains the only altcmpt to catalogue the "idc aTTay of cne'fgy projects bein!! 

challenged nntionwide 

Through PrqillL"/ NQ l'r(Jjl'c/, the Chamber identified usable information ror JJJ distinct 

pTQjccts These ineluded 22 ",uclear projects, I Illl clear disposal site, 21 transmiS$ion projects. JB 

gas and platlbrm projects_ II I coal projects and 140 renewable energy prvjects- n()\ably 89 

wind, '; wave, !O solar_ 7 hydropower_ 29 elhanollbiomass Bnd I geothermal project Given that 

somc of the electric tf8nsmission projects W~'ft multi-.tate investments and. 8S SIICh. necessitate 

approval from more thBn one state, the,e investments wereapponioncd among the St8\CS, 

resulting in 351 state-level projects anributed to forty-nine states" 

6 
52 

The resuhs of the inventory were s~all iing. One oflhe mos~ surprising findings is that it 

has been juSt II~ difficult to build II wind fllrm in the U S. n it is to build a cOlli-fired power plant. 

In facl. over 40 percent of the chaUenJ!ed projects identified in our study were ~newable energy 

projects Often, many of~he same I!l"OUps urging us to think globally about renewable energy arc 

acting locally \0 stop the very same renewable energy projects ~ha~ could create jobs and reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions. Activ s~s have blocked more renewable projectS than COlli-fired 

power plants by organizing local opl'osi~ion. changing zoning laws. opposing penn its. filing 

lawsuits. and using other delay mechanisms. thereby effectively bleeding projl'Cts dry of ~heir 

financing, 

Project ""9 Prgj9Gf www.projecfnoproJecf.com 

:-.. 1'-' _". - Ii' :.;

-

-. t • • 0 .-;;. ,.... '" ~ •• -!-, •••• :S'_._ 

":,:. 'r!il ._i" .• o 0 

,,''"-I ••• -.0 00 ~~_. 0 •• • -

@-li:IWI ,", - .... -!It.. .. 

It quickly became clear from our research tha~ the nation's camplelt, disorganized process 

for pemlining new facilities and its fretlUent manipulati()n by ()pponents constitute a major 

impedimeJl1to economic development and job creation Which prompted the ne."1 question . 

what are the economic efl"ects ofthi. problem on the economy andjob J!rowth? 

AccordinJ! 10 an economic study that we commissioned. the successful cons~ruction of 

the 351 projects identified in the l'rlljeci Nil PrujeCI inventory could have produced a $1 I 

lrillion shan-ternl boost to ~he economy Bnd created 1.9 million jobs annually during the 

7 
53 

projected seven years of construction. 14 Moreover, after these facilities are constructed, they 

would continue to generate jobs because they operate for years or even decades. According to 

the study, in aggregate, each year of operation of these projects could generate $145 billion in 

economic benefits and involve 791,000 jobs. 

B. How Did the Environmental Review Process For Projects Get So Ont of Hand? 

The mandate to conduct environmental reviews of major projects comes from section 102 

of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to 

include a "detailed statement" evaluating the environmental impacts of major federal actions, 

along with potential alternatives, unavoidable effects, impacts on long-term productivity, and 

resource commitments for all covered proj ects. 15 When NEP A was enacted some forty-four 

years ago, reb'lllatory agencies routinely ignored environmental considerations when they wrote 

rules or undertook projects. NEPA was designed to address this deficiency and force federal 

agencies to consider the environmental consequences of their actions. The law itself was 

therefore a welcome - and necessary - new component of the federal decision-making process. 

It is worth remembering, however, that Congress emphatically did 1I0t intend the 

consideration of environmental impacts to curtail or significantly delay federal action. NEPA's 

"detailed statement" provision (the requirement to prepare an Environmental hnpact Statement 

or EIS) was not included in the version ofNEPA initially passed by the House, but was 

subsequently inserted in conference from the Senate-passed version of the bil1. 16 In the 

conference report, the conferees expressed the clear expectation that the NEP A review process 

would impose only a minor delay on federal agency action. Specifically, they stated: 

The conferees do not intend that the requirements for comment by other agencies 

should unreasonably delay the processing of Federal proposals and anticipate that 

the President will promptly prepare and establish by Executive order a list of 

those agencies which have "jurisdiction by law" or "special expertise" in various 

environmental matters. 

The conferees believe that in most cases the requirement for State and local 

review may be satisfied by notice of proposed action in the Federal Register and 

by providing supplementary information upon the request of the State and local 

agencies. (To prevent undue delay in the processing of Federal proposals, the 

conferees recommend that the President establish a time limitation for the receipt 

of comments from Federal, State, and local agencies similar to the 90-day review 

period presently established for comment upon certain Federal proposals.)17 

14 The Chamber-commissioned economic study is titled Progress Denied: The Potential Economic Impact oj 

PermiLting Challenges Facing Proposed r)wrgy Pn~iects, \\ihich \\as produced by Steve Pociask of TclcNomic 

Research, LLC and Joseph P. Fuhr. Jr., Ph.D, of Widener University. An electronic copy of the study can be 

accessed at bllilJill}DtirQi~GJI1Qruolc~tcomlmQgr~_SNGJ!j~Ji:<l:'~_wd.t:9D:ll}~:l2Qj~mill!-~grrlo1Ili~:iEmailil[: 

perlIlltting...::h.allcnge,,>-f<Jcillg-proposed-energy-projects/. 

b 42 U.S.C. § 4332. 

Ie House Report No. 91-765, December 17,1969. 

l' ]d. at 8-9 (emphasis added). 

8 
54 

It is safe to assume that if the Congress that passed NEPA in 1969 saw how long it takes to 

perform an EIS today, it may not have voted as overwhelmingly in favor of passage. In 

December 2008, Piet and Carole A. deWitt performed what aBpears to be the only true 

quantitative analysis of the time required to complete an EIS. 8 Through an exhaustive Federal 

Register search, they found that between January 1, 1998 and December 31,2006,53 federal 

executive branch entities made available to the public 2,236 final EIS documents; the time to 

prepare an EIS during this time ranged from 5 I days to 6,708 days (18.4 years)19 The average 

time for all federal entities was 3.4 years, but most ofthe shorter EIS documents occurred in the 

earlier years ofthe analysis; EIS completion time increased by 37 days each year20 The U. S. 

Forest Service, Federal Highway Administration, and Anny Corps of Engineers were responsible 

for 51 percent of the EISs perfonned during the deWitt study period. 21 

This sad reality is a long way from the intent ofNEPA' s framers - specifically, that the 

new law would chiefly be administered and enforced efficiently by the federal agencies 

themselves, with substantial oversight from the White House Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB). CEQ believed in 1981 that federal agencies should be able to complete most EISs in 12 

months or less22 Moreover, the framers also assumed that agencies would be ailorded broad 

discretion in determining how to implement the law, and an agency's NEPA decisions would not 

be second-guessed by a court. Supporting this key point is the fact thatNEPA does not explicitly 

provide a right of judicial review, and the legislative history of the statute is silent on the right of 

private action to enforce NEPA. Moreover, in 1970 the judicial standing requirements for third 

parties who did not participate in an agency action (i.e., neither the project applicant nor the 

agency) were sufficiently stringent to preclude most environmental group plaintiffs. 

For these reasons, few people expected the courts to take the primary role in interpreting 

and enforcing NEP A. Within ten years, however, several key developments ensured that the 

courts would become the arbiters ofNEPA. and that environmental reviews would become 

costly, complex and time-consuming undertakings. 

The courts interpret a right of judicial review of actions under NEPA (1971). In the 

first major NEPA case in 1971, Calvert Oiff~ Coordinating Comm. v. AEC,23 the U.S. 

Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit found that an agency's compliance with NEPA is 

reviewable, and that the agency is not entitled to assert that it has wide discretion in 

performing the procedural duties required by NEP A. By 1977, in Shiffler 1'. 

Schlesinger,24 the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit found that "it is now clear that 

NEP A does create a discrete procedural obligation on government agencies to gi ve 

written consideration of environmental issues in connection with certain major federal 

actions and a right of action in adversely affected parties to enforce that obligation." 

l' Piel deWill, Carole A. deWill, "How Long Docs Il Take 10 Prepare an Environmenlallmpael Slalemenl?" 

El1virol1mental Practice 10 (~), December 2008. 19 Ie!. 

~n fd. 

21 Id. 

" Council on Enviromnental Quality. "NEPA's Forty Most Asked Questions," ~6 Fed. Reg. 55 at 18026-18038 

(1981). 

23 4H F.2d 1109 (D.C. Cir. 1971). 

" 5H F.2d 96 (3d Cir. 1977). 

9 
55 

(emphasis added). The Court cited Aberdeen & Rockfish RR v. SCRAP (.SCRAP 11),25 

and noted that SCRAP II is dispositive of the reviewability of agency compliance with 

NEPA section 102. 

The courts find that agencies have very limited discretion in determining how to 

meet their NEPA obligations (1971). In Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. VoTpe,26 

the Supreme Court considered a challenge to the Department of Transportation's decision 

to route an Interstate highway through a parle The Court noted that "[a] threshold 

question - whether petitioners are entitled to any judicial review - is easily answered. 

Section 701 of the Administrative Procedure Act provides that the action of' each 

authority of the Government of the United States' ... is subject to judicial review except 

where there is a statutory prohibition on review or where 'agency action is committed to 

agency discretion by law. ",27 In the wake of the Overton Park decision, it was clear that 

agency actions invol ving NEPA would be carefully scrutinized by the courts. Indeed, the 

courts became the most important interpreter of NEPA 's requirements and established 

procedural norms that all agencies were obliged to follow 

Third-party environmental groups have standing to sue on NEPA claims (1972). In 

Sierra Club v. Morfon,28 the Supreme Court found that an environmental group had not 

adequately alleged that it or its members' activities would be affected by a proposed 

action of the US. Forest Service, thereby failing to satisfy the requirements for judicial 

standing. The Court noted that: 

The Sierra Club failed to allege that it or its members would be affected in 

any of their activities or pastimes by the Disney development Nowhere in 

the pleadings or affidavits did the Club state that its members used Mineral 

King for any purpose, much less that they use it in any way that would be 

signiiicantly affected by the proposed actions of the respondents. 

The environmental group promptly amended its complaint following the Court's 

decision, and was able to satisfy the standing requirement. Following this case, 

environmental group plaintiil's had a relatively simple task establishing standing in NEPA 

and other environmental cases. Moreover, during the 1970s, the Justice Department 

generally declined to vigorously contest standing by environmental groups in cases 

involving NEPA and other statutes. 

• CEQ issues first NEPA regulations (1977). President Carter signed Executive Order 

11,991 in May of 1977, which required the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to 

issue regulations instructing federal agencies specifically how to comply with NEPA 

CEQ issued the regulations in November of 197829 (see 40 c.F.R. ~~ 1500.1 - 1508.28). 

Among other things, this rule required agencies to incorporate the review requirements of 

25 422 U.S. 289, 319 (1975). 

"401 U.S. 402 (1971) 

"!d. at410. 

28 405 U.S. 727 (1972). 

C9 43 Fed. Reg. 55,990 (November 28, 1978) 

10 
56 

NEPA into each agency's existing regulations. Section 1500.6 requires agencies to 

interpret the provisions ofNEPA as a supplement to the agency's existing authority and 

as a mandate to view its traditional policies and missions in the light ofNEPA's national 

environmental objectives. ill other words, agencies were instructed to give 

environmental objectives at least equal weight relative to other agency policies and 

missions. The NEPA rule contained many prescriptive elements (e.g., agencies are 

required to explore and objectively evaluate all reasonable alternatives, agencies must 

obtain information about reasonably foreseeable significant adverse impacts, unless the 

overall cost of obtaining the information is "exorbitant"). In the wake of the prescriptive 

NEPA rule, federal agencies increasingly erred on the side of over-inclusive 

environmental reviews, and began the trend of giving environmental objectives greater 

weight than any other agency policy or mission. 

As a result of these significant developments, within fifteen years ofNEPA's enactment, 

environmental groups gained unrestricted access to the courts, along with a statutory 

presumption that their environmental objectives take precedence over other agency goals, 

together with powerful financial incentives to bring NEPA lawsuits against the agencies. As 

national environmental groups gained experience and success with NEPA claims, they began 

working with local environmental groups and law school legal clinics to leverage their expertise 

into more and more lawsuits. As a leading NEPA researcher has noted: 

The House Committee on Resources' NEPA task forces (US House of 

Representatives, Committee on Resources, 2006) and the Congressional Research 

Service (2006) have suggested that the threat of litigation is a major cause for the 

long EIS preparation process. The task forces and the Congressional Research 

Service noted that NEPA litigation is not a major component of all federal 

litigation, but they have implied that the threat of litigation and the potential for 

adverse judicial decisions can have a much greater effect than the actual number 

oflawsuits. ,0 

Congress remained largely on the sidelines while the courts assumed the task of 

interpreting and expanding the scope of NEPA in the 1970s. As the amount of time required for 

agency approvals of actions began to grow longer and longer due to lawsuits, it became clear that 

NEPA challenges had become a serious obstacle to all development projects. 

The result ofNEPA's dramatic expansion is a system so bogged-down by administrative 

procedure and litigation that it is gridlocked 31 Although this result was not intended by 

Congress when it enacted NEPA, over thirty years, the modest requirements ofNEPA became an 

all-consuming super-mandate that overwhelms large-scale projects. As the US. Court of 

Appeals for the D.C. Circuit recently noted in a somewhat different context, "[t]he law tends to 

)0 Piet deWitt, Carole A deWitt, --How Long Does It Take to Prepare an Enviromnental Impact Statemen!''--

Fnl'ironmenJaI Prac1ice 10 (4), at 172, December 2008. 

~l The near-certainty that a projecfs permits will be litigated caused one company, ShelL to actually file (J lawsuit 

against it,fj own pro.iect so that it didn"t h..1vC to ,""a it until the last day of the statute of limitations for its opponents to 

rile suit. See I_lUl> ~·:hHnL~1a ~1i;li 9J:l,rnQ tC9m/_8.~<Jsk;1 ~Jm!m;l1:9 f-( ~mw !(:~!2! ~\l OC:F9QrtJJlJ} _-_~6.:' 2_~) J 2,~~ll~11-l]J~?:P!};::: 

~1!lQti\'e-_!?lill~G_-~~e~~;!I!12illTIJ-l:~I(j2rQ~~~~illJ:-;;;piJl:121mJL. 

11 
57 

snowball. A statement becomes a holding, a holding becomes a precedent, a precedent becomes 

a doctrine, and soon enough we're bowled over at the foot of a mountain, on our backs and 

covered in snow.,,32 And when the government actually needs to funnel money quickly into 

infrastructure to create jobs, the delay built into complying with NEPA can present real 

problems. That is precisely what happened in the case of the 2009 economic stimulus bill. 

C. The Recovery Act and SAFETEA-LU: Congress Streamlines the Process 

During debate on the 2009 economic stimulus bill which became the American Recovery 

and Reinvestment Act ("Recovery Act"), the Chamber called attention to the fact that our 

nation's flawed permitting process would ensure that no Recovery Act project would ever truly 

be "shovel-ready." Senators Barrasso and Boxer worked together to secure an amendment to the 

bill requiring that the NEPA process be implemented "on an expeditious basis," and that "the 

shortest existing applicable process" under NEPA had to be used. 

The Barrasso-Boxer amendment, which became Section 1609 of the Recovery Act, had a 

huge impact. According to CEQ data, 192,707 NEP A reviews were required for Recovery Act 

projects; 184,733 of them were satisfied through the use of categorical exclusions." 7,133 

reviews went through an EA and received a finding of no significant impact (FONSI)3-1 Only 

841 required an EIS, the longest available process under NEP A. 35 

Likewise, a statutory provision Congress passed in 2005 has been another success story 

for permit streamlining: Section 6002 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 

Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)36 The structure of the RAPID Act is 

strikingly similar to Section 6002. Many of its best provisions-schedule requirements, 

concurrent reviews, and the statute of limitations-are identical to Section 6002. This section 

contains two key components (1) process streamlining and (2) a statute of limitations. The 

process streamlining component does not in any way circumvent any NEPA requirement; in fact, 

the statute explicitly provides that "[n]othing in this subsection shall reduce any time period 

provided for public comment in the environmental review process." For the transportation 

projects covered by SAFETEA-LU, Section 6002 designates DOT as lead agency and requires 

early participation by other participating agencies. 1t requires federal agencies to conduct NEPA 

reviews concurrently (rather than sequentially), requires early identification and development of 

issues, and sets deadlines for decisions under other federal laws. The goal of the process 

streamlining provision was not to escape NEPA, but merely to facilitate interagency and public 

coordination so that the process could be sped up. The second key element in Section 6002 is a 

180-day statute of limitations to "use it or lose if' on judicial review. Without such a provision, 

the prevailing statute oflimitations is the default six-year federal statute of limitations for civil 

suits. 

"AK-If LLC v. Secretar" o}Labor, et af.. No. 11-1106,2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 69~0. at *12 (D.c. Cir. Jan. 20, 

2(12). 

~~ The Eleventh and Final Report on the National Environmental Policy Act Status and Progress for American 

RCCO\'CTY and Reinvestment Act or 2009 Activities and Projects, availahle al 

http://ceq.hss.doe.gov/ceq reportsireports COllLJ}1:SS no,,) 0 11 ht111l. 

"ld. 

35 Ie!. 

10 Public Law 109-59 (2005). 

12 
58 

Section 6002 has worked, and worked well. A September 2010 report by the Federal 

Highway Administration found that just the process streamlining component of Section 6002 has 

cut the time to complete a NEPA review in half, from 73 months down to 36.S5 months 37 The 

ISO-day statute oflimitations is cutting back on a typical NIMBY ("Not In My Backyard") 

practice of waiting until the very last day to file a lawsuit against a project. Because the impact 

of waiting until the last day for filing of suits is to delay proj ects as long as possible, this tactic is 

particularly effective with a six-year statute of limitations. Even with the ISO-day statute of 

limitations, groups still wait until the last week or last day to file, so that the project is delayed as 

long as possible. 

Further evidence of the success of Section 6002 from SAFETEA-LU is the fact that the 

successor highway bill - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21'1 Century Act (MAP-21) -

adopted nearly all of the same process streamlining and environmental review provisions. MAP21 was signed into law by President Obama on July 6,2012 with votes of373-52 in the House of 

Representatives and 74-19 in the Senate. Building upon SAFETEA-LU, MAP-21 includes an 

additional requirement that designated complex projects must be completed within 4 years, 

including the completion of any pennit, approval, review, or study required for the projects. 

Significantly, Congress willingly went a step further on the statute of limitations provision in 

MAP-21, reducing the time allotted for filing a lawsuit from 180 days to 150 days. Of the five 

members of this Subcommittee serving at the time - Reps. Bachus (R-AL), Farenthold (R-TX), 

Issa (R-CA), Marino (R-PA), and Cohen (D-TN) - all voted for the bill. 

D. The RAPID Act Delivers Effective Permitting Reform 

The RAPID Act takes the most effective elements of SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21-

concurrent reviews, deadlines, the statute of limitations-and applies them to all infrastructure 

projects. The RAPID Act almost exclusively relies upon concepts that are part of existing law 

and that have been shown to work in other contexts, such as SAFETEA-LU. Like SAFETEALU and MAP-21, the RAPID Act takes no rights away from agencies or the public to participate 

in the environmental review process. 

Important reforms made by the RAPID Act include: 

• Early designation of a lead agency, participating agencies and cooperating 

agencies when multiple agencies are involved in a NEPA review; 

Acceptance of state "little NEPA" reviews where the state has done a competent 

job, avoiding needless duplication of state work with the federal NEPA review; 

Imposition of a duty on agencies to involve themselves in the process early and 

comment early, with a failure to do so serving as a measure of procedural default; 

A reasonable process for detennining the scope of alternatives, so that the NEPA 

review does not tum in to a limitless quest to evaluate millions of infeasible 

alternatives; 

.l7Fcderai Highway Administration, [ntegrating Freight into NFP.-I .-Inalysis (Sept. 2(10), available at 

hUp:/(9J!_5Jll\~i!,4pJ.~Qi: [n~!hJi~<}J1Q!_1~!D!\t:]I19 pJf 'Dl~{l}lg~~_. hlnl . 

13 
59 

Consolidation of the process into a single EIS and single EA for a NEPA project, 

except as otherwise provided by law. 

Allowance ofthe project sponsor to participate in the preparation of 

environmental documents and provide funding-a refonn made recently by 

California in state permit streamlining refonns; 

A requirement that each alternative include an analysis of employment impacts; 

Creation of a schedule for the EIS or EA, including deadlines for decisions under 

other Federal laws; 

Reasonable fixed deadlines for completion of an EIS or EA; and 

Reduction in the statute oflimitations to challenge a final EIS or EA from six 

years down to 180 days. 

The RAPID Act is a practical, industry-wide approach that makes the same changes to 

NEPA that the Obama Administration is currently doing on a case-by-case basis. Consider the 

23 projects the Department of Interior announced it would streamline in February, 2013. Those 

projects are being expedited through a combination of improved coordination or cooperation 

among agencies, a process for dispute elevation and resolution, and a schedule for document 

reviews. The RAPID Act requires these same concepts: early coordination, concurrent reviews, 

prompt identification of the lead agency, early invitation of participating agencies, a schedule for 

completion of the review, and a predictable 180-day statute oflimitations 

Because the RAPID Act changes the procedure for administering an environmental law, 

there likely will be groups that decry the bill as an affront to environmental protection. But the 

fact remains that the RAPID Act makes only procedural changes. It amends the Administrative 

Procedure Act, not the organic NEPA statute. The bulk of the bill has been enacted in other 

contexts and has proved successful without impeding the rights of any private citizen. 

The shorter statute of limitations-which, again, has worked as part of SAFETEA-LU 

and MAP-21-fixes what essentially is a loophole in the system, the six-year statute of 

limitations to challenge final NEPA action. Consider that a challenge to a final regulation 

(which in most circumstances has a much greater impact on the public than a single project) is 

limited to 60 days; why then does a challenge to a different final agency action, an EIS, require 

six years? The RAPID Act hannonizes judicial review of NEPA decisions with review of other 

final agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act. 

Most importantly, the RAPID Act addresses the common problem that Project No 

Project identified: that project delays cost money and jobs. To those that question why 

deadlines are needed for the completion of a project, the response is simple and clear: they are 

needed to create jobs. Project No Project showed that in the energy sector alone, one year of 

delay translates into millions of jobs not created. The Chamber believes the creation of millions 

of jobs is worth forcing our government to work a little faster. The RAPID Act accomplishes 

this goal. 

14 
60 

TTl. CONCLUSION 

As Project No Project shows, trillions of dollars and millions of American jobs can be 

created if projects can complete their permitting on a timely basis. NIMBY activism has blocked 

projects of all shapes and sizes through tactics such as organizing local opposition, changing 

zoning laws, opposing pennits, filing lawsuits, and using other long-delay mechanisms, 

effectively bleeding projects dry of their financing. There is simply no reason for the United 

States to be tied with Papua New Guinea for last place in the world on the time it takes to pennit . 38 a new mme. 

The RAPID Act restores Congressional intent and allows environmental reviews under 

NEP A to function as designed. It sets forth a common-sense procedure for completion of 

environmental reviews-one that already works in the transportation context and has enjoyed 

broad, bipartisan support. And, the RAPID Act does not remove or modify any public citizen's 

right or ability to participate in the NEPA process. 

If enactment of the RAPID Act could have the same impact on energy, forest 

management, and intermodal projects that SAFETEA-LU Section 6002 and MAP-2 I have had 

on transportation projects, Congress will have done wonders to create jobs and boost our 

economic recovery. The Chamber strongly supports passage of the RAPID Act and stands ready 

to work with the Subcommittee to move the bill through Congress. Thank you for the 

opportunity to testify today. I look forward to answering any questions you may have. 

38 2012 Ranking (~rC()unlriesJhr i\fining Investment. Bchrc Dolbcar Group at 8. See ):,'}~_\y,_9-gJQ~~r:so_}n..:. 

15 
61 

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Duffy? 

TESTIMONY OF DENNIS J. DUFFY, VICE PRESIDENT 

AND COUNSEL, CAPE WIND ASSOCIATES, LLC 

Mr. DUFFY. Good morning. My name is Dennis Duffy, Vice President of Cape Wind Associates, LLC. For the past 12 years, Cape 

Wind has been developing the Nation’s first offshore generation 

project at an expense in private capital now exceeding $50 million. 

Cape Wind enjoys strong support of environmental, consumer advocacy, and labor groups and the overwhelming majority of Massachusetts voters. However, there is strong opposition funded primarily by a few wealthy landowners who may be able, on clear 

days, to see the project off on the horizon. 

The principals of our company have been in the business of developing and operating energy infrastructure projects for more than 

30 years. We have developed and operated some of the most efficient natural gas-fired plants operating in the United States, as 

well as the Nation’s two largest biomass plants and New England’s 

largest solar generation project. We are, thus, intimately familiar 

with the Federal and State licensing processes for major energy 

projects. 

Offshore wind technology has now advanced to the point where 

it is both proven and reliable and can play a much more meaningful role in our national supply mix, and we undertook this project 

in specific response to policy directives from the Commonwealth of 

Massachusetts. However, if we are to realize the potential of these 

new energy resources, we need to ensure that our national energy 

and environmental policies are implemented in a consistent and 

timely manner. We know that this technology works. Although 

Cape Wind will be the first offshore wind farm in the United 

States, 55 such projects are already operating successfully in Europe, and the Chinese, after having started well after us, already 

have projects in service. 

One fundamental challenge to the development of energy projects 

is the lack of any limitation on the duration of the Federal review 

periods. As a result, with no required endpoint, opponents can use 

regulatory stalling and delay tactics to try to financially cripple 

even a project that meets all statutory standards and serves Federal and State policy objectives. Indeed, the chairman of our opponents’ group recently admitted in the press that his strategy is one 

of ‘‘delay, delay, delay.’’ 

Cape Wind submitted its Federal permit application to the U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers in 2001. The BOEM issued a highly positive and 5,000-page environmental impact statement in 2009, and 

Secretary Salazar then issued the first lease for an offshore wind 

farm to Cape Wind in 2010 and approved our construction and operation plan in 2011. The project has been undergoing extensive 

regulatory and public scrutiny for more than 12 years and has now 

received all major permits and approvals. It also now has entered 

into two long-term contracts with major utilities, which have been 

approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities as 

cost effective and in the public interest. 

The NEPA review of Cape Wind’s application was a process that 

included the active participation of 17 Federal and State partici-
62 

pating agencies and afforded exceptional opportunities for public 

involvement. In addition, there has been extensive State regulatory 

review. After an exhaustive process, including 20 days of expert 

testimony, the Massachusetts Siting Board approved Cape Wind’s 

petition. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved Cape Wind’s long-term sales agreement on a finding 

that it was cost effective and in the public interest. 

Still at this juncture, the project is facing appeals. In response, 

I would like to make three specific policy recommendations. 

First, limit the time period for agency review. National policy objectives would be far better served if environmental review of renewable facilities were conducted on a fixed timeline. We reference, 

for example, for your consideration the energy facilities siting acts 

of several of the New England States which provide a thorough environmental review of energy facilities within a statutorily limited 

time frame. In particular, the Massachusetts Siting Act limits the 

review period to 12 months from the date of filing an application. 

The Massachusetts act was adopted in 1973 on a bipartisan basis 

and has withstood the test of time. 

Secondly, we would encourage the consolidation and expedition of 

judicial review. And as noted in my testimony, there are several recent examples—this has been done in the Congress—for the Alaska 

Natural Gas Pipeline Act, as well as for offshore natural gas facilities. And I note in this regard that the Massachusetts siting statute also provides for an appeal of any Siting Board decision directly 

to the Commonwealth’s highest court and that the appeals must be 

brought within 20 days to expedite a final resolution. Further, the 

Siting Act allows the board to grant a consolidated approval in lieu 

of any other State or local approvals that would otherwise be required, in a sense one-stop shopping, in which case the project 

would face only one consolidated appeal taken directly to the 

State’s highest court. 

If the Nation is to encourage development of new resources, 

streamlining the administrative and judicial review process would 

be a most effective mechanism for getting facilities on line and it 

could be done without modifying any substantive right of review by 

any aggrieved party. 

Thank you. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Duffy follows:] 
63 

ENHANCING RENEW ABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL 

STREAMLINING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 

EAST\44883309.2 

Statement of Dennis J. Duffy, 

Vice President 

Cape Wind Associates, LLC 

before the 

U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, 

Subcommittee on Regulatory Refonn 

July 11, 2013 
64 

1. Introduction 

I appreciate this opportunity to address the Committee. My name is 

Dennis J. Duffy, Vice President and Counsel of Cape Wind Associates, LLC ("Cape 

Wind"). For the last twelve years, Cape Wind has been developing the Nation's first 

offshore wind generation project. The project's nearest point to land will be 

approximately 5 miles off the on the coast of Massachusetts. Most of the turbines will be 

6 - 10 miles from the nearest shore. It would generate 468 MW of clean and renewable 

energy, with no fuel requirements and no air emissions, and would produce at its peak 

during the daylight hours of greatest consumer demand. This amount would represent 

approximately 75% of the annual electricity needs of Cape Cod and the Islands of 

Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The Cape Wind project would be located on a shoal 

that is outside of the shipping lanes and would impose no restrictions on current uses of 

the area. Cape Wind enjoys strong support of environmental, consumer advocacy and 

labor groups and the overwhelming majority of Massachusetts voters. However, it has 

drawn opposition funded primarily by a few wealthy landowners who may be able, on 

clear days, to see the project off on the horizon. 

The principals of our company have been in the business of developing 

and operating energy infrastructure projects for more than thirty years. We have 

developed and operated some of the most efficient natural gas-fired plants operating in 

the United States, as well as the nation's two largest biomass plants and New England's 

largest solar generation project. We are intimately familiar with federal and state 

licensing processes for electric power plants. In direct response to mandates of the New 

England States for renewable energy, we are now focusing upon offshore wind energy 

2 

EAST\44883309.2 
65 

development, which is uniquely well-situated to serve the population centers of the East 

coast. Offshore wind energy technology has now advanced to the point where it is both 

proven and reliable and can playa much more meaningful role in our National supply 

mix. A study commissioned by the Department of Energy entitled "A National Offshore 

Wind Study" estimates that America's offshore wind could generate 4,150 GW, 

approximately four times the current generating capacity of the Nation. However, if we 

are to realize the potential of new energy sources, we need to ensure that our National 

energy and environmental policies are implemented in a consistent and timely manner. 

We know that this technology works. Although Cape Wind will be the first offshore 

wind farm proposed in the United States, 55 projects are operating successfully in 

Europe, and the Chinese, after starting much later than us, have already now deployed 

their first offshore project. 

2. Federal Regulatory Process 

The Federal and state regulatory processes for offshore renewable energy 

are thorough and comprehensive, but often not coordinated. One fundamental challenge 

is the lack any limitation on the duration of the Federal review periods. As a result, with 

no required end point, opponents can use regulatory stalling and delay tactics to try to 

financially cripple even a project that meets all statutory standards and serves Federal and 

State policy objectives. Indeed, the Chairman of our opponents' group recently admitted 

in the press that his strategy is one of "delay, delay, delay." 

Cape Wind submitted its Federal permit application to the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers ("USACE") in November of 200 I, pursuant to section 1 0 of the 

Rivers and Harbors Act, which governs the placement of structures in Federal waters. 

3 

EAST\44883309.2 
66 

The Corps considered the project for several years and issued a favorable Draft EIS in 

November, 2004. However, pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, The Department 

of the Interior (MMS, now BOEMRE) became the lead federal agency and essentially the 

process had to begin anew. BOEMRE conducted its own multi-year review process and 

issued a highly positive Environmental Impact Statement in January of2009 and its 

Record of Decision was issued 15 months later, in April of201 O. Secretary Salazar then 

issued the first lease for OCS renewable energy to Cape Wind in October of 201 0 and 

BOEMRE approved our Construction and Operation Plan (the "COP") in April 2011. 

The project thus has been undergoing extensive regulatory and public scrutiny for more 

than 12 years, and has now recei ved all maj or pennits and approval s. It has al so now 

entered into two long-tenn contracts with major utilities, which have been approved by 

the MDPU as "cost-effective" and in the public interest. 

The environmental review of Cape Wind's application was a process that 

has included the active participation of 17 Federal and State participating agencies and 

afforded exceptional opportunities for public involvement. During this process, an 

exhaustive analysis of all potential impacts of the project was conducted, including 

studies of issues including potential impacts upon existing uses, environmental issues, 

including potential impacts to fish, birds threatened species and marine mammals, 

protection of Native American rights, project aesthetics, cost implications and the energy 

needs of the public. 

State Regulatory Process 

In addition, there have been extensive state regulatory proceedings. In 

September of2002, Cape Wind petitioned the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting 

4 

EAST\44883309.2 
67 

Board ("MEFSB") for authorization of its facilities located within Massachusetts. After 

an exhaustive review, including 20 days of expert testimony, on May 1 0, 2005, the 

MEFSB approved Cape Wind's petition based upon its findings that Cape Wind's energy 

is needed (i) to reliably meet the growing need for power in the region; (ii) to stabilize 

prices to electric rate payers; and (iii) to offset air emissions from fossil generators. 

Moreover, in 2009 the MEFSB issued a Certificate of Environmental Impact and Public 

Interest to Cape Wind and such grant has been upheld on appeal by the Massachusetts 

Supreme Judicial Court In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities 

has approved Cape Wind's long-term power sales agreements with National Grid and 

Northeast Utilities, finding that "it is abundantly clear that the Cape Wind facility offers 

significant benefits that are not currently available from any other renewable resource" 

and that the "benefits outweigh the costs of the project" D.P.D. 10-54. 

3. Judicial Appeals. 

Along the way, opponents sought to appeal regulatory decisions to the 

federal or state courts, and Cape Wind has prevailed in 13 cases to date. Notwithstanding 

this extensive review and the appeals we have already won, the project still faces appeals 

of its federal approvals brought by well-funded special interest groups that have sought to 

delay the review process at every tum. In light of our experiences on this project, we 

offer the following three policy suggestions for your consideration. 

4. Policy Recommendations 

A. Limit Time Periods of Agency Review. 

First, national policy objectives would be far better served if the 

environmental review of proposed renewable energy facilities were conducted in a 

5 

EAST\44883309.2 
68 

timelier manner, pursuant to specific statutory timeframes that prevent delay tactics from 

financially crippling important and worthy projects. We recognize and applaud the 

progress that has been made by BOEMRE (including its "Smart from the Start" 

initiative), but firm deadlines applicable to all federal agencies would provide greater 

certainty to the review schedule. We reference as an example for consideration the 

energy facility siting acts that have been enacted by many of the New England states, 

which provide that a thorough and consolidated environmental review of major energy 

facilities is to be conducted within a statutorily-limited time frame, which is limited by 

the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Act to 12 months from the date of filing of the 

application. M.G.L. c. 164, sec. 69l The Massachusetts Act was adopted in 1973 and 

has withstood the test of time. 

B. Consolidate and Expedite Judicial Review. 

Second, renewable energy projects often require multiple federal 

approvals, each of which is subj ect to judicial review, processes which can consume 

additional years and substantial funds. Renewable energy projects that require multiple 

federal approvals could be expedited significantly if all such reviews were consolidated 

into a single appellate proceeding brought directly before the Court of Appeals. 

There is ample precedent for such a provision in recent Federal energy 

legislation. The Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of2003 at section 720e provides for 

expedited consideration and exclusive review in the D.C. Circuit of any order or action of 

a federal agency or any challenge under NEPA related to the authorities in the Act 

Similarly, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, section 313, provides for development of a 

6 

EAST\44883309.2 
69 

single consolidated record and for exclusive jurisdiction and expedited consideration by 

the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals relating to construction of certain natural gas facilities. 

The Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Act similarly provides for 

appeal of Siting Board decisions directly to the Commonwealth's highest court, which 

appeals must be brought within 20 days, so as expedite final resolution. The Act further 

provides for the Siting Board to grant a consolidated approval, in lieu of any other state 

or local approvals that would otherwise be required, in which case the project would face 

only one consolidated appeal, taken directly to the state's highest court. 

Tfthe Nation is to encourage the development of new energy resources, 

streamlining the judicial review process would be a most effective mechanism for getting 

facilities on line, and could do so without modifying any substantive rights of review by 

any aggrieved party. 

C. Coordinate Permit review Timelines with the Duration of 

Iuvestment Incentives. 

Third, Congress should address the fact that federal investment incentives 

for long lead-time renewable energy projects (such as offshore wind, geothennal and 

biomass projects) are typically put in place for time periods far shorter than the time 

required for permitting and environmental review. For example, current provisions for 

the Investment tax Credit CITC") and the Production Tax Credit ("PTC") are set to 

expire at the end of2013 -- a time frame that is too short to allow for the review of many 

proposed proj ects. 

The result is an untenable situation where investors in proposed projects 

must proceed without knowing whether crucial incentives will still be in effect when such 

projects have completed the review process and are able to commence construction. 

7 

EAST\44883309.2 
70 

These incentive durations may be workable for projects that take only one or two years to 

develop, but they are not workable for types of projects with longer permitting timelines. 

To be effective, tax and other incentives for long lead-time projects must be in place for 

longer periods, or for stated volumes of additional projects. We thus suggest a long-term 

extension of tax incentives for offshore wind and other long lead-time renewable projects 

to at least 2016 or, as currently proposed in S. 401 and H.R.924, for the first 3,000 MW 

of offshore wind projects to come on line, a measure which would provide a more certain 

and dependable signal to the investment community facing long-led time developments. 

With these changes, T am certain that America can catch up to the current 

world leaders in offshore wind development, and achieve the objectives of energy 

independence, green jobs, reductions in air emissions and diversity of energy supply. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

8 

EAST\44883309.2 
71 

Mr. BACHUS. Thank you very much, Mr. Duffy, for your outstanding testimony. 

Mr. Slesinger? 

TESTIMONY OF SCOTT SLESINGER, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, 

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL 

Mr. SLESINGER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is 

Scott Slesinger and I am the Legislative Director of the Natural 

Resources Defense Council. NRDC is a nonprofit organization of 

scientists, lawyers, and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. 

Many of the problems the environmental community sees with 

this bill were detailed by Dinah Bear in her testimony on a similar 

bill last year. I have attached her testimony as her comments are 

just as relevant this year. 

