Source: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/P3/tools_programs/sep15_idaho_eda.htm
Timestamp: 2014-03-12 07:06:09
Document Index: 423029095

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 502', '§ 4321', '§ 303', '§ 4601', 'art 24', 'art 7', '§ 112', '§ 139', '§ 112', '§ 139', '§ 112', '§ 139', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108']

Tools & Programs: SEP-15
Connecting Idaho - GARVEE Bond Program
to SEP-15
Early Development Agreement Between the Federal
Highway Administration and the Idaho Transportation Department
for the Idaho Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles Bond Program
THIS EARLY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ("EDA" or "Agreement"),
made and entered into this 6th day of September 2007, by
and between the IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT (hereinafter "ITD")
and the FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION, (hereinafter "FHWA"): WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the Idaho Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles
Bond Program ("Program") was enacted into law in
April 2005 to provide approximately $1.2 billion to advance
260 miles of multi-lane or high performance roadways
located on 13 corridors through the State of Idaho over the
next six to ten years; WHEREAS, on January 29, 2007, ITD submitted an application
under Special Experimental Project Number 15 ("SEP-15")
for specific waivers from the current requirements of title
23 of the United States Code and title 23 of the Code of
Federal Regulations for procuring final design services and
acquiring right-of-way for certain Program Projects prior
to completion of the environmental review process; WHEREAS, on October 6, 2004, FHWA announced, in the Federal
Register at 60 Fed. Reg. 59983, a new special experimental
project to explore alternative and innovative approaches
to the overall project development process known collectively
as SEP-15 pursuant to the authority in 23 U.S.C. § 502(b)(1)(B); WHEREAS, SEP-15 is designed to permit tests and experimentation
in the project development process for title 23 projects
that are specifically aimed at attracting private investment
and lead to increased project management flexibility, more
innovation, improved efficiency, timely project implementation,
and new revenue streams; WHEREAS, under SEP-15, in order to facilitate tests and
experimentation in the project development process, FHWA
may grant modifications or deviations from the current requirements
contained in title 23 of the United States Code and title
23 of the Code of Federal Regulations; WHEREAS, on May 14, 2007, FHWA approved ITD's SEP-15 application;
and WHEREAS, under SEP-15, an EDA between ITD and FHWA is required
in order to specify the conditions relating to the modifications
or deviations from Federal requirements that are granted
for the Projects to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement
as well as to identify the reporting requirements that will
be used to evaluate the extent to which the modifications
or deviations contributed to the success of the Program; NOW THEREFORE, ITD and FHWA hereby agree as follows: SECTION 1. SCOPE OF EARLY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT This EDA is intended to identify and establish the parameters
of the modifications or deviations from title 23 of the United
States Code and title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
which shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Experimental
Features," for advancing final design and for the advanced
acquisition of right-of-way for the Projects. Nothing in
this EDA shall be construed as a relinquishment of any Federal
oversight or stewardship responsibility or a commitment of
Federal-aid funds for any phase, other than procuring final
design services and advancing final design activities, and
acquiring right-of-way for the Projects.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1 NEPA "NEPA" means the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321, et
2.2 Project(s) "Project(s)" means an undertaking as described
in Section 4(D) and Section 5(D).
2.3 Section 4(f) "Section 4(f)" means section 4(f) of the U.S.
Department of Transportation Act of 1966, codified at 49
U.S.C. § 303.
2.4 Uniform Act "URA" means the Uniform Relocation Assistance
and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970, codified at 42
U.S.C. § 4601 et. seq.
SECTION 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS 3.1 Applicability of Federal Law A. All Federal laws, rules and regulations shall be applicable
to any project using Federal funds, including, but not limited
to, the requirements set forth in titles 23 and 49 of the
United States Code, and titles 23 and 49 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, the Uniform Act and the DOT's implementing regulations
found at 49 C.ER. Part 24, and NEPA, except as otherwise
B. With respect to title 23 of the United States Code and
title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, ITD may use
the Experimental Features described in Sections 4 and 5.
ITD's use of such Experimental Features shall be deemed to
be in full compliance with Federal law, rules and regulations.
3.2 Withdrawal of Approval for Experimental Features FHWA's approval of any or all of the SEP-15 Experimental
Features identified in Sections 4 and 5 may be withdrawn
at any time by FHWA if FHWA determines that the Experimental
Features are not in the public interest. Prior to any such
withdrawal, FHWA will issue a written notice to ITD describing
FHWA's findings and provide ITD a reasonable period of time
to address FHWA's concerns. However, during such period of
time, except as specified below, no further work shall be
conducted based on the approval at issue until such time
as FHWA determines that ITD has fully addressed FHWA's concerns.
