should have a good degree of certainty that these agency consultations will not substantially change the project alignment or design. The one exception is that the PAR must be complete prior to FHWA approval of the Draft EA. From a practical perspective, most projects not included in specific Categorical Exclusion listings are processed as EAs. Typical examples in Georgia include highway widening, large-scale safety projects (those requiring additional right-of-way), and roadway projects on new location. Environmental Assessments require two approvals by FHWA. The first is the approval of the Draft EA that allows the project to advance to a PHOH. The second FHWA approval is of the Final EA that concludes with a FONSI or that an EIS should be prepared. Three components of the EA must be completed successfully to assure timely approval; The specific analyses required for the project, The documentation, and The steps to process the documentation. Following FHWA approval of the Draft EA, the public availability period, and receipt of comments on the Draft EA, the next step is a determination of significance of impacts: If, after completing the process, it is evident that there are no significant impacts associated with the project, a Final EA and a FONSI may be prepared; or If, at any point in the process of preparing or processing an EA, it is discovered that the project would result in any significant impacts to the environment, then an EIS must be prepared. 5.2 Analysis The level of analysis will vary by project and topic, depending on the particulars of each project. Chapter V of this manual includes a wide range of environmental studies; some or all of which may apply to a particular project. The analyses for an EA must include, at a minimum, the following: Purpose and Need Alternatives Considered Air Quality Noise Quality Conceptual Stage Study Economic Impacts Land Use State and Federal Waters Protected Species Threatened & Endangered Migratory birds Other, e.g., bats Floodplains
4.4.1 State and Federal Protected Species Survey Report Project Description Include an overview of proposed project. Study Area Include size of habitat and area/type of potential impact. Species Description Include a detailed description of the physical characteristics, life history, and habitat requirements of the species. Survey Methodology Include detailed description of the approved methodology. Preparatory Data Detail data acquired in preparation for survey; websites, literature, conversations with botanists, element occurrence. Include literature cited. Coordinate with GA DNR and USFWS biologists/botanists to offer participation in the survey and to determine optimal survey schedule. Qualifying Statement State the experience of surveyors with the target species as well as relevant zoological experience or experience conducting botanical surveys. Field Survey Description Detail date, time, weather conditions, number/name of surveyors, width/length of transects, length of time of survey. Habitat Quality Detail tree species, shrub species, forb species, soils, terrain characteristics. Make special note of invasive species. Species Impact Include an analysis of the habitat/individuals within the survey area as compared to the current population of the species. Figures Habitat Location Map Display and label all habitat types over an aerial or satellite imagery background. Also display waters, but do not label them. Habitat type polygons should be filled with a pattern or be transparent so that imagery layer is not obscured. Fill
NEPA analyst will certify the project for let. An updated environmental commitment (green) sheet will be included. This certification can also serve as a “no-change” reevaluation if the most recently approved NEPA document was signed 6 to 12 months prior. (See also , 2.0.) 3.0 Completing an environmental reevaluation Every Reevaluation should answer the following questions: Have the conditions of the project changed? Has the setting changed? Has the information presented changed (e.g., age of the studies; changes in the regulations; changes in survey methodology; new listing of a species)? Is the document still valid? If the information has changed, is agency coordination appropriate? The will be the guide to completing the reevaluation procedure. The general procedure that needs to be followed is described below: Check the description of the most recently approved document. This will be the project description as stated in the approved Categorical Exclusion (CE), Environmental Assessment (EA)/Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), Record of Decision (ROD) or most recent reevaluation. Coordinate with the PM to obtain the most up-to-date project plans. Project design can change due to comments made at the PFPR or FFPR. If this is the case, the NEPA analyst needs to insure that the project description and plans they receive from the PM are furnished after the revisions suggested at the PFPR and FFPR have been made. Compare the project description from the most recently approved NEPA document with the latest set of plans. Update archaeology, history, ecology (including any 404 permit changes), noise and air studies as discussed in The reevaluation form will be completed by either the NEPA analyst or an environmental consultant. Update other studies, as needed. Reference and include all revised special studies /memos/concurrence letters in the reevaluation attachment. Revised reports are transmitted to the appropriate agencies; therefore, they do not need to be attached to the NEPA document. Discuss any and all changes to effects in a reevaluation attachment. Include updated graphics, especially if the project limits have changed. Update the . Sign and date the form. Route to the NEPA analyst for initial review. Route to the NEPA supervisor/manager for review and approval. Submit to FHWA for approval, if necessary.