I will limit my testimony to some major points, address some of 

the myths surrounding NEPA, and leave comments on specific provisions from my written testimony and the Bear attachment. 

But I must highlight one provision discussed on page 6 of my 

written testimony. That provision automatically approves all permits and licenses, including those under the Atomic Energy Act, if 

an agency fails to meet the deadlines placed in this bill. This provision prioritizes an artificial timeline over the concerns of Americans that the Government properly regulate the safety of nuclear 

power plants. We believe this provision’s impact on the Atomic Energy Act and permits required under the Clean Air and Clean 

Water Act is a giant step too far. 

I would like the Committee to appreciate why we have NEPA 

and why it is so important. With an emphasis on ‘‘Smart from the 

Start’’ Federal decision-making, NEPA protects our health, our 

homes, and our environment. The law was prompted in part by 

concerns from communities whose members felt that their views 

had been ignored in setting rules for the Interstate Highway Commission in the 1950’s. When the Federal Government undertakes 

a major project, such as constructing a dam, a major highway, a 

power plant, or if a private entity uses a permit so it can pollute 

the air and water, we must ensure that the project’s impacts, environmental and otherwise, are considered and disclosed to the public. And because informed public engagement often produces ideas, 

information, and solutions that the Government might otherwise 

overlook, NEPA has led to better decisions and better outcomes. 

The NEPA process has saved money, time, lives, historical sites, 

endangered species, and public lands while encouraging compromise and cultivating better projects with more public support. 

Our Web site highlights NEPA’s success stories that prove this 

point. 

But when projects are unique, such as Cape Wind, a project 

NRDC supports, or if a project has well-funded opposition, such as 

Cape Wind, the process can be significantly delayed. But NEPA is 

not the cause of the delays this bill attempts to address. 

What are the causes of delay? Most delays in Corps of Engineers 

projects is not NEPA. It is lack of funding. For instance, the Corps 

is funded in the House appropriations this year at $4.6 billion, but 
72 

their backlog of congressionally approved projects is about $60 billion. And this year’s Senate bill authorizes $12 billion more. When 

speaking to project sponsors, it has been very easy to blame delays 

on rules and regulations, environmentalists, and NEPA, but the 

real delay is more likely inadequate funding for projects that have 

been authorized. 

Recent investigations by the Congressional Research Service addressing transportation projects makes a similar point, and I quote, 

‘‘Causes of delay that have been identified are more often tied to 

local, State, and project-specific factors, primarily local and State 

agency priorities, project funding levels, local opposition to a 

project, project complexity, or late changes in project scope.’’ 

The Chamber of Commerce Web site that Mr. Kovacs just mentioned, Project No Project, bears this out. The report offers evidence 

in support of amending NEPA but actually includes very few stories that implicate NEPA as the cause of project cancelation or 

even delay. Far more often than not the cases on their Web site 

attribute delay and cancelations directly to State regulatory hiccups, county ordinances, State government veto threats, local zoning issues, and financing problems that are not part of the NEPA 

process. In short, the problem is NIMBY not NEPA. 

NEPA is an important statute that is made incredibly complicated by this bill. This bill would overturn or conflict with many 

provisions adopted in MAP-21. Additionally, this bill would apply 

to the existing and contradictory requirements in the National Environmental Policy Act that is now not part of the APA, complicating the process and likely leading to delays, litigation, and uncertainty. And many of the provisions, as discussed in my written 

testimony, highlight impacts that are far-reaching and probably 

unintended. 

On Tuesday, Members of this Subcommittee heard from my colleague, David Goldston, regarding the Regulatory Accountability 

Act. In that bill, the intent is to slow down the regulatory process. 

The RAPID Act is essentially the opposite of the RAA. In the RAA, 

the number of alternatives to consider are multiplied and the 

grounds for appeal are increased. Additional analysis of impacts 

are required, making the implementations of the country’s laws 

passed by Congress much more difficult if not impossible to implement. 

This bill is the opposite. Alternatives are limited. Deadlines force 

action or are defaulting to moving forward. Because permit approvals and EIS’s are thought to delay construction projects, the RAPID 

Act makes it more likely that ill-conceived projects and unnecessarily expensive projects will move forward without a balance between the bias of the lead agency and those affected by the project. 

We believe those costs are just too high. 

Thank you very much. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Slesinger follows:] 
73 

TESTlMONY BY SCOTT SLESiNGER, 

LEGTSLA TTVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL 

FOR THE HEARING ON H.R. XXXX, THE "RESPONSIBLY AND 

PROFESSiONALL Y iNViGORATlNG DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2013" 

BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM, COMMERCIAL 

AND ANTITRUST LAW OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY 

JULY 11,2013 
74 

Page 10f8 

July 11,2013 

Room 2141 Rayburn House Office Building 

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Scott Slesinger, and I am the 

Legislative Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). NRDC is a nonprofit 

organization of scientists, lawyers, and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public 

health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 1.3 million members and 

online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San 

Francisco, Chicago, and BeijingI appreciate the opportunity to testify, and hope that my remarks 

will assist the Subcommittee as it considers the important issues raised by this bill. 

Many of the problems the environmental community sees with this bill were detailed by Dinah 

Bear in her testimony on a similar bill in the last Congress before the Subcommittee on Courts, 

Commercial and Administrative Law. I have attached her testimony as her comments are just as 

relevant this year. T will limit my testimony to some major points, address some of the myths 

surrounding NEPA and explain why some of this bill's proposed changes to the NEPA process 

will likely encourage litigation and delay projects. 

First and foremost, T would like the Committee to appreciate why this law is so important. With 

an emphasis on "smart from the start" federal decision making, the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA) protects our health, our homes, and our environment. Passed by an 

overwhelming bipartisan majority and signed into law by President Nixon, NEPA has 

empowered the public, including citizens, local officials, landowners, industry, and taxpayers, 

and demanded government accountability for more than 40 years. The law was prompted in part 

by concerns from communities whose members felt their views had been ignored in setting 

routes for the Interstate Highway System, on which work began in the 1950s. 
75 

Page 2 of8 

NEP A is democratic at its core. In many cases, NEP A gives citizens their only opportunity to 

voice concerns about a federal project's impact on their community. When the federal 

government undertakes a major project such as constructing a dam, a major highway, a power 

plant, or if a private entity needs a permit so it can pollute the air or water, it must ensure that the 

project's impacts - environmental and otherwise - are considered and disclosed to the public. 

And because informed public engagement often produces ideas, information, and solutions that 

the government might otherwise overlook, NEP A leads to better decisions - and better outcomes 

- for everyone. The NEPA process has saved money, time, lives, historical sites, endangered 

species, and public lands while encouraging compromise and cultivating better projects with 

more public support. Our website http://w,,",w.nrdc.org/legislation/nepa-success-stories.asp 

highlights NEPA success stories that prove this point. Thanks to this law, tens of thousands of 

Americans have participated in important federal decisions. 

Implementation of the NEPA process is nowhere near perfect. Many agencies have decimated 

their NEPA staff, leading to an over reliance on consultants instead of conducting analyses inhouse. Since contract oversight requires ongoing agency approval, such statements are often 

delayed. Significant improvements to the process could be gleaned by providing adequately 

trained staff to handle this critical law. Inadequate environmental impact statements ("EISs") are 

challenged for not adhering to the law, further delaying the process. However, unrealistic and 

arbitrary deadlines, particularly for the largest projects, could end up dragging it out even more. 

Only the largest projects are subject to the requirements for full environmental impact 

statements. For example, of the hundreds of transportation projects, the Department of 

Transportation estimates that only 3% are subject to full NEPA review. 
76 

Page 3 of8 

Proj ects like the Cape Wind offshore wind proj ect -the first to be approved in the United States -

have experienced delays, but these largely are due to the efforts of well-funded NIMBY 

opposition groups. NRDC is a strong supporter of the Cape Wind project The NEPA process 

for the Project ensured that there was a full and transparent disclosure of the Project's impacts 

and benetlts, allowing NRDC and many other environmental groups to back the Project While 

we understand Cape Wind's frustration, b'lltting NEPA is not the answer. 

During consideration of the 2013 Water Resources Development Act, there has been much 

discussion about delayed projects handled by the Corps of Engineers. But the reason for most 

delays in Corps of Engineers projects is not NEPA - it is a lack offunding. For instance, the 

Corps was funded in the House appropriations bill this year at $4.65 billion, but the backlog of 

congressionally approved projects is about $60 billion and this year's Senate bill authorizes 

approximately $12 billion more. Under Section 560(f) of the RAPID Act, a local project sponsor 

could force the Corps to immediately begin the NEPA process and t1nish in the timetrame 

demanded by the bill even if the project is unlikely to be funded for another generation. With 

sequester cutting agency budgets, should private entities be able to demand that the federal 

government waste its scarce resources on studies for projects unlikely to be funded instead of 

carrying out shovel-ready projects? Secondly, the EISs undertaken under this bill could easily be 

outdated by the time the projects find appropriation dollars. Imagine a flood control project EIS 

done in 2010 for Staten Island. Wouldn't the experience of Superstoml Sandy make the original 

analysis useless? When speaking to project sponsors, it has been very easy to blame delays on 

rules and reb'lllations, environmentalists, and NEPA but the real delay is more likely inadequate 

funding for proj ects that have been authorized. 
77 

Page 4 of8 

Recent investigations by the Congressional Research Service underscore both the genesis of 

delays in factors other than federal NEP A processes and how better resource allocation at a 

federal agency can expedite decision making. In relevant part summary, the report found that: 

"The time it takes to complete the NEPA process is often the focus of debate over project 

delays attributable to the overall environmental review stage. However, the majority of 

FHW A-approved projects required limited documentation or analyses under NEP A. 

Further, when environmental requirements have caused project delays, requirements 

established under laws other than NEPA have generally been the source. This calls into 

question the degree to which the NEP A compliance process is a significant source of 

delay in completing either the environmental review process or overall proj ect delivery. 

Causes of delay that have been identified are more often tied to local/state and 

project- specific factors, primarily local/state agency priorities, project funding 

levels, local opposition to a project, project complexity, or late changes in project 

scopei." 

The Chamber of Commerce website of Projectnoproject.com bears this out. It purports to offer 

evidence in support for amending NEP A, but actually includes very few stories that implicate 

NEPA as the cause of project cancellation or even delay. Far more often than not, the cases 

attribute delays and cancellations directly to state regulatory hiccups and funding shortfalls. 

County ordinances, state government veto threats, and local zoning issues are not part of the 

NEPA process. When investigati ng sources of delay in the transportation context, the most 

recent Congressional Research Service report noted that the available data "calls into question 

the degree to which the NEPA compliance process is a significant source of delay in completing 

either the environmental review process or overall project delivery." The report went on: 
78 

Page 5 of8 

"Further, approaches that have been found to expedite environmental reviews involve 

procedures that local and state transportation agencies may implement currently, such as 

efficient coordination of interagency involvement; early and continued involvement with 

stakeholders interested in the project; an identifying environmental issues and 

requirements early in project development."n 

One of the most overreaching subsections (Section 560(h)(4)(C)) in this bill allows the automatic 

approvals of penn its and licenses under the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and even the 

licensing requirements under the Atomic Energy Act if the deadlines in the bill are not met. This 

subsection would automatically approve any permit or license related to a major federal if the 

deadlines, which are as short as one year, are not met. For all practical purposes it could remove 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) authority over the approval of most of its licensing 

activities, including licenses of nuclear power reactors, waste management sites, nuclear fuel 

facilities, and waste disposal facilities. It would automatically lead to the approval of any 

selected geological disposal site for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high level radioactive 

waste, before the safety review is completed. At best it would short circuit the safety and 

nonproliferation reviews of a wide variety of very hazardous nuclear activities in the civil and 

national security/nuclear weapons areas. 

The reason for delays could be staffing, the size of the project or administrations wanting to sit 

on their hands to get automatic approvals. Budget limitations could also delay actions, 

particularly in this era of the budget sequester. 

In addition, the right to challenge these automatic approvals is suspect. This provision states that 

a "court may not set aside such agency action by reason of that agency action having occurred 
79 

Page 6 of8 

under this paragraph [deem approval after the deadline is missed]." For instance, if the Corps just 

doesn't do anything with a dredge and fill permit application by the deadline, regardless of the 

reason, it is automatically approved. A downstream entity - whether a local government, 

business, or citizen group - could sue because the Corps did not undertake a public interest 

review or because there were less damaging alternatives that avoided impacts to aquatic systems. 

The Corps could arh'lle the reason the record does not contain any information on those things is 

that this permit was automatically approved. There is no record to contest that the Corps was 

arbitrary and capricious. We urge the Committee to drop these provisions. 

Section 560(g) of the bill deals with the important issue of alternatives analysis. The analysis of 

reasonable alternatives to achieve an agency's purpose and need in moving forward with a 

proposed action is, by definition, the heart of the environmental impact statement process. This 

bill limits consideration of alternati ves to those that could be carried out by the proj ect sponsor. 

Linking alternatives analysis to one particular proponent could undercut the private sector 

competitive process. Tn a number of situations, an opportunity for development of a particular 

type of project is apparent to a number of private sector entities. An agency may receive multiple 

applications for a transmission line, an energy project, or some other sort of project within 

roughly the same timeframe. Under H.R XXXX, if a project sponsor is a bridge builder, a tunnel 

is not a possible alternative and vice versa. In those circumstances, a lead federal agency should 

be able consider the needs and requirements of both the public in the context of national policy 

and all of the applicants. 
80 

Page 7 of8 

Several sections intended to speed up the NEPA process are of questionable benefit. Section 

560( e )(8) does not allow agencies to comment on areas outside their area of expertise. For 

instance, in comments on expansion of the Palmdale Airport near the Edwards Air Force base, 

the Air Force expressed concerns about the airport's impact on, groundwater recharging, and 

landtill capacity. This subsection would have prevented the Air Force from submitting these 

comments. 

The deadlines in the bill affect the most complicated and unique projects. Having these strict 

deadlines will undercut the public's ability to have a say on major federal spending. EISs can be 

detailed and technicaL Under this bill, all the documents must be limited to one document. 

Requiring the public to digest such documents and comment in as few as 30 days essentially cuts 

the public out of the process. Consider a flood control project that benefits a particular 

community. Shouldn't the community that will be impacted by these diverted waters have a fair 

chance to comment? 

Subsections 560(e)(3) and (4) are also questionable in that they undercut our federalist system. 

These provisions seems to preclude any entity, including agencies, governors, or local 

govemmentsthat do not becoming participating agencies from "submitting comments on any 

NEPA document prepared for that project or taking any measures to oppose, based on the 

environmental review, any permit, license, or approval related to that project." The language is 

unclear but should be clarified that such agencies foreclosed from participating because they did 

not become participating agencies should not include non-federal levels governmental entities. 

To do so would undercut the ability of our local and state governmental leaders from protecting 

their citizens and their states. This radical reduction of state and local rights can be fixed by 

clarifying that the word "agencies" does not include non-federal entities. 
81 

Page 8 of8 

NEPA is an important statute that is made incredibly complicated by this bill. This bill would 

overturn or conflict with many provisions adopted through the 2012 NEPA transportation 

legislation. Additionally, this bill would apply in addition to the existing and contradictory 

requirements of NEPA requirements that are now not part of the APA, complicating the process 

and likely leading to delays, litigation, and uncertainty. 

Members of this subcommittee heard from my colleague, David Goldston on Tuesday regarding 

the Regulatory Accountability Act (RAA). Tn that bill, the intent is to slow down the regulatory 

process. The RAPID Act is essentially the opposite of the RAA. Tn the RAA, the number of 

alternatives to consider are multiplied, and the grounds for appeal are increased; additional 

analysis of impacts are required, making the implementation of the country's laws passed by 

Congress much more difficult-if not impossible. This bill does the opposite. Alternatives are 

limited; deadlines force action or default to moving forward. Because permit approvals and EISs 

are thought to delay construction projects, the RAPID Act makes it more likely that ill-conceived 

projects and unnecessarily expensive projects will move forward without a balance between the 

bias of the lead agency and the views of those affected by the project We believe that such a cost 

is too high 

'The Role of the Environmental Review Process in Federally Funded Highway Projects: Background and Issues for 

Congress". CRS 7-5700. R42479. Aprilll, 2012. 

" Ibid. 
82 

ATTACHMENT 

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON COURTS, COMMERCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW 

HEARING ON HK 4377 - THE RESPONSIBLY AND PROFESSIONALLY 

INVIGORATING DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2012 (The "Rapid Act") 

April 25, 2012 

Room 2141 Rayburn House Office Building 

Introductory Remarks 

Thank you for the invitation to appear before the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial 

and Administrative Law in regards to HR. 4377, The Responsibly and Professionally 

Invigorating Development Act of2012. I appreciate the opportunity to testify, and hope that my 

remarks will assist the Subcommittee as it considers the important issues raised by HR. 4377. 

By way of background, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is the agency 

established by Congress with responsibility for overseeing the National Environmental Policy 

Act, the subject of much, although by no means all, of HR. 4377's focus. I was asked to serve 

as the Deputy General Counsel for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) with President 

Reagan's team in 1981. In 1983, I was appointed as General Counsel, a non-career position. In 

that role, I had responsibility for oversight of agency implementation ofNEPA I remained in 

that position throughout the remainder of President Reagan's tenure and that of President George 

HW. Bush. I resigned from CEQ in October, 1993 and resumed responsibilities as General 

Counsel in January, 1995. I remained at CEQ during the Clinton and George W. Bush 

administrations until the end of calendar year 2007, when I retired from federal service. My 

husband and I moved to Tucson, Arizona last year and I continue to be active in the field of 

environmental law generally and NEPA specitl call y. 

As this bill is considered, it is important to recall the purpose of the NEPA process 

NEP A does not regulate the private sector. Rather, it informs government agency 

decisionmaking, with the help of public involvement. The NEPA process helps to ensure that 

agency employees "look before they leap" so that federal dollars are spent wisely through the 

identification ofless controversial, feasible and less costly alternatives. It is also the framework 

for identifying appropriate mitigation measures that could resolve problems for both the project 

proponent and the public resources during and after project implementation. It provides an 

important opportunity - often the only opportunity - for the public to intluence federal agency 

decisionmaking. 

While someone who reads H.R. 4377 quickly may assume that the bill is directed only at 

environmental laws, principally NEPA the bill's explicit deadlines for decisionmaking as well as 

for environmental review and compliance processes implicitly amend dozens of unidentified 

authorizing statutes for every federal agency in the executive branch. It approaches changes to 

environmental law requirements by relying on what is generally referred to as the NEPA process 

and through required amendments to CEQ's regulations implementing the procedural provisions 
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ofNEPA (40 C.F.R. Parts 1500-1508). All other agencies and departments would be required to 

undertake rulemaking to conform to the requirements of the bill, for changes to NEPA 

procedures, other federal environmental laws, their authorizing legislation, and for some 

agencies, their administrative appeals processes. 

1 understand that this legislation represents the frustrations of those who perceive 

environmental laws and regulations to be the major cause of unwarranted delays in approval of 

construction proj ects that require federal approvals or for which federal funding is sought 

Environmental review processes are not always conducted perfectly, from anyone's perspective. 

However, the role of environmental regulation in project delays is often taken out of context and 

overplayed in comparison to other causes of delay. As a result, proposed solutions often fail to 

address the real causes of those delays that really are unnecessary and related to environmental 

issues. A major premise of this bill appears to be the belief that foot-dragging or recalcitrance by 

government agencies is the principal cause of delay in achieving compliance with environmental 

laws and reaching decisions. The bill addresses this premise through provisions that in some 

instances eviscerate the line between the role of government and private sector project 

proponents, require federal agencies and federal courts to ignore information, and mandate a 

"one size fits all" solution to the perceived cause of delay. It is not clear from the bill that the 

relationship between provisions in this statute and the other laws it atJects has been thought 

through. A consistent theme in the bill is that the foreordained outcome of environmental 

review and compliance processes should be the rapid approval of all proposed projects, a 

premise that is inconsistent with law in some cases and good public policy as an across-the-board 

proposition. 

Causes of Delay 

While the causes of proj ect delay have not been systematically documented throughout 

the government for all actions, the body of information available has improved greatly since 

GAO noted in 1994 that there was no repository of information on highway projects and their 

environmental reviews.! In particular, some valuable analysis has been done on this issue in the 

context of highway construction. Since at least the mid-1990's, two Congressional agencies, the 

General Accounting Office/General Accountability Office (GAO), and the Congressional 

Research Service (CRS), have prepared a series of reports, remarkably consistent in their 

findings, regarding the construction of highway projects and the relationship of environmental 

laws generally and NEPA specitically to decisionmaking timelines. Some of this research is 

relevant to construction in other federal contexts, but certainly, this type of research is needed 

more broadly if agencies and/or legislators are going to be able to formulate successful 

approaches to reducing delays. 

By 2002, improvement in baseline data and more specific identification of factors 

affecting completion time was available, concurrent with the implementation by both federal and 

state highway agencies of initiatives to improve the efficiency of environmental review 

processes. Significantly, these initiatives included the use of interagency funding agreements to 

I "Highway Planning: Agencies arc Attempting to Expedite Environmental RC\'ic,vs, but Barriers Remain", 

GAO/RCED-9~-21 L p. 7. 
84 

hire additional staff at state and federal environmental agencies. 2 This was a very important 

move, confirmed by a 2003 GAO report that found that 69% of transportation stakeholders 

reported that state departments of transportation and federal environmental agencies lacked 

sufficient staff to handle their workloads 3 While a similar analysis has not been done for other 

departments and agencies, based on my observations of trends in agency planning and 

compliance budgets, I believe that similar or much more severe staff shortages exist for many 

programs. 

Recent investigations by CRS underscore both the genesis of delays in factors other than 

federal NEPA processes and how better resource allocation at a federal agency can expedite 

decisionmaking. Three weeks ago, CRS issued a report on the environmental review process for 

federally funded highway projects. In relevant part summary, the report found that: 

"The time it takes to complete the NEPA process is often the focus of debate over project 

delays attributable to the overall environmental review stage. However, the majority of 

FHW A-approved projects required limited documentation or analyses under NEP A. 

Further, when environmental requirements have caused project delays, requirements 

established under laws other than NEPA have generally been the source. This calls into 

question the degree to which the NEPA compliance process is a significant source of 

delay in completing either the environmental review process or overall project delivery. 

Causes of delay that have been identified are more often tied to local/state and projectspecific factors, primarily local/state agency priorities, project funding levels, local 

opposition to a project, proj ect complexity, or late changes in project scope. Further, 

approaches that have been found to expedite environmental reviews involve procedures 

that local and state transportation agencies may implement currently, such as efficient 

coordination of interagency involvement; early and continued involvement with 

stakeholders interested in the project; an identifying environmental issues and 

requirements early in proj ect development. ,,4 

Importantly, this report points out that while much work has been done to document 

delays and improvements in timelines related to highway construction, very little work has been 

done to understand why certain types of delays occur. One government study suggested that a 

major atfect was actually external social and economic factors associated with different 

geographic regions of the country5 As noted above, in my view, staff shortages clearly have 

been a major factor and the highway department funding of statfhas, 1 understand, improved the 

situation in that area. But little analytical work has been done regarding federally assisted or 

funded construction that takes place in other contexts. 

Proj ect Sponsor Responsibilities 

2 ·-Highway Infrastructure: Preliminary Infonnation on the Timely Completion of Highway Construction Projects". 

GAO-02-1067T. 

I --Highway Infrastructure: Stalceholders- Vie\vs on Time to Conduct Enviromnental Reviews of Highway Projects", 

GAO-03-53~, p. 5. 

4 "The Role of the Environmental Review Process in Federdlly Funded Highway Projects: Background and Issues 

for Congress". CRS 7-5700. RH479. April II. 2012. 

, Id. at p. 35. 
85 

Now let me turn to the Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 

2012. By definition, "project sponsors" for purposes of this bill includes both public and private 

entities as well as public-private entities." " Projects" are defined as construction activities 

"undertaken with Federal funds or that require approval by a permit or reb'lllatory decision issued 

by a Federal agency.,,7 The first provision of the bill following the definitions articulates the role 

of project sponsors in the NEPA process. "Upon the request of any project sponsor", the project 

sponsor may prepare any NEPA document (including an environmental impact statement) in 

support of its proposal. § 2(c)(i) The provision goes to state that in such cases, the lead agency 

must furnish oversight and independently evaluate, approve and adopt the document prior to 

taking action based upon it. 

This blurring of the distinction between government and private sector roles in the 

context of a process designed to inform government action is extremely troubling. This is 

particularly true because projects that require an environmental impact statement (EIS) are those 

that by definition may have genuinely significant impacts. Government agencies, whether at the 

federal, state, tribal or local level, are structured to represent the public and are accountable to 

the public through a variety of mechanisms. Corporations have legitimately different 

responsibilities to their shareholders. Both the public at large and corporate shareholders have 

the right to expect these respective sectors to behave in ways that are responsible about those 

distinctions. 

Project sponsors, whether governmental or private, already have a central role in the 

NEP A process. Many, if not most, proposed actions analyzed under NEPA are, of course, 

initiatives of the lead agency itself. State agencies proposing a proj ect may prepare EISs and 

otherNEPA documents under conditions set out in Section 102(2) (D) ofNEPA. State, local and 

tribal government project proponents may become joint lead agencies with federal agencies 

when they have similar environmental review requirements, or cooperating agencies when they 

have jurisdiction by law over some component of the proj ect or special expertise regarding any 

environmental impact associated with one or more of the alternatives to be analyzed. 40 C.F.R 

§§ IS01.S(b), IS06.2, IS00.S(b), IS02.1(b), IS01.S(c), IS01.S(f), IS01.6, IS03.1(a)(I), IS03.1, 

1503.3, 15063(c), 1506.S(a), IS08.S. Private sector project sponsors may submit whatever 

information they choose to the lead agency and to prepare environmental assessments (EAs). 40 

C.F.R. § IS06.S. Due to inadequate agency budgets, project sponsors also often choose to pay 

for preparation of an EIS by a consultant or contractor that is chosen by and works under the 

direction of the lead agency to expedite EIS preparation. 

However, the law has always wisely drawn a line between private sector and public 

proj ect proponent involvement when the proposed action is one that triggers the statutory 

requirement for a "detailed statement" for proposed actions significantly affecting the quality of 

the human environment, that is, an EIS. In that situation - a very small percentage of the 

thousands of actions falling under NEPA annually - the distinction between private sector 

proj ect proponents and government agencies is drawn more sharply. Private sector proj ect 

proponents are not permitted to prepare EISs. Any contractor selected by the agency to prepare 

the EIS must execute a disclosure statement prepared by the lead agency specifying that it has no 

6 Section 2(b) (12). 

- Section 2(b)(11). 
86 

financial or other interest in the outcome of the project. 40 C.F.R. §lS06.S(c). Obviously, a 

private sector project sponsor inherently has a financial interest in the project. 

The public is already concerned about the integrity of the process, especially when it 

knows that the proponent is funding preparation of the ElS. The provisions in this section 

intended to be safeguards regarding government agency oversight and approval of NEPA 

documents prepared by proponents are not sufficient to ensure that integrity and, in fact, are 

weaker than those already required under NEPA for state project proponents. 

This extremely serious concern is exacerbated in the next provision of the bill, Section 

2(c)(2), that authorizes lead agencies to accept "voluntary contributions of funds from a project 

sponsor" for purposes of either undertaking the NEPA process or making a decision under 

another environmental law for the sponsor's proposed project. Under this provision, corporate 

money could be used to pay for the preparation, oversight and approval of a NEP A document, a 

Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act, a Clean Water Act permit, etc. These 

are inherently government functions that benefit the public at large (as well as the proponent) 

and should be financed with government funds rather than from private sources that raise the 

specter of a conflict of interest 

Limitation on Number of NEPA Documents 

Another major concern with this legislation arises from the restrictions found in Section 

2(d) regarding the number ofETSs and EAs. The bill would limit an agency to "not more than I" 

EIS and EA per proposed project and "no Federal agency responsible for making any approval 

for that project may rely on a document other than the environment document prepared by the 

lead agency." This section is a solution in search of a problem, since agencies generally do not 

seek out opportunities to prepare additional EISs. Indeed, decisions to prepare a revised or 

supplemental ElS or additional EA are usually painful ones reached after much internal 

discussion within an agency. However, the fact is that sometimes NEPA documents prove to be 

seriously inadequate and must be revised or supplemented to remedy those inadequacies. And 

the fact remains that sometimes there are maj or new developments, whether of a legal, policy or 

factual nature, that require additional analysis. An artitlcial cap to the number ofNEPA 

documents that can be prepared will not change these facts; it will simply put the analyses out of 

sync with the needs of decisionmakers and the public. And because, under the bill, all federal 

agencies would have to rely on an EA or ETS for compliance with more than 30 other federal 

environmental laws, every document needed for compliance would now have to be included in 

the NEP A document, thus lenb>thening considerably everyone. 

It is unclear how this provision would be interpreted in the context of programmatic EISs 

and tiering For example, every military installation prepares an installation plan under the Sikes 

Act. That installation plan, which is the subject of NEPA compliance, may approve future 

construction of a major building complex or weapons testing area. Several years later, the 

installation may need to do another EIS focused specifically on that construction. It is not clear 

whether the installation would be prohibited from doing the second EIS under this provision. 
87 

Similarly, this limitation would create confusion and litigation issues in the context of 

judicial remedies. A typical remedy when a federal court has determined that a finding of no 

significant impact was inadequately justified is the preparation and issuance of additional NEPA 

analysis addressing the deficiencies identified by the court. It is not clear whether this provision 

eliminates the judicial branch's ability to provide agencies with another opportunity to comply 

with the law by issuing a new EA or ElS. Taken literally, this provision could require that a 

defective EA be replaced only with a full E1S, or ifboth an EA and an E1S already addressed a 

project, could leave a court with no remedy other than to enjoin a federal agency from 

proceeding with the proposed action at all, because there was no ability to undertake further 

compliance. 

Adoption of State Documents 

The bill also provides that "upon the request of a project sponsor" (public or private), a 

lead agency must adopt a document prepared under a state environmental impact assessment law 

if the state law and procedures at issue are "substantially equivalent to NEPA,,8 CEQ would be 

given 180 days to designate which state environmental impact assessment laws meet that 

criterion, along with undertaking additional rulemaking to conform to the requirements of this 

bill in the same period. 

Coordination between federal agencies and states with environmental impact assessment 

laws is extremely important. Clearly, the preferred situation for both the proponent and the 

public is for both federal and state laws to be complied with through a single process. As a 

result, the CEQ reb'lliations already provide for joint planning processes, joint environmental 

research and studies, joint public hearings (except where otherwise required by another law), 

joint environmental assessments and joint environmental impact statements. In these cases, the 

appropriate state agency may be ajoint lead agency. Where state laws or local ordinances have 

ElS requirements in addition to but not in conflict with those in NEP A, federal agencies are 

instructed to cooperate in fulfilling those requirements as well so that one document will comply 

with all applicable laws. 40 C.F.R. 1506.2. This approach under existing law can work very 

well, and 1 have seen many examples of joint federal/state environmental review documents. 

Further, as mentioned earlier, state agencies are permitted under NEPA to take responsibility for 

the preparation of an EIS under NEPA. Additionally, 1 believe some states have provisions in 

their state laws to allow the adoption ofNEPA documents to support their own requirements 

under certain circumstances. These approaches, including a state legislature's decision to allow 

the adoption of documents prepared under the auspices of NEP A, are, in my view, much more 

workable and likely to expedite project decisionmaking successfully and without intruding on 

state prerogatives rather than requiring CEQ, an agency in the Executive Office of the President, 

to interpret the law, reb'lliations, guidance and case law of states and to make regulatory 

judgments about them. 

1 would further note that this section of HR. 4377 provides for the possibility of a federal 

agency supplementing a state environmental review document, but only if there are significant 

new changes or new circumstances. The quality and adequacy of documents vary, whether 

under federal, state or municipal environmental review procedures, and this construct omits the 

, Section 2(d) (2). 
88 

very provision in the CEQ reb'lliations giving agencies discretion to supplement a NEPA 

document for other reasons, such as inadequacy of an analyses for a particular issue. Further, the 

provision reduces the current review and comment period from 45 to 30 days, a recipe, in 

complex projects, for inadequate public understanding of and participation in public agency 

decisions. 

The provision for adoption of state documents in this section also appears to circumvent 

the requirements for adoption of federal documents set forth in the CEQ regulations. As 1 read 

the legislation, the only requirements associated with adoption of a state document are that the 

project sponsor request it and that CEQ would have designated the particular state procedures to 

be "substantially equivalent" to NEPA. Thus, apparently, the federal agency would have no 

responsibility for independent review and evaluation, other than determining whether there are 

new circumstances or new information that would trigger the need to supplement the document, 

and no requirement for recirculation. 40 C.F.R. §J506.3. 

Role of Participating Agencies 

"Participating agencies" would be, in many instances, the same as cooperating agencies 

under existing law; indeed, any participating agency that would be required to adopt a document 

under this bill would inevitably also be a cooperating agency with jurisdiction by law under the 

NEPA regulations. However, the intent of the "participating agency" category is to include any 

agency, at least at the federal or state level. Unlike the CEQ regulations, there are no references 

to county and tribal governments that "may have an interest in the project". 

Under Section 2(e) (8) of the bill, each participating agency is limited in its comment to 

those areas where it can point to statutory authority pertaining to the subject of its comments. 

The lead agency is directed not to act upon, respond to or include in any documents any 

comment submitted by an agency that it deems to be outside of the authority and expertise of the 

commenting agency. This is a remarkable direction to the lead agency to put blinders on instead 

of using common sense and judgment. Tn my experience, agencies typically do focus on those 

subject areas within their authority and expertise and they certainly are accorded more deference 

by the lead agency and by the judiciary for comments reflecting that expertise. However, 

currently, lead agencies may read and consider other comments, if there are any such comments, 

just as they read, review and respond to comments from the project proponent, members of the 

public, communities, county commissioners and other affected parties who do not have statutory 

authority or academic credentials in a particular discipline. Ironically, this provision puts federal 

(and possibly state agencies) in a class distinctly behind an individual who has no expertise, let 

alone authority, on a particular matter but whose comments in their totality require a response 

from the lead agency. 

Any agency that fails to respond to an invitation to be a participating agency within 30 

days would be deemed to have declined the invitation and is thus precluded from submitting 

comments on or "taking any measures to oppose the project; any document prepared under 

NEPA for that project; and any permit, license, approval related to that project." The lead 
89 

agency is instructed to disregard and not respond to or include in anyNEPA document any 

comment by an agency that has declined an invitation or designation by the lead agency to be a 

participating agency. It is not clear how the prohibition against an agency "taking any measures 

to oppose the project" would be interpreted. Federal agencies are already barred from lobbying 

for or against government action. CEQ's regulations have a more narrowly circumscribed 

provision, to deal with the circumstance of an agency declining an invitation to become a 

cooperating agency. They preclude an agency with jurisdiction by law from declining to be a 

cooperating agency and permit other agencies to decline degrees of involvement in an action 

when they are unable to assume particular responsibilities ofa cooperating agency. 40 CF.R. 

1501. 

The bill also mandates concurrent reviews by all federal agencies, so that each federal 

agency must carry out their obligations under applicable law in conjunction with NEPA On its 

face, this is similar to the existing provision in the CEQ reb'lliation that, "To the fullest extent 

possible, agencies shall prepare draft EISs concurrently with and integrated with environmental 

impact analyses and related surveys [omitting examples and citations] and other environmental 

review laws and executive orders." 40 CFR § IS02.25(a). CEQ has worked very hard over 

many administrations to try to achieve this goal as have several other federal agencies. 

However, declining agency budgets make this very ditflcult to achieve and many agencies defer 

initiation of processes under other laws until the NEPA process is partially and completely 

concluded, in order to capitalize on the lead agency's NEPA documentation. 

Alternatives Analysis 

Section 2(g) of the bill deals with the important issue of alternatives analysis. The 

analysis of reasonable alternatives to achieve an agency's purpose and need in moving forward 

with a proposed action is, by definition, the "heart of the environmental impact statement." 40 

CF.R. § 1502.14. Without a robust alternatives analysis, this process would simply document 

the environmental effects of a decision rather than informing the decision. In my experience, by 

far the most important achievements of the NEPA process have come through alternatives 

analysis. The requirement in this section to afford an opportunity for involvement by 

cooperating agencies in determining the range of alternatives to be considered is positive and 

consistent with current law and guidance. 

However, Section (g) (2) on the range of alternatives is confusing and imprudently 

restricts alternatives. In part, this section states that there is no requirement to evaluate any 

alternative identified but not carried forvv'ard to detailed evaluation in a NEPA document "or 

other EIS or EA". That is as factually correct statement so far as it goes under current law, but 

only to the extent that the lead agency's decision not to carry an alternative forward for detailed 

evaluation has a rational basis and is not deemed to be arbitrary and capricious. As a result, the 

bill's provision creates confusion about whether it is intended to change current law in some 

manner. Secondly, this section states that "cooperating agencies shall only be required to 

evaluate alternatives that the project sponsor could feasibly undertake, including alternatives that 

can actually be undertaken by the project sponsor, and are technically and economically 

feasible," To start with, it is typically the lead agency, not cooperating agencies that evaluate 

alternatives (as opposed to identifying them). Alternatives must reflect the agency's purpose and 
90 

need and it is already the law that it is the lead agency that determines that purpose and need9 

However, whatever agency evaluates alternatives for a proposed project, those alternatives 

should not be restricted to the needs of one particular project proponent only, although the 

applicant's requirements should certainly be part of the analysis. In the words of CEQ's 

guidance on this point: 

"In determining the scope of alternatives to be considered, the emphasis is on what is 

'reasonable' rather than on whether the proponent or applicant likes or is itself capable of 

carrying out a particular alternative. Alternatives must be reasonable alternatives, 

including those that are practical or feasible from the technical and economic standpoint 

and using common sense, rather than simply desirahle from the standpoint of the 

applicant." Farly Most Asked Queslions, ld., Q. 2a. 

The proponent's needs must be considered in shaping the alternatives analysis and the 

proponent's proposal, of course, usually the proposed action. But agencies are not free under 

current law to exclude all other considerations. The project proponent is involved with a federal 

agency in the first place because Congress found a sufficient national interest in funding, 

regulating or permitting a particular category of activities to mandate a federal role in the 

proposed action. That national interest - the public's interest - needs to be at the table as 

agencies and the public identify potential alternatives. 