Upon withdrawal of approval of an Experimental Feature, the
applicable requirements of title 23 of the United States
Code and title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall
immediately apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any withdrawal
of an approval under this' paragraph only affects Federal
funding eligibility for the Project, or elements thereof,
to be carried out under Sections 4 and 5, not subject to
a project agreement and shall not: (a) invalidate or require
modification of any previously executed contracts entered
into in reliance upon such approval; (b) affect the obligations
of the parties under a previously executed contract; and
(c) otherwise apply retroactively to any completed elements
3.3 Access to Documents As provided in 23 C.F.R. 1.5, ITD shall furnish, or make
available, to FHWA such information as FHWA deems necessary
to administer the Federal-aid program in connection with
the Projects carried under the Experimental Features and
ensure compliance with the applicable Federal requirements.
Any records that a private party does not want to be made
publicly available shall be reviewed by FHWA in accordance
with the procedures outlined in the FHWA January 26, 2005,
memorandum concerning "Pre-submission Evaluation of
Information under the Freedom of Information Act." The
confidentiality of any records obtained by FHWA shall be
determined in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 7.
3.4 Order of Precedence Except as otherwise specified herein, this EDA supersedes
the January 29, 2007, ITD SEP-15 application and the May
14, 2007, FHWA SEP-15 acceptance letter. The January 29,
2007, ITD SEP-15 application and the May 14, 2007, FHWA SEP-15
acceptance letter are attached to this EDA as Exhibits A
and B, and may be used for historical and interpretive purposes,
provided that this EDA shall be given precedence to the extent
there is any conflict. Any modifications to this EDA shall
supersede any conflicting provisions of the January 29, 2007,
ITD SEP-15 application, the May 14, 2007, FHWA SEP-15 acceptance
letter and any prior modifications to the EDA.
SECTION 4. EXPERIMENTAL FEATURE - PROCUREMENT OF FINAL
DESIGN SERVICES AND ADVANCEMENT OF FINAL DESIGN ACTIVITIES
PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF NEPA A. FHWA acknowledges and agrees to ITD's deviations from
23 D.S.C. § 112(b)(3)(B) and § 139(f)(4)(d) and
23 C.F.R. 771. 113(a), as provided in the May 14, 2007, FHWA
SEP-15 acceptance letter, for procuring final design services
and advancing final design activities prior to completion
of the NEPA process.
B. The purpose of 23 D.S.C. § 112(b)(3)(B) and § 139(f)(4)(d)
and 23 C.F.R. 771.113(a) are to protect the integrity of
the NEP A process and ensure there is an unbiased NEPA decision¬ making
process by prohibiting the initiation of final design activities
until completion of the environmental review.
C. In order to ensure that the purpose of 23 D.S.C. § 112(b)(3)(B)
and § 139(f)(4)(d) and 23 C.F.R. 771.113(a), as listed
in section 4(B), are protected, the following conditions
must be met: (i) ITD may only procure final design services and begin
final design activities that are common to all alternatives
(ii) Procurement of final design services and initiation
of final design activities may not bias the ongoing NEPA
process and may not occur until the following events have
occurred: (a) Publication of the draft environmental document for
public comment; (b) Completion of public hearings on the document; (c) Close of the public comment period; and (d) Analysis by ITD of all comments and preliminary selection
of a preferred alternative.
(iii) Final design on all other segments must be undertaken
in accordance with FHWA regulations and after completion
D. This Experimental Feature may only be used to procure
final design services and advance final design activities
on the following projects: (a) I-84, Garrity Interchange to Meridian Interchange; (b) I-84, Orchard Interchange to Vista Interchange; (c) I-84, Gowen Interchange to Eisenman Interchange (Isaacs
Canyon); (d) I-84, Cole Interchange to Broadway Interchange Soundwalls; (e) I-84, Cole Interchange to Orchard Interchange; (f) U.S. 95, Garwood to Sagle (Chilco Stage); (g) U.S. 95, Garwood to Sagle (Athol Stage); and (h) I-84, Vista Interchange to Broadway Interchange.
SECTION 5. EXPERIMENTAL FEATURE - ACQUISITION OF RIGHT
-OF -WAY PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF NEPA A. FHWA acknowledges and agrees to ITD's deviations from
23 U.S.C. § 108(c)(2),23 C.F.R. 710.305, 710.503, and
771.113(a), as provided in the May 14, 2007, FHWA SEP-15
acceptance letter, to acquire right-of-way prior to the conclusion
of the NEP A process.
B. The purpose of 23 U.S.C. § 108(c)(2); 23 C.F.R.
710.305, and 771.113(a) is to ensure that there is an unbiased
NEPA decision-making process.