Further, linking alternatives analysis to one particular proponent could undercut the 

private sector competitive process. In a number of situations, an opportunity for development of 

a particular type of proj ect is apparent to a number of private sector entities. An agency may 

receive multiple applications for a transmission line, an energy project, or some other sort of 

project within roughly the same timeframe. In those circumstances, a lead federal agency must 

consider the needs and requirements of both the public in the context of national policy and all of 

the applicants. 

Coordination and Schedules for Compliance with Environmental Laws 

Section 2(h) of the "Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act" 

deals with coordination and scheduling. The tlrst part of this section is similar to but somewhat 

inconsistent with CEQ's regulations on establishing time limits. CEQ's reb'lliations provide that 

the agency must set time limits ifan applicant requests them and may set time limits ofa state or 

local agency or member of the public requests them, provided that the limits are consistent with 

the purposes ofNEPA and other essential considerations of national policy. 40 C.F.R. 1501.8. 

HR. 4377 mandates the development of a schedule for all construction projects. Both the CEQ 

reb'lliations and the bill set forth factors to be considered in determining time limits, but HR. 

4377 omits several factors identified in the CEQ regulation, among them the degree of public 

need for the proposed action (including the consequences of delay and the degree to which 

relevant information is known, and if not known, the time required for obtaining it). HR. 4377 

then caps whatever schedule the lead and participating agencies might develop at no longer than 

9 See Correspondence between Secretary of Transportation Nomllm Mineta and CEQ ChaimllUl James Connaughton 

at 1!l11P;/W)~JLdQLl!QY~SG~Qrg~TLU1}4iiD:m5~lm/i911~sLmjnct;m:msJiJlt)ll for a discussion of the roles of lead and 

cooperating agencies with rcgand to developing a highway's purpose and need. 
91 

two years for a proj ect requiring an EIS or one year for preparation of an EA. Agencies are 

allowed some flexibility in extending the deadlines but may not extend the deadline for an EIS 

by more than one year or for an EA by more than 180 days. 

These time periods are within the realm of the reasonable in many cases if, importantly, 

an agency has adequate reasons to implement NEP A and all other environmental laws that may 

be implicated in a proposed action. However, there are some proposals subject to NEPA of 

extraordinary complexity or proposals that are affected by events quite outside of the agency's 

control. For example, some proposals subject to NEPA are atIected by complex negotiations 

between the United States and foreign nations or by changes in Congressional direction. Some 

proposals may deal with cutting edge science or new information of great import. Some 

proposals may be signitlcantly changed in the course of environmental review, because of the 

analysis or outside events. Agencies should not be forced to cut off analysis and public 

involvement where events outside of their control or the nature of a complex project warrant it. 

Otherwise decisionmaking will suffer, and in some cases could result in forced denials when full 

documentation would have facilitated approval. 

Congress must consider the implications of this broadly, not just for one particular type 

of project. For example, this bill would govern the granting of a license for a nuclear power 

plant Imagine, for instance, that the NRC has completed the NEP A process for the construction 

of a new nuclear power plant, or the relicensing of an existing one, and is about at the end of the 

allowed statutory time, including the one permitted extension. Then a major accident happens 

somewhere in the world. The Commission is asked to send a team of experts to the site to help 

with the immediate situation and another team a bit later to help evaluate the causes of the 

accident. The Commission may rationally wish to wait for a period of time before going forw'ard 

with decisions on a plant, especially if early indications are that there are technical similarities in 

the plant that experienced an accident and the plant that is the subject of the imminent NRC 

decisionmaking. If it felt obliged to comply with the two year timeline, it would required to 

make a decision without the infonnation that most Americans would expect and want the NRC 

to have at its disposal in order to safeguard human health and the human environment from 

potentially disastrous consequences. 

Schedule for Agency Decisionmaking 

Section 2(i)(4) restricts all other federal agency decisionmaking related to construction 

projects. For agencies that are required to "approve, or make a determination or t1nding 

regarding a project J2!i.Q!: to a record of decision for an EIS or a finding of no significant impact, 

an agency must make that decision no later than 90 days after the lead agency publishes a notice 

of availability of a final EIS or issuance of other final environmental documents "or no later than 

such other date that is otherwise required by law, whichever comes first." The bill goes on to 

provide that "notwithstanding any other provision oflaw", an agency must make a fmal decision 

on whether to approve a proposed project within 180 days after the execution of a record of 

decision or finding of no significant impact, unless mutual agreement is reached with "the 

federal agency, lead agency and the project sponsor" or when extended for good cause by a 

federal agency for no longer than one year, 
92 

The wording in this section is puzzling because if an agency has broad approval authority 

over a project (as opposed to making a determination or finding) it should already be the lead or 

joint lead agency and would be issuing a Record of Decision or other decision document 10 If an 

agency is a cooperating agency because it has jurisdiction by law to issue a required permit 

associated with a project that requires an EIS, that cooperating agency will also sign a Record of 

Decision or, in the case of a project covered by an EA, another decision document 

To the extent that the provision's intent is to cover lead agencies, it impinges on the 

authority of agencies under countless non-environmental laws and arguably is incompatible with 

the constitutional authority of the President to manage the executive branch. There are a number 

of factors affecting decisionmaking that are outside of an agency's control. For example, the 

past few Presidents, both Republican and Democrat, coming into office have put a hold on entire 

categories of actions, including some requiring compliance with NEPA, so that they can evaluate 

the work of their predecessor and give their own direction. Foreign policy and/or national 

security concerns may affect some proposed decisions. Further, NEPA does not capture the 

entire universe of considerations regarding a federal agency's decision; indeed, that is precisely 

why the record of decision is not defined in the CEQ regulations as an environmental document 

Considerations having nothing to do with environmental impacts and not analyzed in an EIS or 

EA or under other environmental laws often lawfully guide the tinal agency decision. Under this 

provision, an agency decisionmaker is faced with either disapproving a project or approving it 

under circumstances that may be arbitrary and capricious. 

If a federal agency does not act upon a project within these timeframes, the project "shall 

be deemed approved by such agency and such agency shall issue any required permit or make 

any required finding or determination authorizing the project to proceed within 30 days" of the 

deadlines set forth in this act That automatic approval is then shielded from judicial review. 

To the extent that this section is not meant to refer to federal agencies that are signing a 

Record of Decision or other decision document but rather refers to other federal agencies that 

have legal responsibilities for making determinations or findings, the section is still confusing. 

Most findings or determinations do not "authorize" the project to proceed; in the environmental 

context, they provide information about the impacts of proceeding that have legal consequences 

but are not the kind of go/no go decision that a permit or license represents. Possibly the result 

would be for such agencies to issue a finding or determination reflecting the administrative 

record to date and then conclude that this section requires them to issue that record. 

10 Note that '\-vhile a federal agency may choose to combine a decision document \vith a Finding of No Significant 

Impact (FONSI). a FONSI by itself is not a decision document on a project. but rather a finding as to the level of 

cndromncntal impacts anticipated by the agency. Agencies may and usunlly do issue a separate decision document 

based on the underlying statulo1)' authority that 3ulhori:l.cs \vhatc\'cr pennit or license has been requested. 
93 

Issue Identification and Dispute Resolution 

Section 2G) deals with issue identification and resolution of disputes, two other important 

topics within the context of environmental review. Agencies are directed to work cooperatively 

to identify resolve issues that could delay completion or environmental review. This direction is 

consistent with the entire thrust of the NEPA process. But the provision goes on to direct 

agencies to resolve issues that could result in the denial of any approval required for a project. It 

provides the outlines of a dispute resolution process that would culminate in notification of a 

dispute to heads of participating agencies, the project sponsor and CEQ "for further proceedings 

in accordance with Section 204 ofNEPA." 

A troubling aspect of these provisions is the language used that suggests that the only 

acceptable outcome of the NEPA process and other environmental laws is approval of a proj ect. 

In fact, for prudential reasons agencies are required to analyze the "no action" alternative and 

rarely, but sometimes, choose that alternative. It is appropriate to seek resolution of disputes 

about the analysis and the process but it is inappropriate to tilt the decisionmaking process across 

the board in favor of wholesale approval. Not every proposed project is of equal value and worth 

and sometimes it is the role of government to say no, not least when federal funding or other 

public resources are squarely implicated 

Judicial Review 

Finally, the bill would enact two provisions related to judicial review. The first 

provision, "notwithstanding any other provision of law" barring a claim arising under Federal 

law related to a permit, license or approval by a Federal agency unless the plaintiff "submitted a 

comment during the NEPA process on the issue on which the party seeks judicial review and the 

comment was sufficiently detailed to put the lead agency on notice of the issue" overstates 

current law related to NEPA claims and would also apply, as written, to all claims under any 

federal law, whether related to environmental laws or any other law. In NEP A cases, the 

Supreme Court has already made it very clear since 1978 that, "While NEPA places upon an 

agency the obligation to consider every significant aspect of the environmental impact of a 

proposed action, it is still incumbent upon intervenors who wish to participate to structure their 

participation so that it is meaningful, so that it alerts the agency to the intervenors' position and 

contentions .... The comment cannot merely state that a particular mistake was made ... ; it 

must show why the mistake was of possible significance in the results .... ", Vermont Yankee 

Nuclear Power C011' v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519 (1978). That holding has been reiterated numerous 

times federal courts and is well settled NEPA law. Indeed, some agencies, such as the Forest 

Service, regularly include the following admonition in all of their draft EISs: 

"Reviewers should provide the Forest Service with their comments during the review 

period of the DEIS. This will enable the Forest Service to analyze and respond to the 

comments at one time and to use information acquired in the preparation of the final 

environmental impact statement, thus avoiding undue delay in the decision making 

process. Reviewers have an obligation to structure their participation in the National 

Environmental Policy Act process so that it is meaningful and alerts the agency to the 

reviewers' position and contentions [citing Vermont Yankee, rd.]. Environmental 
94 

objections that could have been raised at the draft stage may be waived ifnot raised until 

after completion of the FEIS (City ojAngoon v. Hodel (9th Circuit, 1986) and Wisconsin 

Heritages, Inc. 1'. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334 1338 (ED. Wis. 1980). Comments on the 

DEIS should be specific and should address the adequacy of the statement and the merits 

of the alternatives discussed (40 Code of Federal Regulations 1503 .3)." 

However, while the Supreme Court has been quite adamant about this rule, it also stated that the 

primary burden of compliance with NEPA falls on federal agencies and that and "an EA's or an 

ETS' flaws might be so obvious that there is no need for a commentator to point them out 

specifically in order to preserve its ability to challenge a proposed action.". IJeparlmenlof 

Transportation v. Public Ci(;zen, 541 U.S. 752, 765 (2004). This ensures that agencies are not 

tempted to shirk their statutory responsibilities, producing shoddy or grossly inadequate draft 

analysis and correcting it only if members of the public can find the time to uncover and identify 

the deficiencies. The reach of this provision to all other laws, including laws that trigger 

requirements not included under the purview of NEPA, including laws that do not even have an 

opportunity for public comment, is extremely troubling. 

Second, the bill institutes a 180 day statute of limitations for claims arising under federal 

law challenging a permit, license of approval, unless a shorter time is specified in underlying 

law. Again, the reach of this provision sweeps across dozens of statutes, some of which include 

mandated notice requirements prior to filing judicial review and/or administrative appeals 

processes that must be exhausted prior to seeking judicial review. It also extends to independent 

regulatory agencies, such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, that have formal 

administrative proceedings with particular time periods that would apparently be swept aside by 

this provision. In short, it overrides dozens of established agency procedures, appeal processes, 

and the exhaustion of administrative remedy doctrine and would leave many agencies such as the 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Energy Reb'lllatory Commission, the Bureau of 

Land Management and other agencies faced with revamping their own processes in accordance 

with their authorizing statutes and current administrative processes. 11 Among the troubling 

consequences of such a provision are the potential to force members of the public into court 

precipitously, to preserve their rights before they know whether there is any real need for 

litigation. 

Conclusion 

In summary, this bill raises a number of serious concerns. It would: 

Promote or mandate project approvals regardless of the public interest; 

Create confusion, delay and litigation caused by unclear statutory language and 

conflicts with numerous environmental and non-environmental laws 

Tum over government functions to private entities with inherent conflicts of 

interests 

11 While there is a 180 day statute of limitations for NEPA claims under the Safe. Accountable. Flexible. Efficient 

Trmlsportation Equity Act, the current transportation authorization act. that provision tailored to the federdl and 

state higll\vay processes. docs not pose the same problems that this approach \vould for many other agencies. For 

one thing. there is no administrative appeals process in the context ofhig}l\V3Y construction. 
95 

Impose "one size fits all" solutions that don't address the cause of the issue being 

"solved". 

I hope that these comments are of assistance to the Subcommittee, and would be pleased to 

answere any questions that the Subcommittee may have on the subject ofHR. 4377. 
96 

Mr. BACHUS. Thank you. And for the record, you had attached 

Ms. Bear’s statement. 

Mr. SLESINGER. Yes. 

Mr. BACHUS. But it does not identify her as who the statement 

is from. So I am going to, for the record, this is a statement attached to your testimony as Ms. Dinah Bear. 

Mr. SLESINGER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. BACHUS. Thank you. 

Now, at this time, Mr. Ivanoff, you are recognized. 

TESTIMONY OF NICK IVANOFF, PRESIDENT & CEO, AMMANN & 

WHITNEY, ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN ROAD & TRANSPORTATION BUILDERS ASSOCIATION (ARTBA) 

Mr. IVANOFF. Thank you. 

Chairman Bachus, Representative Cohen, Members of the Subcommittee, I am Nick Ivanoff, President of Amman & Whitney out 

of New York. I am here today on behalf of the American Road & 

Transportation Builders Association where I currently serve as 

First Vice Chairman. 

ARTBA, now in its 111th year of service, represents all sectors 

of the U.S. transportation construction industry, which sustains 

more than 3.3 million American jobs. Our industry directly navigates the Federal regulatory process to deliver new transportation 

projects and improvements to existing infrastructure. As such, we 

have firsthand knowledge about specific regulatory review processes and burdens that can and should be alleviated. 

Every reauthorization of the surface transportation program 

since 1998 has featured reforms to the transportation project review and approval process as a major bipartisan objective. These 

measures provide valuable insight into the successes and failures 

of legislative efforts to reduce delay in the delivery of needed transportation projects without sacrificing regulatory safeguards. 

Today’s hearing focuses on the RAPID Act, which seeks to take 

some of the reforms from recent surface transportation bills and expand their use to other areas of Federal responsibility. According 

to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, prior to 

the enactment of MAP-21, it took as many as 200 major steps and 

19 years to deliver a new, major federally funded highway project. 

These delays are not only an inefficient use of Federal resources, 

but also deny the American people mobility and safety enhancements and stifle job growth and economic expansion. 

Reducing the amount of time it takes to deliver transportation 

improvements was first addressed in the 1998 TEA-21 bill. This 

legislation concentrated on establishing concurrent, as opposed to 

sequential, project reviews by different Federal agencies. While this 

improvement was a step in the right direction, it had limited impact as concurrent reviews were discretionary rather than mandatory. 

The 2005 SAFETEA-LU saw the introduction of lead agency status for the U.S. Department of Transportation on project reviews. 

Lead agency is an important mechanism for improving the project 

delivery process as it gave DOT a means to request action by nontransportation agencies. The measure also included limitation on 

when lawsuits can be filed against projects. The combination of 
97 

these two reforms created new levels of predictability for project review schedules and provided opportunities to shorten the approval 

process for needed transportation improvements. 

There is, however, a clear lesson from 1998 and 2005. Simply 

giving Federal agencies the ability to complete regulatory reviews 

in a more efficient manner in no way guarantees that authority 

would be utilized. For this reason, subsequent reform efforts focused on not just providing additional tools to reduce delay but also 

creating mechanisms to ensure or at least encourage the use of 

those tools. 

Last year’s MAP-21 took project delivery reform even further. In 

addition to building upon the concept of lead agency, MAP-21 also 

includes specific mandatory deadlines for permitting decisions with 

financial penalties for agencies that do not meet those deadlines. 

In addition, MAP-21 creates multiple new classes of categorical exclusions, allowing projects with minimal environmental impacts to 

avoid unnecessary multiyear reviews. 

While MAP-21 represents an unprecedented and comprehensive 

approach to reforming the transportation project delivery process, 

that does not mean ARTBA will stop looking to further reform and 

ensure that transportation improvements are advanced as efficiently as possible. Reforming the environmental review process for 

transportation projects has been a 15-year evolution that has provided important lessons about what works and what does not work 

in this area. 

Mr. Chairman, Representative Cohen, ARTBA appreciates the 

opportunity to be part of today’s discussion and we certainly look 

forward to answering any of your questions. Thank you very much. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Ivanoff follows:] 
98 

American Road & 

Transportation Builders 

Association 

Testimony of 

Mr. Nick Ivanoff 

President & CEO 

Ammann & Whitney 

On Behalf of the 

American Road a nd Transportation Builders 

Association 

S ubmitted to the 

linited Shlles !-louse of Represen tati ves 

Committee 0 11 the .Judiciary 

SubcommiUcc 011 Regulatory Reform. 

Commercial and Antitrust Law 

I-I ea ring 011 the Respo:nsibl)' and Professionally Invigorating 

Oev( lopment Act of2013 

.July 11 .2013 

Chaimlan Bachus and Ranking Membtr Coht'll, thank you for holding thi , heanng on lbe 

Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Dcvelopln~nt (RAPI D) Act of 20 13 

to.ly Harne is Nick Ivanoff 18111 currently president & ('EO of Ammann & Whitney in New 

York, NY. I l~o serve as the first vi.:e chaiml80 oflhe American Road and Transponalion 

6uilders AssociatIon (ARTUA) and am appcarin~ before you today 'n that ~apaci!y 

ART8 A. now'n 'ts t I lOb year of serv ice. provides li:ueral repreSC'nt3tion for nlore than 5.0(10 

members froln all sectors of the U.S. transportation COllstruction industry, ARTBA '5 

membership includes private firms aDd organ'zatjol\S. as well as public agencies that own, plan, 

design, supply and construct transportation projects throughout the country Our indllslry 

gener1lles more than :5380 billion annlJally in U S economic activity and susmins more than 3 1 

million Amerit~oInjob , 
99 

ARTBA members must directly navigate the regulatory process to deliver transportation 

improvements. As such, they have first-hand knowledge about specific federal burdens that can 

and should be alleviated. 

Signitlcant progress was made on a bipartisan basis to streamline the pernlitting and approval 

process for transportation improvements in the past three reauthorizations of the federal surface 

transportation program: the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 ,[ Century (TEA-21) of 1998; 

the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Eftlcient Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users 

(SAFETEA-LU) of2005; and the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century (MAP-21) Act 

of2012. Each of these measures provides valuable insight about the successes and failures of 

legislative efforts to reduce delay in the delivery of needed transportation projects without 

sacrificing regulatory safeguards 

ARTBA recognizes that regulations playa vital role in protecting the public interest in the 

transportation review and approval process. They provide a sense of predictability and ensure a 

balance between meeting our nation's transportation needs and protecting vital natural resources 

These goals, however, do not have to be in conflict. The most successful transportation 

streamlining provisions have been process oriented and essentially found a path for ret,'ulatory 

requirements to be fulfilled in a smarter and more eftlcient manner. 

Today's hearing focuses on the RAPID Act, legislation which seeks to take some of the 

bipartisan mechanisms from TEA-21, SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21 surface transportation bills 

and expand their use to other areas of federal responsibility. As a champion of many of these 

project delivery reforms, ARTBA can state first-hand that these reforms have beb'lln, and should 

continue, to reduce delays in the transportation project delivery review and approval process. 

According to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Otlice (GAO) prior to the 

enactment of MAP-21, as many as 200 major steps are involved in developing a transportation 

project, from the identification of the project need to the start of construction. The same report 

also shows it typically takes between nine and 19 years to plan, gain approval of, and construct a 

new major federally-funded highway project. This process involves dozens of overlapping state 

and federal laws, including: the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); state NEPA 

equivalents; wetland pernlits; endangered species implementation; and clean air confonnity. 

Both parties recognized that this is simply too long to make the public wait for transportation 

projects that improve mobility and safety. As such, tinding meaningful ways to expedite this 

process has been a congressional priority for IS years. 

Reducing Project Delay 

Reducing the amount of time it takes to build transportation improvements was first addressed in 

1998 with the passage ofTEA-21. Efforts to reduce delay in this legislation concentrated on 

establishing concurrent project reviews by different federal agencies. The concept was that 

multiple reviews done at the same time, as opposed to one after the other, would reduce the 

amount of overall time it took to get a project approved. While this improvement was a step in 

the right direction, it had limited impact, as concurrent reviews were discretionary, rather than 

2 
100 

mandatory. Thus, it was up to the federal agencies involved in a project whether or not to take 

advantage of this new benefit. 

In 2005, SAFETEA-LU sought to further reform the project delivery process by establishing a 

wider range of new ways to deliver transportation improvements. Specifically, SAFETEA-LU 

gave greater authority to the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) as "lead agency" during 

the delivery process, limited the window during which lawsuits could be filed against projects 

and reformed the process for determining impacts on historical sites and wildlife refuges. 

SAFETEA-LU represented a far more expansive refonning of the project delivery process, by 

addressing the schedule for project reviews and also factors outside of the process itself which 

contribute to delay. SAFETEA-LU also went further than TEA-21 in that some of its reforms, 

such as the limitation on lawsuits, were mandatory, as opposed to optional 

The clear lesson between the 1998 and 2005 surface transportation bills was that simply giving 

federal agencies the ability to complete regulatory reviews in a more efficient manner in no way 

guarantees that authority would be utilized. As such, SAFETEA-LU took more aggressive steps 

to influence non-transportation agencies into making transportation proj ect reviews a higher 

priority 

While SAFETEA-LU's environmental streamlining provisions were a significant step forward 

from those enacted in TEA-21, the transportation project delivery process remained at an 

unacceptable pace. As such, MAP-21 has taken project delivery reform even further, with more 

tools for reducing delay. In addition to building upon the concept of "lead agency" be~,'lm in 

SAFETEA-LU, MAP-21 also includes specific deadlines for permitting decisions as well as a 

scheduling mechanism to ensure environmental impact statements (EISs) do not take longer than 

four years. As with SAFETEA-LU, however, it is important to note that many of the reforms 

made in MAP-21 are discretionary ARTBA will be closely watching the degree to which states 

and federal agencies utilize this enhanced authority over the coming years. 

Greater Strength for "Lead Agencies" 

One of the primary areas the RAPID Act seeks to replicate from SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21 is 

the granting of increased authority to "lead agencies." 

SAFETEA-LU established DOT as the "lead agency" for the environmental review of 

transportation projects, including "purpose and need" and "range of alternatives" determinations. 

MAP-21 expanded upon this authority by allowing DOT, as the lead agency for all transportation 

projects, to name a single modal administration as the lead agency in the case of multi-modal 

projects. The secretary of transportation also may, within 30 days of the closing of the comment 

period for a draft E1S, convene a meeting of the lead agency, participating agencies and project 

sponsor to set a schedule for meeting project deadlines. This new authority allows DOT to be 

the focal point of the review process as opposed to a peer on equal footing with nontransportation agencies. 

The opportunities to reduce the delay caused by inter-agency conflict provided by SAFETEALU and MAP-21 in the area oflead agency are significant However, these reforms will only be 
101 

effective to the degree that DOT chooses to take advantage of them. In other words, it is not 

mandatory that DOT take advantage of any of the benefits of "lead agency" status. 

Even as an optional tool, though, "lead agency" status is an important mechanism for improving 

the project delivery process. By allowing other federal agencies to avail themselves of "lead 

agency" authority, the RAPID Act would help create a process to reduce delay in project 

delivery by giving agencies of primary jurisdiction for a project more control over the process 

itself. 

Deadlines on Agency Decisions and Limitations on Filing of Lawsuits 

The RAPID Act also seeks to improve project delivery by limiting the time during which 

lawsuits may be filed against projects. This concept was part of both SAFETEA-LU and MAP21. SAFETEA-LU set a deadline of 180 days after the issuance ofa federal decision on a project 

for the f!ling of a lawsuit. MAP-21 shortened this deadline to 150 days. Establishing a firm 

deadline for lawsuits ensures that any possible litigation is dealt with at the beginning of the 

delivery process. By addressing conflicts at the start of the delivery process, planners then are 

able to set schedules without fear of litigation after the deadlines have passed. Further, the 

deadline allows conflicts to be heard and resolved sooner, rather than later. By extending this 

provision to non-transportation projects, the RAPID Act takes similar steps to improve project 

delivery, ensuring that claims worthy of litigation are heard swiftly while at the same time 

preventing project opponents from using litigation as a tool to endlessly hold-up necessary 

development. 

The RAPID Act also seeks to establish specific deadlines for environmental review documents, 

including a two-year deadline for ETSs and a one-year deadline for environmental assessments 

(EAs). This would go further than MAP-21. Under MAP-21, project sponsors may request the 

secretary of transportation to set an expedited schedule for projects undergoing an EIS for more 

than two years. This schedule would ensure the project's EIS would be completed within two 

additional years. The RAPID Act's mandatory deadline could provide a greater sense of 

certainty during the delivery process, as it would be the same for every proj ecl. 

However, MAP-21 does establish new deadlines not included in the RAPID Act for permitting 

decisions from federal agencies. If these deadlines are not met, the agencies suffer financial 

penalties. Thus, for these permitting decisions, MAP-21 has a financial incentive for compliance 

that the RAPID Act does not. It should be noted, however, that this provision ofMAP-21 has 

not yet been put into effect and it remains to be seen how it will work in practice. 

Simplification of the EIS Process and Reduction of Duplicative Work 

The RAPID Act also shares MAP-21's goal of reducing the amount of duplicative work in the 

review and approval process. The RAPID Act would allow for state-level environmental review 

documents to be used during the federal approval process to avoid duplication of work. MAP-21 

similarly allows for the option of using materials in the transportation planning process during 

NEP A review. Both provisions attempt to reduce delay by allowing, where appropriate, the use 

of material already created instead of "reinventing the wheel" MAP-21 also encourages the use 

4 
102 

of programmatic agreements, spelling out requirements in the beginning of the review and 

approval process, rather than over a longer period of time. By outlining requirements early in the 

process, programmatic agreements provide a chance to give transportation planners increased 

certainty throughout the overall revi ew process. 

MAP-21 also simplifies the ElS process, by allowing a lead agency to simply list the corrections 

between a draft ElS and a final ElS-as opposed to producing an entirely new document. Also, 

lead agencies, to the maximum extent possible, are directed to combine final EISs and records of 

decision into a single document. By preventing the needless production of multiple additional 

documents, MAP-21 significantly reduces the amount of time involved in EISs. Both of these 

provisions should be considered for inclusion in the RAPID Act. 

Delegation of Environmental Review Responsibilities 

Under SAFETEA-LU, a pilot program was established allowing five states (Calif., Alaska, Ohio, 

Texas and Oklahoma) to assume the role of the federal government during the NEPA process. 

MAP-21 expands the opportunity to participate in the program to all states. States choosing to 

take part would conduct their own environmental reviews, potentially saving time as a result of 

not having to go through multiple federal agencies 

Of the five states allowed to participate in the delegation pilot program under SAFETEA-LU, 

only California chose to do so. While the reason for non-participation thus far by the other states 

has varied, potential liability and litigation costs were an overriding issue, as the state would also 

be assuming federal responsibilities for litigation over any proj ect where delegation was used. 

Still, ARTBA believes delegation of environmental review responsibilities to states could be an 

important tool to save resources and speed project delivery without sacrificing regulatory 

safeguards. As such, the subcommittee should explore how delegating federal authority for 

project reviews to states could be incorporated into the RAPID Act. 

Expansion of the Use of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) 

Although not addressed by the RAPID Act, one of the most significant changes to existing law in 

MAP-21 is an expansion of the use of CEs during the environmental review process. A CE is 

used when projects create minimal impacts on the environment. The difference between a CE 

and an EA or ElS is multiple years added on to the amount of time it takes to complete a project 

review. Under MAP-21, many sorts of routine projects are now automatically classified as CEs, 

these include rehabilitation and repair projects, projects within an existing right-of-way, projects 

with minimal federal resources and projects undertaken as a result of an emergency situation. 

Expanding the use ofCEs to these additional areas should enable local governments to have 

more certainty as to when a CE can be used and also allow routine proj ects to be undertaken 

without burdensome, unnecessary levels of review. 

MAP-21 also calls for the development of CE b'Uidelines for projects being constructed in 

response to an emergency or natural disaster. To qualify for CE status, such a proj ect must be of 

the same mode/type and in the same right-of-way as the facility it is replacing and started within 

two years after the emergency/natural disaster. It should be noted that MAP-21 also offers states 

additional flexibility in emergency situations by allowing the issuance of special permits to 
103 

overweight vehicles delivering relief supplies and allows states to use any federal highway 

program apportionments other than those dedicated for local governments to replace 

transportation facilities damaged by a national emergency. 

NEPA was never meant to be a statute enabling delay, but rather a vehicle to promote balance. 

While the centerpiece of such a balancing is the environmental impacts of a project, other factors 

must be considered as well, such as the economic, safety, and mobility needs of the affected area 

and how a project or any identitied alternative will atfect those needs. Allowing certain types of 

projects to be classified as CEs is a very effective way of reducing delay in the review and 

approval process, ensuring that projects with minimal environmental impacts are not put through 

a needlessly long regulatory process. ARTBA suggests the members of the subcommittee 

examine a greater use of CEs as an additional way to further the goals of the RAPID Act. 

Conclnsion 

The transportation sector has made significant strides in the area of project delivery. Beginning 

with TEA-21 and continuing through both SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21, members of both parties 

have worked together to ensure our nation's infrastructure continues to improve at a pace 

matching the growth of our country. While MAP-21 represents an unprecedented and 

comprehensive approach to refonning the transportation project delivery process, that does not 

mean ARTBA will stop looking for further reforms to ensure transportation improvements are 

advanced as efficiently as possible. The first step in this effort must be to ensure MAP-21 

project delivery reforms are implemented in a timely manner that is consistent with the letter and 

spirit of the new law. 

Reforming the environmental review process for transportation projects has been a IS-year 

evolution that has provided important lessons about what works and what does not work in this 

area. We commend the authors of the RAPID Act for attempting to use these lessons as a guide 

for how similar reforms should be structured in other federal areas of responsibility. 

Chairman Bachus, Representative Cohen, thank you for allowing me to appear before you today 

to discuss ARTBA's long history of promoting common sense reforms in the transportation 

project delivery process. We stand ready to assist the subcommittee as it works to bring 

comparable reforms to other federal agencies. 

I would be happy to answer any questions from you or other members of the subcommittee. 

6 
104 

Mr. BACHUS. Thank you very much, Mr. Ivanoff. 

At this time, I am going to recognize the sponsor of this legislation for questions, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Marino. 

Mr. MARINO. Thank you, Chairman. 

And again, good morning, gentlemen. 

Mr. Slesinger, I would like to begin with you, please. In March 

last year, the President issued an executive order directing agencies to, quote, ramp up efforts to improve the Federal permitting 

process by, among other things, reducing the amount of time required to make permitting and review decisions. And more recently 

on May 17 of this year, the White House press release, streamlining the process will mean the U.S. can start construction sooner, 

create jobs earlier, and fix our Nation’s infrastructure faster. 

Do you agree with the President’s proposal here? 

Mr. SLESINGER. I think the President’s proposal went forward. I 

think because of his statement and other things, more people, more 

staff were working on some of these reports that made them done 

faster, which is important. 

Mr. MARINO. But we have seen no results yet of that. We have 

seen no job increases because of this. 

Mr. SLESINGER. I do not think that is the case. 

Mr. MARINO. I do think it is the case. It is the jobs. This is an 

Administration that says jobs are the issue. 

And the red tape that I see taking place—you have worked in 

Government your entire life. You have a distinguished career. I 

was in industry for 13 years in factories working, building them, 

started there sweeping the floors until I put myself through college 

and law school. I saw what red tape does to jobs, infrastructure. 

When people come in with a little authority, a bureaucrat, and 

ask—we are going to shut you down for this reason. Why? It is not 

logical. And the response is because I have the power. I can. 

When roofers in my district—OSHA comes through and a young 

person just out of college sites them and shuts them down and said 

what did we do. Well, our instruction is to find as many construction crews as possible. 

When I hear of delays from 7 to 10 to 12 years before permitting 

can be put through for sewer systems and water systems, and you 

think that is efficient? You said that this legislation is not efficient. 

Well, I can assure you when this legislation is passed, it will submit these permits, approve them, done in the proper manner a lot 

faster than 7 and 9 and 10 years. 

Mr. SLESINGER. I think the reports the GAO has recently done 

has shown, for instance, that wind and solar permitting has been 

shortened by about 40 percent in its permitting. 

But I think you will find that if you check in Pennsylvania, if you 

go to the Chamber Web site of Project No Project, you will see most 

of the delays in Pennsylvania are not NEPA. It is permitting. It is 

zoning restrictions. It is opposition that is separate from the Federal NEPA process. 

Mr. MARINO. I understand what you are saying there, sir. I understand what you are saying. But don’t you think it is logical to 

have an entity, a gatekeeper keep the bureaucratic system, whether it is in the Federal, State, or local government, on a timetable 

instead of one entity who has nothing to do with another entity 
105 

says that I do not like the report from that agency, so I am stopping it and we go back to zero. 

What is wrong with having an entity say, okay, agency, you have 

this amount of time? If you have any issues, get to work on it. And 

with bureaucrats that I have seen—I was a prosecutor for 18 years. 

I saw it in all forms of government. It is just blatant here in D.C. 

where the bureaucrat will say I will get to it when I get to it. If 

they had to work on an assembly line, they would be out of a job. 

Mr. SLESINGER. Under the current CEQ regulations, project 

sponsors are able to ask for and get timelines, and in 25 years of 

those regulations, I do not believe there is any case where the 

timeline was not agreed to by CEQ usually along what the project 

sponsor wants. But the key again, as you will see when you look 

at the cases in the Chamber Web site, it is other issues. It is the 

financing. It is the local opposition and zoning and the local politicians for various reasons—— 

Mr. MARINO. Well, then that should be part of an overall 

gatekeeping process. You say that a lot of it is because of sequestration. I am really tired of hearing about the sequestration because we have seen what a farce it is so far. And let me give you 

an example of that in my building, right in the Cannon Building 

where they are locking doors and they cannot have guards there. 

Where they normally have two, well, they locked half the doors. 

Now there are four guards at an exit. 

So, come on. Let’s call it what it is. We have a situation where 

things move at a glacial pace. And I hear from my constituents constantly that if we could just eliminate this red tape, if we could just 

eliminate all the agencies that duplicate the services and really 

have no experience out in the field. 

So you are saying you do not agree that we can make this more 

efficient and more effective? 

Mr. SLESINGER. We can make it more efficient. We can make it 

more effective. But to really do that, we are going to have to 

change the federalist system and give a gatekeeper—— 

Mr. MARINO. That is the first thing we agree with, sir. Change 

the Federal system. And you know something? You are a very intelligent man. I respect your credentials, and I think you have a 

lot to offer here. And I am extending my hand, as I do to my friend 

on the other side of the aisle. Give me some suggestions. Let’s talk 

about how we improve efficiency. If we improve efficiency, it is 

going to create jobs. We create jobs. It is going to get us out of this 

$17 trillion of debt. Do you agree with me, sir? 

Mr. SLESINGER. I think we can. I think, though, we must remember particularly in NEPA, as Mr. Ivanoff has said, we have been 

making changes every single year. Let’s see how those work before 

we now duplicate, as unfortunately your bill does—— 

Mr. MARINO. Duplicate? You are telling me about duplication. I 

would love you to come in my office and see the stacks of information and regulatory agencies and laws that are not only duplicated 

but triplicated and 14 other different ways. The left hand does not 

know what the right hand is doing. 

And the people that are out in the field making these decisions— 

they do not have the experience, and they do not know what it is 

like to create a job and they do not know what it is like until it 
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affects them personally when they decide to get out of the government work and get into private enterprise. And I have a couple of 

friends that have done that, and they will say to me, you know 

something, Tom, a couple years ago you and I did not agree when 

I was with the government at a State level. But now I am with industry and I see the problem. Let’s work on that. 

Mr. SLESINGER. I would just point out if your bill passed and Mr. 

Ivanoff tried to do an EIS, he would have three conflicting laws to 

have to look at: NEPA under the APA, NEPA under the regular 

National Environmental Policy Act, and the requirements now 

under MAP-21. 

Mr. MARINO. Well, then let’s focus on how to deal with that issue 

as well. I do not know it all. I will be the first one to admit that. 

But this is a beginning, and we have to start doing something now. 

This country cannot afford to continue to have roadblocks and obstacles put up by people who, number one, do not know what they 

are doing, people in the bureaucracy who really do not know what 

it is like to put a 40- or 50-hour week in a factory and they have 

no ideas of what it is like to be an entrepreneur to go out and create jobs that are blocked because of unreasonable red tape and inefficient and inexperienced people. 

I do not know what my time is now, but I am pretty sure I am 

over it. So I look forward, sir, to working with you and taking advantage of your talent and experience, along with anyone else and 

certainly Mr. Cohen, my friend on the other side. So I thank you. 

I yield back. 

Mr. GOODLATTE [presiding]. We thank the gentleman. 

The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. 

Cohen, for his questions. 

Mr. COHEN. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

And Mr. Marino, my home is on 10 acres, but within 10 acres, 

very close, I have bear also. I live right near the zoo. [Laughter.] 

Well, mine come up on the porch, and they are fat and they are 

healthy. 

Mr. COHEN. I used to have dreams, when I was a child, about 

that, but it never happened thankfully. 

Mr. Slesinger, do you and Mr. Kovacs ever talk? Do you and Mr. 

Kovacs—do you all talk? 

Mr. SLESINGER. We did before when I worked at the Environmental Technology Council and I represented an industry association. 

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Kovacs, do you think it would be a good idea if 

you all talked and maybe found some—I would love to have common ground where Mr. Marino and I could get something and we 

could make our economy—— 

Mr. KOVACS. I would be very appreciative to talk to Scott, very 

appreciative. 

Mr. COHEN. Are there places you think that you and he could 

agree to a way to speed up the process? 

Mr. KOVACS. I am sure there are and I hope there are. 

The one thing I would like to just reassure you and Mr. 

Slesinger—nothing in this bill—this bill is strictly procedural. 

Nothing affects the underlying substance of NEPA at all. And I 

think that is one of the confusions that has been here. I think the 
107 

Committee—whoever drafted the bill for the Committee did a very 

good job of staying out of the substance. And the point of having 

multiple agencies involved, in other words, a three-tier type system—that is exactly—I mean, to be very honest with you, that is 

exactly what is starting to move forward with, for example, 

SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21 and, frankly, even in the Recovery Act. 

So the Committee has a chance to really put a timeline around the 

package, and I think it would be really well served if you can do 

that. 

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Slesinger, do you agree with that? 

Mr. SLESINGER. No. I think there needs to be flexibility for the 

timelines. If you are doing a highway project that is similar to a 

lot of other highway projects, there is a good history to know how 

long it should take and those timelines can be agreed to. But when 

there is unique projects, such as Cape Wind turned out to be, if it 

is a nuclear power plant licensing where the timelines are somewhat longer, it may be inappropriate to set up a very fixed 

timeline. For instance, nuclear power plants—a lot of the processes 

were stopped when Fukushima happened and people had to go 

back to see what we could learn to make sure we do it right. So 

we just need some flexibility. 

Mr. COHEN. Let me ask you this. Mr. Duffy talked about a Massachusetts law. Are you familiar with the Massachusetts law that 

has a 12-month limit? 

Mr. SLESINGER. No, I do not. I am sorry. 

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Duffy, do you think that that Massachusetts law 

is necessarily something that could be—is it apples to apples or is 

it something different? 

Mr. DUFFY. I think it is very close. That is why I brought it forth 

as an example for consideration. As a matter of fact, it was introduced in the early 1970’s largely in response to localized oppositions to power plants, in particular nuclear power plants. And the 

decision was made that the ultimate policy decision should be made 

on a comprehensive basis on a statewide basis rather than multiple 

decisions by numerous agencies at the local, municipal, and State 

agency, but also recognition that projects needed to move forward 

led to the provision of the 12-month limit, as well as a direct appeal to the State’s highest court so that projects could move forward more quickly. And I think that was a bipartisan bill. It has 

got 30 years of experience in Massachusetts, and it has withstood 

the test of time. That is why I thought it was an excellent example 

for Congress to consider. 

Mr. COHEN. I would hope that we could find a way to do it. I 

think what Mr. Slesinger talks about—the lack of money sometimes is a problem. Mr. Kovacs and Mr. Duffy, do you not agree 

that sometimes lack of funding is the cause for the delay? 

Mr. DUFFY. It can certainly be a factor. 

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Kovacs, do you agree? 

Mr. KOVACS. Well, the projects that we looked at, you have to appreciate, were all private sector and the money was there. And in 

Project No Project, for example, out of the 351 projects, the private 

sector said it was willing to invest $571 billion. And in the highway 

funds, we have always supported additional funding for the infrastructure. On the Government side, we have supported the money, 
108 

and on the private side it is there. So I do not think it is really 

money. 

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Slesinger? 

Mr. SLESINGER. Part of it is money. Part of it is just experience. 

I will give an example. The Bureau of Land Management used to 

take 4 years to do an analysis for putting wind or solar on our public lands. With more staffing and more experience, the time now is 

just slightly over 1 year. So when we get more experience, we get 

more staffing, the agencies can do their job much quicker and efficiently. 

Mr. COHEN. Since my time has expired, I will yield back the balance of it. 

Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman. 

And the Committee will stand in recess. It may be a very brief 

recess because the Chairman of the Subcommittee I believe is on 

his way back from the vote, and he will ask his questions as soon 

as he returns. But the rest of the Members will recess now so we 

can go handle a vote on the floor. 

[Recess.] 

Mr. BACHUS. We are back from our recess. We will give everybody a minute or so to reassemble. I am not sure. I think we do 

have some other Members coming. I anticipate maybe two other 

Members who would like to ask questions. 

Let me say before I initiate my questions I think we all have 

these experiences we go through, and it is fascinating, Mr. Duffy, 

the experience your company has had. Amazing. And also amazing 

that Massachusetts has a short statute. It proves that you can do 

things deliberately and yet thoroughly and in a short period of 

time. 

Mr. DUFFY. And I would add, Mr. Chairman, as you noted in 

your opening statement, the initial guidance from the CEQ from 

1981, the famous 40 questions—on the very specific question, what 

is the timeline required for a NEPA process, their guidance at that 

time was the council has advised the agencies under the new 

NEPA regulations, even large, complex energy projects would require only about 12 months for the completion of the entire EIS 

process. So that was in 1981, roughly contemporaneous with the 

adoption of the Massachusetts statutes. They were both focused on 

a 12-month review at that instance. And somewhere between 1981 

and today, we have had a wide expansion, obviously. And I think 

it may be useful for the agencies to get a more clear statement of 

congressional intent as to how long this process—— 

Mr. BACHUS. That is a very good point. 

Mr. Slesinger, you refer to those 40 questions in your testimony. 

Mr. SLESINGER. Well, I think the one thing that we have to be 

aware of with timelines and in this bill in particular is that a 

project sponsor can require an agency to start working on the EIS 

process, but the agency may not be funding that construction for 

10 or 15 years. That is a big problem with the Corps of Engineers 

where they may begin EIS’s, but they know the funding is 15 or 

20 years out. So there is a tendency in agencies like that not to 

move that EIS process along quicker. So maybe we need to make 

sure that if we are going to do the EIS process, there is going to 

be funding, be it private or public, to make the timeline make 
109 

sense. You do not want to do an EIS so far before the beginning 

of construction that you are going to learn things that will be important. For instance, it would be silly to do storm protection on 

Long Island or Staten Island 5 years ago, then have Sandy come 

and find out that you learned so much you really need to go back 

and do the whole thing. So if we can time the EIS closer to when 

construction or whatever is going to happen, I think it would make 

agencies not maybe take a lot of time—— 

Mr. BACHUS. Well, of course, I think that would almost argue for 

a streamlined process because many times we do have an environmental impact and then there are court appeals and things are tied 

up for 10 years or 8 years and then we are told we have to update 

all those engineering studies. And that feeds back in to more delay. 

Now, I went to India several years ago, and they took me out to 

a house on a road. It was a four-lane highway. And in the middle 

of the highway, all of a sudden it narrowed to one lane, and there 

was a two-story house in the middle of what would have been the 

road. And they explained that Nehru was so concerned because he 

was persecuted by the British that he established a long administrative appeal process where you could appeal, appeal, appeal, 

meant to protect his civil liberties. But in ensuring all that, it can 

take up to 50 years in India to condemn a piece of property. So I 

said, well, this one piece of property—who is this person? He is a 

government official. Well, he has got some contacts. I said, didn’t 

he get a little embarrassed by this? Well, he has been dead for 20 

years. [Laughter.] 

If you go to Delhi, if you go to Mumbai, old Bombay, you will get 

on the highway there. You might get on an elevated highway and 

then all of a sudden you have to get off and wind your way through 

an area that is just teaming with people and pedestrians, and what 

can be—from downtown Mumbai to the airport is a 4-mile trip that 

takes 2 and a half hours. So when I say that we are falling behind, 

we are not falling behind India. 

Now, if you want to go someplace fast in India—and I mean not 

fast but you will get on their railroads which function about like 

our 1940 rail system. And it is not fast but it is not slow. They 

were built before all this. So the railroads are relatively straight. 

But you could not build those railroads today. 

In fact, we have a Honda plant in Birmingham. They wanted to 

have two rails instead of being a captive shipper. They were never 

able to build a 7-mile rail spur because of one property owner. And 

that was part of the deal that the State made them. But it delayed 

that plant 6 years. And we have had delays during 2008-2009, people out of work, still out of work. They want to be taxpayers. They 

do not want to be receiving public assistance. It all fits in. 

One of the criticisms of the stimulus, which I am sure you heard 

in the construction business, was they did projects that were shovel-ready and not maybe because that was the best project. So you 

had a highway that had a bridge that was substandard or an elevated highway or you needed to do something. You needed to add 

a lane. Instead, you blacktopped over an area that maybe did not 

even need to be blacktopped then. But because that was shovelready, you could get a permit for that. So a lot of the work that 

was done as a result of the stimulus was—you know, we need to 
110 

put people to work right away. We do not have 5 years. So a lot 

of it was almost—you know, it was not the priorities. It was 

blacktopping roads and repairing curbs and things of that nature. 

If no one else returns, I am going to ask two questions, and I will 

start with Mr. Kovacs. If there are true environmental problems 

with a given project, will the RAPID Act prevent Federal officials 

from assuring that those problems are avoided, minimized, or mitigated before a permit is granted in your opinion? And that is Mr. 

Slesinger or certain environmental groups are raising—— 

Mr. KOVACS. Absolutely. Whatever is being examined today 

under NEPA will be examined under the RAPID Act. For example, 

there have been no known environmental problems under 

SAFETEA-LU. So everything that was going on with NEPA still 

goes on. 

Second, not only does it not affect NEPA, but it does not affect 

clean air or clean water. It does not affect any statute. What 

RAPID does is three very simple things. 

It has a lead agency that is responsible for coordinating the 

project within a time frame. And I say within a time frame. 

Second, it requires that people come in and out of the time frame 

in a managed way and that they cannot use sufficiency as a delaying tactic. Right now, one of the reasons that the process goes on 

forever is that nothing ever becomes sufficient. By putting time 

frames on it and requiring it to be managed in a time frame, the 

agencies come in, state their objections, and then they move out. 

And finally, because of the statute of limitations in NEPA, which 

is a 6-year statute of limitations imposed by pure court order, the 

Federal Government ended up with a 6-year statute of limitations 

in an administrative proceeding that actually and for all other proceedings is 6 months. 

So, again, nothing that has happened in SAFETEA-LU has 

shown that there have been problems. Nothing that is in RAPID 

actually moves into any substantive changes. 

And finally, if you do not mind. You were talking about the stimulus act and blacktopping and shovel-ready projects. One of the 

reasons the Congress was even able and the executive was even 

able to get the projects done that were done is that on the floor of 

the Senate, Senator Boxer and Senator Barrasso came to an agreement and understood that if NEPA operated the way it normally 

operates that you would not have ever gotten to a shovel-ready 

project. 

Now, I want to give you an idea because these are the Administration’s numbers. Out of the 192,000 projects that were in the 

stimulus act that got constructed, 184,000 of them went under the 

most expeditious process possible. Otherwise, you would not even 

have had those projects done. 

Mr. BACHUS. And those were just blacktopping. Most of them 

were very simple projects. 

Mr. Ivanoff, do you want to comment on that? 

Mr. IVANOFF. No. I think going back to your question about will 

the RAPID Act catch issues, I just want to reiterate that the process is not what we are talking about here. That is not what I think 

everyone here is speaking to. What we are speaking to is the review processes. And that is, I think again, having a lead agency 
111 

status is, I think, a good priority in this particular piece of legislation. And the second one is trying to get the agencies to do these 

reviews concurrently. If you have them sequentially, happen sequentially, you will find one agency, the Fish and Wildlife, will finish the first 6 months. Army Corps does not get to their review for 

a year or year and a half. All of a sudden, you have conflicting 

issues that might come up over a similar mitigation. And now you 

have to go back to an agency who has got other priorities. If you 

can address all of those in a timely manner through the first 6, 7, 

8 months of this review process, now as a lead agency status, you 

can bring all of these agencies to the table and you resolve any of 

these kinds of conflicts in a coordinated and reasonable manner. 

And I think that is what will take a lot of this review process and 

shorten the time frame. That is what would help tremendously. 

Mr. BACHUS. I know, Mr. Slesinger, you mentioned the Corps of 

Engineers. A lot of the delay is because they just do not have the 

funding. 

Mr. SLESINGER. Yes. 

Mr. BACHUS. Congressman Jo Bonner from Mobile can tell you 

about a project on Mobile Bay where a landowner wanted to build 

a camp for handicapped and challenged children with different developmental or physical handicaps. And he wanted to build a lake 

on that property. And the Corps took several years. I mean, it was 

a matter of 6-8 years. When they finally ruled, they asked him to 

do $1 million worth of remediation. Now, he was going to give the 

land and build a camp. I think it was wetlands. Congressman 

Bonner would love to enter a statement for the record. But they 

were told to do remediation because they were affecting wetlands. 

And Congressman Bonner went with them to the land, and they 

were unable to find the wetlands. I am going to have him tell it 

exactly the way it was. But he said he is actually bitter about that. 

I would love to maybe have him back or maybe on the floor, if this 

bill comes to the floor, to talk about that. 

How many jobs are we talking about creating, Mr. Kovacs, with 

RAPID Act’s enactment, and how fast could these jobs become a reality? And maybe how long do you think they will last? I know they 

pay highly. I know the construction industry. Those are very good 

jobs. And we in this country are facing, a lot of people are saying, 

minimum wage jobs. But these are not minimum wage jobs. 

Mr. KOVACS. Well, these certainly are not minimum wage jobs, 

but to give you an idea—and I do not know that anyone has done 

a study and compiled everything. But just on Project No Project, 

had those 351 projects been completed, that was a private sector 

investment of roughly $570 billion. And our estimates were during 

the 7 years of construction, it would have been 1.9 million jobs a 

year, and thereafter, it would have been about 750,000 jobs a year. 

So you are close to 2 million. 

On the Recovery Act, because of the fact that you needed some 

form of waiver from NEPA going through the most expeditious 

route, 184,000 of the projects out of the 192,000 projects went forward. The President’s own estimates of the value of the stimulus 

was about 3.5 million to 5 million jobs. So if you took a million, 20 

percent of that, and added it, you were at 3 million jobs there, and 

then whatever the jobs are created in SAFETEA-LU. So you are 
112 

looking at a minimum of 3 million jobs just by moving projects forward in a more rapid way. 

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Ivanoff, do you have any comment on those jobs 

and how much they pay? 

Mr. IVANOFF. Well, in terms of jobs, obviously I totally agree with 

you. First of all, I think these construction jobs—I think you have 

to realize that they really cover an extremely broad spectrum. For 

these jobs, you have got to plan them out. You are going to have 

environmentalists take a look at it. You will have the environmental and scientific community get involved. You will have engineers, designers get involved designing the project. You will then 

go out to the construction. You will have, as you are saying, construction jobs. And to construct, you need to have equipment. So 

you are going to generate manufacturing jobs. The quarries have 

to bring in the cement. They have to bring in the aggregate. 

So the beauty of the construction industry is that it does not just 

give you construction jobs, but you start off with early planning, 

engineering with the white-collar workers. You get to the blue-collar workers. And then once you have whatever it is you have constructed in place, that facility now generates economic activity. So 

it is one of the greatest multipliers, I believe, of economic activity 

that you could possibly have. 

Mr. BACHUS. And obviously, some of the jobs you are creating— 

the Midwest where a lot of that equipment is made—those are 

places that need it. 

Mr. IVANOFF. Peoria, Illinois, Caterpillar. Right? 

Mr. BACHUS. Yes. 

Mr. Duffy and then Mr. Slesinger. 

Mr. DUFFY. I would just like to stress the same point for electric 

power facilities. It is a very labor-intensive job. Just for example, 

we have a project under construction that should be on line by this 

fall in Florida with 700 workers on the job site today and a 30- 

month construction schedule. We have done two projects of that 

scale in the interim while we are still trying to get this wind 

project permitted. And notably, neither of those triggered NEPA. 

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Slesinger? 

Mr. SLESINGER. I would just want to point out that the things 

that were done to expedite the Recovery Act were using existing 

law. A lot of the improvements that Mr. Kovacs mentioned and Mr. 

Ivanoff mentioned were under the current law. And so, for instance, though there has been a lot of talk about doing concurrent 

reviews, that has been the CEQ policy for 20 years and that is how 

they move forward. 

So I think a lot of the things that people want to happen are 

happening, but the real problem that is really delaying a lot of 

these projects are local NIMBY issues that are not part of the 

NEPA problem. So addressing NEPA, you are still avoiding maybe 

90 percent of what is causing the delays that you are concerned 

about. 

Mr. BACHUS. All right. Thank you. 

Mr. SLESINGER. I would also want to note—and I do not want to 

speak for Mr. Duffy, but others of us are all on record of supporting 

more infrastructure, for raising revenues through gas taxes or otherwise to help that because we all agree—environmentalists, con-
113 

struction, the Chamber—that we need to have a better infrastructure, and what we have been doing has been very short-sighted. 

Mr. BACHUS. Thank you. I appreciate that. And I think there is 

ground for commonality and for agreement. I hope that we can get 

there. 

At this time, I am going to recognize the gentleman, Mr. Marino, 

as I said several times, the sponsor of this legislation. 

Mr. MARINO. Thank you, Chairman. 

I think it was Mr. Ivanoff who hit on the point—I could be 

wrong. Maybe it was Mr. Slesinger as well. But this is a review 

piece of legislation, clearly a review piece of legislation. And I 

know, Mr. Slesinger, you said that there is existing law that has 

streamlined, but still we are looking at 7 to 10 years even taking 

into consideration that municipalities may have a part in slowing 

this down. And so I see what is happening. 

I am going to use two examples of two agencies, EPA and Army 

Corps. The Army Corps is doing their review, and we say to EPA 

what is going on with your review. Well, we are not doing our review yet because we are going to wait till Army Corps is done. And 

I think it is critically important that these reviews be done simultaneously. 

And you know what else would be, I think, very, very helpful is 

when I was in industry helping to build factories—and it was not 

a revelation, but one company could not figure out why they had 

to put so much into reinvesting in the factory. And I said who sat 

at the table to determine what the factory is going to be like. Well, 

our architect and the plant manager. I said did you ever think of 

bringing in people that are going to transfer in that work on the 

line. Did you ever think of having the electricians sitting there 

with you? Did you ever think of having the shipping department 

manager sit down and say what he or she needs? Because Mr. 

Ivanoff and I can sit down and we think we come up with a great 

idea on how to put something together and implement it, but we 

do not include Mr. Slesinger or Mr. Duffy or Mr. Kovacs. And they 

will say wait a minute. When it is up and running, they will say 

this is causing us a problem. So have the people at the table. Particularly the review agencies can talk back and forth saying, you 

know, that is an issue and we should look at that, but let’s take 

a look at it from this approach. 

And throwing money at it, it has proved in D.C. that it does not 

work. You know, look at the Department of Education. Look at the 

Department of Energy. Look at the money that we are throwing at 

agencies and bureaucracies, and we still have more kids dropping 

out of school than ever before. And we went from 25 percent dependency on foreign oil to 62 percent dependency on foreign oil. So 

what is happening over there? 

And it just gets down to the point where—Steve, my friend, Mr. 

Cohen, brought up a point that made me think of something. Mr. 

Slesinger, you talked about a review process and one size does not 

fit all. And I am the first one to stand up and say one size does 

not fit all because it is obvious on the way it is working. It is not 

working now. 

But perhaps we should explore this idea. I would like a period 

of a set, fixed time. However, if one agency comes in and says we 
114 

need more time for this review, I do not want that to stop the review, and I do not want that to be the only excuse. You need more 

time. You come in with substantive evidence on a very narrow 

issue specifically why you need more time and then address that 

issue immediately instead of just saying we need more time. There 

has got to be a group or a panel or someone that says tell us why 

you need more time and then when are you going to get to work 

on it. 

Mr. Slesinger, do you want to respond to that? 

Mr. SLESINGER. Yes. I think one thing we need to remember— 

and I want to expand on some of your points—is that if we can get 

people at the table, if we can get the local community buy-in from 

the beginning, you do much better. One of the issues we have with 

your bill is that you can have all these Federal agencies working 

together and meeting all your timelines, and then in the end, you 

have only 30 days or 60 days for public comment. And maybe all 

those people who are out there who are going to be affected are just 

hearing about it and have just an incredibly short time period to 

act. There are ways the system can work to bring people in earlier. 

Mr. MARINO. We need an efficient, general form of notice. 

Mr. SLESINGER. Exactly. 

And another thing that we might want to look at is sometimes 

you cannot get everybody working immediately. 

Mr. MARINO. I understand. 

Mr. SLESINGER. For instance, if Mr. Ivanoff wants to cross the 

Hudson River but he does not know if he wants to do it—or the 

agency is not sure of a bridge or a tunnel is the way to go, the environmental impacts to do it when you do not know which of those 

two options is really on the table—— 

Mr. MARINO. Agreed. 

Mr. SLESINGER. There are ways to do that more efficiently. 

So, again, we think the bill needs to be aware of the fact that 

things are not—it is not just repaving the same road. A lot of these 

projects are very big. 

And one thing I wanted to say where the bill is not process is 

the automatic permitting. Under the Atomic Energy Act, the Clean 

Water Act, the Clean Air Act, if the agencies do not get done in 

the 1 year, the permits automatically—— 

Mr. MARINO. Then shame on the agency. Then the agency needs 

to be revisited. Someone else needs to be running the agency. With 

the proper notice—with the proper notice—they should be on this 

unless, again, they come up with a reasonable exception as to why 

they cannot get into this process immediately. 

Mr. SLESINGER. You could have some imaginary future Administration say, gee, this is a really politically difficult issue. I am just 

going to sit on my hand, not do anything, and let the permit be 

automatically approved. That is a concern. 

Mr. MARINO. And then, you know, the voters are going to deal 

with the legislators, the people that they elect in office, to let something like that happen. 

I am passionate about this. Please excuse my Sicilian passion. It 

is not directed at you, sir, or anyone else. And I think this is something, if we just roll our sleeves up and say let’s just apply common 

sense, check our egos at the door, and what is best for this country, 
115 

we are going to be able to protect the environment, protect our children, and create jobs in a much shorter time then we are doing 

right now. 

So I look forward to any input and any guidance that any one 

of you or anyone else wants to give me. 

Mr. SLESINGER. I look forward to it. 

Mr. MARINO. Thank you. 

I yield back. 

Mr. BACHUS. At this time, I recognize the gentleman, Hakeem 

Jeffries, from New York. 

Mr. JEFFRIES. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

I have in my hand a letter from more than a dozen environmental groups in opposition to this legislation, as well as a CRS 

report from April 11 of last year, a statement of Administration 

policy dated July 23, 2012, and a letter from the Council for Environmental Quality from April of this year, that I would like to ask 

unanimous consent they be entered into the record. 

Mr. BACHUS. Absolutely. Without objection. Seeing no objection, 

they are introduced. 

[The information referred to follows:] 
116 

* Alaska's Big Village Network * Alaska Inter-Tribal Council * Alaska Wilderness 

League * Center for Biological Diversity * Center for Water Advocacy * 

* Defenders of Wildlife * Earthjustice * Ji:nvironmental Protection Information 

Center * Great Old Broads for the Wilderness * High Country Citizens' Alliance * 

* The Lands Council * League of Conservation Voters * Natural Resources Defense 

Council * Public Citizen * San Juan Citizens Alliance * Sierra Club * Southern 

Environmental Law Center * Western Environmental Law Center * 

* The Wilderness Society * Wilderness Workshop * 

July 11,2013 

Dear Representative: 

On behalf of our millions of members and online activists, we are writing to urge you to 

oppose the "Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 201r 

(H.R. _), which amends the federal Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.c. § 551-559) 

by requiring new procedures for regulatory review, environmental decisionmaking, and 

permitting processes for federal agency decisions and projects. Instead of improving the 

permitting process, the RAPID Act will severely undermine the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA) and, consequently, the quality and integrity of federal agency 

decisions. 

The National Environmental Policy Act plays a critical role in ensuring that projects are 

carried out in a transparent, collaborative, and responsible manner. NEPA simply requires 

federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of proposals, solicit the input of all 

affected stakeholders, and disclose their findings publicly before undertaking projects 

that may significantly affect the environment. NEPA's fundamental tenet is to ensure that 

the public - which includes industry, citizens, communities, local and state governments, 

and business owners - can make important contributions by participating in federal 

government decision-making and providing unique expertise and insight on impacts from 

proposed projects. Also crucial for informed government decisions, NEPA mandates the 

consideration of alternative ways of achieving a proposed action, thus ensuring decisionmakers and developers are fully informed before proceeding with a project. 

RAPID Act provisions such as the following will significantly undermine this bedrock 

environmental law by: 

Placing Arbitrary Limitations on Environmental Reviews - The bill threatens to 

undermine NEPA's goal of informed decisionmaking and the agency's role of acting in 

the public interest by setting arbitrary deadlines on environmental reviews with default 

approval of permits, licenses, or other applications in cases of delay - regardless of the 

possible economic, health, or environmental impacts. 

Limiting Consideration of Alternatives - The bill strikes at the heart of the NEPA process 

by restricting the range of alternatives to be considered by an agency. 
117 

Creating Serious Conflicts ofInterests - The bill blurs the distinct roles of private entities 

and agencies in agency decisions by allowing project sponsors to prepare environmental 

documents under NEPA and any other federal law, such as the Clean Water Act and the 

Endangered Species Act, which creates inherent conflicts of interest and thus jeopardizes 

the integrity of the decisionmaking process 

Restricting Judicial Review -The bill would restrict judicial review and force 

stakeholders into court preemptively simply to preserve their right to judicial review. 

Limiting Public Comment Periods - The bill limits the amount of time the public has to 

comment on NEPA documents and any other associated environmental review 

documents prepared under any other federal law. 

Provisions such as these in the RAPID Act will only serve to increase delay and 

confusion around the environmental review process. We believe compromising the 

quality of environmental review and limiting the role of the public is the wrong approach. 

A far more sensible approach that would improve the efficiency of the process is to urge 

agencies to use the existing, but underused, flexibilities that exist within NEPA, and were 

detailed last year by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). The guidance released 

by CEQ, "Improving the Process for Preparing Efficient and Timely Environmental 

Reviews Under NEPA," provides additional measures that can be implemented to ensure 

that an environmental review process can be conducted in a timely and efficient manner. 

The National Environmental Policy Act has proven its worth as an invaluable tool to 

ensure that the public, developers, and agencies have an agreed upon template that 

consistently and fairly assesses proposals that may impact federal resources. The RAPID 

Act contradicts and jeopardizes decades of experience gained from enacting this critical 

environmental law. Further, it tips the balance away from informed decisions, 

jeopardizing the public's right to participate in how public resources will be managed. 

Please oppose this unnecessary and overreaching piece of legislation. 

Sincerely, 

Carl Wassilie 

Yupiaq Biologist 

Alaska's Big Village Network 

Delice Calcote 

Executive Director 

Alaska Inter-Tribal Council 

Leah Donahey 

Program Director 

Alaska Wilderness League 

Bill Snape 

Senior Counsel 

Center for Biological Diversity 

Nikos Pastos 

Environmental Sociologist 

Center for Water Advocacy 

Mary Beth Beetham 

Director of Legislative Affairs 

Defenders of Wildlife 
118 

Rebecca Judd 

Legislative Counsel 

Earthjustice 

Andrew Orahoske 

Conservation Director 

Environmental Protection Information 

Center 

Shelley Silbert 

Executi ve Director 

Great Old Broads for Wilderness 

Allison Melton 

Public Lands Director 

High Country Citizens' Alliance 

Mike Petersen 

Executive Director 

The Lands Council 

Alex Taurel 

Deputy Legislative Director 

League of Conservati on Voters 

Scott Slesinger 

Legislative Director 

Natural Resources Defense Council 

Allison Fisher 

Outreach Director 

Public Citizen 

Dan Randolph 

Executive Director 

San Juan Citizens Alliance 

Athan Manuel 

Director, Lands Protection Program 

Sierra Club 

Navis Bermudez 

Deputy Legislative Director 

Southern Environmental Law Center 

Susan Jane Brown 

Staff Attorney 

Western Environmental Law Center 

David Alberswerth 

Senior Policy Advisor 

The Wilderness Society 

Will Roush 

Director and Conservation Advocate 

Wilderness Workshop 
119 

~COngreSSiOnal ~. z: ~ Research 

• ~Service 

The Role of the Environmental Review 

Process in FederalJy Funded Highway 

Projects: Background and Issues for Congress 

Linda Luther 

Analyst in Environ.ment<ll l)olicy 

April 11. 2012 

Co lun 1 R ...... rrll Sen'ice 

,.= ww .... .<n.gov "',,. ens Report for Congress _ _ _ _ _____________ _ 

,~ ·,..~ .. II;', \/ ... ,1>.." ,~"/( ~ .. ~"", .. ,, -4 r"".".., 
120 

The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Summary 

Under programs administered by the Department of Transportation 's (DOTs) Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA), certain highway and bridge projects may be eligible for federal funding. 

Project approval and the receipt of federal funds are conditioned on the project sponsor (e.g., a 

local public works or state transportation agency) meeting certain standards and complying with 

federal law. Activities necessary to demonstrate compliance with those reqnirements may be 

completed at varions stages of project development. Althongh the names of each stage may vary 

from state to state. project development generally inclndes the following: planning, preliminary 

design and environmcntal rcview, tinal design and rights-of-way acquisition, construction, and 

facility operation and maintenance. 

When there is debate over the time it takes to complete federal highway projects, the 

environmental review stage has been a primary focus of congressional attention concerning 

legislative options to speed project delivel)', TI,e current process includes activities necessary to 

demonstrate that all potential project-related impacts to the human, natural, and cultural 

environment are identified; effects of those impacts are taken into consideration (anlong other 

factors such as economic or community benefits) before a final decision is made; the public is 

inc1nded in that decision-making process; and all state, tribal. or federal compliance requirements 

applicable as a result ofthe project's environmental impacts are, or will be, met. 

Compliance requirements depend on site-specific factors, including the size and scope ofthe 

project, and whether and to what degree it may affect resources such as parks, historic sites, water 

resources. vvetlands. or urban communities. For all proposed federal-aid highway projects, 

however, some level of review will be required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 

1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.). Broadly, NEPA requires federal agencies to consider the 

environmental effects of an action before proceeding with it and to involve the public in the 

decision-making process. 

TI,e time it takes to complete the NEPA process is often the focus of debate over project delays 

attributable to the overall environmental review stage. However, the majority of FHWA-approved 

projects require limited documentation or analyses under NEPA. Further, when environmental 

requirements have caused proj ect delays, requirements established under laws other than NEPA 

have generally been the source. This calls into question the degree to which the NEPA compliance 

process is a significant source of delay in completing either the environmental review process or 

overall project delivery. Causes of delay that have been identified are more often tied to 

local/state and project-specitic factors, primarily local/state agency priorities, project funding 

levels. local opposition to a project, project complexity, or late changes in project scope. Further. 

approaches that have been found to expedite environmental reviews involve procedures that local 

and state transportation agencies may implement currently, such as efficient coordination of 

interagency involvement; early and continued involvement with stakeholders interested in the 

project; and identifying environmental issues and requirements early in project development. 

Bills in the House and Senate (the American Energy and Infrastmcture Jobs Act of2012 (H.R. 7) 

and Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21" Century (MAP-21; S. 1813)) would reauthorize DOT 

programs. Both include provisions intended to expedite project delivery by changing clements of 

the environmental review process, particularly NEPA requirements. This report provides 

information on existing NEPA and environmental review requirements, particularly requirements 

that may be subject to change lUlder the House and Senate proposals. 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Contents 

Introduction .............................................................................................................. I 

Background and Overview of Issues .............................................................................. 2 

Environmental Reviews and Project Delays ............................................................................. 3 

Challenges to Tying Project Delays to NEPA Compliance .............................................. 4 

Higlnvay Constmction Impacts That Led to the Current Process ................................................... 6 

Elements of the Environmental Review· Process ............................................................................. 7 

Requirements Applicable to Federal-aid Highways ..................................................... 8 

Requirements Applicable to "Federal Actions" ........................................................................ 9 

Requirements Applicable to Certain Resources. II 

Implementing the Environmental Review Process ....................................................................... 12 

Demoustratiug Complianee with NEPA ................................................................................. 12 

Identifying the Appropriate N EPA Document .................................................................. 13 

FHWA-Approyed Projects By NEPA Class of Action ...................................................... 13 

Selected Requirements for Each Category of NEPA Document ....................................... 17 

Agency Roles and Responsibilities in the NEPA Process ....................................... 26 

Public Invol yement ........................................................................................................... 28 

Demonstrating Compliance with Additional Requirements ................................................... 29 

Environmental Reviews and Project Development ....................................................................... 31 

Stages of Project Development ............................................................................................... 31 

Challenges in Measuring Stages of Project Development ...................................................... 33 

Causes of Delay in Completing Environmental Reviews ....................................................... 35 

Benefits to the Environmental Review Process ...................................................................... 36 

Expediting Environmental Reviews .............................................................................................. 37 

Lessons Learned ..................................................................................................................... 37 

Administrati ve Efforts ............................................................................................................ 40 

Conclusions ................................................................................................................................... 40 

Figures 

Figure 1. FHWA-Approved Projects-By NEPA Class of Action. 14 

Figure 2. Active FHWA Projects Requiring an E1S in Each State ................................................ 15 

Figure 3. Percentage of FHWA Program Funding Allocation by NEPA Class of Action .............. 16 

Figure 4. NEPA Decision-Making Process ................................................................................... 17 

Tables 

Table 1. Federally Funded Highway Projects Specifically Listed as CEs ..................................... 18 

Table 2. Examples ofFHWA-Approved Projects That May Be Classified as a CE ..................... 19 

Table 3. Required Elements of an EIS as Implemented by FHW A ............................................... 22 

Table 4. Federal Law Commonly Applicable to FHWA-Approyed Projects ................................ 30 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Table 5. Stages of Federal-Aid Highway Project Development .................................................... 32 

Appendixes 

Appendix. Surveys and Studies Applicable to the Environmental Review Process ..................... 42 

Contacts 

Author Contact Tnfol1nation .......................................................................................................... 43 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Introduction 

Under programs administered by the Department of Transportation 's (DOTs) Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA), certain highway and bridge projects may be eligible to receive federalaid funding l As a condition of receiving those funds, a project sponsor (e.g., a local or state 

transportation agency) must meet certain standards and requirements applicable to activities 

completed at every stage of project development. Althongh the names of those stages may vary 

somewhat from state to state, those stages generally inclnde initial project planning, preliminary 

design/engineering and environmental review', final design and rights-of-way acqnisition, 

construction, and tacility operation and maintenance. 

Each stage of project development is initiated and completed largely at the state or local leveL 

with FHWA having ultimate responsibility for ensuring that individual projects comply with 

requirements applicable to federal-aid highways.c Also, each development stage involves a range 

of activities that vvill affect the time it takes to deliver the project. Required clements of the 

preliminary design and environmental review stage will vary by project. but generally include 

processes necessary to identify and demonstrate compliance with environmental requirements 

applicable to that project. 

When there is debate over the time it takes to complete federally funded highway projects 3 

particularly debate over activities that may expedite or delay project delivery, various elements of 

the environmental revie\'" stage of project development have been the focus ofaltention. 

However, whether or the degree to which elements of that process may delay projects is unclear.~ 

TIle two most recent laws authorizing DOT programs included requirements intended to expedite 

the environmental review process that focused primarily on procedures necessary to demonstrate 

compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 V.S.c. §4321 et 

seq.).' Current legislation to authorize DOT programs in the House and the Senate (the American 

Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 20 12 (H.R. 7) and Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21" 

Century (MAP-21; S. 1813)) also include pro"isions intended to expedite project delivery that 

focus primarily on the NEPA process." 

1 This report fcJCuseC'i on projects approved. under progmrns au.rninistered hy fTnVA. Although they involve similar 

regulatory requirements, issues unique to transit projects approved under programs administered by the Federal Transit 

Administration (FTA) arc not addressed in this report 

2 Those reqLLirernenls are largely estahlished. ul1uer ChapLer 1, '-l'eu.eral-aid. TTighwuys," of Title 2:1, "TTighways" of the 

U.S. Code 

"Tn thi", rcporl, rcfL"TCnCe to --fcueral-aiu highways," ·'feu.LTal high\vays," or "feueral highway projecls" means projects 

that llla~' receive federal fLUldinf!, pursuant to the federal-aid IIiglnvays provisions of Titie 23. 1110se projects include, 

but are not limited to, tile initial constmction, reconstmction, replacement, rehabilitation, restoration, or otiler 

improvcmcnts of a higll\vay, road, strect, parbvay, right-of-"way, bridgc, or tll1IDcl 

-1- See CRS RepOlt R41947,Accelerating IIighwayand Transit Project Delil'eJ'Y: Issues and Opfionsjor Congress, by 

W illialll J. Mallett and Linda Luther 

"The Safe, Accountahle, Fle,<ihle, Ffflcienl Tran",portation Equity Act: A Legacy for U",er", (SAFETFA-LU or 

SAfE lEA; P.L. 109·59, for PY2005·PY2009) and the lranspOltation Equity Act forthe 21" Ceutmy cn::A21; P.L. 

105·178, for FYl998·FY2003) 

(1 ILR. 7 "vas repOlted favorably by tile IIouse Transportation and Infiastmcture COlllmittee on Pebmury 13,2012 

MAP·21 passed the Senate on March 14, 2012 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Despite the focus on the NEPA process, it is unclear whether or how changes to that process 

would result in faster highway project delivery. Available evidence regarding potential causes of 

project delays associated with environmental compliance is largely anecdotal and specific to 

unique, individual proj ects, StilL that evidence, while limited, points to issues or requirements 

apart from NEPA as more common causes of project delays. 

This report identifies issues relevant to the debate over the role of the environmental review 

process in transportation project delivery. It identifies social and environmental issues that led 

Congress to enact the range of requirements that now make up the environmental review process, 

as well as selected requirements applicable to its implementation (particularly NEPA 

requirements). The report also identifies complexities in tying the environmental review process 

to federal-aid highway project delivery time. 111 particular, it identifies issues that make it difficult 

to detel111ine the time it takes to complete the project development process. in general, or 

individual stages of development (e.g., activities related explicitly to environmental reviews); or 

to identity root causes of project delays tied to specific elements ofthe environmental review 

process. 111is report also discusses various approaches identified by transportation stakeholders as 

those that have expedited the environmental review process and overall project delivery. 

Infollnation and issues in this report were selected to help Members of Congress and their staff 

understand the NEPA compliance process as well as additional environmental compliance 

requirements that may be afIcetcd by H.R. 7 and MAP-21. Discussion of specific legislation is 

provided separately in CRS Report R42445, Surface Transportation Reauthorization Legislation 

in the J J 2th Congress: MAP-2 J and H.R. 7, Major Provisions, coordinated by Robert S. Kirk. 

Background and Overview of Issues 

Activities that may take place during the environmental review process and how that process is 

implemented will vary from project to project, irom state to state. TI,e environmental review 

process does not involve compliance with a single federal compliance requirement. It involves 

processes necessary to demonstrate compliance with a potentially wide array of requirements 

applicable to projects approved under the Federal-aid Highways program. Broadly, for federally 

funded highway projects, it involves two separate, but related processes-preparing appropriate 

docl1l11entation required under NEPA; and identitying and demonstrating compliance with any 

additional state, tribal, or federal environmental requirements applicable to that project. 