C. In order to ensure that the purpose of 23 U.S.C. § 108(c)(2);
23 C.P.R. 710.305 and 771.113(a), as listed in section 5(B),
are protected, the following conditions must be met: (i) FHWA,
with ITD's participation, will at all times direct and control
(ii) ITD may only acquire parcels that are within the overlapping
footprint of all the remaining build alternatives under consideration
(iii) ITD may only acquire those properties available for
sale voluntarily by the landowner.
(iv) ITD may not use eminent domain to acquire right-of-way
until the environmental process is complete.
(v) Prior to acquisition of right-of-way, ITD must have
appropriate safeguards in place to avoid the appearance of
undue influence on property owners and perceptions of unfavorable
treatment for those properties that are not acquired.
(vi) ITD must have safeguards in place to ensure that no
activities take place on the acquired properties that could
produce an environmental impact.
(vii) Only general property management activities to keep
the property in good condition relative to the surrounding
area may be undertaken.
(viii) The Uniform Act, including the relocation provisions,
must be adhered to on all acquisitions.
(ix) ITD will not be required to obtain concurrence from
the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to 23 C.P.R.
710.501(c)(2) but it must show that the acquisition of properties
under this Experimental Feature did not influence the NEP
(x) No parkland or historical property (or other sites
subject to section 4(f)) may be acquired prior to completion
D. This Experimental Feature may only be used to acquire
parcels for the following projects:
(a) US-95, Garwood to Sagle; (b) SH-16/I-84 to South Emmett; (c) I-84/ Ten Mile Interchange; and (d) I-84/ Karcher Interchange to Five Mile Road SECTION 6. EVALUATION CRITERIA 6.1 Purpose The purpose of this section is to describe the evaluation
criteria that ITD shall use in evaluating the Experimental
6.2 Time Impacts and Results A. For each Project carried out under Section 4(D), ITD
(i) compare the actual schedule for delivery of the Project
with the estimated schedule based on a traditional Final
Design process; and (ii) quantify the value of early Final Design for each
B. For each Project carried out under Section 5(D), ITD
shall: (i) compare the actual sche4ule for delivery of the Project
with the estimated schedule based on a traditional right-of-way
acquisition process; and (ii) quantify the value of early acquisition of right-of-way.
6.4 Cost Impacts and Results A. For each Project carried out under Section 4(D) analyze
the cost of Final Design under the terms of this EDA compared
to the cost of Final Design for similar ITD projects.
B. For each Project carried out under Section 5(D) analyze
the cost of right-of-way for the Project compared to the
acquisition of right-of-way for similar ITD projects.
6.5 Impacts to the Environmental Process A. For each Project carried out under Section 4(D), ITD
shall analyze the impacts or benefits of procuring Final
Design Services and advancing Final Design activities prior
to completion of the NEPA process.
shall analyze the impacts or benefits of acquiring right-of-way
prior to completion of the NEPA process.
SECTION 7. REPORTING 7.1 Purpose The purpose of this section is to describe the reporting
requirements for each Project carried out under this Agreement.
7.2 Independent Report ITD shall contract with an independent third party to prepare
a report for each Project.
7.3 Submission of Reports ITD will submit a report on each Project to FHWA within
180 days following completion of Final Design for Projects
under Section 4(D) and within 180 days following completion
of the NEPA process for Projects under Section 5(D).
7.4 Procurement of Final Design Services and Advancement
of Final Design Activities For each Project carried out under Section 4(D), the report
shall include: (A) an overall evaluation of the Final Design process; (B) a description of lessons learned, including problems
and suggestions for improvement to the Final Design process;
and (C) a recommendation of any statutory or regulatory changes.
7.5 Acquisition of Right-of-Way Prior to Completion of
NEPA For each Project carried out under Section 5(D), the report
shall include: (A) an overall evaluation of the NEPA an4 right-of-way
acquisition processes used for the Project; (B) a description of lessons learned, including problems
and suggestions for improvement of the right-of-way acquisition
(C) the collection and evaluation of stakeholder (State
and local government entities, property owners and tenants,
and participants in the environmental evaluation process)
observations about the experiments carried out pursuant to
this EDA; and (D) a recommendation of any statutory or regulatory changes.
SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 8.1 Amendments This EDA may be amended at any time by written agreement
of FHWA and lTD. Amendments to this EDA may include, but
are not limited to, the addition or deletion of SEP-15 experimental
features, modification of evaluation criteria, and modification
of reporting requirements. The FHWA Idaho Division Administrator
shall have the authority to amend this EDA for FHWA, subject
to the concurrence of ITD and the SEP-15 Steering Committee.
8.2 Original Copies This EDA shall be prepared in duplicate so that each signatory
has an original copy.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
EDA to be duly executed in duplicate as of the day and year
Acting Deputy Administrator and Chief Counsel
Federal Highway Administration Pamela Lowe