For a given project. how NEPA and other environmental compliance requirements must be 

demonstrated will largely depend on the degree to which the proposed project would have 

adverse effects on communities, natural or cultural resources (e.g., wetlands, endangered species 

habitat. historic sites, parks, or recreation areas), or special status land (e.g., farmland, 

tloodplains, or coastal zones). Compliance with those requirements may include obtaining a 

pennit, approval, study, or some level of analysis or consultation from an agency outside DOT. 

NEPA was intended. in part, to ensure that federal agencies would consider the environmental 

impacts of an action among other factors (e.g., economic or community benefits) in the federal 

decision-making process. NEPA has two primary aims-to assure that federal agencies consider 

the cnviro111nental efiects of their actions before proceeding with them and to involve the public 

in the decision-making process. 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

NEPA does not require an agency to elevate environmental concerns above other factors in the 

overall federal decision-making process. If the adverse environmental effects of a proposed action 

are adequately identified and evaluated, an agency is not constrained by NEPA from deciding that 

other project benefits outweigh the environmental costs and moving forward with the action. In 

contrast, other requirements applicable to federal-aid highways may dictate or somehow affect the 

outcome of a project decision. For example, other federal laws may require the selected project 

alternative to be the one with the least impact to a particular resource, prohibit FHWA approval of 

a project alternative that uses certain resources, require certain mitigation measures to limit a 

project's impacts, or require that certain activities take place in accordance with certain criteria 

(e.g., as specified in a pennit or approval). 

Environmental Reviews and Project Delays 

Required elements ofthe environmental review process, particularly compliance with NEPA, will 

have an effect on project development. For example, before DOT can approve a project and allow 

final project design, property acquisition, or project construction to proceed, the project sponsor 

must appropriately document compliance with NEPA and complete any investigation, review, or 

consultation necessary to demonstrate compliance with other applicable environmental 

requirements. Further, it is DOT policy to use the NEPA compliance process as a mechanism to 

balance transportation decision making by taking into account the potential impacts on the human 

and natural environment and the public's need for safe and efficient transportation'" 

State and local transportation agency officials and other stakeholders with an interest in 

transportation improvement generally acknowledge that elements of the environmental review 

proccss provide import.'mt protections to the human, cultural, and natural environmcnt. Howcvcr, 

those officials also sometimes argue that completing the process can be difficult and timeconsuming. Some havc argucd, for cxample, that the time it takcs to completc rcquired NEPA 

documentation and supporting analysis or to obtain required input or approval from outside 

agencies can delay completion of federally funded transportation projects. 

It is generally not disputed that the time it takes to complete the environmental review process for 

federally funded highway proj ects can take months or even years. What is unclear is the degree to 

which elements of the environmental review process directly or routinely delay project delivery. 

Detennining the time it takes to complete activities associated vvith the environmental review 

process, or delays directly attributable to those activities, is difficult for several reasons including, 

but not limited to: 

Limits to available data, There is no centralized source of data regarding 

highway project delivery. States generally do not track project development time 

from planning to construction. States generally do not attempt to isolate clements 

of the enviromllental review process, which may overlap with preliminary project 

planning, design, or engineering activities. Further, there is no standard measure 

for detennining when a project or the enviromllental review process, in 

particular, is completed '"quickly" or would be considered ""delayed." 

See i\71P.l and FlO/eel Developmenl Program Ole1'VIe"H on PII\\IA s -Illviwlllnelltal Review Toolkit'" \vebpage at 

http://ellvirollmenUh"\va.dot.gov/projdevlindex.asp 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

The influence of local factors on project delivery. The environmental review 

process may start, stop, and restart for reasons unrelated to environmental issues. 

Local and state issnes have been shown to have the most significant inflnence on 

whether a project moves forward relatively quickly or takes longer than 

anticipated. Those issnes inclnde the project's level of priority among others 

proposed in the state; changes in funding availability; and local controversy or 

opposition to the project (which mayor may not be connected to environmental 

issues). 

The variation in project type and complexity. TI,e wide range of projects 

approved under programs administered by FHWA (e.g., bridge repair versus 

major neyv highway constmction) do not easily alloyv an "apples to apples" 

comparison of the time it takes to complete the environmental review process or 

factors that may delay it. Anecdotal evidence regarding projects identified as 

"delayed" have involved multiple, complex causes of delay (including local 

issues) unique to that project. not a single cause that may be commonly 

applicable to other projects. 

Variation among state requirements and implementation processes. The 

effect of requirements under federal law may be difficult to isolate since local, 

state. or tribal requirements and procedures will also affect how environmental 

compliance requirements are implemented. State DOTs implement their project 

delivery process differently. depending on fuctors specific to their state and its 

needs. For exanlple, some states may implement unique design and contracting 

processes that expedite project delivery that other states do not. 

Time "saved" caunot be gauged. Depending on the scope and complexity of the 

project. more time spent addressing environmental issues in the project plmming 

and preliminary design stage may result in faster completion of final design and 

project constmction (when delays may require actions that take more time and 

money to address). Time may also be saved when adverse project impacts that 

could lead to local opposition to the project are identified and addressed during 

the early stages ofproject developmeut. 

Challenges to Tying Project Delays to NEPA Compliance 

Transportation agency officials illld project sponsors have broadly identified environmental 

compliilllce requirements as a common source of frustration iu completiug the project 

development process. However, limits to and contradiction in available data make it difficult to 

clearly identify specific causes of dclay that arc directly mld routinely attributable to specific 

elemeuts of euviroumeutal compliance. Ideutifying a distiuct root cause of a delay will arguably 

be neceSSaIY before cflective "solutions" (procedures that would result in faster project delivery) 

Cilll be identified. That is, knowing that a delay occurred may be irrelevant if it is not determined 

why the delay occurred. An nnderstanding of why is usefnl in identifying a solntion that directly 

addresses a problem's underlying cause. 

Detennining why a project was delayed may be difficult or may be attributable to multiple. 

interrelated factors. Generally, the more complex the project, the more complex the potential 

canse(s) of delay. For example, compared to a maintenance or repair project, a major new 

construction project will require more extensive review, docLUnentation, or analysis to 

demonstrate compliance with NEPA illld other applicable environmental requirements. However, 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

the following factors call into question the degree to which NEPA alone is a significant source of 

project delay in overall project development: 

The majority of projects require limited review under NEPA. The majority of 

FHWA-approved projects (approximately 96%) involve no significant 

environmental impacts and, hence. require limited documentation, analysis. or 

review under NEPA. 

Compliance with DOT's "NEPA regulations" extends beyond what is 

required under NEPA. DOT's "Environmental Impact and Related Procedures"" 

prescribe the policies and procedures to ensure that FHWA-approved projects 

will comply with NEPA as well as requirements established lmder Title 23 

applicable to Federal-aid Highwavs (e.g .• provisions applicable to the 

consideration of adverse economic, social, and envirolIDlental effects (under 

§109(h)), public hearings (§128), and preservation of park lands (§138)) 

The NEPA compliance process is used to demonstrate compliance with all 

applicable environmental review requirements. It is DOT policy that any 

investigation, review, or consultation necessary to demonstrate compliance with 

applicable environmental requirements be completed within the context of the 

NEPA process. This use ofNEPA as an "umbrella" compliance process can blur 

the distinction between what is required under NEPA and what is required under 

separate authority. 

Transportation agency officials asked to identify sources offrustration or delay in completing the 

environmental review process most commonly citc compliancc requirements applicable to the 

protection of park lands, historic sites, wetlands, or threatened or endangered species. The 

potential root cause of delay in complying with those requirements could be attributable to a wide 

range ofproject-spccitic tactors (c.g., incomplete pennit applications, challengcs in obtaining 

multiple approvals or penn its for a complex project, or disagreement with a resource agency over 

appropriate mcthods to mitigate project impacts). 

Both existing law and regulations implementing NEPA include explicit directives and 

requirements intended to streamline the NEPA process. Included among those requirements are 

procedures intended to coordinate efficient agency interaction and cooperation, reduce NEPArelated paperwork and duplication of eft art (e.g .. documentation and analysis that may be 

required by similar state, tribal, or federal requirements or from one stage of project development 

to the next). and integrate the consideration of environmental compliance issues in a project's 

plarming stage. Bamers to efficiently implementing existing requirements may be project-specific 

or involve issues that may be difficult to address by simply amending or eliminating existing 

federal requirements. 

ll1is is not to suggest that there arc not instances where preparation of documentation and 

analysis required under NEPA is not time-consuming or may contribute to delays in project 

delivery. However, it is unclear ""hether or what additional federal requirements may be 

implemented to expedite the NEPA process. Conversely, it is not clear whether the elimination of 

certain NEPA-specific requirements may expedite project delivery or would alter the framework 

for coordinating an already complex compliance process, resulting in additional project delay. For 

, 23 C.P.R. Part 771 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

a given project. whether changes to the NEPA process might result in faster project delivery will 

likely depend on the project's scope and complexity; the degree to which it is affected by "Iocal" 

factors (e.g., state funding or project priorities): and compliance requirements applicable to the 

project, in addition to those under NEPA. 

Highway Construction Impacts That Led to the 

Current Process 

To understand why a complex array of requirements may apply to highway projects, it is useful to 

understand the social and environmental concel11S that led Congress to enact thc various laws that 

now fonn the framevvork ofthe environmental review process. Each requirement included within 

that process represents past dforts by Congress to minimize adverse impacts from federally 

funded highway projects or to minimize adverse impacts to certain communities or resources that 

Congress identified as needing some level of protection. 

The current debate over the environmental review process frequently centers around the effect 

that completion of that process has on project delivery. The debate rarely recognizes the issues 

that led Congress to enact the requirements that now make up that process. Requirements 

included within the environmcntal review process, and procedures to demonstrate compliance 

with them, have evolved over the past 50 years. However, many of the requirements that are 

subj ect to particular scrutiny today were euacted betweeu 1966 and 1972. 

During the 1950s and 1960s, the public was becoming iucreasingly aware of and concel11ed about 

the impacts that human activity were having on the environment. Increasing attention tumed to 

the effect that federally funded programs and projects were having on the human, cultural, and 

natural environment. One federal program that generated particular concem was the development 

and construction ofthe hlterstate Highway System. 

llle Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (P.L. 84-(27) authorized and pro\~ded revenue sources for 

the construction of the National System of mterstatc and Defense Highways (commonly known 

as the Interstate Highway System, Interstate System, or the Interstate). The Interstate System is a 

network oflimited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways fOl11ling part of 

the Natioual Highway System of the United States." Coustruction of the mterstate System took 

approximately 35 years and resulted in a network of roads and bridges that currently includes 

over 45,000 miles of rural highways, suburban and urban freeways, and bridges. 1O 

Although the connection of rural, urban, and suburban communities resulted in a host of 

economic and cultural benefits, construction of the Interstate System also brought certain adverse 

impacts to both the human and natural environment. 1l1Ose impacts were seen particularly in the 

construction ofthe urban freeways. Plarming for such projects often involved locating freeways 

within available open space or where land acquisitiou costs were relatively low. "Available open 

9 The National HigJ1\vay System ie-; appro:-..imaleiy 160,OOn mile", o[roaJway important to the nation's economy, 

defense, and lilO bility. 

10 For more in[onnalion about the TnLerslale Higl1\vay Syslem, see the U.S. Department of Transportation'", Federal 

IIigh\vay Administration website, "Celebrating the :eisenhower Interstate IIighway System:' http://ww"\v.thwa.dot.gov/ 

illterstateihomepage.cnu 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

space" often meant historic sites, parks, or recreation areas. Adverse impacts to those resources 

from highway projects drew increased attention from newly formed stakeholder groups with an 

interest in environmental protection and historic preservation. 

Project planning that involved lower land acquisition costs often meant property acquisitions in 

densely populated, working-class or high-poverty neighborhoods. Resulting urban freeway 

projects had a disproportionate impact on the urban poor. One such example involved a segment 

ofI-95 north of Miami. The route selected by local transportation officials cut through the inuercity community of Overtown, a once-thriving African-American community known as the 

"Harlem of the South." A 2009 FHWA report discussing lessons learned in complying with 

environmental requirements describes the project as follmvs: 

In 1957. Ule Overtowncommunity was almost decimated by the developmeruoflhe 1-95 and 

1-395 freeway s. The constructed roadway had a disastrous impact on the economic and social 

stmcture of the eOIlllmmity. The eOIlllmmity continues to shoulder the lingering effects of 

those negative impacts, and as a result there is also persistent anger towards and distmst of 

rthe Florida Department of TrdllSportationl." 

Opposition to other urban freeway projects led to "freeway rcvolts" spearheaded by newly 

established environmental and social justice groups12 Freeway revolts took place in cities like 

Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles. New Orleans. New York, Reno, and San Francisco. As a result, a 

significant number of projects were abandoned or significantly scaled back due to widespread 

public opposition, especially by those whose neighborhoods would be disrupted or who would 

displaced by the proposed freeways. 

Elements of the Environmental Review Process 

By the mid to late 1960s, Congress began to enact legislation intended to address tile growing 

public concem over projects implemented under the Federal-aid Highways program. During that 

period. Congress also enacted legislation in response to increasing awareness and concem over 

tile impacts of all federal actions-not just federal highway projects. Also during tile 1960s and 

into the 1970s Congress began to enact a wide range of laws intended to identifY, prohibit, 

control, or mitigate adverse impacts of human activities to specific community. natural, or 

cultural resources that Congress identified as in need of certain protection. This report identifies 

and summarizes requirements that have been identified as those most commonly applicable to 

federally funded highway projects. 

11 Report prepared hy the John A. Volpe National TraTIspmtalion S~'c-iLernc-i Center Research and. Innovative Technology 

Administratioll, U.S. Department of TranspOltatioll tor the Ottice of Project Development and Environmental Revie\v, 

Federal High'i.vsy' Administration, "Strategies and. Approaches for EtTcctivcly Moving Complcx Envirolllllcntal 

Document", Through the EIS Proces",: A Peer Exchange Report," January 2009, availahle on the Federal Highway 

AJrninistralion's -'Streamlining/Ste\vardship" wehsite al htlp://en"iTOnment. Jllwa.dot.go" /slmllng/eisdocs.asp 

12 For a discussion of issues related to trcc\vav revolts and gcneral issues with urhan frcc\vav construction, scc "Pavcd 

WiUl Good Intentions: Fi",cal Politic"" Free\Na)'S and the 20lfi Century American City;' h~' JeiTrey A. Brown, Eric A 

Monis, and Drian D. Taylor, in the University ofCalifo111ia Transportation Center's Access magazine, Pa112009, 

available at http://v-i\V\v.uctc.neVaccess/35/access35_Paved_ \vith_ Good_Intentions _Piscal_Politics _. shtml 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Requirements Applicable to Federal-aid Highways 

FHWA is prohibited from approving a project for funding under the Federal-aid Highway 

program until the project sponsor demonstrates that the proposed project will comply with all 

applicable federal, tribal, and state requirements. To the exteut possible, compliance with any 

requirements that apply to a project, as a result ofthat projecfs effect on the human and natural 

environment, must be appropriately documented and demonstrated during the environmental 

review' stage of project development. 

Requirements specific to Federal-aid Highways include a host of standards, procedures, and 

conditions applicable to the various stages of project development. Several requirements 

(applicable primarily to activities that take place during the project planning, preliminmy design. 

and environmental review phases of development) reflect concern over the effects of urban 

freeway construction (discussed above), including the following: 

Directive to establish guidelines to assure consideration of adverse project 

impacts (23 U.S.c. §109(h». Directed DOTto establish guidelines to assure that 

possible adverse, economic, social, and environmental effects of proposed 

highway projects and project locations were fully considered during project 

development, and that final project decisions be made in the best overall public 

interest, taking into consideration the costs of eliminating or minimizing adverse 

effects to air. noise, and water pollution; destruction or dismption of man-made 

and natural resources; aesthetic values, community cohesion, and the availability 

of public facilities and services: adverse employment effects, and tax and 

property value losses: and injurious displacement of people, businesses, and 

farms. 

Directive to establish noise standards (23 U.S.c. §109(i». Directed DOT to 

establish standards for highway noise levels compatible with different land uses. 

DOT cannot approve plans and specifications for any proposed federal-aid 

project unless it includes adequate measures to implement those noise standards. 

As implemented under DOT regulations, a project may be required to 

demonstrate compliance with applicable standards through an analysis oftraffic 

noise impacts and, when necessary, to implement noise abatement measures. 

Public hearings requirements (23 U.S.c. §128). For a proposed project 

bypassing or going through any city, to\vn, or village. a state transportation 

department is required to certify that it held or afforded the opportunity for public 

hearings; considered the economic and social effects of the project location, and 

its impact on the environment; and considered the consistency of the project with 

local planning goals and objectives. 

Preservation of parklands requirements (23 U.S.c. §138). More commonly 

referred to as "Section 4(f),,]3 requirements, DOT is prohibited from approving a 

13 The tcnn "Section 4((( refers to the section of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-670) under 

whiGh the reqLLirement wa..'> originall~' set ronh. It was iniLiall~· codifled at 49 U.S.c. § 1651(1") amI onl~· applied lo nOT 

agencies. Later that year, 23 U.S.C. §138 \-vas added 1-vith somewhat diflerent language. 'which applied only to the 

highway program. Tn 1983, as part of a general recodification ofthe DOT Act, § lCl53(tj was formally repealed and 

codified in 49 U.S.c. ~5(n with ,",lighLl)· dirrerent language. Thi,", provision no longer rall,", under a --Section 4(f)," hut 

DOT has continued tiris reference, given that over the years, tile ,,,hole body of provisions, policies, and case law has 

been collectively referenced as Section4(f) 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

project that uses publicly owned (local, state, or federal) parks and recreation 

areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and publicly or privately owned historic 

sites of national, state. or local significance. DOT may approve a project that uses 

a 4(t) resource only ifthere is no pmdent and feasible altemative to do otherwise, 

and that use includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the resource. 

Of the requirements specifically applicable to Federal-aid Highways, the preservation of 

parklands requirements may have the greatest effect on highway project development and 

delivery. Projects that \vould use a 4(f) resource require an evaluation analyzing project 

alternatives (including location and design shifts) that avoid the resource 1 " To be approved by 

FH\VA, the evaluation must show that alternatives that would not use the resource would result in 

"truly unique problems:' resulting in costs or community disruption of cxtraordinary magnitude. 

This test is often referred to as the "Overton Park Criteria," after a court case in the 1970s in 

Memphis. TN.l5 Tn approving the use ofa 4(f) resource, FffiVA must also consider the 

significance and importance of the resource itself. 

SAFETEA amended Section 138 to allow for the usc of a 4(t) resource ifthat use can be proven 

to have de minimis impacts to the resource 1 (, Generally, de minimis impacts would result from the 

use of minor amounts of a particular resource. Such a detennination requires concurrence from an 

official with jurisdiction over the resource. For example, for a transportation project adjacent to a 

publicly owned park, recreation area, or wildlife and waterfowl refuge, FHWA would be required 

to consult with, as appropriate. agencies within the Department of the hlterior (e.g., the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, or the Bureau ofIndian Affairs) or state or local park 

authorities. For historic sites, a de minimis impacts detemlination must be based on criteria 

established l111der the National Historic Preservation Act applicable to uses that will have no 

"adverse effect" on the site (16 U.S.c. §47(lt). TI,e detennination must receive concurrence from 

the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and, if appropriate, the Advisory C0l111Cii on 

Historic Preservation (ACHP). 

Compared to other enviromnental requirements likely applicable to federal-aid highway projects, 

Section 4(f) is unique in its limits on the use of a protected resource. Most requirements intended 

to protect comnuU1ities or specific natural or cultural resources allow for adverse project impacts 

if those impacts are sufficiently identified and considered in the decision-making process. Some 

requirements may specifY that a project implement certain mitigation measures or be 

implemented in accordance with an approval or permit from an agency responsible for protecting 

that resource. An outright prohibition on the use of a particular resource. except for de minimis 

impacts or under extraordinary conditions, is not common to other environmental requirements. 

Requirements Applicable to "Federal Actions" 

In the 1960s Congress debated legislative options to address potential adverse impacts associated 

with federal actions. An action may be deemed "federal" based on the role that a federal agency 

1-1- Depending on project alternatives under consideration for a given project, compliance \vith Sectio114(f) requirements 

can be complex. This report docs 110t discuss those requirements in detail. For morc illfonllatioll, sec the "Section 4(f)" 

wehsite inchLded in fTnVA's -'Environmen11l1 Revievv ToolkiL," at http://v .. 'ww.em,ironmenLl11\va.cioLgov/4I7index.asp. 

l~ Citizens to rreserw Overton Park v. rolpe,401 U.S. 402 (1971) 

16 See Department of Transportation, "Parks, Recreation Areas, 'Vildhfe and Vilaterfowl Refuges, and IIistoric Sites," 

tinal mle, 73 Federal Regis!er 13367·13~01, March 12,2008 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

plays in a projecfs approval or funding. A project funded under the Federal-aid Highways 

program would generally be considered a federal action. Two laws applicable specifically to 

federal actions that significantly affect the environmental rev~ew process for highway project 

development are NEPA and the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. §470, et seq.). 

As discussed previously, NEPA has two primary aims-to require federal agencies to consider the 

environmental impacts of a project and to give the public a meaningful opportunity to leam about 

and comment on the proposed project before a final decision is made. It is a procedural statute. 

11,at is, NEPA requires federal agencies to implement procedures to ensure that environmental 

impacts of a project are included among, but not elevated above, other factors considered during 

the federal decision-making process. If the adverse environmental impacts of the proposed action 

are adeq uatel y identified 311d evaluated, the agency is not constrained by NEPA from deciding 

that other benefits (e.g., community and economic benefits) outweigh the environmental costs 

and moving forward with the action. (The NEPA compliance process is discussed under 

"Demonstrating Compliance with NEPA.") 

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) declared a national policy of historic preservation 

to protect districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant to American architecture, 

history. archacology, 311d culture. NHPA did not mandate prcservation of historic resources or 

prohibit adverse impacts to them, but Section 106 requires all federal agencies to consider the 

impacts of a proposal prior to taking 311y action that may afl'cct a site included in, or eligible for 

inclusion on, the National Register of Historic Places. 

NHPA also requires federal agencies to afford the Adviso!)' Council on Historic Preservation (an 

independent federal agency created by the law) a reasonable opportunity to comment on federal 

actions that would affect properties on or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of 

Historic Places. For federally funded highway projects, FHWA must consult with the Advisory 

Councilor the designated SHPO to detennine project impacts to historic sites and potential ways 

to mitigate those impacts. 

11,ere are similarities between requirements established under Section 4(t) and Section 106, but 

also important differences between the statutes. Like NEPA. Section 106 establishes a procedural 

requirement that directs all federal agencies only to consider project impacts on certain resources. 

Section 4(f) applies only to DOT projects and prohibits the use of certain resources for those 

projects, except under certain conditions. 

Additional federal laws 311d executive orders apply explicitly to federal actions that affect certain 

resources or communities. For example, a federally funded highvvay project may require 

compli311ce with additional requirements applicable to federal actions if that project may: 

involve the acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition of real property that will 

displace persons from their homes, businesses, or fanns as protected under the 

Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970 (42 

U.s.C. §460 I, et seq., more commonly referred to as the Uniform Act); 

aft'cct wetlands or floodplains pursuant to Executive Order 11990 or Executive 

Order j 1988, respectively; 

convert farmland to nonagricultural uses pursuant to the Farmland Protection 

Policy Act of 1981 (7U.S.C. §4201 etseq.); 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

cause disproportionately high and adverse impacts on minority and low-income 

populations with respect to human health and the environment pursuant to 

Executive Order 12898: or 

aflect human remains and cultural material of Native American and Hawaiian 

groups pursuant to the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act 

(25 U.S.c. §3001 et seq.). 

Requirements Applicable to Certain Resources 

In addition to requirements applicable to federal-aid highways, specifically, and federal actions, 

in general, Congress has enacted a host of individual statutes intended to protect certain natural, 

enviromnental, and cultural resources from human-induced activities. A potentially long list of 

federal compliance requirements could apply to a given highway or bridge project, but 

requirements that will actually apply to a project will be limited by site-specific conditions and 

the degree to which the proposed project may affect protected resources. Broadly, highway 

projects may be subject to requirements intended to identity, minimize, or control adverse 

impacts to: 

Land-including land use that may affect the habitat ofthreatened or endangered 

plant and animal species, migratory birds, archaeological sites, and land 

designated as a national trail or national wildemess: and 

Water resources or water quality-including projects that may affect wetlands, 

aquatic ecosystems, navigable waters (e.g., rivers, streams, harbors), floodplains, 

coastal zones, or designated ·'wild and scenic" rivers, or projects that may affect 

water quality (e.g., discharge pollutants into U.S. waters)17 

For a given federally funded highway project, compliance with a number offederal, state, or 

tribal regulations intended to identifY, controL mitigate, or minimize project impacts to land and 

water resources may be required. Specific compliance requirements will depend on standards or 

regulatory requirements of that law and the degree to which the proposed project may adversely 

atl'ect that resource. Depending on those factors, project development and implementation may 

require some level of consultation, analysis, or approval from an agency with jurisdiction over the 

resource. For exanlple, a higll\vay or bridge project that results in pollutants being discharged into 

wetlands, rivers, or streams or that may affect navigable waterways or harbors likely will require 

project development be completed in accordance with provisions established under the Clean 

Water Act or the Rivers and Harbors Act. Pursuant to those laws, the selection of a particular 

project altemative may require a permit or certification from the Army Corps of Engineers (the 

Corps), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Coast Guard, or a state or 

tribal water quality control agency. 

17 Air quality issues arc also relevant to federal-aid higll\vay project development. Under the Clean Air Act, FHWA 

lllLLSt 111SLLfe thallransportatioll plans, program"" and. projecls GOnf'0n11 lo the slale's air quulily implementation plans 

Confonnance ,vith a state implementation plan is largely detelmined dming project planning. Issues associated "yith 

meeting federal air quality requirements are not discussed in this report 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Implementing the Environmental Review Process 

TIle individual requirements discussed above were enacted by Congress after a particular concem 

arose or need was identified. For an individual project, several requirements involving similar 

compliance directives could apply. For example, depending on its impacts, a project may be 

subject to different public hearing or notification requirements under separate federal regulatory 

or statutory requirements. 

The environmental review process is intended to function as the mechanism under which 

potentially duplicative requirements arc identified and coordinated (including duplicative state or 

tribal requirements). Specifically, it is DOT policy that, to the fullest extent possible, any 

investigation, review, and consultation necessary to demonstrate environmental compliance be 

coordinated as a single process. The environmental review process is that single process. It forms 

the framework under which oTT applicable compliance requirements intended to protect the 

human. nahual, or cultural environment arc identified and demonstrated. Further, the NEPA 

compliance process forms the framework for completing the environmental review process. 

In the past, suggestions made by transportation stakeholders to expedite project delivery, as well 

as legislative options proposed by some Members of Congress. have focused on requirements 

established specifically under NEPA. However, examples of individual projects delayed by 

environmental requirements more often involve issues associated with environmental compliance 

obligations established under separate state or federal requirements. In identifYing and 

detenllining the potential effectiveness of nationally applicable approaches to expedite the 

environmental review process, it is necessary to distinguish betvveen what is required explicitly 

under NEPA versus other federal enviromllental requirements. 

Demonstrating Compliance with NEPA 

TIle Council on Enviromllental Quality (CEQ) promulgated regulations implementing NEPA that 

were broadly applicable to all federal agencies 1' CEQ required each federal agency to develop its 

own NEPAproeedures specific to typical classes of actions undertaken by that agency19 ill 1987, 

DOT promulgated "Environmental Impact and Related Procedures. ,,2l1 Those regulations 

prescribe the policies and procedures for FHWA to implement NEPA as it may apply to federally 

funded highway projects. They also include procedures necessary to ensure compliance with 

environmental requirements established under Title 23 applicable to Federal-aid Highways (e.g., 

procedures necessary to demonstrate compliance with requirements applicable to economic, 

social, and environmental effects, public hearings, and preservation of park lands (Section 4(£))). 

DOTs regulations have been revised periodically in accordance with legislative directives from 

Congress and to reflect court decisions applicable to DOTs implementation of both the NEPA 

process and its other environmental compliance obligations. Most recently, the regulations were 

modified to reflect the new environmental review process established under SAFETEA. 

IS 40 C.FR §§1500-1508 

19 40 C.FR §1507.3 

20 23 CTR Part 771 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Identifying the Appropriate NEPA Document 

For a given highway project that receives funding or approval under Federal-aid Highways 

programs, compliance with NEPA is demonstrated in the 'NEPA docLUnent." Requirements that 

define the various categories ofNEPA document and required elements of each are found in the 

NEPA regulations promulgated by both CEQ and DOT. 

Transportation projects vary in type, size, complexity, and potential to affect the environment. To 

account for the variability of potential project impacts, NEPA regulations establish three basic 

"classes of action" that dictate how NEPA compliance will be documented and implemented. 

Detennining the appropriate NEPA document and level of environmental review and analysis 

necessary for that document is dependent upon the answer to the following question: "Will the 

proposed action have any significant environmental impact?" Ans\vers to that question, and the 

corresponding NEPA documents, are as follows: 

Yes. Those projects require an Environmental Impact Statement (EJS) fonowed 

by a tinal Record of Decision (ROD). 

Maybe. When the signiticance of a project's impacts is not clear, an 

Environmental Assessment (EA) must be prepared to determine whether an EIS 

is necessary or a Finding of No Signiticant Impact (FONS!) is appropriate. 

No. Those projects are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an 

EIS or EA: as such, those projects are generally referred to as Categorical 

Exclusions (CEs or CATEX). 

Pursuant to NEPAs aims, an evaluation of environmental impacts is required prior to 

commitment of federal resources. To meet that requirement, preparation of the NEPA document 

may begin in the project planning stage, but must be completed within the preliminary design and 

environmental review stage of project development. Generally, subsequent stages of project 

development (tlnal design activities, property acquisition, or project constmction) cannot proceed 

until the necessary NEPA document is complete and approved by FHWA. 

FHWA-Approved Projects By NEPA Class of Action 

Major highway projects that require an EJS are the most studied and discussed when there is 

debatc ovcr the time it takes to complete thc NEPA proccss. Further, past legislative efforts to 

expedite the NEPA process have focused primarily on the NEPA process as it applies to EIS 

prcparation. Howevcr, FHWA dak'l from 1998 to 2007 show that approximately 4% offederal-aid 

highway projects approved under programs administered by FHWA required an EIS. Projects 

processed as a CE or with an EA/FONSI accounted for approximately 96% (see Figure 1). 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Figure I. FHWA-Approved Projects-By NEPA Class of Action 

Average from 1998 to 2007 

4% Environmental 

Impact Statement 

6% Environmental 

Assessment 

90% Categorical 

Exclusion 

Source: Congressional Research Service, based on dat.."1 available from FHWA's "Streamlining/Stewardship: 

Performance Reporting" website at http://www.environmentfhwa.dotgov/strmlng/projectgraphs.aspl. 

More recent FHWA data illustrate a similar proportion of major new projects and smaller 

maintenance/rehabilitation projects. In FY2009, ofthe approximately 55,043 miles of roadway 

projects receiving federal-aid highway funds, approximately 50,166 miles (91 %) involved 

reconstruction projects with no added roadway capacity, restoration and rehabilitation activities, 

or road resurfacing (i.e., projects likely to be processed as CEs). Approximately 4,X77 miles of 

road coustruction projects involved new construction, relocation, or reconstruction with added 

capacity (i.e., projects likely to require preparation of an EA or EIS)." 

Iu addition to representing a small number of overall projects, few projects currently being 

developed require an EIS. As of November 18,2011,10 states had no active projects that 

involved EIS preparation, 12 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were preparing 

I, and 18 states vvere preparing between 2 and 5 (illustrated in Figure 2). Further, a significant 

number of active EISs (68 of 175 or 39%) were being prepared in just five states-Califomia, 

Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Nevv York. 

21 These statistics apply to projects fimdcd lmdcr the Fcdcml-aid Highway program. For lllore detail, sec the Fcdcml 

Highway Ad111ini",lrahon '", -'Hig!nvay Slalistic", {(x 2009: Ohhgahon ofFedera!-Aid Hig!l\vay Funds For Highway 

Improvements Piscal Year 2009 (Intended to Show Only Projects Authorized in PY 2009)," Table P A, I O. October 

20 I O. available at http:! h,~,~v. thwa.dot.gov/policyintol1nation/statistic sl2009/fa I 0 .din 

COl1gressiol1al Research Service 14 
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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Figure 2.Active FHWA Projects Requiring an EIS in Each State 

Source: Congressional Research Service, based on FHWA's list of Active and Inactive Environment..1.llmpact 

Statements (EISs) as of November 18,2011, available on the agency's "NEPA and Project Development" website 

at http://www.environmenc.fhw:a.doc.gov/projdev/active_eis.asp. 

While projects requiring an EIS represent a small proportion oftotal projects and a small number 

of active projects being developed in each state, they are more likely to be high-protile, complex 

projects that affect sizeable populations and take years, even decades, from planning to 

construction. They may cost millions, or even hundreds of millions, of dollars. For example, data 

from 1998 to 2007 regarding FHWA funding allocation show that while projects processed as 

CEs generally represent 90% of projects approved. those projects accounted for approximately 

76% ofFHWA program funds. Over that period, projects requiring an EIS accounted for 

approximately 4% of the total projects approved, but 12% of allocated program funds (see Figure 

3) 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Figure 3. Percentage of FHWA Program FundingAliocation by NEPA Class of Action 

Average from 1998 to 2007 

12% Environmenta 

Assessment 

76% Categorical 

Exclusion 

Source: Congressional Research Service, based on dat<'1 available on FHWA's "Streamlining/Stewardship: 

Performance Reporting" website, http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/projectgraphs.asp!. 

While a project requiring an EIS will likely cost more than a project processed as a CE, there is 

not necessarily a direct relationship between a project's cost and its level of environmental 

impacts. For example, it cannot be stated that projects that cost over $1 million, or even $10 

million, will require an EIS. TIlis point is illustrated by reviewing FHWA's list of "'Major 

Projects," defined to include those expected to receive over $500 million in federal assistance.2o 

Included on FHWA's list of currently active major projects are several that are being processed as 

CEs or with an approved FONSI. 23 For example, the ""Loop 12/State Highway 35E Corridor" 

project in the Dallas-Fort Wonth, TX, area is described as a reconstruction and widening project 

estimated to cost $1.6 billion. Project letting for that project began after approval of an 

EA/FONSI. Also included on the list is the '"1-595 Corridor Improvements Project." That project, 

detemlined to be a CE, will add reversible lanes and involve major interchange improvements 

along 10.5 miles of the 1-595 corridor in Florida, It is estimated to cost $1.8 billion. 

21 That deflnition or--Major ProjecL,," was induu.eu. among provisions in Seclion 1904 orSAFETFA lhaL amended U1e 

"Project approval and o\'ersighf' ~quire1.11enls under 2:i lJ.S.C. ~ IOf). The lcienhflcullon or u pmjecl u'" 'll1ujor, '·In UllS 

conte;"'L, is IDll-elated to its potential distinction as a -'major federal action significantly atlecting the quality of the 

human environment'" pursuant to NEPA under 42 U.S.c. S4332(c) 

21 See theFIJrE·l.:iclive Project Sfalus Reporl, available on fII\VA's -'Project Delivery:" website. 

https:llthwaapps.thwa.dot.gov/toisp/publicActive.do 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Selected Requirements for Each Category of NEPA Document 

Each NEPA document (ETS. EA, and eE) must include certain required elements (see Figure 4). 

That is, the NEPA document must show that environmental impacts were considered as part of 

the federal decision-making process, not a paperwork exercise to document impacts from a 

project after a decision was made. 

Figure 4. NEPA Decision-Making Process 

Required Elements of NEPA Documentation 

Source: FHWA guidance document, Integrating Road Safety into NEPA Analysis: A Primer for Safety and 

Environmental Professionals, in the "FHWA Environmental Toolkit," available at 

http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/pd6rs_primer_sec2.asp. 

Requirements applicable to each element of each NEPA document, and how DOT requires an 

applicant for federal funds to demonstrate compliance with each element, largely evolved in the 

20 years after N EPA was enacted. lllOse requirements are reflected in both CEQ and DOT 

regulations implementing NEPA. The evolution of the NEPA compliance process was also 

intluenced by the courts. For example, the courts played a prominent role in detemlining issues 

such as what constitutes "significant" impacts, who must prepare an ETS, at what point an EIS 

must be prepared. and how adverse comments from agencies should be handled. Changes to 

required elements of the NEPA process, applicable to projects funded under DOT programs, are 

also made by Congress. 

Selected requirements applicable to each category ofNEPA document, including requirements 

established under SAFETEA, are discussed below. 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Categorical Exclusion (CE) Detenninations 

As discussed above, projects processed as CEs represent the greatest proportion ofprojects 

approved for federal-aid highway funds. DOT defines CEs as actions that, based on past 

experience with similar actions, do not indi\~dually or collectively have a significant impact on 

any natural, culturaL recreational, historic, or other resource, or involve significant air, noise, or 

water quality impacts; and that will not 

induce significant impacts to planned growth or land use for the area: 

require the relocation of signiticant numbers of people: 

have significant impacts on travel pattems: or 

otherwise, either individually or cumulatively, have any signiticant 

environmental impacts.2

" 

A project may meet these criteria, but still involve '\musual circumstances" that would require 

FHWA to ensure that a CE designation is appropriate. Unusual circumstances applicable to 

federally funded highway proj ects include substantial project controversy on environmental 

grounds: a significant impact on properties protected under Section 4(f) or Section 106 of the 

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA); or inconsistencies with any federal, state, or local 

req uirements relating to the environmental aspects of the action.25 

DOT identifies two groups of surface transportation projects that would likely meet the CE 

criteria (absent any unusual circumstances applicable to the project). TIle tirst group includes 

specific actions that meet criteria applicable to CEs." DOT has dete1l11ined that these projects 

(presented in Table 1) willlikcly result in insigniticant environmental impacts because they either 

do not involve or directly lead to constmction or involve minor constmction. 

Table I. Federally Funded Highway Projects Specifically Listed as CEs 

Non-construction activities (e.g., planning, technical 

studies, or research activities). 

Emergency repairs after a natural disaster or catastrophic 

failure. 

Installing fencing. signs, pavement markings, small 

passenger shelters, and traffic signals that involve no 

subs!.."1ntial land acquisition or traffic disruption. 

Altering a facility to make it accessible to elderly and 

handicapped persons. 

Implementing ridesharing programs. 

Scenic easement acquisidon. 

Activities in a state highway safety plan. 

Deploying electronic. photonic. communication. or 

information processing systems to improve system 

efficiency or safety. 

Landscaping activities. 

Improving existing rest areas or truck weigh stations. 

InstaJling noise barriers. 

Constructing bicycle or pedestrian lanes or facilities. 

Source: Congressional Research Service, taken from actions listed at 23 C.F.R. §771.1 17(c). 

2121 CT.R. ~771.117(a); furlherDOT crileria used to detennine whether a project would meet necessar~' cr criteria 

e;.1end trom CEQ regulations detinillg CEs at 40 C.F.R. §1508.4 

"23 C.F.R. §771.117(b) 

20 Listed at 23 C.P.R. §771.117(c) 

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A proposed action included in this list mayor may not require an applicant for federal funds to 

submit supporting documentation to FHWA. Necessary paperwork could range from a simple 

checklist to substantial documentation. The extent of paperwork or supporting documentation is 

directly related to the extent of the impacts and necessal)' analysis of those impacts. For example, 

constmction of a bicycle path or installation of traffic signals in a historic district may require 

some level of compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA or Section 4(t). 

The second group of CEs includes actions that past DOT experience has shown to have 

snbstantial, but generally not "significant" effects.'7 For this group_ DOT regulations include 

"examples -, of actions commonly approved by FHWA that may meet the regulatory definition of a 

CE (presented in Table 2). Such projects require the project sponsor to provide FHWA with 

docLUllentation to confiml that the project does not involve -'cmusual circLUnstances" resulting in 

significant environmental impacts. Unlike specifically "listed CEs" (Table 1)_ the potential 

universe of "docLUllented CEs" is not limited to projects identified by DOT. hlstead, FHWAmay 

approve a CE designation for any action as long as documentation is provided that demonstrates 

the project meets the regulatory definition of aCE. 

Table 2. Examples of FHWA-Approved Projects That May Be Classified as a CE 

Actions That May Be Designated a CE with Appropriate Documentation and FHWA Approval 

Highway modernization through resurfacing. restoration. Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement. 

rehabilitation, or reconstruction. 

Highway safe!)' or traffic operations improvement New truck weigh station or rest area construction. 

projects 

Approval for changes in access control. Approval for disposal of excess right-of-way or for joint 

or limited use of right-of-way 

Acquisition of certain preexisting railroad right-of-way. 

Construction of transportation corridor fringe parking 

facilities. 

Land acquisition for hardship or protective purposes. 

Source: Congressional Research Service, taken from examples of actions listed at 23 C.F.R. §771.1 17(d). 

Although they are excluded from the requirement to prepare an EIS or EA, CEs are sometimes 

incorrectly identified as being exempt from NEPA or having no environmental impacts. No 

significant environmental impact under NAPA does not mean the project has no other regulated 

enviromnental impacts. For example, to demonstrate that a project meets both tlle CE criteria and 

will comply with other environmental requirements, state DOTs routinely gather information 

regarding a CE's potential to 

involve work that requires highway traffic or construction noise abatement; 

be located within certain limits of a sole source aquifer or alter stream flow: 

involve the acquisition of more than minor amounts of temporal)' or permanent 

right-of-vvay: 

require a Section 4(f) evaluation or "an opinion of adverse effect" under Section 

1060fNHPA; 

Listed at 23 C.rK §771.117(d) 

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involve commercial or residential displacement; 

involve work in wetlands that \vould require a pennit from the Corps; or 

be constmcted in a county that lists federal threatened and endangered species. 

A project may involve anyone or more of these (or other) activities that will have some effect on 

the human or natural environment, yet have environmental impacts that do not rise to the level of 

"significant" under NEPA. However, the threshold of significant impacts is primarily relevant to 

NEPA compliance. Other laws intended to protect or mitigate impacts to natural or cultural 

resources will have their own compliance thresholds applicable to that law. FHWA approval of a 

project processed as a CE may be delayed if the project sponsor does not realize that its proposed 

project may be subject to compliance requirements in addition to NEPA. 

Within its responsibilities to oversee the Federal-aid Highway program, FHWA typically 

establishes procedures with each state DOT regarding CE review and approval. In a given state, 

"listed CEs" generally require minimal documentation before FHWA approval. NEPA review for 

those projects would be included as part of FHWA's project oversight and approval obligations 

established ,mder Title 23. For "documented CEs_" FHWA either reviews the NEPA 

documentation as part of the project development process and any agreed-upon procedures as part 

of the project review and approval, or the state DOT does tl1is review in accordance with a fom1al 

programmatic CE agreement established between FHWA and the state DOT. 

A programmatic CE agreement sets fOrtl1 specific project circumstances for which a CE could be 

processed, and maintains FHWA oversight and responsibility for the NEPA detemlination. A 

programmatic approach involves establishing a streamlined process for handling routine 

environmental requirements, commonly applicable to specific types of project (e.g., bridge 

maintenance or road resurfacing activities). It allows for repetitive actions to be considered on a 

programmatic basis rather than project by project. Established on a local, regional, or statewide 

basis, a progranlmatic CE may establish procedures for consultation, review, and compliance with 

one or more federal laws. FHWA suggests that, to the extent possible, state DOTs take a 

programmatic approach to CE detenninations. 

Apart from its potential to enter into programmatic CE agreements with FHWA, state DOTs may 

assume FHWA responsibility for CE detenninations. Pursuant to provisions in Section 6004 of 

SAFETEA," FHWA may assign and a state DOT may assume responsibility for detel111ining 

whetller certain highway projects meet the CE criteria. Under that autllOrity, a participating state 

would be authorized to detennine all CE applicability, including detel111ining whether proposed 

projects that are not specifically listed under DOTs NEPA regulations may meet the CE criteria. 

States that choose to assume FHWA responsibility would be required to do so in accordance with 

te1111s and conditions established in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the state 

and FHWA29 States assuming federal authority arc legally liable for the NEPA detennination. 

That is, FHWA would not be liable for the NEPA dete1111inations for CEs in states participating in 

the program. FHWA would be required to conduct an annual review of a participating state's 

os 23 U.S.C. §326 

29 For lllorC information, sec lllcmomlldlUll from the u.s. Department oflransportatioll, Federal High\vay 

Administralion, to Direclor", ofField Services lind Division Admini",lrators, regarding '-Guidance on the State 

Assumption of Responsibility lor Categorical Lxclusions (CE):' April 6, 2006, available at lrttp:f/www.tlrwa.dot.gov/ 

hep/6004memo.lrtm 

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process for making CE deternlinations. To date, three states (Alaska, California, and Utah) have 

requested and been assigned responsibilities lmder the Section 6004 program. 

Environmental Impact Statements (ElS) 

Projects requiring an EIS make up the smallest percentage of projects approved by FHWA, but 

have generated the most attention when debating NEPA's potential role in delaying highway 

projects. FHWA does not specifically identify actions that require an EIS. TIlat detennination 

must be made on a case-by-ease basis. However, DOT identifies the following as examples of 

highway projects that nornlally require an EIS: a new controlled access freeway; a highway 

project of four or more lanes on a new location: and new construction or ex1ension of a separate 

roadway for buses or high-occupancy vehicles not located within an existing highway facility.3C' 

Both the steps to complete an EIS and the ETS itself include certain required elements. Each 

required clement represents the evolution ofNEPA compliance requirements-as established by 

CEQ and, in part, as a result of judicial interpretation ofNEPA's mandate and hO'N its procedural 

requirements must be implemented. Required components in EIS preparation arc 

file a Notice ofTntent (NOT) 

scope the environmental issues 

prepare a draft: EIS 

circulate the draft: ETS for comment 

prepare the final EIS 

issue a tlnal record of decision (ROD) 

TIle NOl serves as the fonnal annOlmcement of the project to the public and to interested federaL 

state, tribal, and local agencies.'] As soon as possible after, or in conjlllction with, the 

detennination that an EIS is needed, the agency is required to deternline the scope ofthe project. 

During that process, the project sponsor/applicant for federal funds should determine which 

environmental laws, regulations, or other requirements may apply to the project. During the 

scoping process, routes that may pose certain challenges and could be avoided may be identified 

(e.g., the presence ofterrain or resources that may involve potential engineering or technical 

problems, regulatory restrictions, or public opposition). For example, during the scoping process, 

a potential route or alignment may be identified that would avoid property of historical 

significance, endangered species habitat, or wetlands-each of which may require compliance 

with the NHPA, the Endangered Species Act, or the Clean Water Act, respectively. 

Once the scope of the action and its environmental issues have been detennined, EIS preparation 

can begin. Required elements of an EIS, including selected elements in DOT's NEPA regulations 

or FHWA policy. arc summarized in Table 3. 

"23 C.F.R. §771.115(a) 

3] 40 er.R. §1508.22 

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Table 3. Required Elements of an EIS as Implemented by FHWA 

Elements of 

an EIS 

Purpose 

and need 

statement 

(§IS02.13) 

Alternatives 

(§IS02.14) 

Affected 

environmem 

(§IS02.IS) 

Environmental 

Consequences 

(§IS02.16) 

list of 

preparers 

(§IS02.17) 

Appendix 

(§IS02.18) 

Definition/Description 

A brief statement, developed by the lead agency, specifying the underlying purpose of a project 

and the need to which the agency is responding. According to FHWA, this section may be the 

most important, as it establishes why the agency is proposing to spend large amoums of 

taxpayers' money while at the same time causing significant environmental impacts. A clear, welljustified statement explains to the pUblic and decision makers that the use of funds is necessary 

and worthwhile, particularly as compared to other needed highway projects. The statement forms 

the basis on which potential alternatives to meet that need are identified and a final alternative is 

ultimately selected. It cannot be so narrow that it effectively defines competing "reasonable 

alternatives" out of consideration. The "purpose" may be a discussion of the goals and objective. 

The "need" may be a discussion of existing conditions that call for some improvement, including 

those applicable to transportation demand, safety, legislative direction, urban transportation plan 

consistency, modal interrelationships, system linkage, and the condition of an existing facility. 

Defined as the "heart" of the EIS, this section includes the identification and evaluation of all 

reasonable alternatives that may meet a project's purpose and need. FHWA requires the range of 

alternatives to include a discussion of how and why all reasonable alternatives were selected for 

consideration, and to explain why other alternatives were eliminated from detailed study. Each 

alternative, and its associated impacts, must be evaluated in sufficient detail to allow decision 

makers and the public an opportunity to compare the merits of each option. 

A succinct descripcion of the environment of the area(s) co be affected or created by the 

alternatives under consideration. DOT requires this section co include a description of the 

existing social, economic, and environmental setting of the area potentially affected by all 

arrernatives presented in the EIS. Data may include demographics of the general population served 

by the proposed project, as well as an identification of socially, economically, and environmentally 

sensitive locacions or features in the proposed project area. For example, the EIS should identify 

the presence of affected minority or ethnic groups, parks, hazardous material sites, historic sites, 

or wedands, among other faccors. 

Analysis of impacts of each project alternative on the affected environment, including a discussion 

of the probable beneficial and adverse social, economic, and environmental effects of each 

arrernative. Where applicable, this section must include a description of the measures proposed 

to mitigate adverse impacts and methods of compliance with applicable legal reqUirements 

FHWA recommends this section be devoted largely to a scientific analysis of the direct and 

indirect environmental effects of the proposed action relative to each alternative. Potential 

environmental consequences identified by FHWA include land use, farmland, social, economic, air 

quality, noise, water quality, wetland, wildlife, floodplain, or construction impacts; the requirement 

to obtain any permits; impacts co wild and scenic rivers, coastal barriers, threatened or 

endangered species, historic and archeological preservation, or hazardous waste sites; and any 

irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources. This section would likely require input 

from other federal, state, tribal, or local agencies with expertise on the environmental 

consequences under review. 

List of names and qualifications of individuals responsible for preparing the EIS. FHWA requires 

this section to include lists of state and local agency personnel, including consultants, who were 

primarily responsible for preparing the EIS/performing environmental studies and FHWA 

personnel responsible for EIS preparation/review. 

Prepared if necessary. Ivl appendix normally consists of material that substantiates analysis 

fundamental to the impact st..1tement. 

Source: Congressional Research Service, taken from CEQ regulatory definitions under 40 C.F.R. § 1502 and 

requirements and definitions applicable to highway projects included in FHWA guidance "NEPA and 

Transportation Decisionmaking: The Importance of Purpose and Need in Environmental Documents," and 

"Guidance for Preparing and Processing Environmental and Section 4(f) Documents." 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

llle ETS is prepared in t\vo stages, resulting in a draft and a final EIS. n Supplemental documents 

may be required in some instances. Among other requirements, the final ETS must identifY the 

preferred project altemative; reflect an evaluation of an reasonable altematives considered: 

identifY and respond to public and agency comments on the draft EIS: and summarize public 

involvement. The final EIS should document compliance with requirements of all applicable 

environmental laws, executive orders, and other related requirements. If full compliance is not 

possible by the time the final EIS is prepared, it should reflect consultation with the appropriate 

agencies and provide reasonable assurance that the requirements win be met. FHWA approval of 

the environmental document constitutes adoption of any findings and determinations in the EIS. 

llle ROD presents the basis for the agency's final decision and summarizes any mitigation 

measures that will be incorporated in the project. 

Each required clement ofthe EIS involves compliance requirements established under both NEPA 

and other environmental requirements. For example, a clear delineation ofproject purpose and 

need is also necessary to meet the requirements under Section 4(f), executive orders on wetlands 

and floodplains, and pennitting requirements established under Section 404 ofthe Clean Water 

Act. IdentifYing the potentially affected environment and analysis of environmental consequences 

also demonstrate that environmental impacts are considered during, not after, the decision-making 

process (as required lmder NEPA), but also include consultation, analysis, or input from resource 

agencies that may be necessary to ensure compliance with other applicable environmental law. 

SAFETEA included several provisions that applied to projects that require an EIS. Section 6002 

amended Title 23 by adding "Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decision-making" 

(§ 138) It cstablished a new cnvironmcntal review proccss applicable to all highways, transit, and 

multi-modal projects requiring an EIS. Among other requirements, the new process 

requires the project sponsor to notifY DOT of the type of work, termini, length, 

general location of the proposed project. and a statement of any anticipated 

federal approvals; 

establishes a new entity required to participate in tlle NEPA process, referred to 

as a "'participating agency," which includes any federal, state, tribal, regional, and 

local govemment agencies that may hCNe an interest in the project:" 

requires the lead agency to establish a plan for coordinating public and agency 

participation in and comment on the environmental review process for a project 

or category of projects: 

requires the lead agency to establish a 60-day deadline on agency and public 

comments on a draft ETS and a 30-day deadline on all other conmlent periods in 

the environmental review process, except under certain circumstances (e.g., the 

deadline is extended by the lead agency for '"good cause"): and 

prohibits claims seeking judicial review of a pemlit, license, or approval issued 

by a federal agency for highway or transit projects unless they are filed witl1in 

180 days after publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing the 

32 40 C.r.R. §lS02.9. 

33 This category of agency parlicipant in the NEPA process dilTers from a "coopemLing agency," disGLLS",eU helow, lhat 

is defined as an agency having jurisdiction by law or special e;"'}Jertise with respect to any envirorunelltal impact of a 

proposed project or project alte:mative 

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final agency action, nnless a shorter time is specified in the federal law under 

which the judicial review is allowed (previously, the six-year limit under the 

Administrative Procedure Act applied to NEPA-related claims). 

DOT has produced guidance to help state DOTs implement SAFETEA's revised environmental 

review process and modified regnlations implementing NEPA to reflect SAFETEA's amendments 

to Title 23 34 

The National Cooperative Highway Research Program conducted a survey of state DOTs to 

detel111ine their impressions of the new environmental review process established by SAFETEA. 

The DOTs responding to the survey were generally favorable regarding the act's requirements." 

In particular, there was wide approval ofthe ISO-day statute of limitations.'" However, survey 

respondents expressed concerns about some provisions, including their impressions that it 

represented no major change from what state DOTs were doing previously: it duplicated existing 

coordination procedures; and DOT already involved outside agencies prior to implementing the 

new procedures. Further, many survey respondents expressed concern that some requirements of 

the new enviromllental review process seemed to nm counter to streamlining initiatives by 

creating additional requirements that could have a negative impact on schedules and budgets." 

Under Section 6005, SAFETEA amended Title 23 to establish a "Surface Transportation Project 

Delivery Pilot Program" (§327). The pilot program allowed Oklahoma, California, Texas, Ohio, 

and Alaska to assume certain federal environmental re,>iew responsibilities (in addition to the 

assumption ofCE deternlinations established under Section 6004, discussed above) 

Responsibility could be assumed for environmental reviews required under NEPA, or any federal 

law, for one or more highway projects within the state. As a condition of assuming federal 

authority, Congress required the state to waive its right to sovereign immunity against actions 

brought by citizens in federal court and consent to the jurisdiction of federal courts. That is, the 

state would become solely liable for complying with and carrying out the federal authority that it 

consents to assume. 

To date, only California has agreed to and developed a program to participate in the pilot 

progranl. Other states declined, primarily due to state legislature concerns regarding the potential 

liability associated with assuming federal responsibility for NEPA. 

Additionally, some state transportation agency oftieials and stakeholders with an interest in 

transportation project development have expressed concern over DOT requirements 

implementing the pilot program (as required pursuant to the directive in Section 60(5). 1110se 

objections ha'>e centered largely around DOT's requirement applicable to rights-of-way (ROW) 

acquisitions in states that choose to assume federal authority under NEPA. As discussed earlier, 

34 See "SAfETLA-LU Invirolllnental Review Process, I'inal Guidance," November 15,2006, available at 

http://\vww.tln.va.dot.goY/hep/sc:ctionG002Iilldex.htm and the Department of Transportation's "EllviroIlluental Impact 

and Relntcd Procedures; Final Rule:- 74 Federal Register 12517, March 24, 2009 

35 See the National Cooperative IIighway Research Program '5 "Legal Research Digest 54: Practice Under the 

Ellvirollmentall)rovisions ofSAFE11iA-LU," December 2010, available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/ 

nclup/nchrp _lnl_ 54. pdf 

30 There was also wide approval of changes made to Section 4(1) under SAI'ITEA Section 6002, applicable to de 

minimis project impacts (see "Requirements Applicable to Federal-aid Highways" regarding the 'presenration of 

parklands" rcquin;nlL'Ilis. 

37 See the sUlllmary of survey respondent impressions of SAfETEA provisions at pp. 16-21 

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one ofNEPA's primary aims is to ensure that federal agencies consider the impacts oftheir 

actions before proceeding with them. The NEPA process cannot simply document a decision that 

has already been made. This requirement means that federal funds cannot be used for RO\V 

acqnisitions (an action that could indicate that a final project decision has been made) before the 

NEPA process is complete. Currentiy, states may make ROW acquisitions using state funds on an 

at -risk basis. 111at is. they may purchase land using state fi.mds, bnt risk losing fi.ltnre federal 

funding for that purchase if the project ultimately involves an alternative that does not use that 

property. By assuming DOTs anthority. a state wonld assnme federal agency-level responsibility 

to comply with NEPA. DOT has found that would mean, in its capacity as a federal agency, the 

state would be precluded from making such advanced ROW acquisitions. 

Some have argued that the loss of a state's ability to make at-risk ROW acquisitions has been a 

disincentive to states that may othervvise want to assume federal anthority nnder NEPA. However, 

when the fear of taking on federal liability and subjecting the state to the jurisdiction of federal 

court were primary reasons that states did not want to assume NEPA authority, it is unclear how 

states conld be protected from potential judicial review if they arc allowed to complete a 

transaction that could appear to violate one ofNEPA's primary goals. Alti10ugh state DOTs may 

be willing to accept that risk, a state legislahlre may not, particularly when an incentive for a state 

to assume the federal role under NEPA is to eliminate FHWA's oversight of the NEPA process 

(e.g., FHWA's legal sufficiency review of an ElS). 

Environmental Assessments (EAs) 

111e third category of NEPA document is an EA. It is required for an action that is not a CE and 

does not clearly require an EIS, or where FHWA believes an EA would assist in determining the 

need for an EIS. An EA is intended to be a concise public documentthat serves to provide 

sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an EIS or a Finding of No 

Significant Impact (FONST).'~ 

In preparing an EA, the applicant, in consultation with FHWA, is required to consult with 

interested agencies at the earlicst appropriate timc to detcnnine thc project scopc; detenninc 

which aspects of the proposed action have potential for social, economic, or environmental 

impact; identifY alternatives and measures which might mitigate adverse environmental impacts: 

and identifY other envirOimlental review and consultation requirements which should be 

performed concurrently with the EA." 

The EA is subject to FHWA approval before it is made available to the public. The document 

itself need not be circulated, but must be made available for public inspection and C0111111ent 

(typically for at least 30 days). A noticc of availability must be sent to statc- and area-wide 

clearinghouses and should be published locally. Depending on FHWA-approved state procedures, 

a public hearing mayor may not be required. 

FHWA requires the basis of a request for a FONSI be clearly and adequately documented. Like an 

EIS, the EA or FONSI is required to clearly docmnent compliance with NEPA and all otiler 

applicable environmental laws, executive orders, and related requirements. An approved FONSI 

fi.mctions as the tinal agency decision on a project. 

;s 40 C.F.R. §JSOS.9 

'" 23 er.R. §771.119(b) 

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Like projects processed as CEs, deternlining the time it takes to complete an EA is difficult. Local 

and state transportation officials do not routinely, nor could they easily, track the time it takes to 

complete an EA. A distinct end point could be identified (issuance of a FONSI), but a starting 

point may be hard to identifY. Further. since EAs likely require limited environmental review or 

analysis under NEPA, any analysis or review that is prepared to support a FONSI would likely be 

required under separate state or federal law. However. transportation agency officials have 

complained that EAs sometimes approach the length of an EIS. If that is the case, factors 

indirectly related to the NEPA compliance likely apply to the project. For example, a project that 

may involve local controversy or opposition, but still have no significant impacts, may require 

more analysis or documentation tl1an anticipated. Also, a project with substantial environmental 

impacts to certain resources may require time-consuming consultation, analysis, or approvals 

from agencies outside DOT to confirm that no significant impacts will occur, or it could be an 

indication that an EIS should have been prepared initially. 

Agency Roles and Responsibilities in the NEPA Process 

The NEPA document is prepared by a "lead agency" and may require input and analysis from 

"cooperating" or "participating" agencies. Depending on the environmental impacts of a given 

project, both the lead and cooperating agencies are obligated to meet certain federal requirements. 

The time it takes to meet those obligations has been identified by transportation agencies as a 

potential source of fmstration or project delay. 

Lead Agencies 

The "lead agency" is the federal agency responsible for preparing the NEPA document 4 " DOT 

must serve as the lead federal agency for a federallv funded transportation project (FHWA 

generally serves as the lead for highway projects). The direct recipient offederal funds for the 

project must serve as ajoint lead agency (a requirement explicitly established under SAFETEA). 

For a federal-aid highway project, that is typically the state DOT, but may include a local agency 

project sponsor or a federally recognized Indian tribal govemmentallmit. At the discretion of the 

required lead agencies, other federaL state, or local governmental entities may act as joint lead 

agencies. These include, but are not limited to toll, port, and tumpike authorities and metropolitan 

planning organizations (MPOs). For example, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may 

serve as a joint lead agency with DOT and the project sponsor on a transportation improvement at 

a national border crossing. 

In practice, the entity seeking federal funds will prepare the NEPA document, and other 

supporting environmental review documents, with guidance from FHWA (as necessary or as 

requested). FHWA, however, has ultimate responsibility to ensure that a project seeking federal 

funds will comply with the various laws, regulations, and executive orders applicable to the 

project. In that capacity. before final approval and project funding, FHWA is required to 

independently evaluate tile necessary environmental documents and review the legal sufficiency 

of a final EIS4! or Section 4(f) evaluation42 This review is intended to ensure that the Section 4(f) 

See 40 C.r.R. ~ 1508.16 

41 23 C.F.R §77I.l2S(b). A legal sutliciency review ofanEA may be required ifFHWA determines that details ofthe 

individual project warrant such a review. 

"23 c.rR §774.7(d) 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

evaluation or NEPA document is consistent with legal requirements. It includes a review" of the 

docmnentation and associated compliance efforts to determine if those efforts are sufficient to 

assure compliance with applicable law. A separate technical review ofthe final NEPA/Section4(f) 

doclU11ent is also conducted by FHWA, prior to document approval. 

Cooperating and, after SAFE TEA, Participating Agencies 

The lead agency must consult with and obtain the comments of any federal agency that has 

':iurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved" in an 

action that requires an ETS . .J3 Tn CEQ's NEPA regulations, those agencies are identified as 

"cooperating" agencies.j.J Pursuant to directive from Congress in SAFETEA. DOT's NEPA 

regulations were supplemented to also identify "participating" agencies, which may include any 

federal and non-federal agencies that may have an interest in the project 4 ' 

At the request of the lead agency, the cooperating agency is required to assullle responsibility for 

developing infom1ation and preparing environmental analyses, including portions of the ETS 

related to its special expertise. Cooperating agencies arc also obligated to provide comments on 

the NEPA document on areas within their jurisdiction, expertise, or authority For projects 

requiring an ETS, that role may be set out in a memorandum of understanding or agreement 

between the agencies. The lead agency is also required to request comments from appropriate 

state, local, or tribal agencies; any agency that has requested to receive ETSs on similar actions: 

and the project applicant.J' 

CEQ regulations specify requirements for inviting and responding to comments on the draft EIS 

(including requirements that specify a cooperating agency's duty to comment on the draft).47 The 

lead agency is required to consider those comments and respond in one of the following ways: 

modify proposed alternatives, including the proposed action: 

develop and evaluate alternatives not previously considered: 

supplement improve, or modify its analyses: 

make factual corrections in the EIS: or 

explain why the comments do not warrant further response from the lead agency, 

citing the sources. authorities, or reasons that support its position 4R 

As illustrated in the choices listed above. the lead agency is not precluded from moving forward 

with a project if it explains why a cooperating agency's comments do not warrant further 

response. Hmvever, FHWA suggests that every reasonable eftort be made to resolve interagency 

"42 US.C. ~4,12(2)(C) 

"40 C.F.R §!SOS.S 

4'i Specific only to DOT" s NEPA requirements, "pat1icipatillg"' agencies for federal higlnvay projects are defined at 23 

C.F.R. §771.107(h) as a state, local, tribaL or federal agency that may have an interest in the proposed project and have 

accepted an invitation to participate in the cllvirOllllcntal review process. 

'640 C.F.R. §!S03.! 

17 40 C.F.R. §!5C13 

"40 er.R. §lS03.4 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

disagreements on actions before processing the final EIS. If significant issues remain unresolved, 

the final EIS shall identify those issues and any consultation or other effort made to resolve them. 

Some highway projects have involved disagreements regarding the appropriate authority and 

e'(tent of involvement of coordinating agencies in the NEPA process. For e'(ample, in 2003, 

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta requested CEQ Chairman James Connaughton to clarify 

the role of lead and cooperating agencies in developing EIS statements of project purpose and 

need statements 4 ' Secretary Mineta cited the sometimes lengthy interagency debates over those 

statements as a cause of delay in highway project development. In his response, Chainnan 

Connaughton referred to CEQ regulations specifying that the lead agency has the authority and 

responsibility to define a project's purpose and need. Further, Chainnan Connaughton referenced 

previous federal court decisions giving deference to the lead agency in detennining a project's 

purpose and need. Chaimlan Connaughton's letter also quotes CEQ's regulations. citing the lead 

agency's "responsibilities throughout the NEPA process for the 'scope, objectivity, and content of 

the entire statement or of any other responsibility' under NEPA.'· 

Public Involvement 

To meet NEPA's goal applicable to public participation in federal decision making, CEQ's 

regulations require agencies to provide public notice ofNEPA-related hearings, public meetings, 

and the availability of environmental documents so as to infonll public stakeholders"" DOT 

procedures eAiend beyond those established under CEQ regulations to retlect requirements 

applicable to "'public hearings" established under Title 23." For example, EAs do not need to be 

circulated, but must be made available to the public through notices of availability in local, state. 

or regional clearinghouses, newspapers, and other means. Depending on a state's public 

involvement procedures (approved by FHWA), a public hearing mayor may not be required for 

projects that proceed with an EA. Pursuant to DOT regulations implementing NEPA, 

documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with Title 23's public hearing requirements 

(e.g., public comments or hearing transcripts) must be included in the final EIS or FONSl, as 

applicable. 

Stakeholders that comment on surface transportation projects may be e'(pected to vary depending 

on a project's impacts. They mav include individuals or groups who may benefit from or be 

adversely impacted by the project, or special interest groups with concems about the project's 

impacts on certain affected environments. For example, a highway project that involves 

upgrading existing roadways may involve construction activities that would affect adjacent 

homes or businesses. The project may elicit comments from the local business eommlmity (e.g., 

individual businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, or local development organizations) or area 

homeowners. A project that may affect sensitive environmental resources, such as wetlands or 

endangered species, may generate comments from local or national environmental organizations. 

If a member of the public has concerns about a proj ect's impacts, comments may be directed at 

virtually any element ofthe NEPA process or related documentation. Someone may disagree \V'ith 

thc definition ofprojcct's purposc and need discussion, the rangc of '"reasonable" alternatives 

19 Text o[Secrelliry MinelLi's May 6, 2003, letter, am! Chainnan ConnmLghton's Ma~' 12,200\ response, are availahle 

at http://\yww.environment.thwa.dot.gov/guidebookiGillterim.asp 

"40 C.F.R. §§lS00.2(d) lS116.6 

51 23 USC §128 

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selected for consideration and analysis, or the identified level of significance of the projecfs 

impacts (e.g., a FONSI was issued when the individual felt au EIS should have been required). 

Issues that arise during the public comment period may also be the subject oflegal action. Critics 

of NEPA charge that those who disapprove of a federal project will usc NEPA as the basis for 

litigation to delay or halt that project. Others argue that litigation results only when agencies do 

not comply with NEPA." 

Actual litigation played a prominent role in NEPA's early implementation. However, it mav be the 

threaroflitigation that affects its current implementation. The number of N EPA-related lawsuits 

filed aunually against FHWA is low. '1 Still, the potential threat of litigation may result in au effort 

to prepare a "litigation-proof' NEPA document. 11,is may be the case particularly for projects that 

are costly, technically complex (potentially requiring compliance with multiple environmental 

laws), or controversial (e.g., opposed by or individuals affected by the project or groups that 

anticipate adverse impacts to resources of concem to them). Some look at this positively, 

asserting that the fear of a lawsuit makes agencies more likely to adhere to NEPA's requirements. 

Others counter that the threat of litigation may lead to the generation of wasteful documentation 

aud aualyses that do not add value to, aud slow, decision making. 

Demonstrating Compliance with Additional Requirements 

Unlike NEPA, which will apply in some way to all federally funded highway projects, additional 

environmental requirements applicable to a project will depend on site-specific conditions and 

potential impacts to resources at the site. For example, what and how requirements may apply to a 

project will depend on its effect on water quality, water resources, and land use as \vell as 

comnllU1ity, visual, noisc, or social impacts, to name a few. While a wide array of requircments 

may apply to federally funded highway projects, certain federal requirements apply more 

commonly than other requirements. Also. ccrtain compliauce requirements have becn identificd 

by trausportation stakeholders as those more likely to delay the environmental review process 

(see surveys and studies listed in Appendix). 11,e most commonly applicable laws, and selected 

compliancc rcquiremcnts, are listed in Table 4. 

<;2 Plaintitfs have generally cited some inadequacy in the NEPA documentation as the basis for tiling NITA-related 

hnvsuits (sec CEQ's Litigation Surveys for each year from 200l to 2009 on its "NEPA Litigation" \vcb page at 

htlp:lkeq.h",s.doe.govllegal_ corn~/liligation.html). They may charge, among oU1er U1ings, lhaL an ETS or FA did not 

include surfi.cienL analysi", of all project ail.t::matives, did not con",iJ.er all '"reasonahle" project altematives, J.id not 

adequately analyze the etfects of project altematives, or that an EA was prepared \vhen an EIS should have been (i.e., a 

FONSl '-vas issued when impacts were in fact significant) 

'" from 200 1 to 2009, NEPA-related la"ysuits filed anllually against PII\VA ranged fi'Olll a lo\"'{ of three to a high of 12; 

see CEQ's Liligalion Surveys cited ill footnote 52 

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Table 4. Federal Law Commonly Applicable to FHWA-Approved Projects 

Federal Law 

Section 4(1) 

Section 106 of the 

National Historic 

Preservation Act 

Endangered 

Species Act 

(Section 7) 

The Clean Water 

Act (Section 404) 

Selected Compliance Requirements 

For projects chat would use a 4(f) resource, an evaluation or a determination of de minimis 

impacts must be prepared (see the discussion regarding "Preservation of parklands" in the 

"Requiremenr.s Applicable to Federal-aid HighW<lys" section). The evaluation or de minimis 

impacts determination requires some level of consultation with or concurrence from the 

official with jurisdiction over the resource (e.g., the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (PoNS); federal, state or local park authorities; or the designated SHPO). 

For projects that may affect a site included, or eligible for inclusion, in the National Register of 

Historic Places, FHWA must consult with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

(ACHP) or the designated SHPO to determine impacts to the site and seek ways to avoid, 

minimize, or mitigate adverse impacts. Affected parties must be involved in mitigation plans. 

FHWA must prepare a biological assessment when the presence of threatened or endangered 

animals or plants is suspected to occur in the vicinity of a project. FHWA must consult with 

the federal agency of jurisdiction (PoNS or the Department of Commerce's National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS)) that will issue a biological opinion on whether the proposed action 

would jeopardize the continued existence of listed species, or destroy or adversely modify 

their deSignated critical habitats. 

Requires that the discharge of dredge and fill materials into navigable Wd'ters of the United 

States be done in accordance with review and permitting procedures administered by the 

Corps, under guidelines developed by EPA. Other federal agencies potentially involved in 

permit evaluation process include FWS or NMFS. 

Source: Congressional Research Service, taken from requirements listed in FHWA's "Summary of 

Environmental Legislation Affecting Transportation," at hup:!lwww.fhwa.dot.gov/environmendenv_sum.htm. 

Note: This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of federal requirements potentially applicable to federally 

funded highway projects or a complete description of potentially applicable compliance requirements established 

pursuant to each law. However, the selected requirements illustrate the potential need to obtain permits or 

consult with agencies outside DOT. Further, federal laws selected for listing in this table represent those 

identified by transportation agency officials as a common source of delay in completing the environmental review 

process. 

As illustrated by the requirements listed in Table 4, when a federal highway project involves 

regulated impacts to certain resources, an agency with jurisdiction over that resource may be 

required to provide some level of analysis, consultation, or approval before a project can proceed. 

Resulting consultation or approval may include directive(s) to the project sponsor regarding how 

or whether the proposed project may use the resource. These requirements can lcnh>1hen the time 

it takes to complete the overall environmental review process, if outside agency opinions, input, 

and/or evaluations are required before the NEPA review can be completed. Whether such 

requirements will lead to project delays could depend on a host of factors such as whether the 

project sponsor anticipated the need for outside agency approval or the workload of the agency 

processing the approval. 

To integrate the NEPA compliance process and avoid duplication of effort associated with a 

project's overall environmental compliance obligations, CEQ's NEPA regulations specify that, to 

the fullest extent possible, agencies must prepare the NEPA documentation concurrently with any 

othcr environmental rcquirements. TI,e appropriate NEPA documentation should demonstrate 

compliance with all applicable environmental requirements. It must indicate any federal permits, 

licenses, and other approvals required to implement the proposed project. 111is means that 

compliance requirements of any additional environmental laws, regulations, or executive orders 

must be identified (but not necessarily completed) during the NEPA process. If full compliance is 

not possible by the time the tinal NEPA document is prepared, the document should reflect 

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consultation with the appropriate agencies and provide reasonable assurance that the requirements 

will be met. 

Environmental Reviews and Project Development 

To understand how the environmental review process may affect project delivery, it is usefiJI to 

understand how the process fits into overall project development as well as the challenges 

associated with measuring each stage of that development. It is also useful to recognize root 

causes of delay in completing the environmental review process, as well as how the process cm1 

lead to more efficient project development. 

Stages of Proj ect Development 

Federal-aid highway funds are generally apportioned to each state by FHWA for the construction, 

reconstmction, and improvement of highways and bridges on eligible highway routes, and for 

other special-purpose prograJ11s. Individual state DOTs are responsible for determining how and 

on w'hich projects those funds will be spent. In making that determination, multiple activities and 

decisions occur from the time a tribal or state DOT, metropolitan plmming orgm1ization, or local 

prograJ11 agency (such as a municipal public works agency) identifies a transportation-related 

need and a project addressing that need is constmcted 

Each stage of project development is initiated and completed largely at the local, tribal, or state 

level, with ultimate project approval at the federal level-from FHWA for federally flmded 

highway projects. Although the names and details of each step may vary from state to state, they 

generally include project plmming, preliminary design m1d environmental review, final design and 

right-of-way acquisition, and project constmction. Activities common to each phase of the project 

development process, including maintenance activities that may take place after project 

construction, are described in Table 5. The table also identifies potential environmental 

compliance obligations that may occur in each stage of project development. 

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Table 5. Stages of Federal-Aid Highway Project Development 

Common Project Activities and Environmental Compliance Obligations in Each Phase of Development 

Project 

Phase 

Planning 

Preliminary 

design and 

environmental 

review 

Final design 

and rightof-way 

acquisition 

Description/Common Activities 

T ransporta!ion program or project planning 

involves a cooperative process designed to 

foster involvement by all users of the planned 

system-such as the business community, 

community groups, environmental 

organizations, the traveling public, freight 

operacors, and [he general public. During [his 

stage, a proactive public parcicipation process 

is conducted by the metropolitan planning 

organization (MPO), state DOT, and transit 

operators. Among other activities, MPOs and 

state DOTs identify current and projected 

fucure transporcacion problems and needs, and 

analyze, through detailed planning scudies, 

various transportation improvement strategies 

to address those needs. They also develop 

long-range plans and short-range programs for 

alternative capital improvement and 

operacional stracegies for moving people and 

goods. 

A project applicant identifies the preliminary 

engineering issues, such as proposed alignment 

of roadways, coscs, and project decails. This 

scage includes preliminary engineering and 

other activities and analyses, such as 

topographic or metes and bounds surveys, 

geotechnical investigations, hydrologic or 

hydraulic analysis, utility engineering, traffic 

studies, financial plans, revenue escimaces, 

hazardous materials assessments, and general 

estimates of the types and quantities of 

materials and other work needed to establish 

parameters for the final design. 

Final construction plans and detailed 

construction specifications for the selected 

project alternative are prepared. If necessary, 

pro perry appraisals and the acquisition of 

rights-of-way (ROW) or property to mitigate 

environmental impacts are made. Property 

acquisition that may involve che relocation of 

residents and businesses must be done in 

accordance with the Uniform Act of 1970. 

Also, if necessary, utilities are relocated. 

Project costs are finalized. 

COl1gressiol1al Research Service 

Common Environmental 

Compliance Obligations 

Efforts have been made, in both FHWA 

gUidance and statutory directive from 

Congress, to link statewide and metropolitan 

planning to the environmental review process. 

For example, Section 600 I of SAFETEA 

requires the development of long-range 

transporcation plans co include consultations 

with resource agencies responsible for landuse management, natural resources, 

environmental protection. conservation, and 

historic preservation, which may involve 

comparisons of resource maps and 

inventories; discussion of pocential mitigation 

activicies; and participacion plans that identify 

a process for stakeholder involvement. 

An applicant for federal-aid funds must 

determine the appropriate NEPA document 

to be prepared and identify various resources 

potentially affected by a proposed projecc and 

its alternatives. The final NEPA document 

must identify and demonstrate compliance 

with any other applicable environmental 

requirement, to the maximum extent 

possible, including completing necessary 

environmental or engineering scudies, oucside 

agency coordination or approvals, and public 

involvement. 

Properry or material purchases cannot 

proceed until the NEPA document is 

approved by FHWA Property acquisitions 

must be completed in compliance with 

requirements identified in the document. If 

late changes co the project are required, the 

environmencal review process may have to be 

revisited if design changes result in 

unanticipated or previously unidentified 

environmenral impacts. 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Project 

Phase Description/Common Activities 

Construction The state DOT, or other project sponsor, 

requests and evaluates bids, and awards 

contracts. Project construction must reflect 

decisions made during the planning, 

environmental review, and design stages of 

project development. 

Maintenance Although not considered part of project 

development, the majority of projects funded 

under FHWA-approved programs involve 

activities that may be broadly described as 

"maintenance." Highway maincenance may 

include modernizacion through roadway 

resuriacing. restoration, rehabilitation, 

reconstruction, or adding shoulders or 

auxiliary lanes. Bridge maintenance may 

include rehabilit.."ltion, reconstruction, or 

replacement. 

Common Environmental 

Compliance Obligations 

Necessary permits or other compliance 

requirements identified during environmental 

review must be in place. Mitigation measures 

muse be complete (e.g., installation of noise 

barriers or implememation of wetland 

mitigation). If elements of the project change. 

the environmental review process may have 

to be revisited if changes result in 

unanticipated environmental impacts. 

Identifying, planning, and implementing 

necessary maintenance activities are likely 

initiated and carried out at the local level, 

with state DOT approval. Maintenance 

accivities would commonly involve a CE 

determinacion as well as an assessment of 

impacts that may require compliance with 

additional environmental requirements (e.g., 

impacts to historic sites or structures or 

endangered species habitat). 

Source: Congressional Research Service, based on a review of state DOT practices. 

Frequently. "environmental review" is considered synonymous with "NEPA compliance." That is 

not the case. However, completion ofthe NEPA compliance process and the overall 

environmental review process are linked by DOrs requirement that a project cannot be approved 

and subsequent stages of project development cannot proceed lmtil the project sponsor 

appropriately documents compliance with NEPA and other applicable environmental 

requirements. 

Challenges in Measuring Stages of Project Development 

11,ere arc distinct activities associated with each stage of project development. However, the 

following factors make it difficult to estimate the time it takes to complete each stage: 

Most state and local transportation agencies do not maintain a centralized source 

of data tracking the time it takes to complete transportation projects. Further, 

there is no acceptable measure of when a project is delivered in a timely manner 

versus delaycd. A project or a stage of its developmcnt may be considered 

"delayed" if it took the project sponsor longer than anticipated. 

Most state and local transportation agencies do not attempt to extract and 

measure the time it takes to complete individual activities attributable to a single 

stage of development (e.g .. activities categorized distinctly as applicable to 

'"environmental reviev/'). Further, tracking that data may be difficult since 

elements of one phase may overlap with another (e.g., project planning activities 

may include elements of environmental review) and a distinct start and end point 

of individual activities may be difficult to identify. 

Proj ect development may start, stop, and restart for reasons unrelated to 

environmental compliance. For example, EIS preparation may begin with 

publication of a NOL but preparation may stop and restart due to changes in state 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

priorities, funding availability, or a host of other issues unrelated to NEPA. In 

such cases, the time between issuing a NOI and ROD are an inaccurate measure 

of the NEPA process. 

Differences between state DOT project development processes make it difficult 

to establish a nationally applicable measure of project development stages. Also, 

the influence oftribal- or state-specific environmental compliance requirements 

makes it difficult to isolate the time it takes to comply with federal requirements. 

Considering these points, it is difficult to determine either the time it takes to meet specific 

elements ofthe environmental review process (e.g., N EPA compliance or agency consultations 

under the Endangered Species Act) or the degree to which completing the process delays project 

delivery. Further, it is not possible to assert, with any degree of accuracy, broad, nationally 

applicable values to the time it takes to complete the environmental review process. For example, 

there are no data available to substantiate a statement such as "environmental compliance 

accounts for X% to Y% of suliace transportation project development time," or "compliance ,,·.,ith 

NEPA or Clean Water Act permitting requirements delays X% to Y% of projects for X to Y 

months/years." Instead, it may be possible to detennine "bridge reconstmction or rehabilitation in 

state A takes from X to Y months/years" if state A is one that tracks such infonnation 

Also, it may be generally stated that the time it takes to deliver larger, more complex or 

controversial projects takes longer to complete than is typical for the maj ority of FHW Aapproved highway projects (e.g., maintenance and rehabilitation projects). In addition to taking 

longer to complete due to their potcntial cost, size, and complexity, they willlikcly require 

compliance with more state, tribal, and federal requirements and may generate more public 

interest or opposition. 

In 2002, the General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report that attempted to determine the 

typical amount of time it takes to complete overall project delivery as well as individual phases of 

project development for certain federally funded highway projects.'" Data for this report were 

compiled based on the professional judgmcnt of FHWA staff, staff of state departments of 

transportation, and transportation associations. According to FHWA, planning, gaining approval 

for, and eonstmeting federally funded major highway projects that involved new constmction 

typically took from nine to 19 years from planning to construction. FHWA estimated that the 

preliminary design and environmental review phase for those projects typically took from one to 

five years, depending on the complexity ofthe design and possible enviromllental impacts that 

must be considered." It was noted that projects studied in the GAO report included those that 

would typically require an EIS and represent a small percentage offcderally fi.mded projects. It 

was also noted that, while there are many reasons new highway construction projects may take a 

long time to complete, most studies on project delivery focused only on the timely resolution of 

enviromnental issues to improve project completion times, rather than examining all aspects of 

project development.'" 

5-1- u.s. General J\ccOlUlting Onlee (uO\vthc Government Accountability' Oftlcc), HigJnvay Jnfrastructure: Preliminary 

h~fonl1ation on the Time~v Completioll of Highway Constructioll Project'>, S~ptember 19,2002 

'i'i In addition to infollnatioll fi'Olll FH\VA and state DOT stan: tlns rep011 also looked at the time it took and the steps 

necessary to complete six nc\vhigh\vay construction projccts in Califomia, Florida, and Texas (the largest in thc statc, 

in Lenns or rederal runus receiveu, anu a ranuomly ",e\ecLeu '-medium-sifed" project) 

5D Consistent with the factors that make it dit1icult to measure individual phases of project development, discussed 

above, GAO noted that federal and state govcnunents uo not maintain infonllation centrally (or, in some cases, at all) 

(conLinLLeu ... ) 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Causes of Delay in Completing Environmental Reviews 

Although the extent to which the environmental review process may delay project delivery is 

unclear, it is generally not disputed that the time it takes to demonstrate compliance with 

environmental requirements can be time-consuming, particularly in cases where EIS preparation 

is required. Also, while transportation agency officials may cite elements ofthe em~ronmental 

rcview proccss as a source of frustration or delay, it is not clear what specific environmental 

compliance requirements currently and routinely lead to project delays or the root cause ofthose 

delays.57 For exanlple, a common complaint among transportation agency officials is that outside 

agencies (including FHWA review and approval of the final NEPA documents) do not provide 

necessary input or approval in a timely \vay. However, there is little infonnation available that 

clearly indicates why that may be the case on anything other than a project-specific level. 

Few studies have looked at the root causes of project delay directly attributable to the 

environmental review process. Available studies have looked at a limited number ofmajor new 

construction projects that required an EIS. By their nature, those projects involve unique projectspecific issues and are likely to involve complex design, engineering, and compliance issues. 

Causes of delay for those proj ects more likely represent the exception and not the rule. 

A 2003 FHWA study that attempted to identify causes of delay in completing EISs was unable to 

identify common factors or conditions that directlv or indirectlv affected the time it took to 

compl~te the NEPA process." Although timing v;ried by broad geographic region, it did not seem 

to vary in relation to the majority of other variables considered (e.g., the presence of certain 

"controversial issues" or the required participation of agencies outside DOT). hlstead, it was 

observed that the time it took to complete the NEPA process may have been more affected by 

eJ..iernal social and economic factors associated with broad geographic regions ofthe country59 

Subsequent. albeit limited, study data and anecdotal evidence regarding individual prqjects also 

point to factors external to environmental reviews as tllose most likely to delay tlle process. In 

particular, causes of delay in completing environmental reviews arise primarily from potentially 

overlapping local and project-specific issues including, but not limited to. the follovving: 

Local issues-the project's level of priority among others proposed in the state; 

changes in funding availability: concerns oflocal property owners: or opposition 

to the project (which mayor may not be connected to environmental issues). 

( ... continued) 

011 the time it takes to complete higlnvay projects. GAO also noted that there \\'as no accepted measuring stick ",,,ith 

\vhieh to gauge "\vhether project performance is "timely."' To make its determination on project timing, GAO relied on a 

hest cslimatc pn ... 11arcd hy FHWA. According to FH\VA, lhc estimate it provided to GAO was hased. 011 th~ pmr~ssional 

judgment of its staff and several state DOTs. 

57 The identitication of factors that currently atIcct project J.elivCI}' is particularly relevant \vhen considering legislative 

options to address potential causes or delay in the environmental Tt!\·ievy' process. State DOTs have improved their 

environmental revie\vprocedm'es in the past 10 years. Also, FH\VA has expanded its eilorts to provide intonnation and 

guidance on the process, including increased et10rts to encourage states to implement programmatic agreements 

applicahle to NEPA compliance and other environmental laws 

5g federal Highway Administration and the Louis Derger Group, Evaluating the PeJicnmance qjEnl'ironmenfal 

Streamlining: Fhase 11, 2003, available on FHWA's "Streamlilling/Ste,\vardship" \vebsite, 

http://\v\v\V.L~lvir01unL''Ilt.Jllwa.dot.gO\'/stmung/basclindphasc2rpt.asp 

5~) Ibid., under "Conclusions 4.2 -, 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Project-specific issues-the project's technical complexity; changes in project 

scope or design; lawsuits or the threat of litigation (which mayor may not be 

connected to environmental issues); poor consultant work; issues with city 

documentation; issues with new alignment or coordination with other 

transportation projects; or land use planning issues."" 

As discussed previously, environmental requirements identified as a source of delay have been 

associated with selected requirements established under Section 4(f); the Endangered Species 

Act; the National Historic Preservation Act; and the Clean Water Act. If a project is delayed by 

requirements under those laws, that delay may be attributable to project-specific issues. 

Efforts to identify specific problems or causes of delay in meeting requirements other than NEPA 

havc found diffcring perceptions among resourcc agcncy and transportation agency officials. For 

example, in completing its obligations as part of the environmental review· process, resource 

agencics havc idcntificd poor communication, problems with the projcct's altemative analysis, 

being given incorrect or incomplete information. disagreements or differences of opinion among 

agencies, or environmental or biological issues associatcd with the project. Transportation agcncy 

officials also cited disagreements or differences of opinion and environmental or biological issues 

associated with the project, but identified a lack of timely response from resource agencies as the 

primary problcm61 

Benefits to the Environmental Review Process 

When there is debate over potential options to expedite the emiromnental review process, that 

process may be viewed as simply an obstacle to overcome before a highway or bridge project can 

be built. Benefits to the process may be overlooked or hard to quantifY. Potential bendits may 

generally be thought of as those associated with balancing transportation and infrastructure needs 

with environmental protection and community concems. However, one benctit that is not often 

considered is the degree to which the environmental review process may ultimately save time and 

reduce overall project costs by identifYing and avoiding problems in later stages of project 

development. A study prepared for the Transportation Research Board made this point when 

evaluating causes of delay in the construction phases of development.'" 

Among other findings, the study found that certain recognized management principles, identified 

as relevant to timely completion of highway constmction projects. should be applied by state 

highway administrators and contractors. It found that adherence to these principles was often 

inconsistent and lacking. usually resulting in construction delays. Among the principles identified 

was the ''Cost-Time Relationship." under which. the study found. 

DO Factors listed here arc those that have occn most commonly identified in surveys or studies conducted by FHWA and 

GAO, as \-vell as selected mllVCTsity and transportation organizations. For a list of the slm;cys and studies used to 

prepare this report, see Appendix. Tho",e surveys and sludies have looked primarily at causes of delay applicable to 

projects that require an EIS. 

til See "FHWA/Gallup Stud~, on Tmp1ementing PerRm11ance Measurement in Environmenlal Streamlining," mailable at 

h tlp:/ I en\' ironmen L III \va.do Lgo v/stnnlng/gall up J)5-07. asp 

tl2 Thomas, H.R. and Ellis, RD, Avoiding Delays Dllring the COJJstmction Phase of Highway Projects, Transportation 

Rec-;earch Board, National Re",earch Council, Oclober 200 I, NCHRP 20-24( 12). Also see ""The Rool Causes ornelays 

in IIighway Constmction," a SUlllIllm")' oUhe study's findings submitted for presentation by the authors at the 1RD 

ammalmeetillg ill 2003, available at http://'''\w.ltrc.lsu.edufIRD_82fTRD2003·000646.pdf 

COl1gressiol1al Research Service 36 
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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

More time spent in design identifying problems will reduce construction time and result in a 

shorter overall project time. A widely recogni7ed principle is that spending more monies 

during plamring and design will reduce the time and cost required for construction by 

avoiding unforeseen conditions. reducing to a llrinimulll design errors and ollrissions. and 

developing schemes that will support the most efficient approach to construction. In the 

desigu phasc, the OPPOrtlllrity to make decisions to influence the final projcet cost is greatest. 

Yet. the expenditure of project funds is comparatively milrimal, typically about 10% of the 

capital budget." 

TI,ese study findings illustrate the potential problem with considering time spent in the planning 

or preliminary design stage as a delay. It is impossible to dctenninc whether or how much time 

may be saved, and project delivery ultimately accelerated. by avoiding conditions identified early 

in thc process. 

Expediting Environmental Reviews 

Lessons Learned 

TI,e potential for the environmental review process to expedite project delivery is illustrated in 

findings of a 2009 peer exchange between representatives from state DOTs and FHWA Division 

Offices. TIle exchange was intended to identify strategies to more effectively move complex 

environ:mental documents through the EIS process.G4 Participants presented inforruation on 

projects in their states that had moved through the environmental review' process quickly. They 

highlighted the challenges encountered, methods used to successfully and C±nciently navigate the 

EIS process, and lessons leamed from their experience. It was observed that the practices 

described by state DOTs represented a fi.mdamental shift in the way agencies have conducted 

environ:mental reviews over the last 10 to 15 years. Those state DOTs were found to have 

embraced innovative and creative solutions to balance tr,ll1sportationand infrastructllle needs 

with environmcntal protection and community concems. The environmental rcview 

processes for the successful projects ... were conducted in a collaborative and transparent 

manner. whereby Lstate DOTs] sought to include stakeholders early and often throughout 

development of the ETS. Such methods not only lead to a faster completion of the 

environmental review process. but perhaps more importantly, they result in the delivery of 

better quality projects. ones that fulfill the transportation needs of cOIlIlmmities willie 

lllaintaining protection of cnviroIDncntal resources at the same thne. (,'i 

One recent event serves as a good example of how environmental compliance requirements can 

be coordinated efficiently. That event was the reconstruction of the 1-35 bridge in Minneapolis 

after its August 1,2007. collapse. Anew bridge opened just over a year later on September 18, 

1:>3 "TIle Root Causes of Delays in IIighway Construction," p. 3. 

01 Strategies and [~ppl'Oachesfor Fffectire(y .'1oring Complex nnl'ironmental TJocumentc; Through the EJS Process. A 

Peel' Exchange Report, prepared hy the John A. Volpe National Tran~l1orlalion Sy",tems Center Research and 

Irmovative Teclmology Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation for the Otlice of Project Development and 

Environmental Revie\v. Federal Highway Administration. January 2009. available on FHWA's 

·'S1.rcul11Iining/Slc\vanlship" \vchsilc at http://cllvironmcnt..o.l\va.doLgov/stmlll1g1cisdocs.a~"p 

tiS Ibid., under "RecolIlmendations for Successful Tools & Techniques." 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

2008. TIle timing of that bridge reconstruction led to the question "Why can't all projects be 

completed that quickly?" 

TIle answer to this question can be found, in part, in an FHWA study that examined how the key 

elements of the enviroumental review process were completed after a bridge collapse.'''' A primary 

factor cited in the study was that, in the wake of an emergencv, the major causes of surface 

transportation project delay are absent. The "major causes of delay" identified were a lack of 

funding or priority in the state for the project: local controversy: interested stakeholder or local 

opposition: or insufficient political support67 Other potential causes of delay could still apply to 

emergency projects, including issues with the projects' complexity, poor consultant work, or the 

environmental review process. 

The FHWA study looked at the Minnesota bridge collapse as well as other projects that involved 

bridgc rcconstruction after a collapsc. Projccts in thc study illustrated how cfficicntly tllC 

environmental review process could be implemented if the more common sources of delay are 

absent and environmental review involves efficient interagency cooperation. 

Bridge reconstruction for the 1-35 project required the same environmental permits that would 

apply to any bridge reconstruction project of similar scope and scale. Despite the urgency ofthe 

project, there was no waiver or exemption from the environmental review or permit requirements. 

TIle replacement bridge was widened to accommodate future transit options, but did not increase 

capacity. The project fit the criteria necessary to be processed as a CE, but still required 

a permit issued by the Corps under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act: 

a bridge construction permit issued by the U.S. Coast Guard: 

an assessment of potential impacts to threatened and endangered species by a 

consultation team f0111led by FHWA, Minnesota DOT (MnDOT). and the 

Department ofthe Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): 

a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency pennit certifying compliance with the 

Clean Watcr Act's National Pollutant Dischargc Elimination Systcm and otllcr 

requirements; and 

an assessment of potential cultural and historic issues through MnDOT's Cultural 

Resources Unit (CRU), in part, in accordance witll a programmatic agreement 

with the Minnesota SHPO and tribes interested in reviewing state projects. 

Efficient interagency coordination on the project was a factor identitied as one associated with 

expedited reconstruction of tile bridge. However, tile efficiency of tllat agency interaction did not 

begin with this project. FHWAobserved that staff from state and federal agencies involved in the 

environmental review process had worked collaboratively on past projects. TIle agencies 

established lines of communication and understood the tasks and concerns of each other's 

bD Sec "Meeting Environlllental Requirements Attcr a Bridge Collapsc," prepared for the Oftlcc of Project 

Dt!vdopmt!l1t and Environmental Re\,ie\v, Federal Higlnvay Admini",tration, U.S. Deparlment or TranspOTtalion, amI 

prepared h), the John A. Volpe Nalional Transporlation Syslem", Center Re~arch and TnnovaLiH! Technology 

Administration, U.S. Department of Transportatioll, August 2008, available at http://www.enviTolllnent.thvva.dot.gov/ 

projdevlbridge _ casestudy .asp 

(li Major sources of project delay cited in the bridge study are those identitied in PIIVi,TA survey results included in 

Appendix 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

agencies. 1l1Ose existing relationships led to a quick response among those agencies after the 

bridge collapse. Further, FHWA and MnDOT recognized that by limiting the scope of the project, 

the environmental review process was expedited becanse no expanded environmental review was 

needed (e.g., it met the criteria applicable to a C£). Further, federal and state resources were 

focused on this project-its completion was a priority to the state. 

Apart from issues cited in the FHWA bridge study, MnDOT cited its use of a design-build 

procnrement process as an important factor in the expediting project completion. A "designbuild" process brings designers and contractors together early in the project development process 

and allows for a shortened process completion time by overlapping design and construction6~ 

Lessons leamed from projects completed relatively quickly as well as suggested solutions from 

transportation agency officials"') involve certain common approaches or procedures that have or 

could streanlline the environmental review process. Those approaches inelude the following: 

efficient interagency communication and project coordination; 

early and continued communication with stakeholders affected by a project; 

improvements in internal processes and procedures: 

demonstrated agency commitment to priority projects and project schedules; 

and/or 

programmatic approaches to meeting compliance obligations 

Each of these approaches can be implemented under existing standards and requirements 

applicable to federally fnnded highway projects. For example, CEQ and DOT regulations 

implementing NEPA include explicit requirements intended to identify potential environmental 

issues early in the project development process and coordinate efficient interagency cooperation. 

CEQ also provides federal agencies with guidance on improving the efficiency and timeliness of 

their environmental reviews under NEPA70 DOT provides guidance and infornlation intended to 

assist state and local agencies in implementing the envirolmlental review process more 

efficiently71 

DB For more inroTIlmlion about the bridge recon",lfLLction project, see the Minnesota DOT -'T-35W SL Anthony Falls 

Dl1dge" website at http://projects.dot.state.lilll.usl35wbl1dgelindex.html 

bY Sec [mdings in the 20U7 FHWNGallup study (cited in footnote 61) 

ceQ guidance "Improving the Process for Preparing Efficient ffild Timely Environmental Revievvs under the 

National.Ellvirol1mental Policy Act:" released 011 March 6, 2012, available at http://"\\'\\'\v.whitehouse.gov/ 

aciministratioll/eop/ceqlinitiatives/nepa/efficiellcies-guidance. CEQ stated that the guidance is part of its broader effort 

to "'moJemil'.e and reinvigorate" rederal agency implemenlalion orNEPA and to support goals established in Prec-iidenl 

Obama 's August 31,2011, memoranduIIL "Speeding IniiastI1lctme Development through More Eilicient and Eilective 

Permitting and Environmental Review. -, For information about CEQ pilot programs established to support those goals, 

see http://v./vvvv.whilehouse.gov/administration/eoplceqlinitiali,·ednepalnepa-pilot-projecL 

71 See FH\\TA's online "Environmental Review Toolkit:' available at http://environmenUhwa.dot.gov/illdex.asp.It 

includes, for example, guidance and infonn3tion regarding linking project pimming and envirolUllental rcquiremcnts; 

NEPA requirementc-i applicable lo projecl ue,·e!opmenl; a dawbac-ie or--lesc-ions leameu" relateu to streamlining and 

environmental stewardship; ffild guidance on compliance requi.Iements such as those applicable to wetlands, Section 

4(1), and historic preservation 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Administrative Efforts 

In 2009, DOT initiated its "Every Day Counts" progrmn to identify and implement approaches to 

shortening project delivery (among other goals). TI,e program includes an evaluation of potential 

changes in DOT's role in implementing the environmental review process, including the 

following efforts: 

Improve the link between project planning and environmental review-sets 

up a frmnework for incorporating planning documents and decisions from the 

earliest stages of project planning into the environmental review process. 

Enhance legal sufficiency reviews-uses the process to identify the most 

common problems in NEPA and Section 4(f) document development, their root 

causes, and the measures local and state transportation agencies can take to avoid 

the problems; and encourages reviews when documents are in their draft stage, 

reducing the potential need for multiple legal reviews of a '"final" document and 

helping to resolve conflict and potential controversy earlier in the process, when 

project schedules can better accommodate the change. 

Expand the use of programmatic agreements-identify new and existing 

programmatic agreements that may be expanded to a regional or nationallcvel. 

Encourage the use of existing regulatory flexibility-clarify existing 

requirements applicable to activities that may be allowed during the preliminary 

design phase of development and to ROW acquisition and utility relocation. 

These issues identified by both DOT and state transportation agencies illustrate the need to more 

eftlciently implement existing requirements or to identify barriers to implementing them. 

Conclusions 

There is little debate that delays in transportation project delivery can result in higher project 

costs. as well as delay potential positive economic advantages such as bringing project-related 

jobs to the community. Also, it is known that completing the environmental review process takes 

time, sometimes years for complex, major projects. Meeting environmental compliance 

requirements may result in project delays or, at least, a project taking longer than anticipated by 

its sponsor. However, what is unclear is whether or what specific elements of the environmental 

review process routinely delay project delivery. 

TIle time it takes to complete the NEPA process is often the focus of debate over project delays 

attributable to the enviromnental review process. However, the influence of environmental 

requirements established under Title 23 and other federal law call into question the degree to 

which changes in the NEPA process will expedite the environmental reviews and accelerate 

project delivery. Further, although there are no comprehensive data and available infol111ation 

tends to be anecdotal, w'hen delays in the environmental re\~ew process have been identified, they 

primarily stemmed from local or project-specific issues (e.g., project complexity, changes in state 

priorities, or late changes in project scope). 

Regardless of potential changes to the NEPA process or the overall environmental review process, 

local factors will strongly intluence project delivery time. State or local decision makers will 

continue to have the most significant influence on project delivery in their capacity to establish 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

(and change) project priorities, allocate available funds, and be influenced by local controversy or 

project opposition. A project's environmental review process may be efficiently e'(ecuted and 

involve no delays in the process itself, but still take decades or never be completed if local and 

state issues are acting against the project. 

The potential success of efforts intended to expedite the environmental review process would 

involve evidence that transportation projects were delivered more quickly. However, considering 

the limits to measuring the time it takes to complete the environmental review process, the 

relative success of a particular approach may be gauged in ternlS of the degree to which state or 

local transportation agencies find it useful in meeting their enviro11111ental compliance obligations. 

Comparcd to transportation plaI111ing and project developmcnt during construction of the 

Interstate Highway System, state and local transportation agencies are more inelined to consider a 

project's effects on connnunities aIld resourccs. Apart from aIly potential changes to federal 

enviro11111ental review requirements. local and state agency decisions regarding transportation 

project planning, fimding, and development will continue to be strongly influenced by a project's 

benefits aIld adverse effects to ti,e enviromnent and the comnuUlity it serves. 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Appendix. Surveys and Studies Applicable to the 

Environmental Review Process 

In this report summary information and conclusions regarding factors applicable to measuring 

the stages of project development, the time it takes to complete the environmental review process, 

and primary sources of delay or perceptions among transportation agency officials regarding 

causes of delay in completing the environmental review process were drawn from data included 

in the following surveys and studies conducted by FHWA, GAO, universities, or transportation 

organizations: 

Federal Highway Administration (available on FHWA's "Enviromllcntal Toolkit: 

Streamlining/Stewardship-Performance Reporting" website, http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ 

stmllng/es I Omeasures.asp). 

Evalualing the Pelformance of Environmenlal Sireamlining: Phase II, an FHWAcommission study conducted by the Louis Berger Group, 2003. 

FHWA surveys, Reasons/or He') Project J)elays and Tn/ormation on 7lmeliness 

on Compleling the N}''PAProcess. 

Strategies andApproachesfor Effectively Moving Complex Environmental 

J)ocllments Through the FTS Process: A Peer Fxchange Report, prepared for 

FHWA by DOT's John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 

Research and Innovative Technology Administration, January 2009. 

FHWA/Gallllp Stllc(v on Implementing Perjilrmance Measllrement in 

Environmental Sireamlining, "Implementing Performance Measurement in 

Environmental Streamlining," May 2007. 

Government Accountability Office. 

Highway Infraslruclure: Siakehoiders' Views on Time to Conduct Environmental 

Reviews ojHighway Projects, GAO-03-534, May 23, 2003. 

Highway Infrastructllre: Preliminary Injilrmation on the 7lmely Completion or 

Highway Conslruction Projects, GAO-02-1067T, September 19,2002 

University and Transportation Organization Studies. 

What Influences the I.ength onzme to Complete NFPA Reviews? An Fxamination 

of Highway Projects in Oregon and Ihe Polential for ,streamlining, by Jennifer 

Dill, Center for Urban Studies, Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies & 

Planning, Portland State University, submitted for presentation at the 85th Annual 

Meeting ofthe Transportation Research Board, November 15,2005 (revised). 

Causes and Fxtem olFnvironmental f)elays in li-ansporTation Project.,. prepared 

by TransTech Management, Inc., for the American Association of State Highway 

and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), December 2003. 

Environmental Streamlining: A Report on Delays Associated with the Categorical 

Exclusion and Environmental Assessment Processes, prepared by TransTech 

Management, Inc., for AASHTO, October 2000. 

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The Role of the Ellvirol1melltal Review Process ill Federa 1111 Ftmded Highwa'i Proiects 

Author Contact Information 

Lincl1 Luther 

Analvst in Environmental PolicY 

lluther(o>crs.loc.gov,7-6X52 . 

COl1gressiol1al Research Service 43 
166 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 

July 23,2012 

(HoU5e Rules) 

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY 

H.R. 41}78 - Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act of 2012 

(Rep. Griffin, R-AR, and 20 cosponsors) 

The Administration is committed to ensuring that regulations arc smart and effective, that they 

are tailored to advance statntory goals in the most cost-effective and efficient manner, and that 

they minimize uncertainty. H.R. 4078, the Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act, would undermine 

critical pnblic health and safety protections, introduce needless complexity and uncertainty in 

agency decision-making, and interfere with agency performance of statutory mandates. 

Accordingly, the Administration strongly opposes House passage ofH.R. 4078. 

When a Federal agency promulgates a regulation, the agency must adhere to the robust and well 

understood procedural requirements of Federal law, including the Administrative Procedme Ad, 

the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, the Paperwork Reduction 

Act, and the Congressional Review Act. In addition, for decades, agencyrulemaking has been 

governed by Executive Orders issued and followed by administrations of both political parties. 

These require regulatory agencies to promulgate regulations upon a reasoned determination that 

the benefits justify the costs, to consider regulatory alternatives, and to promote regulatory 

flexibility. 

This Administration is committed to a regulatory system that is informed by science, cost-justified, 

and consistent with economic growth. Through Executive Order and the direction ofthe 

President, agencies mU5t also ensure that they take into account the consequences of rulemaking 

on small bU5inesses. Executive Order 13563 requires careful cost-benefit analysis, increased 

public participation, harmonization of rulemaking across agencies, flexible regulatory 

approaches, and a regulatory retrospcctive review. Through Executive Orders 13579 and l3610, 

the Administration also has taken important steps to promote systematic retrospective review of 

regulations by all agencies. Collectively, these reqnirements promote flexible, commonsense, 

cost-effective regulation. 

Passage ofH.R. 4078 would seriously undermine the existing fi-amework. H.R. 4078 would also 

add layers of procedural burdens that would interfere with agency performance of statutory 

mandates, unnecessarily delay important public health and safety protections, and lmdennine and 

potentially delay important environmental reviews. For example, H.R. 4078 would create 

excessively complex permitting processes that would hamper economic growth. It would also 

spav;u excessive regulatory litigation, and introduce redundant processes for litigation 

settlements. It also addresses numerous problems that do not exist, such as a moratorium on 

"midnight" rules. 
167 

In these ways and many others, the Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act would impede the ability of 

agencies to protect public health, welfare, safety, and our environment, as well as to promote 

economic growth, innovation, competitivene •• , andjob creation_ 

Ifthe President were presented with H.R 4078, his senior advisors would recommend that he 

veto the bill. 

******* 

2 
168 

April 24, 2012 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 

COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 

The Honorable Howard Coble 

Chairman 

House Committee on the Iudiciary, 

Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law 

517 Cannon HOB 

Washington, DC 20515 

The Honorable Steve Cohen 

Ranking Member 

House Committee on the Iudiciary, 

Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law 

517 Cannon HOB 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Chairman Coble and Ranking Member Cohen: 

I am writing to you to provide the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) views on H.R. 

4377, the "Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of2012." Although 

the bill purports to streamline environmental reviews, we believe the legislation is deeply flawed 

and will undermine the environmental review process. If enacted, these changes could lead to 

more confusion and delay, interfere with public participation and transparency, and hamper 

economic growth. 

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law by President Richard 

Nixon after passing Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. NEPA ushered in a new 

era of citizen participation in government, and it required the government to elevate the 

consideration of the environmental effects of its proposed actions. It remains one of the 

cornerstones of our Nation's modern environmental protections. 

NEPA is as relevant and critical today as it was in 1970. NEPA focuses and informs decision 

makers, policy makers, and the public on alternatives and the tradeoffs involved in making 

decisions. Today, we take for granted that governmental decision making should be open, that 

govemment actions should be carefully thought out and their consequences explained, and that 

govemment should be accountable. Prior to the enactment of NEPA, this was not the case. H.R. 

4377 would undo more than four decades of transparent, open, and accountable government 

decision making. 
169 

The Administration believes that America's economic health and prosperity are tied to the 

productive and sustainable use of our environment, and the President has stressed these 

principles since his first day in office. NEPA remains a vital tool for the Nation as we work to 

protect our environment and public health and revitalize our economy. 

The President also takes seriously the need for efficient permitting and decision making by 

Federal agencies. American taxpayers, communities and businesses deserve nothing less. 

However, we reject the notion that NEPA and other Federal environmental laws and regulations 

hinder job creation. 

For example, the Federal Highway Administration (FHW A) has found that 96.5 percent of 

federally funded highway projects are approved under the least intensive, shortest and quickest 

layer ofNEPA analysis, namely categorical exclusions (CEs). CEs can take as little as a few 

days to a few months to complete, not years, and are usually done concurrently with other 

aspects of the project review process so that the entire review process is completed quickly. 

Only 0.3 percent ofFHWA projects require a full environmental impact statement (EIS), the 

most detailed study under NEPA. When there are project delays, they are typically caused by 

incomplete funding packages, local opposition, and low local priority, or compliance with other 

laws and requirements considered during the NEP A process, but rarely NEP A itself. 

We continue to identify new ways to improve agency decision making and new opportunities to 

improve efficiency and reduce delays. On March 22, 2012, President Obama signed an 

Executive Order directing Federal agencies to expedite regulatory review and permitting 

decisions for key infrastructure projects - a critical step in improving our Nation's infrastructure 

and maintaining our competitive edge. In addition, CEQ has taken several steps to improve and 

make more efficient Federal agency decision making (see attachment for CEQ NEPA 

Modernization Initiatives). 

H.R. 4377 would make a number of considerable changes to Federal agency regulatory review, 

permitting and environmental analysis that undercut the core principles embodied in NEP A, 

including reasoned decision-making and public involvement. The legislation seeks to implement 

these changes to Federal agency decision making under the Administrative Procedure Act 

(P.L.79-404). The passage of this legislation would lead to two sets of standards by which 

Federal agencies would be expected to comply, one for "construction projects" under the AP A 

and one for all other federal actions, such as rulemaking or planning, under NEP A. This would 

lead to confusion, delay, and inefficiency. 

Moreover, the legislation would direct agencies, upon the request of a project sponsor, to adopt 

State documents if the State laws and procedures provide environmental protection and 

opportunities for public involvement "that are substantially equivalent to NEP A." In our view, 

it is difficult to determine whether a State statute is substantially equivalent to NEPA and the 

legislation contains no requirement for agencies to determine if the State documents are adequate 

for NEPA purposes. More importantly, the State document may have looked at a different 

purpose and need for the project, a different set of alternatives than the Federal agency would 

have looked at, and relied on different standards for analysis. The State, for example, may not 

have looked at the same factors that Federal agencies are required to consider, such as 
170 

environmental justice and wetlands protection. Finally, no two State processes are alike, 

compounding confusion for projects that cross State lines. Thus, a Federal agency's reliance on 

State docwnents may lead to inconsistencies between Federal projects and agencies, different 

environmental goals and protections, confusion among the public and unclear results for 

businesses and permittees. 

The legislation also establishes arbitrary deadlines for the completion ofNEPA analyses. 

Factors such as feasibility and engineering studies, non-Federal funding, conflicting priorities, or 

applicant responsiveness are just a few examples of delays outside of the control of an agency. 

Arbitrary deadlines and provisions that automatically approve a project if the agency is unable to 

make a decision due to one of the factors described above will lead to increased litigation, more 

delays and denied projects as agencies will have no choice but to deny a project if the review and 

analysis cannot be completed before the proposed deadlines. 

These comments illustrate a few of the many concerns we have with the legislation. The 

Administration would be happy to provide the Committee with a more thorough and exhaustive 

list of our substantive concerns with the legislation at the request of the Committee. 

In closing, when properly implemented, NEPA improves collaboration, consensus, 

accountability and transparency surrounding govemment decision making and actions. Our 

Nation's long-term prosperity depends upon our faithful stewardship of the air we breathe, the 

water we drink, and the land. Our country has been strengthened by the open, accountable, 

informed and citizen-involved decision-making structure created by NEPA, and our economy 

has prospered. 

~ Nancy H. Sutley, Chair 

Council on Environmental Qualit 

cc: Chairman Lamar Smith 

Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. 

Enclosure 
171 

CEQ NEP A Modernization Initiatives 

April 24, 2012 

• In May 2010, CEQ issued guidaoce on Emergencies aod NEP A that addressed how 

agencies cao ensure efficient aod expeditious compliaoce with NEP A when agencies 

must take exigent action to protect humao health or safety aod valued resources in a 

timeframe that does not allow sufficient time for the normal NEP A process. This 

guidaoce also addressed how agencies, in aoy situation including emergencies, cao 

develop focused aod concise Environmental Assessments (EAs) to provide ao 

expeditious path for making decisions when the proposed action does not have the 

potential for significaot impacts. 

In November 2010, CEQ finalized guidaoce on how to establish aod use CEs for 

activities-such as routine facility maintenaoce---that do not need to undergo intensive 

NEPA review because the activities do not individually or cumulatively have significaot 

environmental impacts. The CE guidaoce reinforced the value of categorical exclusions. 

* In Jaouary 2011, CEQ issued guidaoce on the use of mitigation aod clarified the 

appropriateness of using mitigation to conclude Environmental Assessments with a 

Finding of No Significaot Impact (FONSI). A mitigated FONSI allows agencies to use 

EAs to identify aod commit to mitigation measures that, when implemented, will 

eliminate potential significaot impacts aod meet NEP A requirements without the need to 

prepare a more intensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 

In March 2011, CEQ initiated a NEPA Pilot Program to solicit ideas from Federal 

agencies aod the public about innovative time- aod cost-saving approaches to NEPA 

implementation. Under this process, CEQ is working to identify innovative approaches 

that reduce the time aod costs required for effective implementation of its NEP A 

regulations. These innovative approaches promote faster aod more effective Federal 

decisions on projects that create jobs, grow the economy, aod protect the health aod 

environment of communities. We expect that this effort will result in faster aod more 

effective Federal decisions on projects that create jobs, promote economic growth, aod 

protect the health aod environment of communities. 

In March 2012, CEQ issued new guidaoce for public comment on improving the 

efficiency of the NEPA process overall, by integrating planning aod environmental 

reviews, avoiding duplication in multi-agency or multi-governmental reviews aod 

approvals, engaging early with stakeholders, aod setting clear timelines for the 

completion of reviews. 
172 

Mr. BACHUS. That will not take away from your 5 minutes either. So we will start the clock. Everybody has gone over their 5 

minutes. So there is really no such thing as 5 minutes. 

Mr. JEFFRIES. Well, Mr. Chair, we all appreciate your southern 

hospitality. 

Mr. Kovacs, I want to explore sort of a narrative that has been 

put forth today as it relates to the recession and then the slow, in 

the words of others, economic recovery subsequent to the collapse 

of the economy in 2008. And certainly I think most reasonable people would agree that the economic recovery has not been as robust 

as we all would like for the good of the people that we represent. 

It has been an uneven recovery, but certainly it seems to me, 

based on objective criteria, that corporate America has been a disproportionate beneficiary of the recovery to the extent that there 

has been one of significance subsequent to the collapse of the economy. Is that a fair statement? 

Mr. KOVACS. I do not really do that kind of economic analysis. 

I am sorry. I cannot help you. 

Mr. JEFFRIES. Okay. But would it be fair to say that part of your 

concern related to the permit process is that it hinders the ability 

of American companies to be successful? Is that not the genesis of 

your report and the reason why you are sitting before us today? 

Mr. KOVACS. Well, I think the essence of the report says that 

there are projects that the private sector—and I know there are 

projects especially in the transportation field that the Government 

sector would like to do, and we think that it would enhance job creation and enhance the economy if they could move forward more 

quickly. 

I think that the statistics—and you were not here when I went 

over like on the American Recovery Act. One of the statistics that 

is really amazing that the Administration puts out is that out of 

the 192,000 projects that went through the Recovery act, 184,000 

of them had to go through the Boxer-Barrasso Amendment which 

is use the most expeditious route possible under NEPA. And so if 

they had to use the full-blown NEPA versus the Barrasso-Boxer 

Amendment, the question is how many of those would have stalled 

out. 

And my only point is that I think if you listen to all the panelists, you look at where they are in the Senate, look at where they 

are in the House, there is an enormous amount of agreement that 

we have to get the time frame right and things have to move 

quicker. And I don’t think—— 

Mr. JEFFRIES. And I would agree with that. Reclaiming my time, 

I would agree with that concern as it relates to the time frame and 

making sure it is appropriate both in terms of its rigorousness but 

not unnecessarily hindering the opportunity for innovation and entrepreneurship and businesses to move forward. 

Now, am I correct that the stock market currently is at or near 

record highs? Is that a fair, factually accurate statement that you 

are qualified to answer? 

Mr. KOVACS. It is certainly doing better than it was several years 

ago. 

Mr. JEFFRIES. And am I correct that corporate profits are at or 

near record highs presently? 
173 

Mr. KOVACS. Actually, you would have to ask our economist. I 

think he would be the better person. 

Mr. JEFFRIES. Okay, I think that is a generally accepted fact. 

Am I correct that the productivity of the American worker is at 

an all-time high or certainly has increased dramatically over the 

last several years, meaning that companies are in a better position 

to make more using the same or less employees? Is that a factually 

accurate statement? 

Mr. KOVACS. Well, I think productivity has increased for centuries based on technology, new materials, everything. 

Mr. JEFFRIES. Okay. So I think that the doom and gloom scenario, as has been painted, related to the economy and the Obama 

recovery would do well to take into account some of the objectively 

understood facts as it relates to who actually has benefitted during 

this recovery, particularly in the context of this discussion where 

we all are legitimately concerned about the success of American 

companies moving forward. But that success and whatever regulatory obstacles exist I think should be interpreted in the context 

of the fact that corporate America is doing pretty well right now, 

but it is the middle class, working families, poor folks, seniors who 

have struggled in the context of this recovery. 

Mr. KOVACS. But, Congressman, the jobs that would have been 

created had these projects gone forward would have gone to the 

middle class. I mean, these would have been high paying construction jobs. And I think the purpose for us doing Project No Project 

and being so actively involved in the permitting issue is it will create jobs. The U.S. Chamber wants to create as many jobs in this 

country as we can possibly create. And our position is not that jobs 

have not been created. Our position is we can create a lot more and 

we can take the people who are either unemployed or have parttime jobs and put them in full-time jobs through these projects. 

And I think all of us have agreed that these projects need to go forward in a more expeditious way, and if they do, they will create 

jobs. And that is what we should be working for. 

Mr. JEFFRIES. I think we can all find the point of agreement as 

to the end of creating jobs for those that we represent here in 

America. The best means to do so—we will have to continue that 

debate. 

But I thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back. 

Mr. MARINO [presiding]. Thank you, Mr. Jeffries. 

Distinguished Congressman, Mr. Johnson. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I think that we all would agree that a sustainable environment 

is a key to economic prosperity. Do you all agree? Is there anyone 

who does not agree? 

[Nonverbal response.] 

Mr. JOHNSON. So a sustainable environment—I mean, we are 

talking about air quality, water quality, things such as that. Those 

things are important to economic prosperity. Are they not? Do you 

all agree? 

[Nonverbal response.] 

Mr. JOHNSON. And so now, when we have scientists who are 

studying the impact of man’s activities on our environment with an 

eye toward determining whether or not those activities are sustain-
174 

able or not, should we not pay any attention to those kinds of studies? Is there anyone who would agree that we should just discard 

those studies? 

[Nonverbal response.] 

Mr. MARINO. If the gentleman would yield for a moment, I want 

to go on record that I absolutely agree with you that we should 

make certain that our environment is protected, and I think I have 

reiterated that numerous times. So I do not think you are going to 

get anyone here to disagree with you. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Well, I do not know, though. I do want to just 

make sure that I can get an affirmation by a show of hands. 

[Show of hands.] 

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Kovacs too, all right. Thank you, my colleagues 

on the other side. 

And so when 95 percent or so of scientists agree that man’s activities contribute to the diminution of our environment from a 

quality perspective, I mean, we should pay attention to that. And 

so when 95 percent of them are saying that man creates the—or 

mankind—man’s activities contribute to global warming and global 

warming is a real concern, then we should, as a society, pay close 

attention to that. 

Now, Mr. Kovacs, I know that you have taken positions in opposition to the scientific research that has been done. Do you have 

any scientific reason for taking those kinds of positions on this 

issue of global warming? 

Mr. KOVACS. That is not a correct statement, sir. 

Mr. JOHNSON. What is not a correct statement? That you have 

taken—— 

Mr. KOVACS. That I have taken positions in opposition. The U.S. 

Chamber has consistently supported finding a way in which to reduce greenhouse gases without destroying the economy. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Will the Chamber of Commerce consider not blocking alternative forms of energy creation such as wind and solar? 

Mr. KOVACS. Well, Congressman, I thought I answered this the 

last time. But we have for—I do not know—15-16 years before even 

a lot of the renewable fuels became popular with the environmental 

community, we supported renewable fuels. We supported energy efficiency. We supported energy savings performance contracts. We 

are sitting here next to Cape Wind. I do not know. When was the 

first time we supported your project? 10 years ago? 

Mr. DUFFY. Probably 10 years. 

Mr. KOVACS. So, I mean, I think on that ground I just beg to differ with you. I think you are just wrong. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Well, I mean, I am looking back as early as 2001 

when you appeared on CNN on behalf of the Chamber and claimed 

that there is no link between greenhouse gases and human activity. I mean, that is just a fact. 

But then even up to 2009, I see that you challenged an EPA decision about clean air and you pledged to put the science of climate 

change on trial kind of like a Scopes Monkey Trial of the 21st century. There was a comment that was attributed to you in 2009. 

Mr. BACHUS. Not the part about the Scopes Monkey Trial. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Oh, okay. 

Mr. BACHUS. That was your comment. Right? 
175 

Mr. JOHNSON. And even today the Chamber continues to take or 

make exaggerated claims that regulating greenhouse gases would 

eliminate jobs and strangle the economy. And you are spending 

millions of dollars in a campaign against meaningful climate 

change legislation. And so I do not know how you can square what 

your activities have been over a period of at least 12 years—— 

Mr. KOVACS. Well, I can honestly tell you that if funds had been 

spent in opposition to climate change, whether they be advertising 

or anything else, it would have come out of my division. And I can 

tell you for a fact there has not been any money put up by my division to oppose climate change legislation. 

Mr. JOHNSON. That is a very technical and artful way of escaping 

responsibility, I think, for the Chamber’s efforts—— 

Mr. KOVACS. No. This is, I guess, where you and I just really 

have a fundamental disagreement. If you go back through the 

pages of what the Chamber has supported, we have promoted technology. We have promoted energy efficiency. I mean, when President Obama decided to have a major event on energy efficiency 

contracts and it was going to be a major event, he was going to 

issue an executive order, he was going to have President Clinton 

there with him, who was the only CEO that he asked to appear 

with him? It was Tom Donohue, and they all promoted the energy 

efficient savings contracts. So certainly if we had the positions that 

you are espousing, I do not think that President Obama would 

have invited our CEO to that event. 

So I think we are very proud of all of the efforts. Go ask Congressman Welch. We have been with him in the beginning on his 

energy efficiency bill. We have been there on all the energy efficiency bills. I think there is probably one we did not, but virtually 

on all of them. So I think we have been pretty consistent. 

We may disagree with you on some of the bills. As I said to you 

last time, we did disagree with Waxman-Markey. We thought that 

the regulatory structure was so oppressive that it would literally 

sink the economy, and the economy was already bad at that time. 

But we have always left ourselves open to coming to some kind of 

a position where we can balance the economy and the environment 

and make sure that we do not sink the economy through regulations. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Well, do you think that regulations are due in 

such an important area such as the environment? Environmental 

regulations are basically what the Chamber has traditionally attacked. 

Mr. KOVACS. We have historically said that this Nation needs 

reasonable regulation. We have never argued with that. If you did 

not have regulation, we would have to probably create it just to 

have business practices. The question is between 1946 and today 

we worked on a few small regulations. Today we are on regulations 

that are massive costing tens of billions of dollars, and I think the 

concern there is let’s understand what it is we are doing because 

it does have an effect on jobs and we just need to appreciate that. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Well, you seem to be a very reasonable person, Mr. 

Kovacs, and I look forward to working with you in good faith to try 

to do something good for our environment and, at the same time, 

promote prosperity for the businesses. 
176 

Mr. KOVACS. We are there on that one. 

Mr. JOHNSON. And I thank you. 

Mr. MARINO. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. 

Just for the record, I want to refer to a portion of Mr. Kovacs’ 

report, and I quote. One of the most surprising findings is that it 

has been just as difficult to build a wind farm in the U.S. as it is 

to build a coal-fired power plant. In fact, over 40 percent of the 

challenged projects identified in our study were renewable energy 

projects. And we did ask some renewable people to be here and 

they chose not to be here. 

For my good friend, Mr. Johnson, where I live, it is not only humans that get blamed for the gases. It is our cows as well. 

The Chair recognizes the Chairman. 

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Ivanoff, I just would like to make one closing 

comment. You were talking about the jobs that are created, not just 

building the road, the project. I went back and what I was reminded of recently—they came out with the truck sales of General 

Motors and Ford and Dodge. And the largest consumer was the 

construction industry, and not all of them in road construction. But 

I looked up where these trucks are made, the largest customer for 

these factories. In Dearborn, Michigan, that is the F150 and a 

smaller factory in Kansas City. They are all made there. How 

about the Avalanche and the Silverado? Flint, Michigan; Fort 

Wayne, Indiana; Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Ram, Warren, 

Michigan. So a lot of jobs in a lot of—Fort Wayne, Indiana; Dearborn, Michigan; Zanesville, Ohio; Warren, Michigan. Every one of 

those is probably a high unemployment area. A lot of people. They 

are there. They want to work hard. They are very good paying jobs. 

So I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania for bringing 

this. 

I close by saying everybody has commented. The studies are 

going to be done. They are just going to be done quicker. Mr. Duffy, 

there are people that waited 12 years for that job. A lot of them 

did not have 12 years. 

So I yield back the balance of my time. 

Mr. MARINO. Votes are going to be called shortly. But, Mr. Johnson, do you have anything further that you would like to discuss? 

Mr. JOHNSON. Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman, and I do appreciate it. 

I know that in your testimony, Mr. Duffy, in the paragraph numbered 2 in the first paragraph thereunder, the last sentence, you 

are talking about the Federal regulatory process and you state in 

that last sentence: ‘‘Indeed, the Chairman of our opponents’ group 

recently admitted in the press that his strategy is one of ’delay, 

delay, delay.’’’ And you point that out in your comments. Is that 

correct? 

Mr. DUFFY. That is correct, Mr. Johnson. That is the chairman 

of our organized opponents’ group made that statement recently in 

CommonWealth magazine. 

Mr. JOHNSON. And your chairman is in fact Bill Koch. Is that 

correct? 

Mr. DUFFY. That is correct. That is the statement of Mr. Koch. 

Mr. JOHNSON. But actually in that statement that you pulled 

from Mr. Koch stated that he is—he says he is pursuing two Cape 

Wind strategies. ‘‘One is to just delay, delay, delay, which we are 
177 

doing and hopefully we can win some of these bureaucrats over. 

End quote. He says, quote, the other way is to elect politicians who 

understand how foolhardy alternative energy is.’’ 

So Mr. Bill Koch we know is just a strong and unstinting opponent of alternative energy, and I know that his activities in terms 

of electing persons who are of that same mindset is an activity that 

the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has participated in as well. 

And I just want to point—I do want to place a copy of Mr. Koch’s 

statement, which is in an article which is entitled ‘‘The Man Behind Cape Wind and the Project’s Biggest Opponent Have Been Negotiating Privately for More Than a Decade.’’ It is by Bruce Mohl, 

M-o-h-l. I would like to submit this for the record without objection. 

Mr. MARINO. Without objection. 

[The information referred to follows:] 
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AlSO CHECX OUT 

_ 

R~LATED ARTICLES 

......... _- ----- --_e.,. _ ... _---- __ ..... _ 

--

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RELAHD BLDG POSTS ... __ 

.--..... 

- RELATID TOPICS 

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184 

Mr. BACHUS. Well, let me raise an objection which I withdraw. 

Mr. MARINO. I take back that without objection. 

Mr. BACHUS. I would like the record to show that Congressman 

Hank Johnson has joined with the Koch brothers in resisting this 

alternative energy project. So I thought you all were adversaries, 

but you are obviously doing what you consider the devil’s work 

here. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Yes, I mean, there is a place for political activity, 

and there is a place for good public policy that promotes the general welfare. 

Mr. BACHUS. So you are commending the Koch brothers. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Well, there is certainly no intent on my part to do 

that. 

Mr. BACHUS. It sure sounded like that is what you—— 

Mr. JOHNSON. No, no, no, no, not at all. 

Mr. Slesinger, you are grabbing for the mike. I want to give you 

an opportunity. 

Mr. SLESINGER. I just think that, again, this issue with Cape 

Wind again comes down to not so much it was NEPA but just a 

very well financed, organized opposition for whatever reason that 

is the real cause for most of these delays, not NEPA. 

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Duffy was wanting to respond. 

Mr. MARINO. Yes. I wanted to give each one of the panel members 15-30 seconds. If you want to wrap something up, please do. 

Mr. BACHUS. Maybe they would like to respond to this question 

and then you could give them time. 

Mr. MARINO. Sure, go ahead. 

Mr. DUFFY. Just in response, obviously this is a well-funded opposition, but something is wrong with the system if a well-funded 

opponent can misuse the NEPA system to drag it out for 10 years. 

As we mentioned before, the original 40 questions estimated a 12- 

month timeline. We are at 10 years. The CEQ regs today say the 

text of an EIS shall normally be less than 150 pages or proposals 

of unusual scope shall normally be less than 30 pages. We, with 

the Department of Justice and the NRDC, are going to file a brief 

tomorrow defending the sufficiency of a 5,000-page environmental 

impact statement. So I think our point is something has gone 

amiss from the original congressional intent that is reflected in the 

statute and the original adoptions of guidance from the CEQ to 

where we are today. 

And we just think Massachusetts, with its energy facilities siting 

statute on a bipartisan basis, has a solution with a strong track 

record which is worthy of consideration. It imposes a 12-month 

time limit and an expedited appeal directly to the State’s highest 

court to move projects forward that are worthy of merit. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Well, if I may, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. MARINO. Quickly, please. 

Mr. JOHNSON. It is indeed clear that something is wrong with 

our democracy when a couple of deep-pocketed individuals can stall 

action for this long. 

Mr. MARINO. Mr. Slesinger, would you like 15 seconds? 

Mr. SLESINGER. I would just note that, again, Cape Wind was a 

unique case. Because of the very strong and well-financed opposition, it required to, quote, paper the record, which is probably why 
185 

the NEPA documents are as long as they are and why we think 

they are very complete. And that is why we are joining Mr. Duffy’s 

company in supporting that EIS as being sufficient. 

Mr. MARINO. Thank you. 

Mr. Ivanoff? 

Mr. IVANOFF. Thank you very much. First of all, again, thank 

you very much for giving us an opportunity to speak and come before you. 

Mr. MARINO. It is our pleasure. 

Mr. IVANOFF. I think, Mr. Marino, you have introduced a very interesting piece of legislation. I wish you well with it. I think it 

probably needs a little tweaking, as you heard from Mr. Slesinger 

and others. But I think what it brings is it is a job creation bill 

and many of these projects that we are talking about—they cannot 

be outsourced. You cannot pave a grade—do grade paving of a 

roadway from across the pond. It has got to be done here by our 

people. 

Mr. MARINO. Thank you, sir. 

Mr. Kovacs? 

Mr. KOVACS. Very quickly. I think this is one of the more constructive hearings I have been at. I saw the most agreement I 

think I have seen in this Committee in several years, and I am 

thrilled. 

Mr. MARINO. We are trying. 

Mr. KOVACS. Really quickly. You know, in the conference report 

when NEPA was first put out in 1970, they anticipated a 1-year 

time frame for getting these projects done, and they anticipated at 

that time the President would do an executive order to make sure 

it stayed on 1 year. 

And also, just because it has been put up several times by Mr. 

Slesinger, on Project No Project, it really depends what projects 

you are looking for. Once you get into the Federal stage of the 

projects, it is NEPA. And if you are a wind project, a solar project, 

a water project, NEPA is what is going to affect you. So you have 

to look at it. But the local action starts in the beginning, but believe me, the inability to come to a sufficiency of a NEPA review 

never ends. 

Mr. MARINO. And just for the benefit of my dear friend, Mr. 

Johnson, I am out in the country. I live on a mountain. I heat my 

house with propane gas. I live in the middle, dead smack in the 

middle of Marcellus gas, which is booming our economy. But be 

that as it may, I am looking in to putting a windmill on my property because I see that energy shooting by every day that I could 

utilize. 

So with that, ladies and gentlemen—— 

Mr. JOHNSON. Well, if I might, just one more comment. 

I always knew that my friend from Pennsylvania was a flaming 

progressive. [Laughter.] 

Mr. MARINO. That was my deceptive intent. 

Mr. BACHUS. Hank, let’s get behind this bill and stop the Koch 

brothers from being able to delay a project. 

Mr. JOHNSON. To my friend from Alabama, I admire your work 

and will consider your guidance. 

Mr. MARINO. Thank you. 
186 

This concludes today’s hearing. I want to thank all of our witnesses for attending. I want to thank also our guests for being here 

as well, and if you have any input, let our staff know. We would 

appreciate it. 

I want to thank my colleagues and our staff members. I think we 

were very productive here today. 

And without objection, all Members will have 5 legislative days 

to submit additional written questions for the witnesses or additional materials for the record. 

This hearing is adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 12:02 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.] 
(187) 

A P P E N D I X 

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE HEARING RECORD
188 

Response to Questions for the Record from William K. Kovacs, Senior Vice 

President, Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber 

of Commerce 

Questions for the Record from 

Ranking Member Steve Cohen 

for the Hearing on H.R 2641, the "Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating 

Development Act of 2013" 

July 11,2013 

Questions for William Kovacs 

J. At the heginning of yo Ill' prepared /es/imoflY, you provide a long lis/ of/he mriolls 

initiatives that the current Administration and the COllncil on Environmental Oualitv 

have undertaken this veal' to improve environmental revieH's, including olle issued last 

month. 

Rather than pushing for are-write o(NEPA that would onlv applv to a subset o( 

projects subject to environnlental review. wouldn '{ it fllake more sense to see how 

and whether these new initiatives address some of the concerns vou have raised? 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has welcomed each of the initiatives designed to 

improve the NEPA environmental review process for major projects. We applaud the 

Administration's efforts to improve the coordination and transparency of project reviews 

through a "dashboard." Better coordination and effective communication are key 

components of improving the review process. The biggest success stories in the area of 

proj ect coordination, however, have resulted from the type of approach taken in 

SAFETEA-LD. And a key component of SAFETEA-LU has been the introduction of 

action-forcing deadlines. These deadlines have led to significantly positive results. The 

RAPID Act would simply apply these successful ideas to a larger subset of major projects 

- the type of projects that otherwise could be subject to an open-ended review process 

with no prospect of closure. The nation cannot afford to wait to see how many worthy 

projects will die on the vine because of the lack of a predictable conclusion to the review 

process. 

2. According to Mr. Slesinger, hardlv all)! of the examples of delaved environmental reviews 

cited hv the Chamber 011 its Project No Project Website was attrihutable to NJiPA. 

What is vow' response? 

Initially, it is important to note that the criteria and parameters of the Chamber's Project 

No Project study and website did not call for a specitlc detennination of whether or not 

NEPA was the source of delay or termination of each project Consequently, simply 

because "NEPA" does not appear within a project entry on the website does not mean 

that a NEPA review did not contribute either directly or indirectly to the delays in the 

completion of that particular proj ect Along those lines, while NEP A may not appear to 

be a contributing factor for the delay ofa project, NEPA is in reality the cause. For 

example, a project may appear to have been delayed and eventually cancelled simply 

because of financing reasons. Upon further probing, however, it turns out that the 
189 

financing was either lost or could not be fully secured because of uncertainties in the 

environmental review process required under NEP A. It can be difficult for an investor to 

commit initially or year-after-year to millions of dollars to build a project when 

construction is delayed by an uncertain, unwieldy, and indefinite environmental review 

process. For example, in July 2009, the Transmission Agency of Northern California 

cancelled a northeastern California transmission line project because three of the six 

partner utilities pulled out their promised investments. One of the reasons cited by the 

utilities for withdrawing their financing commitments: the potential for costly threatened 

litigation in connection with the environmental review of the project. 

Moreover, as the Chamber itself has asserted, the Not-In-My-Back-Yard ("NIMBY") 

attitude opposing project development is pervasive in American society This obvious 

fact obscures the truth that the most powerful tool wielded by NIMBY activists to halt or 

delay projects is NEPA. As the 2012 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report cited 

by Mr. Slesinger in Question 4 correctly noted, the NEPA compliance process is often 

used to demonstrate compliance with all applicable environmental review requirements: 

"[tJhis use ofNEPA as an "umbrella" compliance process can blur the distinction 

between what is required under NEP A and what is required under separate authority"l 

The very fact that NEPA is used as an "umbrella" compliance process invites project 

opponents to use a "throw in the kitchen sink" approach, raising multiple environmental 

issues that impede any tinal resolution of the NEP A review. Thus, while some of the 

projects included in the Project No Project report appear to have been abandoned or 

delayed because of purely local factors, the essentially open-ended NEPA review process 

provides the ideal vehicle to raise concerns and force additional study and additional 

delay. For example, although Mr. Slesinger stated at the July II hearing that the Cape 

Wind project had been delayed for 10+ years because oflocal opposition and local 

actions, the project sponsor who actually navigated the process assigned much of the 

delay to NEPA and its nearly limitless opportunities for new issues to be raised. 

3. Would you surrorl increasing funding fiJr agencies so Ihal Ihey hm'e the resources 10 

conduct such reviews more quicklv, including the abiliO! to respond 10 public comments 

more raridlv? 

The Chamber could hypothetically support additional appropriated funds to expedite the 

environmental review process for major projects if the additional funds were restricted to 

that specific purpose. Congress adopted a conceptually similar approach in Title V of the 

1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. States are authorized to impose and collect permitting 

fees from permit applicants, but these fees are strictly limited to the state agency's actual 

cost of conducting the review of permit applications. In the absence of such a restriction, 

we are concerned that additional funds would immediately be diverted to other activities 

of interest to an agency. 

The Chamber is confident, moreover, that improved coordination and informationsharing will enable agencies to be far more efficient about the way they conduct 

I Congressional Research Service, The Role afthe Ji.m'irol1lllcntal Review Process in Federal~v /lunded Hig!lIj'ay 

Pn~jects: /JQckground and Issuesjhr Congress (Apri11 L 2012) at 5. 
190 

f 

environmental reviews. The RAPID Act will enable agencies to expend less effort 

replicating relevant information about a proj ect that is already in the hands of other 

federal or state agencies. 

4. Mr. Slesinger cited a Congressiol1al Research Service report r'om last year that found 

most delap' associated with environmental reviews are not caused bv Nhl'A. 

What is VOllr response? 

Significantly, the CRS report cited by Mr. Siesingrer only evaluated federally-funded 

highway projects, not investor-funded development projects of the type that are the 

primary concern of the Chamber's members. Many of the non-NEPA causes of project 

delays listed by CRS -lack of state funding, changing state/local priorities - are not 

relevant to investor-funded projects. Critically, CRS itself acknowledges that it actually 

has no data on nationwide highway project delays and correspondingly little data on the 

reasons for these delays. As noted above, many of the "purely local" reasons cited for 

project delays actually depend on the vehicle of the NEPA environmental review process 

to slow or kill development projects. 

5. Ifthere is onlv one provision ofthe RAPID ACllhat could be enacled, which provision 

would vou'wanr it to be? 

In the Chamber's view, the most important aspect of the RAPID Act is the imposition of 

action-forcing deadlines, including the replacement of the default six-year statute of 

limitations with a six-month statute of limitations. Our members tell us that the most 

important concern associated with the current environmental review process is its total 

lack of certainty and predictability. Holding the agencies accountable to complete their 

reviews within a defined deadline will give project sponsors the certainty they need in 

planning for major projects. 

6. lfil was guaranleed Ihal one provision ofihe RAPID Acl would be simek which wOlild 

VOli rather it he? 

The Chamber has been a longstanding proponent of permit streamlining, including last 

year's RAPID Act. We believe that all provisions of the current bill are important. For 

the purpose ofresponding to your question, however, and in the spirit of cooperation, the 

Chamber could support the elimination of the default issuance provisions of the draft bill. 

With deadlines for agency action, project sponsors have a remedy available to ensure that 

the environmental review process is concluded. 
191 

Response to Questions for the Record from Dennis J. Duffy, 

Vice President and Counsel, Cape Wind Associates, LLC 

f 
192 

Response to Questions for the Record from Scott Slesinger, 

Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council 
193 

November, 2010, the website for the plant remains live, but notes that "The design of 

the plant was changed in Jan. of2010 to gasoline." The problem was financing, not 

NEPA; the air permit was granted in only 4 months. 

"In 2003, the Calpine Corporation sought to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) 

terminal on Humholdl Hay ill },·ureka, CA. The Eureka City Council held a meeting to 

consider the project; over 1,000 residents showed up and of the 77 who spoke, 59 

opposed the project. In response, a Calpine spokesperson said "We have withdrawn 

our plans .. It became clear a majority of the community did not support the project, 

and community support for a project is very important to us." Local opposition, not 

NEPA, caused the project to get dropped. 

"Ihe Golden Pass I,NO Terminal was proposed in 2003. FERC, in conjunction with 

the US. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas Commission on 

Environmental Quality, and others, approved its permit in 18 months. Construction 

started in 2006, but Hurricane Ike damaged the terminal in 2008, delaying completion 

until 2010-5 years after FERC finished its analysis. As the Chamber of Commerce's 

website says, Golden Pass's main delay "came from natural causes." A hurricane, 

not NEPA, caused the project to fail. 

These examples are from the Chamber website; it does not include independent research or 

confirmation of the facts by NRDC. 

2. Do YOli have any recommendations about how NEP A could be improved? 

If the Congress wants agencies to work more expeditiously on the NEP A process and 

related permits and provide more useful reports, Congress needs to adequately fund those who 

prepare environmental reviews as well as those who oversee contractors. Agencies should be 

encouraged to follow the example of the Department of the Interior's Smart from the Start 

program -- for example, the Bureau of Land Management program setting out a roadmap for 

development of renewable energy projects on public lands that provides data and analyses on a 

broad - high scale - level and should ease the preparation ofNEPA reviews for site- and projectspecific actions. Following the lead of the Federal Highway Administration's Eco-Logical, an 

ecosystems approach to developing infrastructure projects is another practical way to improve 

planning process and NEPA that could be more widely adopted. 

3. Mr. Ko\'acs notes Ihatlhere is hiparlisan support/or streamlining the permitting process 

./injederal construction projects and that this suggests that there ought to be bipartisan 

support/or the RAPII) Act. 

Whal is your re.sj>onse? 

That there may be some Republicans and Democrats who think the permitting process takes too 

long does not mean this bill is a good solution. Most Americans would not support a "fix" that 

undermines environmental reviews and short circuits the public's ability to have a say in federal 
194 

government actions that affect their lives and communities. There is also support in Congress to 

conduct proper environmental analyses before the federal government funds or approves projects 

to avoid waste-particularly given the current state of the economy. The fact that some members 

may want to expedite decisions for projects they support is expected, but cannot come at the 

expense of the public's say in federal projects that affect their lives and communities. Automatic 

permit approvals, limited alternatives analysis, absurdly short comment periods for the public are 

precisely the type of modifications to NEPA that will actually cause delays, while wasting 

money, encouraging bad projects, and probably eroding the public's right to open government. 

.f. Mr. Kovacs says that the RAPiD Act simply reflects· what is already current law as 

rejlecled if1 Section 6002 lifSAFFTFA-UJ 

Whal is your re.lfJonse? 

While there are some similarities to section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU, there are also significant 

differences that make the RAPID Act a more significant reversal of environmental protections. 

For example: 

1) RAPID micromanages lead agencies by setting a 30-day deadline for responding the 

their invitation to designated participating agencies, SAFETEA-LU leaves deadlinesetting at the discretion of the lead; 

2) SAFETEA-LU protects the integrity and quality of work by qualifying mandated 

concurrent timing of reviews with caveats, stating they shall be thus performed "to the 

maximum extent practicable" and "unless doing so would impair the ability of the federal 

agency to carry out these obligations"; those conditions are not in RAPID. 

3) RAPID severely limits alternatives analysis with three sections not in SAFETEA-LU, 

mandating that alternatives not identified by the lead agency shall not be evaluated, 

alternatives that are "inappropriate" vis-a-vis purpose and need shall not be evaluated and 

"only feasible alternatives," i.e., ones the project sponsor could undertake shall be 

evaluated. This tilts the playing field in favor of contractors specializing in one possible 

solution to a problem. For example, if a traffic problem is at issue and the project sponsor 

is a highway contractor or FHWA, then this provision will prevent examination of transit 

or land-use alternatives that may well yield equivalent or better outcomes at a much 

cheaper cost to taxpayers. 

4) RAPID explicitly squashes potential dissent by requiring that any comment outside of 

the schedule set by the lead agency be ignored, which is also not in SAFETEA-LU. 

5) A "failure to act" on reviews required under other statutes in the time limits specified 

in RAPID yields a "deemed approved" status for those reviews. This extends far beyond 

NEPA to hamstring other laws and is also not in SAFETEA-LU. 

6) SAFETEA-LU includes a requirement that perfonnance be measured, and that 

assistance be provided to reviewers to ensure they can do their job expeditiously; RAPID 

has neither of these provisions. 
195 

A GAO report' on SAFETEA-LU that was published too late for its research to guide the 

authorization of MAP-21, points out some positive and negative experience with those changes. 

For instance, GAO notes: 

"State DOTs reported that the other SAFETEA-LU provisions GAO studied have both 

potential benetlts and challenges but, in some cases, they identitled alternative solutions 

that could better serve their needs. For example, although respondents indicated that they 

could save time by implementing the issue resolution process established in SAFE TEALU, they also noted that the use of written agreements between highway project 

stakeholders-such as federal resource agencies-could better serve their purposes." 

This example points out that the Federal Highway Administration and other agencies can amend 

the process with precision as needed to continuously improve the program. For instance, based 

on positive state experience, DOT has implemented an "Every Day Counts" program that shares 

states success stories and encourages other states to adopt innovati ve solutions. FHW A also 

"developed performance measures for Every Day Counts and is currently collecting data to 

determine if these initiatives have had a positive impact on expediting highway projects,,2 For 

government to be accountable, perfonnance measures are a necessary tool. 

5. In his wriffen testimony, Mr. Dl!fJjJ cites Massachuseffs law in ()tlering a number oj'sllggested 

legislative changes at the federal level, including consolidating appeals and coordinating 

permit rel'iew time periods with inl'estment incentives. 

What do you think of Mr. Dl!fJjJ 's suggestions? 

NRDC supports the current tax incentives for alternative energy and ending the tax code's annual 

sunsetting of those provisions. As Mr. Duffy notes, the subsidy uncertainty unsettles the market 

since investors and lenders don't know the rules that will apply. I would note that the tax 

incentives for fossil fuels are not subject to these sunsets which unfairly tilt the market against 

alternative fuels and for the continuing exploitation of carbon-based fuels. Therefore, we oppose 

the bias in the current tax law and recommend that the incentive not end on an arbitrary date. 

Requiring consolidated appeals is unnecessary and could have adverse consequences. If there are 

multiple federal approvals, the permits and NEPA challenges may not line up simultaneously. 

Often, despite the best of intentions of the bill's sponsors, permits could be settled early in the 

process while the NEP A process is just getting started - or vice versa. For instance, in the 

Secure Energy example in question #1, when the air permit is issued in 4 months while the 

NEPA process is presumably just getting started, the proj ect sponsor may want to challenge that 

permit immediately. Would a consolidated requirement make the sponsor wait until all the other 

approvals are final agency actions? 

I !ltip://W\\ v".gao.guv.'prodLlcts/GAO-12-59.1 

2 Ibid. 
196 

There are good reasons for these existing rules. For example, each separate agency decision has 

to be supported by its own administrative record. If the cases were consolidated, the court would 

still be effectively hearing a lot of separate lawsuits; they would simply all be heard by the same 

judges. Under existing law, certain approvals might have to be challenged within 30 or 60 days. 

A plaintiff might have longer to challenge other approvals. Applying a short deadline to all 

challenges could force plaintiffs to bring suit prematurely, without adequate time to develop the 

case, and perhaps without time enough even to decide whether the case is worth bringing. 

With regard to shortening the statute oflimitations (SOL) to file a claim, NRDC opposes this on 

a number of grounds, including the idea that it will have the unintended and perverse etTect of 

actually increasing the number of claims filed as plaintiffs rush to the courthouse to preserve 

their right There is no evidence that the 6 year limit has been abused. (i.e., cases filed near the 

end of the present statute oflimitations which is six years). Again, changing the SOL is 

addressing a problem that does not exist. 

If a project is challenged and the timing of various permits and reviews does line up, courts are 

able to consolidate cases under their present authority. 

Again, addressing the litigation tied to NEPA cases will not have an impact on all but a handful 

of cases. Taking one outlier, Cape Wind, as a rationale to dramatically amending the APA and 

effectively amending NEPA, is fraught with unintended consequences. NEPA's critics 

exaggerate the volume of litigation arising under this statute. Because agency compliance with 

NEPA is now generally quite good, NEPA generates a relatively small volume oflitigation. 

Federal agencies prepare approximately 50,000 EAs each year, plus another 500 draft, final and 

supplemental EISs for the much smaller number of "major" federal actions. Aggrieved parties 

typically file about 1 00 NEP A lawsuits per year, representing only 0.2% of the actions 

generating NEPA documents annually. Not surprisingly, given the broad range of interests 

involved in the NEP A process, the types of plaintiffs that bring NEP A lawsuits cover the 

waterfront, including state agencies, local governments, business groups, indi vidual property 

owners, and Indian tribes, as well as environmental organizations. 

6. While I understand that YOIl chal1enge the vel)! premise lInderoJing the RAPID Act, if 

there is otle provisiol1 of the RAP//) Act that is guaranteed to hecome law, which 

provision would you rather it he? 

Of the bill's provisions, subsection (e) is the least harmful to the process. Although the section 

creates some confusion between participating agencies and cooperating agencies, and paragraph 

(4) would undercut the ability of underfunded agencies to have a say if they miss the deadline, 

the amount of harm this provision would cause may not be irreparable. The necessity or value of 

even some of these provisions is a bit dubious. For instance, restricting agencies commenting 

outside their area of expertise or if they miss a deadline seems questionable. For example, the 

Air Force opposed a project that they thought was too close to their tlight patterns and 

commented about that, along with the problem of waste disposal for the proposed project 

Would the Air Force only be allowed to comment on the first issue and hope that EPA would 

bring up the other critical concern since it is not part of the Defense Department's mission? That 
197 

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